Middle Ruddings

WhatAles?SUMMER 2013

West Cumbria CAMRAPub of the Year

BranchOfficers• Chair: KathrynFlagner kathryn.flagner@hotmail.co.uk or 07756 807804

Secretary: vacant

Vice-Chair &Membership Secretary: Chris Halemembership@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Treasurer: BrianMaudling brianmaudling@gmail.com

Public AffairsOfficers: Stephen Walker07747 084039;contact@westcumbriacamra.org.uk Ros Berry ros.berry@btinternet.com

Pubs Officers: Data:vacant Awards andLocAle: AndyRoberts pubsofficer@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Socials & Transport:Eileen Lithgow,eileenlithgow@hotmail.com or 01946820041 and GeoffLithgow, geofflithgow@hotmail.com or 0785502 2936

Webmistress: Chris de Cordovawebmistress@westcumbriacamra.org.uk or 01946 62986

Equipment: Bob &Catriona Groat01946 821420 orequipment@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Auditor: Ann Fisher

Views and opinionsexpressed are notnecessarily those ofthe editors, the WestCumbria branch or ofCAMRA Ltd. We cantake no responsibilityfor the accuracy orcredibility of adverts.

No part of thispublication may bereproduced withoutprior permission.

Thanks to all ourcontributors anddistributors. WhatAles? is producedby volunteers, as isall campaigningactivity forCAMRA.

WhatAles?Newsletter of theWest Cumbria branch of CAMRA

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Printed by:EventesTel:01946 372 007Email:hello@eventesglobal.com

Distribution: Garry Connor 01946812311; bodthebiker@googlemail.com

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Big thanks to our advertisers -We appreciate all your support!

SPRING 2013 Ales? 3What

By the time you read this some of the information below about Branch Officers will be out of date. This is because the branch AGM takes place on May 1st, after this magazine went to print, so at time of writing it isn’t known who will be in which posts. Do use the information below and if the officer has changed they will direct you to the new person. The contact list will be updated for the autumn What Ales.

What's On?thSaturday 4 May:

Presentation of Spring Pub of the Season award to The Bush, Tallentire. Also visiting The Swan and Castle Bar in Cockermouth, full details from Kathryn Flagner.

thSaturday 18 May:Presentation to The Kirkstile Inn of Pub of the Year runner-up award. Will also be visiting Buttermere and Braithwaite.

thWednesday 5 June 8pm:Branch Meeting at The Victoria, Drigg.

To book transport contact Brian Maudling or Kathryn Flagner.

BranchOfficers• Chair: KathrynFlagner kathryn.flagner@hotmail.co.uk or 07756 807804

Secretary: vacant

Vice-Chair &Membership Secretary: Chris Halemembership@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Treasurer: BrianMaudling brianmaudling@gmail.com

Public AffairsOfficers: Stephen Walker07747 084039;contact@westcumbriacamra.org.uk Ros Berry ros.berry@btinternet.com

Pubs Officers: Data:vacant Awards andLocAle: AndyRoberts pubsofficer@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Socials & Transport:Eileen Lithgow,eileenlithgow@hotmail.com or 01946820041 and GeoffLithgow, geofflithgow@hotmail.com or 0785502 2936

Webmistress: Chris de Cordovawebmistress@westcumbriacamra.org.uk or 01946 62986

Equipment: Bob &Catriona Groat01946 821420 orequipment@westcumbriacamra.org.uk

Auditor: Ann Fisher

Views and opinionsexpressed are notnecessarily those ofthe editors, the WestCumbria branch or ofCAMRA Ltd. We cantake no responsibilityfor the accuracy orcredibility of adverts.

No part of thispublication may bereproduced withoutprior permission.

Thanks to all ourcontributors anddistributors. WhatAles? is producedby volunteers, as isall campaigningactivity forCAMRA.

WhatAles?Newsletter of theWest Cumbria branch of CAMRA

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Printed by:EventesTel:01946 372 007Email:hello@eventesglobal.com

Distribution: Garry Connor 01946812311; bodthebiker@googlemail.com

••

Big thanks to our advertisers -We appreciate all your support!

