A group of CAMRA members from Cornwall and Plymouth branches gathered at the St John Inn on Saturday 24 September to celebrate the pub winning the 2022 Pub of the Year award from Cornwall Branch which covers the whole county and nearly 600 pubs.

The picture-postcard 16C cottage is set in a beautiful area if a little difficult to find (my satnav Minnie got a bit confused in the lanes). There is a large garden with a marquee and adjoining campsite. You can see from the photos how attractive the pub is both inside and out. There is also the Village Shop shed in the car park built for the COVID restrictions which resulted in the St John Inn being awarded Lockdown Hero by CAMRA for services to the community.

We enjoyed Teignworthy Gun Dog, Crafty Blind Side and Bass, which ran out and Dartmoor Legend came on. All beers on handpump and in excellent condition as you would expect from a Pub of the Year. There was Westons Old Rosie on handpump for cider drinkers.

With other customers also in attendance, Branch Chairman Dugg Polman presented a certificate to owners Rob and Gill Berry. The Mayor of Torpoint, Rachael Evans BEM, joined us to recognise the accolade to a pub in her patch, and Caroline Butler from BBC Radio Cornwall also came along to record the presentation and interviews plus a few photos.

Cheers, Steve Barber