Real ale award for Harp pub owner - Binnie Walsh wins John Young memorial prize

Published: 12 November 2010
by JOSH LOEB

THE first woman to scoop a prestigious beer accolade this week received her award from the nephew of “the father of real ale” John Young.

Torquil Sligo-Young presented Binnie Walsh, owner of The Harp in Chandos Place, Covent Garden, with the Campaign for Real Ale annual John Young Memorial Plaque at a ceremony at the pub on Monday.

Ms Walsh, originally from Ireland, has spent a lifetime in the pub trade, starting in the late 1960s when she worked as a part-time barmaid in north London. 

The Harp is one of the only pubs in Covent Garden not owned by a large chain. 

Kim Martin, CAMRA London’s regional director, said: “Binnie is well known for adding a magic to her pubs that makes her customers follow her. 

“We think it is appropriate to the memory of John Young that this year the award goes to a publican who has built her career in London and has John Young’s love of real ale. 

“Binnie was an early supporter of the real ale revival and takes a pride in serving good beer so it is not surprising that her current pub, the Harp, not only features in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide but has also recently won CAMRA London’s Pub of the Year, beating over 5,000 pubs to win this accolade”.

Ms Walsh said: “I’m 65. Maybe if I was 20 or 30 years younger I would feel more elated about it. I am actually a bit embarrassed about it.”

Previous winners of the award have included Wether­spoon’s founder Tim Martin.