Congratulations to Hastings' Dolphin Inn!

Congratulations to The Dolphin Inn, 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW (facebook page), for winning the CAMRA South East Sussex Community Pub of the Year 2019. Well done to Mark and Mo, Laura, Louise and Fraser, and all the bar staff, plus to Clare and her kitchen staff for adding a new dimension since she took on the kitchen. 

The Dolphin Inn, its staff and customers do make this not just an excellent place to knock back 6 real ales, always in perfect condition, at any one time, including 3 regulars (Dark Star Hophead, Harveys Sussex Best and Youngs Special), and 3 guest ales, usually locally brewed, for example, I enjoyed a couple of pints of Dark Star Revelation, a truly 'revelationary' 5.7% hoppy ale, one to savour, and brewed in East Sussex still! 

But also, good food, and a true community pub, with locals from all walks of life joining in with community projects, looking out for each other, charity work and fund-raising £thousands, at least three days a week with live music played by local musicians and singers, and welcoming to all ages, and visitors and tourists too... 

Yet again, this is certainly a well-deserved award, nice one and cheers!

Congratulations to the Dolphin in Hastings!

So, congratulations to the Dolphin Inn (website), Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW, for winning the South East Sussex CAMRA Community Pub of the Year 2018!

 The Award

The Dolphin sells 6 different cask conditioned ales, 3 of which are regulars, ie Dark Star Hophead, Youngs Special and Harveys Sussex Best, so 2 local ales there. In addition, they always have 3 guest ales, with an emphasis on providing ales from local brewers.

Receiving the Award

Community pub? Certainly, the Dolphin is in the centre of the fishing quarter, opposite the Fish Market, and provides a service for the local community. You'll see fishermen, local tradespersons and artisans, retired and working, male and female, young and old! Regulars who need help get it, whether it's dropping off coal at their homes or providing food at home for those not so well, the landlord and a regular annually paint the Stacey Marie RX134 opposite (Hastings Fishermen's Museum outdoor exhibit), and various other locals help as well, including rebuilding and adding a fibreglass deck, as volunteers. And the catering side of the business is a firm champion of the local fishing industry and Hastings Fish (blog). 

Also, £thousands are raised every year for charity, including the local Winkle Club, RNLI Hastings Lifeboat, St Michael's Hospice, and, this year, making a specific campaign to raise money to support the grandchild of a local fisherman, Elsie- Rose, and for the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation (blog).

All in all, nice one Mark, Maureen, family & colleagues!