On Tuesday 28 February 2023 Cornwall Branch travelled to the far west town of St Just in Penwith to the Star Inn, a St Austell Brewery tied house, for a presentation.

The small town is built of granite and lies on the exposed granite headlands of the Tin Coast of the Penwith peninsula. There is an Anglican church and Methodist chapel both of substantial granite construction, a secondary school and a well-preserved Plain an Gwarry. The town still has four pubs: The Star, the King's Arms, the Commercial Hotel and the Wellington Hotel. There was a fifth pub, the Miner's Arms, which closed in 2009.

The Star Inn has been in 44 out of the 50 Good Beer Guides, an achievement matched by only four other pubs out of over 550 in Cornwall that have had over 40 entries.

St Austell Brewery was represented by senior staff including Kevin Georgel, Georgina Young, and Adam Luck. We enjoyed a chat and a pint waiting for landlord John to arrive from his farm.

The certificate was presented by CAMRA Cornwall Branch Chairman, Dugg Polman to John McFadden the licensee. John said a few words in thanks for the recognition and in turn MD Kevin Georgel said a few words in support on behalf of the Brewery.

Dugg, John and Kevin were joined by Brewing Director Georgina Young behind the bar for a group photo.

After some beer and chat, it was time to head home which was quite a long way for most but a short walk for one!

Cheers, Steve Barber