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

Morris Dances for Joy after being Chosen for Seasonal Award

Issued 16th October 2004

Janet Morris, licensee of Hodgsons in Beverley has been chosen to receive the Autumn 2004 '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.

Janet offers a choice of up to six real ales in the pub with Tetley Mild and Bitter being available regularly alongside three or four changing guest beers produced by Britain's small independent breweries. Beers from local and regional breweries are often available. The quality of the real is maintained with the help of her cellerman, Ted Parks, who has a wealth of experience having worked for Mansfield Brewery for nearly 30 years. The consistent quality of the beer has ensured that the pub is included in the new 2005 edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

The pub's enthusiastic and friendly staff are given a taste of each of the beers that are on sale so that they can then advise the customers if the beer is light or dark, bitter or sweet etc. Janet herself enjoys the lighter coloured beers and is particular keen on the 'lager style' beers.

Hodgsons is situated on Flemingate opposite the former Army Transport Museum. Janet took over the lease on the former residence and social club on 1st May 2001 after gaining valuable experience by initially working in, and then managing, a number of pubs in the area.

The pubs opening hours are: Monday to Saturday 12-11 and Sunday 12-10.30.

The award was presented to Janet by CAMRA Branch Chairman, Alan Canvess last Saturday in front of a large gathering of the pub's regular customers, and around 30 active CAMRA members who were also celebrating their recent successful Hull Real Ale & Cider Festival 2004.