Club of the Year

Clubs are judged on a range of criteria provided by CAMRA, including beer quality, clientele mix and sympathy with CAMRA aims and objectives.

Club of the Year

YearWinnerFurther Information
2024 Winner Barkisland Cricket ClubHighly Commended
Greetland Social Club
2023 Winner Greetland Social Club
2021 Winner

Not Awarded – COVID

2020 Winner Midgehole Working Men’s Club (aka The Blue Pig), Midgehole, Hebden BridgeHighly Commended
Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Bowling Club, Hipperholme
Wadsworth Community Centre, Wadsworth
2019 Winner Midgehole Working Men’s Club (aka The Blue Pig), Midgehole, Hebden BridgeHighly Commended
Hipperholme and Lightcliffe Bowling Club, Hipperholme
Wadsworth Community Centre, Wadsworth
2018 Winner Not awarded
2017 Winner The Halifax Catholic Memorial Club, Halifax
2016 WinnerThe Trades Club, Hebden Bridge

Club of the Year 2024 – Barkisland Cricket Club

Chairman Peter Elsworth and the victorious Barkisland Cricket Club Staff Team display the Club of the Year 2024 banner

On Thursday 11th July 2024 Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA members attended Barkisland Cricket Club to present the branch’s top club award – Club of the Year 2024. On the day of the event five beers were being served on handpump. It is not unusual for so many cask ales to be available making Barkisland Cricket Club one of the top clubs in Calderdale for selling and supporting real ale. The beers on sale on the day were Coach House Innkeeper’s Special Reserve (4.5%), Abbeydale Moonshine (4.3%), Craven Blonde (4%), Moorhouse’s White Witch (3.9%) and Saltaire Blonde (4%). In addition a range of wines, spirits, lager, snacks and sweets were also available.

In his speech, Richard Lee, Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA’s Branch Chair, congratulated Barkisland Cricket Club for achieving the award and stated that the Club of the Year award was the highest award presented to clubs by the branch. He praised the Club for its commitment to real ale, the range of other alcoholic drinks available, the friendliness of the bar staff and the welcome Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA members had received.

Barkisland Cricket Club is situated in beautiful surroundings and is well-supported by its members and local people of all ages.It can be reached by using the 561 and 562 buses from Halifax and the E4 service from Brighouse.

Barkisland Cricket Club will host its annual Beer and Pie Festival from the 8th-10th November 2024. Approximately 24 handpulled beers and plenty of pies will be available during the event. Last year’s festival was a tremendous success with virtually all the beers being sold, plus 700 pies. This event is highly recommended by Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA.

Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA’s Clubs Officer, Stephen Taylor, presents the Club of the Year 2024 certificate to Peter Elsworth, Chairman of Barkisland Cricket Club (left)

Club of the Year 2023 – Greetland Social Club

Greetland Social Club Wins Halifax & Calderdale CAMRA’s Top Club Award.

On Wednesday 21st June 2023 members of Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA attended Greetland Social Club to present the branch’s top club award – Club of the Year 2023. Around 70 people attended the event and enjoyed an excellent complimentary chilli supper to accompany the good quality real ale on offer. 

In his speech, Geoff Eagle, Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA’s Club’s Officer, stated that the Club of the Year award was the highest award presented to clubs by the branch. He explained that of the 47 clubs in the branch area, Greetland Social Club had received consistently high scores throughout the year and that this, in addition to many of other factors, had led to the club receiving this highly prestigious award.

Greetland Social Club has two rotating beers which are always served well and it offers excellent value for money to members and non-members alike. The club has a strong community feel and sense of camaraderie and there are a range of community activities on offer including bingo, darts, table tennis, snooker, pool and traditional games such as dominoes, cribbage and other card games. There is an excellent function and events space which hosts a wide range of entertainment performances and trips and excursions are organised to places and events outside the Calderdale area. 

Geoff Eagle, Halifax & Calderdale CAMRA’s Clubs Officer (front right) pictured with the victorious Greetland Social Club Committee

Club of the Year 2019 – Midgehole Working Men’s Club

Major Award for Popular Club

On Saturday 25th May, Midgehole Working Men’s Club (aka The Blue Pig) near Hebden Bridge was presented with the CAMRA Halifax and Calderdale Club of the Year award for 2019. CAMRA members, staff and customers celebrated the Club’s success and CAMRA Halifax and Calderdale’s Branch Chair praised the staff and highlighted the qualities of the club in his short speech. Four handpulled ales were served and free pie and peas were available to all those attending.

The Club, which was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century, is one of the oldest Working Men’s Clubs in the country and was originally built as a worker’s cottage for the employees of Midgehole Dye Works. It is affectionately known as The Blue Pig because of the large number of blue pigs displayed inside and outside the building and is completely staffed by volunteers. It is well-known for its beer festival which takes place in the first weekend in August.

For those wishing to visit, it should be noted that the bus service which previously connected the Club to Hebden Bridge has now been discontinued and therefore it is best reached on foot or by taxi, or by car if you don’t wish to drink too much!

Midgehole Working Men’s Club is open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with extended opening hours on Bank Holidays, but it is always wise to phone in advance to check it’s open (01422 844052).

The Blue Pig President, Adrian Fellows, (right) receives the Club of the Year certificate from Branch Chair Richard Lee

The jubilant volunteers celebrate the Club of the Year success

Club of the Year 2017 – Halifax Catholic Memorial Club

On Wednesday 27th April we presented the Halifax Catholic Memorial Club with our Club of the year. The club continues to serve an excellent range of beer and the award is richly deserved. Here are some pictures of presentation of Club of the Year at the Halifax Catholic Memorial Club – Thanks to all concerned especially Maggie Heath for a splendid evening.

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