SPRING 2013 Ales? 3What

By the time you read this some of the information below about Branch Officers will be out of date. This is because the branch AGM takes place on May 1st, after this magazine went to print, so at time of writing it isn’t known who will be in which posts. Do use the information below and if the officer has changed they will direct you to the new person. The contact list will be updated for the autumn What Ales.

What's On?thSaturday 4 May:

Presentation of Spring Pub of the Season award to The Bush, Tallentire. Also visiting The Swan and Castle Bar in Cockermouth, full details from Kathryn Flagner.

thSaturday 18 May:Presentation to The Kirkstile Inn of Pub of the Year runner-up award. Will also be visiting Buttermere and Braithwaite.

thWednesday 5 June 8pm:Branch Meeting at The Victoria, Drigg.

To book transport contact Brian Maudling or Kathryn Flagner.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 4What

May is MildMonthSay “mild” in relation to beer to mostpeople and they will not say “Yesplease”, but have an image of a drinksupped by old men in the 1950’s. Butwhat exactly s mild?

Mild is one of the nation’s mosticonic beer styles. They are black todark brown to pale amber in colourand come in a variety of styles fromwarming roasty ales to light refreshinglunchtime thirst quenchers. Maltyand possibly sweet tones dominatethe flavour profile but there may bea light hop flavour or aroma. Slighttoffee/butterscotch flavours are notinappropriate. Alcohol levels aretypically low.

Pale milds tend to have a lighter, morefruity aroma with gentle hoppiness,whilst dark milds may have a lightroast malt or caramel character inaroma and taste and Scottish caskbeers can have mild characteristicswith a dominance of sweetness,smooth body and light bitterness.

There are over 850 real ale breweriescurrently in operation around the UK,producing over 5,500 different beers,CAMRA has previously revealed

there are now in excess of 200 Mildscurrently on the beer market, morethan twice as many available to thedrinker than at the end of the 20thcentury.

In the West Cumbria Branch areamilds are regularly produced by onlytwo breweries, Jennings, although there is no mention of it on theirwebsite, even in Cockermouth, whereit is brewed it is only available in onepub, The Swan. Great Gable brewsYewbarrow, a strong mild at 5.5%.This has won a number of awards,including Silver medal in CAMRA’sChampion Beer of Britain Award forbottled beer.

With the current fashion for goldenales it is becoming increasingly difficultfor drinkers to find darker beers,including milds. Brewers of course willonly produce beers that are going tosell, so fewer dark beers are produced,fewer are sold and it becomes avicious circle. This May ask your localpub about getting a mild and show thatthere is a market for these beers, sowe can enjoy a wider range of beersall year round.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 4What

May is MildMonthSay “mild” in relation to beer to mostpeople and they will not say “Yesplease”, but have an image of a drinksupped by old men in the 1950’s. Butwhat exactly s mild?

Mild is one of the nation’s mosticonic beer styles. They are black todark brown to pale amber in colourand come in a variety of styles fromwarming roasty ales to light refreshinglunchtime thirst quenchers. Maltyand possibly sweet tones dominatethe flavour profile but there may bea light hop flavour or aroma. Slighttoffee/butterscotch flavours are notinappropriate. Alcohol levels aretypically low.

Pale milds tend to have a lighter, morefruity aroma with gentle hoppiness,whilst dark milds may have a lightroast malt or caramel character inaroma and taste and Scottish caskbeers can have mild characteristicswith a dominance of sweetness,smooth body and light bitterness.

There are over 850 real ale breweriescurrently in operation around the UK,producing over 5,500 different beers,CAMRA has previously revealed

there are now in excess of 200 Mildscurrently on the beer market, morethan twice as many available to thedrinker than at the end of the 20thcentury.

In the West Cumbria Branch areamilds are regularly produced by onlytwo breweries, Jennings, although there is no mention of it on theirwebsite, even in Cockermouth, whereit is brewed it is only available in onepub, The Swan. Great Gable brewsYewbarrow, a strong mild at 5.5%.This has won a number of awards,including Silver medal in CAMRA’sChampion Beer of Britain Award forbottled beer.

