INSIDE THIS MONTH:

EVENT PLANNER

GBBF preview • Industry Insider: proof pubcos are killing pubs Julian Hough obituary • Volunteer Voice • PLUS: CAMRA festivals

JULY 2014 NEWSPAPER OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

DON’T MISS

CAMPAIGN

WHAT’S BREWINGFESTIVAL

THE government’s push to halt the unfair practices of large pub compa-nies has been broadly welcomed by many campaigners.

Simon Clarke of the Fair Pint Campaign said confi rmation that the pub industry will fi nally have a statu-tory code and an adjudicator could see a new beginning for the prospects of the British pub.

Clarke said: “The code’s terms need to be meaningful and material as promised by the government and the adjudicator truly independent of undue infl uence by the rapacious companies that have brought the pub industry to this sorry state of affairs today. What British pubs need is the fl exibility to enable them to evolve to the changing demands of a modern society.”

He said archaic contracts need to be capable of amendment to render unfair terms unenforceable and welcomed the coalition government’s realisation that only legislation supporting their own primary objectives of fairness and ensuring a tied tenant is no worse off than if they are free of tie will offer a brighter future for pubs.

Peter Bradley of Licensees Supporting Licensees said: “For too long pubco tenants have taken the sharp end of the spile, struggling to make a decent living, while pubcos have systematically stripped pub landlords of their profi ts and commu-nities of their heritage. It should never have been the tenants’ responsibility to clear debts created by reckless, bullying, profi teering pubcos.

“Licensees have grafted hard, while the pubcos took all the reward, resulting in thousands of pubs closing, thousands losing their jobs and the lives of many pub owners left in ruin.”

Gareth Epps, who has played a key role in the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign, said this is a victory for people power, for the consumer and publican against the greed of irrespon-sible companies.

“It is an important step forward that will protect pubs and tens of thousands of jobs. For years the vested interests that campaigned to preserve the antiquated, rogue practices of the pubcos never had to make their arguments in public due to

special access. Now they will have to come out into the open and defend the indefensible.

“However, the principle that a tied publican is no worse off than free of tie is key to this being particu-larly welcome news to licensees, consumers and Britain’s burgeoning craft beer sector.”

He stressed there was still a need to make sure the bill has a level playing fi eld, with the full market rent only option overwhelmingly supported in the BIS consultation.

Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA) chief executive Julian Grocock said, on fi rst reading, the government’s proposals for a new statutory code appear commendable.

Grocock said: “The code sets out a sensible structure to put an end to unfair treatment of tenants, without tearing up the pub tie in the process. We hope the government’s deci-sion will restore stability to the pub industry. It should lead to a more confi -dent pub sector, which is good news for SIBA brewers who are reliant on busy, thriving pubs to sell their beers.”

BY TIM HAMPSON

GOVERNMENT is to crack down on pubcos that infl ate tenants’ rents and charge excessive prices for beer.

A pubs adjudicator will also be setup to resolve disputes under government plans revealed in the Queen’s Speech and new regulations announced by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and business secretary Vince Cable.

CAMRA has welcomed the changes that will see thousands of licensees protected from unfair business prac-tices as a “signifi cant victory” in its 10-year campaign against heavy-handed business practices.

CAMRA national chairman Colin Valentine said this campaign win would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of members who distributed beer mats and posters, sent 8,000 letters to MPs and promoted a petition which reached more than 40,000.

Under the new rules companies owning more than 500 pubs will be required to offer rent assessments comparing tied and free-of-tie costs to current and prospective tenants on request if negotiations break down.

However, “there is still much to

do”, said CAMRA’s head of public affairs Jonathan Mail. “We urge the government to go further by intro-ducing a guest beer and market rent only options for tied publicans.”

He said the announcement is great news for publicans and pub-goers alike as over the last decademany thousands of pubs have been lost as big pub companies have squeezed them out of existence with sky-high rents and beer prices.

However, with 28 pubs closing a week it is vital that publicans, who are on the frontline of keeping our valued community locals open, are given protection from the unfair

business practices of the big pubcos.According to CAMRA, publicans could see the price they pay for beer fall by up to 60 pence a pint if the adjudicator forces the big pubcos to match open-market prices.

The next step is for the govern-ment to publish a Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, which will have to go through all its parliamentary stages before March next year if it is to become law before the general election.

CAMRA is to lobby hard to ensure the changes it wants are included in the bill.

Coordinator of the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign and chair of the parliamentary Save the Pub group Greg Mulholland (pictured) said the proposed reforms are a huge win for campaigners and tied tenants, and all the reform needed is now within reach.

“It is vital government goes further and makes the free-of-tie option mandatory. This is what came out of last April’s consultation, and has been called for by the House of Commons BIS Select Committee, the Federation of Small Businesses and many other pub sector groups,” said Mulholland.

Victory in fi ght for fair deal for pubs but still work to do

PUB COMPANY LEGISLATION WELCOMED

NEWPORT’S Tiny Rebel brewery picked up gold in the Champion Beer of Wales competition at the Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival (5-7 June) for its Fubar – a 4.4 per cent ABV American pale ale. Co-founder Bradley Cummings (pictured left with co-founder Gazz Williams) said: “It’s a fantastic achievement and we’re incredibly proud”.

REBEL ROUSES JUDGES

Victory in fi ght for fair deal

12 AugustCHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN (CBOB)Who will be crowned Britain’s top tipple in the CBOB competition at this year’s Great British Beer Festival? To be one of the fi rst to try the new champion head for Olympia – 12-16 August.

2 NEWS & COMMENT WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

THE diffi culty with a lot of CAMRA’s campaigning activity – especially when it comes to those campaigns looking to secure legislation or government action – is it goes on out of the public eye.

Often it can appear no progress is being made towards our goals until the great day when a breakthrough can fi nally be announced.

And a breakthrough has fi nally come in the Campaign’s efforts to reform the beer tie and battle the imbalance and unfairness created by the big pub companies.

It’s the result of years of work by CAMRA volunteers and staff behind the scenes, infl uencing and persuading politi-cians and their advisors that reforming the pub companies is the right thing to do.

It’s been a long and diffi cult task and often one which those involved have not been able to publicise, for fear of harming the relationships with those in power they’ve worked so hard to build.

Visible and loud campaigning is a vital part of CAMRA’s activities, but sometimes it’s not appropriate and the fact campaigners aren’t shouting loudly about something doesn’t mean that nothing is being done and vital victories aren’t being won.

The inclusion of pubco reform in the Queen’s Speech is a big step forward for the Campaign, but it is only the starting point in ensuring the beer tie is rebalanced and that both pub-owning companies and their tenants make a fair living out of the arrangement.

The campaigning must continue, sometimes it will be loud, sometimes behind closed doors – but with full support from CAMRA members it will continue to be effective.

WHEN THE SOFTLY, SOFTLY APPROACH PAYS DIVIDENDS

EDITORIAL COMMENT CAMPAIGN

BY WB REPORTER

CAMRA is seeking a new chief executive to steer the organisation into the future, following the departure of Mike Benner at the start of June.

Reporting directly to the National Executive, the chief executive will lead a team of six senior managers and an enthusi-astic and committed staff team of around 40.

Working closely with volunteer-led committees, the chief executive will hold delegated responsi-bility from the National Executive to develop and deliver the organisation’s fi ve-year strategy.

The successful candi-date will become the key external spokesperson for CAMRA to the industry, media, p arliament and at the highest levels of government. The right

person will be able to infl uence key audiences in order to deliver CAMRA’s strategic campaigning objectives.

Visit www.camra.org.uk/job-opportunities to download details. For an informal discussion about the role please contact recruitment consultant Olga Johnson on 07961 410831.

Closing date for applica-tions is 7 July.

Search for new chiefSWIFT HALVES

GREEN HOPS TICKET TO RIDEKENT’S Green Hop Festival returns on 26 Sep – 10 October bigger and better than before with brewers offering a open day at their brewery as part of the celebrations.

The Green Hop Brewery Open Day, 12 October 10am-4pm, will involve Wantsum, Ramsgate (Gadd’s), Goody’s, Foundry and Canterbury Ales.

Wantsum brewer James Sandy said: “We are planning to provide a free bus service around the fi ve breweries.” See kentgreenhopbeer.com

LEND ME YOUR BEERSARUN and Adur beer festival organisers are keen to hear from other CAMRA branches to help with this year’s theme. The October festival will feature the Best Beers of the Festivals. Contact organisers Debbi and Ray Pilkington and Jim Waterston at info@ale-inatent.co.uk to let them know your winning ale.

THE European elec-tions were a win for beer drinkers as more than a third of newly elected members pledged to support community pubs, real ale and consumer rights in Europe.

Ahead of the election, members lobbied candi-dates to commit to support four key areas affecting the industry including a manda-tory free of tie option for licensees tied to the large pub companies.

Of the 73 newly elected members 24 signed up to support CAMRA’s key campaigns – nine Labour, six Conservative, three Green, three UKIP, one Liberal Democrat, one Plaid Cymru, and one Scottish National Party.

Candidates committed to promote the brewing sector to ensure consumers have fair access to a wide variety of affordable beer in pubs. This included an amend-ment to EU excise duty

directives which would see increased support for small breweries and pubs.

CAMRA’s senior campaigns manager Emily Ryans said: “We are delighted with the initial support from the newly elected members of the European parliament.

“The widespread level of support from every political party for beer drinkers in Europe will form the foundation for campaigning in the coming years.”

MEPS BACK BEER AND PUBS

Closing date for applica-tions is 7 July.

directives which would see

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 3NEWS

PUBS & CLUBS

WELSH Assembly members have called for people in Wales to be given powers to buy their local pub should it be threatened with closure.

Politicians of all parties backed CAMRA’s call for Community Right to Bid powers to be extended to Wales, where three pubs are closing every week.

In a Welsh Assembly debate Paul Davies highlighted the “immense success” of CAMRA’s List your Local campaign and urged the government to enact the Community Right to Bid for Assets of Community Value in Wales.

“Well-run pubs play an invaluable role at the heart of our communities, often providing a safe, regulated and sociable environment in which people can enjoy a drink responsibly,” said Davies.

He went on to highlight that despite the critical role pubs play in the Welsh community, locals “are currently under threat as never before”.

He urged the govern-ment to do “everything we can to support the pub industry in Wales, and that governments at all levels take appropriate action to help safeguard pubs as far as possible”.

Backing the proposal Janet Finch-Saunders said the community right to bid “is about putting back power, putting back choice and putting back the chance for those wanting to do so to save their own local pub”.

The need for pubco reform was also raised by the assembly members.

Mike Hedges said the current model is “certainly not something that is going to make pubs successful”.

William Powell said: “In rural areas, the pub is an important social centre. Community-owned pubs in particular have the potential to become far more than this.”

CAMRA’s head of public affairs Jonathan Mail said members living in Wales should lobby their assembly member to extend the right to buy.

CLUBS were once a feature of many towns and villages and much-loved by the communities they served, but sadly over the years many have closed.

Now CAMRA’s Clubs Committee wants to fi nd the best of those which have survived.

Campaigners want to do for clubs what CAMRA has done for pub preservation, with several initiatives to preserve Britain’s historic pubs, including the publica-tion of the best-selling book Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs.

From backstreet working men’s clubs to plush golf clubs, and everything in between, CAMRA wants to identify clubs with historic interiors or those that were purpose-built and have remained largely unaltered.

CAMRA’s Clubs Committee chair John Holland (pictured) said: “There are some fantastic clubs in the UK and we want to fi nd the ones with the best preserved interiors, either those in buildings which are of historic interest or which have remained unaltered since their construction –

even if that was as recently as 1971.”

John says this search is about a club’s heritage, not what beer is served.

“We are always on the lookout for clubs which serve excellent real ale, but this initiative is about more than beer, it is about discovering the hidden gems around the UK and helping preserve them – regardless of what drinks they have behind the bar,” said John. “It’s for this reason we would encourage clubs which think they are of historic interest to get in touch, no matter what you serve.”

If you think your club has a historic interior then visit www.camra.org.uk/historic-clubs to register it.

THE sign-up for the Good Beer Guide Privilege Club closes soon. All forms and online sign-ups must be received before 11.59pm on 28 July 2014. Forms and online sign-ups received after this date will be processed for the Good Beer Guide 2016 publishing in September 2015.

Club subscribers will have £10 debited from their account on 13 August 2014 if they are to receive the Good Beer Guide 2015.

All cancellation requests must be received by membership@camra.org.uk by midday on Friday 27 July 2014 or completed online via the My Account area of the CAMRA website by midday on Saturday 28 July 2014.

For more information visit www.camra.org.uk/gbgdd.

BY TIM HAMPSON

A COMMITTEE of MPs has announced an inquiry into community rights intended to give more power to people, including the right to buy a threat-ened community pub.

The Communities and Local Government Committee, (CLGC), a cross-party group which scrutinises the work of the Department for Commu-nities and Local Govern-ment, will examine the “community right to bid”.

The right gives commu-nities the power to bid to buy a building which has been listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), such as pubs, shops, foot-ball clubs and parks.

The move comes as more than 430 pubs have been listed as ACVs and CAMRA is well on its way to seeing its 500 target.

CAMRA head of public affairs Jonathan Mail said: “The inquiry provides an opportunity for us to set out ways in which the ACV scheme should be strengthened.

“We want to see the protection given to pubs listed as ACVs substan-tially increased. This could be done by making compul-sory purchase powers available to community groups as well as tougher planning rules.”

An Enterprise-owned pub in Brighton is one of the most recent to be listed as an ACV.

The Rose Hill Tavern, in Rose Hill Terrace (above) closed in May. Now, Brighton and Hove City Council has approved an application to delay the sale which was made by the Save the Rose Hill Tavern Action Group. It gives the group six months

to put together a bid.And the council’s plan-ning committee is calling for communities to have tougher powers if a pub is put up for sale.

Brighton’s planning committee chairman Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to move quickly to grant the pub the community asset status

it deserves. While this reprieve is welcome, the government’s Localism Act that sets out this process remains deeply fl awed.

“We have only a pause to the sale of the pub with, sadly, no guarantee that it will stay in community hands. The government is really only paying lip service to the needs of the community.”

DON’T MISS TOP GUIDEPush to toughen up

right to buy your local

SEARCH TO DISCOVER OUR HISTORIC CLUBS

WELSH BID FOR POWER

5-MINUTE ACTIVISMCONTACT your Assembly Member and ask them to write to Welsh govern-ment minister Carl Sargeant requesting the Welsh Assembly extends the community right to bid to Wales.

A DELETION for 2014 Good Beer Guide, as notifi ed to head offi ce by regional

directors, is the Racehorse Inn, North Hill, Cornwall, p83 (change of licensee).

GOOD BEER GUIDE UPDATE

CAMPAIGN

THE National Executive (NE) has set up an interim Head Office (HO) structure following chief executive Mike Benner’s departure.

Chief operating officer Nick Forshaw will provide overall management of HO staff, but will not act in an external campaigning capacity. Nick will also report directly to the NE.

Tom Stainer is interim head of communications overseeing public affairs and marketing as well as What’s Brewing, BEER and the Campaigner. It

is expected this interim arrangement will be in place for 6-9 months.� CAMRA has strength-ened its support for pubs with the appointment of Matt Brown as planning advisor. Contact Matt with any planning concerns on matt.brown@camra.org.uk or 01727 337851.� OTHER changes include the promotion of Chris Lewis to senior marketing manager. Jill Burder has joined as senior member-ship manager and Tim Miller as junior web developer.

BY TIM HAMPSON

DO you know someone who is worthy to be named CAMRA’s top campaigner at next year’s Members Weekend and AGM? Well, now is the time for branches to nominate the pub and beer champion they think should win this prestigious award.

CAMRA makes many awards to encourage good beer and good pubs, but the Campaigner of the Year is different – it seeks to give well-deserved recognition to the country’s top beer warrior.

At this year’s Members Weekend

volunteers Simon Wiseman and Tom Blakemore were named joint Campaigners of the Year for their work creating CAMRA’s national online pub guide WhatPub.

National director and award coordinator Brett Laniosh said, “Nominees need not necessarily be members, and you should not feel limited to considering only people who live or work within your branch’s boundaries. We want to cast the net as wide as possible, it could be people who have fought effective CAMRA campaigns locally or nationally, or someone in the pub

or brewing industries who promotes our interests.”

Branches nominating a contender should write 250-350 words describing the nominee and their real ale credentials. This can be based on work over the current year or a longer period. These should be sent to Jonathan Mail, CAMRA Campaigner of the Year, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW or via email to jonathan.mail@camra.org.uk. For further further info call Jonathan on 01727 798448.

The deadline for nominations is 1 February 2015.

AS detailed in the Internal Policy Document clause 1.31, the National Executive may increase subscription rates in line with the rate of inflation without having to go to conference. The last rise was effective 1 June 2012.

Following a review of rates, the National Executive will implement an increase effective from 1 January 2015. The increase will average 5 per cent across all memberships and there will be an increase of no more than 6.5 per cent for any one rate. The increase is less than the prevailing and forecast HM Treasury Retail Price Index.

CAMRA finance director Ken Davie said “Increasing subscription rates is not something the NE does lightly. We hope members appreciate we work hard to keep rates as low as possible, but costs have increased in the past couple of years, for example postage has risen 25 per cent in this period, and with a continued commitment to investing in our key campaigns we believe the time is right to increase rates. Maintaining increases just below the RPI means we can ensure we generate revenue moving forward and better control our rate increases rather

than larger, one-off rises every four to five years as we have in the past.”

Direct debit payers will receive notification of the increase no less than 10 days before their next subscription in 2015 is taken. All other payers will have the new prices listed in their renewal notice. If you are a direct debit payer check your member record by logging into www.camra.org.uk and going to “My Account” to ensure we have an email registered for you. Emailing your notice will reduce administrative costs and enable more funds to be directed into campaigns.

NEW SUBSCRIPTION RATESMembership type Current New rate rateSingle DD £23.00 £24.00 Cash £25.00 £26.00Single concession DD £15.50 £16.50 Cash £17.50 £18.50Single overseas DD £36.00 £38.00 Cash £38.00 £40.00Joint DD £28.00 £29.50 Cash £30.00 £31.50Joint concession DD £18.50 £19.50 Cash £20.50 £21.50Joint overseas DD £41.00 £43.00 Cash £43.00 £45.00

NEW YEAR CHANGES FOR MEMBERSHIP SUBS

Who will take top award?HO STAFF MOVES

4 NEWS WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

6 CAMPAIGN WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

VOLUNTEER VOICE

AS Thomas Hughes wrote in his 1857 novel Tom Brown’s School-days “Life isn’t all beer and skit-tles; but beer and skittles, or something better of the same sort, must form a good part of every Englishman’s education”.

In many areas of the country there are thriving skittle leagues that help ensure pubs get regular clientele and income.

Now, as CAMRA members, we may bang on about real ale until we’re blue in the face, but does this get people into pubs on its own? Not necessarily, as half of our skittle team don’t drink real ale.

Nevertheless, the fact we skittle at pubs where we might not go, helps keep them going irrespec-tive of what our tipple is. Put it this way; how many times have all of us decided against going out to the pub of an evening because it was too cold/raining/in-laws turned up, whereas during the winter every Friday night in the Yeovil, Somerset area alone about 800 blokes make no excuses – they

go out skittling! Add to that the multitude of leagues in our area – ladies, mixed, friendly landlord, farmer’s – and the shoot-out club has a national championship held in Torbay each year (this year sponsored by real ale brewery Butcombe) skittles has a massive following and we hope, a secure future.

A landlord told me trade drops by more than 16 per cent out of season. It is no exaggeration to say there are occasions when if it were not for the skittles, a pub would not be viable. But it’s not just skittles. There are pool, Aunt Sally, darts, quoits, bat and trap, cribbage and dominoes and even a bagatelle league – the list goes on. These leagues can be parochial, but nevertheless – they get people into pubs!

I am very fortunate to have the most famous pub in the world as my local – the Rose and Crown in Bradford Abbas. Why do I make such a rash statement? Well, it featured in the Eldridge Pope ad for beer as “The Lads of

the Village” and this very picture can be seen not only in numerous beer books and the R&C, but as far afield as Cheshire, Chicago, Illinois and Sydney! Furthermore, Movietone News has posted online footage of the Lads playing skittles on the alley we now play on. Could this be the oldest and most historic skittling footage in existence?

So there it is. Forget trying to get your lager-swilling mates down the pub for ale, form a team and join your local league of whatever

they play in your area – there’s nothing like a bit of competition to get people fired up. That way you’ll have a lot of fun, and the patronage will help keep your pub open – and you’ll still have a local to enjoy ale in.

Life may not be all beer and skit-tles but, particularly here in the West Country, there are plenty of landlords and landladies who are very pleased that it is, and I’ll raise a glass or three to that as well!� John was introduced to Draught Bass in the early 1970s long before he was to learn it was real ale. He played his first league skittles in 1980 and captain the Rams, quite possibly one of the worst teams in the Yeovil Sports Skittle League, at the Rose and Crown. Other inter-ests include family, railways and music.

Winning with beer and skittles

Can you help?JULY10-13 (Fri-Sat) Scottish Real Ale Fest, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, New Market Rd, Edinburgh EH14 1RJ. Volunteers wanted, contactstaffing@sraf.org.uk. See www.sraf.org.uk for info.11-12 (Fri-Sat)21st Plymouth CAMRA Beer Fest, Plymouth Pavil-ions, Millbay Rd, Plymouth PL1 3LF. Volunteers always needed, email membership@plymouthcamra.org.uk11-13 (Fri-Sun)Beer on the Wye X, Greyfriars Ave, Hereford. Volunteers required all areas pls contact Andrew Pearson pearsonwye@btinternet.com 07581 386280. Free camping w/ showers etc, T-shirt, food + drink tokens.

The Campaigner is an e-newsletter and a section on the CAMRA website showing how to get involved. Here’s part of the Campaigner’s content, but visit the members’ area of www.camra.org.uk to get all the details and read all the articles in full

John Penny argues CAMRA campaigning should take some advice from Thomas Hughes

� Volunteer Voices are provided by selected members of the Campaign for Real Ale. They are intended to express the views of the author and not necessarily those of CAMRA. If you’d be inter-ested in writing a Volunteer Voice, or would like to nominate someone, email tom.stainer@CAMRA.org.uk explaining why and briefly outlining what you’d like to discuss. The WB team reserves the right to edit submissions and expects them to be legal, civil and constructive.

CAMPAIGNER

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 7NEWS

OBITUARY

“THERE is now a very large, Julian-shaped hole in a lot of CAMRA activities and committees that we will struggle to fill”. That was the response of one activist to national chairman Colin Valentine on hearing Julian Hough had died of oesopha-geal cancer on 28 May, just two days short of his 55th birthday, writes Alistair Boyd.

Julian was a tireless worker at every level of CAMRA activity. He served on the National Executive from 2006 until this year’s AGM in Scarborough and only stood down then because of the advance of his illness, but he never stopped his work at local level.

His first involvement was with the Derby Charter Beer Festival – he actually joined the Campaign at the festival aged 19 and he remained involved with it to the end. From 1989 until 2009 he was hall manager of the Summer Festival, a post that in other CAMRA branches is titled festival organiser – Derby has always been idiosyncratic about such titles. It was said of Julian that he knew the Derby Assembly Rooms better than the Derby City Council. From 2010 onwards he switched roles and became cellar manager.

His first branch office in 1984 was social secretary and it was in that capacity he organised a bus trip to Bradford to protest about the closure of the Victorian gents toilet in a pub. He even ensured the women aboard the bus had an opportunity to see the wondrous architecture that was about to be lost. He subsequently served the Derby branch as treasurer for four years.

When it was decided Derby would play host to the AGM in 2000, Julian was appointed chairman of the organising committee and one year later elected CAMRA’s East Midlands regional director. After two years on the Branches Committee, which is made up of the regional directors from all over the UK, he was elected its chairman.

In 2006 at the Members’ Weekend in Blackpool, Julian was elected to the National Executive. On the NE he was appointed director of pub campaigns and led the committee which oversees the pub heritage group, plus planning advi-sory and clubs committees. He was also involved with the Pub Design Awards and the prestigious Pub of the Year Compe-tition. He took particular pleasure in

making the award to the winning pub and then enjoying a few pints with the land-lord when the formalities were over.

He also worked for many years at the Great British Beer Festival – this year would have been his 18th. He was deputy on the wet stock team. His boss on that team, Sarah Durham, said: “I lost count of the number of times I had to explain to bar managers this wasn’t my system for stacking empties I had forced on poor Julian, but his own cockamamie system and that, as it worked, I wasn’t going to interfere”.

Julian also worked for many years at the National Winter Ales Festival, which this year moved to Derby, and is currently managed by his wife Gillian. He was also a member of the Champion Winter Beer of Britain team.

Julian did a tremendous amount of work for CAMRA at various levels but the Campaign was not his only interest. All his adult life he worked as a British Telecoms engineer, but it is surprising he had time for a job with his many extra curricular activities.

Julian was passionate about many things: firstly family and friends. He devoted his time to sailing and mountain climbing, art and conservation, travelling, music and football. He was a devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen (and proud he had seen him perform in five decades) and a dedicated supporter of Derby County. One of the factors he took into account when buying his home was its proximity to Pride Park Stadium!

From early childhood he was involved in the scout movement. Starting as a cub scout, he rose through the ranks of the scouts and venture scouts to senior posi-tions. His particular contribution was, having learnt of a similar activity in Shef-field, organising a Scout Christmas post service in Derby in 1982 that is still in operation today.

Customers buy stamps and post their Christmas cards in shops around the city and scouts collect and deliver them. With his quirky musical taste Julian christened the scheme Stamp and Deliver – so far it’s raised more than £1m for scouting and other charities.

