The Blue also has an excellent reputation for its food, which is served every session except Sunday evening. You can choose to eat in the pub, in the recently-added conservatory or, weather permitting, in the surprisingly large garden, complete with chickens and a model railway. Hat collectors, non-smokers, vegetarians and even crossword-puzzlers are catered for.
So why was the Blue chosen? Obviously the fine range of well-kept beers was a major factor. The traditional pub atmosphere and the friendly welcome you get from Nick and his wife. Mandy also helped. Perhaps most of all, the Blue is a truly individual pub, as far removed from your identikit big brewers managed house as you can get. The place is bursting with character and characters with some genuine eccentricity thrown in.
Mcanwhile, the books will be opening shortly for the 1996 Pub of the Year. Nominations will be taken at the branch A.G.M.