Red Lion wins another award

Published on 14 December 2003 in , , , , ,

Speaking of pubs, it’s been about a fortnight since we last went to our local – the Red Lion in Ealing – and in our absence, it’s won another award!

This time, they’ve won the Griffin Trophy, given annually to the best Fullers Pub. Complete with the trophy, comes a nice brass plaque, shining out now on a pillar.

The Red Lion has come along way since we first had a pint in there in 1999 – then it was a small, L-shaped room, with a small band of punters, peeling wallpaper and a rather dubious looking electric fire. It always seemed unloved by Fullers, especially in contrast to the larger, and recently refurbished Castle and The Rose and Crown nearby.

Since its (very well done) enlargement and refurbishment in 2002, the place has gone from strength to strength, already winning CAMRA West Middlesex pub of the year 2002 and 2003 (sadly it didn’t win London Pub of the Year but there is some very tough competition!)

We always thought the Red Lion was a great pub even back in the days of the peeling wallpaper, so it’s great that its potential has been realised and everyone is recognising it for the fantastic place it is.

When we finally move away from Ealing (which looks like it may be in the next 12 months or so) this will be one of the few things in Ealing that I really will miss (the other is DK Montys Nepalese Restaurent!)

Being a regular at a good pub must be like supporting a football team – when something good happens, you share much pride in the achievement – but when you have to say goodbye, it will be one hell of a wrench.

Thankfully we’ve got more drinking in there before we go!