Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Hull & East Yorkshire Branch NEWS RELEASE

LICENSEES CELEBRATE FIRST ANNIVERSARY WITH SEASONAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Issued 14th April 2004

Mick & Sue Hewitt only took over the White Hart on Alfred Gelder Street a year ago but have already gained a fine reputation for quality Real Ale. The result is that they have been chosen by members of the Hull & East Yorkshire Branch of CAMRA to receive the Spring 2003 ‘Pub Mirror Award’ for “Continuing Commitment to Quality Real Ale”.

The seasonal awards are currently being used to recognise those licensees in the Hull and East Yorkshire area who have demonstrated a "Continuing Commitment to Quality Real Ale" at a time when they are under great pressure to remove distinctive, tasty real ale and replace it with ‘easily kept’ heavily advertised, bland tasting nitro-keg beers. The award therefore, also acknowledges those licensees who practise the specialised art of cellermanship. This is because real ale requires expertise to prepare and maintain it in good condition whereas nitro-keg beer only requires connecting to a mixed-gas cylinder before selling.

Mick & Sue were previously at the Craven Park on Holderness Road, a community pub with little history that closed in April 2002 and was sadly demolished shortly afterwards to make way for a large new development. They made many friends at the Craven Park and thankfully many of the regulars now call in and see them at their new home.

The White Hart, in contrast, is historic. Built c1904 for Hull Brewery and is a Grade II Listed Building. The front bar is in the ‘Gin Palace’ style with a tremendous semi-circular tiled bar and an unusual and attractive bar-back. The rear lounge was re-constructed in the 70’s and has regrettably lost much of its original features. However it is comfortable and provides a complete contrast with its pool table, dart board and TV for Sky sporting events. The pub’s opening hours are 12-11 Monday to Thursday, 11 -11 Friday & Saturday and 12-10.30 on a Sunday.

As far as real ale is concerned, Marston’s Pedigree is always available alongside two monthly changing guest beers from independent breweries.

The award will be presented to Mick & Sue by CAMRA Branch Chairman, Alan Canvess, on Tuesday 15th April at around 8.30 p.m. in front of a large gathering of the pub’s regular customers and a group of CAMRA members before embarking on a mini pub-crawl of the area.