Award presented on 6th April 2016 by Bob Kirby. With a somewhat chequered past and after a period of closure The Royal Oak opened again mid May 2014 under the stewardship of Chef Alistair Barlow and partner Stacey. They got off to an excellent start offering three real ales – at the time St Austell Tribute, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Sharps Doombar together with a first class food offering with a promise that the ale choice would be become more adventurous - they stuck to their promise which now sees them with a changing selection far from the norm. The license trade not being an easy one and CAMRA doing its best to encourage pubs to stay open in one format or another means all parties have their work cut out. Fortunately for Alistair and Stacey they seem to have found the right formula with the Royal Oak; An excellent food offering, a pleasant environment to eat and drink, and as far as we are concerned good beer! So for becoming one of only 4 per year - voted as Winter pub of the season 2015 by branch members at a recent meeting, we wish them well and offer our encouragement with the hope they will have a long future here with great success.