Two Mansfield pubs win national Marston’s awards

There were celebrations all round in Mansfield as two local pubs won national awards at the Marston’s Taverns and Leased Pub of the Year awards 2015.
Licensees Elaine and Terry Pownall of the Sir John Cockle pub Mansfield, which won Marston's Community Pub of the year 2015.Licensees Elaine and Terry Pownall of the Sir John Cockle pub Mansfield, which won Marston's Community Pub of the year 2015.
Licensees Elaine and Terry Pownall of the Sir John Cockle pub Mansfield, which won Marston's Community Pub of the year 2015.

The Ling Forest Inn won the Sports Star Pub of the Year, while the Sir John Cockle won the Community Pub of the Year award.

Licensee Iain Stewart, who runs the Ling Forest Inn on Eakring Road with his partner Angie Douglas, said: “We had a very good night.

“It’s very pleasing to have won this award, we’re all absolutely delighted.”

As an ex-professional rugby league player, playing for Doncaster and Dewsbury Iain clearly knows what keeps sports fans interested, so it’s no surprise he has been honoured like this for his popular pub.

He said: “We have Sky Sports as well as BT Sports and we have a football team, golf society and pool throughout the year and we organise coaches for Stags’ away games.

“I would like to thank all our regular customers who make it possible and support us through the events.”

Elaine Pownall, who runs the Sir John Cockle on Sutton Road with her husband Terry, was equally pleased.

She said: “We’re delighted to have won this.

“We’ve all worked really hard building up a proper community pub that welcomes everyone, including families.

“We do a lot of work for charity every year, we pay attention to all the details, and we work really hard to make this a great community pub.”

The pub recently raised more than £600 with a MacMillan coffee morning and hosts the annual Eggs to the Mill event with Mansfield Road Runners.

This event, involving more than 300 scooterists, raises much needed money for the King’s Mill Neonatal unit.

Operations Director for Taverns and Leased Marston’s, Iain Jackson, added: “It’s a wonderful achievement for everyone at both the Ling Forest and the Sir John Cockle.

“It’s a really tough competition to win and this year the standards were higher than ever.”

The Pub of the Year awards are open to the entire Marston’s Taverns and Leased estate of over 1,400 pubs across the country, to celebrate and reward excellence.

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