On Thursday 12 June it was standing room only at Spondon Methodist Church for the celebration of Julian’s life following his cremation. The closing music was We Shall Overcome sung, appropriately by Bruce Springsteen. Everyone then adjourned to Julian’s local, the Royal Oak, Ockbrook where he had been a somewhat erratic member of the darts team, to raise a glass of a beer to his memory.

Julian is survived by wife Gillian, step-daughter Jeanette, parents Anita and Bill, and brothers David and Martin.

Tireless worker at every level of CAMRA

“I lost count of the number of times I had to explain to bar managers this wasn’t my system for stacking empties I had forced on poor Julian, but his own cockamamie system and that, as it worked, I wasn’t going to interfere”

8 NEWS WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

CAMPAIGN

BRANCHES should consider attending county shows and local food and drink festivals as part of their membership campaigning.

CAMRA staff (above) attended the Hertfordshire County Show in Redbourn, recruited more than 30 members and gave away thousands of beer samples to festival-goers.

CAMRA events manager Lauren Anderson said, in addition to beer festivals, shows are a great way of raising people’s awareness of CAMRA and Head Offi ce

can offer advice, practical support and equipment to help branches run a stall.

“As part of CAMRA’s key campaign, over the next 12 months we will be looking at ways to encourage and support branches to attend more regional events,” said Lauren.

CAMRA’s membership stand will be at the Ludlow Food Festival in Ludlow Castle – 12-14 September.

If your branch would like advice and support on attending a show contact lauren.anderson@camra.org.uk

A CAMRA branch running a beer and cider bar at an ecofestival, decided to get involved and enter its own scarecrow into a competi-tion – and won!

Amber Valley branch ran the bar as part of the Belper Goes Green Festival which ran 30 May-1 June. The bar stocked 30 real ales, six ciders and two perries.

Scarecrow Russ (pictured) was one of 40 entries, including the Scouts’ Scare Grylls, and Sal Vage made entirely of recycled material.

Russ was then put on display in Belper’s Market Square and will make a guest reappearance for the branch’s beer festival 25-28 September, at Belper’s Strutt Centre.

BY TIM HAMPSON

WHEN the Fox and Goose in Hebden Bridge was threatened with closure, locals vowed it wouldn’t happen.

Regulars and supporters from the local community and further afi eld came together in February 2012 with the aim of buying the pub and running it as a co-operative.

Now after more than two years hard work, the pub is West York-shire’s fi rst community-owned pub and has been refurbished with real ale at the heart of its offering.

The journey from listing it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), to eventually owning the pub outright, was long and arduous.

The Fox and Goose Hebden Bridge Ltd formed as an industrial and provident society, wrote a business

plan and raised £130,000 in a share offer, but it was all worthwhile, according to one of its directors Drew Marsh.

“We had a vibrant community, with a lot of people sold in to what the Fox and Goose was about. We’re very fortunate that Hebden Bridge is such a community-orientated town,” said Marsh.

He said people were thankful for the support from Calderdale council but it was up to the campaigners to make the community buy out work. The pub is now run by a board of directors, who employed a landlord to run the pub day to day.

“We have built on what the Fox and Goose was – a unique pub. It was about real ale, it didn’t sell food or draught lagers, and that’s still our unique selling point. That’s what

makes the Fox important to us,” said Marsh.

None of it could have been achieved without the community right to bid, which Marsh believes has the poten-tial to “empower communities.”

“The legislation only works if the community gets together. It still needs testing but it gives communi-ties power over their own lives and the power to make a difference.”

CAMRA campaigns manager Claire Cain said: “It can be a hard battle for communities fi ghting to save their pubs from being demol-ished or redevelopment into fl ats or supermarkets.

“Listing a pub as an ACV is a great tool to assist in this fi ght by showing your council the value the pub has to local residents and warning off developers.”

MEMBERSHIP campaigning and the organisation of a beer festival by members of Kidderminster CAMRA sub-branch has been so successful it has become a branch in its own right.

Now the branch, once part of Redditch and Bromsgrove, will be known as Wyre Forest and will soon have a logo and be in

charge of its own fi nances.CAMRA regional director

Gary Timmins praised campaigners for their hard work saying branch membership had risen from 190 to 270, and it would soon be more than 300.

He said the successful Kidderminster beer festival, which had been used to grow membership.

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to buy their local in Sidbury, east Devon, haven’t given up hope of owning it even though they’ve fallen short of their fundraising target.

Sidbury Community Enterprises’ share offer fell short by thousands of pounds even though more than £100,000 was raised from 150 investors.

Sidbury Community Enterprises’ chair Fred

Burnett said the share offer needed to raise at least £200,000.

“We are incredibly proud to have raised so much money from such a large number of investors in a relatively short period of time,” said Burnett.

“This, we believe, demonstrates our vision for retaining the Red Lion has signifi cant support. We always knew our target to

raise £200,000 through the share offer was challenging to say the least,” he said.

Now the Red Lion campaigners are applying for a capital grant from Social Investment Busi-ness, a government-funded organisation that supports social enterprises, to make up the shortfall.

If the grant bid is successful it would paid in mid-September.

Burnett said: “This would however allow us the opportunity to continue to seek additional investors who could purchase shares or provide it with donations.

“None of this alters our business plan or vision for a future Red Lion business. It does however mean that the timetable for Sidbury Community Enterprises to purchase the Red Lion would slip until September.”

CASH SHORTFALL NOT END FOR CAMPAIGNERS

Community right to bid delivers a county fi rst

SUPER SUB SUCCESS

STAND AND DELIVER

PUBS

REAL ALE RUSS WINS

FESTIVAL

TWO breweries have launched competitions to fi nd the best home brewers.

Thornbridge has teamed up with Brew UK and Waitrose for its Home Brew Challenge 2014.

Head brewer Rob Lovatt said: “A considerable number of home brewers develop great beers that can never be appreciated by a larger drinking public.

“The Home Brew Chal-lenge 2014 will provide home brewers with an opportunity to match their beers against those of other enthusiasts, and have them tasted by a panel

of expert beer judges.”Sambrook’s is inviting

home brewers to bring bottles of their beer to its Beer by the River sixth birthday bash, on 30 August at Morden Hall Park. Festival-goers will be invited to vote for their favourite before judges select the winner. The winner will brew their beer at Sambrook’s.

For the Thornbridge competition go to www.gbhomebrew.co.uk

Contact abbie@sambrooksbrewery.co.uk for details of the Sambrook’s Beer by the River competition.

HOME BREW

BREWING CHALLENGE

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 9NEWS

BREWING

A BEER which was at the forefront of a pub brewing revolution in the 1970s is back on bars again.

Pub entrepreneur and creator of the Firkin brewpub chain David Bruce (above) first brewed Dogbolter in 1979. And now Bruce, who is chairman of the West Berkshire brewery, is brewing the beer again.

He was prompted after being interviewed by Jessica Boak and Ray Bailey for their book Brew Britannia: the Strange Rebirth of British Beer.

The beer was first brewed at Bruce’s Goose

and Firkin pub in south London and went on to be produced in other Firkins.

According to Bruce, Dogbolter was the result of a fortunate mishap while he was mashing another stronger beer, Earthstopper.

Distracted by a phone call the original gravity (OG) fell from 1085 past its intended 1075 to 1068, but rather than waste the brew, he reduced the OG to 1060 and so Dogbolter was born.

Thankfully, there were no mishaps when head brewer Will Twomey recreated the brew 35 years after it was conceived.

A PUBLIC taste test to see which hops drinkers preferred – British-grown or American – has seen the UK come out on top.

The Great Truman’s Taste Test was the largest trial of its type in the UK and run in conjunction with Nicholson’s pubs.

Two beers were put on the bar – UK Gold and US Pale. Drinkers were invited to give feedback and pick their favourite. More than 1,000 voted, which saw the UK beat the US 540 to 460.

London-based Truman’s, brewed each beer three times with recipes refined according to feedback.

Truman’s MD James Morgan said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of the Great Truman’s Taste Test. It was truly gratifying to see all the votes and suggestions flood in. This is a beer that has been crafted by our drinkers and the winning beer is a belter.”

The winning beer, UK Gold, has been renamed Eyrie, in honour of the new Hackney Wick brewery. The beer is the third permanent member of the Truman’s range, joining Truman’s Runner and Truman’s Swift.

Brewed with four hop varieties – Bramling Cross, Admiral, First Gold and Target – the beer is described as a zesty, vibrant golden ale.

BY TIM HAMPSON

ONE of the Midlands most historic brewing sites is to be sold. The former High-gate brewery, a Grade II-listed site goes under the hammer on 3 July.

The four-storey building and grounds in Sand-ymount Road, Walsall covers more than an acre and may be suitable for conversion into apart-ments says auctioneer CPBigwood which has put a guide price of £850,000 on it.

Founded in 1898, High-gate has gone through a number of hands, purchased by Mitchells & Butlers in 1939, which merged with Bass in 1961, sold to management in 1995, bought by Aston Manor brewery in 2000, bought by pub company Global Star in 2007 and sold on again as a poten-

tial property investment. Bob Newton, from the Friends of Highgate Brewery, said: “We are totally against that. The brewery has got a fasci-nating heritage since it was built by the Fletcher family in 1898.”

In its heyday it employed 65 people producing 100,000 barrels a year and providing its beer to more than 400 pubs and clubs across the West Midlands.

Brewing no longer takes place on the site, but for more than a century it was known for its Highgate Dark Mild and a stronger version called Highgate Old.

Newton said he was fearful for the future of the historic equipment inside the brewery saying it has been years since the group had been allowed on the premises.

“Global Star does not

maintain a dialogue with us, and it’s very difficult to know exactly what’s going on,” said Newton.

He said an historic copper coolship had already been removed for scrap, but he thought all the other equipment was still in place. This includes a Victorian malt screen, a hundred-year-old mill, which was probably being used by a German brewery during WW1, and a number of mash tuns, coppers and fermenters.

“The really interesting parts of the brewery, including the old brewing vessels, can’t be seen from outside, but we are hoping that they can be preserved,” said Newton.

He said the group was working with Walsall Civic Society and CAMRA’s Walsall branch to preserve an important part of Walsall’s heritage.

AFTER growing bines across the capital last year Greenwich brewer Mean-time now has its own hop garden (above).

It’s on the banks of the Thames close to the O2 and sits on the Greenwich Peninsula Meridian line. It’s the first permanent hop farm in London in more than 100 years and the crop will be used to make a limited-edition brew.

The farm, which can be viewed from the Thames pathway, is part of Meantime’s push to engage people with brewing.

Designed by landscape gardener Kate Lonergan and her team 48 hop roots have been planted into 12 wooden planters.

It is hoped the plants will produce around 4kg in their first year, enough to brew a 10-hectolitre batch. The beer will be ready to drink in the autumn. Meantime

has also commissioned street artist Xenz to transform the planters into beer-themed art.

Brewery marketing director Rich Myers said: “London is an exciting place to be a brewer right now. The variety of ingredients at our disposal is huge and it allows us to pack flavour into our beer. I hope that our hop farm will make more of the public aware of that fact.

“While brewing was an industry that declined to an almost terminal point in London during the 1990s, a new generation of modern craft businesses has got it back on its feet and there are some fantastic beers that are bold, full of flavour and character – just like the city itself.

“The beer we will create is about championing our capital’s rich brewing heritage.”

A WARWICKSHIRE brewery is celebrating 20 years at the mash tun.

To mark the occasion, the Church End brewery will be recreating its first brew – M-Reg which was brewed on 1 August 1994.

The brewery’s Rosemary Elliott said: “Stewart, my husband and brewer at that time, had to be sent home in a taxi after one pint of M-Reg, having fallen off his bench at the pub and one of the locals was heard to say, ‘I want a pint of whatever he had’. Bear in mind M-Reg was only 4.1 per cent.”

“I think the 20-year journey has had a number of similar exciting occa-sions that have made all the hard work and passion well worthwhile.”

The brewery started life in a coffin shop in Shustoke before upgrading to a 10-barrel plant at its present site in Nuneaton in 2001. This was further upgraded to a 20-barrel plant in 2008.

DOGBOLTER RETURNS

Historic Highgate under the hammer

UK HOPS BEAT USA

BREWER’S CAPITAL PLAN FOR GROWTH

M-REG TURNS CLOCK BACK

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 1110 PREVIEW WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014 PREVIEW & COMMENT

BREWING

Val’s not going awayVAL Spencer (below) is a force of nature, a whirlwind of activity. She’s one of the most outspoken publicans arguing and fighting for change, taking on the giant pubcos and demanding a better deal on rent and beer choice. She’s spoken at rallies in London and is a constant, vibrant pres-ence on social media.

If you don’t recognise her name, you will know her as Lifelong Landlady. She’s all over the Twittersphere with her forthright, no-punches-pulled views.

I warmed to her at our first meeting in 2013 as we’re from the same “manor” in the East End of London: Val from West Ham, me from East Ham, claret-and-blue through and through. With her ripe Cockney accent, you’d expect to find her pulling pints in an East End boozer, so it’s a cultural shock to discover her behind the bar of the Cock in Lavenham in Suffolk. Lavenham, all half-timbered Tudor houses with some Suffolk Pink in between, is ancient, its wealth built on the wool trade of the 15th and 16th centuries.

It has several pubs, all a bit gastro, with TV chef Marco Pierre White holding court at the Angel. There’s excel-lent pub grub at the Cock Inn but it’s down-to-earth, all home-cooked and offering fish and chips, a good range of burgers and a vast spread of desserts: “Nobody leaves here hungry,” Val says.

She laughs when I look around at the thatched exterior and standing timbers inside and ask how old the pub is. The answer is a surprising 1953.

“It’s a fake,” she admits but says there has been an ale house on the site since the 12th century.

Val and her husband Gavin have run the Cock for seven years. They met when working in a hotel in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

Val grew up in pubs: her grandmother ran the Golden Fleece in Manor Park, East London and Val worked for S&N and Spirit before leaving London and heading east. “I was a manager at 19 and I haven’t stopped since,” she says.

Unlike the food menu, the cask beers at the Cock are a bit restricted: Adnams Broadside, Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Woodforde’s Wherry. Excellent ales but the bars lack the range of newer beers now so widely available. The Cock belongs to Enterprise Inns, which explains the beers on offer and Val Spencer’s battle for a better deal for landlords.

When her efforts on beer and rent with Enterprise foundered two years ago, she took up the cudgels, became Lifelong Landlady and used social media to look for support. She found she was not alone and soon a campaign was under way, using Twitter, Facebook, blogs and email. She works with such other stalwarts as Toby Perkins, Mark Dodds, Simon Moore and Dawn Hopkins and has estab-lished a hot line to Greg Mulholland, the MP who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group.

Val helps run the Fair Deal for Landlords group and is also involved with Licensees Supporting Licensees. She says the beauty of using modern social media is that you discover so many people with expertise to back the campaign and pool resources. There are people running pubs who have been lawyers, town planners and even policemen.

She’s not downhearted by Vince Cable’s proposals for bringing the pubcos to heel. “18 months ago, Jo Swinson [who works with Cable in the Business Department] said she’d washed her hands of the whole thing and now we’re on the brink of change.”

But – and it’s a mighty but – fair rents and a market-only option on the beer tie are missing from the Cable proposals and as far as Val is concerned the fight goes on.

She’s hoping, when the proposals come before parliament, there will be an amendment that addresses the problems of rents and the beer tie.

“Landlords don’t exist to be cash cows for debt-laden pubcos,” she says trenchantly. She signs off her stream of emails with “ttfn” – that’s Cockney-speak for ta-ta for now. In other words, she’s not going away.

Fair rents and a market-only option on the beer tie are missing from the Cable proposals and as far as Val is concerned the fight goes on

When licensee Val Spencer found herself at loggerheads with Enterprise Inns she took to social media to look for support and found plenty

Roger Protz tweets @RogerProtzBeer and also writes www.protzonbeer.co.uk

ROGER PROTZ WRITESFESTIVAL

SPARE PARTS and AFTER SALES SUPPORTWe are looking for an individual who is capable of working on their own and making things happen. This position is for someone to handle all additional supplies and warranty claims for existing customers, supply all spare parts and additional equipment for new customers and make sure that our most recent installations have any additional items supplied to them. Some kind of engineering/welding background would be useful, and any knowledge of breweries or brewing would also be very helpful. You also need to liaise with customers, suppliers, fabricators, transport and package handling companies as well as our own accounting staff to ensure all supplies are legitimate and have been invoiced.

As the most successful and prolific brewery installer and trainer in the country, PBC brewery installations and now looking for additional staff to add to our busy team

Salaries for the above three positions will be dependent upon your value to the business, and remuneration increments will be based on your ability

to grow with the level of responsibility.Financial help will be given to relocate to Manchester if necessary.

Send CVs to David Porter at dporter@pbcbreweryinstallations.com

and see our web site at www.pbcbreweryinstallations.com

BREWERWe are looking for someone to help install breweries and be able to eventually help train people how to brew beer. The role is one of helping get new breweries together and then installing them all over the UK, as well as occasionally around the world. Recognised brewing qualifications are not as important being able to understand the practical aspects of breweries and brewing skill. Some kind of engineering or quality-control background could also be useful. This role is not for the faint hearted, long work days on site are the norm, and as you become more experienced on how we do things, the pressure will only increase.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT We are also looking for someone to help with the technical administration. This is an office based role where answering technical enquiries and making sure the administrative and planning side of the installation business operates effectively and efficiently. A serious understanding of brewing and breweries would be a distinct advantage. Not being able to type fast is not a problem.

THIS August (12-16) we’re back in London’s Olympia for the 38th Great British Beer Festival (GBBF). Some 55,000 people are expected to attend, with more than 900 real ales, ciders, perries and foreign beers on the bars. Make the most of your visit with our top tips.

Getting therePUBLIC transport is the best way to get to the festival – you don’t have to worry about parking or driving! Transport for London has yet to confirm the District Line service from Earls Court to Olympia so check next month’s WB or gbbf.org.uk

First things firstIT’S always worth picking up a GBBF programme – they’re free for members. It contains some of the most important information for your visit, the beers, but it’s also got useful stuff like where to eat and the entertainment schedule. Volunteers will be handing these out in the entrance.

One of the other things you’ll want to pick up is your glass! This year Wetherspoon has sponsored the glass, which can be picked up from the stand opposite the entrance.

SocialeTHE programme is not the only way to get vital festival info. The website gbbf.org.uk is a great source of all things GBBF, keep checking for the latest news, infor-mation about the acts playing at the festival, offers and competi-tions. If you’re on Twitter, make

sure you’re following @camra_offi-cial and @gbbf for updates. If you’re tweeting about, or from, the festival, use the #GBBF hashtag (above). Also search for Great British Beer Festival on Facebook to find our special page devoted to the event.

Also look out for the beer casts – short videos produced during the festival by a team of volunteers. Visit gbbf.org.uk to find the beer casts from last year and keep an eye out for new episodes as they appear.

Ale educationGOING to GBBF can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know your bitter from your barley wine, with so many styles and flavours on offer. So why not take part in one of the tutored tastings – this year sponsored by the Beer Academy. Even if

you consider yourself something of an aficionado, the tastings are hosted by beer experts, and may give a perspective you may not have previously experienced. Roger Protz will be holding the popular Champion Beers of Britain tastings on the Tuesday and Wednesdays, Tim Webb will host a session on Belgian Beers and Christine Cryne will intro-duce chocolate as the perfect beer companion on Friday evening. You’ll have to get your tickets now though, as they sell out rapidly. Visit gbbf. org.uk/tickets and click on tickets for availability.

Take part and win THERE are always lots of ways to win at GBBF. Apart from the Beer Master prize (right) to stand a chance of winning one of five Good Beer Guides email marketing@camra.org.uk with your photos from GBBF 2013! Winners will be chosen at random (one email per person). Winners will be notified by email on 25 July 2014. See gbbf.org.uk/competitions

Brewery bars at GBBF often run their own giveaways as well – keep an eye on the website, GBBF programme and Twitter feeds to get the latest news.

Meet the authors GBBF offers festival-goers one of the best chances to have a chat with some of CAMRA’s leading authors – and get a book signed. Check out the programme, GBBF website and updates on @gbbf to find out which author is appearing, when.

This year Tim Webb and Joe Stange will be signing copies of Good Beer Guide Belgium; Roger Protz 300 Beers To Try Before You Die and 300 More Beers To Try Before You Die; Geoff Brandwood Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs; and Dave Gamston will be there for the launch of Yorkshire’s Real Heritage Pubs (revised edition).

Raising the bar A FUN part of GBBF is the creativity breweries bring their bars (above). This August we’re welcoming Wadworth brewery for the first time. It will be bringing a selection of its beers including 6X. Also keep an eye out for its beer garden. Other places to soak up the festival atmosphere are Shepherd Neame’s beer tasting area and Nicholsons’ pub-themed seating area. The Kent brewer will be holding blind tastings in its seating area throughout the week giving festival-goers the chance to guess and rate its beers!

After St Austell’s return and

Harvey’s introduction last year, the popular bars will be back again. Check out the full list at gbbf.org.uk/brewery-bars

Lots on offer ANOTHER great GBBF tradition is the daily bidding frenzy at the breweriana auctions from the main stage. This is your chance to get your hands on brewery memorabilia or beery novelties. Every session you can bid for a place on a trip around three of the newer London breweries based in East London – Crate, Truman’s and Tap East – planned for 13 September. The most sought after lot is the chance to be a brewer for the day, which takes place on the Thursday evening. This year a day at the West Sussex-based Dark Star brewery (including overnight stay) is up for grabs. You can also bid by post – email Bill Austin on baustin@supanet.com, ring 01923 211654 or visit gac.camra-beerengine.org.uk for details. See programme for auction times.

TO go with this year’s circus theme CAMRA is offering the chance to win a year of beer for the best Beer Master photo.

Simply send a picture of yourself holding the Beer Master’s tache flyer and you could be in with a chance of winning 12 cases of 18 bottled real ales delivered every month to your door.

The flyers can be found in hundreds of pubs in the run up to the festival. Alternatively

download a flyer from www.gbbf.org.uk/competitions. All entries

will be available to view there as well.

When taking your photo and choosing your location be creative, be adventurous, be humorous, but most importantly, be the Beer Master. Email your entry to beermaster@gbbf.org.uk before the 16 August deadline, to be in with a chance of winning.

GBBF tickets are now on sale, with day and season options available all at cheaper rates than paying on the door. CAMRA members receive an additional discount on all advance tickets.

Go to gbbf.seetickets.com/ for more infor-mation and to buy.

Opening times: 12 August 12 noon-5pm (Trade Session), 5pm-10:30pm13 August 12 noon-10:30pm 14 August 12 noon-10:30pm15 August 12 noon-10:30pm16 August 11am-7:00pm

BUY NOW TO BEAT THE QUEUES

FREE ALE FOR BEER MASTERRoll up for Olympia beer spectacular

AVAILABLE NOW CAMRA Member Price £12.99*

(RRP £14.99)

WWW.CAMRA.ORG.UK/SHOPor call 01727 867201

* All orders through the CAMRA Shop are subject to standard postage and packaging costs. Full details can be found at www.camra.org.uk/shop All prices are correct at time of publication but are subject to change.

ROLL UP, ROLL UP TO

the Great British Beer Festival Tastings

Champion Beers of Britain with Roger Protz Tuesday 18:00-19:00 and Wednesday 13:30-14:30

300 More Beers with Roger Protz Wednesday 18:00-19:00

Cider with Ian White & Chris Rouse Wednesday 19:00-20:00

Belgian Beers with Tim Webb Thursday 13:30-14:30

American Style Beers with Justin Hawke Thursday 18:00-19:00

British Bottled Beers with Jane Peyton Friday 13:30-14:30

Chocolate and Beer with Christine Cryne Friday 18:00-19:00

Tickets available now £15 members £18 non-members

www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets 0844 412 4640

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 13LETTERS

INDUSTRY INSIDER

KEG BUSTER BY BILL TIDY

BEER BUSINESS

HEN PECKS OUT GROWTHGREENE King has reported that volumes of its own-brewed beers have increased by 4.6 per cent in the last 16 weeks of its financial year, to 27 April.

The Suffolk brewer’s chief executive Rooney Anand said the growth was in a market which was down 2.3 per cent in the UK. He said: “Our continued strong performance was driven by Old Speckled Hen, which recorded growth of 12.5 per cent.”

LEGS 11 FOR CASTLE ROCKNOTTINGHAM brewer and pub operator Castle Rock has acquired its 11th pub in the Midlands – the Willowbrook, on Main Road, Gedling.

The pub has had a £300,000 refurbishment and is selling 14 cask ales and ciders.

THAT’S THE SPIRIT FOR CLUBTHE value of the CAMRA Members’ Investment Club (CMIC) fund has risen to more than £17.2m.

Further shares have been acquired in the pubcos Spirit and Mitchells & Butlers.

The club has arranged a visit to Moorhouse’s brewery in Burnley. CMIC members interested in attending can contact Jannette on 01772 457992 for more information.

EVER WONDERED WHAT BEER SOMMELIERS DO?

WHEN I was accredited as a beer sommelier just over two years ago, no other women had sat the 90-minute, viva voce exam and just a handful of men had qualified since 2011 when the Beer Academy launched the Beer Somme-lier Accreditation Scheme.Now there’s at least 50 of us but what do we do all day? Some are brewers or work for breweries in other capacities, some work for beer-related organisations like Cask Marque or the British Beer & Pub Asso-ciation and some, like me, are self-employed so it’s either our full-time job or a significant part of it.

What we all have in common though is our commitment to promoting beer and spreading the word that there’s more to it than a pint of the usual.In some ways it’s more appropriate to think of us as beer ambassadors because very few, if any, of us work for one estab-lishment, curating a beer list and advising guests what beer to pair with their meal as a wine sommelier might.

