beer AROUND ‘ERE
PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
214
FREE! PLEASE TAKE ONE
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
We Rish You A Merry Christmas
43RD PETERBOROUGH CAMRA BEER FESTIVAL 23rd-27th August 2022
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Editor’s Ramblings Whilst on the subject of team efforts, I want to pay tribute to all our advertisers, particularly our “regulars” who have taken advertising space over the years and who continue to back us postpandemic, even though money must be tight and could presumably be spent on other things. It’s a fact that, without the advertisements, there’d be no BAE, so advertisers - we salute you!
What did you make of the Budget? Seemed like giving with one hand and taking away with the other to me, but what do I know? Well, one thing I do know is that Beer Around ‘Ere is very much a team effort! We experienced a few teething problems with the last issue – if you can have teething problems with the 213th issue of a newsletter – but were able to overcome them due to a number of people going above and beyond the call of duty. Dave and Alan Binnington worked tirelessly to get the editions out to the various distributors as soon as possible while others, notably Dickie Bird who trekked out to the March area to deliver direct to the pubs, made valuable and vital contributions. (Dickie’s task was due to the fact that the longserving Mick Ryan is unable to continue distributing due to ill-health. We wish Mick well).
Please remember that pubs need our support more than ever at present – and I make no excuse for repeating this quote from Guardian columnist Zoe Williams: “If you really want to show your commitment to pub culture, all you have to do is visit more pubs, more often, and stay longer”. Here’s wishing a lovely Christmas and New Year to all our readers, contributors, advertisers and distributors. And – if you’re driving over the holiday period, please take care – ‘cos I’ll be walking! Good luck!
Al
IN THIS ISSUE Welcome From The Editor Chairman’s Corner
Pub News Brewery News Stampeding & Crawling
Roving Row’s Review
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A Train Trip From Peterborough To Belper And Beyond! 16 & 17
6&7 9 - 11 12 - 13
Hare & Hounds and Outstanding Ostrich Editor: Alun Thomas bae-editor@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Published by: Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. Designed & Produced on behalf of CAMRA by: Paper Red Media Neil Richards MBE - 01536 358670 n.richards@btinternet.com Matt Richards paperredmedia@outlook.com Distribution: Dave Binnington d.binnington@hotmail.com Alan Binnington alanbinncam2020@gmail.com
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A Trip To Grantham CAMRA Beer Festival 2021
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Bon Voyage Bulls!
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Five Horseshoes Leads The Way
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Bobby On The Beat
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Printed By: Printed by Zenith Media Unit 9-13, Pontyfelin Industrial Estate, New Inn, Pontypool. NP4 0DQ Circulation: 6,000 copies distributed to pubs, clubs and members throughout the Peterborough and District CAMRA Branch area. A digital version of this magazine is available to view and download at: issuu.com
BAE 212: Lost Edition & Members’ Weekend
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Whatever Happened To ‘Jammy’
25
Quarts and Thoughts
26 - 27
Posh Pints
28 - 29
Diary Dates
30
Branch Contacts
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Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA. The Editor reserves the right to alter or delete any content deemed offensive or inappropriate. The next issue of Beer Around ‘Ere will be available on the 31st January. We must have your stories, news and advertisements by 7th January.
Beer Around ‘Ere is published by the Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Please send your stories and other copy to the Copyright © 2021, The Campaign for Real editor, Alun Thomas. Ale Ltd. For all your advertising needs please contact Neil Richards MBE on 01536 358670 or n.richards@btinternet.com
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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FREE LIVE MUSIC DECEMBER Thu 2nd DJs TK & T3lsy – The sessions from 9pm – late Fri 3rd DJ Eddie Nash – Thank Funk it’s Friday from 9pm – 2am Sat 4th DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Sun 5th Open Mic Night from 6pm – 11pm Tue 7th Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Thu 9th DJ Sav – Disco Funk Fever from 9pm – late Fri 10th DJ Eddie Nash – Thank Funk it’s Friday from 9pm – 2am Sat 11th DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Tue 14th Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Thu 16th DJs TK & T3lsy – The sessions from 9pm – late Fri 17th Children of the Revolution – Farewell gig from 10pm Sat 18th DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Tue 21st Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Thu 23rd DJ Sav – Disco funk fever from 9pm – late Fri 24th DJ Rick Allen – Magic of Christmas Eve from 7pm – late Thu 30th DJ Rick Allen – The sensational 70’s & 80s from 9pm – late Fri 31st NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY – The Nuggets and Guest DJ from 9pm – 2am *
JANUARY Fri 7th Mr Nash presents – Thank Funk it’s Friday from 9pm – late Sat 8th DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Tue 11th Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Sat 15th DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Tue 18th Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Sat 22nd DJ Rick Allen – Saturday Night Groove from 9pm – 2am Tue 25th Tuesday Pub Quiz from 8pm – £1 entry Fri 28th The Veltones from 10pm Sat 29th Mr Eddie Nash presents The Get Down from 9.30pm – late
MONTHLY SPECIALS
£3 a pint
DECEMBER
*£15 advance ticket or £20 entry at the door subject to availability from 6pm. Tickets are on sale over the bar or call us.
