A Swindon pub has been voted as 'Club of the Year' by the local Campaign For Real Ale branch for the second year running.

Ashford Road Club in Old Town, Swindon, is a private members club going above and beyond to offer a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the hard work of volunteers has now been recognised twice in the prestigious CAMRA awards.

Committee members Mac and Jenny Brownley could not be more thrilled at the news.

“We’re just overwhelmed at the award and so pleased," Mac told the Adver.

"The club has been taken from virtual closure during Covid times to a thriving club. 

"Since we reopened after the lockdown we’ve had a real resurgence and we’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, so I'm so glad that hard work has been recognised once again.

"We’re proud of this award and I think our members are too. We currently got over 800 members, which is a huge increase from what we used to have."

Each club shortlisted in the awards is judged based on quality of beer, atmosphere and style, service and welcome, clientele mix and value for money.

According to Ashford Road committee members, the club faced tough competition this year, battling it out with the High Street Club and Haydon Wick Club.

But the Ashford Road club, located in Old Town, took the prize as an award-winning club offering a skittle alley, pool table, darts, quiz nights, bingo, sports screenings as well as a warm welcome and great ales.

The club was first built in 1896 using a £1200 loan provided by the Stroud Brewery to purchase the land and build the club.

Now in its 128th year, the committee of nine volunteers includes a diverse mix of an ex-postman, a solicitor and a banker among others.

"My wife Jenny who is secretary and I put so much work in and we cleaned the whole cellar out which the CAMRA voters were really impressed with," added Mac.

"We are a private members club but we do always try and give people a really warm welcome.

"We’ve really turned a corner since Covid and hopefully we can continue to be the best club."

Ashford Road Club committee members say they are eagerly looking forward to next year's awards where they hope they can take home the prize for a third year running.