THE Bull’s Head has been named winter pub of the season after ‘old school’ landlady Lesley Hepworth was recognised for transforming the Church Street venue.

Lesley became the pub’s licensee in November 2015 and oversaw a renovation project funded by Punch Taverns.

The 54-year-old also set about greatly improved The Bull’s Head’s real ale offering.

One hand pump for cask ale was replaced with four, serving Sharp’s Brewery’s award-winning Doom Bar and a regularly changing selection of guest beers.

The winter pub of the season title was awarded by the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).

CAMRA also recognised the community function of the pub with three quiz teams, dominoes and pool teams and a couple of teams for the crown bowling green to the back.

The Warrington Folk Song Club also meet there every Sunday at 8.30pm.

A spokesman for CAMRA said: “This was always traditionally one of the best Greenall Whitley pubs in Warrington.

“Being just outside the town centre it didn’t suffer the open plan blight of other pubs and even today retains all its snugs and crannies.

“However over recent years, with regular licensee changes, the pub had become tired and was in need of some TLC. Or put another way, it needed a kick up the backside.

“In November 2015 Lesley arrived to provide that proverbial kick.”

Lesley, who has previously run pubs in Stockport, Handforth and Radcliffe, added: “It feels wonderful to be recognised.

“When I started at The Bull’s Head 17 months ago there was one cask ale on tap and now we have four.

“The pub’s going from strength to strength. It has a warm, friendly atmosphere and I do a shift every day at the bar so that everyone knows who I am and finds me approachable.

“I think that’s important for a community pub. I’m very hands on.

“The renovation work has also made a massive difference. It has made the pub brighter and more inviting from the outside.

“Fair play to Punch Taverns for investing in the building.”

Geoff Bibby runs the Warrington Folk Song Club, founded in 1968, which uses The Bull’s Head for its concerts every Sunday.

He said: “It’s a very good venue for the folk club.

“Lesley didn’t know a lot about real ale at first but with the encouragement of locals grabbed the opportunity with both hands and started serving a lot more beers.

“CAMRA got involved when they heard what a good job she’d been doing.”

DAVID MORGAN