CIDER drinkers in Newton Abbot can honestly say it’s been a golden year…

It’s been 50 years since the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was formed and to celebrate its half-century it’s given three South West pubs a Golden Award, and one of them is Ye Olde Cider Bar in East Street.

It’s just one of the few remaining true cider houses in the country, and a past winner of CAMRA’s Cider Pub of the Year award. 

Owner and licensee Julian Marsh, who took over the 175-year-old establishment just before the first lockdown in February 2019 couldn’t be more thrilled.

‘The timing of my taking it on couldn’t have been worse, but my friends beseeched me to buy the pub,’ he said.

‘We were closed for nine months so it’s been tough. Not just for the pub but our regulars. It’s a real place of coommunity.

‘Some of them have been coming here for the 50 years, so for many of them there is the social element which they have really missed.’

Since taking over the pub after returning from the USA, Julian, who also owns the Railway Brewhouse in the town, has given the hostelry a major upgrade, putting in a new roof and decorating the bar.

Julian admitted the bar nearly went under after being empty for so long. ‘But the government assistance we’ve received through furlough and grants has been really helpful.

‘Newton Abbot needs the Cider Bar, it’s an important part of the town’s heritage.

‘I really believe in the future of Newton Abbot. Places like this and the Brewhouse generate business and jobs. There are seven people working at the Cider Bar for example.

‘CAMRA’s celebrating 50 years and for much, if not most, of that 50 years the late Richard Knibbs, who died earlier this year, was the Cider Bar.

‘He deserves recognition for all he did and a lot of this award belongs to him.

‘I’m so happy for the Cider Bar and its drinkers who voted for this.’

CAMRA’s Awards director Gary Timmins said: ‘I am delighted to be honouring Ye Olde Cider Bar with a CAMRA Golden Award. 2021 is our anniversary year, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the successes of great British locals as well as CAMRA’s achievements – we wouldn’t have got far without their support!  

‘This anniversary comes on the heels of an incredibly difficult time for the industry after a year of lockdowns and restrictions.

‘I hope the teams behind the winning pubs and their locals will take this award as appreciation for all the hard work involved in running the pub, over the decades and especially now.

‘Nominations were submitted by our members and consumers, which says a lot about the support and impact they have had. 

‘Winners have been chosen for their successes in standing the test of time; for being convivial, characterful and community-focused, and of course for consistently pouring great pints.

‘I applaud these pubs for their dedication, for being community stalwarts and campaigning heroes.’ 

The full successful cohort contains 32 pubs, including five that have appeared in all 48 editions of the Good Beer Guide, the longest standing community-owned pub in the country, and the current Pub of the Year title holder.

Nominations for the Golden Awards were made by CAMRA members and locals. Over 240 pubs submitted were whittled down to the list of awardees. 

The Golden Awards will be celebrating recipients in three different categories: ‘Pubs’, ‘Pints’, and ‘People’. The winners in the ‘Pints’ and ‘People’ categories will be announced later in the year.

The other South West pubs to be honoured are the British Lion, in Devizes, Wiltshire, and the New Inn, Kilmington.

Cider Bar owner Julian added: ‘Getting this award is down to people like Richard – and regulars who’ve been coming here for years like “Phil the Fish”.