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August / September 2009
FREE, PLEASE TAKE ONE
The Weather’s Fine, bring on PBF2009! See Centre pages for further details
www.peterborough-camra.org.uk
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The GOLDEN
Pheasant
Open Daily: Mon – Thurs 12-3pm (Food 12-2pm) and 6-11pm (food 6-9pm) Fri/Sat 12-11pm ( food 12-2pm and 6-9pm) Sun 12-11pm (food 12-6pm)
3 Real Ales including Abbot, IPA and constantly changing Guest Beer. Ciders including Westons Organic, Old Rosie and Aspell’s Huge Beer garden and Children’s play area in beautiful rural setting Food served daily offering a range of menus including Lunchtime Specials, ‘Early Bird’ menu, Bar Snacks and A la Carte Peterborough Morris Dancers - Tuesday 22nd July Car Boot Sale on the paddock on the last Sunday of each month 1 Main Road, Etton, Peterborough PE6 7DA Tel 01733 252387 Email kateshinkins@hotmail.com Web www.thegoldenpheasant.net
Great Live Bands ( Co hosted by DJ Lez da Roc) Friday 27th November
The Mighty Quinn Saturday 28th November
The New Amen Corner (Members - Free , Guests £3, CAMRA members £2)
Sunday 29th November Gizz Butts Red Black and Blues Band playing from 4.00 pm 2
STARTS FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER AT 7.00pm
20+ Real Ales including micro-breweries and some national brands • World Bottled Beers • Hot food throughout the weekend • CAMRA members FREE entry on Friday and Sunday, reduced entry on Saturday Fletton Club, Fletton High Street, Peterborough
Tel: 01733 341326 info@real-ale.org.uk
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CAMPAIGNING
New report highlights vital social role of community pubs
M
Ps were presented in May with a new report which highlights the importance of pubs to society and calls for urgent action to avert the closure of 40 pubs a week. The report was produced by leading think tank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, with the support of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. The IPPR report includes a pioneering new method of calculating the social and economic benefit generated by well-run community pubs and finds that pubs are:
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive “At a time of unprecedented pub closures, this report will help Local Councils and National Government recognise the importance of wellrun pubs to strong communities and thriving local economies. Well-run community pubs not only provide a safe and relaxed environment for people to enjoy a drink but they also form the bedrock of community life and people’s social networks. Virtual networking sites such as Facebook and My Space will never be able to replace the experience of socialising in person in the Great British Pub.”
The most popular place where people can mix socially with others from different backgrounds A great supporter of charity, with over £3,000 raised per pub every year Outside of the home the most popular place for people to meet their neighbours A place for people to make new friendsmore than one in five pub goers has made a new friend in a pub in the past six months. Rick Muir, Senior Research Fellow, IPPR said: “Government must stop using a one size fits all approach to licensed premises which is killing off our community pubs. Well-run community pubs should be encouraged and supported rather than penalised along with the small number of badly run pubs. Community pubs are not just places to drink but also places where people meet their neighbours; make new friends; and where local clubs hold meetings and events.”
www.real-ale.org.uk
It would seem that the government’s quantitative easing measures have not had the desired effect of improving my fiscal fluidity so you'd better make it a half please.
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CAMPAIGNING
CAMRA Welcomes Commitee Recommendations
C
AMRA has recently welcomed the following recommendations from the Business and Enterprise Select Committee: That the Government addresses the inequalities of bargaining power between pub companies and lessees. That the Government ban companies selling pubs with restrictive covenants preventing them being used as pubs in the future CAMRA has further suggested that there should be an independent economic study into the operation of the beer tie by the Office of Fair Trading before the Government decides to
Graham Guest House e h 296 Oundle Rd, T
Peterborough, Cambs PE2 9QA Tel: 01733 567824 Email: grahamguesthouse@btinternet.com
Friendly, family run guest house
ROOMS AVAILABLE from £25.00 a night including full english breakfast! Large Car Park
10 minutes walk from the Peterborough Beer Festival site Within walking distance of several real ale pubs.
10u% nt for
Disco CAMRA ers memb
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refer the issue to the Competition Commission for a lengthy investigation. Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said: “While the issue of the ‘beer tie' needs to be assessed to ensure fairness to all parties we are not yet convinced of the need for a lengthy Competition Commission Investigation. A two to three year investigation would create huge disruption and uncertainty for the UK’s pub owners, licensees and consumers. A lengthy investigation may also serve to delay urgent action to deliver fairness to struggling pub licensees and their customers." “CAMRA supports the principle of the “beer tie” provided that the higher prices licensees are required to pay for their beer supplies are balanced by a lower rent, credible business support and the option of stocking a guest beer.” “We are delighted that the committee has backed CAMRA’s campaign to end the immoral practice of selling pubs with restrictive covenants that prevent them being used as pubs in the future. This deplorable practice deprives communities of valued pubs, reduces consumer choice and may ultimately lead to higher pub prices in a particular area due to a lack of competition.” “CAMRA has long been concerned about the unbalanced relationship between pub companies and lessees and hopes that the Government will look at this issue with great urgency. A mandatory code of conduct providing a set of legally enforceable rights for lessees, particularly relating to rent calculations, would be of huge benefit and should not be delayed until after a lengthy investigation.”
info@real-ale.org.uk
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Chairman’s Corner
H
ello again. I would like to start this month by giving very sincere congratulations to two of our branch area pubs on achieving what is believed to be a first – Two county awards in the same branch! The Jolly Brewer in Stamford has won the top Lincolnshire Pub of the Year award, while The Boat over in Whittlesey has romped off with the Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year. More details on their awards are in this issue. To get two of our pubs winning the top accolade in each of their counties is a truly great achievement. Once again, congratulations to Dean & Gill in Stamford, and Phil & Maria in Whittlesey. A recent broadcast was made by yours truly on one of our local radio stations, where the presenter asked me, and what the answer was, to help failing pubs that are closing by the shed load. Well if I really did know how to prevent that I would be almost as popular as the chap who won the £25million to spend on his allotment! A neighbour of mine who heard the broadcast enquired as to whether I received any fee for my mutterings on the air. When I answered of course not, he pointed out that the honourable Member of Parliament also taking part surely would have! No I don’t think I’ll go down that road. It must be said that there are quite a few pubs that are being run by people who really shouldn’t be in them. On the other hand the more successful pubs are run by people who do make that little bit extra effort to attract customers, and to keep them. There were some press reports that our political masters were going to undertake yet another study on Pubcos and the tie with most of our pubs. No prizes for guessing who were the first to protest that they are perfectly capable of doing their own study into the tie with the said Pubcos. Again having spoken to several pub licensees over the last year or more,
www.real-ale.org.uk
it’s a fact that they won’t listen to any grievances the poor old licensee brings up anyway. During the last month or two I’ve managed to get out a bit more to see any effects the recession has been having on some of our campaigns Beer Festivals and a few pub ones as well. Visits to Cambridge, Lincoln and Newark all in the same weekend is something I haven’t done for several years. Then a great trip up to my roots in Aberdeen in June and a visit to the Grampian Beer Festival which takes place at Pittodrie home to Aberdeen FC. The one thing these festivals all had in common was a great atmosphere and an increase in attendances! So real ale is far from dead and would appear to be bucking the trend. Finally let me again draw your attention to the pages contained in this issue full of all the details of our forthcoming Peterborough Beer Festival. Held as usual on The Embankment from Tue. 25th – Sat 29th August. Let’s see you all there! Cheers David Murray Branch Chairman
ARE YOU MISSING OUT? Only the beer-stained copy left? Get
delivered to your door! For a year (6 issues) send a £2.10 cheque/PO payable to “Peterborough CAMRA” and your address to:Daryl Ling 19 Lidgate Close, Orton Longueville Peterborough PE2 7ZA 5
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DIARY DATES
Diary Dates JULY Sat 25th Historical Pub Tour of Stamford by Steve Williams. Meet Stamford Railway Station at noon. (Contact Steve for further details) AUGUST Sun 9thCrawl of LocAle Pubs in Oundle / Northants area by bus, to include a lunch stop. Bus departs Brewery Tap 12pm, returning by 7pm, cost tbc. Wed 12th Branch Committee Meeting, Swiss Cottage, Woodston 8.30pm SEPTEMBER Mon 14th Branch Committee Meeting, Hand & Heart, Millfield 8.30pm Please contact John Hunt for bookings or further details, except where stated otherwise
Thu 13th – Sun 16th Grantham Beer Festival, Railway Club, Huntingtower Road, Grantham. Approx 40 ales & ciders, check www.granthamcamra.org.uk for further details. Tue 25th – Sat 29th - 32nd Peterborough Beer Festival – The Biggest, The Brightest & The Best! Fri 28th – Sun 30th Willoughby Arms Beer Festival, Little Bytham, Lincs. SEPTEMBER Fri 11th - Sun 13th Green Man, Stamford, Autumn Beer Festival (see advert for details) Fri 18th – Sat 20th 7th Coal Heavers Arms Autumn Beer Fest, Park Street, Woodston. Over 30 ales. Fri 18th – Sun 20th Red Lion, West Deeping – First Beer Festival
(CAMRA events are shown in bold)
Thu 17th – Sat 19th York Beer Festival. The Knavesmire (next to racecourse), Tadcaster Road, York. Approx 200 ales in new outdoor location. Check www.yorkbeerfestival.org.uk for further details.