JANUARY
*not valid with any other offer.
01733 358500 thebrewery-tap.com
80 Westgate, Peterborough PE1 2AA
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Chairman’s Corner
In BAE 213, Matt Mace announced that he would not be standing again as Chairman of our Branch and would step down at the AGM. He has elected not to pen a “Thank You and Goodnight” final Chairman’s Corner – although he will remain on the scene as a friendly face and lively commentator! Matt took his duties as Chair very seriously and conducted himself throughout his tenure with dignity and decorum. The Committee – and all Branch members – will wish him every success.
DISTRIBUTION RESOLUTION? This is a plea to all BAE readers (or any other helpers) for assistance in delivering our bi-monthly newsletter in the March district. Are you able to spare a couple of hours every two months to deliver to a handful of pubs? We would be most grateful if you could. If you can help, please contact Alan Binnington at alanbinncam2020@gmail.com Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Are you missing out?
Get Beer Around ‘Ere delivered to your door! For a year (6 issues) send £4.32 for second class or £5.40 for 1st Class or multiples thereof for multiple years. Please send a cheque/PO payable to Peterborough CAMRA and your address to: Daryl Ling, 19 Lidgate Close, Peterborough PE2 7ZA
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Pub News This report will be rather brief I am afraid as I have only recently braved the inside of pubs, having had my booster jab. First I must congratulate the Ostrich on a welldeserved CAMRA Gold Award and, from the photos I have seen online, the presentation evening was very well attended, as I suspected it would be – the reason I was not there! Although I have started visiting pubs, I avoid them at busy times as I am still being careful. I have continued to lunch outdoors at various hostelries local to me and would encourage pubs to invest, where possible, in their outdoor areas for the winter months with outdoor heaters and blankets in covered areas, as there are many people who would be happy to eat out, but not inside, all the year round. Anyone who has visited European cities like Prague or Budapest in the winter will know that cafes and restaurants are well equipped for al fresco eating in the cold. I am pleased to report that one of my favourite pubs in Stamford over the years, the Jolly Brewer, is now beginning to thrive again under its new landlord’s stewardship. I tried Shropshire Gold and Oakham Ales Green Devil while there and both were in good fettle. Also in Stamford I visited the small but beautifully formed King’s Head in Maiden Lane, where my friend and I tried four of their wide choice of 11 ales! Our selection was made up of Drum & Monkey 4.5% Mosaic Smash, Round Corner 4.4% Steeplechase Pale, Salt Brew Co. 5.5% Huckaback NUPA and Mad Squirrel 10% Indulge! What a splendid lunchtime! The Tobie Norris did not have the same choice but their Ossett Brewery Brunette was a very pleasant tipple as was the Rooster’s Twenty-Four Seven. They had an Oakham Citra on tap as well as Tribute and Ghost Ship and a plum porter on standby, so something for most tastes.
