Lord Lyon is pride of the county

The Lord Lyon pub in Stockcross has been named as the best community pub in Berkshire

THE Lord Lyon pub in Stockcross has been named as the best community pub in Berkshire by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) thanks to the important role it plays in the local area.

The pub, named after a famous thoroughbred horse which won the triple crown in 1866, bettered its victory in West Berkshire last year, to be named the best overall in Berkshire this time.

Landlord Mark Genders said he was delighted and put the success down to involvement in the local community.

He also said that pubs had to move with the times to stay in business.

“I think the pub's traditional role in the community has died recently and the pub trade is dying with it. A lot of people have moved away from the village centre, but if the pubs support the local community, then they will in turn also support the pubs.”

The Lord Lyon regularly hosts community events, such as a regular bridge evening, and also helps to raise funds for local causes, most recently helping a local school to raise funds to support its library.

Mr Genders, who reopened the pub in early 2010, said that the fact that the pub used a large amount of local produce in their menu – even growing its own vegetables – helped them to pip the other Berkshire pubs to the post.

CAMRA spokesman Glenn Parsons said the tremendous work the management has done to rebuild the pub's lost trade was a key factor in their victory: “They have turned the pub around and have made it a focal point for the village once again.”