Pendleton pub on shortlist for top CAMRA award

Steve Dilworth tends to his ale at the award winning Swan with Two Necks pub.
Photo Ben Parsons — Steve Dilworth tends to his ale at the award winning Swan with Two Necks pub. Photo Ben Parsons

Landlord Steve Dilworth, who jokes that he talks to the barrels in his cellar, is in line again for the country’s top pub award.

The Campaign for Real Ale has placed his pub, the Swan With Two Necks at Pendleton, in the final four for 2013.

CAMRA’S judges whittled down the last 16 to four in a series of anonymous visits to assess the quality of beer, food, service, atmosphere and welcome.

Steve and his family-led team are up against pubs in Nottinghamshire, Surrey and Gloucestershire, and the result will be announced in February. In 2011 the Swan was in the top four, and was pipped by a fraction of a point to top spot.

Steve said: “It’s bit of a nail-biter, but we’re confident in what we do. I’m talking to my barrels as usual.”