A village pub near Wantage has scooped a coveted Country Pub of the Year award.

Real ale society CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) hands out a series of awards throughout the year.

And its members in the White Horse group have chosen The Plough in West Hanney as its winner of the best country pub accolade.

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The pub is run by a community interest group and was bought from Punch Taverns in 2015.

It is now owned by villagers - the Hanney Community Pub Company, which has 120 shareholders.

Herald Series: Staff at The Plough in West Hanney

The pub is run by Owain Jones, and head chef Luke Mayor.

CAMRA branch spokesman Tarquin May said: "The White Horse Branch of CAMRA presented Owain and Luke with the branch Country Pub of the Year award, recognising the fact that the Plough is the best country pub for real ale in the White Horse CAMRA area.

"Ian Winfield, branch chairman, presented the certificate.

"Members of the branch enjoyed a beer in the garden as they held their monthly meeting after the presentation.

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"This is another accolade received by the pub after only being run by Owain and Luke for the last year.

Herald Series: The Plough, West Hanney

"They have already received an award from Restaurant Guru for being the best pub and bar 2023 and best newcomer."

Mr Llwyd Jones was proud to receive an Acorn Award in 2016 where he was seen as one of the “Top 30 under 30” in the hospitality industry.

With stints at Peach pubs, House of Jacob, The Hilton, and the Marriott, he arrived at The Plough last year.

Mr Mayor started his career with an apprenticeship at Malmaison Oxford.

Herald Series: The Plough in West Hanney

He then went on to work at one of the Oxford colleges before working his way up from apprentice to sous chef at the two rosette-rated White Hart at Fyfield.

His culinary style is modern British, with a passion for exciting local produce.

He is also a local boy, having lived in Hanney with his parents for eight years.

The pub has room for about 50 seats inside and 40 outside.

It reopened on May 28 last year and before Mr Mayor and Mr Jones took over the running of the pub there had been a frequent change of landlords.

The thatched, timber-framed pub is thought to have been built in the 17th century.

The village had another pub, The Lamb, but it ceased trading in 2008 and then reopened in 2011 as the Hanney Spice Indian restaurant and takeaway.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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