Each year CAMRA organises championship rounds to determine the best Pub of the Year. The rounds start with voting by branches for their nominations in each county they represent and these then go head to head with those pubs submitted by other CAMRA branches within that same county. These then go onto the regional finalists for West Midlands and then to the final Pub of the Year for the UK.

The Shakespeare CAMRA awards pubs the title of Branch Pub of the Year – one for Warwickshire branch area and one for the Worcestershire branch area.

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 (Warwickshire)

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year (Warwickshire) 2025 has been awarded to Thirst Edition, Shipston. A presentation by Lloyd Evans, Chair of Shakespeare CAMRA took place on Wednesday 30th April 2025.

Thirst Edition is officially acknowledged as a micro pub. In defining a micropub it is seen as being a small, freehouse that emphasises real ale, conversation, and a simple, unpretentious atmosphere. They are typically small, often single-room establishments that focus on a selection of cask-conditioned ales, they may or may not have a bar, and avoid electronic entertainment. The core philosophy is to create a welcoming space for community interaction and a return to the traditional pub experience.

Thirst Edition clearly reflects this definition but when you firstly focus on the community you can see that Dave has developed a unique communal atmosphere in this pub through getting people involved in many different ways including –
• Crib Night on a Tuesday.
• Pie club on Wednesdays.
• Quiz night on a Thursday, with the next one being the following night.

With a special mention here that in nearly 7 years the quiz has been running it has raised more than £28,000 for local causes. Whilst so far in 2025, £1000 has been raised for the Air Ambulance £1000, Shipston Beacon Builders £500 and £525 for the Shipston Junior town band.

In addition to these events there is also Regular live music mainly on a Sunday / Monday night and that Stratford Morris on due on Monday 19th May. There is, it seems, something for everyone at Thirst Edition.

You also always get a good pint of beer at the Thirst Edition and when mentioning the quality and offering of real ale in the pub it has been encouraging to see the brewery TAP takeovers over recent weeks with the excellent and many award-winning North Cotswolds brewery on the 16th of April, followed by a Byatts brewery takeover scheduled for Early May Bank Holiday. Along with these local breweries there have also been beers on offer from far and wide which include Wylde sky Brewery “Best Bitter”, “How High the Moon” from Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham and “Deer Stalker” from Bowland Brewery in Lancashire.

These attributes of community involvement and the quality of real ale have been recognised by CAMRA as the pub has now achieved 6 awards in the past seven years –
• Starting in 2019 with the Pub of the Season for summer
• Shakespeare Pub of the Year for the Warwickshire branch area in 2023 / 24 /25
• Warwickshire Pub of the Year in 2023 and runner up in 2024

The success of this pub has been built on continuous hard work, dedication, and attention to detail from Dave and his team. Whilst Facebook comments that “This place is the centre of the universe” and that Dave is “the grand master” may not be entirely true, Shipston is very lucky indeed to have such a quality venue and our congratulations go to David for achieving another tremendous accolade in making Thirst Edition a splendid community asset. Shipston is lucky indeed to have such a quality venue.

Dave thanked CAMRA for their recognition and all the regulars at Thirst Edition for their continued support.

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025 (Worcestershire)

Shakespeare CAMRA Pub of the Year (Worcestershire) 2025 has been awarded to Fleece Inn, Bretforton. A presentation by Lloyd Evans, Chair of Shakespeare CAMRA took place on Monday 7th April 2025.

The Fleece is a pub full of rustic charm throughout, with its stone flagged floors, inglenook fireplaces and cosy bar which always seems to be busy. It is one of Britain’s best Real Heritage pubs and it houses a world-famous collection of 17th century pewter.

The Fleece takes full advantage of its market garden location, utilising fresh, seasonal and locally grown fruit and vegetables, and they get at least 30 per cent of their food from within a 30-mile radius of Evesham. The stars of the show though are their award-winning handmade pies which have won gold at the British Pie Awards.

Being an active part of the community, this historic pub has a series of events to enjoy this month, from spring singing to asparagus and from Morris Dancing to St George's Day celebrations. It is also dog friendly and has been awarded a one pawprint award by the National Trust.

Examples of this community involvement were evident this weekend when the Fleece was playing host to the Sing in the Spring, whilst the seasonal menu showcasing asparagus starts on Wednesday, April 23, which will be 'launched in style by Gus & St George'. The launch of the British Asparagus Festival will feature a host of classic cars followed by Morris dancing in the evening.

Further to this the last in the current season of Father Brown was shot at the pub, which was renamed the Red Lion for the wedding celebrations of Mrs Devine and Chief Inspector Sullivan.

Landlord Nigel Smith has successfully run the pub now for over 20 years and not only has he made it the heart and soul of village life, but he’s also found time to ring the church bells and be an active member of the local Morris dancing troupe.

The pub regularly offers ales from Uley Brewery and Wye Valley Brewery, both celebrating 40 years this year, along with the local Purity offerings. Guest beers also appear frequently and this year they have included Riggwelter, Northern Rising (a collaboration between Northern Monk and Timothy Taylors) and Uley Pigor Mortis.

It would fair to say that Nigel Smith, the landlord, is very hands-on in the running of the pub and the numerous events celebrating traditional rural life. Nigel’s dedication to the history and love of the pub is infectious. He is also supported by a fantastic team of welcoming and knowledgeable staff, and to the wonderful regulars who have become very much a community in their own right.

In our opinion there could not be a more deserving winner for the Pub of the Year than the Fleece Inn Bretforton and we have great pleasure in presenting this award to Nigel.

Nigel thanked Shakespeare CAMRA for their recognition, and commented on the challenges currently facing landlords.