With the current fashion for goldenales it is becoming increasingly difficultfor drinkers to find darker beers,including milds. Brewers of course willonly produce beers that are going tosell, so fewer dark beers are produced,fewer are sold and it becomes avicious circle. This May ask your localpub about getting a mild and show thatthere is a market for these beers, sowe can enjoy a wider range of beersall year round.

WestCumbriaCAMRAcelebratesbeerfestivalsuccess.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 6What

Wales/England games were shown.

We had very positive feedback about this (but we did have complaints about England’s performance) and will certainly consider showing sporting events again if they coincide with the festival. Saturday nigh featured Buzz Elliot, an acoustic performer, who performed a wide range of music and was very popular. On both days we opened from 12.00 to 23.00, in the past we closed between 17.00 and 18.00, remaining open was a success,creating a less rushed atmosphere for both staff and customers.

We had a couple of competitions. There was a Treasure Hunt, the treasure being a basket of three bottles of beer linked to John Paul Jones and three Ennerdale beers kindly donated by Ennerdale

SPRING 2013 Ales? 7What

Brewery. The entrants bought a square on a world map where they thought the treasure might be hidden. This was won by Chris Dunn from Whitehaven. The other competition was a raffle for a case of 12 bottles of Ullverton Royal Reserve, this was won by AndrewBanfield from Workington.

I would like to say a big “Thank You” to everybody who helped organize and run the festival. This was done totally by volunteers, many of whom not only give their time without charge, but took time off work to do this. The festival t-shirt was designed by Kevin Nutter, again for free, and I would like to thank him for creating such a brilliant image.

Titanic’s Plum Porter as the Beer of the Festival. The plum porter has an ABV of 4.9, it has a rich well rounded taste and natural plum flavouring. The voting was very close with EnnerdaleBrewery’s English Pride running it a close second. This beer was brewed in honour of this year’s Six Nations and was only available whilst the tournament was on.

Drinkers enjoyed 38 beers, 2 perries and 4 ciders, plus a variety of fruit wines. All of the ciders, fruit wines and 18 beers sold out. Of the rest little remained. There were a number of requests for more ciders, this will be considered in future.

This was a festival of firsts. For the first time at a West Cumbria Beer Festival sporting events were shown on a large screen. Both the Ireland/Italy and then

At the beer festival that took place on the weekend of March 15th and 16th in Whitehaven’s Civic Hall generous drinkers raised over £150 for Sail4Cancer. This charity was chosen to tie in with the festival’s nautical theme. They offer respite to families and individuals living with cancer.

There were about 600 visitors over the two days, who voted

WestCumbriaCAMRAcelebratesbeerfestivalsuccess.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 6What

Wales/England games were shown.

We had very positive feedback about this (but we did have complaints about England’s performance) and will certainly consider showing sporting events again if they coincide with the festival. Saturday nigh featured Buzz Elliot, an acoustic performer, who performed a wide range of music and was very popular. On both days we opened from 12.00 to 23.00, in the past we closed between 17.00 and 18.00, remaining open was a success,creating a less rushed atmosphere for both staff and customers.

We had a couple of competitions. There was a Treasure Hunt, the treasure being a basket of three bottles of beer linked to John Paul Jones and three Ennerdale beers kindly donated by Ennerdale

SPRING 2013 Ales? 7What

Brewery. The entrants bought a square on a world map where they thought the treasure might be hidden. This was won by Chris Dunn from Whitehaven. The other competition was a raffle for a case of 12 bottles of Ullverton Royal Reserve, this was won by AndrewBanfield from Workington.

I would like to say a big “Thank You” to everybody who helped organize and run the festival. This was done totally by volunteers, many of whom not only give their time without charge, but took time off work to do this. The festival t-shirt was designed by Kevin Nutter, again for free, and I would like to thank him for creating such a brilliant image.