JULY Thu 23rd – Sun 26th Anchor Inn at Wimblington (See advert)
Wed 23rd – Sat 26th Ipswich Beer Festival. Corn Exchange, King Street, Ipswich. Over 200 ales, check www.ipswichcamra.com for further details.
Selected Beer Festivals
Fri 24th & Sat 25th Deepings Beer Festival. Deepings Rugby Club, Linchfield Road (see advert) Thu 30th – Sun 2nd Wicksteed Park Summer Beer Festival. Approx 55 ales, check www.wicksteedpark.co.uk for further details
Fri 25th & Sat 26th Letter B, Whittlesey Beer Festival (see advert for details).
PLEASE BOOK EARLY FOR TRIPS TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
AUGUST Tue 4th – Sat 8th Great British Beer Festival, Earl’s Court, London. Approx 750 ales, ciders & perries, check www.gbbf.org.uk for further details.
Mick Slaughter is on 01733 390598 John Hunt is on 01406 330453 Paul Brammer is on 07922 604988
Fri 7th – Sun 9th Rigby’s 2nd Beer Festival, Market Place, Market Deeping. Over 20 ales.
Full details of all meetings and socials are posted on our website as soon as details are known. It’s the best way to ensure that you do not miss out.
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info@real-ale.org.uk
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OPENING MID AUGUST
The Ostrich Inn North Street, Peterborough (formerly Bogart’s) We are an established local company, determined to preserve a full of character Peterborough Pub, which dates back to 1837. We are carrying out refurbishment and extension works, and will be re-opening mid August. Major improvements are being made to both the pub and the two bed room flat above, including new kitchen and toilet facilities, complete redecoration, and extensive landscaping to the sun-trap beer garden. We have an experienced Landlady in place who shares our vision for a free of tie traditional city centre pub, with an emphasis on wet trade, particularly locally brewed real ales. We would like to thank all of those who have assisted us in preserving one of the City Centre’s oldest pubs, and to CAMRA for their advice and support. We are also grateful for the numerous good wishes that we have received, and look forward to welcoming you to the Ostrich in the next few weeks.
Cambridge Bitter 3.8%
Gold Award Champion Bitter of Britain 2006 Available all year round:
SEASONAL ALES Thin Ice 4.7% Jan/Feb Old Wagg 4.0% March/April Double Swan 4.5% May/June Mad Dog 4.4% July/Aug Barleymead 4.8% Sept/Oct Old Black Shuck 4.5% Nov Snickalmas 5.0% Wenceslas Winter Warmer 7.5% Dec
North Brink Brewery, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire www.real-ale.org.uk
Tel: 01945 583160 7
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Summer Ma W
successful. It seems that you cannot beat a drop of sunshine and a breath of fresh air to enhance your enjoyment of real ale. Surely it cannot all be this simple? Well I have spoken to many people at festival events recently and there are a few possible other reasons that should be taken into consideration apart from the weather, and they all seem to revolve around price and choice.
There has been so much doom & gloom reported of late, much of it through this column, and while various forces conspire to continue to give the trade a hard time in general, the public’s passion for real ale remains unabated. The weather has most certainly had an upbeat affect on this, particularly with regard to CAMRA & pub beer festivals held al fresco, and establishments taking advantage of their outdoor drinking areas to hold barbeques or other similar events.
CAMRA festivals always offer a good choice of beers, both from LocAle breweries and those further afield seldom seen in the area, while the prices charged are at an average of those charged in that area, and therefore sometimes a little cheaper than some of the most expensive pubs. This is one of the main problems facing the licensees of a tied pub. It’s not just the mighty pubcos such as Punch Taverns or Enterprise Inns who charge a ‘wet rent’ on beer supplied to their tenants. Many of the long standing regional brewers have since got ‘in on the act’, by charging more than double the usual wholesale price to those very people who promote and sell their products, and who pay for permission via rent to do so – (Monty Python’s Four Yorkshiremen sketch springs into mind...) – while selling to free trade competitors just across the road at bargain basement prices in a desperate bid to increase volume sales. Utter madness!
Recent CAMRA ran beer festivals have seen increases in both attendance & sales on previous years, bucking the current trend as reported by many pubs of late. Reading, Cambridge & Newark festivals were all held in marquees during May and had increases on last year’s events. Many local beer festivals such as those held at the Coal Heaver’s Arms; Prince of Wales Feathers; Charters; Green Man; Rugby Club and Hand & Heart were also
Some of these breweries have used the recent actions of our government to their advantage, blaming the chancellor for any ‘sudden’ adjustments to price. It’s all very well ensuring that they get their ‘piece of the action’, but if the pub they own is unable to trade at a profitable level because of their greed, then how can that be sensible? After all, 10% of something is better than 20% of sod all. So we welcome the findings of the Business & Enterprise Select
ell it would seem that the good old British Summer weather is as unpredictable as ever this year. The sun beat down on numerous outdoor festivals during May & June, but the rain returned just in time to dampen the enthusiasm of Glastonbury revellers as usual, and then failed to show when the new roof at Wimbledon needed a proper testing, as the country experienced a mini-heat wave. No doubt the skies will burst again during the cricket, but let’s just hope that it stays nice and dry for our Beer Festival in a few weeks time!
