Social club volunteers celebrate national award
CAMRAA social club situated in a former Victorian mansion has been named the best in the UK.
Billingham Catholic Club, in County Durham, has been named Club of the Year 2025 by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
The award recognises clubs for their atmosphere, welcoming surroundings and the quality of their drinks.
Bar manager Sean Rowbottom and cellarman Tony Hill said it was "fantastic" to win and their success was "all about the preparation" and "finding out what customers want".
The "quaint Victorian mansion" and former school, which has featured in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide for almost two decades, will host an award ceremony on Saturday at 13:00 GMT.
Club volunteers help serve 150 different beers annually and host music, darts, comedy and bingo nights. They also offer the venue and garden for events.
The pair said the "welcoming warm atmosphere" was open to non-members too, which they said contributed to its success where others venues might struggle.
CAMRAThey said the "majority of us work for nothing" because "of the love of the club".
They hope winning the award will attract "a lot more customers" and said their aim was to improve the facility even further and win again next year.
CAMRA Club of the Year coordinator Phil Gregg said: "The competition saw well over 100 entries across the country, from Scotland to Cornwall, with the final being the closest I have known for a number of years.
"Billingham's commitment to community and quality cask beer and real cider and perry makes the team a very worthy winner."