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Pub News
The Black Horse in Elton on a cold afternoon was a pleasant place for a pint and had a choice of Greene King IPA, Digfield’s Fool’s Nook and their own Black Horse Black Bess, a 4.1% bitter that tasted very much like a Greene King brew. We went from there to Elton’s other hostelry, the Crown where we sat by a roaring log fire and drank a couple of their draught ales which were in good condition, but I forgot to take a photo of their pumps which is the only way I recall what I have been drinking! I promise that over the next few weeks I will go further afield and visit more pubs in the city and report back on my findings (no Ostrich pun intended) in the next edition. Bill Taylor Alun Thomas adds: In the last issue’s Pub News, I reported that the Shoulder of Mutton in Weldon had been reprieved and was due to reopen. And reopen it has – I called in shortly after the event to find no draught ale on (all the handpumps had disappeared) and industrial lager being dispensed at £5 a pint. Worrying, to say the least..... It gets worse in that part of the Branch area. Work on the White Swan at Harringworth has ceased, for reasons unknown – although it will probably have started again by the time we go to press! And the Queen’s Head in Bulwick, this Branch’s Pub of the Year less than a decade ago, is closed and up for grabs. Having said that, Bulwick Estates, who own the house, are keen to see it reopen as a pub, which is encouraging to say the least. In Bourne, the proposed Wetherspoon outlet is planned to open in April. In true ‘Spoons tradition, it’s to be named the Raymond Mays, after one of Bourne’s favourite sons. In Peterborough itself, the Solstice in Northminster is to be razed to the ground to make room for various replacements, while the lengthy fight to save the Cherry Tree, Oundle Road, looks doomed following a planning application for 67(!) flats on the site. 67 flats on the site of one pub! The mind boggles......... Al Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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Award Winning
d l e Ales f g i D brewed at Lilford Lodge Farm Barnwell Northamptonshire
01832 273954
ABV 3.9%
www.digfield-ales.co.uk
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Brewery News
BEXAR COUNTY
www.bexarcountybrewery.com
BLUE BELL
www.thebluebell.net
retained the capacity to produce a sensible plan for the funders. As a result of the abject failure to follow the maintenance schedule, problems arose during the very first post-lockdown brew day, and the heat exchanger finally gave up the ghost. Every cloud has a silver lining, though, and this problem prompted a complete rethink of the brewery layout. The acquisition of the new heat exchanger has been a total success. We can now finally dispose of the breeze block that was home to the original heat exchanger. On the beer front, Hopping Toad continues to be a favourite, and Roman Mosaic made an unexpected appearance recently. Both ales were enjoyed in great quantity at the Castor and Ailsworth Cricket Club firework display. Merry Christmas to all, and a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. Cheers! Duncan Vessey
BOWLER’S
https://bowlers.beer/
CASTOR ALES
www.castorales.co.uk Following an extended period of lockdown, which saw no brewing for a number of months, wisdom would suggest that the time should be spent in the brewery, servicing and maintaining the equipment. However, for the Castor boys, lockdown provided the perfect opportunity to carry out extensive market research into the feasibility of setting up a canning line. The first task was to source as much canned beer as possible, then drink it and, assuming the product passed the taste test (it did!), set out a business plan to enable the funding to be put into place. Unfortunately, too much beer was ordered (why is it all so strong?) and by the time it had all been drunk, no-one in the company
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
DIGFIELD ALES
www.digfield-ales.co.uk
DRUM AND MONKEY
ELGOOD’S
www.elgoods-brewery.co.uk
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Brewery News
HOPSHACKLE
KINGS CLIFFE
www.hopshacklebrewery.co.uk
www.kcbales.co.uk
Brewing over the last couple of months has been steady rather than frantic. I now do two unique beers for local pubs, Nagging Goat at 4.2% for the Goat in Frognall and the Nag’s Head in Bourne, King Street at 4.2% for the Red Lion in West Deeping.Both are traditional English bitters, and although they are the same strength are at different parts of the style scale. The Naggers (as it is fondly known) is fairly well balanced with rich malt and fruit with a dry finish, whereas King Street has malt and fruit but also a tangy citrus bitterness that dominates the palate. The return to more frequent brewing has allowed me to get some more beer into bottling tanks as well as casks. This has all now been bottled and is available in various mixed cases and gift packs for Christmas, New Year beyond in the online shop on the website. This is available with free local delivery within ten miles of the brewery, and a courier service is available for further afield. The courier is APC, using their “fragile liquid, no belt, only hand service” and to date this has been 100% successful, with no breakages to report. The bottled beers can also be found in the Stamford Cheese and Deli on the High Street, the Vine House Farm Shop in Deeping St. Nicholas and the Grasmere Market Gate Deli in Market Deeping. Saving the planet, reducing CO2 emissions and recycling are hitting the headlines at present and with good reason. In the next two to three years, a new scheme is being introduced in the UK, where glass beer bottles are returned to a recycling point, and a credit of 10-20 pence is issued. This sounds like a great idea, and a similar scheme is already operating in many European countries. But – until then – if you could keep recycling the beer and the bottles in the normal way that would be fantastic!!!
Jez O’Neill is continuing to brew and supply the core beers of 5C, 66 Degrees, B5, No 10 and P51. Beers from the brewery have appeared at local beer festivals and CAMRA festivals such as Northampton and Nottingham (where five beers were on offer). Interestingly, Jez has noticed a significant increase in sales of bottled beers over the past eighteen months.