My work is a mix of giving talks and tastings, training people, writing,

broadcasting and PR jobs interspersed with things like judging beer compe-titions and attending events, which helps me keep my knowledge and skills up to date. Sometimes I work from home, writing about beer or preparing talks and tastings – and yes it can involve drinking beer and I try not to do it too early in the day! A good example is when I was asked to run a tasting for the World Pasty Championship at the Eden Project.

A new range of pasties was being introduced and I was asked to match a beer to each. Food matching is a big part of being a beer sommelier and although you learn about it as part of the training and there’s plenty to read on the subject, the best way to do it is by taste testing what works. Similarly if I’m selecting a new beer for a tasting I’ll sample it to be sure it’s top quality and capable of converting a non-beer drinker –as there’ll usually be someone in any audience who thinks they don’t like beer.

As well as talking to consumers I also work

with people in the trade. It might be as straightfor-ward as giving a motiva-tional talk, or there might be a training element to it such as helping pub staff develop a new vocabu-lary for talking about the flavours you find in beer (which is a great excuse to blindfold people and feed them tropical fruit!), or it could be as involved as helping the London Wine Fair introduce a brewhouse section putting beer in front of buyers from hotels, restaurants

and wine merchants. The raison d’etre of a beer sommelier – and the reason it’s not just an amazing job but also something more people should be doing – is to demonstrate that beer is delicious, versatile and varied. It has always been a diverse beverage, but we are now experiencing a golden age of beer in a way we never have before. Even so, people are drinking less alcohol, pubs are still closing and there’s talk of whether this beer

bubble will burst and what will happen to all the new breweries if it does. Beer sommeliers are ideally placed to meet these challenges and take the image of beer beyond where it’s at to convince those with power and influence, such as the mainstream media, not only that it’s as worthy of attention as wine but that it deserves to be repre-sented as the skilfully made and carefully served drink that, at its best, it is.

Being awarded Beer Sommelier of the Year isn’t just an honour, it provides extra kudos. It enabled me to spread the message that beer is the best drink in the world to a wider audience and even though I’ve passed the baton you can still expect to hear me speaking up for beer and shouting from the rooftops about how great it is so everyone listens and our golden age of beer becomes the new normal rather than a flash in the pan.� Sophie Atherton has 25 years of beer-drinking and nearly 15 years as a jour-nalist to thank for awards recognising her achieve-ments as a beer sommelier and writer. She writes everywhere from BEER to the broadsheets, has her own blog A FemAle View, a podcast called the Beer-

talkers and hosts beer tast-ings throughout the UK.

As she hands over the Beer Sommelier of the Year baton, Sophie Atherton explains the role

Great deals on pub walks books See the best of London, Edinburgh, Lake District, Peak District and the South East while never straying too far from a perfect pint. www.camra.org.uk/books

16 AND FINALLYWHAT’S BREWING JUNE 2014Fits the Bill

I FEEL I have to respond to the recent criticism of Bill Tidy’s Keg Buster. Silly parody is not to everyone’s taste but Bill’s depiction of a cloth cap, old bloke with outspoken views fi ts the bill nicely (it is how CAMRA’s oppo-nents like to portray us).

For the rest it’s a wonderful mixture of carry on/seaside postcard humour with often subtle asides/comment.

So my message is: “Lighten up, it’s important to be able to laugh at oneself.”Richard Bardsley-BallLincoln, Lincs

Down else offCALLING all festival organisers and publicans. Those who infl ict loud muzak on customers need your “bumps” felt.

We have arranged for you attend doctors to have your noise on button turned to off. The procedure only takes 30 seconds after you have shown to engage the rest of your brain.

We have long stopped going to festivals and pubs who think it “enhances the experi-ence” to belt out music.

If you can’t do without your fi x at least turn it down so people can think and talk to each other. We know you work hard, but your country needs you to turn it off or down please. R J HughesSouthport, Lancs

Pricey blondesI AM fi nding it increasingly diffi cult to obtain what looks like a pint of beer as there is a move towards blonde ales.

It also appears major brewers are now substi-tuting chemicals for hops, resulting in a poor pint.

your SHOUT“I DON’T like X so ban it” is the theme of two letters in WB June. Peter Wildsmith wants CAMRA to “give serious consid-eration” to banning music at festivals, and Peter Rolfe calls Keg Buster “drivel”.

First, music: you may not like it at festivals, PW, but a lot of people do. I’ve known popular local bands draw in people who might otherwise not come, and in the process introduce them to real ale, which is what we want, isn’t it? I’ve been to many festivals where the band is going down a storm with a minority muttering about the noise. The solution is don’t go when the music is on. Contrary to your suggestion, there is no shortage of opportunities.

I don’t like football and avoid pubs that have a match showing, but I don’t demand the end of football in pubs. I’m not sure why you fi nd it an affront to listen to the musical choices of others: that is surely how we all fi nd out what music we like

and don’t like. Ultimately, though, if none of that persuades you: CAMRA centrally cannot ban music even if it wished to, because local festivals are organised by branches who would rightly object to receiving a diktat from CAMRA HQ.

Second, Keg Buster: preferences in humour are personal, and some comedy does nothing for me, even though others clearly love it. However, I like Keg Buster; I always fi nd it entertaining at the very least, and it is the fi rst thing I turn to when WB arrives.

On the other hand, articles about beer and food matching leave me cold, but I don’t call them drivel and demand how much the writer was paid. If you don’t like something, just ignore it.

If we all thought alike, the world would be a boring place.Neville GrundySouthport, Merseyside

In some cases I feel I am drinking beer-fl avoured water! At nearing £4 a pint, I feel these matters should be addressed, and welcome your comments. Nigel Woodward Needingworth, Cambs

No surpriseGEORGE Hall and Jeff Cooper (WB Jun) seem to be amazed beer prices have risen despite a cut in duty. Has it not occurred to them alcohol duty is only one of many factors determining the price of beer, and that a minuscule decrease in one is unlikely to cancel other increases?

I doubt they’ve seen the price of untaxed products remain constant, or have seen other prices increase only in line with VAT or other duties. Do they have no understanding of basic economics?David ShermanChelmsford, Essex

Reasonable PrideTHE article on the Red Lion in Westminster made me smirk because an MP was reopening it; now I read that the Pride is £4.01 (why the 1p?)

I am sure my smirk was justifi ed as it is unlikely any MPs will leave the subsidised (by us) Commons bar to visit the Red Lion. Which leads me to the rising cost of beer in Dorset. A county not as

affl uent as Westminster, but a brewpub is selling its own beer for nearly £4, and guests well over £4. The London Pride looks reasonable in comparison.Alex BardswellWyke Regis, Dorset

Strong threatI READ with some concern Hertfordshire council has voted to explore a scheme, which banned lagers, beers and ciders of more than 6.5 per cent ABV being sold over the counter.

If this scheme was implemented, what consideration would be given to drinkers like myself who enjoy nothing more than a fi ne bottle of Belgian beer like Duvel, Chimay, Rochfort or Leffe? These beers are not cheap and I am sure youngsters don’t buy them to pre-load.

Banning drinks such as these is not the answer.

Beer connoisseurs would suffer because of the irresponsible behav-iour of the few.

As a CAMRA member, and editor of the fi rst Good Beer Guide, I would be forced to drive to Buckinghamshire to fi nd these beers. I would appreciate your comments. John HanscombRickmansworth, Herts

Don’t forgetI ENJOYED James Lynch’s article (WB Jun).

I attended Brighton Art College in 1974 when someone had the idea of a beer festival. Harveys was joined by Gales of Horndean, King & Barnes of Horsham, Shepherd Neame, Faversham, and London brewers Young’s and Fuller’s.

Sadly only half of these still brew, Harveys,

Shep’s and Fuller’s. In the new order, will history repeat itself with the pubcos replacing the big brewers? By all means support the small brewers, but don’t forget the regional brewers who gave us a choice when the big nationals didn’t. Geoff SmithHeswall, Wirral

Guide censorshipI NOTE the tiny minority of the membership who can afford to spend two days in Scarborough, resolved to remove all references to membership benefi ts from pub descriptions in the Good Beer Guide.

Why shouldn’t a pub, and its pricing be described? Not only is this censorship, but it is madness for a members’ organisation not to promote the benefi ts of being a member.Adrian HeftHove, Sussex� National director Nik Antona writes: “The motion was brought to conference by members. It was discussed by

STAR LETTER

Interim Head of CommunicationsWhat’s Brewing Editor Tom Stainertom.stainer@camra.org.ukAdvertising Simon BrysonTel: 020 8962 3020Fax: 020 8962 8689 advertising@camra.org.ukAdvertising deadline is the fi rst of the month prior to publication. Good Beer Guide Editor Roger ProtzHQ StaffChief Operating Offi cer Nick ForshawHead of Marketing Tony JeromeHead of Policy & Public Affairs Jonathan Mail

Head of Membership Services John CottrellHead of LogisticsBarnaby Smith Head of PublishingSimon HallHQ e-mail addressescamra@camra.org.uk Staff and NE members can be contacted directly at:fi rst name.surname@camra.org.ukHome Page: www.camra.org.ukNational Executive Colin ValentineNational Chairman 0131 4661057 (h) 07538 257479 (m)Nik AntonaNational Director01283 711611 (h) 07443 426583 (m)

Christine CryneNational Director07932 736827 (m) Ken DavieNational Director, Finance01748 810035 (h) 07702 634149 (m)Brett Laniosh National Director01527 880118 (h)Abigail NewtonNational Director07946 486642 (m)Ian PackhamNational Director01364 654242 (h) 07887 876753 (m)Jackie ParkerNational Director01869 347762 (h) 07730 583032 (m)

Paul ScrivensNational Director07906 274638 (m)Andy ShawNational Director 01480 355893 (h) 07802 485449 (m)Keith SpencerNational Director07769 226087 (m)Bob StukinsNational Vice Chairman0778 864 1294 (m)CAMRA is a company limited by guarantee, run at a national level by an elected unpaid board of directors (the National Executive) and at regional level by its regional directors; both backed by a full-time professional staff.

CONTACTS

Campaign For Real Ale Limited230 Hatfi eld Road,St Albans, Herts AL1 4LWTel: 01727 867201Fax: 01727 867670

IF WE ALL THOUGHT ALIKE IT WOULD BE A BORING WORLD

� Continue the debate on the CAMRA forums at camraforum.org.uk You can also keep up with CAMRA, beer and brewery news by following @WBandBEER on Twitter� This issue should have arrived by 2 July. If you received it after this contact Tom Stainer on 01727 798455 or email tom.stainer@camra.org.uk The next issue is due by 30 July

Welsh thanksON behalf of Cardiff branch I would like to thank everyone who helped at the recent Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival and made it a success. We are only too aware the branch would be unable to organise the festival on its own and everyone’s help is greatly appreciated.Rick ZapleChairman Cardiff branch

Enemy withinCONGRATULATIONS to the Great Welsh Beer Festival for changing to the Millennium Stadium. Plenty of space and a retractable roof enabled the venue to cope with all weathers. My only complaint is an enemy in the camp in the form of a marquee selling Foster’s lager. That’s like selling pork scratchings in a synagogue and doesn’t exactly promote the real ale cause.Dave SaltBridgend, Cardiff

BRIEFLYCAMRA Books which was in agreement. CAMRA is not going to remove all reference to membership benefi ts. We will continue to list discounts offered by pubs on our online site WhatPub. However, it was felt, as the GBG is a selec-tive guide to pubs, listing discounts could give the impression some licensees had bought their place in the GBG. Conference agreed and unanimously passed the motion.”

Poles apartIT was commendable of Conference to carry motion 12, instructing the National Executive to print Welsh language membership application forms.

The 2011 Offi ce for National Statistics language fi gures show 562,000 spoke Welsh, while 546,000 spoke Polish – a close call. In view of these revelations can we soon expect Polish versions of the membership forms or do we have to wait for another Opinion Polski?Bill HuntTewkesbury, Gloucs

Letters should be received by 10 July. They should be 200 words or less to stand the best chance of publication. We reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

Please send letters to tom.stainer@camra.org.uk or the postal address left

For national director responsibility information please visit www.camra.org.uk/nationalcommittees

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 15WHAT’S ON

Thu-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-4pm. Hot food avail throughout. Entertainment: Fri 7pm Andrew Gordon, Scottish folk, Sat 2pm Caledonian Brewery Pipe Band. Entry £6/£4 CAMRA membs (half-price on Sun). Free re-entry to all sessions with 2014 souvenir glass. Volunteers wanted, contactstaffing@sraf.org.uk. See www.sraf.org.uk for info.

11-12 (Fri-Sat): 21ST PLYMOUTH CAMRA BEER FEST, Plymouth Pavilions, Millbay Rd, Plymouth PL1 3LF. 10min walk from bus +rail stns, follow signs to Plymouth Pavilions. 150+ real ales, 50+ cider/perries, foreign bottled beer bar. Hot food avail all day. Free soft drinks to designated drivers. Venue fully air-con, bring sweater! Confirmed for Sat eve Fisherman’s Friends (sea shanties). Open Fri 12-11pm; Sat 12-11pm. Entry Fri; 12-11pm £6 (or Fest start pack £10 inc glass, prog + 2 x1/2pint tokens). Entry Sat; 12-6pm £6 (or Fest starter £10), 6:10-11pm £10 (or Fest starter £13). CAMRA membs discount £2 all sessions. Free soft drinks to designated drivers. Venue is fully air-conditioned, so bring a sweater! See www.plymouthpavilions.com for details + tickets. Volun-teers always needed, pls email membership@plymouthcamra.org.uk

11-12 (Fri-Sat): 2ND BARNSLEY ST. EDWARD CHURCH BEER FEST, St. Edward the Confessor Church, Racecom-mon Rd, Barnsley, S.Yorks S70 6JY (across from Locke Park; on 3bus routes: 24, 43 & 44 from Barnsley interchange; 20min walk from town centre; free public car park at Locke Park, easy to find from M1 jtn37). CAMRA beer marquee feat 20 LocALEs + cider. Open: 12noon-11pm Fri/Sat. Admission FREE all sessions. Hot/cold food throughout weekend + range of stalls. Church built 1902 (neo gothic style) - stunning West Window (esp late afternoon/evening) depicting The Ship of the Church approaching land and on the shore the buildings of the Holy City. Contact Margaret (01226) 714492 or email Jeremy beerfestival@barnsleycamra.org.uk Details: www.barnsleycamra.org.uk

11-13 (Fri-Sun): BEER ON THE WYE X, Greyfriars Ave, Hereford. 10mins walk from rail stn, lovely setting on banks of River Wye. 120 beers + 120 ciders + perries + foreign beer bar. Open: Fri 2-11pm, Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-5pm. Pay on entry quick packages: £10 Fri /Sat before 5pm +all Sun, £15 Fri/Sat after 5pm, inc refundable glass, programme + introductory tokens. CAMRA membs extra £2 tokens. Free live entertainment. Camping adjacent (book w/ hrcsecretary@ btconnect.com). Food avail all sessions. Info: Andrew Pearson 07581 386280 pearsonwye@btinternet.com website herefordcamra.org.uk Volunteers required all areas pls contact Andrew Pearson pearsonwye@btinternet.com 07581 386280. Free adjacent camping w/ showers etc, T shirt, food +drink tokens.

11-13 (Fri-Sun): NORTH SUSSEX 26TH ARDINGLY BEER & CIDER FEST, South of England Showground, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, as part of Vintage & Classic Vehicle Show, www.ardinglyvcvshow.org.uk. FREE access to CAMRA beer tent Fri + Sat from 7pm with CAMRA membership card. 60+ beers, plus real cider/perry. Live band both evenings. See Sussex Drinker magazine for discount voucher for show tickets Sat + Sun from 10am–5pm. More info contact ardfest@btinternet.com

12-13 (Sat-Sun): WOODCOTE FESTIVAL OF ALE, Woodcote Rally (about 8 miles NW of Reading on the A4074 Reading to Oxford rd: watch for and follow the signposts on A4074). Rally is a festival of steam, vintage + veteran transport feat crafts, trade stands, children’s entertainment, protected animals, live bands, traditional fun fair + CAMRA beer tent. Up to 30 mainly local real ales plus local ciders. Beer tent open on main fest days: 11am-11pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun). Also selling beer while funfair is open Fri from 6pm. Rally website for details: www.woodcoterally.org.uk. Volunteers needed for setup/staffing/take-down – old friends/newcomers welcome - Paul Dixon 07742 891471 pauldixon_pme@yahoo.co.uk.

15-19 (Tue-Sat): CHELMSFORD CITY SUMMER BEER & CIDER FEST, Admirals Park, Rainsford Rd, Chelmsford CM1 2PL. Organised by C&ME Branch. 350+ ales and 120 ciders and perries. Open: Noon-11pm each day. Entertainment. Details: www. chelmsfordbeerandciderfestivals.org.uk

17-19 (Thu-Sat): 40TH KENT BEER FEST, barn at Merton Farm, Merton Lane, Canterbury CT4 7BA (Free bus shuttle all sessions starts 15min before each sess from Canterbury Bus Stn (nr Canterbury East Rail stn), runs every 15min (30min Thu/Fri lunch). 40 Fave Fest Beers Bar. Also 40 ciders, 40 foreign beers +many more than 40 Kent beers plus other UK beers. Open: Thu 6.30-11pm (£5); Fri 12-4pm (free), 6.30-11pm (£7.50; advance tickets essen-tial); Sat 12-9pm (£5). Free entry to card-carrying CAMRA membs (except Fri night). Tickets needed for Fri evening only, pay at gate other sessions. Good food, live music, souvenir glasses, CAMRA shop, family area, parking. 70s theme Fri eve, spot prizes for 70s fancy dress. Camping facilities, no booking needed, £10 per tent or van for whole fes-tival (free to staff) see website. Thu night: pay on entry or get online tickets (see website). Fri lunch: free entry. Fri night: advance tickets essential, avail online (see website) or by post after 1 Jun from 42, Orchard St, Canterbury CT2 8AP. Cheques payable to CAMRA Kent Beer Festival. Please send SAE. Tickets also avail from some pubs, see web-site. Sat all day: pay on entry, tickets not needed. Staff needed (even few hours), any days 16-22 July. Staff contact Andy staffing@kentbeerfestival.com Fest info: Gill Keay 01227 463478, 07976 431886, info@kentbeerfestival.com Website: www.kentbeerfestival.com for details.

18-20 (Fri-Sun): 38TH COTSWOLD BEER FEST, Postlip Hall Tithe Barn, off B4632 nr Winchcombe, Glos. Organised jointly with the Postlip Society. 80+ beers, 20+

JUNE

26-28 (Thu-Sat): DARLINGTON BEER FEST, Forum Music Centre, Borough Rd Darlington DL1 1SG. Great new venue, easy walking distance from train stn or town cen-tre. 30 independent ales +cider/perry. Open: Thu 7pm-11pm; Fri +Sat 12noon- 5pm, 7-11.30pm. Entry FREE Thurs eve, £1 all other sessions for membs w/valid CAMRA card, non-members £2 all sessions. Music Fri +Sat eve sessions in separate room organised by venue, tickets from 01325 363135 / info@theforumonline.co.uk note music tickets will include entry to beer fest. Volunteers rqd, for all sessions esp setting up +dismantling. Info: Paul Appleton paul.appleton103@hotmail.co.uk or 07908558307 www.darlocamra.org.uk No trade calls pls.

26-28 (Thu-Sat): GLASGOW REAL ALE FEST, Briggait (Glasgow Central / Queen St rail stns both 10min walk; Closest Underground: St Enoch 5min walk). 100+ beers, Cider Bar + Foreign Bar (Franconian feel). Hot food avail. Open: Thu 5pm-10.30pm; Fri 3pm-10.30pm; Sat Noon-10.30pm. Prices: £4 membs/£6 non-membs. Price inc Fest Glass. Info: enquiries@glasgowrealalefestival.co.uk Twitter - @GlasRealAleFest Facebook: Facebook.com/Glasgowrealalefestival

26-28 (Thu-Sat): 4TH RUTLAND CAMRA BEER FEST BEER, Bales & Tractors, Rutland County Museum, Catmos St. Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HW. 40 real ales - good spread of light/dark ales + fest specials. Real ciders/perries + continental bottled beers. Soft drinks, food + entertainment (inc Morris Dancing). Good train/bus connections (easy walk). Glass hire £2 per glass (fully refundable if requested). Alcohol only served into 2014 glass. Open: Fri 11am-6pm (£2.50 CAMRA membs, £3 for Non-Membs), 6pm-10.30pm (£3 CAMRA Membs, £4 Non-Membs); Sat 11am–10.30pm (£2.50 CAMRA membs, £3 Non-Membs). CAMRA membs must show valid card. Bring ID. Info: www.rutlandcamra.org.uk or info@rutlandcamra.org.uk Facebook: Rutland CAMRA Branch, Twitter @RutlandCAMRA

26-28 (Thu-Sat): 12TH BROMSGROVE BEER FEST, Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club, Finstall Park, , Bromsgrove, Worcs B60 3DH (short walk from Bromsgrove Rail stn). 120 diff real ales plus 50+ ciders/perries. Club bar offering range of drinks. Food avail. Children welcome in club (not in marquee). Open: Thu (CAMRA membs only) 6-11pm; Fri 12noon-11pm; Sat 11-9pm. Admission inc prog £3 (£1 card-carrying CAMRA membs) plus commemora-tive glass deposit. Details inc beer/cider list www.bromsgrovebeerfestival.org.uk or email charlie@rbcamra.org.uk Help reqd - contact to volunteer.

27-28 June (Fri-Sat): 4TH GREATER MANCHESTER CIDER & PERRY FESTIVAL, Palace Hotel, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA. 50+ real ciders + perries. Hosting CAMRA North U.K.Cider & Perry Comp 2014. Open: Noon-10.30pm each day. Admission £3, CAMRA membs £1. Details: www. ManchesterCiderFestival.org.uk

JULY

2-5 (Wed-Sat): 25TH EALING BEER FEST, Walpole Park, Ealing, London W5 5BG. 10mins from Ealing Broadway Tube & Rail Stn. 300 cask beers + cider/perry + foreign bottled beer + English wines in 100 yard bar. Open: Wed-Fri 12noon-1030pm; Sat 12noon-6pm. Entry: £4/£2 CAMRA membs. Hot & cold food avail all times. Pub games, products, membship +other stalls. Souvenir glass + programme. Families welcome till 8pm. Music: Wed-Fri eves. CAMRA volunteers rqd eve sessions, see website or request staffing form: 020 8933 4934. More info: Graham Harrison 07535 878996 organiser@ebf25.org.uk or www.ebf25.org.uk

3-5 (Thu-Sat): 10TH CHORLTON BEER & CIDER FEST, St Clem-ent’s Church, Edge Ln, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9JF. 90+ real ales, 50+ traditional ciders & perries + foreign bottled beers. Featuring NW Region Champion Speciality Beer competition. Splendid setting with al fresco drinking in church grounds. Live music Fri/Sat eves, jazz combo Sat afternoon. Open: Thu 6-10pm (adv ticket only, see website), Fri 5-1030pm; Sat 1-930pm. Entry Fri/Sat £10 inc free fest glass, programme +£4 beer tokens. Free beer voucher to card carrying CAMRA membs. Children welcome Sat until 7pm (not in beer hall), children’s activities provided. Info: http://www.thcamra.org.uk/chorlton www.chorltob/www.chorltonbeerfestival.org.uk, twitter: @ChorlBeerFest or e-mail chorlton@thcamra.org.uk Volunteers rqd, request staffing form chorltonstaffing@thcamra.org.uk

5 (Sat): 15TH DEVIZES BEER FEST, Wharf, Devizes, Wilts. Under canvas, beside the Kennet & Avon Canal. Open: 11.30am-11pm. 60+ real ales + cider. Food avail. Mainly openair fest, family orientated, with live music. Admission by Advance Ticket £10 (inc souvenir glass + £4 beer tokens (card-carrying CAMRA Membs get extra £2 beer tokens). SAE + cheque payable to: ‘Devizes CAMRA’ to Devizes CAMRA, 9 Walden Lodge Close, Devizes, Wilts SN10 5BU.

