Best of British: The finalists
Celebrating the essential part that pubs play in the British way of life has never been more important.
All three finalists in the Best British Pub contest, organised by Brakes in partnership with The Publican and Red Tractor, demonstrate in importance of pubs to the communities they serve - but in very different ways.
The three finalists were shortlisted from a strong field of entries by a judging panel including Julia Mooney, Head of Marketing at Assured Food Standards, which administers the Red Tractor scheme; Rebecca Tustain, channel marketing manager at Brakes, and John Porter, food editor of The Publican.
The Shoulder of Mutton, Playhatch, Reading: Run by chef Alan Oxlade and his wife Wendy on a lease with Greene King, the Shoulder of Mutton lives up to its name fairly literally, having made a speciality of this most traditional of meats
Alan and Wendy signed up with Mutton Renaissance, which promotes mutton dishes, and have seen slow roasted shoulder and mutton pie become mainstays of the menu.
Located in a village on the road between Reading and Henley, the pub has built up a destination food trade alongside its loyal local clientele. It also draws on function business from the nearby crematorium - further demonstrating the many essential services that pubs provide.
Community events such as the pub's annual fireworks party, attended by the while village, and fundraising events for the Thames Valley air ambulance, also feature strongly.
The Talbot, Knightwick, Worcestershire: Taking the concept of seasonal menus and local food to a level that few other pubs could even aspire to, Annie Clift, owner of the Talbot, draws heavily on her farming family background.
The rural pub and hotel has its own vegetable garden, and rears pigs on site to keep the menu ticking over. One of Britain's first farmers markets began at the pub more than ten years ago, and continues to thrive.
The Talbot has even established its own microbrewery, the Teme Valley Brewery, in the grounds of the pub. This keeps not just the pub's own regulars replete with cask beers, but supplies a number of other local pubs and farm shops.
With the family farm close by, the freehold of the Talbot has been in the Clist family for 25 years, and is clearly a labour of love.
The White Horse, Bedford: Any pub that is typically busier on a Tuesday evening than a Friday is clearly doing something different to the norm. The Tuesday night quiz at the White Horse in Bedford regularly attracts between 80 and100 contestants, reflecting the pub's status as a mainstay of the community.
Nigel and Sue Anstead began at the pub as managers with Charles Wells, subsequently transferring to a tenancy and becoming lessees this year.
As well as quizzes twice a week, the programme of events also includes and open mic night, Irish music, live music and karaoke.
The menu is very traditional, featuring pub favourites such as pie and chips and scampi. Nevertheless, the reputation for good quality, good value food attracts diners from further afield than the pub's 'drinkers'.