Titanic’s Plum Porter as the Beer of the Festival. The plum porter has an ABV of 4.9, it has a rich well rounded taste and natural plum flavouring. The voting was very close with EnnerdaleBrewery’s English Pride running it a close second. This beer was brewed in honour of this year’s Six Nations and was only available whilst the tournament was on.

Drinkers enjoyed 38 beers, 2 perries and 4 ciders, plus a variety of fruit wines. All of the ciders, fruit wines and 18 beers sold out. Of the rest little remained. There were a number of requests for more ciders, this will be considered in future.

This was a festival of firsts. For the first time at a West Cumbria Beer Festival sporting events were shown on a large screen. Both the Ireland/Italy and then

At the beer festival that took place on the weekend of March 15th and 16th in Whitehaven’s Civic Hall generous drinkers raised over £150 for Sail4Cancer. This charity was chosen to tie in with the festival’s nautical theme. They offer respite to families and individuals living with cancer.

There were about 600 visitors over the two days, who voted

SPRING 2013 Ales? 9What

2013 Members Weekend

and AGM 19th-21st AprilAs an organisation CAMRA has a legal obligation to have an AGM, but the member's weekend is much more. Mixing business and socialising the member's weekend has become a must attend event for many CAMRA members.

It is at AGMs that campaigning priorities are set and decisions made as to how the organisation is run. Motions for debate can come from branches or individuals and are requested through the national CAMRA website and What's Brewing. Once a motion has been proposed and seconded any CAMRA member present has the right to have their say on the matter. This is a real chance for individual members to have their voice heard.

The main point of the weekend is of course business. However, the social aspect of the weekend is vital. It is great to go to a part of the country never before visited, for both sightseeing and visiting local pubs. All the pubs in the town know the event is on and the real ale pubs put on extra beers.

There is a member's bar, run by volunteers, on the same site as the conference and featuring beers from local breweries. There are also organised evening trips to breweries, cider makers or award winning pubs. In Norwich these all sold out within the first couple of days of being made available on the website. However, the local CAMRA branch organised six pub walks, covering 50 of the best pubs in Norwich.

Next year's AGM will be in Scarborough so look out for it.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 9What

2013 Members Weekend

and AGM 19th-21st AprilAs an organisation CAMRA has a legal obligation to have an AGM, but the member's weekend is much more. Mixing business and socialising the member's weekend has become a must attend event for many CAMRA members.

It is at AGMs that campaigning priorities are set and decisions made as to how the organisation is run. Motions for debate can come from branches or individuals and are requested through the national CAMRA website and What's Brewing. Once a motion has been proposed and seconded any CAMRA member present has the right to have their say on the matter. This is a real chance for individual members to have their voice heard.

The main point of the weekend is of course business. However, the social aspect of the weekend is vital. It is great to go to a part of the country never before visited, for both sightseeing and visiting local pubs. All the pubs in the town know the event is on and the real ale pubs put on extra beers.

There is a member's bar, run by volunteers, on the same site as the conference and featuring beers from local breweries. There are also organised evening trips to breweries, cider makers or award winning pubs. In Norwich these all sold out within the first couple of days of being made available on the website. However, the local CAMRA branch organised six pub walks, covering 50 of the best pubs in Norwich.

Next year's AGM will be in Scarborough so look out for it.

As well as owning The Kirkstile Inn Roger also owns Cumbria Legendary Ales, which brews the 2011 Champion Beer of Britain Loweswater Gold, and the pub acts as the brewery tap. There are normally six beers on at any one time, including ever changing guests. They hold two beer festivals a year which feature beers from all over the country and Cumbrian beers, making it popular with locals and visitors alike.

The Castle Bar is set over three floors and has been tastefully renovated to a high standard, keeping and featuring its traditional aspects such as its spiral staircase. Set in Cockermouth's busy market place it is on the town's ale trail and easy to get to.