9-13 (Wed-Sun): DERBY CAMRA SUMMER BEER FEST, Market Place, Derby. 150+ Real Ales +cider, continental + mead. Celebrating 50 years of Derby Mountain Rescue! Open: Wed 630-11pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-2pm. Live music +food avail. Free entry all sessions CAMRA membs w/valid membship card.www.derbycamra.org.uk/summer-beer-festival/

10-13 (Thu-Sun): SCOTTISH REAL ALE FEST, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, New Market Rd, Edinburgh EH14 1RJ. Sorry, no trams to venue! Use Lothian Buses 4, 44, 34, 35, & 20; First Bus 27, 28 & 44; Slateford Rail Stn within 200yds. 150+ Scottish real ales + Scottish & west of Pennines cider + perry. Open:

ciders/perries, plus food, soft drinks, entertain-ment. Open: Fri 7-11pm (£8); Sat 11.30-3pm (£8), 7-11pm (£6); Sun 12-3pm (free). Admission by advance ticket only, price inc commemorative glass. Free pint for card-carrying membs Fri/Sat sessions. Free parking on site, shuttle bus service also avail from Cheltenham + Winchcombe. Details: www.gloucestershirecamra.org.uk/cbf

18-20 (Fri-Sun): FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE (FATE), Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Shrops TF13 6DB. Info: www.festivalattheedge.org/

18-20 (Fri-Sun): MAIDENHEAD BEER FEST, Maidenhead United Football Club, York Rd, Maidenhead SL6 1SF (Town Centre only 5min walk from railway stn). 80+ real ales, 20+ ciders. Open Fri/Sat 12noon–10pm; Sun 12noon–7pm. Admission: £3, Advantage Card holders £2, CAMRA membs £1. No booking rqd. Fest glass £3, refund on request. Food: Hog Roast + a good hot/cold offering throughout fest. New grandstand opening + local football match against Slough Town 3pm on Sat afternoon. Entertainment: Mighty Playhouse, Friday eve, Local bands Skin & Blister, Sat evening. Family day Sun with Armaleggan Border Morris Dancers +d face painters. This year’s pub sponsor: Bear, High St, Maidenhead (20% discount voucher to be used in week after fest). Volunteer staff needed, contact David membershipswm@outlook.com for details. Twitter @maidenheadbeer, Facebook @maidenheadbeerfestival, contact: info@ maidenheadbeerfest.org.uk. www. maidenheadbeerfest.org.uk

24-26 (Thu-Sat): 6TH STORTFORD BEER FEST, Royal British Legion Club, 28 Windhill, Bishops Stortford CM23 2NG. 80+ Beers +Real Cider/Perry inc rare local Ciders. Live music Thu +Sat eve. Open: Thu 5-11pm, Fri/Sat 11am-11pm. Info: http://www.heb-camra.org.uk/bsbf

31 Jul–2 Aug (Thu-Sat): 7TH STAFFORD BEER & CIDER FEST, Blessed Wil-liam Howard Sch, Rowley Avenue, Stafford ST17 9AB (Under 10min walk from Stafford rail stn, off Newport Rd). 85 real ales + 30 ciders/perries + country wines + NEW Bottled Beer Bar. Inc LocAle Bar. Food avail all sessions. Live music Fri eve, Sat aft + eve. Details: Thu 6-11pm; Fri 11.30am-11pm; Sat 12noon-11pm. Sat aft families welcome (chil-dren until 6pm), other sessions over 18s. Admis-sion £1 Thu + Fri aft; £3 Fri eve; £2 Sat aft; Free Sat eve. Card-carrying CAMRA Membs Free Thu, Fri aft + Sat eve; £2 Fri eve; £1 Sat aft. Refundable glass hire £2 or souvenir glass £2 (while stocks last). All rights of admission reserved. Volunteers rqd for set up/staff event/take down, staff form on website www.staffordbeerfestival.co.uk

AUGUST

6-9 (Wed-Sat): GRANTHAM BEER FEST, Railway Club Off Hunting-tower Rd NG 31 7AU (3min walk from stn). 30+ beers, ciders +perries. Open 11am-11pm daily. CAMRA membs free, non-membs £2. Refundable glass £1. Food avail all sessions. Volunteers contact nlomas180@btinternet.com

7-9 (Thu-Sat): 15TH WORCESTER BEER, CIDER & PERRY FEST, Worcester Racecourse. 170+ real ales, 100 ciders/perries, fruit +grape wines. Good selection of food and soft drinks avail. Open: Thu 5-11pm, Fri 12noon-11pm, Sat 12noon-10pm. Entry: Thu £6, Fri £8, Sat £5. Session numbers ltd, so advance tickets from fest website rqd to guarantee entry. £2 beer vouchers for CAMRA membs w/current membship card. Entry inc souvenir fest glass +programme. Entertainment: Thu/Fri eves, all day Sat. Updated info at www.worcesterbeerfest.org.uk. Volunteers rqd set up, all sessions (especially for evening sessions) +take down. Please register at www.worcesterbeerfest.org.uk/vol

8-9 (Fri-Sat): 2ND MAD AT THE FISHPONDS BEER FEST, Fishpond, 204, South Parade Matlock Bath Derbys DE4 3NR (on Derby - Matlock line, Matlock Bath also on several bus routes inc TransPeak, with stop outside the venue. 40+ LocALe beers + ciders. Free admission open 12–12 both days. Live entertainment throughout. Fest spread around pub - upstairs ballroom hosting many beers/ciders. Courtyard event bar outside. Souvenir glasses, T-shirts + Tombola. BBQ + Hog roast with pub food menu also avail. Contact Peter Boitoult peterb56@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.mad.camra.org.uk www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

12-16 (Tue-Sat): GREAT BRITISH BEER FEST, Olympia, London. More than 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers. For more info including travel, competitions and tickets see: gbbf.org.uk Also www.facebook.com/greatbritishbeerfestival and @gbbf

13 (Wed), 15-18 (Fri-Mon), 20 (Wed): CAMRA CRICKET MARQUEE, Kent CCC Spitfire Ground, Old Dover Rd, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3NZ. Hospitality marquee for Kent v Sussex (13th), Hants (15-18th) + Middlesex (20th), for CAMRA membs + all their guests. 11am (12am Weds) to close of play. Weds games floodlit, see www.kentcricket.co.uk for details. Ever changing selec-tion of beers/cider from 14+ brwries. See www.camra-canterbury.org.uk for info or contact Gill Keay 01227 463478/07976 431886, gillandgerrykeay@btinternet.com.

15-16 (Thu-Sat): MORECAMBE BEER FEST, Winter Gardens, Marine Rd Central (Promenade) LA4 4BU (2min walk from rail stn). 50+ beers 10+ ciders/perries. Food, wines +soft drinks avail. Open: Thu 5-11pm, Fri 12-11pm, Sat 12-11pm. Entry: CAMRA membs £2 plus £2 glass deposit (refundable) free prog. Staff needed georgepalmer@talktalk.net website www.morecambebeerfestival.org.uk Also on Facebook.

16-17 (Sat-Sun): 1ST SUMMER ALE & STEAM WEEKEND, Winch-combe +Toddington Stns, Glos Warks Railway. 30 + real ales + ciders/ perry. Open: Sat 10.30am-

7pm; Sun 10.30am-4pm. Food/soft drinks avail, marquee at Winchcombe Stn +catering at both. Free entry +prog, £2 for glass (£1 refundable), £2 platform ticket at stns or travel by train from Cheltenham Race Course (1st train 10.55am). Trains also from Toddington throughout day, see timetable: www.gwsr.com N Cots CAMRA Web-site: www.northcotswoldcamra.org.uk for info.

19–23 (Tue–Sat): 37TH PETERBOROUGH BEER FEST, (giant marquees), Embankment, Bishops Rd PE1 1EF. 400+ real ales inc fest specials. Huge range of ciders/perries, bottled beers, wines. 1/3pints avail. Wide selection of food stalls catering all tastes. Pub games, tombola, quiz, CAMRA shops + other stalls. Live music every eve in separate music marquee. All day opening Wed–Sat. Trade only sess: Tue 3pm, open to public 5.30pm-11pm (£5); Wed Noon–3pm (£2); 3pm–11pm (£5); Thu–Sat Noon–3pm (£2), 3pm–11pm (£6). CAMRA/EBCU (Tue-Sat): All lunch sessions FREE/All eve sessions £2. Volunteers needed. More info/trade tickets 01733 896555 or email info@beer-fest.org or visit www.beer-fest.org Twitter: @BoroBeerFest.

20-23 (Wed-Sat): 19TH CLACTON-ON-SEA REAL ALE & CIDER FEST, St James’ Hall, Tower Rd, Clacton, Essex CO15 1LF (adj to West Cliff Theatre; 10-15min walk from Rail Stn). 65 real ales plus ciders/perries/wines + european beers + free soft drinks for designated drivers. Hot/cold food most sessions. Souvenir glass. Open: 6pm-11pm Wed; 11am-11pm Thu-Sat. Free entry to card carrying CAMRA membs all times; non-membs £2.50 to all non-music sessions + £3.50 for music sessions. Ideally situated to combine with visit to Clacton-on-Sea Air Show. Live music - ‘Ringtones’ Thu evening; ‘Blackwater Jazz Band’ Sat afternoon +‘Broken Watch’ Sat evening. Info: Jeff Luesley bfo@clactonbeerfestival.org.uk

21-23 (Thu-Sat): SWANSEA BAY BEER & CIDER FEST, Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall, Swansea SA1 4PE (buses stop outside or about a 30-35min walk from rail stn). 100+ real ales and ciders. Live bands each day (see website for bands/times). Hot/cold food avail. 18+ event, no children. Opportunities to meet brewers, enjoy talks + beer/cider tastings.Open Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri 12-11pm; Sat 12noon-11pm. Tickets avail on door. No advance tickets. Cost: £3 CAMRA membs, £5 non-CAMRA. Contact Debra White on 07970680616 or swanseacamra.org.uk for further details. Admission price inc souvenir glass + prog.

22-24 (Fri-Sun): BEER FEST AT NATIONAL CYCLING CENTRE, Manchester. 60 beers (all at cellar temp in outside cooled container) served via one of 42 handpulls. Open: Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 12noon-10pm, Sun 12noon-9pm. Live music every session. Free entry to CAMRA membs Friday, £1 other sessions. Public £3 every session. Accompanied children till 7pm. Glass hire/deposit £2. Food avail all sessions. Volunteers welcome contact Margaret Corlett n4mandm@hotmail.com.

29-30 (Fri-Sat): HARBURY 24TH BEER FEST, Village Hall, South Parade, Harbury CV33 6RX. 52 beers plus ciders and perries. Beers from a brewsters theme. Also special brews from the Warwickshire Brwries (see website for up-to-date list). Open: Fri 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sat 11:30am–4pm, 6pm–11:30pm. Entry pack £10 (inc refundable Fest glass + beer tokens). Extra tokens issued for Card-carrying CAMRA membs in lieu of entrance fee. Hot/Cold food avail all sessions. Hereburgh Morris perform Sat afternoon. Sat evening info check our website. Stagecoach Bus Service 64A from Leamington Spa passes the door. Any offers of help to Chairman@Camrahow.org.uk or call 07925633173.

29-31 (Fri-Sun): 2ND CREWE BEER FEST, 50+ beers, 14 cider/perries. Live music Fri/Sat night. Food avail all times. Open: Fri 12-11pm; Sat 11-11pm; Sun 12-3pm. Mini train rides, main line engines in steam. Entry: Fri/Sat £2 until 5pm, then £3, Sunday free. Discount for card carrying CAMRA membs. Inc entry to Heritage Centre attractions. Note: may be some engineering noise in background (working steam engine facility attached to our fest). See S.Cheshire Website + Facebook Beer Fest pg. Contact Festival Organiser Kez. 07794352191

30 - 31 (Sat-Sun): FAVERSHAM HOP FEST, CAMRA street bar, prob-ably East St, Faversham ME13 8AS. Ever-changing selection of beers from 4 local brwries. Real cider from local producers. Open 10am-5pm both days. See www.favershamhopfestival.org for details of stalls, bands, camping etc at this very popular event held in the streets of Faversham. Free ad-mission. CAMRA bar info: Gill Keay 01227 463478/ 07976 431886 gillandgerrykeay@btinternet.com

SEPTEMBER

4-6 (Thu-Sat): 3RD BURNLEY BEER FEST, Mechanics theatre Manchester Rd, Burnley BB11 1BH (10min walk from bus stn + 10min walk downhill from Manchester rd rail stn, 20min walk from barricks + Central rail stns). 80+ real ales , Foreign bottle beer + cider/perries. Open: Thu-Sat 12-11pm. £3 entry all sessions, £1 entry for card-carrying CAM-RA + NUS membs. Music Fri + Sat nights. Food, Prog + Fest TShirts + Fest glasses avail. Separate seating area. Disabled access. Volunteers needed - Sun 31 Aug- Sun 7 Sep (sundays setup/ takedown ) contact Peter Clegg peteclegg222@gmail.com Website: burnleybeerfestival.co.uk

4-6 (Thu-Sat): 21ST TAMWORTH BEER FEST, Assembly Rooms, Corporation St, Tamworth B79 7DN (adj to bus stops + 10min from rail stn). 90+ real ales from micro breweries, inc fest specials + many new ales. Cask cooling system to ensure beer in good condition. Ciders/perries + UK + foreign bottled beers. Supervised children until 5pm. Entertain-ment Sat eve The Good Companions from 830pm, other sessions music free. Hot/ cold food avail all sessions. Soft drinks avail for drivers. Tshirts +

refundable souvenir tankard glass avail. Open: 11-11pm each day. Admission £3 all sessions except Fri 5-11pm (£4); Sat 5-11pm (£4). CAMRA membs free entry all times. Festival charity: St Giles Hos-pice. Beer list on website week before fest: www.LSTCamra.org.uk Volunteers welcome (setup (Mon 1-Wed 3) +during fest) - contact Eric Randall 07910 837 082 or randall.eric@yahoo.co.uk

4-6 Sep (Thu-Sat): 20TH BRIDGNORTH BEER FESTIVAL, Bridgnorth SVR Station, WV16 5DT. 60 beers + ciders. Open Thu 3 - 11, Fri - Sat 11 - 11. Free entry. Souvenir glass available. Volunteers welcome to work any sessions. Contact ehaddon1@hotmail.com

4–6 (Thu-Sat): 7TH LYTHAM BEER & CIDER FEST, Lowther Pavil-ion, Lowther Terrace, Lytham St Annes FY8 5QQ. 90+ real ales from UK breweries, mainly micros +ciders/perries, +world beer bar, feat bottle beers from around globe. Hot/cold food avail all ses-sions. Entertainment Fri evening Full Fat Boogie Band + X-Rays Sat eve. Open: Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 12noon–11pm. Entry: Thu, Fri until 7pm + all day Sat £3; Fri after 7pm £4. Card-carrying CAMRA membs + students £1 all sessions. Email: chairman_11@blackpoolcamra.org.uk for info or www.blackpoolcamra.org.uk/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/LythamBeerfest

5-6(Fri-Sat): PORSTMOUTH CAMRA BEEREX, Students’ Union, Portsmouth University. Info:www.psehcamra.org.uk/Beerex.php

6 (Sat): 3RD CORNSHED CHARITY BEER FEST, Sexhow Park Farm, Hutton Rudby, N Yorkshire TS15 0ER (in assoc with Cleveland CAMRA, raising funds for Great North Air Ambulance). Open: 3pm-Midnight. 50+ real ales plus ciders, perry, fruit wines +soft drinks. Compered by Dave Llewellen of BBC Radio Tees w/music from Happy Cats, The Project, Steel Strings +Jack & Grace. Tickets £10, avail 1 Jul- from GNAAS 01325 487263 or www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk or CornShed www.thecornshed.co.uk/

6 (Sat): EAST MALLING BEER & CIDER FEST, E.Malling Research, New Rd, E.Malling, Kent ME19 6BJ (special free fest bus service from Aylesford Rail Stn (1/2 hrly from 10.29) + W. Malling Rail Stn (1/2 hourly from 10.35), or walk from E. Malling Rail Stn – approx 1mile). 75+ real ales + wide selec-tion of ciders. Open: 11am-7pm. Admission: £2 for card-carrying CAMRA membs, £4 non-membs. Food, parking, live music, souvenir glass. Staff enquiries to: MMKFestivalStaffing@gmail.com (free T-shirt; staff discounts). Further info: www.mmkcamra.co.uk/#!__beer-festivals

13-14 (Sat-Sun): 15TH SOMERSET REAL ALE & CIDER FEST, Mine-head Rail Stn platform, W.Somerset Railway TA24 5BG. 100+ real ales, 20 ciders + perry. Open: Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12-4pm. Entrance to festival FREE (need to purchase glass). Discount on steam train tickets for card carrying CAMRA membs. Hot food avail inc Cornish pasties. Hog roast Sat eve. Live music: Sat eve - Four Men on the Job; Sun lunch - Tone Valley Jazz Band. Separate railway carriage cider bar, static railway carriages seating. Souvenir glasses + Tshirts. GBG2015 SW Region official launch Sat. Full details www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk Fest Organiser: Glen Willis 07900 076649

17-20 (Wed-Sat): YORK CAMRA BEER & CIDER FEST, 6th Knavesmire Fest, York Knavesmire, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1DJ (regular bus service from York Stn + Central York to Tadcaster Rd 3,4,12, 13, 21, 37,40). Feat SIBA NE Beer Comp. 400+ real ales; 100+ ciders; Foreign Beer Bar; Bottled Beer Bar; Yorkshire Bottled Beer Bar; wine + soft drinks also avail. Open: 5.30pm-11pm Wed; midday-11pm Thu-Sat. Admission Wed Public £3, CAMRA membs £1; Thu Public £4, membs £2; Fri/Sat Public £5, membs £3. Children welcome until 8pm. Huge capacity marquee (pay on door only - no advance tickets. Cash bar (not tokens) with refundable souvenir glass sold on admission. Mu-sic stage with live acts most sessions; Large Food Village with varied world cuisines; Large external beer garden; CAMRA membship desk + shop. Tombola stand + various exhibitors. Volunteers (all activities) rqd - all CAMRA membs welcome (free camping/caravan pitches + facilities provided next to event). Volunteers’ food/drink provided during Fest hrs. Volunteer contact: staffing@ yorkbeerfestival.org.uk Website: www.yorkbeerfestival.org.uk www.facebook/yorkbeerfestival twitter: @yorkbeerfest

19 –20 (Fri-Sat): 12TH MELTON MOWBRAY BEER FEST, Banqueting Suite, MM Market, Scalford Rd LE13 1JY (10min walk from Melton Rail Stn, 5min from Bus Stn).55 real ales, 20 ciders/perries. LocAle bar + bar feat beers from Somerset. Hot food avail both days. Open 11am-midnight. Admission £1 before 6pm, £4 after. Free before 6pm for card carrying CAMRA membs, £2 after. Live bands both evenings in con-nected hall. Staff enquiries to Dean Clark deano.clark@virgin.net Beer enquiries to John Arthur johnr.arthur@btinternet.com Further info (inc beer lists): www.meltonmowbrayrealale.co.uk

18-20 (Thu-Sat): 1ST BROMLEY, EDEN PARK BEER & CIDER FEST, Club Langley, 2 Hawksbrook Ln, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3SR. 5min walk from Eden Park rail stn. Close to 358,194 + 356 bus routes. 60 real ales +cider/perries. Open: 11am-10pm. Entry: £3, free to CAMRA membs. http://bromley.camra.org.uk/html/beer_festival.html

18-20 (Thu-Sat): 1ST CANNOCK CHASE BEER FEST, Prince of Wales Centre, Church St, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 1DE. 60 Ales + 10 ciders/perries. Open: Thu 5-11pm; Fri 12-11pm; Sat 12-11pm. Admission £3 general public, £2 armed forces, £1 CAMRA Membs. Entertainment on Friday night, Saturday afternoon. Info: ccsbbc@gmail.com

25-28 (Thu-Sun): 5TH AMBER VALLEY BEER & CIDER FEST, Strutts, Derby Rd, Belper, Derbys DE56 1UU (NEW VENUE

see www.strutts.org.uk; On A6, 5min walk from rail/bus stns). 100+ beers, ciders, perry + fruit wines. Open: Thu 4-6pm Trade Session (invitation only); 6–11pm (£3, CAMRA membs Free); Fri 12–6pm (£3, membs Free); 6pm–11pm (£6, membs £4); Sat 12–6pm (£3, membs Free), 6pm–11pm (£6, membs £4); Sun 12–2pm (free), All re-maining beer £2 pint subj to avail. Entertainment: Fri Afternoon, upstairs, Ford Jones Dixieland Jazz Band; Evening, main hall, MOJOSA (Blues/R&B) & Gasping Kahuna (R&B); Upstairs, Pink & Blues Acoustic Live Lounge (8 Acts); Sat afternoon, upstairs D.H.Lawrence & the Vaudeville Skiffle Show; Evening, main hall, Midnight Pumpkin Trucks (Pop / Rock) & Ricky & the Retros (50s rock & roll), Upstairs, Fab Two (Beatles Tribute). Music free rooms avail all times. Hog roast Fri/Sat, hot/cold food + snacks avail all sessions. All sessions cash on door. Current CAMRA card must be shown Full details: www.ambervalleycamra.org.uk Staff rqd, offers to help pls contact Phil avbfstaffing@gmail.com General enquiries: nigelheathcote@live.co.uk

OCTOBER

2-5 (Thu-Sat): LOUTH BEER FEST, Kings Head, 10 Mercer Row, Louth. 20+ beers + ciders avail. Also discounted rate on accommodation at the hotel.

2-4 (Thu-Sat): HUDDERSFIELD OKTOBERFEST BEER & CIDER FEST, Apna Venue, Spring Grove St, Huddersfield HD1 2NX (opp Sikh Temple, behind Fire Stn, next to new construction on ring rd. Nr Grove Inn, 5min walk from Bus stn + 10min walk from Rail stn. Around 75 real ales, local/regional breweries. Cider/perry bar. Open: Thu 6pm–10:30pm; Fri 12 noon-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Entrance £1 CAMRA membs, £3 non-membs. No advance tickets. Refundable fest glass (with 1/3 pint measure). Breweriana, products, charity raffle. Good seating, level access. Info: www.huddscamra.org.uk Details/volunteers contact Wayne Fiddler01484-602365 or email info@huddscamra.org.uk

3–4 (Fri-Sat): 8TH ASCOT RACECOURSE BEER FEST. 240 real ales + 30 ciders/perries. First class prog of horseracing. Live music. Hot/cold food avail all day. Free parking or 7min walk from rail stn. Details: Bar open Fri & Sat 11am–6pm (sub to last race). Gate prices Fri from £18 (£9 CAMRA membs); Sat from £25 (£12.50 CAMRA membs). LocAles + surrounding counties plus regional bar feat Beers from Derbys. Accompanied children 17 & under free. Ltd Ed commemorative glass. Advance tickets call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk quoting BEER14, £2 transaction fee for calls or £1 for online bookings. Volunteers needed. General CAMRA enquiries contact beerfestival@seberkscamra.org.uk or visit ascotbeerfest.org.uk

3-5 (Fri–Sun): 6TH HAMPSHIRE OCTOBERFEST, Basingstoke Cricket Ground, Mays Bounty, Fairfields Rd RG21 3DR. 100+ diff beers plus ciders + perry (all from Hampshire). Live music + CAMRA bar in main tent + Upham Brewery sponsored bar in acoustic tent, plus local food produce + gift tents, activities, displays + attractions throughout w/e. Open: Fri 6pm–11.30pm (Works Night Out – beer tent + live music only); Sat 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–5pm. Child, family + group discounts avail, advanced tickets recommended. Souvenir Glass avail to hire/buy. Info/ tickets + full prog www. hampshireoctoberfest.co.uk

8-11 (Wed-Sat): NOTTINGHAM “ROBIN HOOD” BEER & CIDER FEST, Nottingham Castle, top of Friar Lane, Nottingham (superb grounds of the castle, close to Old Market Sq + tram stop (short walk from rail stn + Broadmarsh bus stn). World-beating 1,000 diff cask beers, plus 200+ diff real ciders/perries, mainly sourced from smaller producers. Around 750 cask beers on sale Wed, further 250 added later as space permits. Dedicated E.Mids cider-maker’s bar feat all local/regional producers. Home to CAMRA E.Mids Regional Cider Comp. Open: Wed night 6-11, then all day Thu, Fri+Sat 11-11. Tickets avail online: www.beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org (fees apply), or at Nottingham Tourism Centre (no fees). Advance tickets strongly recommended. Website for details of admission prices. Extra beer tokens for card CAMRA members on entry. Live music on Victorian bandstand all times (separate from the main beer marquee, which is music-free!). Wide selection of hot food always avail. Beer tickers very welcome + 1/3rd pint measures avail. Contact festival@nottinghamcamra.org

9-11 (Thu-Sat): 12TH EASTBOURNE BEER FEST, Winter Garden, Compton St, Eastbourne BN21 4BP (15min rail). 150 real ales, 30+ ciders/perries + range of foreign bottled beers + wine. Live music entertain-ment all sessions + pub games. Hot/cold food avail. Open: Thu 6-11pm; Fri 5.30-11pm; Sat 11-4pm, 6-11pm. Ticket prices; Thu £5.50 advance, £6 on-door, CAMRA £3; Fri £9 advance, £9.50 on-door, CAMRA £7; Sat (Day) £6.50 advance, £7 on-door, CAMRA £5, (Night) £5.50 advance, £6.50 on-door, £5 CAMRA. Inc free glass + tasting notes. Booking strongly advised via website; www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival or call Theatres box office 01323 412000. Non-ticket enquires: contact.camra.sesusx@gmail.com

9-11 (Thu-Sat): ST IVES (CAMBS) BOOZE ON THE OUSE BEER FEST, Burgess Hall, Westwood Rd, St Ives, Cambs PE27 6WU. Around 70 cask beers over 3 days, plus real cider, perry + bottled foreign/British beers, souvenir glass, tombola + CAMRA shop. Open: Thu 5pm-11pm; Fri noon-11pm; Sat noon-10pm. Admission (includes prog) Thu £2 5-11pm, Fri £1 noon-5pm, £3 after 5pm; Sat £1 all day. CAMRA membs free admission all sessions. Food all ses-sions. Free soft drinks for drivers. Helpers needed. Further details contact Andy Shaw festival@huntscamra.org.uk 01480 355893 07802485449 or www.hunts.camra.org.uk/festival

CAMRA beer festivalsCAMRA members must show a valid membership card to get discount admission to festivals. Branches should email festival details to wb.beerfestival@camra. org.uk by midday on 7 July.

Only CAMRA beer festivals appear in this section. Organisers of other festivals (including pub beer festivals) should book an advertisement by phoning Simon Bryson on 020 8962 1257 or emailing advertising@camra.org.uk where CAMRA members will receive a 10 per cent discount.

WHITE HORSE: 15 Jul 745pm, Brch mtg, King Alfred’s Head, Wantage. Neil Crook contact@whitehorsecamra.org.uk

W BERKSHIRE: 1 JUL 730PM, AGM, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, NEWBURY, MEMBS ONLY. Contact:Mike Avery 01635 820481(h) secretary@westberkscamra.org.uk

EAST ANGLIA

Regional Director Andrea Briers 01553 766904, RD.EastAnglia@camra.org.uk

REGIONAL MTG: 5 JUL, VICTORIA INN, 10 NORTH STATION RD, COLCHESTER, CO1 1RB.