Nigel Wright
Don Rudd
MELBOURN
www.allsaintsbrewery.co.uk Sam Smith’s have confirmed that brewing is continuing at Melbourns and has been in operation at the brewery over the past eighteen months. However, the Melbourn pub at All Saints, Stamford, remains closed, as does Smith’s other Stamford outlet, St. Mary’s Vaults. It might be possible, in the New Year, to organise a tour of the brewery for Branch members, and possibly to set up a “Meet the Brewer” event. Don Rudd
MILE TREE
www.miletreebrewery.co.uk A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our friends and customers! Richard and Karen Matthews
NENE VALLEY
www.nenevalleybrewery.co.uk The brewery has been very busy since pubs reopened earlier in the year. We have invested in a new fermenting vessel to help keep up with demand,
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Brewery News
and have just brewed two old favourites: Bang Goes String Theory and Supersonic. Last week we went to Worcestershire and picked up fresh Pilgrim hops that had been harvested that day, and we brewed with them that evening when we got back. This green-hopped beer will be 4.2%. The shop has also been very busy, with sales of cans, bottles, 5L mini casks and 4 pint refills. We also take pre orders for 10L, 20L and firkins for bigger events. It’s been great to be back at beer festivals – some of those we supplied included Northampton, Norwich, Bedford and Booze In The Pews. We have brewed DXB again for the winter months and have also planned two new winter beers: Plumptiousness, a 5.8% Dark Ruby Ale, and Hibernating Grizzly, a 4.0% American Red. A new Bourbon barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout (9.5%) will be ready in December. This will be available in firkins, pins (these will need to be pre-ordered) and bottles from the shop. The shop is open Friday 11.30 – 1300 and 1400 – 1730, Saturday 1200 – 1600. Then from Monday 13th December to Saturday 18th December 1000 – 1700, and Monday 20th December to Thursday 23rd December 1000 – 1700, Friday 24th December 1000 – 1600 and Friday 31st December 1000 – 1500. Bill Taylor
OAKHAM ALES
www.oakhamales.com Like all in the hospitality industry, Oakham Ales have gone through difficult times in 2020 and 2021, with people leaving the business, restructuring and “difficult business decisions”. But the philosophy of producing good beer hasn’t changed, with the core range unchanged and the 2021 seasonal range featuring many new beers and all selling out. For the remainder of the year, two beers – Below Zero, a winter pale ale at 4.1% and an interesting 4.8% Harvest Hop Citra, using freshly-picked “green” Citra hops from the States, then freezing them for export to England, will be available. A couple of new additions to the vintage range – Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Sikander, a pale hop fusion at 5.2% and Obsidian Order, a black IPA at 6.2%, are now also available. Early 2022 sees Dr. Jekyll, a five USA-hopped pale gold beer at 2.8% - so no Hyding from it, that’s essentially Small Beer! February sees the latest singlehopped beer Waimea from New Zealand at 3.5%. Let’s hope the full brewing calendar can come to fruition in 2022, and for restrictions to become a thing of the past for all in the industry, with going out the new staying in – and hopefully an end to the media bombardment of adverts for food and drink delivered for home consumption. Dave Allett
ROCKET ALES
www.rocket-ales.com Mike Blakesley has left the brewery and Dave Smith will now have sole ownership. Dave will continue to run the brewery and will make an assessment of how things are progressing in six months’ time. He is currently brewing and supplying six beers: Bloodhound, Apollo, Lunar Module, Sidewinder, Meteor and Titan. Don Rudd
TYDD STEAM
www.tyddsteam.co.uk Cock Mild (4.4%) will be brewed for December and a new ale, a golden bitter called Top Cat (4.2%), using stavo hops, will be available by Christmas. Dickie Bird
XTREME ALES
www.xtremeales.com DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
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&CRAWLING
STAMPEDING
It used to be called the Stamford Saunter, or the Stamford Stroll, and certainly (in my case at least) it has often been the Stamford Stagger, but on the 25th September the Stamford Stampede took place. I’m not sure how many people are needed to constitute a stampede, but it’s probably more than the four who gathered at the Jolly Brewer shortly after midday.
Next up – the Millstone in All Saints’ Street, recently reopened and under new management. Encouragingly busy with football watchers as our pints of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord went down and our number was swelled to five as my brother Gareth, who has recently moved to Stamford, joined us.
However, as Social Secretary Shep pointed out, we may have been short on quantity but we were high on quality as the compact group meant some interesting debate and even more interesting anecdotes!
And then we were six! Alan Binnington, half of BAE’s new distribution team, was in the next pub we called at, the King’s Head in Maiden Lane, and where I did something I don’t think I’ve ever done before. Readers of a delicate disposition need not look away! But my pints (I had a second one to make sure) of Baker’s Dozen Electric Landlady were so divine that I scored the ale as a perfect 5 on the NBSS site. A tribute to both the brewery and the pub! Five of us pressed on to the Tobie Norris (Dickie had left to catch his bus) where more quality ale was supped, variously from Church End, Oakham and St. Austell.
