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Pub Guide

Three Horseshoes - Old Weston

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Issue 139 Summer 2009

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PUBS OF THE YEAR

Mad Cat, Pidley

The Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA has selected the Mad Cat in Pidley its branch Pub of the Year 2009.

CAMRA gives this annual award to the pub that it judges to provide the widest appeal for its combination of good beer, atmosphere, style, service and value.

The Mad Cat was taken over in July 2007 by Darren Tomkins and Sinead Nicholson. They redecorated the pub and introduced new food menus with locally sourced ingredients and a range of local real ales on rotation that quickly began to achieve recognition by local beer enthusiasts for their consistent high quality on dispense.

In Spring 2008 the Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA recognised the Mad Cat as it’s Most Improved Pub of the Year, acknowledging the significant enhancements Darren and Sinead had made in just 6 months.

In Summer 2008 the pub was shortlisted for the Huntingdonshire Food and Drink Awards Best Pub.

The Mad Cat was one of the first pubs to be accredited in the branch’s Locale scheme, in Autumn 2008. This celebrates pubs that regularly stock beers brewed within 25 miles of the pub. The Mad Cat always has at least one such beer, with Oakham and Elgoods featuring regularly. Darren And Sinead have also achieved membership of Oakham’s exclusive ‘Oakademy of Excellence’, with exclusive guest beers.

The Mad Cat is a community local on the edge of the fens in a village that is the home of the Pidley Mountain Rescue Team, a charity supporting local disabled people. A sociable bar has a welcoming open fire, crib and dominoes. A separate dining room is popular with villagers and visitors, especially for the Sunday lunch carvery. The food offered is varied, includes numerous vegetarian options, and blackboard specials. Most ingredients are locally sourced, including their meat which comes from a local farm shop. There is a large garden with a decked patio.

The pub was jam packed full on an evening in March when Huntingdonshire CAMRA visited to present the award. All the regulars turned out to see the presentation and there were two birthday parties and a wedding anniversary involving people from the local community.

Pictured are left to right, Sinead, Darren and Branch Chairman Keith Lawson.
Market Inn, Huntingdon

The Market Inn at Huntingdon has won the Most Improved Pub of the Year award for 2009, presented by the Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA.

The Market Inn is a busy town centre local in the very heart of Huntingdon, tucked down a alley. The pub was originally created from a series of cottages adjacent to the old Fountain Hotel brewery that used to be situated on the opposite side of the alleyway. The pub retains some well preserved features dating from the 1930’s including original fireplaces and wood panelling.

Over the last two years the enthusiasm of the pub’s management has been self-evident, and the improvements and increase in popularity of the pub are clearly seen. The cask beer range has been boosted by some excellent locally brewed products, and the presentation of the beers is of a consistent high quality. The Market Inn has been awarded the branch’s Locale accreditation for its well kept local ales. Potbelly Brewery of Kettering has a regular slot, and the superb Beijing Black is a current regular.

Pictured in the presentation above left to right are Nicky and Paul Harvey, branch representative Kathy Hadfield Moorhouse, and licensee David Norman.