CAMBRIDGE & DISTRICT: 8 Jul 8pm, Open Brch mtg, Reindeer, Saxon St. 12 Aug 8pm, Open Brch mtg, Poacher, Elsworth. Contact:will.smith@cambridge-camra.org.uk 07595257980

CHELMSFORD & MID ESSEX: 1 Jul 730pm, Real Ale Runabout to Kent, Eynsford, Stansted & Fairseat, bus dep opp rail stn, £9 mems/OAPs, £10 others. 8 Jul 830pm, Brch Mtg, Thomas Mildmay, Chelmsford. Contact:Brian Debenham 01245 600294(h) 07905 698161 socialsecretary@chelmsford.org.uk

COLCHESTER & NE ESSEX: Contact:Trevor Simpson 07414 532555 Soc event info: socialsec@colchestercamra.org.uk

E BEDFORDSHIRE: Contact:Barry Price cabsybar@yahoo.co.uk

ELY & DISTRICT: Contact:Marc Gath marc.gath@arcadis-uk.com 07825413507

HERTS/ESSEX BORDERS: 14 Jul 830pm, Brch mtg, Cock Inn, Hatfield Broad Oak. 11 Aug 830pm, Brch mtg, Prince of Wales, Green Tye. 27 Sep 12noon, Felstar Brwry & Vineyard minibus trip, ltd, must be pre-booked as first come first served. Minibus runs to Brch mtgs book w/Graham secretary@heb-camra.org.uk 07753 266983. Brch Contact Brendan chairman@heb-camra.org.uk 07778 780807

N HERTFORDSHIRE: Minibus Pickups: from 6pm Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth +Baldock. £8 membs, £12 non-membs. Book w/Graham Perry 07984 548783 or socialsecretary@camranorthherts.org.uk See website for late changes.

S HERTFORDSHIRE: 15 Jul, Brch mtg, Cross Keys, Harpenden. 24 Jul, Herts Liaison Mtg, Royal Oak, London SE1. 26 Jul, South Zone – Day Trip 2. Brch Contact John Bishop realales@yahoo.com 01582 768478 Soc Sec: Ian Boyd ian.boyd@me.com

HUNTINGDONSHIRE: 1 Jul 830pm, Open Cttee mtg, White Swan, Bluntisham, 26 Jul, Red Brwry +pub coach trip, dep ca 12noon, booking rqd w/ socials@huntscamra.org.uk or 01480 355893. 5 Aug 830pm, Open Cttee mtg, Green Man, Leighton Bromswold. Contact: Ray London secretary@huntscamra.org.uk 01480 390135.

IPSWICH & E SUFFOLK: Contact:Mike Lewis mlewis155@sky.com

MALDON & DENGIE: 7 Jul, Curry, Queen’s Head, Burnham on Crouch. 19 Jul, Young Membs visit Chelmsford Beer Fest. 22 Jul, Brch mtg, Queen’s Head,Tolleshunt d’Arcy. 24 Jul, Bishop’s Stortford Beer Fest by minibus, £10. Keith Bentley keith_bentley@hotmail.co.uk or Rob Longley on 01245 320381.

MID ANGLIA SUB-BRANCH: Contact:Chair David Williamson: fieldsedge@hotmail.com Sec Ian Luff: iluff@yahoo.co.uk

N BEDFORDSHIRE: 26 Jun, Kempston Pubs Walkabout, Bus Bedford Bus Stn. 3 JUL, AGM & BUFFET, BEDFORD ATHLETICS STADIUM. 7 Jul 8pm, Beerfest Mtg, Cricketers. 17 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Bedford Rowing Club. 7 Aug, Bedford Summer Stroll, see website diary. Brch contact:Gary Mudd, bedsocks@tiscali.co.uk

NW ESSEX: 7 Jul, Brch Mtg, Axe & Compasses, Arkesden. Contact:Tom Bogie 01799 502686 secretary@northwestessexcamra.org.uk

NORWICH & NORFOLK: 4 Jul, 1st Fri 3, Eaton Cottage 8pm, Farmhouse +Beehive Beer Fest. 15 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Coachmakers, St Stephens Rd, Norwich. 25 Jul, Campaign trip visiting up to 5 county pubs, dep John Lewis 715pm, booking rqd. Contact Michael Phillips, Soc Sec 07851923554 or socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT: 4 Jul 6pm, Elgood’s Brwry/Garden Tour, transport 6pm from Tap, retn by 11pm, £8 book w/soc sec John Hunt. 7 Jul 830pm, Brch cttee mtg, Heron, Stanground PE2 8QB, brch membs welcome w/membship card. 19 Jul 430pm, Brch Annual Cycle Rally, Cathedral Square, membs +friends, info Ross rossparton@ntlworld.com Contact:Dickie Bird 07731993896(m) info@peterborough-camra.org.uk

S BEDFORDSHIRE: All socs start Thu 830pm unless stated. 3 Jul, Globe +Grove Lock, Leighton Buzzard. 10 Jul, Anchor, Aspley Guise +Royal Oak, Aspley Heath. 17 Jul, White House, English Rose +Bricklayers Arms, Luton. 24 Jul, Brch Mtg, Red Lion, Leighton Buzzard. 31 Jul, Red Lion, Milton Bryan +Green Man, Eversholt. Contact:Steve Pullan socials@southbedscamra.org.uk 07504 713608 See website for latest details.

SE ESSEX: 1 Jul 830pm, Brch mtg, Oakwood, Eastwood Rd, Eastwood. 10 Jul, Coach trip, Norton, Cold Norton, Bell, Purleigh, Prince Of Wales, Stow Maries, usual pick ups, £9. 12 Jul, Shoeburyness pubs, meet Southend Travel Ctr for Arriva bus9 140pm, Southend Octopus bus ticket £4 from driver, visit Olde Garrison, Shoeburyness Hotel +2others, last dep, Castle, Little Wakering 702pm, Stephenson’s bus14 to Southend. 16 Jul 8pm, Beer Fest Planning Mtg, Olde Trout, Southend. 26 Jul, Coach trip, Red Lion, Snargate arr 1pm, George & Dragon, Swanscombe arr 440pm, pick up Rochford 1045am, Southend Civic Ctr 1055am, Chalkwell Park 1110am, Rayleigh Stn, 1130am, £19. Contact:Stephen stephen.dunham@hotmail.co.uk 07963884860.

SW ESSEX: 26 Jun 830pm, Soc, Rising Sun, 144 Ongar Rd, Brentwood CM15 9DJ. 1 Jul 830pm, Soc, Barking Dog, 61 Station Parade, Barking IG11 8TU. 9 Jul 830pm, Soc, Theobald Arms, 141 Argent St, Grays RM17 6HR. 15 Jul 8pm, Out-of-Area Soc, Chelmsford Beer Fest, Admiral’s Park, Rainsford Rd CM1 2PL. 26 Jul 12noon, Out-of-Area Soc, Bishops Stortford Beer Fest, Royal British Legion Club, 28 Windhill CM23

2NG. 2 Aug 12noon, Out-of-Area Soc, Epping-Ongar Railway - Real Ale Fest, North Weald Stn CM16 6BT (by Vintage Bus from Epping Stn (Central Line), or from Shenfield Stn. Contact:Alan Barker swessex@essex-camra.org.uk Updates on website.

TENDRING: 8 Jul, Brch Mtg, Maybush Great Oakley CO12 5AL. Contact:John Lucas 01255 223108 or johncharleslucas@talktalk.net

W NORFOLK: Brch Contact Ian Bailey 01553 766904, andrea@briers.myzen.co.uk

NE SUFFOLK: Contact:Chris Luck chris_luck7@btconnect.com or Mike & Linda Davey 01502 730746 mjdavey@fsmail.net

W SUFFOLK: Info: Lisa Butcher lisaanddick@talktalk.net

EAST MIDLANDS

Regional Director Carl Brett RD.EastMidlands@camra.org.uk 07801365232 (home) 01773 778316

AMBER VALLEY: 14 Jul 8pm, Beer Fest mtg, George & Dragon, Belper. 19 Jul, Survey Trip, route TBA, minibus dep Ripley Mkt Plc 730pm, book w/Jane Wallis 01773 745966. 31 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Thorn Tree, Waingroves. Soc Sec Jane Wallis 01773 745966.

ASHBOURNE & DISTRICT SUB BRANCH: All mtgs start 8pm. 29 Jul, brch mtg, Yew Tree, Ednaston. Chairman: Mark Grist - m.grist2@sky.com, 07818 466076

CHESTERFIELD: Contact:Jane Lefley 07790 863432.

DERBY: 3 Jul 8pm, 40th Anniversary Brch Mtg +Soc, Alexandra Hotel, brch birthplace. 9-13 Jul, Derby City Charter Beer Fest, volunteers rqd. 13 Aug 8pm, EGM, Brunswick. Brch contact Ian Forman on 01332 882996 Secretary@derbycamra.org.uk DERBY CTTEE cttee@derbycamra.org.uk Gareth Stead Chairman@derbycamra.org.uk Socs/Survey trips: Dean Smith Socials@derbycamra.org.uk surveytrips@derbycamra.org.uk Beer Surveys: Stewart Marshall beersurvey@derbycamra.org.uk

DRONFIELD & DISTRICT: Contacts: Rob Barwell chairman@dronfieldcamra.org.uk 0796 614 3420, Nick Wheat socials@dronfieldcamra.org.uk 0781 144 6450. Forthcoming mtgs + socs see website, check us out on Facebook + Twitter @DronfieldCAMRA

EREWASH VALLEY: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, General Havelock, Ilkeston. Survey trips/soc see website or contact Jayne 0115 8548722 secretary@erewash-camra.org

FENLAND: 2 Jul 8pm, Cttee mtg, Red Lion, Stickford. 13 Jul, walk see website. Contact:Ena.Woodburn@fenlandcamra.org.uk or see website.

GAINSBOROUGH: Contact:secretary@ gainsboroughcamra.org.uk or visit website.

GRANTHAM: All mtgs start 8pm. 2 Jul, 8pm, Mtg, Five Bells, Claypole. 30 Jul 8pm, Griffin Inn, Irnham. Contact:Chairman Neville Lomas nlomas180@btinternet.com

GRIMSBY & NE LINCOLNSHIRE: 14 Jul 8pm, mtg, Wheatsheaf, Bargate. Contact:Dawn 07754163228 for info +bookings.

HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH: 3 Jul, eve minibus trip, Chandlers Arms BF. 7 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Rising Sun, Shackerstone (Mon not Tues). 10 Jul, day train trip Derby Summer. 25-27 Jul, Market Bosworth Rail Ale BF, Goods Shed, free buses from Hinckley, timetable on website. 5 Aug 8pm, Brch Mtg, Railway Hinckley, guest speaker. Brch Contact: Richard 01455 611341. Soc: Robin 01455 633660, 07534 606007

LEICESTER: 26 Jul Trip to Market Bosworth Rail Ale Fest Contact Gary Akiens. 6 Aug 730pm, Brch mtg, Cricketers, 1 Grace Rd, Leicester LE2 8AD. 9 Aug, Trip to Worcester, Cheltenham +Cotswolds Contact Gary Akiens. Brch Contact K Williams 07989 272717 keithedmundwilliams@yahoo.co.uk chairman@leicestercamra.org.uk Sat/ Sunday Trips: Gary Akiens 07815 825039 socials@leicestercamra.org.uk Up to date Brch Diary on website.

LINCOLN: 6 Jul 8pm, Cttee mtg, Treaty of Commerce, Lincoln. 9 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Butcher & Beast, Heigh-ington. 26 Jul, Newark trip, 1135am train Lincoln. 3 Aug 8pm, Cttee mtg, Nocton Soc Club. 6 Aug 8pm, Brch mtg, Victoria, Lincoln. Contact:Steve Renshaw 01522 754458 branchcontact@lincolncamra.org.uk

LOUGHBOROUGH & N LEICESTERSHIRE: Info: lborocamra@googlemail.com or 01509 560859. Contact:Fiona Roche 01509 560859 lborocamra@googlemail.com

LOUTH & DISTRICT: 26 Jun 8pm, Mtg, White Hart, Ludford. Contact Chair Tony Howkins 07557789060 or John Bannister (Treas) 07503210605.

MANSFIELD & ASHFIELD: 8 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Masons Arms, Sutton in Ashfield. 12 Jul, Saturday sojourn Brinsley, pick up 1pm Railway pub rtn 4pm. 29 Jul, Farnsfield survey trip, pick up 7pm Railway pub return 10pm. Pubs officer Paul pubsofficer@mansfieldcamra.org.uk Stafford socialsecretary@mansfieldcamra.org.uk Brch contact Mick Bull 07786606674 chairman@mansfieldcamra.org.uk Secretary Laura Evans laurajevans1985@yahoo.co.uk

MATLOCK & DALES: See website for more info. Contact:Peter Boitoult 07791 159526.

MELTON MOWBRAY & DISTRICT: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, White Hart. 6 Aug, Survey trip, 730pm from Kettleby Cross. Brch contact Kevin Billson kevinbillson@ntlworld.com Socs contact David Whitehead kircalla123@hotmail.co.uk

NEWARK-ON-TRENT: 3 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Willow tree Barnby, +Beckingham +Coddington, transport avail 730pm Fox/Crown see soc sec for seats. 7 Aug 8pm, brch mtg, Final Whistle, Southwell then Bramley Apple, transport avail 7pm Fox/Crown, soc sec for seats. Info: secretary@newarkcamra.org.uk

N NOTTINGHAMSHIRE: 2 Jul 815pm, Brch mtg, Red Hart, Blyth. Soc Sec Terry Johnson mail@terryjohnson.plus.com or 07941 672949 Sec Paul Mann paulmann4444@yahoo.co.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: 2 Jul 8pm, Soc + Cider POTY, Coach & Horses, Wellingborough. 14 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg + POTS, Dukes Arms, Woodford. 18 Jul, “Twearlies” St Neots, Stagecoach bus Kettering (M50, 09.54) or Northampton (X5) to Bedford. 19 Jul 6pm, Soc, Bch pub beer fest, Hill Pub and Bistro, Wollaston.

More info: Karl Tecklenberg, 07723 858069 social@northants-camra.org.uk Branch Contact Ian McAuley chairman@northants-camra.org.uk

NOTTINGHAM: 26 Jun 8pm, Brch Mtg, Victoria, Beeston. 3 Jul 730pm, POTY Runner-up Pres, Poppy & Pint, Lady Bay. 5 Jul 6pm, survey trip, Bleasby/Hoveringham/Caythorpe dep Cast, card for discount. 10 Jul 8pm, Cttee Mtg, Embankment, Trent Bridge. 21 Jul 7pm, Crawl, Carlton/Gedling, NCT red Line44 from King St. 31 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Bread & Bitter, Mapperley. Sec: Ray Kirby 0115 9297896(h) raykirby@nottinghamcamra.org acl_50@ntlworld.com

RUTLAND: Contact:Jon Whowell 07780923439 chair@rutlandcamra.org.uk

SCUNTHORPE & DISTRICT: 12 Jul, Sunfest, Sheffield train trip, 10am Scunthorpe stn. 26 Jul, Brch Summer BBQ, Barton-upon-Humber. Contact:Mark Elsome mark.elsome@ntlworld.com 01724 331056 (h) Soc contact:Sarah Wullink 07840155637

VALE OF BELVOIR: Contact:martynandbridget@btinternet.com 01949 876479 or see website.

GREATER LONDON

Regional Director Geoff Strawbridge RD.GreaterLondon@camra.org.uk

LONDON LIAISON CTTEE: 30 JUL 730PM, ROYAL OAK, TABARD ST, BOROUGH SE1 4JU.

LONDON PUBS GROUP: CONTACT JANE JEPHCOTE 07813 739856 JANE.JEPHCOTE@GOOGLEMAIL.COM

BROMLEY: 5 Jul 1pm, Lunch Soc w/Croydon & Sutton brch, Hope, 48 West St, Carshalton SM5 2PR. 9 Jul, Green St Green crawl, 730pm Buff, Pinewood Drive, Orpington BR6 9NL, 815pm Royal Oak, High St, Green St Green BR6 6BJ +2others. 18 Jul 12pm, Lunch Soc, Kent Beer Fest, Merton Farm, Off Nack-ington Lane, Canterbury CT4 7BA. 21 Jul, Chatterton Village/Petts Wood crawl, 7pm Chatterton Arms, 41 Chatterton Rd, Bromley Common BR2 9QW, 750pm Chequers, 177 Southborough Lane BR2 8AP + 1other &poss new micro pub. 26 Jul, Crystal Palace Crawl w/Croydon & Sutton +SE London brchs, 1230pm Alma, 95 Church Rd, Crystal Palace SE19 2TA, 115pm White Hart, 96 Church Rd, Upper Norwood SE19 2EZ +6others. 29 Jul 730pm, Cttee mtg, Greyhound, Commonside, Keston BR2 6BP. Contact Janet Freak, inquiries@bromleycamra.org.uk or see website.

CROYDON & SUTTON: 5 Jul 1pm, Jnt Soc w/Bromley Brch, Hope, West St, Carshalton. 19 Jul, Carshalton Afternoon Crawl w/Weston-super-mare sub brch, start Hope 1240pm then Sun 140pm, +4others +Hope again 545pm, approx. 26 Jul, Jnt Soc w/Bromley Brch, Crystal Palace Crawl, 1230pm Alma, 95 Church Rd, Crystal Palace SE19 2TA, 115pm White Hart, 96 Church Rd, Upper Norwood SE19 2EZ, 2pm Postal Order, 33 Westow St SE19 3RW +5others. 31 Jul 830pm, Brch mtg, Windsor Castle, 378 Carshalton Rd SM5 3PT, Cottage Room. Contact:Peter McGill: 07831561296 pete_mcgill@hotmail.com

E LONDON & CITY: No Jun mtg. Contact:John Pardoe elacbranch@yahoo.co.uk 07757 772564.

ENFIELD & BARNET: 3 Jul 12noon, Ealing CAMRA Beer Fest. 10 Jul 8pm, Gdn soc, Black Horse, Wood St, Barnet EN5 4HY. 16 Jul 830pm, Refurb soc, Kings Head, Green, Winchmore Hill, N21 1BB. 22 Jul 8pm, Club soc, Botany Bay CC, East Lodge Ln, off Ridgeway, Enfield EN2 8AS, CAMRA cards only. 29 Jul 830pm, Gdn soc, Cock & Dragon, Chalk Lane EN4 9HU. Brian Willis 020 8440 4542(h) E&B mob 07757 710008 at event branchcontact@camraenfieldandbarnet.org.uk

N LONDON: 1 Jul, Highgate N6 soc, 730pm Flask, 77 Highgate West Hl, 815pm Prince of Wales, 53 Highgate High St, +2others. 8 Jul 8pm, Hammerton Brwry visit, Unit 9, 149 Roman Wy, N7. 15 JUL 8PM, BRCH AGM, CALTHORPE ARMS, 252 GRAYS INN RD, WC1. 22 Jul, Newington Green N16/N1 soc, 730 Robinson Crusoe, 177 Green Lns, N16, 8pm Leconfield, 79 Green Lns, N16, +3others. 29 Jul, Archway N19 soc, 730pm Boston Arms, 178 Junction Rd, 815pm Oak & Pastor, 86 Junction Rd +2others. Socs: Stephen Taylor stephen.taylor500@gmail.com 07443-473746, John Paul Adams jpa1260@gmail.com 07970-150707. Chair: Catherine Tonry, camra@tonry.co.uk, 07793-547067

RICHMOND & HOUNSLOW: 17 Jul, Richmond pub walk, start 730pm Triple Crown, 15 Kew Foot Rd TW9 2SS, then White Swan, Old Palace La, Pigs Ears, All Bar One, Victoria, Dukes Head/Vineyard. Contact:Roy Hurry 020 8570 0643(h) rh014q5742@blueyonder.co.uk

SE LONDON: Contact:Neil Pettigrew 07751 898310 contact@selcamra.org.uk

SW LONDON: 19 Jul GBBF publicity crawl of Wimbledon. Starting noon Alexandra, 33 Wimbledon Hill Rd, SW19 7NE; to include - for late joiners - 1.30pm Rose & Crown, 55 High St, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5BA. ALL WELCOME 21 Jul 7.30pm Open brch cttee mtg all SW London CAMRA members welcome, Old Sergeant, 104 Garratt Lane, SW18 4DJ. Contact:Mike Flynn 07751 231191 mike.flynn@camraswl.org.uk

W LONDON: 2-5 Jul, working socs, Ealing beer fest, Walpole Pk W5 volunteers rqd. 10 Jul 730pm, Jnt out-of-area soc. w/SPBW, Bricklayer’s Arms, 32 Waterman St SW15. 17 Jul 7/730pm, Brch mtg, Duchess of Cambridge upstairs 320 Goldhawk Rd W6. 24 Jul 7/7.30pm, W4 surveys crawl, meet Gunnersbury, 590 Chiswick High Rd. 5 Aug 730pm, W6/W14 soc, Albion, 121 Hammersmith Rd W14, 830pm Latymers, 157 Hammersmith Rd W6, 930pm Queen’s Head, 13 Brook Green W6. Contacts: Paul Charlton 07835 927357 paul@paulcw4.plus.com. Soc Sec Alasdair Boyd: 020 7930 9871 x 143 (2.30–3.30 + 6–9.30pm Mon–Fri, banqueting@nlc.org.uk, fax 020 7839 4768

W MIDDLESEX: 27 Jun 730pm, EBF Crawl Uxbridge, meet Queens Head, 33 Windsor St. Brch contact Roy Tunstall 07909 061609, Soc Sec Jason Lansbury 07740288332, socials@westmiddx-camra.org.uk

WATFORD & DISTRICT: 15 Jul 730pm, Batchworth, S.Oxhey & Carpenders Park Soc start Ye Olde Greene Manne, Batchworth Heath. 24 Jul 830pm, Oxhey Soc start Rifle Volunteer, Villiers Rd. 28 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Oxhey Conservative Club, Lower Paddock

Rd, Oxhey. Contact:Andrew Vaughan 01923 230104 branch@watfordcamra.org.uk

GREATER MANCHESTER

Regional Director Andrew Rodbourne RD.GreaterManchester@camra.org.uk 07827930571

REGIONAL MTG: 12 JUL 1PM, STALYBRIDGE LABOUR CLUB.

BOLTON: 23 Jul 815pm, Brch Mtg, Ye Olde Man & Scythe. Graham Walsh, secretary@boltoncamra.org.uk, 07855 361228.

HIGH PEAK & NE CHESHIRE: 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Duke of York, Romiley. 26 Jul, Regional Cricket Match, Broughton Cricket Club. Brch contact:Stewart Taylor taylorshouse@supanet.com or 07907 714826.

N MANCHESTER: 2 Jul, Higher Blackley Crwl, 730pm Three Arrows, 315 Middleton Rd M25 4GY, 9pm Duke of Wellington, 39 Weardale Rd M9 8WR. 5 Jul, Independents Day Treasure Hunt, start 12noon Briton’s Protection, 50 Gt Bridgewater St M1 5LE. 9 Jul, Irlams o’ the Height crwl, Henry Boddington, 219 Bolton Rd M27 8TG, 730pm, Waggon & Horses, 367 Bolton Rd M6 7NJ, 815pm, +2others. 16 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, King’s Arms, Bloom St, Salford M3 6AN. 19 Jul, Hawkshead Beerfest coach trip, book/w Andrew Rodbourne. 23 Jul, Worsley crwl. 730pm Cock, 301 Walkden Rd M28 2RZ, 830pm Worsley Old Hall, Worsley Pk M28 2QT +others. 30 Jul 730pm, Pres Holts Head Brwr, Derby Brwry Arms, Cheetham Hill Rd M8 8PY, 7.30pm. 6 Aug. Visit to Mouselow Farm Brwry, Hadfield. Book with brch contact. Phil Booton phbooton@hotmail.com Socs:Jennie Ransome jennieransome@yahoo.co.uk

ROCHDALE, OLDHAM & BURY: All mtgs start 730pm. 1 Jul 730pm, Brch mtg, Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale. Changes to prog will be announced at mtgs, in CAMRA Calling/Brch Website. Soc events/to book, contact Ken Holt. kenjan.holt@btopenworld.com

SE LANCASHIRE: 16 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Boathouse, Astley Green. Contact:Steven Prescott 01942 719037 sel_camra@hotmail.co.uk

STOCKPORT & S MANCHESTER: 3 Jul 815pm, Cttee Mtg, George & Dragon, Manchester Rd, Heaton, Chapel SK4 5DH. 10 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg inc ‘New Faces’, Hope Inn, 118 Wellington Rd N, Heaton Norris SK4 2LL. 18 Jul 730pm, Stagger, Didsbury Ctr, Parrs Wood, Parrs Wood Rd M20 6JD, 830pm Milson Rhodes, School Ln M20 6RD. 24 Jul 8pm, PotM, Crown Inn, Heaton Ln, Stockport SK4 1AR. Contact:Mark McConachie 0161 429 9356 mark.mcconachie@o2.co.uk

TRAFFORD & HULME: 29 Jun-4 Jul Chorlton fest, Vols rqd! 10 Jul 815pm, Brch mtg, Ape & Apple M2 6HQ. 17 Jul 8pm, POTS pres, OMT, Altr WA14 4DN. 2 Aug, Grand Chesh Day Out, Pubs +BBQ, Dun Massey Brwry. 7 Aug 8pm, Brch mtg, Stretf Sip Club M32 8DP. Contact:enquiries@thcamra.org.uk 07879 880963 Also see brch website.

WIGAN: 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, St Aidens Parish Soc Club, Holmes House Ave, Winstanley, Wigan WN3 6EE. Brch contact:Pete Marsh 07870435351.

KENT

Regional Director Kae Mendham 01634 847011, RD.Kent@camra.org.uk

REGIONAL MTG: 5 JUL 1130AM, GILLINGHAM (KENT) CONSERVATIVE CLUB, UPSTAIRS ROOM, 124 HIGH ST ME7 1AU.

