Home is where the heart is

October 9, 2014

Brewer and pub operator Brakspear has won a Highly Commended title in a national pub industry award scheme for its support for local community initiatives in and around Henley.

Brakspear took the Highly Commended place in the ‘Heart of the Community’ Award, organised by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the body that represents the majority of the UK’s brewers and pub operators.

The awards judges had high praise for Brakspear’s community support, in particular its campaign, with Friends of the Earth, to protect the bee by encouraging its licensees to plant bee-friendly flowers. They also cited Brakspear’s ‘Blooming Marvellous’ beer which raised £800 for Henley’s ‘Going for Gold campaign; its support for the first ever Henley Club to Pub Swim with a commemorative beer ‘Two Bells’, and the Brakspear Jazz & Blues Festival, which supports local musicians and local pubs.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, “We’re delighted to win a Highly Commended title in this national awards scheme, ahead of some much larger pub operators and brewers.  We’re grateful to the local groups such as the Henley in Bloom committee and Henley Swim who have worked with us so enthusiastically, and we look forward to partnering with them and others in future.”

The opening of the Bell Street microbrewery last year has allowed Brakspear to brew special-edition beers in support of local events and causes, such as Blooming Marvellous and Two Bells.

The winners and Highly Commended titles were announced by author, presenter and comedian Sandi Toksvig OBE, at the British Beer & Pub Association’s annual dinner in London. The winners were:

Beer Champion 2014 – Punch Taverns
Pub Champion 2014 – Star Pubs & Bars
Heart of the Community – St Austell Brewery
Chairman’s Award – Brandon Lewis MP

Photographs show (from top to bottom):  Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies and marketing manager Emma Sweet with their Heart of the Community Award Highly Commended certificate

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive; Tom Davies; Emma Sweet; Sandi Toksvig and Jonathan Neame, BBPA chairman

Tenant Melanie Roberson and staff member Jen Murphy next to the bee-friendly flower bed at the Saracens Head in Henley