The Bird had flown.... On the basis that if you can’t say anything nice about something, it’s best to say nothing at all, I won’t comment on the Brewer, where I didn’t have a drink – there were some teething issues to contend with, although I will say that things are now improving. But things looked up in another former Branch Pub of the Year, the Green Man in Scotgate. George was busy preparing the day’s offerings and my pint of Grainstore 1050 was very welcome, as was the half of the same brewery’s Zahara which followed it.
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Following this, we called at a boozer which hasn’t always been on the itinerary in previous years – the Lord Burghley in Broad Street. Eight handpumps offered a variety of ales as we sat in the large outdoor area and drank pints of Grainstore 1050 whilst chatting to veteran PBF volunteer Kim Couzens. Sadly my memory fails me at this point, but I am reliably informed that some intrepid Stampeders (it must have been Shep and Kelvin) finished up at yet another former Branch POTY, Mama Liz’s, as (unusually for me) I reached contentment before capacity and headed for home, fish and chips under my arm…… A fortnight later and the Bourne and Deepings Crawl went ahead with a mere two crawlers – Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
myself and my aforementioned bro! In fairness to Shep, he rang from Peterborough Bus Station to say that he was the only taker from that end for the event and between us we decided that it wasn’t worth his making the trip. The (quite lengthy) trek to the Anchor was, of course, worth it and we arrived just as bolts were being drawn. We’d been blessed with a lovely day and we sat in the very pleasant garden watching the birdlife (including what we thought was a gannet) as our pints of Dancing Duck Bourne Particular went down. There’s a theory, to which I subscribe, which says that well-kept Bass is hard to beat, and this proved to be the case for our second pints in the Anchor – a fine ale! Back into Bourne town centre and the Nag’s Head, a light, roomy pub with a large outdoor area. We felt it would be rude not to order Hopshackle Brewery’s Nagging Goat, which is also a permanent fixture at the Goat in Frognall, sister pub to the Nag’s Head. We debated – briefly – on whether to have halves of Nene Valley’s Bang Goes String Theory, at a hefty 7.8%, before electing to have pints of it! Lovely stuff……….Right on cue, landlord Richard Barrett arrived hotfoot from the Goat with the news that he was about to put Nene Valley’s Egyptian Cream on, so we were very happy to delay our departure to drink pints of this superb ale – and enjoy a natter with Richard. Onto the Delaine and down to Market Deeping and the Vine. Again it was warm enough to sit outside as we luxuriated in pints of Church End Goat’s Milk and Rudgate Ruby Mild, both quite delicious. Moved on to the town centre but didn’t trouble the bar staff in the Stage (Doom Bar only) or the Iron Horse (no real ale). However, we enjoyed our pints of mixed Everard’s Old Original and Tiger in the Bull, venue of course of the very first Peterborough CAMRA Branch meeting in 1974. My long-suffering wife Tina picked us up and, while waiting for our pizza supper in Stamford, we somehow tumbled into the Tobie Norris for pints of Tribute to round off a very enjoyable day. Al Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Richard Barrett DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
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Hare & Hounds UP AND RUNNING!
In Pub News in the last issue of BAE, I blithely informed readers that the Hare and Hounds in Greatford “remains closed”. Having signed the final proof off to the printers, I drove past the pub the following day to see a sign saying “Opening Soon”. Enquiries revealed that it was opening the very next day! It was too late to halt the printing process, so I was left with a dilemma – keep quiet and hope no-one noticed (unlikely) or hold my hands up......... I went to see Steve Rigby, who was very good about it! I’m happy to set the record straight and state that the free house is very much a going concern. The main bar remains the focal point, with a restaurant area due to be open as this issue goes to print (Sunday lunches are already proving a hit with customers). And there’s more. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Business and The Pub Is The Hub organisations, the pub is opening a deli on the premises and the old back bar has been converted into a sports bar complete with big-screen TV. Mustn’t forget the beer! The cellar has had a complete overhaul and ales from Oakham and Grainstore complement Fuller’s ESB and Woodforde’s Wherry, with offerings from Nene Valley, Kings Cliffe, Hopshackle and Abbeydale expected in the not-too-distant future. Al
OUTSTANDING OSTRICH Wednesday, 3rd December saw Branch members and regulars descend on the Ostrich Inn in Peterborough’s North Street as the pub received a coveted CAMRA Gold Award. The Award is “For the huge improvement in the range and quality of the real ales and the superb transformation of the outdoor area”. Nobody who has drunk in the Ostrich recently would argue with that! Our photo, courtesy of Don Rudd, shows Branch Chairman Matt Mace looking on as Sue Minto, Alan Edwards, Dave Reeve-Shillito and Graham Finding celebrate. 14
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
ROVING ROW’S REVIEW Row and Bro visit two of Yaxley’s pubs... The Duck and Drake is one of three pubs operating in the village after the Lancaster Club recently closed. Landlord Colin provided us with an informed overview on the pub, which he has run for the past six and a half years. No regular food service at present – although over the summer he rented his kitchen out which provided a successful takeaway barbecue service.