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info@real-ale.org.uk
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EDITOR’S RANT
Madness Committee (as reported on page 4 of this issue), and trust that unlike the beer orders of the 80’s that were sidestepped by the big boys, a sensible solution can be found for what is a rapidly failing model. Forty Years ago, man walked on the moon for the first time. An astonishing feat when you consider that the total computing power they had available to them, was less than that used in a modern mobile phone! In a pre-CAMRA age, when most of the nation drank beer that came from a brewery just up the road. That’s about the time the Big Six brewers went on their march of destruction, and many well loved breweries were closed, only for their beers to be replaced by bland counterparts brewed so many miles away, they may as well have been made on the moon, as they bore no resemblance to their original counterparts. So well done LocAle! The majority of pubs that have signed up to the scheme have reported a huge increase in sales of locally produced ales, and long may this continue. I’m sure the aforementioned pubcos have noticed the popularity of local beers, so why charge their tenants so much for them when they are delivered direct from that brewery at no expense whatsoever to them in most cases? (One GBG2009 pub landlord informed me that he can obtain Oakham JHB for just a third of the price charged to him by Enterprise, and in that case he would need to charge well over £3 a pint to make a profit!) More madness!
local talent play their hearts out just a few yards from where they stand! Even more madness! The line up for this year’s Peterborough Beer Fest has something for everyone, and with a choice of over 500 real ales, ciders, perries, bottled beers & wines, what more could you want? Fun in the sun for all the family, we hope! So come on down, you’d be mad not to! But if it’s Madness you want, then check out tribute band One Step Behind on the Saturday night. Peterborough Beer Festival 2009, The Biggest, The Brightest & The Best – You’d be mad to miss it! See you all there. Cheers! Bram
But let’s get back to festivals. It seems people will happily pay an arm and a leg to dance around in mud up to their knees while listening to their heroes perform from a stage several hundred yards away, yet begrudge paying a couple of quid to gain admission to see some
www.real-ale.org.uk
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THE GOAT
t
t
Frognall, Deeping St. James, Peterborough, Lincs Graham, Debbie and staff welcome you to The Goat Good food served lunch times and evenings
SU M FE ME 21 ST R B s of t TO IVA EE R Au 2 3 L gu rd st
Fine selection of real ales from around the Country, five guest beers on at one time. Extensive range of foreign bottled beers 70 single malt whiskies & real cider Beer gardens
01778 347629 The Willoughby Arms
THE ANCHOR INN 12 Norfolk street, Wimblington (01354) 742435 www.theanchorinnwimblington.co.uk
WIMB-BEER! BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL! Thurs 23rd to Sun 26th july Dozens of Real Ales & Ciders and live entertainment in our new Beer Garden and Grand Marquee with Bouncy Castle and Kids Games Pr Thurs: Fen Jazz Duo Fri: Dean Powell Guitarist es Saturday: Real BBQ!! Sunday: Two Live Actsen tt Lee Enstone, Sarah-Leanne Palmer hi sa at ou dv rf er Just Off The A141 Between es tf or tiv Chatteris & March al!
A
10
FR EE
PI NT
Station Road Little Bytham NG33 4RA 01780 410276 www.willoughbyarms.co.uk
Bythams Music & Beer Festival Saturday 29 August 2009 Live music all day B-B-Q Café • Teas and cakes Hot air balloons • Bouncy castle Large beer garden 9½ hours of live music & 14 real ales info@real-ale.org.uk
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PUB NEWS
Pub News
I
n the last issue of BAE I pointed out that I was unhappy with Mr Editor's choice of pickie for yours truly, so in an attempt to push the boundaries of decency I have chosen a different photo for this issue. My better half mentioned that at my time of life I should try and get in touch with my feminine side, or at least figure out how the hoover works if nothing else. The dog’s breakfast you see before you is the result of allowing a teenage daughter and her mate Becky to ‘do a makeover’ on some poor unsuspecting bloke trying to have a few minutes to himself. My career as aging drag queen is now progressing nicely and I am available for parties, weddings or indeed any other function from the seedier side of common decency. Good News It was nice to see the George & Angel in Crowland opened up and trading. My spy in the Fens tells me they’ve spent a few grand giving the place a bit of a facelift but the pub is still available for lease according to the sign outside. Lets hope they can find someone suitable and lets hope that Enterprise Inns, the owners offer a realistic rent. Saved from the prospect of soft porn In the last issue I reported that Pamela Samson of the Decoy at Milking Nook was going to try and attract customers (some might say the wrong sort of customer) by offering entertainment of a more libidinous nature. Pamela has now had a change of heart and has now passed the pub into the hands of local blokes Andy Simmonds and Barry Gilson, both of whom have connections with the pub business. Andy has run several pubs before including the Ploughman in Werrington Centre and Barry has had a hand in refurbishing one or two
www.real-ale.org.uk
boozers so you’ll be guaranteed a comfy sit down while having a pint. Andy is keen to become part of the LocAle scheme and sees the future of the pub as bright and brilliant. I have no doubt it will be. More awards....surely not.... Not content with winning local awards Jill & Dean of the Jolly Brewer in Stamford have now become Lincolnshire Pub of the Year and will now be put forward for East Midlands Pub of the Year. Where will it all end? Meanwhile in another county... The Boat in Whittlesey has just won Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year. This award will sit comfortably next to the Hostelry Outside Peterborough (HOP) Award which we presented last year to Phil and Maria. The Boat as most will already know is an Elgoods house and all the beer is served straight from the cask. What a marvellous idea... It’s nice to see the Golden Pheasant doing nicely thank you very much. Since taking over the running of this rurally situated establishment Kate Shinkins has gone from strength to strength culminating in an excellent beer festival back in May. Not content to just do a festival Kate decided that a barbeque, bouncy castle and live music would make for a more enjoyable event. With 16 beers and 2 ciders on tap the fest went well and Kate would like to thank Kev Fordham and the other CAMRA members who helped it all go smoothly.
Continued Overleaf 11
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PUB NEWS
A pub that should get a mention a bit more often is the George at Ramsey Forty Foot. Now run by Steve and Jan Upex, Steve being the brother of Mick of Palmerston Arms fame, the pub now stocks local beers and is a champion of the LocAle scheme. Hopefully by the time the next issue of BAE comes out I'll be able to give a more in depth description of what's going on down that way.
so they have added a dog show, a raffle, a race night and a Soul & Motown night. If any company out there would like to sponsor a race and have their name in lights then ring 240387 and get your cheque book out. Sounds like a good weekend. The Vine in Market Deeping held a live music event to rival Glastonbury back in May, OK no Two fires at two Georges The George in Ramsey was damaged by fire in May. Much of the top floor suffered badly during the outbreak but manager Louise Axelson said that business would continue as normal. Parts of the hotel date back to 1630. Another George to be the victim of a fire was in Whittlesey. Although details are sketchy as we go to print the damage may not be too extensive. The pub has been closed for sometime now and the wrangling over its future continues between Wetherspoons who own it and the local authority. It’s a charity thing There are many pubs around the area doing their bit for good causes. One such pub is the Black Swan in Farcet, run since 2004 by Steve & Jan Thurston. Over the 5 years they have been at this great little pub on the verge of the fens they have managed to raise £9657.53 for local causes and they would like to thank the regulars at the pub for their support. They intend hitting the magical £10k at the 4th Annual Beer Festival which is on from the 10th to the 13th September. Of course just a beer festival isn’t good enough for Steve & Jan 12
Tom Jones or Lily Allen but 11 local bands did their damnest to make sure all enjoyed themselves. Add 9 ales and a charity theme and it did the job. Over £300 was raised for the NSPCC. Meanwhile at the Blacksmith’s Arms in Elm they were raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance by way of a fun day. Over £600 was raised via the cunning use of karaoke, a barbeque, raffle and face painting. Help for Heroes got a boost from Coopers landlord Kelvin Vaughan and his right hand man Colin Slater when they organised a charity
info@real-ale.org.uk
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PUB NEWS
gig at the Bretton pub recently. Over £2,000 was raised from the live entertainment and other activities at the pub. Pub website...a good idea or a place to store out of date details? OK the interweb has been with us for many years now and we should all be used to it. Now, when it comes to finding out up to date information about which pubs to visit whether it be local or far away it should be as easy as a click of a mouse. So why is it that we have some pub websites that bear little semblance to reality? Not only do we have pub websites that are so out of date that the pub in question has probably been closed for a couple of years but we also have a whole host of directory sites and guides that do nothing other than list old information. One of the directory sites that should be up to date is the much used and popular www.peterborough.net and yet about 40% of its links to local pub sites lead nowhere. Our own CAMRA website has had a makeover of late but we still have work to do, especially in making sure our pub guide is up to date.
