----- Original Message -----

From: Rob Nicholson

To: camrabranches@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 12:56 AM

Subject: RE: [camrabranches] POTY

>I've kept out of this discussion so far, because I believe it's up to each branch to sort out it's own criteria for Pub of the Season/Year etc. and HQ guidleines are just that...guide lines, not mandates.

For a branch POTY yes, but for regional and beyond there are guidelines that we’re all recommended to follow. To not do so makes the competition open to interpretation. I assume this is why the guidelines were published.

>real ale, abundance of choice etc., or as stated, most improved. But having loads of real ales should not, and must not be the only consideration for POTY, else why should any other pubs bother? And do we really want to lose faith and trust with those delightful 'country pubs' so many of us seek out? I think not.

Completely agreed hence the concern over the trend or the blanket statement from one of our branch members at the very start of the thread.

Cheers, Rob.

PS. >I've kept out of this discussion so far, because I believe it's up to each branch to sort out it's own criteria

Even you saying that is useful. This way of discussion is impersonal so I hope everyone feels they are comfortable in commenting without fear of being flamed.