To attend these presentations find full details on page 3 of this magazine.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 11WhatSPRING 2013 Ales? 10What

WestCumbriaPuboftheYearThe winner of this year's West Cumbria Pub of the Year Award is Middle Ruddings in Braithwaite. Andy and Liz McAlister have been running this Lakeland hotel since 2005. Over the years they have had lots of success and recognition from the local branch of CAMRA. For the past two years they have been runners –up in West Cumbria Pub of the Year, and Andy has been heard to say they were starting to feel as if they were always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Good food and beer are central to the success of Middle Ruddings. However, those going in just for a drink are made to feel as welcome as diners and many locals do pop in to see what beers are on sale and have a couple of drinks. The rotating beer selection comes from many Cumbrian breweries, including Keswick, Barngates, and Loweswater, to name just a few. There are usually three or four beers on sale at any time.

Whilst Andy selects and oversees the beers Liz is in charge of food. Most of the food is sourced from local suppliers and vegetarian and vegan options are offered.

The hotel was the location for the first

two Beer Lover's Dinners organised in conjunction with West Cumbria CAMRA. When this event moved on to a different branch area Andy and Liz continued this as an annual event themselves and have since introduced a cider lover's dinner. This supports CAMRA's aim to promote real cider.

Middle Ruddings has now gone into the Cumbria Pub of the Year competition against The Agricultural Hotel in Penrith, The Manor House in Broughton-in-Furness and The Midland Hotel in Appleby. "Good Luck" to Middle Ruddings!

The two runners-up for West Cumbria Pub of the Year were The Castle Bar at Cockermouth and The Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater. This is a real contrast of the old and the new. Roger Humphrys moved to the Kirkstile in 2000, since then the pub has appeared regularly in The Good Beer Guide and has been West Cumbria Pub of the Year several times. Sean and Jayne Cussack began refurbishing The Castle Bar in 2007, opening it in 2008. It was in the Good Beer Guide for the first time in 2013 and this is the first time it has been a contender for the West Cumbria Pub of the Year award.

Middle Ruddings

Liz and Andy are shown receiving a pastPub of the Season award.

As well as owning The Kirkstile Inn Roger also owns Cumbria Legendary Ales, which brews the 2011 Champion Beer of Britain Loweswater Gold, and the pub acts as the brewery tap. There are normally six beers on at any one time, including ever changing guests. They hold two beer festivals a year which feature beers from all over the country and Cumbrian beers, making it popular with locals and visitors alike.

The Castle Bar is set over three floors and has been tastefully renovated to a high standard, keeping and featuring its traditional aspects such as its spiral staircase. Set in Cockermouth's busy market place it is on the town's ale trail and easy to get to.

To attend these presentations find full details on page 3 of this magazine.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 11WhatSPRING 2013 Ales? 10What

WestCumbriaPuboftheYearThe winner of this year's West Cumbria Pub of the Year Award is Middle Ruddings in Braithwaite. Andy and Liz McAlister have been running this Lakeland hotel since 2005. Over the years they have had lots of success and recognition from the local branch of CAMRA. For the past two years they have been runners –up in West Cumbria Pub of the Year, and Andy has been heard to say they were starting to feel as if they were always the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Good food and beer are central to the success of Middle Ruddings. However, those going in just for a drink are made to feel as welcome as diners and many locals do pop in to see what beers are on sale and have a couple of drinks. The rotating beer selection comes from many Cumbrian breweries, including Keswick, Barngates, and Loweswater, to name just a few. There are usually three or four beers on sale at any time.

Whilst Andy selects and oversees the beers Liz is in charge of food. Most of the food is sourced from local suppliers and vegetarian and vegan options are offered.

The hotel was the location for the first

two Beer Lover's Dinners organised in conjunction with West Cumbria CAMRA. When this event moved on to a different branch area Andy and Liz continued this as an annual event themselves and have since introduced a cider lover's dinner. This supports CAMRA's aim to promote real cider.

Middle Ruddings has now gone into the Cumbria Pub of the Year competition against The Agricultural Hotel in Penrith, The Manor House in Broughton-in-Furness and The Midland Hotel in Appleby. "Good Luck" to Middle Ruddings!