www.real-ale.org.uk
Out of the many pubs we have around the area there are only a handful that have sites. I think we need to encourage more pubs to get their selves a web presence, after all it can only help to drag a few more to the pub which has got to be the main aim of any business. So to finish off I’d like to invite all local pubs to create a website. It doesn’t have to be flash and clever, just up to date and relevent. You don’t really need any expertise just a desire to get it right. There are many ways to create a site with virtually no knowhow whatsoever and many webmail companies allow you to create something useable quite quickly. Have a look at Google, www.blackapplehost.com and www.webs.com. All of which can be utilised to create a site with a minimum of fuss and shouting at the screen. Good luck and let me know how you get on! Steve Williams
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Peterborough and District branch of CAMRA
‘FOUNDRY FEST’
Pub Of The Year 2009
Beer Festival Wednesday October 28thSunday November 1st. There will be 25+ real ales & traditional ciders, live music, food. (In conjunction with the ‘Hit or Miss’, 7 Foundry Rd)
CAMRA Gold Award Winners 2008 Real Ales always available Real Cider Locally sourced food served every day
Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP
Telephone 01780 755141
Whittlesey’s Only Real Ale Freehouse ! Up to 8 real ales on at all times Including FOX Heacham Gold, ADNAMS Bitter OAKHAM Bishops Farewell
Plus a range of ever-changing guest beers. Member of the Oakademy of Excellence
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L A IV H T ES 26T F R H - PT E BE 25T SE info@real-ale.org.uk
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PUBS WITH A PAST
Pubs with a past Good Selection Of Real Ales Beer Garden With Childrens Play Area Open All Day Friday Saturday Sunday Good Food Available - Regular BBQ’S Separate Lounge & Bar Area, Snug Room Pool Table Juke Box Darts SKY TV Quiz Machine In Bar 6 Foot Large Screen, Large Car Park Regular Live Music Saturday Evenings
The Cherry Tree 9 - 11 Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9PB
Tel: 01733 703495 4 Real Ales including
Landlord, Pedigree and Two Guest Beers
Live Music
every Friday and Saturday
Coming Soon: Weekend BBQ on Friday & Saturday throughout the summer
Now Stocking Local Ales Changing Weekly (from breweries such as Oakham, Digfield, Potbelly, Tydd Steam, Elgoods, Grainstore and others)
Traditional Meals served daily Monday - Friday: 12noon - 2pm, 6pm - 9pm Sunday: 12noon - 5.30pm
www.cherrytree-inn.co.uk www.real-ale.org.uk
The Fitzwilliam Arms, Marholm The Fitzwilliam Arms is better known as the Green Man and I think we can all see why. The topiaried privet hedge is said to be over a hundred years old and judging from the clothing of our drinkers the photo dates from the 1950's. Much of the area is still owned by Milton Estates whose family name has been Fitzwilliam for many hundreds of years. Any more photos out there? I was contacted by a Mrs Abbott who left a message saying she had some old photos we could use but she forgot to leave her contact details. If she could contact me again it would be much appreciated. Steve Williams Pubs Officer 07802 896641 steve.williams@beeraroundere.org.uk 15
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FEATURE
Coming of Age in March
I
’d like to start off by saying how pleasant it was to read two recent articles in Beer Around ‘Ere (BAE) concerning my hometown of March. It was good to see my friend Doug Evans on the front cover of one particular issue (BAE 144, also p17); and in the very next edition, I was pleased to see the names of a few of my favourite pubs in ‘Chas & Dave on Tour’ (BAE 145, p22). These two stories prompted me to reminisce about my first experiences drinking and socialising in my hometown, and to reflect on my own journey into real ale. One of the major milestones in any young person’s life is when they turn eighteen years old. Here in the UK many freedoms come with this transition from adolescence to adulthood. Probably the most eagerly anticipated of these is the ability to drink legally in a public house. But following my coming of age in the early-nineties, I found this particular freedom to be a big disappointment. As I remember, there were two main reasons for this. Firstly, due to television commercials, the pubs we frequented, and the fact that most other people were choosing these products, I took the fashionable option and tended to drink keg beers. It wasn’t because I liked them very much. In fact I found them to be too cold, very fizzy, and lacking in flavour. But I didn’t know any better at the time, and it was a ‘popular’ choice, so therefore I stuck with it. Secondly, March seemed to suffer from an unusually high proportion of Greene King pubs in the town centre. This meant that there wasn’t a great deal of variety on offer, and that most pubs we entered were serving the same old stuff. The only relief to this dire situation was the presence of three Elgood’s pubs (only two of which were in the town centre) serving a good 16
selection of locally brewed ales. I suppose it is fair to say that, with respect to real ale, March was lacking in variety, not volume. Regarding the entire beer scene I was left asking myself the question “is this it?” I became disappointed with the status quo. I was looking for something else... ...Then along came the Evans family who took on the Rose & Crown during the mid-nineties. One of the main reasons I’d not been this pub was its location: it’s a good ten-minute walk from the town centre in a fairly quiet and mainly residential area. As a young person conscious of all things hip, my preference at the time was to be seen in a glitzy High Street venue as opposed to being spotted in some backstreet boozer! After getting over this initial stumbling block, and following some good reports about the new venture, I decided I’d take a chance and give it a try. Upon walking through the door I thought one of the biggest differences, compared to the other pubs in March at the time, was the variety of drinks on offer. Most noticeable were the six hand pumps taking pride of place on the bar. Alas, due to my lack of knowledge, I wasn’t familiar with any of the beers or breweries! How tempting it is in such a situation to stick to what you know eh? Therefore, not being the adventurous type, I resigned myself to ordering from the modest selection of keg beers on offer. Then suddenly... “Would you like a taster?” asked the barman in a strong West Midlands accent. This was my first encounter with Doug Evans. I accepted the kind offer and Doug patiently guided me through his range of ales before I settled on a pint of Archer’s Village Bitter. The first thing I noticed about these beers was how different they were to the keg versions I was used to. They were full of flavour, far less fizzy, and
info@real-ale.org.uk
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FEATURE
served at a much better temperature. I also liked the fact that no two samples were the same; each had its own individual identity, and was contrasted, in one way or another, to the rest. Another aspect of this pub, and one I was to develop a serious interest in, was the availability of real ciders and perries. The three or four varieties on offer were advertised on an adjacent blackboard to the ale list, but were served straight from the ground-floor cellar instead of by hand pump. These drinks were completely new to me as only their keg counterparts were available in the town’s other venues. Again, I found the real variants to be far superior. They were still (apart from an occasional natural effervescence), full of flavour, and deceptively drinkable. As a student keeping a tight rein on finances, I also came to realize that, due to their generally high ABVs, most ciders and perries were remarkably good value for money. You don’t need too many pints at 8%! Following subsequent visits I realized that Archer’s Village Bitter was in fact the only regular cask ale in the whole pub; the other five pumps dispensed guest beers, and all ciders and perries changed from week to week. In later years a seventh pump was added which made a mild, porter, or stout available. It was becoming increasingly apparent to me that Doug was not only a keen supporter of local and national microbreweries, but was also interested in providing his customers with an ever-changing wide variety of real drinks. The differences between this pub and others in the town were not just restricted to the variety of drinks on offer. During the latter years of Doug’s tenure there was no jukebox, no pool table, no gaming machines, and the only food available was of the crisps and nuts variety. He also made the bold (at the time) step to restrict smoking to just one of the two rooms, so as to cater for smokers and nonsmokers alike. I still think this is the best solution to a very thorny issue, as opposed to the
