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On this page, you
will find all the latest news and reviews about the Old Poets'
Corner - the latest article will always be at the top.
For more info
about our newest award, please click here!
Whether or not it was ever truly known as the Poets’ Corner we shall
never know, but in those days one thing is for sure: -
“The village folk did frequently gather afore the ‘Old Red Lion’ and
were entertained with ardour. Poetry and story telling, singing and
music making, took with a pitcher of fine old ale, did turn the
day’s toils to merriment”.
»
Following on from the very recent "Winter Pub of the Season" award
[see below] - we have now scooped our highest accolade to date -
"Chesterfield CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006"
Pub of the Year 2006 - The Old
Poets' Corner - Ashover
 Within
what seems a small space of time, the Old Poets’ Corner at Ashover
has scooped its highest accolade to date by being crowned
Chesterfield & District CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for 2006. Kim &
Jackie Beresford have only been at the pub since June 2004 and have
already won Winter Pub of the Season twice. It seems to me a natural
progression that they should have built on that success to win the
Pub of the Year Award, too.
After being voted Winter Pub of the Season for 2005, the pub was
automatically entered into a strongly fought six-way contest for our
area’s Pub of the Year title.
So, let’s take a look at why people chose the Old Poets’ Corner:
-
Consistently good
choice of Real Ales: Kim is proud to say he always makes sure
there are at least six beers on at any one time. These vary in
style and taste, are always in good condition and often come
from local breweries.
-
Atmosphere: The
Poets has become a busy centre for the community of Ashover and
its visitors. There is always something happening, including
quizzes, poetry nights, live music and the draw of a roaring
fire in winter.
-
Good Service with
a Smile: Kim, Jackie and their staff are always friendly and try
to make the time to chat even during busy times. Top-ups are
given without asking and you are guaranteed a warm welcome,
whether you have been there many times or are making your first
visit.
-
A Good Mix of
Customers: The Poets seems to attract a diverse crowd. Whenever
we have visited there has been a range of ages and types – from
local church bell ringers to ramblers!
-
Supporting CAMRA:
This is one of the main reasons Kim & Jackie are winners with
CAMRA members. The Old Poets hosts regular beer festivals,
promotes beer from local breweries, sells Real Cider and bottled
World Beers, takes part in promotions (Mild and Cider months,
for example) and always has CAMRA leaflets, poster and magazines
on display.
-
Kim & Jackie have
done a great job and we wish them every success in the future.
They aren’t resting on their laurels either, with new
developments such as B&B accommodation (10% discount for CAMRA
members) and, in the near future, a function room available for
hire. They also have some exciting plans for a micro-brewery at
the pub.
-
The Old Poets’
Corner now goes forward to the Derbyshire Pub of the Year
competition and I’m sure they will do Chesterfield & District
proud!
From InnSpire
- The newsletter of Chesterfield and District Branch of CAMRA - The
Campaign for Real Ale - Issue 59 - February 2006. Article by Andrea Waterhouse - To download the article in
hi-res pdf format, click the following link.
(Adobe reader is required
to view this file -
download it here if you don't have it)
»
This is what The Derbyshire Times had to say:
Top accolade for
pub
Residents in the country's village of
the year are raising a glass of cheer – after one of its pubs was
named the area's finest!
 The
Old Poets' Corner on Butts Road, Ashover, has been named the
Chesterfield and District CAMRA Pub of the Year, beating off
competition from five short listed boozers.
The pub is run by
licensees, Kim and Jackie Beresford, who have turned the once
struggling watering hole into a popular haunt for beer connoisseurs
from near and far – tempting them with a wide range of real ales,
traditional ciders and country fruit wines.
They regularly hold
beer festivals and have recently opened three bed and breakfast
rooms.
Kim said: "We are
very proud. It is something we have worked really hard for and
winning this was a nice pat on the back. "We never set out to
be a run of the mill pub as we cater for a niche market with the
emphasis on quality and choice of product."
The Old Poets' Corner
will now go forward to the Derbyshire Pub of the Year contest.
19 January 2006
»
Chesterfield CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) have announced that
we are "Winter Pub of the Season 2005"
 After
fighting off stiff competition from some worthy adversaries, the Old
Poets’ Corner, Ashover, won the latest Branch Award.
A minibus full of (very) willing volunteers visited this friendly
and popular village pub to present the certificate and to take part
in (and win!) their weekly Wednesday quiz.
The regulars (of whom there are many) and visitors alike seemed very
pleased by the event and wholeheartedly agreed with the Award.
The Old Poets’ has, in a relatively short time, managed to make its
mark on the local pub scene. Kim & Jackie are keen to support CAMRA
campaigns: showcasing a range of beer (often from local
breweries), always keeping a selection of real ciders, and holding
regular Beer Festivals.
Having managed to
build up a following of happy drinkers, Kim and Jackie assured us
that they would carry on as they had begun - they have recently
secured the freehold of the pub and as well as now offering B&B
accommodation, there is the prospect of a micro-brewery!
"The Old Poets'
wins "Winter Pub of the Season" again!" by Andrea Waterhouse - from
InnSpire - The newsletter of Chesterfield and District Branch of
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale - Issue 58 - December 2005.
To download the article in pdf format, click the
following link.
(Adobe reader is required
to view this file -
download it here if you don't have it)
The 2006 edition
of the "Good Beer Guide" has just been published and we are
extremely proud to say that we are now listed in the UK's best
selling book aimed at the real ale drinker - and fondly known in the
UK as "The Real Ale drinkers Bible". To purchase a copy of the
Good Beer Guide 2006, please click the GBG image on the left had
side of the website.
This is what the guide says:
Beautiful, mock-Tudor building
with old village photographs adorning the walls, open fires, wooden
beams and hops above the bar. As well
as two house beers – Ashover Gold from Leatherbritches and Old
Poets’ Ale from Tower – there is an ever-changing range of beers
from
regional and micro-breweries (usually including one strong dark
ale), real ciders, Belgian beers and fruit wines. This enterprising
establishment also hosts regular live music, poetry readings, folk
evenings, three seasonal beer festivals a year and monthly quiz
nights. Dogs are welcome.
»
InnSpire - The Chesterfield and
District Branch of CAMRA Magazine Issue 52 - December 2004
- 36kb
"Winter Pub of the Season 2004 - The Old Poets' Corner -
Ashover"
Click here to
download the page in PDF format.
(Adobe reader is required
to view this file -
download it here if you don't have it)
»
Matlock Mercury article - ?/?/2004
- 252k
Click here to
download the article in pdf format.
(Adobe reader is required
to view this file -
download it here if you don't have it)
»
InnSpire - The Chesterfield and
District Branch of CAMRA Magazine Issue 49 - June 2004
- 36kb
"Real Ale in Ashover with a Poetic Slant"
Click here to
download the article in pdf format.
(Adobe reader is required
to view this file -
download it here if you don't have it)
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