REGULARS at the Albion Pub in Orford, Warrington are celebrating after it was named CAMRA’s Community Pub of the Year 2022.
Local MP Charlotte Nichols and Co-op store manager Dave Appleton, joined in the celebrations at a special presentation night.
Activities at the pub during lockdown helped them secure the coveted award.
At the start of lockdown, it was realised straight away that customers, community and friends still wanted to keep in touch with each other but could not due to lockdown, so the Albion virtual pub was launched on Facebook. The aim was to keep the community together as well as give some entertainment, fun and support.
They had live entertainment seven evenings a week organised by Albion regular Dave Appleton, who launched a Monday night with Dave App’s Play your cards right, Tuesdays Kenny Mills Quiz nights, Wednesdays Dave App’s Comedy nights featuring comedians who’ve appeared at the Albion over the years, Thursdays Dave Lee’s Bullseye interactive quiz with live darts, Fridays resident DJ Dave Lee with a disco request show, while on Saturday & Sunday there was live music from individuals and bands. The live nights were an instant success with people phoning in, texting in and commenting on Facebook. On top of the live entertainment, they had many other features such as a problem page and a little bit of a giggle.
As well as the virtual pub the Albion became a local foodbank where they collected fresh and ambient food and took this to the local community who were isolating, free of charge seven days a week.
Staff members Pat, Emma and Jennie also had contact details for regulars and would spend hours phoning round to check in on people to see if they were ok or needed anything as well as being a friendly voice and someone to listen to.
The Albion has always supported charities and local causes in the local community.
These include Warrington foodbank – Easter egg, selection box, advent calendar collection (collecting at least 300 of each). They also held a race night which purchased over 500 tins for the foodbank. Other causes include Prostate uk – Yearly collection, MIND – Ongoing and each week they raise funds for local individuals / local causes who may need help, which raises over £1k per year for the community.
Now they have entertainment five nights a week with –
Disco karaoke Fridays & Sundays
Live acoustic on Thursdays
Live local banks on Saturdays
Bingo, play your cards right on Wednesdays (They pride this to be an all-inclusive event welcoming members of the community who might not normally come out of their house and socialise)
Comedy – on an ad-hoc basis with local comedians as well as headline acts.
The Albion also hosts Premier league darts in their own room upstairs and each year hosts a knock-out competition attracting contestants from around the North West including big-name players.
A pleasure to join North Cheshire CAMRA last night to present the award for Community Pub of the Year 2022 to @TheAlbionWarr – thank you to Pat and Dave for accepting the award on behalf of Emma, and to everyone in The Albion team for what is such well-deserved recognition 🍻❤️ pic.twitter.com/G36CL5tKbT
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) September 24, 2022