The two runners-up for West Cumbria Pub of the Year were The Castle Bar at Cockermouth and The Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater. This is a real contrast of the old and the new. Roger Humphrys moved to the Kirkstile in 2000, since then the pub has appeared regularly in The Good Beer Guide and has been West Cumbria Pub of the Year several times. Sean and Jayne Cussack began refurbishing The Castle Bar in 2007, opening it in 2008. It was in the Good Beer Guide for the first time in 2013 and this is the first time it has been a contender for the West Cumbria Pub of the Year award.

Middle Ruddings

Liz and Andy are shown receiving a pastPub of the Season award.

Sean and Jayne Cusack wih theirPub of the Season award

SPRING 2013 Ales? 12What

Pub of the Season Winter 2012The Castle Bar, Cockermouth

The day started at the Punch Bowl Inn in Great Broughton. Following the deathof long term landlord Albert Charters this pub is now being run as a cooperativeby a group of people from the village, including CAMRA members. Normally the pub is closed during the day, so the pub was opened especially for us. Word had obviously got round the village of the extra open time as when we arrived some locals were already enjoying the beer. The beer quality was superb, which is only to be expected when one of the people involved in keeping it is Matt Webster. Matt used to be brewer with Loweswater Brewery, which became Cumbria Legendary Ales, and he regularly kept the beer at The Kirkstile Inn. After a couple of drinks we were updated on how the volunteers are getting on with running the pub. They called for people to visit the pub, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8pm to 11pm, closed Monday, a warm welcome is guaranteed.

When we left the Punch Bowl Inn the pub closed, as the people serving behind the bar and the clientele joined us, filling the coach. Next stop was The Grapes at Aspatria. By now it was lunch time and as the pub doesn't do food Jean, the landlady, very kindly said we could get food from the shop and eat it in the pub. This was the first time many of the group had been to The Grapes and found it to be a revelation. It is a traditional pub, with two bars and also a games room and meeting room. They regularly have Derwent beers, produced in nearby Silloth, but also have beers from further afield. At £2 a pint this must be some of the cheapest beer in Cumbria, but it was also well kept.

The Grapes is on the main street so is visible when going through the village. Our next port of call is somewhat hidden, not having been noticed by a frequent visitor to Aspatria.

The Letters Inn is a well kept secret, being just off the main street on Outgang Road, a couple of minutes walk from The Grapes. Very traditional looking from the outside inside it has been nicely decorated and has a focus on sports with big screen televisions. They have resisted the temptation to knock the separate bars into one.

Then we were off to The Castle Bar for the presentation. When we arrived the pub was heaving, reflecting the success of the pub. Sean and Jayne have successfully targeted a number of markets, food, real ale drinkers, sports fans and young people, all of whom tend to use the pub at different times. A full report about the pub can be found in the Pub of the Year item. It is a rare success to be awarded Pub of the Season and get Pub of the Year runner up in the same year, let alone at the same time of year!

The Fox and HoundsInn

A classic Lake District inn with log fires, oak beams and a Warm West

Cumbrian welcome!

We are open all day every day with fresh local food served from 12-9pm, and 5 hand pumps serving

excellent local real ales

En-suite B&B Accommodation

Pensioners lunch 2 courses £6.50Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of

the monthTel: 01946 861 373

Sean and Jayne Cusack wih theirPub of the Season award

SPRING 2013 Ales? 12What

Pub of the Season Winter 2012The Castle Bar, Cockermouth

The day started at the Punch Bowl Inn in Great Broughton. Following the deathof long term landlord Albert Charters this pub is now being run as a cooperativeby a group of people from the village, including CAMRA members. Normally the pub is closed during the day, so the pub was opened especially for us. Word had obviously got round the village of the extra open time as when we arrived some locals were already enjoying the beer. The beer quality was superb, which is only to be expected when one of the people involved in keeping it is Matt Webster. Matt used to be brewer with Loweswater Brewery, which became Cumbria Legendary Ales, and he regularly kept the beer at The Kirkstile Inn. After a couple of drinks we were updated on how the volunteers are getting on with running the pub. They called for people to visit the pub, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8pm to 11pm, closed Monday, a warm welcome is guaranteed.

