GLASSES were raised as the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) presented its County Club-of-the-Year award to Coombs Wood Sports & Social Club in Halesowen.

The Stourbridge and Halesowen branch of CAMRA awarded the social club its 2024 Club-of-the-Year title a few weeks ago and it has now been named County Club of the Year - after further judging against four other clubs in the West Midlands.

The latest award was handed over on Thursday July 11 by branch secretary Tony Morgan who said the accolade was well-deserved – having fought off stiff competition.

Bar manager Dawn Bubb, who has been in the licensed trade since she was 16-years old, said she was over-the-moon to accept the award, having previously won the local Club-of-the-Year gong.

She previously looked after Clent Club, before moving to the Holly Bush pub in Stourport and later to The Swan in Long Lane, Halesowen; and she has been in charge of Coombs Wood Sports & Social Club bar since 2021.

The club began life back in 1921 as Coombswood Cricket Club, previously the Stewarts & Lloyds Cricket Club, in Coombs Road.

The original site was later redeveloped with new housing and a new clubhouse and grounds were provided off Stewarts Road, Halesowen.

Today the popular club holds regular live music nights and a popular winter beer festival in January and it usually has seven ever-changing cask ales available.

It has around 800 members and plays host to cricket, bowls, football, darts and crib teams. Non-members are also welcome.

It’s the first time the club has won the county award and it will now go forward to be considered for CAMRA’s Regional Club-of-the-Year award.

On August 7, the Stourbridge and Halesowen branch of CAMRA will be presenting its Pub-of-the-Year (runner-up) award to The Swan, in Brettell Lane, Amblecote.