Best of the best recognised at Wadworth awards

The ceremony, which took place at The Bear Hotel’s Grand Ballroom in Devizes, Wiltshire, was a celebration of the best hospitality talent – awarding stand-out managers, tenants, chefs, team members and pubs.

Among the evening’s award winners were Bernie and Carol Camish of the Poplars in Wingfield, Wiltshire – who won the award for Best Business Partners. Having taken on their pub tenancy in 2002, Carol and Bernie transformed it into a quintessential, two-bar village pub with the help of their daughters, Ria and Sam, and their sons-in-law, James and Ben.

Lloyd Stephens, operations director for Wadworth’s tenanted trade estate said: “This is a real family business and the genuine warmth generated by the family is palpable when you enter the pub and they are worthy winners of this award.”

Other winners on the night included Dawn Eggleton of the George Hotel, Frome, Somerset, for Managed House Best Team Member; and David Conroy of the New Inn, Coate, Wiltshire, for Tenanted Trade Best Customer Experience. 

A special recognition award was presented to Gordon Straker – business manager at Wadworth’s flagship hotel and pub, The Bear Hotel in Devizes.

Speaking after the ceremony, Chris Welham, CEO of Wadworth, said: “The ‘Best of the Best Awards’ give us a fantastic opportunity to show our appreciation and celebrate the success of our dedicated tenanted and managed house teams. The competition is always incredibly tough but the winners have gone above and beyond to show their continued commitment to both their pubs and customers.

“The awards ceremony is always great fun and it gives us the perfect opportunity to join together with our managers, business partners and team members from across the company. I’d like to thank everyone at Wadworth for their continued hard work and dedication in making the customer count every day.”

Full list of award winners:​

Winner: George Hotel, Frome, Somerset; Dawn Eggleton

Winner: Pheasant Inn, Chippenham, Wiltshire; Gareth Tibbles

Silver Award: Avon Causeway, Hurn, Dorset; Jake McBride

Elite Winner: Golden Lion, Winchester, Hampshire; Derek & Brid Phelan

New Entrant: Blue Boar, Aldbourne, Wiltshire; Michael & Joanne Hehir

Winner: Millstream, Marden, Kent; Kate Patterson

Winner: Cross Keys, Rowde, Wiltshire; Kelly Dodsworth

Winner: Greyhound, Bromham, Bedfordshire; Tara & Danny Adams

Winner: Trigger Pond, Bucknell, Shropshire; Jo & Harwood Warrington

Winner: George Inn & Red Lion, Lacock, Wiltshire; Chris Bryett

Silver Award: Fish Inn, Ringwood, Hampshire; Simon & Jude Karelus

Joint Winner: The Curfew, Bath, Somerset; Dan & Emily Brew

Joint Winner: New Inn, Coate, Wiltshire; David Conroy

Winner: Victoria Arms, Old Marston, Oxfordshire; Ruth Bowers

Winner: Gordon Straker

Winner: The Daneway, Sapperton, Gloucestershire; Marcus Coles & Poppi Hobbs

Winner: Avon Causeway, Hurn, Somerset; Gary Davies

Silver Award: Cross Keys, Wanborough, Wiltshire; Darren & Kirstine Mingham

Joint Winner: Bull inn, Hinton, Northamptonshire; Richard & Marta Hodder

Joint Winner: White Hart, Wytham, Oxfordshire; Mark & Amanda Butcher

Winner: Pheasant Inn, Chippenham, Wiltshire; Richard Jennings & Gareth Tibbles

Silver Award: Colesbourne Inn, Colesbourne, Gloucestershire; Trevor & Liz Johnson

Winner: The Curfew, Bath, Somerset; Dan & Emily Brew

Winner: Cleveland Bay, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire; John & Jade Whitfield

Winner: Fox & Hounds, Theale, Berkshire; Miles Teece & Jayne Tilsley

Silver award: Pheasant Inn, Chippenham, Wiltshire; Richard Jennings

Highly Commended: Bartons Mill Pub & Dining, Old Basing, Hampshire; Ray Turnbull

Winner: The Poplars, Wingfield, Wiltshire; Bernie & Carole Carnish