Dorchester’s Colliton Club judged best club in Wessex

FOR THE THIRD time in four years, The Colliton Club opposite County Hall in Dorchester has won the Wessex regional Club of the Year competition, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

A framed certificate will be presented by CAMRA Regional Director John Buckley at the start of the West Dorset branch’s annual general meeting at the club on Wednesday 22 September.

The Colliton Club in Dorchester - CAMRA's Wessex Regional Club of the Year 2010.

The Colliton Club won the award after being visited by three judges and some of their comments are published in the citation. One said: “No background irritants or musak. A good selection of six cask ales covering four breweries. The club is clean and tidy.”

The second judge praised the warm welcome, a pleasant atmosphere and free wifi, while the third judge commented: “This is a restful club with a nice atmosphere and six cracking real ales on handpumps. Good service and excellent product knowledge from the hard working steward and his staff.”

Colliton Club Steward Neil Gatehouse was ecstatic at again being judged among the 16 top clubs in the UK. He said: “It’s nice to see that in the present economic climate, people still appreciate real ale.”

The club was automatically entered for the Wessex regional award after winning West Dorset Club of the Year. The CAMRA Wessex region comprises Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.

The Colliton Club now goes forward to CAMRA’s national Club of the Year competition against 15 other clubs from around the UK.

West Dorset CAMRA Chairman Dave Harris said: “We in West Dorset CAMRA are delighted to have such a vibrant club in our area. We wish the club every success in the national competition!”