Norwich Love Your Local campaign celebrates two years

We are offering this plug free of charge to tie in with the campaign which has aimed to get people to pay their locals a visit and help them survive one of the toughest times for publicans in memory.

We started the campaign because we feared that Norwich's longstanding reputation for being a city blessed with hundreds of great pubs was under threat due to tough trading conditions and people's changing life-styles.

The local pub is a great Norwich tradition and the city once had a pub for every day of the year.

In 1905 there were more than 360 pubs just inside the city walls but, according to latest figures, there were only about 130 remaining in the whole of Norwich by the end of last year.

We have used the campaign to highlight all that is good about boozers and to tell readers just how they contribute to society, including the positive impact they have on communities.

We believe that pubs are an integral part of the fabric of our society, can play a vital role in building community spirit and are important in the economy of the city.

They are also the best place to enjoy a pint in a safe and well regulated environment.

Our ongoing Love your Local campaign entered a new phase this year with a new weekly feature called 'Pub of the Week', where we focus on one pub, find out about its history, talk to the landlord and ask regu-lars what they like about it.

• To see more stories from the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal. You can also use this page (use the comments below) to tell us why your pub is worthy of celebration.

• Have you got a story for the Evening News' campaign? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.

Terry Hughes, who owns the Belgian Monk in Pottergate, said: 'Our pub is unique in what it offers, as it's the only Belgian bar in the city. From our point of view we strive to offer something different from the norm in Norwich and offer an extensive range of beers and alternative food menus.'

Colin Keatley, who runs the Fat Cat in West End Street, said: 'We are possibly one of the best real ale pubs in the UK, and we have won a lot of awards to attest to that. We have one of the largest ranges of beers across the whole country, and probably the largest range of products under one roof in the country, incuding 30 real ales.'

Nick De'ath, landlord of the Unthank Arms in the Golden Triangle, said: 'We can offer a great atmosphere and we are a real community pub. It's also still a traditional pub that offers great food and a great range of beers. We have also got a massive garden, which not many pubs can offer.'

Phil Cutter, landlord at the Murderers in Timberhill, said: 'Between three of my staff, we have over 60 years of service at the Murderers. This means that customers know that they are always likely to see a friendly face, and be served a decent pint all of the time. The Murderers is one of the last really traditional city centre pubs, and part of the heritage of Norwich drinking for over 170 years.'

Patrick Cutter, landlord at the Bull at Hellesdon, said: 'Well done and thank you for two years of support. The great British pub encompasses all social aspects in society. Meeting place, sanctuary, board room, dining room, study and community centre. Use it or lose this vital and unique piece of heritage.'

Leanne Freeman, landlady at the Mustard Pot, said: 'The Mustard Pot is a traditional local pub offering something for everyone with a range of community groups, clubs and events including Book and Photography Clubs, Cricket and Football teams and regular Quiz and Comedy nights. You can even get a drink too! A good selection of ales, speciality foreign beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, teas and coffees can be enjoyed in this relaxed, friendly pub.'

Dawn Hopkins, landlady at the Ketts Tavern, said: 'Come to The Ketts for real beer (including Norwich Bear Brewing Co ales), real food - home made, sourced locally and everso delicious - real character AND real characters, and a really, really warm welcome - from the blazing fire AND staff and regulars.'

Rita McCluskey, who runs the Adam and Eve in Bishopgate, said: 'It's a way of upholding a great British tradition. It's also a chance to unwind and talk over the events of the day or to 'chew the fat'. We are also unique with our history and background. People who come here always find someone to talk to.'

Bob Cameron, who runs the Coach and Horses in Thorpe Road, said: 'We've been doing the simple things well for 18 years. We support our local community through various projects such as the Hamlet Centre, which supports local adults and children with disabilites, and we support the Lakenham ladies' rugby team, which is one of the biggest in Norfolk.'

Chris Higgins, landlord at the Trafford Arms in Grove Road, said: 'The 'Love your Local' campaign is a fantastic campaign that gives locals a chance to really get to know the pubs in their area. The Trafford Arms is a local venue that appreciates the value and worth of our community to the area.'

Dave Baldry, landlord at the Artichoke in Magdalen Road, said: 'I think the campaign has made the public more aware of their local and has highlighed some of the problems of the industry. The Artichoke has been part of Norwich since the 1930s and we like to think it is like a big family, looking after each other. We recently raised some money for a local boy for his fight against lukeamia.'

Dave Turnbull, who runs the Blue Boar in Sprowston, said: 'They talk about pubs being the hub of the communuity, and whether it's in the city centre, the suburbs or in the country, it's so true. We are also the best place to drink because we are a responsible drinking environment. I'm a pub user as well as a publican and I just love it.'

Sue Dickerson, landlady at the Leopard pub in Bull Close Road, said: 'We are a nice friendly, local pub. We serve real ales and there's always a good atmosphere. We also have darts, pool and cribbage teams, so we help the community.'

Andy Bolton, landlord at the York Tavern in Leicester Street, said: 'We are carrying on the tradition of a public house. We are an old-style pub that sells good beers. We take care of our regulars and try to lend a hand to anyone new to the area and the pub.'

Toni Fry, who runs the King's Arms in Hall Road, Lakenham, with her mum Michaela Roberts, said: 'It's a chatty pub and we have a lot of local trade. We are a real ale pub with 13 real ales on all the time.

'We have a take-away service where you can bring your own food in and we will provide all the plates and knives and forks and we have a meal deal with two roast dinners for �10 on a Sunday.

'We also have a quiz each month, live bands and our own cricket team.'

Tim Wood, landlord at the Jubilee in St Leonards Road, said: 'We are a sport and real ales pub, and that's quite an unusual combination. We keep the pub immaculately clean and we have a great smoking area outisde. We are a realy backstreet corner pub that is worth making the effort to visit.'

Brenda Gibson, landlord at the Forge in Philadeplphia Lane, said: 'We are very reasonably priced and we look after our locals by keeping the cost down. We also have a friendy atmosphere and now have pool and football teams, so we support the local community.'

Doug Clarke, landlord at the Duke of Wellington in Waterloo Road, said: 'We offer fantastic real ales and are a nice, comfortable pub. We have a nice clientele and are a real comnmunity pub.'

Mike Lorenz, who owns the Whalebone in Magdalen Road, said: 'It's a great local in a local community. We offer a good range of cask ales and great service, and it's a great place to meet friends.'

James Linder, landlord at the Garden House in Pembroke Road, said: 'Atmosphere is a big selling point for us. We have also got a wonderful beer garden and put on a lot of different nights. It's the same for all pubs- you have to make sure people a have time.'

If we have not included your pub here then please leave a comment on this story to tell us why your pub is worthy of celebration.