On down Main Street to The Three Horseshoes, which was resplendent with Remembrance Day ribbons and poppies. Its sister pub is the Woolpack in Stanground, both run by Dave Nightingale. His staff were accommodating and friendly and filled us in on beers available, which are changed regularly. We sampled Timothy Taylor Landlord and Boltmaker, both delicious, accompanied by a snack of hot and filling cheesy chips, served promptly, overlooking the tidy, spacious and well-equipped beer garden. The pub has a good CAMRA following, including members of the Crib Club, which is one of several groups who meet there each week. The pub had a warm community feel about it and there seems to be plenty going on, reflected by the notice board’s upcoming events.
We enjoyed samples of Grainstore Witch’s Brew, beautifully clear in the glass. Also on tap that day were Timothy Taylor Landlord and Grainstore Ten Fifty. Ales are regularly changed ; some, like Listers IPA and Tailwagger,sell out very quickly. Talking of ‘Tailwaggers’ the resident guard dog, Daisy, a Shih Tzu/Yorkie cross, aka a “Shorky,” gave us a cautious welcome, but soon settled down when she realised we were friendly. Sourcing ale for the Duck and Drake comes from far afield. Colin told us one customer had introduced him to the Welsh Gwynt y Ddraig brewery who supply Black Dragon cider, which also sells well.
Time to set off for home, via Holme(!). We wended our way past ancient hedges and dark peat fields, lined with feathery reeds and bullrush heads, escorted from above by soaring Red Kites.
We sat and supped, enjoying beautiful views over Yaxley Fen through the lounge window. Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Row and Gareth DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
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A Train Trip From
Peterborough To Belper and Beyond! On Thursday 2nd September a party of real ale drinkers from Peterborough set off for a trip to Belper and its surrounding villages. There is a Peterborough to Belper Off Peak Return ticket, which costs £30 or £19.90 for Railcard holders. We travelled via Nottingham and Derby, and on the Matlock train to Belper. A short walk from Belper station is the Railway, run as a Lincoln Green pub. It opens at 11am and has half a dozen Lincoln Green real ales and some guests with most of us trying Archer 4.7% American Pale Ale and Tuck 4.7% Porter. An eight minute walk took us to the Devonshire, which was selling at least six real ales including two from Dancing Duck. Then a walk back across town to the Angels Micro Pub (not open Mon to Wed), a tucked away micropub with up to eight real ales from microbreweries. We all wanted to visit the Holly Bush, Makeney, for its nationally rated historic interior, which is situated a few miles south of Belper. The Trent Barton Sixes buses run between Belper and Derby and they have a Group ticket costing £16 for up to 5 people. We alighted at the King William, Milford, on the A6 (not open until 5pm) and walked eight minutes up the hill to the Holly Bush. 16
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The highlight here is the amazing snug created by two full height partition walls of which there are only a dozen remaining examples in the UK. There are seven real ales on sale including Marston’s Pedigree, poured from the cask into a jug and then from the jug into your glass – something once common but now only surviving in half a dozen pubs in the country. A very special pub, highly recommended. On the train we inspected four menus – George’s Fish and Chip restaurant, Belper and three pub ones and all agreed the Spotted Cow in nearby Holbrook looked the best, so taxis were arranged to take nine of us from Makeney. The Spotted Cow is a community owned pub with a small cafe and village post office as well as the pub. The range of real ales was Hartington IPA and five changing real ales from microbreweries. The Ham, Eggs & Chips was very popular among our party costing £9.50 with thick chunks of ham, hand cut chips etc. From the Spotted Cow we walked about ten minutes to the Dead Poets Inn, Holbrook. Refurbished back to an old style interior in 1990 it is well worth a visit. Now owned by Everards as a Project William pub it is run by the Brunswick Inn, Derby with at least one of their real ales and another six from microbreweries.
