YE Olde Albion in Rowhedge has been awarded the rural pub of the year award by the Colchester and district branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, or CAMRA.

Simon Taylor-Williams, who runs the pub with his wife Dawn, said he was thrilled to receive the award.

He said: “We’re a proper old- fashioned pub where we try to accommodate everybody in whatever way we can.

“We’ve gone back to basics to focus on serving good beer at a good price, and no food.

“Last year, including our beer festivals, we had 420 real ales, so someone could come in and have a different pint every day of the year.

“We’re what a pub used to be like – places like us are few and far between these days.”

CAMRA branch chairman Graham Evans praised the Albion’s beer and welcoming atmosphere.

He said: “If you go there for a drink you are almost made to feel like part of the family. It’s always so friendly and the quality of the beer is second to none.”

Simon and Dawn have been running the pub for six-and-a-half years and with a baby due in June, they plan to stay behind the bar at the Albion for “many more years to come”.

Simon said: “We want to be part of the community here, and really enjoy running our own pub.

“We’ve worked in the hospitality trade for 20 years and if you work for the big pub companies, your ideas just don’t get listened to.

“Running our own ship here can be both the best thing in the world and the most devastating when things go wrong. You just have to pick up the pieces and work out how to go forward.

“The pub trade is a way of life, and the more you put in, the more you get out.”

Meanwhile, a Colchester pub has been named one of the UK’s top pub music venues.

The Bull, in Crouch Street, was highly commended as a live music venue in the prestigious annual Publican awards.

Dave Richards, who runs the pub with his wife, Fiona, said he was thrilled – but disappointed not to have won the top prize.

He said: “To have been nominated as one of the top six music pubs in the UK, and then to come second to a pub which has now won it three times, is a wonderful achievement for our staff and customers and the talented musicians who play here.”

The pub has live performances six nights a week in its main room and a building behind it, known as the Music Room. Its website is packed with information about forthcoming gigs – and even offers web users the chance to watch live gigs online via a webcam.

Dave said: “Three years ago, the Bull wasn’t everyone's choice for a night out, but we now have an extremely popular venue.

“We’re focused on improving, so we can step up to win music pub of the year next year.”

For more details, go to thebullcolchester.co.uk