Top award for campaigner who brought cask beer back to a pub desert

Ian Boyd (left) hands Barrie Lloyd (right) his certificate

CAMRA honours ‘transformative’ club secretary with Club Recognition Award

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) announced its Club Recognition Award winner at the national Club Mirror Awards earlier this week.

This year’s winner, Barrie Lloyd, is Royston Social Club’s secretary in St Albans. Barrie’s dedication and hard work means there is a wider choice of cask beer in an area which is less populated with pubs.

He was nominated for creating a desire and demand for quality beers within its membership.

The award celebrates and recognises a person, group, or organisation which has made an outstanding achievement, commitment, or contribution to the promotion of cask beer, cider or perry in social clubs over the last 12 months – or ongoing outstanding work.

The transformation from an establishment that solely offered mainstream keg products to a club providing a rotating selection of well-maintained cask beers from both from national and independent local brewers, has meant that it is now a mainstay in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. The Royston Social Club has been awarded the South Hertfordshire Branch Club of the Year on three occasions since 2021.

CAMRA members are welcome, and Barrie ensures that the Royston Social Club is always involved in CAMRA initiatives, with the award nomination highlighting his fervent support for South Hertfordshire CAMRA’s annual Mild Month campaigning.

Club Recognition Award winner Barrie Lloyd said:

“Thank you to everyone at CAMRA for nominating us for this award which I am most honoured to receive on behalf of the Royston Club team. It is so gratifying that the hard work put in by everyone at club has been recognised and even more so at such a prestigious and esteemed event. Thank you also to our loyal members who I know will be proud to hear of this news."

South Hertfordshire CAMRA branch Chair Ian Boyd said:

“Since taking over as secretary of the club a few years ago, Barrie has transformed it from a completely non real ale establishment into a multi award-winning club which has recently installed a fourth handpump. He hasn't simply put ales on but has created the demand for them too, actively encouraging keg drinkers to give them a try and ensuring they are kept in top condition. Our congratulations to Barrie for this well-deserved award!”

Club Recognition Award Co-ordinator Phil Gregg said:

“This year, there was a clear winner, despite tough competition for the Club Recognition crown. Barrie Lloyd and his mission to transform the Royston Social Club into a haven for cask and his endeavour to promote the wonders of cask beer to the local community should rightfully be celebrated. The club’s recent awards and plaudits are richly deserved due the effort Barrie has put into it. Why not make a trip to the Royston and see the passion for both beer and clubs for yourself?”

The winners were announced at the Club Mirror Awards (Wednesday 27 November), alongside the four finalists of CAMRA’s Club of the Year Award.