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
From here the taxi firm Steve’s Cars of Belper (01773 525323) took some of us back to Belper and three of us to the Black Bull’s Head, Openwoodgate DE56 0SF, a Good Beer Guide pub selling Greene King Abbot, Oakham Citra, Taylors Landlord and four changing real ales from microbreweries. A cab took us to another nearby pub in the Good Beer Guide, the White Hart, Bargate DE56 0JA. This opens at 4pm Tuesday to Thursday and sells five changing real ales from microbreweries. From Bargate a Notts & Derby Bus 71, that accepted the Trent Barton Group ticket, took us back to Belper. Those who had taken the taxi to Belper earlier were able to visit two pubs a ten minute walk up the hill. First is the Queen’s Head, which has a regionally important historic interior. It opens at 4pm and sells up to four real ales. Nearby is the Thorn Tree, which also opens at 4pm and sells Draught Bass & three real ales from microbreweries. We visited the Belper House, a smart refurbishment of a listed building which opens at 3 and sells at least one Hartshorn real ale. Other pubs are on Bridge Street (A6) as is the Devonshire. The Riflemen’s, which also opens at 4pm, sells Marston’s Pedigree and also had a microbrewery real ale on the bar for our visit. Next is the Belper Tap, a conversion from former Barakah Restaurant, which opened at 4pm and sold three real ales from microbreweries.
Nearby is the Pump It Up, a micropub operated by Matlock Wolds Farm Brewery, which has two small rooms. You can see which real ales are on sale by using the Real Ale Finder App! Finally, we visited the Arkwrights Real Ale Bar, is a micropub below Strutt Club close to the station. Also opening at 4pm it sells five microbreweries real ales. In order to visit some more pubs in the Good Beer Guide we headed for the Belper Bus Station, an old fashioned Bus Garage, and took another of the Sixes buses (every 10 minutes) to Milford alighting at the King William. This is traditional pub with a quarry tiled floor, open fire and selling five real ales, three from microbreweries. Another of the Sixes buses took us to Duffield and the Town Street Tap, a micropub owned by the Tollgate Brewery which has no bar. Staff take your order and operate table service – wonderful! A good five minutes walk took us to Duffield Station for the train to Derby. The train to Nottingham was delayed but we still managed to catch the last train back to Peterborough. Belper is a town that has at least 14 real ale pubs, all within easy walking distance, with a selection of real ales (and more selling only Marston’s Group beers) but only a small number of the pubs open before 3pm during the week. Mick Slaughter
(Photos: Mick Slaughter and Derek Gibson) Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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A trip to Grantham CAMRA Beer Festival 2021 Discovering that St Wulfram’s and the Grantham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale were hosting the Land of Hops and Glory Beer Festival in a 13th century church intrigued me. I’d passed the building many times before, always impressed by its magnificent 84 metre spire (influenced by Salisbury, apparently) and now here was an opportunity to investigate the interior of the place. Thursday, 4th November, the first day of the festival and I found myself on a train alongside about ten others all keen to do the same. Turns out I’d joined an unofficial Mick Slaughter tour. It’s not in my nature to be press-ganged, so I left them to enjoy the beer at the Tollemache Inn (Wetherspoon), whilst I went in search of smaller establishments. Three swift halves, in the Angel & Royal, the Bank and Chequers and then on to church. What’s that? Ten pounds to get in?!?! No wonder Derek decided not to bother, as he was only ever going to have a couple in the beer fest, then try all the other pubs in the town. A token system was in operation (ten were given out on entry), which I think is a great idea. Instead of asking amateur bar staff to deal with cash, they simply ask for the number of tokens, as displayed on the cask end.
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Here’s where I suddenly realised the unfairness of the pricing policy, as a half-pint of ale was three tokens, equalling £2.25 (or £4.50 a pint!!) Buying a pint cost 5 tokens - £3.75 a pint, much more in line with pub prices in the area that day. That aside, there were plenty of excellent ales, all served at the right temperature, which wasn’t so surprising, as the building was very cold, at around 15 degrees. Everyone kept on their warm layers and happily enjoyed the surroundings, the atmosphere and the banter. Another, even bigger group of Peterborough’s finest tipplers, this time from the Frothblowers micropub, were having fun at a large, food-laden table at the centre of the church! I was delighted to see the level of support from our branch area for Grantham CAMRA’s big event – I reckon we formed about 20% of the congregation, during the few hours I was there. Many thanks to the guys who took the great photos. For some reason, I completely forgot I have a camera on my phone. I’ll be back next year, but with a pair of fluffy gloves and a woolly scarf. Dickie Bird
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
BON VOYAGE BULLS!
