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Popular Pelican is Community Pub of the Year

We have seen the future of the British pub, and it is in great hands. Pubs everywhere should be following its example
Councillor Martin Wilby

The Pelican Inn run by former Fine Art teacher Esther Maginn has pulled the top award in what is believed to be the only council-run Community Pub of the Year awards in England.

Judges in the competition, run for the first time this year by South Norfolk Council as part of its campaign to save pubs, picked the Pelican pub, bed and breakfast and restaurant because of its huge range of community events and activities.

The Pelican Inn on the B1113 Norwich Road at Tacolneston attracts customers from more than six villages. It has become one of the Norfolk pub trade’s best-kept secrets – until now.

Competition judge, South Norfolk Council Deputy Leader Martin Wilby put it more simply. He said of The Pelican, and its innovative manager and part-owner Esther:

"We have seen the future of the British pub, and it is in great hands. Pubs everywhere should be following its example."

All the judges were bowled over by Esther's initial application to be part of the awards. Their mystery visit confirmed everything they had read, and subsequently heard.

Fellow Judge, Councillor Sue Thomson, Chairman of the Council's Licensing Committee, said they had been delighted by the high standard of all the applications from the 36 pubs nominated.

She said the support all the pubs enjoyed from their customers and communities was testament to much hard work and a determination to fight back against the recession and other pressures - and flourish in business.

And she admitted:

"Choosing the top five - one from each neighbourhood of South Norfolk - was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. But we all especially agonised over the overall winner, because all five were excellent and deserved to win.

"In the end, Esther and The Pelican Inn stood out. It was unanimous."

The council was joined by independent panelist John Longden, who is Campaign Director of Pub Is The Hub - a national project initiated by HRH the Prince of Wales.

He said the Prince was taking an interest in the South Norfolk Council competition and its outcome.

He added:

"Pub is the Hub brings together two important concerns - poor access to rural services and the rate of closure of village pubs. These impact on community vitality and on the quality of life for many local residents.

“It has been great to see some wonderful community champions of licensees doing so much for their local communities in their own personal way. All the finalists are amazing in the support and commitment they have given.

“The message is very clear in that you support the community and they will support you as a business.

“What is marvellous to see is South Norfolk recognising the important role that their local pubs play in the quality of rural life and that they are prepared to honour the contribution each of the finalists has made. It was very difficult to judge as they each supported so many initiatives." Next summer the council's leisure team – which this year produced the hugely successful South Norfolk Festival of the Arts - will help Esther produce a community event at the pub as part of the competition top prize.

The Pelican Inn and each of the other winners have received plaques in recognition of their achievement at an awards ceremony in the council offices today (Monday 7 September).

Council Chairman Beverley Spratt, who has made it his theme as chairman for the year to support local businesses, made the presentations.

He said:

"What Esther and her family have achieved at Tacolneston should become a model for the future of British pubs.

“Esther has found a route out of the closures disaster which every day robs our country of yet more pubs.

“These closures are tearing the heart out of our rural and urban communities which is why council support through competitions like this is vital if we are to help save them.

“The Pelican Inn is a great British pub. It has turned the tide and recaptured the original atmosphere and values which have made our pubs the envy of the world, and the hub of our communities.”

The excellent five neighbourhood winners are:

- The King’s Head, Hethersett (Northern River Valleys neighbourhood) - The Countryman, Tasburgh (Tas Valley) - The Pelican, Tacolneston (Wymondham and West) - Ferry House, Surlingham (Eastern River Valleys) - The Cock Inn, Diss (Waveney Valley)

Web links

• The Pelican Inn

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