TWO West Devon pubs have come up trumps in a national guide to the best hostelries in the country. The Duke of York at Iddesleigh has scooped the ?Pub of the Year? title in the new Good Beer Guide 2006, with the Harris Arms at Portgate, near Lewdown, winning the Licensees of the Year award. The Duke of York is owned by Jamie Stuart and partner Pippa Hutchinson. The couple have been at the Duke for nine years ? and said they were ?very pleased indeed? at the accolade. Pippa said: ?If you?re going to get any award, this is the one to get because the Good Pub Guide is based on reports from the general public. When the letter came through the post, it was a complete surprise ? but a very pleasant one.? Pippa said she believed it was the all-round atmosphere of the pub which won it the award. ?I think it probably has something to do with the welcome, the beer, the food and the atmosphere in the village ? people here are very friendly,? said Pippa. ?We?re a pub, we?re not a restaurant, people can come in in their wellies if they want ? people just take us as they find us.? Pippa looks after the food side of the business, using locally sourced vegetables and meat for meals which can be taken in the dining room or bar. Jamie is the beer expert. The Duke always has three real ales on tap ? Cotleigh Tawny, Adnams Broadside and Sharp?s Doom Bar, with a regular supply of guest beers. Pippa said ?virtually 100%? of the staff at The Duke were local people ? and nearly all of them started off as customers in the pub. ?We employ a lot of staff and really the award has to be credited to them ? they all work really hard,? said Pippa. Andy and Rowena Whiteman, who this Christmas celebrate their second year at The Harris Arms, said they were ?really honoured? to have been named Licensees of the Year. Andy said the award, which follows the retention of the Devon Life Country Pub of the Year title for the second year running, was a ?fabulous achievement? which would not have been possible without the couple?s ?brilliant? team of staff. He said: ?Gaining this award is fantastic news for us and for all the team at the Harris Arms ? and the customers who supported and nominated us for the awards. ?Our whole emphasis is to provide a warm and friendly welcome and a great time, whether you just drop in for a drink, a snack or a meal.? The Good Pub Guide said of the Harris Arms: ?Though they?ve not been there very long, the infectious warmth of their enthusiasm and friendly welcome wins Andy and Rowena Whiteman the top title ? they are passionate about wine and encourage customers to experiment, while the food is very good and uses local seasonal produce.? The Good Pub award is one of a string of accolades garnered by the pub since Andy and Rowena took over, including the Devon Life best chef of the year for their head chef Tim Treseder. l Hotels scoop awards ? page 9.
