THE Tom Cobley at Spreyton has become a real favourite with ale enthusiasts ? and Bob?s your uncle ? it has just been named Pub of the Year. The pub beat off competition from five other shortlisted hostelries in the vote by the Exeter and East Devon branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, which covers a vast area of Devon stretching to the Somerset border. Members nominated their choice of pubs and in the final vote the Tom Cobley was the clear outright winner. Roger and Carol Cudlip have owned the business for three years. Roger was previously a butcher in North Tawton for more than 30 years and this is his first venture into the pub trade. Roger said he had worked hard to offer a varied range of ten to 12 real ales, many from West Country brewers: ?It is nice to win it. I am finding that ale drinking is coming back into fashion. ?You do have to push it a little bit, but more and more young people are coming round to ales.? CAMRA member Rowland Honeywill said: ?Set in the heart of the attractive village of Spreyton, and just a few yards from the village church where Tom Cobley was laid to rest, the whitewashed building has a very cosy look and that is confirmed the moment you walk in the doorway and into the bar that is everything you imagine about a village pub.? The criteria in selecting the branch?s pub of the year is, first and foremost, the quality and range of the real ale on offer, though other factors are also considered. CAMRA also praised the friendly welcome, tempting food selection and good value at the pub in addition to the very well kept selection of ales. CAMRA described the inn as ?a thriving hub of the village and surrounding area?. Mr Honeywill added: ?The Tom Cobley is an absolute gem and very well deserving of our accolade as Pub of the Year 2006.? A small informal ceremony to present Roger and Carol with a certificate to mark the award will be held at the pub later this month.