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present interior blanket ban which has deprived so many of our community pubs of much-needed custom. So what is Doug doing now? Well after about ten years at the Rose & Crown Doug sold up and is now enjoying his retirement living on the Mediterranean island of Malta. He still manages to get back to England on a couple of occasions each year. Usually one of his trips includes a visit to the Peterborough Beer Festival (PBF). It was good to see him on the Wednesday of last year’s PBF to catch up on news and to reminisce about the good old days. And as for me? Well there are two main changes: despite still harbouring an interest in cider and perry I have to say I’m more of an ale drinker these days; and after moving to Peterborough city centre I find that, instead of having just one excellent pub to choose from, there is a wonderful selection of top-notch drinking establishments! I’ve enjoyed many a fine session in most of these and I try and support those within walking distance as much as I can. But I’ve noticed that I tend to gravitate towards one pub in particular: in my opinion, I find the variety and ethos at the Palmerston Arms to be closest to the ideals instilled in me by Doug over a decade ago. March is not without its changes either. Although you can still purchase a pint of Greene King IPA in quite a few of the town centre pubs, there does seem to be a lot more variety in terms of ale these days. How did this change come about? Well, obviously people’s attitude towards real ale has changed – we are drinking more real drinks now than we did about ten or fifteen years ago. On a national level, much of the credit for this has to go to CAMRA for its large-scale campaigning. But within our communities, surely thanks are also due to the people who make an outstanding contribution to the real ale cause. Because of the increased variety of real drinks now available in March compared to the situa-
Continued overleaf > 17
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COMING OF AGE IN MARCH CONTINUED
tion a decade and a half ago, it is my view that Doug Evans is one of our ‘local heroes’. Today, Doug’s influence is easily seen in a range of the town’s pubs. Firstly, after a period of closure and uncertainty last year, The Rose & Crown seems to go from strength to strength. I visited during winter and enjoyed a choice of Oakham JHB, four guest cask ales, and Westons Old Rosie Scrumpy. More recently they staged a successful beer festival offering seventeen real ales, two ciders and a perry, freshly cooked food, and live entertainment. Secondly, even a swish town centre establishment is now catering for real ale drinkers: Smith & Jones included three hand pumps in their £1.85 million refurbishment of Ye Olde Griffin Hotel last autumn. Adnams Broadside, Theakston’s Best, and Wells & Young’s Bombardier are usually on offer. But, in my opinion, the place where the Evans hallmarks are most evident is at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel. I hope March folk will forgive me for mentioning how much of an eyesore this building used to be when it housed the dole office and then later fell into
disrepair. Nowadays this old office block has been transformed into a plush hotel where Doug’s protégé Marvin Agius manages the bar. Four guest cask ales, cider, perry, and an excellent selection of continental bottled beers are usually available. Last autumn Marvin and his team’s efforts were rewarded with a CAMRA Gold Award ‘for a much improved range of real ales served in top condition’ (BAE 144, front cover and p17). So it certainly seems that March residents have been gaining a taste for the real stuff. But how would the town’s drinking scene have turned out had it not been for Doug Evans? Maybe residents would still be enjoying real ale, but on a similar scale to that of fifteen years ago? Maybe, in the face of increasing advertising and mass production, they would have lost their taste for real drinks completely, thereby succumbing to the cold, fizzy, and tasteless counterparts? There is no way of knowing for sure. All I can say is that hopefully the present trend will continue so that March drinkers will be able to enjoy real ale, cider, and perry for many years to come. John P Stevens
The Black Swan eet, Farcet 77 Main Str
Tel: 01733 24038
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Runner Up Peterborough CAMRA Pub Of The Year 2008 3 Ever Changing Real Ales 24 Seater Restaurant Sunday Lunch - 12noon to 3pm Parties and meetings catered for
MEAL DEAL Main and dessert for £ 4.99 served Tuesday to Thursday 5 - 9pm and Friday and Saturday 12-3pm and 5 - 9pm.
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PETERBOROUGH BEER FESTIVAL 2009
BEERS
THE WORKERS
We will be serving more than 350 draught real ales including favourites, beers from very small micros, many from new breweries and some produced specially for the Festival. Almost all of them will be dispensed by gravity straight from the casks. Our aim is always to have every beer ready and available from the opening session. As always we will be serving beers of many different styles including mild ales, porters, stouts, bitters, golden ales, wheat beers and flavoured beers.
The Festival is organised and run by members of CAMRA who are all volunteers. We always need more so why not give us a few hours of your time if you are a member.
GLASSES Commemorative half-pint and pint glasses bearing the Festival logo will be available. All of the glasses will be oversized to ensure that when filled to the stamped line you are guaranteed a full pint. Festival wine and bottle glasses will also be available.
CIDER & PERRY The traditional cider bar is with us again serving probably the best range of traditional ciders and perries available anywhere. This year around 100 varieties will be on sale.
ENTERTAINMENT Tue 25th Wed 26th
BLUES CONSORTIUM BACK PORCH BAND + Nimming Ned
Thu 27th
TOUCHSTONE + Symptom
Fri 28th
THE LEAGUE OF MENTALMEN + Convulsions
Sat 29th
ONE STEP BEHIND + Angry Man All entertainment subject to availability.
CHILDREN AT THE FESTIVAL
The wine bar will be selling traditional fruit wines plus grape wines from English vineyards.
Lunch time or early evening is the ideal time to bring the family to the Festival as there is always an easy-going, friendly atmosphere. There will be fairground rides for the kiddies.
THE BOTTLED BEERS
OTHER STALLS
The popular bottled beer bar will be selling a range of European bottled beers plus a few from further away.
Come along to the Information & Membership Area and learn a bit about CAMRA, beer, brewing and pubs and while you’re there, join the campaign and add your voice to help preserve good pubs and good beer. We also have pub games, a lunch time pub quiz and the famous Everyone’s a Winner tombola. The CAMRA shop sells Peterborough Beer Festival shirts, CAMRA products and all manner of breweriana. There will also be a beer & brewery book stall, glass engraving, T-shirts, RSPB and other stalls.
WINE BAR
SOFT DRINKS A new soft drinks bar will be selling a range of children’s and adult soft drinks, apple juice, non-alcoholic beer, cigarettes, crisps, etc.
FOOD There will be a wide selection of food available, including German sausages, hog roast, donuts, toasties, oriental, biltong, pasta, burgers, French pancakes, pasties, real sausages, olives. 20
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ANGRY MAN
THE LEAGUE OF MENTALMEN EHIND ONE STEP B
OPENING TIMES & PRICES Tue 25th
5.30-11.00 £4.00
Wed 26th
12.00-2.30 Free 5.30-11.00 £4.00
Thu 27th
12.00-11.00 OPEN ALL DAY £5.00
Fri 28th
12.00-2.30 Free 5.30-11.30 £5.00
Sat 29th
12.00-11.00 OPEN ALL DAY £5.00
Entry is just £1 before 3pm on Thursday and £3 before 3pm on Saturday. CAMRA and EBCU members pay just £1 on Thursday, Friday evening and Saturday and get free entry to all other sessions. No entry or re-admission after 10.30pm.
FOR MORE INFORMATION 07900 056940 or 01733 896555 E-mail: info@beer-fest.org.uk www.beer-fest.org.uk Fax: 08707 620848 www.real-ale.org.uk
H BAND BACK PORC
DISABLED ACCESS The site is on one level on grass and disabled toilets are provided. Wheelchairs can be provided but please let us know well in advance if you need one.
RNLI The RNLI will be collecting your spare change, which has so far bought two D-class inshore lifeboats and an Atlantic class boat for the reserve fleet. Many lives have already been saved by your generosity and you are well on the way to a new boat for Skegness.
