A hat-trick for Far from the Madding Crowd (From Oxford Mail)

A hat-trick for Far from the Madding Crowd

5:00pm Tuesday 11th December 2012 in News

FOR the third time Far from the Madding Crowd has won Oxford’s CAMRA pub of the year.

The Campaign for Real Ale also crowned the independent pub, in Friars Entry, Oxford, the city’s best in 2009 and 2011.

Run by David Patalong and his partner Lauren Magill since 2007, the pub saw off five other shortlisted pubs to come out on top.

The judges visited each contender and judged the quality of its ale, atmosphere, food and service.

Mr Patalong said the couple have another reason to be cheerful this week, with the birth of their son Oliver last Monday.

“It’s was a great week,” he said. “And winning pub of the year just topped it off nicely.

“We just want to say thank you very much to everyone who voted for us and all our customers and everyone who has supported us.

“We have just continued to serve a wide selection of good real ales at all times and the pub has a great atmosphere.

“It’s a winning formula and we’re not going to change it.”