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Pub of the Month - March 2008

David & Gill Elson, The Gate Hangs Well, Carlton    Tel. 01455 291845   Map

The Gate photographed in the early 20th Century	The Gate today

Presentation of the Award

Tuesday 4th March

The presentation was made by David Finn, H&BCAMRA Chairman, during our March Monthly Meeting. The award celebrates a lifetime of dedication to high quality real ales.

David and Gill set out in the 1970’s at The Cross Keys Burbage, learning their trade under the guidance of “old school” landlords Dennis and Norah Escott. In 1981 they took on their first pub - The Sycamores Burbage and soon built a reputation for a warm welcome, good beers and a friendly atmosphere.

Later they moved to The Dixie at Market Bosworth and in 2000 took on The Gate. Their focus has always been on running a pub in the traditional English manner. Genuine hospitality and good quality refreshments have been the hallmark of their careers.

It was a great pleasure to thank the couple for their services to the pub trade. They had run their pubs in a warm, welcoming and cosy way. Their real ales are consistently good. David and Gill were delighted to accept the award. In reply, David recognised CAMRA’s work in defending the pub as a British institution. He thinks, though, that the future for traditional pubs is not good. There has been a steep downturn in trade due mainly to government legislation and unfair competition from supermarkets. The prospect of more tax increases may worsen the situation. He believes that the government must wake up to the concerns of the pub trade.

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