ASHFORD, FOLKESTONE & ROMNEY MARSH: 30 Jun 7pm, Meet the Brewer, Hop Fuzz, Firkin Ale House, Folkestone. 2 Jul, Ashford-Tenterden pub tour, 2Abus 1254pm Ashford Stn. 10 JUL 730PM, AGM, BRITISH VOLUNTEER, ASHFORD. 12 Jul, remote villages minibus trip, 1130am Ashford Stn. 31 Jul, Ramsgate tour, meet 210pm Ramsgate stn. Contact: Bob Martin 01303266836 chairman@camro-afrm.org.uk

BEXLEY: 9 Jul 830pm, brch mtg, New Cross Turnpike, Welling DA16 3PB + PotY second runner-up pres. 23 Jul 8pm, Soc, start Bankers Draft, Eltham SE9 1BW, then Old Post Office, Park Tavern. Brch contact:Rob Archer camr@rcher.org.uk

CANTERBURY, HERNE BAY & WHITSTABLE: 22 Jul 830pm, Chequers at Petham. 26 Jul, 3rd Kieron Drum Memorial Pub Crawl, Putney +Barnes, info: Brch Contact. Contact:Gerry Keay gillandgerrykeay@btinternet.com Tel 01227 463478

DEAL, DOVER, SANDWICH & DISTRICT: 21 Jul 730pm, Brch mtg, Carpenters Arms, Coldred. Contact:Jim Green jimbeeryboater@aol.com 01304 202453.

GRAVESEND & DARENT VALLEY: 9 Jul 830pm, Soc, PotY award, Queen, South Darenth. 17 Jul 830pm, Soc, Harrow, Old House, Ightham Common. 26 Jul 1230pm, ad hoc soc, Medway Hopper Fest. 30 Jul 830pm, Brch Open Mtg, Dartford Working Men’s Club. Contact:Ian Wright 01322 550275/07779 319196 gdvcamra@yahoo.co.uk

MAIDSTONE & MID KENT: 29 Jun 1150am, Ramble from East Farleigh Stn. 3 Jul 730pm, Bat & Trap, Aylesford Rec, then Bush +Chequers. 10 Jul 830pm, Spitfire, Kings Hill, then Kings Arms, Offham. 17 Jul 830pm, Park Gate, Hollingbourne, then Pepper Box, Ulcombe. 24 Jul 830pm, Biz. Mtg, Style & Winch, Maidstone. 26 Jul 1112am, Bus Trip Route155, jnt w/Medway brch. 31 Jul 830pm, Red Bull, Eccles, then Yew Tree, Sandling. Contact:jeff.tucker@blueyonder.co.uk 01634 241538

MEDWAY: 5 Jul 1130am, Hosting Kent Reg Mtg, Gillingham (Kent) Conservative Club, 124 High St ME7 1AU, then Medway Rotarians beer fest soc, Star Meadow Sports Club, Darland Ave, Gillingham ME7 3AN. 12 JUL 12NOON/1230PM, BRCH AGM GILL-INGHAM (KENT) CONSERVATIVE CLUB (UPSTAIRS), 124 HIGH ST ME7 1AU. 26 Jul, Joint Soc w/Maidstone CAMRA, 155bus trip dep Chatham waterfront 1133am to Wouldham, Medway Inn +Waterman’s Arms, then onto Burham, Eccles, Alyesford +Flower Pot, Sandling Rd. 27 Jul 12noon-, Open mtg, Rainham Cricket Club (Beer Fest), Berengrave Ln ME8 7NA.Contact:Colin Maskell colin_beerbelly@hotmail.com

SWALE: 9 JUL 8PM, AGM, SWAN (REAR FUNCTION ROOM), LONDON RD, TEYNHAM. Brch contacts

Simon Ing 07979 234409 & Les Bailey 01795 538824 bailey664@btinternet.com

THANET: 9 Jul 8pm, Brch Soc +Bus Mtg, Artillery Arms, Westcliff Rd, Ramsgate CT11 9JS. Brch contact Jo Walbank 07450282962.

W KENT: 5 Jul 12.30, Soc, Cock, Rose & Crown, Halstead dep 11am 402bus Tunbridge Wells, ret via Sevenoaks Lions fest. 11 Jul 8pm, Soc, CAMRA stand, SIBA/Juddians Rugby club fest, Tonbridge. 18 Jul 12noon, Soc, Kent fest, Canterbury, dep 1021am train Tonbridge. 31 Jul 730pm, Soc, Ragged Trousers, Jazz in the Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells. Contact:Carole Dalgleish 01892 683445 campaign@camrawestkent.org.uk

MERSEYSIDE & CHESHIRE

Regional Director Ian Garner 01704 876819(h) 07766 687743(m), RD.MerseyCheshireNWales@camra.org.uk

REGIONAL MTG: 12 JUL, BARNTON CRICKET CLUB.

CHESTER & S CLWYD: Info/upcoming outings contact Craig Papworth contact@camracasc.org.uk 01244 313182 or see website.

HALTON: Trips info Paul Miller 07837749614 paul.miller@thermofisher.com Chairman: David Gray 01925 727787 david.grey11@btinternet.com Sec: Gary Sleigh 07879854449 garysleigh@hotmail.com

MACCLESFIELD & E CHESHIRE: 28 Jun, Leek pub crawl, 1230pm bus Macclesfield or meet Den Engel 115pm. Contact:Tony Icke 01625 861833 bicke@madasafish.com

LIVERPOOL & DISTRICT: 12 Jul, Bishops Castle Coach trip, dep 10am Ship & Mitre. 16 Jul 8pm, Brch Get Together, Crown in Lime St, upstairs room. 27 Jul, Canal pub walk Maghull-Burscough, 1110am train Liverpool Ctl stn to Maghull Ormskirk line or meet Maghull stn 1135am. Coach trips contact social@liverpoolcamra.org.uk or Ian Macadam on 07521 741 586. Brch contact:Jean Pownceby, contact@liverpoolcamra.org.uk

ST HELENS: All mtgs start 8pm. 9 Jul, Brch Mtg, York Nutgrove. 23 Jul, Cttee, Old England. Contact:sthelenscamra@hotmail.co.uk Or Alan 07734526473 or see brch website.

SOUTHPORT & WEST LANCS: 28 Jun, Soc, Crosby Pubs. 5 Jul, Lancs Brches Mtg, Old Town Hall, Poulton-le-Fylde. 9 Jul, Open Brch Mtg, Ring O’ Bells, Lathom. 12 Jul, Mersey/Ches Rgl Mtg, Barnton Cricket Club. 26 Jul, Soc, Fylde pubs. Info/ Brch + Soc + Public Transport Contact:Mike Perkins mikepcamra@gmail.com 01704 573768

N CHESHIRE: 9 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Red Bull, King-sley. 22 Jul 8pm, Warrington town ctr survey, meet 9 Gallon. 5 Aug 8pm, Brch Mtg, Orford Hotel, Orford. Contact:Rupert Adams contact@northcheshirecamra.org.uk. Socs: John Burgess, mob 07874 374866

S CHESHIRE: 8 Jul 630pm, Soc, Bhurtpore Beer Fest, Aston inc Brch mtg, 8pm. 19 Jul 2pm, PotS pres, Rising Sun, Wistaston. Contact Paul Tench 07790 486 735 southcheshirecamra@outlook.com or see website.

WIRRAL: 2 July 8pm, Cttee mtg then Soc, Gallaghers, all welcome. Book coach trips w/ Dave Hutchinson. Coach trip bookings: Dave Hutchinson 0772 405 2164 davehutchinson@wirralcamra.co.uk £5 deposit secures place (subject to numbers) for coach/bus trips, cheques to CAMRA Wirral Brch. Non-membs + inactive membs esp welcome.

NORTH EAST

Regional Director David Brazier, 07796842691, RD.NorthEast@camra.org.uk

CLEVELAND: See under Yorkshire.

DARLINGTON: 26-28 Jun, Beer Fest, volunteers rqd 29 Jun 10-1pm dismantling, meet at Forum Reception, volunteers contact Paul 07908 558307 paul.appleton@davyprotech.com 11 Jul 7pm, 1st Teesdale PotS survey trip Middleton x3, Mickleton x2 Cotherstone x2, meet Dolphin Ctr. 15 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, Quakerhouse, Darlington. 25 Jul 7pm, Strathmore Arms, Holwick Beer Fest, +Teesdale pubs, meet Dolphin Ctr. Brch Contact:John Magson john.magson@ntl.com 01642 891826. Soc Sec/Pubs Officer/Cider Officer: Pete Fenwick 01325 374817(h) 07889 167128(m) mithril58@btinternet.com

DURHAM: 19 Jul, Weardale Tour inc brch mtg. 29 Jul, Tue Tipple, Dun Cow, Seaton. Contact:secretary@camradurham.org.uk or Peter Lawson (Chairman) 07919927460

SUNDERLAND & S TYNESIDE: 8 Jul, brch mtg, Alum Ale House, River Drive, South Shields. Contact:Michael Wynne 07749306690 rivetcatcher@yahoo.co.uk

TYNESIDE & NORTHUMBERLAND: 1 Jul 730pm, Beer Fes mtg, Chillingham. 9 Jul, Wed Wander, 730pm Chillingham, 9pm Northumberland Hussar. 2 Aug 12noon, Brch mtg, Allenheads Inn, Allenheads, then Allendale +Dipton Mill Inn, bus dep 11am St Thomas St, return N’castle by 10pm, £5 book/w Jan. Contact Jan Anderson socsecretary@cannybeyy.co.uk 07801887946

SCOTLAND

Scotland & Northern Ireland Director Ray Turpie RD.ScotlandNI@camra.org.uk

ABERDEEN, GRAMPIAN & NORTHERN ISLES: Contact:George Howie 01224 624652/ 07884 044 199 contact@aberdeencamra.org.uk

AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE: 5 Jul 12noon, Brch brwry visit, Broughton Ales, Broughton, names to Donald social@awcamra.org.uk 11 Jul 3pm, Brch soc, Scottish Real Ale Fest, Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. 26 Jul 3pm, Brch mtg +soc, Frasers Bar, Millport. See website for area soc dates/venues. Brch Contact Mick Lee 01294 557225 mlee145176@aol.com

DUMFRIES & STEWARTRY SUB-BRANCH: 21 Jul 8pm, Solway Brch mtg, Blue Bell, Annan, all CAMRA membs welcome. Contact:Liam Chalmers secretary@dumfriescamra.org.uk 01387 267647

EDINBURGH & SE SCOTLAND: 28 Jun, Glasgow Beer Fest trip, meet 12noon Briggait, own transport. 3 Jul 8pm, Comm, Diggers. 8 Jul 730pm, 2 Pub Soc,

CAMRA what’s onFor more details of branch activities – including itineraries for pub crawls – please contact branch or see our website. Please go to ‘CAMRA near you’ on national website www.camra.org.ukEntries for August should be sent to wb.branchdiary@camra.org.uk and must be at CAMRA HQ by noon on 7 July 2014. Details received after this deadline will not be included

GAMES & COLLECTABLES: Working Days 5, 19, 26 Jul, St Albans. Tel: Rob McFetrich 07906 914 337LESBIAN & GAY REAL ALE DRINKERS: Regional info:contact info@lagrad.org.uk Also see LAGRAD website/facebook pg. Greater London info: Reg events inc crawls incorp gay ale/good ale venues. Surrey/Sussex: most weekends, Brighton; 3rd Weds of mnth mtg: 8pm, Battle of Trafalgar, 34 Guildford Rd, Brighton; contact George 07588582062. Scottish info: 1st Mon of Mnth 830pm, Regent, 2 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. Karen 01315 578790 email diversedrinkers@drink.demon.co.uk Manchester: www.facebook.com/groups/lagradmanchesterYNG MEMBS GROUP CTTEE: More info see YM section on CAMRA site/Facebook group/or email: Chair Paul Scrivens camra_ymgc@hotmail.co.ukNE: 28 Jun, British Hotel, Douglas, Isle of Man.GBBF WORKING PARTY: 12 Jul, Harlequin, SheffieldBOOKS: 12 Jul 12noon, HQ, St AlbansWB STRATEGY DAY: 12 Jul 12noon, Lamb, London. APPLE: 19 Jul, Cask Corner, 3 Cleveland St, Doncaster, DN1 3EH

NATIONAL

CENTRAL SOUTHERN

Regional Director Nick Boley RD.CentralSouthern@camra.org.uk

AYLESBURY VALE & WYCOMBE: 27 Jun, Haddenham Crawl, 730pm Green Dragon, 8pm Rose and Thistle +2others. 4 Jul, Pub Beer Fest Soc, 630pm, Derehams Inn, Loudwater. 5 Jul, Haddenham Beer Fest Soc, 12noon, Haddenham Community Junior School HP17 8DS. 12 Jul, Annual Black Country Coach Trip, Contact Dave Roe to book ticket. 17 Jul, Soc, 830pm Stag & Huntsman, Hambleden, 915pm Frog, Skirmett. 22 Jul, Soc, 8pm Plough, Marsh Gibbon, 830pm Greyhound, Marsh Gibbon, 915pm Swan, Grendon Underwood. 26 Jul, Leighton Buzzard Pub Crawl, start 1230pm Red Lion. 28 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Cross Keys, Thame. Contact:David Roe 01296 484551 branch.contact@swansupping.org.uk

BERKSHIRE SE: 5 Jul 12noonw, Guildford Crawl, Start Three Pigeons, 169 High St, Guildford GU1 3AJ details on website. 10 Jul 8pm, Soc, Victoria Arms, Binfield. 24 Jul 8pm, Soc, Queens Oak, Finchampstead. Contact:Barry Garber 07733 325074 social@seberkscamra.org.uk

MID CHILTERNS: 5 Jul 12noon, Brch soc, Chip-perfield crawl, start Royal Oak. 16 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Travellers Rest, Edlesborough. 26 Jul 12noon, Brch soc, Little Chalfont crawl, start Sugar Loaves. Chris Bowser, 07908 739668, cgbowser@gmail.com

MILTON KEYNES & N BUCKS: Contact:Richard King contact@mkcamra.org.uk

N OXFORDSHIRE: All mtgs start 8pm unless stated. 14 JUL, BRCH AGM, CHEQUERS, CHURCHILL OX7 6NJ. 19 Jul, Hook Norton Fest of Fine Ales, OX15 5NQ. See website for info/updates. Brch Contact:Martin Batts, contact@northoxoncamra.org.uk

OXFORD: 7 Jul 8pm, Brch open mtg +pres, King’s Arms, Moors, Kidlington, meet 7pm, Six Bells, Mill St. 12 Jul 12noon, Witney soc, start Company of Weavers, Market Sq. 3 Aug 1pm, soc, Nag’s Head, Abingdon, beer fest. 5 Aug 730pm, Brch mtg, Rose & Crown, N Parade Ave, meet 630 Anchor, Hayfield Rd. Contact:Steve Lawrence 01235 525436, contact@oxfordcamra.org.uk

READING & MID BERKSHIRE: 3 Jul, Mnthly soc, Crown, Swallowfield, All welcome. 11 Jul, CotY pres, Wargrave Snooker Club. 15 Jul, Brch Biz Mtg (membs only), Eldon Arms, Reading. 7 Aug, Mnthly soc, Grosvenor, Caversham, All welcome. Soc Sec Jon Parish social@readingcamra.org.uk 07977 483334. Brch contact:Katrina Fletcher contact@readingcamra.org.uk 07794 019437.

S OXFORDSHIRE: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Black Horse, Checkendon. 11-13 Jul, Woodcote Rally +SOX Beer Fest. 24 Jul, Wallingford soc, Boat House 830pm, Town Arms, 915pm, Comrades Club, 10pm. 15 Aug 12noon, GBBF, meet outside. Contact:Paul Dixon, contact@soxoncamra.org.uk

SLOUGH, WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD: 5 Jul, Pre Fest Crawl Maidenhead pubs, meet 1pm Bear. 9 Jul 730pm, Mnthly Brch Mtg, Bear, 8-10 High St, Maidenhead SL6 1HT, all membs welcome. 18-20 Jul, Beer Fest, volunteers urgently rqd, see Beerfest section for info. See website for event details. Contact:Mark Carter 01753 534777 social.sec@swmcamra.org.uk

16 WHAT’S ON WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

Colinton Inn, Spylaw Tavern, Colinton. 19 Jul 2pm, Brch, note earlier start, Haddington, Victoria Inn, pub crawl, from Edinburgh, First Bus Express X6, X8, check Traveline. Contact:Jim Darroch, 01315528820, secretary@edinburghcamra.org.uk

FORTH VALLEY: 17 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, Wheat-sheaf, Falkirk. 26 Jul, Beer Scoring trip by minibus to Bo’ness & Linlithgow inc PotY pres, pick-up 10am Dunblane Police Stn, 1015am Stirling Train Stn, 1045am Falkirk Kwikfit, 1055am Polmont Black Bull, 1110am Linlithgow Cross, £5/ non membs £7, pay on bus. Names to Mark Plant, Soc Sec. Contact Gordon Morrison 01324 813394 gordonmmorrison@o2.co.uk Soc Sec Mark Plant 07849142090 odsal.oddball@gmail.com

GLASGOW & W SCOTLAND: 27 Jun 12noon-4pm, YM wrkng soc, GRAF, Briggait, register w/ joe.pakenham@glasgowcamra.org.uk 18 Jun 7pm, Byres Rd Crawl, start Oran Mor. 15 Jul 7pm, Argyle St Crawl, start Islay Inn. 19 Jul 1230pm, Brch mtg, Capt James Lang, Dumbarton. Loch Lomond Brwry Tour, Sold out. 16 Aug, Rothesay Soc, 1057am train GLC to Weymss Bay then ferry arr 1235pm. Contact Joe Pakenham: joe.pakenham@glasgowcamra.org.uk

HIGHLANDS & WESTERN ISLES: 8 Jul 730pm, Cttee Mtg, Cairn Hotel, Carrbridge. 25 Jul 530pm, Beer fest minibus trip, Argyll Hotel, Ullapool, dep Townhouse, Inverness. Contact:Gareth Hardman 01463 238462 contact@highlandcamra.org.uk

KINGDOM OF FIFE: 12 Jul 12noon, Brch mtg Betty Nicols , Kirkcaldy. 6 SEP 12NOON, AGM, FORISTERS, ABERDOUR. Temp brch Contact Kenny Broadbent kennyb39@gmail.com

RENFREWSHIRE: Contact:Brch sec/contact Tracey Murray-Cassidy 07787870022 secretary@ renfrewshirecamra.org.uk or contact@ renfrewshirecamra.org.uk

TAYSIDE: 28 JUN 2PM, AGM, MILTON HOTEL, MONI-FIETH, NOMS FOR OFFICE BEARERS SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO CONTACT. No Jul mtg. Contact:Tom McLaughlan 01738 552872 tomsglad@hotmail.com

SOUTH WEST

Regional Director Gareth Macdonald 07718 052 303 RD.SouthWest@camra.org.uk

BATH & BORDERS: 1 JUL 8PM, BRCH AGM, FOX & HOUNDS, WARMINSTER. 10 Jul 830pm, Soc, Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke. 15 Jul 830pm, mini crawl start Kings Arms, Monmouth St, Bath then New Inn +Griffin. 24 Jul 830pm, Soc, Swan Inn, Shepton Mallet, +other town pubs. 29 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Prince of Wales, Dilton Marsh. Soc contact:Denis Rahilly 01225 791399 or 07711 004501 denis.rahilly@talktalk.net Brch contact (non-soc matters) James Honey 01373 822794

BRISTOL & DISTRICT: 2 Jul, Chipping Sodbury Explorer/Survey Trip, dep Cornubia 645pm. 3 Jul 7pm, Bristol Pubs Grp Mtg, Robin Hood, St Michael’s Hill. 9 Jul 8pm, Cttee Mtg, Gryphon. 12 Jul, Tiny Rebel Brwry Trip, dep Cornubia 1115am. 17 Jul, Thornbury Area Explorer/Survey Trip, dep Cornubia 645pm. 19 Jul, Bristol Beer Fest Helpers trip Worcester +area, pref to BBF helpers, +others if seats avail, dep Cornubia 10am, rtn 830pm. 23 JUL 730PM, BRCH AGM, ELEPHANT ST NICHOLAS ST. 26 Jul, BADRAG Soc to Bath City Centre Pubs, meet 1130am Temple Meads to buy GroupSave tkts. Info: Andy: camrasocials@btinternet.com or see website.

CHELTENHAM: 28 Jun, Cardiff by train, phone first. 10 Jul 8pm-, Soc, Beehive, Prestbury. 22 Jul 8pm, biz mtg, Brown Jug, Bath Rd. Brch contact:Veronica Emary 01242 244397. See website.

CORNWALL: 28 Jun, Soc, Harbour Brewery, all membs welcome, pls contact Doug Polman socialsec@cornwallcamra.org.uk or see website for details. 19 Jul, Brch mtg, Chapel an Gansblethdyren, Wetherspoons Bodmin, 12 for 1230pm start, all welcome. See website or contact Phil Barry 07922270604, philbarry2010@live.co.uk

DEVIZES: Contact Devizescamra@gmail.com or see website.

EXETER & E DEVON: 4 Jul, Topsham to Lympstone crawl, meet 11am Exeter Inn Topsham, info: socialsec@exetercamra.org 10 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Smugglers, Holcombe, Dawlish. Info: chair@exetercamra.org.uk

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: 1 Jul 8pm, Rising Sun, Bream, 5 Aug 8pm, Ale House, Stroud. See website for latest event info. Brch contact: Martin Parker 01242 252085 branchcontact@gloucestershirecamra.org.uk CIRENCESTER: Contact Rob James, 07816 136140. DURSLEY: 29 Jul, Wickwar Social Club, mtg at Buthay Wickwar, 8pm. Contact Chris Arrowsmith 01453 548991. FOREST OF DEAN: 24 Jul 8pm, Boat, Penallt. Contact Andy Tubb, 01594 822381. GLOUCESTER: Contact Margaret Wilkins 01452 551400. STROUD: Contact Andy Burston 01453 882410 to be kept up with Stroud area events. TEWKESBURY: 24 Jul, meet at Swan, Coombe Hill, 8pm. Contact Steve Kisby 01684 295466

N COTSWOLD: 24 Jul 8pm, Open Brch mtg, Bakers Arms, Broad Campden. Brch contact:Roger Price 07850429630. Also see website.

N DEVON: 28 Jun 1230pm, Brch soc, PotY finalist pres, Old Market Inn, Chapel St Holsworthy EX226AY. 5 Jul 1230pm, Brch soc, PotY finalist pres, Railway Inn, North Tawton EX202BE. Contact Dave Slocombe dave@holsworthyales.co.uk 07879 401073.

NW WILTSHIRE: 8 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Somerford Arms, Little Somerford.Contact Shaun secretary@nwwiltscamra.org.uk07811 513836

PLYMOUTH: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch soc mtg, Thistle Park Tavern, 32 Commercial Rd, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LE. 11-12th Jul, Plymouth Beer Fest, Plymouth Pavilions PL1 3LF, volunteers pls contact Jane 01752 290750 membership@plymouthcamra.org.uk Pls check brch website. Brch contact Ian Daniels 01822 616861.

SEVERN VALE SUB-BRANCH: Contact:SevernValeCAMRA@gmail.com Also see website for event details.

SOMERSET: 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Brent Knoll Inn, Brent Rd, East Brent TA9 4SG, off Jct 22 on A370. 9 Aug 1pm, SW Cider PotY pres, Pebbles Tavern, 24 Market St, Watchet, Somerset TA23 0AN, all welcome. Contact:johnthebeer@msn.com m: 07815682442, h: 01278 663764.

S DEVON: 12 Jul 12noon, Plymouth Beer Fest, meet inside. 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Pig & Whistle, Littlehempston. 16 Jul, midweek bus outing to Salcombe. Bus177 945am Newton Abbot, bus100 10am Paignton, meet Totnes for bus164 1035am to Kingsbridge, then bus606 1205pm to Salcombe, meet Victoria 1230pm. Contact:Bob Southwell ecosochistoryman@hotmail.co.uk

SWINDON & N WILTSHIRE: 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Merlin, Drove Rd, Swindon SN1 3AF. See Website. Contact:contact@swindoncamra.org.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE SUB BRANCH: 27 Jun, Soc, 8pm Waverley, 930pm Bear Inn. Contact Robin E Wild 07857602293 or email robinwild42@yahoo.co.uk

SURREY & SUSSEX

Regional Director Chris Stringer 01403 270505(h), 07751 818949(m) RD.SurreySussex@camra.org.uk

BUS TO THE PUB: 28 Jun, Cuckmere Valley, 1030 B&H 12 frm B’ton to Seaford for 1142 CV 47 to Sx Ox then walk to Giant’s Rest, 3 Jul, Petwoth & Eartham, 1105 St’coach 1 W’tg to Angel then 115pm Compass 99* to George both GBG (*pre-booked bus so pl advise if coming). 9 Jul, Worthing, meet Richard Cobden 1130am then new Brooksteed Alehouse if open. 16 Jul, Danehill & Colemans Hatch, 1023am Metro 270 B’tn Old Steine stop D to Coach & Horses then Hatch both GBG. 25 Jul, Seaford, 11am B&H 12 to Wellington +others. 30 Jul, Brighton Kemp Town, meet Hand in Hand GBG 12noon then onwards. 4 Aug, Elsted, 933am trn B’ton to Chi for 1050 Ems 54 to S Harting then walk (2m) to Three Horseshoes GBG then back for return bus to H’ting or Nyewood (2m) for Midhurst. Further info see Sussex Drinker or ring Stuart 07817 058928 to join mail list.