VENUE The 32nd Peterborough Beer Festival will be held in three massive marquees on the River Embankment, Bishops Road, Peterborough. The site is unique being only a few minutes walk from the city centre with the Cathedral to the front and the River Nene to one side. A special Taxi rank is set up for trips home in the evening, outside the main gate. 21
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
A Cry for Your Help A
s we approach another date to our annual Peterborough Festival we are appealing once again to all our members and their friends for assistance in helping us run the second largest Beer Festival in the country. If everyone whom I have met during the last year and, with a deadly serious look on their face who informed me that, “yes I’m definitely going to help you at this years BF” then there would be no need to make this appeal. As it happens very many of you do but, many don’t. Right what’s the problem? Bit shy of facing hordes of baying customers waiting to be served. You don’t have to serve beer, cider or wine – we can find you other tasks. Can’t spend a lot of time at the festival. Some time is better than no time at all. Don’t feel comfortable facing the public? No need to. We have loads of other jobs and things that need doing behind the scenes. Don’t know anybody within CAMRA even though you’re a member. I can guarantee by the close of the festival you will have met and made more friends than you imagine. Also you can bring a friend with you even if they are not members – as long as you can convince us they are trustworthy. So what do we give you for this time and effort? Well we don’t pay you for a start! If you work for a certain number of hours we let you drink some beer free. We feed you if you are there all day, and we have our own free transport to take you home each night after the festival closes, within a limited area of the city and outer villages. Every staff member is issued with a free festival glass to keep. Other discounts are available from our festival shop and some of the outside food vendors. We also have our own staff bar where you may get
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some beers that are not on sale in the main festival marquees. So if any of this has tempted or persuaded you if not lured you into offering us a hand get in touch with myself or one of our committee members. All contacts are at the back of this newsletter. (Alternatively, sign up online by visiting http://tinyurl.com/n2pe7q Beers on us! NB. All Branch Members should have received a request staff form in the post during July.
David Murray Chairman & part of the Staffing Team Peterborough Beer Festival
info@real-ale.org.uk
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p
Wymondham, Norfolk www.pennycress.co.uk sales@pennycress.co.uk
We stock the full range of
‘Rainbow’ liquid chalk marker pens. Suitable for indoor and outdoor signage. Wetwipe chalk markers are available in ten colours. Liquid chalk wet wipe products come off with a quick wipe from a damp cloth, yet they are waterproof and permanent under even the heaviest rainfall.
Please visit our website or call
07957 938989 Enjoy a country break at
THE WHITE HORSE INN The infamous Edwardstone White Horse Inn is a traditional pub in the Suffolk countryside offering a range of real ales from its own brewery as well as a wide variety of the best the nation has to offer. Locally sourced food is available, as well as self catering accommodation and camping with facilities.
The Prince of Wales Feathers Castor, Peterborough Tel: 01733 380222
Mill Green Brewery Beers made only with locally sourced fine ingredients. We are now growing our own organic malting barley and hops. Holiday Cottages available equipped with Kitchen, Lounge, Toilet and Shower from £40.00 per night
Camping available in our 2 acre field behind the pub.
Award winning village local in historic Castor. Close to the Nene Valley Railway & Ferry Meadows. Serves 5 guest ales & real cider. Walker & dog friendy. Homecooked food served every lunchtime. Open all day every day.
Tel: 01787 211211
www.edwardstonewhitehorse.co.uk www.real-ale.org.uk
www.princeofwalesfeathers.co.uk 23
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Live Entertainment every Real Ales regularly on sale Friday Evening Hancocks 3.6% Everards Tiger 4.2%, Open Mondays for lunch and Evening meals Coming soon - Weekly Bingo Meat Raffle Every Friday
Opening Times Mon - Fri 12noon - 3pm & 5pm onwards Food Served 12noon - 2pm & 5pm - 8.45pm
Sat & Sun NOW OPEN ALL DAY
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Oakham JHB 3.8% Regular guest beers are: Absolution - Abbeydale Crazy Daze - Pot Belly No 1 Bitter - Hopshackle Bitter and Broadside - Adnams 1050 - Grainstore Bishops Farewell - Oakham HMS Warrior & Marie Celeste - Newby Wyke Abbot & IPA - Greene King
Food Served Until 7.45pm
01778 347190
Function room available for hire
48 King Street, West Deeping info@real-ale.org.uk
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BAE GONES
BAE Gones 20 Years Ago We were preparing for the “Glorious Twelfth Beer Festival” where we had our very first Festival Special beer called Peterborough Special Bitter and brewed by Baz Parish. Another first was having beers from Ireland, the Orkney Isles and the Isle of Wight and just over 20,000 pints in total. Other news was that Pete Carter had taken over the Cherry Tree (and live jazz was bound to follow), the Hand and Heart had gone real with cask Magnet and the White Swan at Woodnewton was likely to be turned into flats (but it never happened). 15 Years Ago Preparing for the Seventeenth Beer Festival on the Embankment when the live music included Big in the Northeast and the Tansads. 70,000 pints of 133 real ales from 61 breweries were expected to attract up to 20,000 visitors. We suggested that the National Breweries acted with gross stupidity by upping their pub prices by five pence while there was a major campaign to persuade the government to cut beer duty (Now where have we heard that before and since?). Unusually several pubs reopened in the area including the Durham Ox and the Greyhound in Peterborough, the White Hart in Eye, the Exeter Arms in Barrowden and the Fishermans Haunt at Rings End. 10 Years Ago Yes, we were preparing for a Beer Festival again, this time the 22nd where we would have 300 beers and ciders available. We were also preparing for the 25th Anniversary of the Peterborough Branch of CAMRA with an Ale Trail around twenty-five pubs with extra prizes for anyone who could visit them all by public transport.
www.real-ale.org.uk
5 Years Ago BAE contained a full report of the Cycle Rally. We carried an article entitled, “CAMRA Responds to Select Committee Enquiry into Pubcos”, (Now didn’t I see that somewhere else?). We also reported that two pubs in our area, the Wortley Almshouses and the Tobie Norris, had won awards in the National Pub Design Competition. Oh! By the way, we were also preparing for the 27th Peterborough CAMRA Beer Festival.
Pub Merit Awards & Gold Awards The committee feel that pubs outside of Peterborough are missing out on Gold Awards and so they have introduced a new Merit Award for pubs that are continuously outstanding. If you know of a pub in our area that deserves a Merit Award or Gold Award then please complete the following form and send it to our Secretary. Pub name: Pub address/town/village: Reason for award:
Your name: Your phone number or e-mail address: Your membership number:
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RHYTHM & BOOZE
Rhythm & Booze
I
f there’s one thing more depressing than a boarded up pub, then it’s one that’s got so bad that it needs to be boarded up.
