Community pub The Railway Arms in Saffron Walden has been celebrating after being named the North West Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year.

And the competition continues via county and regional awards, leading to the announcement of which venue has won National Pub of the Year.

The presentation day at the Railway Arms also marked its first year of reopening, following a prolonged community campaign.

Save The Railway Arms Pub (STRAP) began the campaign to have the pub designated as an Asset of Community Value in 2013.

During their campaign to keep the pub they formed Saffron Walden Community Pub Ltd and raised grants, loans, and share capital to enable its purchase in 2020.

The latest accolade comes hot on the heels of being runner up in the Real Ale Campaign group's National Pub Saving Awards competition and entry in the 2022 Good Beer Guide.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Graham Pearson, his daughter Isla, and customers, shareholders and supporters outside The Railway Arms, Saffron WaldenGraham Pearson, his daughter Isla, and customers, shareholders and supporters outside The Railway Arms, Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2022 Celia Bartlett. All rights reserved)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Graham Pearson, landlord of The Railway Arms pub in Saffron Walden with the award for CAMRA best pub of the year in North West Essex and and his daughter Isla, with the recent award for runner-up in saving the pubGraham Pearson, landlord of The Railway Arms pub in Saffron Walden with the award for CAMRA best pub of the year in North West Essex and and his daughter Isla, with the recent award for runner-up in saving the pub (Image: Copyright © 2022 Celia Bartlett. All rights reserved)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Graham Pearson, landlord of The Railway Arms pub, and his daughter Isla with the award for CAMRA best pub of the year in North West EssexGraham Pearson, landlord of The Railway Arms pub, and his daughter Isla with the award for CAMRA best pub of the year in North West Essex (Image: Copyright © 2022 Celia Bartlett. All rights reserved)

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Saffron Walden pub saved from closure receives national award

Walden pub reopens after four years

From 2017: Campaigners show support to save Saffron Walden pub from housing developers