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Keeping the customers well satisfied
A popular boozer that prides itself on its great ales is this week's nominee for our Pub of the Year competition
The John O'Gaunt Inn in Sutton, which has been run by publican Les Ivall and his wife Heleena for the last 33 years, has been nominated by satisfied customers Stuart and Rosemary Williams.
They said: "If you want a sweet talking landlord then don't go to the John O'Gaunt.
"However, if you want a pub with atmosphere and want a traditional English pub that has not been tarted up then this is the place to go."
The pub is solely run by Les and Heleena with several friends helping out in the bar when needed, but the couple do not employ any staff.
They say they concentrate on providing good ales for their punters rather than spending time creating a fancy food menu.
Les, 62, said: "We have always tried to be a real ale pub that does good food rather than a restaurant that just happens to sell beer, which unfortunately seems to be what a lot of our village pubs are turning into."
The pub has more than 30 groups and societies that regularly meet there and holds regular folk music evenings and quiz nights.
Les added: "We have always tried to be a community based pub and over the years we have managed to retain that.
"To me running a pub is more of a lifestyle than a job.
"We have created a good group of regulars and it just feels like a group of mates you are growing old with.
"It's really great that somebody wanted to nominate us."
The pub has been has been in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) beer guide for the last 25 years, is CAMRA's Community Pub of the Year, and
this year was announced as Rural Pub of the Year in East Beds.
It has four permanent ales that have been selected by its customers and also has regular guest ales.
There is still time to get your nomination in.
Click here to e-mail your nominated pub with reasons and put Pub Of The Year in the subject line.
Alternatively write to Pub Of The Year, Biggleswade Chronicle, 7 High Street, Biggleswade, SG18 0JB.
We will be closing entries soon so put in your nomination now!
Readers will then be able to vote for their pub of the year – stay with the Chronicle for more details.
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Weather for Biggleswade
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
