Text reproduced from the April/May 2005 edition of 'Pints of View.'

The Sportsman, Croxley Green - Watford & District Pub of the Year 2004

Picture caption:The Sportsman at night

Congratulations to Mary Emerson and Jackie Hughes, landladies of the Sportsman in Croxley Green, which has been voted Watford & District branch's Pub of the Year for 2004.

As well as serving excellent and varied ales, with Tring's Sidepocket for a Toad and Bass as regular beers amongst changing guests, the Sportsman stands out in the area for its distinctive style and ambience.

Picture caption:Jackie and Mary accepting the Pub of the Year 2004 certificate from Watford & District branch secretary Andrew Vaughan

The single, L-shaped barroom is decorated with a huge collection of unusual sporting equipment, with an excellent painting of the eponymous 'Sportsman' at one end; an eccentric chap whose image can also be seen on the pub's sign.

This is no sports bar, though. The Sportsman, in fact, has a great reputation for live music. Bands are regularly featured on Saturday nights, with once-a-month blues and folk jam sessions on Sundays. Flyers for jazz, blues and folk festivals can be found sitting on top of the pub piano, along with local magazines (including Pints of View).

Mary and Jackie hold occasional beer festivals, which can take place in the bar or out in the Shed, a converted stables behind the pub which acts as a meeting place for various local societies and as a venue for acoustic music, jazz and even children's parties. The varied use of the Shed emphasises the pub's community focus in an area that, despite being sandwiched between Watford and Rickmansworth, still retains a strong village feel.

For those of you who haven't yet visited this characterful pub, the Sportsman is located at 2 Scot's Hill, at the junction of Rickmansworth Road (A412) and The Green (tel: 01923 443360). Look out for the unusually parked mountain bike out front.

You can visit the Sportsman's website at www.croxleygreen.com/Sportsman where you'll find details of upcoming gigs, amongst other information.

Andrew Vaughan.

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