Couple's pride as village pub wins top award

That is because regulars of The Wheatsheaf in Maids Moreton filled in the form without owners Jo and Brad Vyse knowing about it.

Then out of the blue, the couple – who only took over last year – were contacted by CAMRA to say their pub was the best in North Bucks and Milton Keynes.

The couple married in October and had the reception at the pub, just seven months after buying it.

Brad, 32, who grew up in Whitchurch and went to Akeley Wood School, said he feels ‘totally overwhelmed’ to have won the award.

But he thinks it is wife Jo, 39, who should take the credit.

“I’m unbelievably proud of her,” he said.

“I think this award is testament to how good she is.

“The regulars obviously appreciate how much hard work we put in and I suppose it’s their way of saying thank you and well done.

“We like to look after all the regulars because they look after us.”

Jo said it was a ‘total surprise’ to win the award, which they are being presented with on Wednesday.

She said: “It was Terry and Ray, and some others.

“We didn’t realise we were up for it or that they’d filled in the form – and I think they’d forgotten themselves!

“But I think they like the fact that it is a friendly pub, where they can meet their friends.

“It’s somewhere they feel comfortable.”

The couple thanked Dayla, based in Aston Clinton, for helping supply more than 180 guest ales since they arrived.

And they also thanked their bar, cellar and kitchen staff for the ‘huge part’ they played, adding ‘we couldn’t have done it without them’.