THE Lion pub in Moulton has been named praised for its role in village life as it picked up a prestigious community award at the weekend.

The Main Road pub received its Community Pub of the Year award from North Cheshire CAMRA during a celebratory event on Saturday night, April 21.

Already officially recognised as an asset of community value, this award from the Campaign for Real Ale shines a light on the pub’s role as a hub for groups and organisations within Moulton.

Run by Andy and Dolores Jones for almost the past five years, the Lion offers hospitality opportunities and training to its two modern apprentices and won a best overall pub award back in 2015.

Andy said: “It’s a very different kind of award. It’s very much community focused – it’s about what we represent within the community.

“It’s such a lovely community that it’s not so much an award for us but the people we have in Moulton, and the sorts of things they get up to. It’s nice to be able to support that.

“Over the years, not just while we have been here, it has been the epicentre of the village and it’s great for us to be able to continue all the little things that gravitate here.

“It was strange to get nominated because you think ‘what have we done to deserve this’, but then when you break it down it’s nice to see that feedback.”

Proposers included CAMRA members Rupert Adams, Andy Perry, Chris and Marie Lawton and Terry and Marrion Powell.

A CAMRA spokesman said: “There are over 200 pubs in the area, which extends from Glazebury in the north, to Tarporley.

“Pubs are nominated by CAMRA members, and are judged anonymously, against a number of categories – community focus, quality of real ale and cider, atmosphere, service and welcome, sympathy with CAMRA's aims, and overall impression of the visit.”

They highlighted a range of community uses of the Lion, including theatre groups, fishing groups, youth organisations, St Stephens parishioners, Moulton Events Committee and the secretive Moulton Crows.

The pub also participates in the scarecrow competition, hosts themed event nights and regular gigs and a quiz.

It acts as the start and finish point for the ‘Moulton Pound the Bounds’ family fun run, and supports village charity the Moulton Adventure Group.

A spokesman added: “Finally, the pub prides itself on being aware of minority and traditionally excluded groups, treating them with respect.”