That way there is the hope, as with The Ostrich Inn, that someone will eventually take it over and invest in more than just air fresheners to cover up the smell of the bogs. It’s a similar situation at The Granary, Market Street, Long Sutton, which as Chaplin’s, its chequered history of thugs and drugs, lead to its closure for two years. In May 2008, despite locals saying he was mad for taking on somewhere in such a state of disrepair, Sean Portass spent six-months and £200,000 to turn it into a top class six-bed hotel, bar and restaurant. He’s introduced realale and while it’s Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale, it’s more than the venue previously offered. There’s a Jazz Club, featuring The Nigel Portass Trio, on the last Wednesday of the
month, while various live acts play on alternate weekends. There’s Evolution on August 15, a Jazz & Swing summer barbecue on August 30, The Returns on September 5 and Steppin’ Out on September 19. For more information, visit www.thegranaryhotel.co.uk Featuring at this year’s Peterborough Beer Festival, Doctor A’s Blues Consortium, are playing two dates in Stamford. The Hit or Miss, Foundry Road on August 22 and The Green Man, Scotgate on September 11. Crowland Blues Club’s monthly events return to The Crown Inn, West Street, Crowland on September 20th. Featuring Giles Hedly & The Aviators, the show starts at 20:15, with tickets available from crowlandbluesclub@live.co.uk Venues, promoters and bands wanting a mention in this column can get in touch by dropping an email to simonstabler@aol.com Simon Stabler
Line-up revealed for Randall Rootz MK3 A jam-packed line-up of bands has been announced for Peterborough’s Randall Rootz Festival, with 22 acts scheduled to perform over the three days.
tival, which takes place on August 14th, 15th and 16th, include outfits hailing from as far afield as the Ukraine, Spain and South Africa. The confirmed line-up includes:
The headliner for the opening night remains a closely guarded secret, but organisers have confirmed that it is a “household name” and that they have had “several top ten albums as well as numerous singles in the UK charts”. The festival committee were set to reveal the name of the band on June 15th - two weeks before tickets went on sale. Meanwhile, acts already confirmed for the fes-
Kissmet (Bhangra/rock fusion) The Huxleys (acoustic/pop/blues) The Stolen Knomes (Irish/flemenco) Iryna Muha (Ukranian folk) Dr Robeatnik (experimental/acoustic) Heather McVey (acoustic/dance/chill) The Hi & Lo (folk/roots) The Brackets (indie/rock) The Dead Rabbits (Pogues tribute)
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RANDALL ROOTZ
Opaque (alternative/acoustic/indie) Angryman (acoustic/roots) Icons Of The Brave (indie/rock) The Malingerers (oldtime country/blues) Oka Vanga (flamenco/folk) Juta (Chinese winds/string quartet) Lexie Green (country/blues) The Claddah Band (Irish traditional) This Machine (experimental rock/indie) The Malingerers (acoustic country blues) Chris Watson (Latin/jazz) The August weekend marks the third annual Randall Rootz Festival, which will open at The Brewery Tap in Westgate, Peterborough city centre, on the Friday before moving across town to Charters pub and beer garden on Town Bridge for the Saturday and Sunday free events. The festival was launched in 2007 by a committee of friends and family in memory of talented city percussionist Mark Randall, who sadly died from cancer in February that year, aged 34. Mark was a well-known face on Peterborough’s music scene, playing in numerous bands (including The Dead Rabbits and Angryman - now festival regulars) and constantly promoting live music and bringing new talent to the city.
weekend and the generosity of the festivals many sponsors, especially Oakham Ales and Serpentine Green, which allows organisers to stage the free Saturday and Sunday events. “In less than three years we’ve developed into Peterborough’s biggest music festival and expect to attract over 3500 people during the festival weekend,” said festival chairman Andy Whittaker. “We would love the local council and more local businesses to be involved in our ambitions to put Peterborough and the Randall Rootz Festival on the map as a renowned folk/world-music event, celebrating the city’s diversity and talent.” Check www.randallrootz.org. for details of tickets and availability for the Friday night event.
In keeping with Mark’s passion for music, community and diversity, the festival ethos strives to put on an event that incorporates these ideas, while also helping to raise awareness and much needed funds for Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice, where Mark was cared for in his final weeks. As well as the diverse range of live acts, ranging from folk and world music through to rock and indie, the festival will also include performance poetry, arts, a variety of family-entertainment and environmentally-inspired workshops and information stands for people of all ages. Funding for the Randall Rootz Festival is made possible through a combination of ticket sales for the Friday night event, the enthusiasm of the bands over the whole
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THE GREEN MAN 29 Scotgate, Stamford 01780 753598
Established in 1796 as one of the ORIGINAL Stamford Ale Houses - Providing Accommodation, Lunch Time Meals,
Seven Real Ales and Seven Real Ciders
AUTUMN BEER FESTIVAL Friday September 11th from 6pm - Sunday 13th
35+ Real Ales (Mainly from Micro’s) 8 Real Ciders, 20+ Bottled Belgian Beers LIVE MUSIC AND BARBECUE Covered outside bar
FOURTEEN YEARS IN THE GOOD
BEER GUIDE!
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LOCALE
UPDATE
T
he number of pubs signing up for the LocAle scheme is rapidly approaching three figures. Many licensees of pubs already taking part have reported a healthy rise in beer sales despite the recession, further proof that beers brewed to suit local tastes are more popular. The following outlets have recently been presented with their certificates for joining LocAle:
The Hand & Heart in Highbury Street ran a beer festival the last weekend in June, and following the lead set earlier this year by the Jolly Brewer in Stamford, featured mainly Locale beers. Oakham, Digfield & Tydd Steam were all well represented, the latter including the recent addition to the range, Roadhouse Bitter 4.3%. Live music every evening was provided by local musicians and Pig Dyke Molly provided amusement in the sunshine on the Sunday afternoon. All in all, a well ran and enjoyable event as the accompanying pictures show.
Angel, Oundle Baskervilles, Baston Black Horse, Elton Conservative Club, Peterborough Decoy, Milking Nook Fox, Folksworth George, Oundle Hit and Miss, Stamford Mama Liz’s, Stamford Palmerston Arms, Peterborough Pear Tree, Stamford Royal Oak, Walton Ship, Oundle Shuckborough Arms, Stoke Doyle
At least a dozen further outlets have been reported to us as selling a LocAle beer, and John will arrange to get around to visiting you as soon as possible. 30
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132 Great Whyte Ramsey PE26 1HS Keith and Jenny offer a warm welcome to all old and new customers.
The Vine
19 Church St, Market Deeping 01778 344699 Did you know that we have been mentioned in the Good Beer Guide two years running? Did you know we are now cask marque accredited? Did you know that we were voted in the top 70 Best British Pubs in the national newspaper, the Daily Telegraph this year? So why not come and see what we have to offer?
www.real-ale.org.uk
Serving a selection of Real Ales: Abbot Ale, Wells Bombardier, Woodfordes Werry and one ever-changing guest ale. Live Music
Now With Free WiFi Large Beer Garden
01487 812597 31
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LOCALE
Letter to the Editor Dear Sir, I found your article ‘Budget Reaction’ in issue 147 very frustrating. According to CAMRA’s Chief Executive and Head of Public Affairs, the 2% duty increase by the Chancellor: A. Ignored widespread public concern about beer prices in pubs; B. Forced valued community pubs to close down (especially significant in villages) at the rate of 6 per day; C. resulted in widespread job losses (which in turn increase cost to the Government in benefit payments), and reduce Government duty D. revenues by £8.5 million a month. If this is indeed the case, can you please explain why any Chancellor would do this? Clearly, everyone would be a loser, and it is a
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blatant and pointless vote loser! The truth must be that the article itself is wrong. Crazy as this Government is, it is not in the business of reducing duty revenues... The answer to falling beer sales must lie elsewhere – increases in the price of a pint, yes – but these charges are more likely to be the result of rent and rate bills rather than direct Government taxes. If you are going to publish articles concerning the problems facing beer drinkers, try to present real answers for them to contemplate, rather than frustrating conclusions that only lead to befuddlement! Yours through a glass darkly Alistair Morgan.
info@real-ale.org.uk
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COUNTY PUB OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Dear Alistair You seem to have read a different article to the one in BAE? The article said that the Chancellor has ignored widespread public concern over “the plight of Britain’s pubs” and not “beer prices in pubs”. It accused the Government of “standing idly by” while six pubs a day close and not “forced valued community pubs to close”. It talked about more valued pubs being pushed over the edge “resulting in job losses” and not “resulted in widespread job losses”. It said that income from duty was down by £17 million for January and February compared to 2008. It did not say that this change would reduce tax income by £8.5 million a month. Perhaps you would care to read the article again?
