CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

Pub of the Season

DONCASTER & DISTRICT BRANCH

On our web site you will find . . .

Summer 2008

The Eagle and Child

Auckley, Doncaster

Barry Lax liked his local so much he decided to buy it. Having done that he followed the old saying "Don't fix what isn't broken". That's why he has won his first CAMRA award less than a year after entering the licensed trade.

Barry's local was the Eagle and Child in Auckley, one of our best and most successful pubs over many years. When he took over last June Barry knew better than to change the successful methods employed for so many years by previous licensee Margaret Byrne and her late husband Danny. The formula is simple enough - run a good community pub which offers a friendly atmosphere, a range of cask ales and good food - and it won the Eagle and Child a succession of awards, culminating in being named Doncaster CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2006 and 2007. By winning our Pub of the Season award for Summer 2008, Barry is keeping up the tradition.

Situated on the B1396 in the centre of the village, the Eagle and Child is one of the oldest pubs in our area. There has been an inn on the site since the early 19th century. It owes its name to a legend regarding the illegitimate offspring of a nobleman - the full story is told on a wall-plaque in the bar. It has changed greatly over the years and now consists of a bar and lounge with a separate dining-room adjoining the lounge. Since taking over, Barry has installed a large patio by the side of the pub for use as an eating and drinking area in good weather. It also comes in handy for smokers. There is a large car park on three sides of the pub and even a small garden at the rear of the car park.

Of course the main reason Barry has won our award is the quality of his ales. There are always 5 on offer: Black Sheep Bitter, John Smith's Cask and Theakston XB are always available plus 2 constantly-changing guest beers drawn from a range of micro-breweries. It is this variety which makes the Eagle and Child stand out from other pubs in our area .Brian Cooper of Idle Brewery has been a great help to Barry here. As well as occasionally providing his own excellent beers Brian has been able to call on his extensive contacts to make sure there is always an interesting range of cask ales available.

Barry has made a number of changes since taking over but none which will change the essential nature of the Eagle and Child. Why not pay a visit and see for yourself. We'll be presenting Barry with his award on Saturday, 12th July at about 9 pm and all are welcome to join us.

Dave Bartley

Recent winners of the award:

Spring 2007
The Eden Grove, Hexthorpe

Winter 2007
The Plough, Doncaster

Autumn 2006
The Ivanhoe, Sprotborough

Summer 2006
The Corner Pin, Doncaster

Spring 2006
The Eden Arms, Edenthorpe

Winter 2006
The Shoulder of Mutton, Kirk Smeaton

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