ARUN & ADUR: 29 Jun 12noon, Soc, Adur Rec Fun Day, Shoreham, Beer tent. 7 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Charles Dickens, Heene Rd, Worthing. 19 Jul 12noon, Soc, Cricketers Beer Fest, Broadwater, Worthing. 25 Jul, Soc, Henty Beer Fest, Ferring, 717pm bus700 Stagecoach Worthing, Marine Parade. Brch Contact Patricia 01903 753018. For up to date news join email group aaa-camra@yahoogroups.com

BRIGHTON & S DOWNS: 3 Jul 8pm, Hove crawl, start Neptune, Kingsway. 10 Jul 8pm, Lewes crawl, start Snowdrop, South St. 17 Jul 8pm, Soc, start Lord Nelson, Trafalgar Street, Brighton. 24 Jul 8pm Soc start Wellington, Steyne Rd, Seaford. 31 Jul8pm, Brch Mtg, Southover, Southover St, Brighton. Pls check website for late changes. Brch contact John Kirkland 01293 519844 treasurer@brightoncamra.org.uk; Soc Sec Jack Wilkinson socialsec@brightoncamra.org.uk

E & MID SURREY: 21 Jul 830pm, Brch mtg, White Lion, Warlingham CR6 9EG. Contact:Clive Jennings 01323 647235 07718629386 mail@clivejennings.plus.com

KINGSTON & LEATHERHEAD: 28 Jun 1pm, Bookham area Pub survey day out, meet Olde Windsor Castle, Little Bookham St. 2 Jul 815pm, Brch mtg, Ashley Park, opp rail stn, Ashley Park Rd, Walton on Thames. 19 Jul, Alton day out on train heritage bus running day/GBG pubs. Contact Adrian Palmer 07774 859871 or akpalmer@talktalk.net

N SURREY: 4 Jul, Soc, Hersham Beer Fest, Scout Hut, Burwood Rd (from 7pm). 16 Jul 815pm, BM, Admiral Hawke, 81 Green St, Sunbury TW16 6RD. 19 Jul, Soc, Maidenhead Beer Fest, Maidenhead FC ground (1pm onwards). 6 Aug, Soc, Egham Beer Fest, United Services Club, TW20 9PE (7pm onwards). 7–10 Aug, Egham Beer Fest, United Services Club TW20 9PE , volunteers reqd, contact L.G.Milligan via camrasurrey.org.uk Contact:Bob Inman 07841 594388 northsurrey@camrasurrey.org.uk or see website.

N SUSSEX: Contact Soc Sec: Chrissie Carter northsussexsocial@hushmail.com 07786 080929

SE SUSSEX: 8 Jul 8pm, Soc, Giant’s Rest, Wilmington, then Crown, Eastbourne. 22 Jul 8pm, Soc, Robin Hood, Icklesham, Community PotY pres, then Queen’s Head, Icklesham +Two Sayers, Pett. Contact Phil Cozens, 01323 460822 (h), contact.camra.sesusx@gmail.com

SURREY/HAMPSHIRE BORDERS: 27 Jun 6pm, SHB CAMRA Pres/Celebration eve, Ascot Brwry Camberley, food +beer £8, pay on night, names to helliwellv@yahoo.com then 830pm Mr Bumbles, Blackwater. 12 Jul, Salisbury day out, 1016am train Woking. 17 Jul, Guildford Walkfest, walk Wanborough Stn to Wood St 620pm, White Hart, Royal Oak + Cricketers then bus Aldershot/Guildford. 19 Jul, Alton Beer & Bus Running Day, brch membs. 2 Aug Summer Real Ale Ramble & Curry, meet King’s Head Stoke Rd, Guildford for brunch, then train London Rd to Clandon, Onslow Arms then 1.5 hours walk, Barley Mow +King William IV at West Horsley, then dinner Kirthon’s restaurant, East Horsley, train back to Guildford, names for curry to Tony Lea localeshb@camrasurrey.org.uk Contact Paul Cowper 07958401573 socialshb@camrasurrey.org.uk for info.

WESTERN SUSSEX: 1 Jul, Soc, Horseguards, Tillington. 8 Jul, Formal, Bull, Chichester. 15 Jul, Ship, Itchenor, then Crown & Anchor, Del Quay. 22 Jul, Jolly Drover, Hill Browthen White Horse, Rogate. 29 Jul, Thatched Tavern, E.Wittering, Lively Lady, Bracklesham Bay. All mtgs start 9pm +may not finish at pubs listed. Brch Contact:Max Malkin 01243 828394.

WALES

Regional Director Ian Saunders RD.Wales@camra.org.uk 01492 593147(h) 01492 576043(w)

SOUTH & WEST WALES REGIONAL MTG: 19 JUL 1PM, NO SIGN BAR, SWANSEA.

NORTH WALES REGIONAL MTG, 26 JUL 1PM, ALBION ALE HOUSE, CONWY.

ABERCOLWYN: 1st Thu of Mnth 6pm, Open Brch Mtg, Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside. Contact:Ian Saunders 01492 593147(h) or 01492 576043 (w)

BRECKNOCKSHIRE: Contact:Buster Grant 01874 623 731(day) 01874 624 585 (eves).

CARDIFF: 8 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Andrew Buchan, Albany Rd. 12 Jul 930am, Bishops Castle Brwry visit by coach, pls book. Contact:Brian Francis 07970 909343(m) secretary@cardiffcamra.co.uk

CARMARTHENSHIRE: 19 Jul 1pm, Brch mtg, White Horse, Llandeilo, POTY pres 230pm, C,mthn 1220pm bus stn 281 to Llandeilo. Sec barryclarey@aol.com 01267234885 (before 10pm).

BAE CEREDIGION: 28 JUN 230PM, AGM, WHITE LION (UPSTAIRS ROOM), MACHYNLLETH (TRAIN DEP ABERYSTWYTH 130PM). Brch contact:Rhys Jones 01974-241255 rhys.gwynedd@btopenworld.com

CHESTER & S CLWYD: For brch events see Chester & S Clwyd listed under Merseyside & Cheshire region. Info +upcoming outings: Craig Papworth contact@camracasc.org.uk 01244 313182 or website.

GWENT: 7 Jul 730pm, Brch mtg, Three Tuns, 32 Bridge St, Chepstow NP16 5EY. 13 Jul 1pm, Sunday Lunch Club, Gate, Caerleon Rd, Llanfrechfa NP44 8DQ. Sunday Lunch Club (SLC): Darryl Williams 07810 56465513 brynglasgilwern@yahoo.co.uk Brch Contact:Gerry Watkins 01633 253209 g.watkins147@btinternet.com

GWYNEDD A MÔN: Contact:David Farrar 01248 362427 davidjfarrar6@gmail.com South Gwynedd Contact;Lynn Hall-Morris 01766 530 798.

MID GLAMORGAN: 14 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, White Cross, Groeswen. See brch website for other events. Brch Contact:Bill Roberts (01443 205693).

NEATH PORT TALBOT SUB-BRANCH: 21 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Ancient Briton, Pen Y Cae. Contact:Wynford Day 01792 830392 07840 737349 wynford.d@hotmail.co.uk

PEMBROKESHIRE: 12 Jul 2pm, Castle Inn, Newport Pembs. 2 Aug 2pm, Cross Inn Beer Fest,

Clarbeston Rd. Contact:Eric Evans 01348 831479(a/f) camrapembrokeshire14@outlook.com

MONTGOMERYSHIRE: Contact:Gareth Marston 07969 526833 gareth.marston@btopenworld.com

RADNORSHIRE: 5 Jul, Rural pubs tour, dep Llandrindod Wells, £10, book at least week before. Contact Dave Gill, radcamradave@outlook.com

SWANSEA: Brch Contact Debra White contact@swanseacamra.org.uk 07970680616.

TEIFI VALLEY SUB-BRANCH: Contact:Jamie Ayres jamie.ayres@zen.co.uk 01559 362582

VALE OF CLWYD: Brch mtgs 3rd Tue of each mnth. Upcoming venues/events - see new brch website. Soc sec Bill Llewelyn 01244 545027 billfromrhyl@btinternet.com

VALE OF GLAMORGAN AND BRIDGEND: 30 AUG 2PM, AGM, EDMONDES ARMS, COWBRIDGE, all welcome, details on website or brch contact. Contact:John Chapman 07901 229622 / 01446 794568

WESSEX

Regional Director John Buckley 01256 892650(h) 07963 237619(m) RD.Wessex@camra.org.uk

E DORSET: 27 Jun 8pm, Brch mtg, Moon in the Square, Bournemouth. 4 Jul 8pm, Poole Beer Fest mtg, Ex Servicemens Club. 5 Jul, Minibus Trip, details at next mtg. 16 Jul, Don’s Spot, meet 1230pm Blue Raddle, Dorchester. 19 Jul, Alton Beer & Bus Day details at next mtg. Contact:Robin Garrett 07956 078150 robin.garrett1961@gmail.com

HEART OF WESSEX SUB-BRANCH: 2 Jul 730pm, open Cttee Mtg, Bennet Arms, Semley. 16 Jul, soc - Wincanton, 815pm Dolphin, 9pm Bear, 945pm Nog Inn. 6 Aug 730pm, open C/M Unicorn, Bayford. Contact:Paul Smith 01747 823574.

ISLE OF WIGHT: 11 Jul, Shanklin walkabout, start 8pm Chine Inn. Contact:Ken Matthews 01983 294377 camraiw@aol.com

E HAMPSHIRE: 12 Jul, Minibus trip to village pubs; meet 1145am Alton Community Ctr. 20 Aug, Alton Walkabout, meet 8pm French Horn, info: website. Dave Tootell 01420 80583. See website.

N HAMPSHIRE: 6 Jul, Family Fun Day, Andwell Brwry, RG27 9PA. 12 Jul, Sixpenny Brwry Open Day, trains to Salisbury, then short bus hop, call John B: 07963 237619 for times. 19 Jul, Alton Classic Bus +Country Pub Running Day, link buses from Basingstoke. 26 Jul, Amesbury, Ludgershall, Weyhill bus trip, meet 1130am John Russell Fox,

ANDOVER: 29 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Basingstoke Sports & Social Club. 14 Aug, Brch trip to GBBF Hat day, meet 1120am Basingstoke rail stn. Details/register interest: social@camrahantsnorth.org.uk Sec: Jeff Salt secretary@camrahantsnorth.org.uk Brch Contact:Phil Myatt 07812 168174 branch-contact@camrahantsnorth.org.uk

PORTSMOUTH & SE HAMPSHIRE: 28 Jun 1pm-, Rose in June, Southsea Pub Beerfest. 1 Jul, Midweek Brighton trip, meet 12noon Evening Star. 12 Jul, London Microbrwry visits, see website. 26 Jul, Summer cider crawl, meet 11am John Jacques. Facebook pg or Contact:Martyn Constable martynconstable@yahoo.co.uk 07970 445507

S HAMPSHIRE: 8 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Obelisk Hotel. Contact:Dave Richardson: social@shantscamra.org.uk 07967 792487 or see website.

SALISBURY & S WILTSHIRE: 27 Jun, Wylye Valley Minibus trip, dep 7pm Coach Stn. 2 JUL 8PM, AGM, CLOISTERS. 16 JUL 8PM, CITY CRAWL MILL, HUNTSMAN, DUST HOLE. 19 Jul, Ebbesbourne & Alvediston bus trip. Brch Contact Andrew Hesketh 07867 504225 andrew.hesketh@salisburycamra.org.uk . Soc Sec Chris McMahon 07776 234017 chris.macmahon@btinternet.com

W DORSET: 9 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Bridport, Rope-makers +others. Events/trips info: Rich Gabe 07771 903868. Brch Contact Tony Egerton 01305 789906(h) 07711 752720(m) agegerton@aol.com

WEST MIDLANDS

Regional Director Gary Timmins, 07737 584 300, RD.WestMidlands@camra.org.uk

REGIONAL MTG: 5 JUL 12NOON, WOLVER-HAMPTON, CAFE METRO, 46 CHURCH ST, BILSTON, WOLVERHAMPTON WV14 0AH

BIRMINGHAM: 3 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg Wellington, 37 Bennetts Hill, B2 5SN. 9 Jul 730pm, Beer Fest Mtg, Craven Arms, Upper Gough St B1 1JG. 12 Jul, Black Country Day Soc, contact socs for info. 21 Jul 730pm, Cttee Mtg, Anchor, Bradford St, Digbeth B5 6ET. 26 Jul, Reg soc, Shropshire Cider Trail, meet New St stn, 1005am train to Shrewsbury. Soc details: socials@birminghamcamra.org.uk Brch Contact Martin Bull contact@birminghamcamra.org.uk

BRIDGNORTH SUB-BRANCH: 28 Jun, Worcs Pubs & Bromsgrove Beer Fest, details tbc. 5 JUL 3PM, TES BRCH AGM, OLD FIGHTING COCKS, OAKENGATES TF2 6DU.11 Jul 730pm, Soc/beer & chat, Hare & Hounds. 29 Jul 8pm, Sub-brch mtg, Davenport Arms, Worfield, 730pm minibus from George. Contact Dave Haddon 07809887159 dhaddon@hotmail.com Telford & E.Shrops events below.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT & S DERBYSHIRE: 26 Jul, Joules Brwry trip, contact May Arthur 01283 542656. 28 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Red Lion, Linton DE12 6PZ. Contact Martin Lawes 01283 815395 martin.lawes1@btopenworld.com

CANNOCK CHASE SUB-BRANCH: 25 Jun, Beer Fest Mtg, Linford Arms, 79 Market Pl, Cannock WS11 0JL. 9 Jul, Sub-Brch mtg, Royal Oak, 8 Norton Ln, Great Wyrley WS6 6PE. All mtgs start 730pm. Contact:Chris Southall ccsbbc@gmail.com

COVENTRY & N WARWICKSHIRE: 1 Jul 830pm, POTY pres, Royal Oak, Kenilworth. 5 Jul 1020am, Stratford X18 bus Trinity St. 8 Jul 830pm, Locale Soc, Aardvark, Queens Rd. 15 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Broomfield. 22 Jul 850pm, Summer Saunter, Bulls Head, Queens Head, Meriden, bus 900 from Pool Meadow 8.24pm. 29 Jul 640pm, Black Country crawl, meet Cov Stn. 2 Aug 1130am, Real Ale Ramble, Claybrook Marsh, bus 13 from Hales St to Binley. Contact:Paul Hamblett 024 7641 7675.

DUDLEY & S STAFFORDSHIRE: 30 Jun 8pm, Brch Mtg + soc, New Inn, Wombourne WV59EY. 3 Jul, Soc, Dudley Canal Trust BF DY1 4SB. 5 Jul, W.M. Reg Mtg, Café Metro, Bilston WV14 6AH 12pm. 8 Jul 8pm, DWAF Mtg, Park Inn, Woodsetton DY1 4LW. 11 Jul 12pm, Hereford Beer Fest, Rowing Club HR4 OBE soc. 12 Jul, Black Country Beer Day, Brch/Reg Soc, start Rising Sun Tipton BF 1230pm, Court House BF 3pm +3others, website for update of day/other events. 14 Jul, Official Black Country Day. 16 Jul, Blackheath Scores Crawl see website. 26 Jul, S.Staffs Crawl by minibus contact soc sec. 28 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Tamebridge Tipton, DY4 7JA. 30 Jul, Yng Membs soc, Jolly Crispin 730pm, feat Beer + Board games. Contact Soc Sec Pete Clarkson 07912285030 scousecanary1968@yahoo.co.uk

HEART OF STAFFORDSHIRE: 3 Jul 9pm, BF planning mtg, Sun Inn, Stafford ST17 4JX. 4 Jul 8pm, Soc, Spittal Brook BF, Stafford ST17 4LP. 5 Jul 11am, BF publicity, Poste of Stone Farmers Market, ST15 8AB. 12 Jul 11am, BF publicity, Market Sq, Stafford Farmers Market. 19 Jul 930am, Soc, Manchester Pubs, Stafford stn. 20 Jul 12noon, Soc, Sunday lunch, Old Swan, Uttoxeter. ST14 8HN. 22 Jul 8pm, Soc, Pub quiz, Greyhound, Stafford, ST16 2PU. 24 Jul 8pm, BF mtg, Sun Inn, Stafford, ST17 4 JX. 31 Jul 6pm, Soc, Stafford Beer Fest, ST17 9AB. Brch Contact Mike Harker 07717473935

HEART OF WARWICKSHIRE: All at 830pm. 1 Jul 830pm, Magazine Distr, Moorings, end Cape of Good Hope. 8 Jul 830pm, Country, White Lion Radford, White Hart Ufton, Bowling Green Southam, Olde Mint Southam, Market Tavern Southam. 15 Jul 8pm, Leamington, Newbold Comyn Arms, Somerville, Regency Arms, Royal Pug, Benjamin Satchwell. 22 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Wild Boar, Warwick. 29 Jul 830, Country, Fox & Hen Bascote, Duck on the Pond, Long Itchington, Buck & Bell, Harvester. Brch Contact:John Crossling 07925633173 chairman@camrahow.org.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE: Contact:Ian Curtis 01544232754 contact@herefordcamra.org.uk. Trips: 07906058315 social@herefordcamra.org.uk.

LICHFIELD, SUTTON & TAMWORTH: Mtgs start 8pm. 7 Jul, Mtg, Malt Bar, 55 Wade St, Lichield WS13 6HL. 4 Aug, Brch mtg, Office, Church Rd, Warton B79 0JN. Contact:George Greenaway 07712893353 ggreenaway@hotmail.com

MARKET DRAYTON SUB-BRANCH: Contact: TBC, see Telford and E.Shropshire.

NUNEATON & BEDWORTH: 28 Jun 1pm, Soc, Griffin Beer Fest, Shustoke. 1 Jul 8pm, Cttee mtg, Crown, Nuneaton. 9 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Lord Nelson, Ansley. Contact Ray Buckler r-buckler@talktalk.net 024 76393191 or 07443001782

POTTERIES: 28 Jun, Coach trip to Membs Open Day, Joule’s Brwry, Market Drayton, pickup 1045am Congress Inn, Longton, 1055am Stoke Rail Stn, 11am Hopinn (New Albert), Newcastle, arrive 1110am Smithfield, Hanley then Butcher’s Arms (Joule’s), Forsbrook for free pint, 2pm Brwry tour/tasting, dep 5pm +stop Shroppie Fly, Audlem +Burtphore Inn, Aston, dep 8pm for drop offs, coach £10-12 tbc, MEMBS ONLY. 3 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Duke William, St John’s Sq, Burslem. 4 Jul 8pm-, Monthly soc, Smithfield, Lower Bethesda St, Hanley, ST1 3DE all welcome! 5 Jul, Annual Potteries CAMRAmble inc PotM, Traveller’s Rest, Stanley, villages of Bagnall, Stanley, Denford +Cheddleton, crossing Stanley Pool +Deep Hayes Country Park, Leek bus18 Hanley Bus Stn 10.06am to Stockton Brook PO, return Hanley bus16, First Day ticket adv +waterproofs, walking boots, trekking pole +packed lunch. 12 Jul, Coach trip, Bishop’s Castle Ale Fest, Shrops, beer fest at 6 pubs, inc Three Tuns Inn +Castle Hotel, pickups Congress Inn, Longton 930am, Stoke Rail Stn 940am, Smithfield, Hanley 945am, Sneyd Arms, Higherland, Newcastle 955am, arr Three Tuns 1130am, then other 5 pubs, dep 730pm Six Bells, drop off Sneyd Arms 905pm, Smithfield 915pm, Stoke Rail Stn 920pm, Congress Inn 930pm, Coach £10-12 TBC. 23 Jul 8pm, Stoke Beer Fest Mtg, Congress, Sutherland Rd ST3 1HJ, membs only. 26 Jul, Newcastle Pub crawl +curry celebrating 40th anniversry Potteries Brch, start 2pm Sneyd Arms host of 1st Potteries Brch mtg, Waggon & Horses, Boat & Horses, Old Brown Jug, Old Bulls Head +George & Dragon, then curry at Mr Malik’s 8pm, info/meal booking James Melia. Chairman/Contact:Corin Brown chair. camrapotteries@gmail.com 07841 022 236. Soc Sec: James Melia socials.camrapotteries@gmail.com 07901 952 498 info or to book coach trips (£5 deposit pp rqd).

REDDITCH & BROMSGROVE: Brch Contact:Paul Richards paul@rbcamra.org.uk

RUGBY: 27 Jun 830pm, Final Fri 4, Seven Stars, then Alexandra Arms, Bank +London Calling. 5 Jul 1pm, Rugby Fest of Culture, visit 8 pubs, start Raglan, end Victoria 615pm. 12 Jul 1130am, Minibus to 9 Southern pubs on Warwickshire 40 Ale Trail. 16 JUL 830PM BRCH AGM, MERCHANTS INN. 25 Jul 830pm, Final Fri 4, Bell Hillmorton, then Red Lion, Paddox +Victoria. Brch Contact:malcolmharding@mail.com 07803 777987.

SHAKESPEARE: Info on website or contact@shakespearecamra.org.uk

SHREWSBURY & W SHROPSHIRE: 28 Jun, Beerfest reward trip Worcester. 2 Jul 8pm, Mtg, Shrewsbury Hotel. 12/13 Jul 12noon-5pm, Oswestry Food & Drink Fest Beertasting, Oswestry Stn. 14 JUL 8PM, AGM, SALOPIAN BAR. 15 Jul, PTG Beerscoring trip, Ludlow. 21 Jul 7pm, Ctee Mtg, Nags Head. 25 Jul 7pm, Beerscoring trip Salopian Bar. Soc Trips: Dave Grainger 01743 358975 Public transport trips Pete Duckers 01743-359903

SOLIHULL & DISTRICT: 7 Jul 830pm, Brch Mtg, Wharf, Hockley Heath. 12 Jul, Soc, Worcester train trip, phone for details. 21 Jul, Cttee Mtg, Plume of Feathers, Shirley. 4 Aug 830pm, Brch Mtg, Saddlers, Solihull. Brch contact Allan Duffy 01564 200431 secretary@solihullcamra.org.uk

STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS SUB BRANCH: Contact:Graham Brown Graham@harveybrown.freeserve.co.uk 07976 284 846 (out of office hrs).

STOURBRIDGE & HALESOWEN: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Longlands PH, Western Rd, S’Bridge. 5 Jul, Thankyou Trip to Derby, 10am pickup, Wordsley, 1015am Duke William, S’Bridge, 1030am Halesowen Bus Stop nr Swin Baths. 12 Jul 12noon, Black Country Beer Day, Royal Exchange onwards. 16 Jul 7pm, Memb Night + Brch 40th, Green Duck Brewery. Contact, Si Genner 07757 083543, or simon181071@hotmail.com or see website.

TELFORD & E SHROPSHIRE: 5 JUL 3PM, AGM, UPSTAIRS IN YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS, OAKEN-GATES. Contact:Paul Jones 01952 460456 paul.jones@caskale.net or Jeremy Baily 01952 243083 BlackHaddock@hotmail.co.uk

WALSALL: 7 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, Walsall CC, Gorway Rd WS1 3BE. 19 Jul, Brch Soc Derby Coach trip inc Dancing Duck Brwry, Ian Hayward 07795 215655 for info. Contact Steve Wainwright 07810 058343 contact@walsallCAMRA.org

WOLVERHAMPTON: 28 Jun 130pm, Cider PotY Pres, Harrows, 1235pm No76 bus Stafford St. 3 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Swan, Compton. 5 Jul 12noon, WM Reg Mtg, Café Metro, Bilston. 7 Jul, Young Membs Posada Club, Broughs Brwy visit, meet 7pm Posada. 12 Jul, Brch Trip to Bishop’s Castle Real Ale Fest, pick up 11am Faulkland St, £12, Fully Booked. 19 Jul, BF Thank you trip to Huddersfield, Faulkland St CP 10am, Book at BF. 29 Jul, Evening trip to Weatheroak Brwy/Studley, Pick up 7pm Faulkland St, book w/Amanda Sambrooks 07900 860164 only 20 seats. 4 Aug 8pm, Young Membs Posada Club/Jnt Mtg w/Dudley YM, Posada, All ages + non-membs welcome. 7 Aug 8pm, Brch Mtg Great Western, Bradley. Contact:John Nightingale 01902 850509/07808324805 johnenightingale@hotmail.com

WORCESTER: Soc trips contact:Alan Grainger

07967 546591 grainger882@btinternet.com Contact:contact@worcestercamra.org.uk

WYRE FOREST BRANCH: 1 Jul 745pm, New Membs Soc/Meet the Brwr, Swan, Kidderminster DY10 1DE. 5 Aug 745pm, Brch mtg, Olde New Inn, Pound Green DY12 3LF. All welcome at brch mtgs. Brch contact:Nick Rubery 07812 451547 or v8nickr@gmail.com

WEST PENNINES

Regional Director Ray Jackson 01253 404143(h) 07759102583 (m), RD.WestPennines@camra.org.uk

NAT CIDER CHAMP SILVER PRES: 12 JUL 2PM, , SWAN WITH TWO NECKS, PENDLETON, LANCS.

WP CIDER POTY +CUMBRIAN POTY PRES: 26 JUL 4PM, GEORGE & DRAGON, DENT. 5 JUL 1230/1PM, LANCASHIRE BRCHES MTG, OLD TOWN HALL, POULTON FY6 7AP.

LANCASHIRE BRCHES MTG: 5 JUL 12.30 FOR 1PM, OLD TOWN HALL, POULTON FY6 7AP. CONTACT:MAGGIE HODGKISS BRANCHCONTACT_11@BLACKPOOLCAMRA.ORG.UK 01253 770854

REGIONAL ELECTION: MAY 2015. ANY MEMB IN THIS REGION INTERESTED IS INVITED TO CONTACT CURRENT RD, RAY JACKSON FOR FURTHER INFO.