A T HOLYOAK PLUMBING & HEATING CORGI REGISTERED 01733 208437 OR 07860 569389 192 STONALD ROAD
Both County Awards!
D
uring May a couple of us travelled almost 500 miles around Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire surveying the pubs that the various CAMRA branches had entered into the County rounds of the Pub of the Year.
We had to judge the pubs on atmosphere, welcome, clientele mix, value, and sympathy with CAMRA aims as well of course, beer quality. By the time we had surveyed the Cambridgeshire pubs we were convinced that the Peterborough Branch entry, the Boat at Whittlesey, was the best. But there is always that little doubt at the back of the mind. Were we biased towards our own pub and scoring it too highly? But no, on May 20th, there was the email from Andrea Briers, East Anglia Regional Director, confirming that when the scores from all of the other branches were totalled, the Boat at Whittlesey was the highest scoring pub and declared Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year 2009. Our survey of Lincolnshire gave similar results except that there were two contenders; our own entry, the Jolly Brewer at Stamford, and the White Hart at Ludford were both superb pubs and neck and neck on scores. I am pleased to be able to say that, when the scores from the other branches were added in, the Jolly Brewer in Stamford was declared Lincolnshire Pub of the Year 2009. Congratulations to Phil and Maria at the Boat and to Dean and Gill at the Jolly Brewer for putting in the time, the effort and most of all the enthusiasm, that have guaranteed their pubs to be the cream of the crop in their respective counties. Harry
WHITTLESEY www.real-ale.org.uk
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Your local Roofing Supplies Specialist From its formation in 2006 Anglian Roofing Supplies has firmly established itself as a leading independent roofing merchant in East Anglia. Many years experience in both flat and pitched roofing Suppliers of traditional materials & new roofing systems Large stocked yards at Ipswich and Norwich Callers always welcome to visit our showroom Site visits and samples by arrangement Delivery and collection throughout Norfolk and Suffolk Anglia Roofing Supplies Ltd
Unit 1, Jarrold Way, Bowthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 9JD. Tel 01603 271502 Fax 01603 749353
www.real-ale.org.uk
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FEATURE
Mystery Tour 2009 to teach us the noble sport of nurdling. If you Google for “nurdling” you will find that it is one of those words that is just so good that it has been adopted to mean many things relating to cricket, tiddlywinks, football, pellets used to manufacture plastic items and even a brand of toothpaste. As a sport it can involve dustbin lids and both grouting and dratting poles. I’m pleased to say that at the Stops all you need is a pint and a few old pennies. The game involves throwing the pennies through a small hole in a seat and resembles the game of the “Box” last spotted at the Lewes Arms except that in Rutland barracking and cheating seem
T
hirteen of us waited patiently outside the Brewery Tap at 11am on June 6th for the bus. This is not of course our usual practise but the Tap doesn’t open until noon (Social Sec – Please note). The bus was rather unusual in that it was an old one provided by the Devon General Society, the sort that some of can remember riding in when we were much younger. First stop was the Exeter Arms at Barrowden or to be more precise, since the pub wasn’t yet open, the barn behind the pub that houses the small but perfectly formed Barrowden Brewery. Martin Allsop, owner and brewer, gave us a detailed explanation of how he produces his beers and finished just in time for him to put on his other hat, nip behind the bar and serve us some of his excellent ales. The Fox and Hounds in North Luffenham was stop number two, a pub that I haven’t visited for some years. Three beers from Marstons were on offer and the Ringwood 78 was in good condition if a little pricey at £3 a pint. On to the Jackson Stops (or the White Horse, for that is the real name) in Stretton where one of the friendly regulars tried in vain 36
Fox and Hounds in North Luffenham
to be part of the “official” rules. Joan, of ET fame for digging up grass verges, managed eight holes out of thirteen pennies. Good stuff that Oakham JHB. Next stop was the Olive Branch at Clipsham. This place is a serious eatery and was the Michelin Pub of the Year, 2008. So many pubs, when they become “foody” seem to forget that traditional ale goes well with food and fall back on nitro-keg and lager. Not so at the Olive Branch. Real Ale still plays a major part in the pub where they sell guest beers alongside their house beer, Olive Oil, that is brewed by the Grainstore Brewery at Oakham.
info@real-ale.org.uk
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FEATURE
Olive Branch, Clipsham
Penultimate stop, not that we knew at the time as this was a mystery trip, was the Plough at Greetham, the site of our annual Pie Night. Beers from Elgoods, Tim Taylor and Grainstore were available together with the usual warm welcome from Ian, the licensee, who also put on a buffet so that we could all add some solids to what had so far been a completely liquid afternoon. Last stop was another brewpub, the Blue Cow at Witham in Lincolnshire. This friendly community pub serves award-winning beers from the on-site brewery. Only criticism is that the beer was too cold. Well, that was it. If you weren’t one of the “lucky” thirteen then you missed a good trip.
The Boat Inn CAMRA Cambridgeshire Pub of the Year 2009
Harry
MINI BEER FESTIVAL FROM 26TH AUGUST! OPEN PETANQUE MELEE 31ST AUGUST - ALL WELCOME Beer Garden • Sky Sports TV Bed & Breakfast • Heated outdoor smoking area • Petanque terain • Westons traditional Perry and Ciders • 80 Single Malt Whiskies Exeter Arms, Barrowden
www.real-ale.org.uk
2 Ramsey Road, Whittlesey Tel: 01733 202488 www.theboatuk.com
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BRANCH CONTACTS
Branch Committee Secretary: Harry Morten 49 St Margarets Road, Peterborough PE2 9EA 01733 764296 07900 056940 08707 620848 (fax) info@real-ale.org.uk Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@real-ale.org.uk Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 treasurer@real-ale.org.uk Vice Chair: John Hunt 01406 330453 vice-chair@real-ale.org.uk
Beer Around ’Ere Editor: Paul (Bram) Brammer 07922 604988 bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Distribution: David Murray Advertising: Chris Shilling 01778 421550 chris@shillingmedia.co.uk Magazine & Advertising Production: Dan Wheeler 0845 838 7581 dan@tamoko-design.co.uk Postal Distr: Daryl Ling 01733 235881
Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt Social Sec: John Hunt 01406 330453 07923 489917 Digfield: Paul Brammer social-sec@real-ale.org.uk 07922 604988 Elgoods: Dawn Mason Pubs Officer: Steve Williams 01733 243557 07802 896641 Hopshackle: Noel Ryland pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk 07944 869656 Press Officer: Robert Barnes Melbourn: Lew Clayton 01780 765063 07811 585699 Oakham Ales: Dave Allett press-officer@real-ale.org.uk 07966 344417 Young Members: Alix Botton Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07806 625574 01706 330453 young-members@realale. Ufford Ales: Matt Mace org.uk 07809 629241 Membership: Daryl Ling Trading Standards 01733 235881 08545 040506 membership@real-ale.org.uk www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our new website Festival Org: Mike Lane at: www.real-ale.org.uk 07850 334203 or festival-organiser@realale. www.peterboroughorg.uk camra.org.uk LocAle Officer: John Rice 07759 342702 locale@real-ale.org.uk
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The next issue of BAE will be available on: Monday 21st September We must have your stories, news and advertisements by: Friday 4th September Late copy cannot be guaranteed entry. Please contact Chris Shilling 01778 421550/07736 635 916/chris@shillingmedia.co.uk for all of your advertising needs. Steve Williams pubsofficer@real-ale.org.uk or 07802 896641 is always looking for pub news. Please send stories and other copy to Bram (Paul Brammer) bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk 07922 604988 Beer Around ‘Ere is published by Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2009, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA.
info@real-ale.org.uk
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