A recently refurbished club in the centre of Marden has been named the best in the country in CAMRA’s National Club of the Year competition.

Marden Village Club in Kent was completely renovated in 2017 to produce a light, airy, and friendly atmosphere. This Grade II-listed community hub boasts six real ales generally from local microbreweries plus has snooker and darts teams for its members. Many members are involved in these teams while others simply enjoy the friendly ambiance and watch live football and rugby on the sports TV. 

Club steward Simon Banfield said: “We are really thrilled to have won this year. To have made it into the top four clubs nationally of what is a really strong competition was a real honour and a great achievement, but to go on and win, receiving recognition from CAMRA for the work that we do here for our members is fantastic. It really is a big team effort, with a huge thanks to the proactive committee that organises our regular entertainment and live music events, as well as undertake an incredible amount of fundraising for our chosen charities.

“A huge thank you as well to our amazing bar team which works really hard to provide a friendly warm welcome alongside great service, and also to our cleaner who keeps the club clean and tidy. As a large part of the award is about great real ales, we must thank all of our suppliers who provide us with some fantastic products and service.

 “Lastly, the biggest thanks of all goes to our members who come out and support us in what we do, and in turn provide a great atmosphere making the club a fantastic place to be in.”

Maidstone & Mid Kent CAMRA branch chairman Ian Clennett said: “We’re delighted that the efforts of Simon and the Marden Village Club team have been rewarded, not just locally, but by the Campaign nationally. The Branch has always been made more than welcome on our visits here and the Club is a favourite haunt of many members.”

CAMRA awards director Laura Emson said: “Huge congratulations are in order for the Marden Village Club which truly epitomises what it is to be a club at the heart of its community. From organising charity events to running a warm hub for people struggling during the winter months, they are so much more than just a local business.”

Clubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and most importantly – quality of beer. Runners-up were the Cheltenham Motor Club in Cheltenham, Dobcross Band Social Club in Greater Manchester and Barnton Cricket Club in Merseyside-Cheshire.