BLACKPOOL, FYLDE & WYRE: 26 Jun, Brch mtg, Swift Hound FY1 5EP. 15 Jul, Cttee mtg, Cedar Tavern FY1 1BP. 18 Jul Hawkshead Brwry Summer Beer Fest trip [St. A: 1720; Bpl: 1740; Fwd: 1800 Ttn: 1810 Ptn: 1820]. 22 Jul, Brch mtg, Steamer, Fleetwood FY7 6BT. 24 Jul 8pm, PotS pres, Poulton Elk, Poulton FY6 7SR2. Aug Lancs + Lune Valley trip. [St. A: 1000; Bpl: 1020; Fwd: 1040; Ttn: 1050; Ptn: 1100]. Contact:Maggie Hodgkiss branchcontact_14@blackpool.camra.org.uk 01253 770854

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE: 10 Jul 8pm, POTS Pres, Market Ale House, Leyland. 11 Jul 830pm, Brch Soc, Moorbrook, Preston. 16 Jul, Ale Cry Dist Crawl Bispham Green, Minibus 7pm Old Vicarage, Preston, book w/Paul Riley 01772 709272. 31 Jul 8pm, Cttee mtg, Old Vic, Preston. 2 Aug, Wilson Potter Brwry trip, Middleton, Minibus 1230pm Old Vicarage, Preston/1250pm Chorley Rail Stn, book w/Paul Riley 01772 709272. Contact : Dave Linley 01772735628 clcamra@rocketmail.com

E LANCASHIRE: 5 Jul 2pm, Brch Mtg, Fountain, Church St, Barnoldswick. 12 Jul 2pm, Pres, Buffer Stops, Railway Stn, Bury Rd, Rawtenstall. 19 Jul, Embsay Steam Railwy. 6 Aug 745pm, Brch Mtg, Talbot, Church St, Burnley. Contact Pete Clegg peteclegg222@gmail.com for places +visits/trips info. Contact : Phil Drew 01254 232936 or 07788 986789 or philip.drew@yahoo.co.uk

FURNESS: 5 Jul 1pm, Brch mtg, Unsworth Yard Brwry, Cartmel. Contact:Dave Latham 01229 467238 dave.latham@talktalk.net or see website.

LUNESDALE: Contact Martin Sherlock 01524 66131 secretary@lunesdalecamra.org.uk.

SOLWAY: 5 Jul, Ale Trail Soc, Carlisle city ctr, meet 2pm Griffin. 11 Jul, PotS Ale Trail Soc, Wheatsheaf, Wetheral & nearby pubs, bus dep 720pm Stanwix, 730pm Crescent, £5, booking rqd. 21 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Blue Bell, Annan. Contact Paul re bus details. All membs welcome. Socs: Paul Claringbold 01228 593253. Mtgs: Alan Welsh 07908 691450 SolwayCAMRA@hotmail.co.uk

SOUTHPORT & WEST LANCS: See under Merseyside & Cheshire.

W CUMBRIA: 2 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater. 6 Aug 8pm, Brch mtg, Brown Cow, Waberthwaite . Mtgs start 8pm, aim to end at 930pm, then soc. 2 Jul, Kirkstyle Inn, Loweswater. Brch Contact:Stephen Walker contact@ westcumbriacamra.org.uk Transport contact Brian Maudling brianmaudling@gmail.com 07972050679.

WESTMORLAND: 4 Jul 730pm, Tasting Cttee Beer tasting event, Beer Hall Staveley, minibus dep 7pm Kendal Bus Stn. 14 Jul 730pm, Brch mtg, Platos, Kirkby Lonsdale, minibus 7pm Kendal Bus Stn. 21 Jul, Beer fest planning mtg, Ruskins, Kendal. 26 Jul, Reg Cider POTY Pres, George & Dragon, Dent 4pm, minibus dep Kendal Bus Stn 11am, pres preceded by ramble. Contact:Tony Jackson a.jackson52@btinternet.com 01539 447845/ 07811 217073.

YORKSHIRE

Regional Director Mick Moss 01709 852711(h), RD.Yorkshire@camra.org.uk

BARNSLEY: 2 Jul 730pm, Wombwell survey pt 3, meet 730pm Mitchell & Darfield Soc Club. 25 Jul, PotS pres, Commercial, Summer Lane, Barnsley, award around 9pm. 29 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg +Soc, Crown Inn Elsecar, 724pm train Barnsley stn. Contact/Soc Sec:Margaret Croft 01226 714492(h) 07734 155792(m) socials@barnsleycamra.org.uk

BRADFORD: All events start 8pm on Wed unless otherwise stated. 2 Jul, POtY Pres, Haigys BD8 7QU. 9 Jul, Brch mtg, Salamander Brwry BD4 9PH. 17 Jul, RAH (other events available), New Beehive BD1 3AA. 23 Jul, Station, Harecroft BD15 0BP, George, Cullingworth BD13 5HN. 30 Jul, Ilkley, Yard LS29 8DE, Dalesway LS29 8DH, Crescent LS29 8DG. 6 Aug, Brch mtg, Ginger Goose BD1 1EY. Contact:John Bell 07773922016 john.bell1957@btinternet.com

CLEVELAND: 8 Jul 7pm, Open Brch mtg, Unicorn, Norton. 18 Jul, Firsty Fri. For more details/updates see website. Book trip w/Alex Roe alex.camrasocial@virginmedia.com or text 07809708117 (no calls pls). Brch contact Andy Bell 01642 231351 Adbellcamra@f2s.com.

DONCASTER & DISTRICT: 3 Jul, Yng membs, sports night, Ballers Sports Bar, Meet 730pm free pool & snooker for CAMRA membs, beer from Doncaster Brwry (£2 50 a pint), Older membs also welcome. 7 Jul, Ale & Folk music eve, Ukranian Club Wheatley catch bus 76 747pm. 10 Jul, Soc, Glasshouse, Kirk Sandall, come early for pie/chips + a pint (£5.95), music quiz 9pm, Bus84 630pm/same time every hr. 14 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Wheatsheaf, Armthorpe, Bus82 710pm. 15 Jul, Town PotS, Eden Arms, Edenthorpe Bus87 720pm, Pres 9pm. 26 Jul, Coach trip to Sandtoft Trolley Bus Museum for annual meet, Beer tent by Nick from Little Plough, Coach from West St 630pm, rtn 1045pm, cost £5 (inc entrance + trolley bus ride). 31 Jul, Town crawl, Meet Salutation from 730pm. Info: Carole Leonard Spice123queen@aol.com 07973969046

HALIFAX & CALDERDALE: All Events start 8pm unless otherwise stated. 28 Jun 12noon, Preston trip, details from contact. 3 JUL 8PM, BRCH MTG & AGM, WORKS, SOWERBY BRIDGE. 16 Jul, Soc, 8-10pm Dean Clough, 1904, John Crossleys Bar, Old Post Office, Percy Shaw. 24 Jul 8pm, Open Cttee Mtg, Sportsman, Ploughcroft. Info: Sec Edward Lee secretary@hxcalderdalecamra.org.uk 01274 672165/ 0794 6871124.

HARROGATE & RIPON: 12 Jul 2.30pm, POTY Pres, Black Bull, Boroughbridge, 1152am bus from Harrogate. 16 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, Hunter’s Inn, Pool 710pm bus from Harrogate. 24 Jul, Soc Sheffield

Crawl, 1105am train from Leeds. Brch Contact Geoff Mayne 07812 824919 harcamra@hotmail.co.uk

HEAVY WOOLLEN: 7 Jul 8pm, Mtg, New Inn, Robert-town. 24 Jul, soc, 8pm Rising Sun, Scholes, 845pm Stafford, 930pm New Pack Horse. Contact Paul Dixey 01924 420029(h/w) pauldixey@iee.org

HUDDERSFIELD & DISTRICT: 7 Jul 8pm, Double pres Rat & Ratchet, Huddersfield. 21 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg Red & Green Club, Milnsbridge. Contacts Bob Tomlinson 01484 355378 (w) 01484 654062 (h) info@huddscamra.org.uk

HULL & E YORKSHIRE: Contact Steve Purdie slpurdie@slpurdie.karoo.co.uk 07976 872298

KEIGHLEY & CRAVEN: 1 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Willow Tree, Riddlesden. 12 Jul 843am, Camramble Grange-Over-Sands to Kents Bank Via Cartmel +Cark, Train Keighley to Carnforth, then to Grange. 15 Jul, PotS Pres, Clarendon, Hebden. 5 Aug 8pm, Brch Mtg, King’s Arms, Silsden.Contact:Graham Cundall 01756 796167 info@keighleyandcravencamra.org.uk

LEEDS: 1 Jul 730pm,Open Cttee Mtg Packhorse, Woodhouse La, Leeds. 3 Jul 730pm, Rural POTY Pres Chequers, Claypit La, Ledsham. 10 Jul 8pm, City Centre Soc, Tapped, Boar La then 915pm Friends of Ham, New Station St. 26 Jul 1pm, Canal Walk Soc, meet Kirkstall Bridge Inn. 5 Aug 730pm, Open Cttee Mtg, Grove, Back Row, Holbeck. Brch Contact:social.secretary@leeds-camra.com

NW YORKSHIRE: 9 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Wheatsheaf, Borrowby. Contact:Vince Rutland 01609 780536 or camra_nwyorks@yahoo.co.uk

ROTHERHAM: Further details see website.

SCARBOROUGH: 3 Jul 730pm, Brch Mtg, Cask, Cambridge Terr, Scarborough off Ramshill Rd. 2 Aug 130pm, (Sat) Brch Mtg, Crown Hotel Suddabys Wheelgate, Malton. Contact:Mike Webdale 07971 868545 (m) mikewebdale@gmx.com

SHEFFIELD & DISTRICT: 1 Jul 8pm, Brch mtg, Lees Hall Golf Club, Hemsworth Rd S8 8LL. 8 Jul 8pm, PotM Pres, New Barrack Tavern, 601 Penistone Rd S6 2GA. 15 Jul 8pm, Beer Fest Planning Mtg, Gardeners Rest, 105 Neepsend Lane S3 8AT. 22 Jul 8pm, Beer Matters Dist & Cttee mtg, Rutland Arms. 26 Jul 12pm, Annual Beer Census, phone for routes/times. 5 Aug 8pm, Brch mtg, Fat Cat, 23 Alma St S3 8SA. Contact:Richard Ryan 07432 293513 (m)

WAKEFIELD: 3 Jul 8pm, Brch Mtg, Red Lion, Ossett. 5 Jul, Kirkhamgate/Wrenthorpe Survey, meet 1230pm Kirkhamgate Stn. Sec/Events Sec Mark Goodair, markgoodair@googlemail.com Mob 0777 9029374.

YORK: 24 Jun 830pm, Brch Mtg, Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement YO1 9UP. 10 Jul 830pm, Town Summer POTS, Volunteer Arms, 5 Watson St YO24 4BH. 12 Jul, Country Summer POTS, Jolly Farmers, York Rd, Leavening YO17 9SA, bus dep 12noon ret by 7pm, £8. 18 Jul, Frid 5, 730pm Brigantes, 815pm Victoria Vaults, 47 Nunnery Lane YO23 1AB. 26 Jul, Weekend cycle-Beverley, details Andy mirthworldtour@hotmail.com 29 Jul 830pm, Brch Mtng, Brigantes, 114 Micklegate YO1 6JX. Buses dep Memorial Gdns, Leeman Rd nr Westgate apartmnts (YO26 4ZF), must be booked w/Paul Cranfield, 07901 014354 paul.cranfield@york.ac.uk More event info see website. York membs signup to Karl’s email network for regular news/info. Real Ale in York”, now only £3 to Public, £2 to CAMRA + £1 P+P from Matt Grant, 7 Spey Bank, York, YO24 2UZ. Contact Karl Smith 01904 794883 karl.david.smith@ntlworld.com

ISLE OF MAN

For Regional Director see West Pennines.

ISLE OF MAN: Contact:Angela Aspin angelajaspin@manx.net 01624 617293,(M)07624 491613.

NORTHERN IRELAND

For Regional Director see Scotland

N IRELAND: Mnthly Brch Mtg- 2nd Tue mth 7pm, Bridge House, Belfast. 28 Jun, Belfast Pub Crawl.19 Jul 2pm, Pub Crawl, Crown Bar. 30 Jul 12pm, Luncheon Club, Dirty Duck. See website calendar for details/updates. Brch contact Philip Hernberg, chaircontact@camrani.org.uk 07850 469867

CHANNEL ISLES

For Regional Director see Wessex

GUERNSEY: Meet 2nd Thu of each mnth in diff pubs, Details on website, or call Eileen 01481 710531. Email: secretary@camrabog.org.uk

JERSEY: Contact Brch Sec branch@camrajersey.org.je

EBCU MEMBERS

http://ebcu.org/

AUSTRIA: BierIG Österreich. Contact:Jörg Prähauser. Address: Kirchstättstraße 25, 5162 Obertrum am See, Österreich info@bierig.org www.bierig.org

BELGIUM: Zythos vzw. Contact:Tommy Van Ouystel Address: Hoevestraat 30, B-3850 Nieuwerken, België. T +32 (0)11 58 13 36 rvb@zythos.be www.zythos.be

CZECH REPUBLIC: Karel Benacek czech-beer-tours.eu pratelepiva.cz +420 602 230 510 www.pratelepiva.cz

DENMARK: Danske Ølentusiaster Contact:Secretariat, Kirkeskovvej 1, DK-4660 Store Heddinge. Tel +45 4582 3400 Mon-Fri 9-12noon. sekretariat@ale.dk www.ale.dk

FINLAND: Olutliitto r.y Särkiniementie 10A1 00210 Helsinki Finland Phone +358407027870 www.olutlitto.fi

ITALY: Unionbirrai: Andrea Sclausero, andreasclausero@yahoo.it www.unionbirrai.com

IRELAND: Beoir Contact:admin@beoir.org Home page: www.beoir.org

THE NETHERLANDS: Vereniging Promotie Informatie Traditioneel Bier (PINT) Contact:Sabine Schipper- Wellink. Address: Postbus 3757, 1001 AN Amsterdam, Nederland. T: +31 6 48018116 info@pint.nl www.pint.nl

NORWAY: Bent Engen Tel +47 90 89 19 98 post@nor-ale.org www.nor-ale.org

POLAND: Bractwo Piwne. Contact:Marek Suliga. Address: ul. Piotrkowska 6, 90-270 Łód, Poland wielkimistriz@bractwopiwne.pl www.bractwopiwne.pl

SWEDEN: Svenska Ölfrämjandet (SÖ) Contact:Thomas Nilsson PO Box 16244, SE-10325 Stockholm, Sweden info@Svenskaolframjandet.se www.svenskaolframjandet.se

SWITZERLAND: Association des Buveurs d’Orges (ABO). Address: Case postale 2, CH-1800 Vevey 1, Switzerland. www.abo-ch.org/info@abo-ch.org. Contact:Nick Bersinger / nick.bersinger@romandie.com

USA: Cask Conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) Contact:Mark Bowers Address: 398 Columbus Avenue, Box 182, Boston, MA 02116 T 781-572-2208 casc@nerax.org www.nerax.org email.

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 17WHAT’S ON

REAL ALE PUBS

FOR SALE

BEER FESTIVALS

18 WHAT’S ON WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014

BEER FESTIVAL EQUIPMENT

For the hire of barrel stillages, cooling, taps, bars and morebarrel 9gl stillages/racking

12 x 9gl brls, to 96 brlschiller saddles, insulation

jackets, chillers, tapsBar units 2 metres long,

flooring/staging, hand pumpsPhotos and very competitive

prices on the web sitewww.beerfestivalequipment.co.uk

Tel: 07770 938300Based near Bicester

5th ANNUAL AUGUST BEER FESTIVAL

Fri 22nd Aug – Mon 25th Aug (BH)12.00 midday till 11pm

30+ Beers and 8+ handpumps on the bar 8+ CidersLive music and food available including hog roastwww.mcgivernales.co.uk

Ruabon Station less then 5 minutes away!BRIDGE END INN, BRIDGE STREET,

RUABON, WREXHAM, N WALES, LL14 6DA

CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2011 and 2012 Finalist

CRICKETCAMRA tents for members and all their guests only

Wed 13 Aug, Kent v SussexFri 15 to Mon 18 Aug, Kent v Hants*

Wed 20 Aug, Kent v Middlesex

at CanterburyReal ales and cider

1100 (1200 on 13 & 20 Aug) to close of play

* If the match ends early the tent may not open on the 4th day. Ring below to check.

Details: www.camra-canterbury.org.ukContact: Gill Keay 01227 463478

gillandgerrykeay@btinternet.com

The Star Innat Glossop, Derbyshire

BEERFESTIVAL

18th – 20th July(opens midday each day)

20 plus ales & cidersSponsored by Howard Town

& Rossendale Breweries

THE OLD MOSELEY ARMSSUMMER BEER FESTIVAL

Starts midday �ursday July 10th until Sunday July 13th

Live music and food available through out

�e Old Moseley Arms53 Tindal Street, Balsallheath, Birmingham B12 9QU

Tel: 0121 440 1954

Rushden HistoricalRushden HistoricalRushden HistoricalRushden Historical Transport SocietyTransport SocietyTransport SocietyTransport Society

Station Approach, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 0AW

01933 318988

BEER AND BEER AND BEER AND BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVAL

26 – 28 SEPTEMBER 2014

CAMRA Award Winning Real Ale Bar (CAMRA National Club of the Year 2010

Runner-Up 2011 & 2012)

Live BandsLive BandsLive BandsLive Bands

Steam Hauled Train Rides on Preserved Railway Line

For more information visit For more information visit For more information visit For more information visit www.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.uk

Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535

FOR SALEWestfalia SAMR 5036 centrifuge

Seitz 40/30 stainless steel 40cm plate filter

Stainless steel tanks:61,500 litre vertical stainless steel storage tanks x3

32,700 litre horizontal insulated stainless steel tank x113,600 litre horizontal x1

10,000 litre vertical x62,500 litre vertical x1

800 litre rectangular tank x1700 litre square tanks on wheels x2

Many other sizes availableplus pumps, valves etc

Contact Jeremy Brittain on07710 272827or 01302 751444email j.brittain@btconnect.com

www.eastfieldprocessequipment.co.uk

CAMRA small adsFor CAMRA festivals see page 15To advertise here call 020 8962 3020 or email advertising@camra.org.uk

LYMPSTONE BEER FESTIVAL

4th 5th 6th July24 real ales and 9 ciders7 bands on throughout

the weekendBBQ

Bar open all day 10am - midnight

8th SIBA South East Beer Festival

Friday 11th July – Sunday 13th July

150+ Ales & Ciders Details at www.southeastbeerfest.org.uk

Held atTJ Rugby Club, The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1HA

FREE ENTRY

DRY DODDINGTONNr NEWARK

THE WHEATSHEAF INNANNUAL BEER FESTIVAL

1-3 August 2014 Over 20 Real Ales

Live Music throughout the weekendFood available

See website for updates: www.wheatsheaf-pub.co.ukSponsored by Poachers Brewery

YOU’RE NEVER FAR FROM A GOODPINT WITH A CAMRA LOCAL GUIDEKingston (2010) £3.50Dumfries & Galloway (2010) £2.00A Real Ale Guide to Sheffield and District (2011) £4.95New Forest Pub Guide (2011) £5.99Herefordshire Pubs (2011) £4.95Oxford, Witney & Abingdon (2011) £5.99Real Ale Guide: Newark, Southwell & District (2012) £4.00Barnsley Local Guide (2013) £3.00Edinburgh & SE Scotland (2013) £3.50

Postage and Packing Please add the following postage to all orders: Orders up to £9.99: postage = £1.50, orders between £10 and £22: postage = £2.00, orders between £22.01 and £29.99: postage = £2.50, orders between £30 and £39.99: postage = £3.00, orders of £40 and above: postage = £4.00. Orders will normally be dispatched within 10 working days. This could extend to 15 days in peak periods.

CAMRA HQ currently stocks these guides:

Please add the following postage to all orders: Orders up to £9.99: postage = £1.50, orders between £10 and £22:

BREWING COURSES

HOLIDAYS

GLASSWARE & PROMOTIONAL

www.camra.org.uk for latest news 19CLASSIFIED

TOUR 72 HOPS & POPS 18-22 Sept 2014

TOUR 73 BEER & BATTLEFIELDS CENTENARY 23-28 Oct

TOUR 74 CHRISTMAS IN BRUGES 22-26 Dec 2014www.podgebeer.co.uk

Ring 01245 354677 for detailsDriving people to drink since 1994

SOLD OUT

Rushden HistoricalRushden HistoricalRushden HistoricalRushden Historical Transport SocietyTransport SocietyTransport SocietyTransport Society

Station Approach, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 0AW

01933 318988

BEER AND BEER AND BEER AND BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVALMUSIC FESTIVAL

26 – 28 SEPTEMBER 2014

CAMRA Award Winning Real Ale Bar (CAMRA National Club of the Year 2010

Runner-Up 2011 & 2012)

Live BandsLive BandsLive BandsLive Bands

Steam Hauled Train Rides on Preserved Railway Line

For more information visit For more information visit For more information visit For more information visit www.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.ukwww.rhts.co.uk

Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535Registered Charity No. 285535

The deadline for

August’sWhat’s

Brewing is

4 July

INDUSTRY INSIDER

KEG BUSTER BY BILL TIDY

BEER BUSINESS

M&B PICKS ORCHIDMITCHELLS & Butlers (M&B) is in talks to buy 170 Orchid pubs for more than £250m. M&B is understood to have offered £266m for the pubco which runs Pizza Kitchen & Bar and the Great British Carvery.

PLATING UP PROFITSLONDON Pride brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner said like-for-like sales at its managed pubs showed robust growth in the year ended March, and it is food that’s driving the business.Chief executive Simon Emeny said food was becoming, and is now, a critical part of how it runs pubs in southern England.” with sales increasing by more than eight per cent.

YOUNG’S PUBS PERFORMYOUNG’S pub company reports profit before tax was up 24 per cent to £26.1m in its year to March.Chief executive Stephen Goodyear said: “This was another excellent year, with strong revenue and profit growth.”

CASTLE ROCKNOTTINGHAM brewer and pub operator Castle Rock has 20 pubs in the Midlands and not 11 as stated in WB June’s p16 Beer Business. Apologies for any confusion.

PROOF GIANT PUBCOS ARE KILLING OUR PUBS

AS the dust settles on the Queens Speech and zytho-philes continue to debate the new statutory code of practice, an interview I did recently throws it all into sharp relief.

I met Paul Crossman, who leases the Swan in Clementhorpe, York from Punch Taverns but also owns, with business partner John Farrow, three York freehouses – the Slip Inn (100 yards from the Swan), Volunteer Arms and Woolpack.

Paul talked about being in the rare position of having a foot in both camps and pulled no punches:

“Based on our rents at the Swan – we could pay off our mortgage on the Slip in 10 years. It’s enor-mously more expensive to rent the pub up there than to buy the pub down here.”

You have someone here who is in the direct line of fire of a national pubco and mitigates their pervasive competitive disadvantages by co-owning the three other freehouses.

He outlined the naked avarice of national pub companies which seem intent on wringing every last drop of income from their pubs: “The profit

Punch takes is about a quarter of our turnover, which doesn’t leave us an awful lot to run a business.”

Not content with prohibitive rents, pubcos force licensees to purchase beer at premiums of up to 80 per cent above free market prices available to competing pubs nearby. My interviewee left me in no doubt as to the gravity of the situation: “Regu-lating the pubco industry is desperately needed.”

You have only got to take a look at the Slip, Volunteer Arms and Wool-pack to see the antithesis of the punitive business practices of the big pubcos that ensures 84 per cent of tied licensees earn less than £15,000 a year.

Crossman and Farrow, and entrepreneurs like them, ensure it’s boom time in York at the moment – a city blessed with a wealth of freehouses and boutique pub companies serving nearly 300 real ales at any one time.

These pubs are popular because they “do the right thing.” They stock local beers and produce plus charge competitive prices.

“We’ve got great rela-tionships with a lot of local

businesses and breweries. You can strike up these kinds of relationships through a free house – you can’t do it with a pub chain, they won’t let you get near the brewers.”

They are collaborative, innovative and, most importantly, have an in-depth territory knowl-edge, which gives them a business agility nationals can only dream of.

These local entrepre-neurs have a blueprint that is illustrative of what a post-legislative pub land-scape could have looked like with the dismantling of the unfair business practices of the national pubcos ensuring a level playing field for tied licen-sees, including fair market rents and beer prices.

If full pubco reform happens in a future parlia-ment, licensees will finally be able to earn a fair wage commensurate with their abilities; a huge new market would open up for the microbreweries that are the vanguard of the present beer revolution; the consumer would have better choice at competi-tive prices and the whole industry would work to the advantage of the vast majority, instead of being cynically skewed to deliver dividends to a small group of shareholders and super-annuated chief executives.

Most importantly, it would protect the social and architectural fabric of the nation by saving many pubs that are being artifi-cially driven into oblivion

which, as Paul Crossman’s pubs prove, would actually be commercially successful with the correct business model in place.

The man with direct knowledge of both busi-ness models sums it up perfectly:

“Our freehouses are thriving and these were pubs don’t forget, that the pubcos were trying to close as unsustainable – the fact is that they’re only unsus-tainable under the pubco model.”� Freelance writer Nick Love is the current beer and pubs columnist for digital magazine YorkMix. Nick complements articles with pub podcasts. He is a British Guild of Beer Writers member and active York CAMRA member.

Beer and pub writer Nick Love gives his insider view on just why securing pubco reform was such an important campaign

Great deals on pub walks books See the best of London, Edinburgh, Lake District, Peak District and the South East while never straying too far from a perfect pint. www.camra.org.uk/books

20 AND FINALLY WHAT’S BREWING JULY 2014