From Rags to Riches

This year’s National Pub of the Year Award organised by CAMRA has been presented to a small village community pub on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Its journey to national acclaim began when the residents of Hudswell lost their last village pub in 2008. The village banded together to form a community action group, and within two years formed a co-operative to purchase the George & Dragon. After extensive renovations, the pub re-opened in 2010 and incorporated the village library, a volunteer-led shop as well as community allotments.

 The George and Dragon takes pride in serving Yorkshire ales, and up to five of them can be found on the bar alongside a real cider. An annual beer festival takes place during the August bank holiday weekend; and the pub’s beer terrace offers stunning views of the Swale Valley. CAMRA’s judges were impressed by the pub’s strong community ethos and its warm and welcoming atmosphere. CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year Coordinator Paul Ainsworth said “The story of the George & Dragon goes to show that in the right hands a closed pub can become viable and successful.”