MARK and Emily Hammick have plenty to celebrate this Christmas with more awards and accolades for The European Inn in the Piddle valley and The Gaggle of Geese at Buckland Newton which they took over this year.

Both pubs have  been shortlisted to the last three in the Countryside Alliance Rural Enterprise Awards.

Emily was a finalist in Lycetts & The Field Magazine Young Rural Entrepreneur of the Year. 

And this year’s Taste of the West Awards have given the European Inn a Gold Award in the Dining Pub category. There were only seven golds across the six counties. 

Both pubs are included in the latest edition of The Good Pub Guide and The European has been highlighted in the introduction as being a most memorable new entry.  Further praise was given in the Top Dining Pub section for the use of produce from the Hammick family farm.

They have also received Direct from Dorset accreditation, recognising their use of Dorset produce. 

The Gaggle of Geese charity poultry auction and beer festival in September raised £2000 for Julia’s House Hospice. Plans for next May’s poultry auction include more attractions such as a Farmers Market, beer festival and live music.

And to add to the tally of success, one of the Hammicks’ chefs, Lewis Knight has been awarded Hospitality Apprentice of the Year 2008 from Bath College where he studied NVQs in catering.