WINNER: Helen and Ian Hay sponsored by De Vere Wokefield Estate
The owners of the Fox and Hounds pub in Tilehurst were the recipients of this year’s Family of the Year Award, sponsored by De Vere Wokefield Estate.
Helen and Ian Hay co-own and run the pub, and said after collecting the award: “We’re so excited and overwhelmed, and very thankful for our nominations.
“We couldn’t possibly have done it without our children – our youngest, in particular, our Italian Mastiff, Roo.”
They said of the event itself: “It was such a fantastic ceremony, and so welcoming, so it was absolute blast to be here.
“We never stop to take things in properly, we’re always looking for the next thing to do.
“We have very traditional values about treating people with kindness and welcoming everybody in – be they a scaffolder, a drama teacher, whoever you are, you’re treated with kindness and love.”
They explained: “We always try to put a smile on everyone’s face, and everyone’s welcome– but what’s the point of doing anything if you can’t do it at your best.
“A huge thanks goes, of course, to our staff, because while we have our vision, but we can trust our beautiful crew to lead the project.
“And a huge thank you to our regulars and everyone who comes in – we feel like one big family, everyone who comes into the pub.”
