||| Home ||| Information ||| Campaigning ||| Festivals ||| Pub of the Year ||| Links |||
(This page was created on 6th. March, 2003)

The following article about the Turf's 2000 award has been reproduced from the
Walsall branch newsletter with permission.

Unspoilt Gem Wins Pub of the Year

In January, 2001, Walsall Branch presented their prestigious Pub of the Year Award for 2000 to the Turf Tavern, known locally as Tinky's, in Wolverhampton Road, Bloxwich.

The award follows on from the pub being granted Grade II listing in 1996 for its interior. It is also included in CAMRA's National UK Inventory, an important register of unspoilt pubs which retain their original layout and fittings.

This virtually unaltered three-roomed pub is part of a row of terraced houses opposite Bloxwich Park. In here you will find a quiet haven from the hustle and bustle of modern life, with no gaming machines or bandits and only occasional background music providing a rare example of the authentic character of pubs of yesteryear.

It has been owned by the same family for 130 years, thus resisting the vandalism of so-called 'pub designers'.

Unique features include wooden slatted benches in the public bar, with a large diameter heating pipe running beneath, and unusual armrests on the benches in the smoke room.

Local CAMRA members packed out the public bar on the night and even had to overflow into the Smoke Room and back parlour. "This award is in recognition of the hard work which has brought about a tremendous improvement in the quality and choice of cask beer in the Turf" said Branch Secretary Rob Bentley when he made the presentation to licensees Doris and Zena Hiscott-Wilkes. "You are always certain of a warm welcome, a convivial atmosphere and a good pint when you walk in here" he continued.

The cask beers on sale regularly include a real mild, either Highgate or Holdens, also Holden's Bitter and RCH Pitchfork, plus a changing guest beer, often from Holdens, Slaters or Titanic breweries.

The Turf will go forward as the Walsall nomination for the regional competition later this year. Runners up for 2000 were the art deco refurbished Royal (Middle) Oak in Brownhills, winner for the previous two years, and the Falcon Inn, Willenhall.