When we left the Punch Bowl Inn the pub closed, as the people serving behind the bar and the clientele joined us, filling the coach. Next stop was The Grapes at Aspatria. By now it was lunch time and as the pub doesn't do food Jean, the landlady, very kindly said we could get food from the shop and eat it in the pub. This was the first time many of the group had been to The Grapes and found it to be a revelation. It is a traditional pub, with two bars and also a games room and meeting room. They regularly have Derwent beers, produced in nearby Silloth, but also have beers from further afield. At £2 a pint this must be some of the cheapest beer in Cumbria, but it was also well kept.

The Grapes is on the main street so is visible when going through the village. Our next port of call is somewhat hidden, not having been noticed by a frequent visitor to Aspatria.

The Letters Inn is a well kept secret, being just off the main street on Outgang Road, a couple of minutes walk from The Grapes. Very traditional looking from the outside inside it has been nicely decorated and has a focus on sports with big screen televisions. They have resisted the temptation to knock the separate bars into one.

Then we were off to The Castle Bar for the presentation. When we arrived the pub was heaving, reflecting the success of the pub. Sean and Jayne have successfully targeted a number of markets, food, real ale drinkers, sports fans and young people, all of whom tend to use the pub at different times. A full report about the pub can be found in the Pub of the Year item. It is a rare success to be awarded Pub of the Season and get Pub of the Year runner up in the same year, let alone at the same time of year!

The Fox and HoundsInn

A classic Lake District inn with log fires, oak beams and a Warm West

Cumbrian welcome!

We are open all day every day with fresh local food served from 12-9pm, and 5 hand pumps serving

excellent local real ales

En-suite B&B Accommodation

Pensioners lunch 2 courses £6.50Every 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of

the monthTel: 01946 861 373

AUTUMN 2012 WhatAles? 10

From the ChairThis is the last "From the Chair" item I will write, as I step down from the role of Chair at the branch's AGM on May 1st. I became Chair in 2010, three years ago, which I can hardly believe as the time has gone so quickly. I had only been a member of CAMRA for two years, so didn't really know a great deal about the structure of the organisation and the timetable of things like Good Beer Guide and Pub of the Year. It is safe to say that I do now!

The most visible part of the job is chairing the monthly branch meetings, but that is only a small portion of what the role involves. These unseen parts includes compiling information, taking a lead on the direction the branch will take, representing the branch at Cumbrian and Regional meetings, and being the point of contact for any problems that arise. Despite the hard work it has been great learning how CAMRA works and meeting lots of different people.

During the time I have been Chair we have had lots of new people join the branch and take up jobs on the committee. I would like to thank everyone who has done this or helped in any way, such as help at beer festivals

or delivering What Ales. I would urge anyone to take an active part in CAMRA, people are the lifeblood of the branch.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 14What

AUTUMN 2012 WhatAles? 10

From the ChairThis is the last "From the Chair" item I will write, as I step down from the role of Chair at the branch's AGM on May 1st. I became Chair in 2010, three years ago, which I can hardly believe as the time has gone so quickly. I had only been a member of CAMRA for two years, so didn't really know a great deal about the structure of the organisation and the timetable of things like Good Beer Guide and Pub of the Year. It is safe to say that I do now!

The most visible part of the job is chairing the monthly branch meetings, but that is only a small portion of what the role involves. These unseen parts includes compiling information, taking a lead on the direction the branch will take, representing the branch at Cumbrian and Regional meetings, and being the point of contact for any problems that arise. Despite the hard work it has been great learning how CAMRA works and meeting lots of different people.

During the time I have been Chair we have had lots of new people join the branch and take up jobs on the committee. I would like to thank everyone who has done this or helped in any way, such as help at beer festivals

or delivering What Ales. I would urge anyone to take an active part in CAMRA, people are the lifeblood of the branch.

SPRING 2013 Ales? 14What