A FAMILY-RUN pub in the Chalke Valley has been voted country pub of the year for the second year running.

The Horseshoe at Ebbesbourne Wake, a traditional inn which has been run by the same family for almost half a century, has been voted country pub of the year by members of the Salisbury and South Wilts Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Tony and Pat Bath have been running the Horseshoe for 34 years having taken over from Tony’s parents Tom and Glad and they have now been joined by their daughter Jayne.

Overall the Baths have been in charge at the Horseshoe for almost half a century. The pub has featured in nearly every edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and the Bath family has worked tirelessly to support real ale.

Branch chairman Ian Turner presented Tony and Pat with their winner’s certificate during a visit to the Chalke Valley pub by CAMRA members.

Ian said: “It’s great to be here again to present this, richly-deserved award.

“You have a winning formula: excellent food, excellent real ale and a lovely pub in which to serve it."

The presentation was well supported by members of CAMRA who travelled to Ebbesbourne Wake on the 29 bus from Salisbury.

Ian added: “Using the number 29 bus to travel out here for lunch is so easy and the bus schedule means plenty of time to try the food and ales.”

Each year the Salisbury and South Wilts branch of CAMRA gives awards to two pubs in its area – one in the city of Salisbury and one in the rural areas surrounding it.

The prizewinner with the most votes is declared the overall pub of the year while the other becomes either the city pub of the year or the country pub of the year.

This year, Deacons in Fisherton Street, Salisbury received the overall pub of the year accolade. Owners Dave Hancock and his wife Aimee took over the pub two-and-a-half years ago after it had been closed for six months. For more about the local CAMRA go to salisburycamra.org.uk