The result of the CAMRA Ashford Folkestone & Romney Marsh Pub Of The Year competition was decided at a special meeting held on Wednesday 15th February 2012.  The nominations were the Bell at Ivychurch, Bowl at Hastingleigh, Farriers Arms at Mersham, Ship at Sandgate and the Three Mariners at Hythe.

We are pleased to announce that the winner is:

The Bowl Inn at Hastingleigh

The Bowl Inn at Hastingleigh with landlord Ron behind the bar - photos by Michael Line

The presentation to the Bowl Inn will be on Thursday 24^th May at 19:30

Congratulations to Ron and Ann at the Bowl Inn for being awarded our Pub of the Year for 2012, the pub will now go forward to compete with another 4 pubs to become the CAMRA East Kent POTY. The winner will compete with the CAMRA West Kent POTY to become the CAMRA Kent 2012 Pub of the Year and ultimately compete with other regions to become CAMRA's National Pub of the Year.

CAMRA's Pub of the Year competition recognises all the criteria that make a great pub, including atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix, but most importantly, the quality of the beer.

The other pubs competing with the Bowl Inn to go forward for East Kent Pub of the Year are:

• Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable: The Dolphin, 17 St Radigunds St, Canterbury, CT1 2AA
• Dover, Deal and Sandwich: The Berry, 23 Canada Road, Walmer. CT14 7EQ
• Thanet: The Conqueror Alehouse, Grange Road, Ramsgate. CT11 9LR
• Swale: The Elephant, 31 The Mall, Faversham. ME13 8JN

The pubs competing for West Kent Pub of the Year are:

• Gravesend & Darent Valley: The Jolly Drayman, 1 Wellington Street, Gravesend. DA12 1JA
• Maidstone & Mid Kent: The Stile Bridge, Staplehurst Road, Marden. TN12 9BH
• Medway: The Kings Arms, Upper Upnor, Kent, ME2 4XG
• West Kent: The Halfway House, Horsmonden Rd, Brenchley. TN12 7AX

A very close runner up for our branch Pub of the Year 2012 was:

The Bell Inn at Ivychurch

our winner for 2010 and 2011.  Congratulations to both pubs who will be presented with certificates.

The Bell Inn at Ivychurch with landlord Mark behind the bar - photos by Michael Line

The presentation to the Bell Inn will be on Wednesday 30^th May at 19:30

For more information on both of these pubs please visit our onlne pub guide