The Fleece, Fartown in Pudsey, was presented with Leeds CAMRA award for Community Pub of the Year. This is yet another deserving award to add to the list which includes Pub of the Season Award for the last two consecutive seasons and Pub of the Month for August 2016 as voted for by the members of the Leeds branch of CAMRA.
An annual award may be given to a pub which is seen to be a good example of a ‘community pub’ one with a strong community focus that is viewed as a community hub, central to the area and popular, with a strong relationship with the locals: a proper local!
The Fleece certainly encapsulates all this as well as providing excellent real ale in a music and TV free atmosphere, it’s customers also have a strong fund raising focus, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance being a particular favourite.
Paul and Kate, who own and run the freehold pub said,
“Along with all our staff, we are delighted to receive this award which proves what team effort can achieve. The Fleece is a friendly, well supported local where we all do our best to maintain the high standards we set ourselves and make everyone welcome.”
Mike Hampshire, chair of Leeds CAMRA branch said,
“The Fleece has swept our last three seasonal awards, our August 2016 pub of the month award and is a worthy winner of Community Pub of the Year. Paul and Kate go all out to make everyone feel welcome, whether you’re local or not and it’s obvious to anyone who visits that this pub is central to the community. On top of that, there’s a cracking selection of well kept, quality ale – an important part of the pub’s continued success”
Greg Mulholland MP, Chair of the parliamentary Save the Pub Group and British Pub Confederation, and CAMRA Top 40 campaigner, was similarly enthusiastic about the award,
“Local pubs are a key part of many areas, providing a hub for the local community, and awards like this encourage great pubs to have excellent beer and great staff.”