There are very few pubs on the local scene that my band, Children Of The Revolution, haven’t played in some capacity over the last 21 years. We’ve made some great friends and built a terrific group of dedicated supporters around the city during this time. However, the time has come to place the band on an undetermined hiatus, from January 2022, while my wife, Hannah, and I go travelling and explore some opportunities elsewhere around the world. I have some truly great memories of the local music scene, and for sure it will be difficult to step off the treadmill after years of relentless gigging, but I can safely say that one of the things I will miss the most is a proper pint in any number of the great local pubs we have in Peterborough and district. I am really enjoying the growing number of micro pubs we have, one of which – the Frothblowers – I am delighted to call my local. However, I have often thought that, if you were to pick up the likes of Charters or the Brewery Tap and place them anywhere else in the world, they would be cool pubs that you would seek out to pay a visit to. Hannah and I will do our best to find suitable alternatives on our travels! In recent years I have really come to embrace real ale; this is due in no uncertain terms to the landlords of the Ploughman and the Frothblowers respectively, who for years practically forced tasters upon me, convinced that I would finally one day see the light – and they eventually converted me! The band still have some unfinished business and will be playing a number of fantastic local pubs before the year is out. We are calling it The Last Dance tour, one final stop at a few of our favourite local venues, all culminating in a final big night at the Brewery Tap on 17th December.
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Rob Bull
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THE ADDISON ARMS G L AT TO N
The village of Glatton’s Addison Arms is a traditional country pub serving great food, real ale, fine wine and scrumptous homemade desserts. Food at the Addison is second to none, prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. The chefs source the best quality seasonal produce so it’s no surprise that the menu showcases a wide range of enticing dishes. The Addison has become a Sunday lunch destination, with tables booked weeks in advance. They offer at least three different locally sourced meals, a wide variety of vegetables and desserts, and also cater juniors and smaller appetites.
FULLY ENCLOSED CHILD-FRIENDLY GARDEN WITH PLAY EQUIPMENT TO KEEP LITTLE ONES AMUSED
BAR MONDAY 12 - 6pm TUESDAY - SUNDAY Noon - 11pm FOOD Evenings only Indian cuisine available Ring for details T 01487 830410
Glatton, PE28 5RZ E contact@addison-arms.co.uk
W www.addison-arms.co.uk
FREE ENTRY & LIVE MUSIC IN DECEMBER 2021 & JANUARY 2022
Thu 2nd WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Fri 3rd DJ OTIS ROBERTS | SOUL SESSION from 8pm Sat 4th THE LAZOONS from 10pm Sun 5th JAZZ UNDERGROUND from 12pm Sun 5th ALEX EARDLEY-SCOTT from 3pm Thu 9th WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Fri 10th DJ RICK ALLEN | 80S NIGHT from 9.30pm Sat 11th BENT BACK TULIPS from 10pm Sun 12th PALMY UKULELE from 3pm Thu 16th WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Fri 17th MR DJ NASH | FUNK & STUFF from 9.30pm Sat 18th ANOTHER GIRL ANOTHER PLANET from 10pm Sun 19th PEMBROKE TENESSON from 3pm Thu 23rd WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Fri 24th CHRISTMAS EVE VINYL PARTY from 12pm Fri 31st NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY WITH DJ SAV from 8pm Free entry before 10.30pm. £5 entry after.
Thu 13th WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Thu 20th WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Thu 27th WEEKLY GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ from 8pm Thu 27th - Sun 30th WINTER ALE FESTIVAL Free entry Fri 28th VINYL NIGHT from 8pm Sat 29th OPAQUE from 10pm Sun 30th MEG MCPARTLIN from 3pm
MONTHLY OFFERS £3 a pint
CHARTERS
WINTER ALE FESTIVAL 27 TH 30 TH JANUARY FAMILY FRIENDLY
FREE
FESTIVA
ENTERTA
L
INMENT
DECEMBER Check out our website for Full Entertainment Listings
20+ REAL LOCAL AND NATIONAL ALES, 15+ CIDERS & 35+ GINS
JANUARY
*not valid with any other offer.
FR EE
en tr y
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
FIVE HORSESHOES LEADS THE WAY
C
heap, efficient and environmentally clean heating is something of a holy grail for people in the UK. The choices in the past have not all been acceptable; coal is seen as dirty, oil and gas is increasingly expensive, nuclear is not universally comfortable and harnessing wind and sunshine rely on the unreliable weather. However, the Five Horseshoes at Barholm is at the heart of a trial that could revolutionise winter fuel for thousands of rural homes and businesses. The 300-year-old free house does not benefit from the triple glazing or insulation of a modern building, and for years it was heated by a traditional oil-fired boiler. But this has now changed, thanks to one of the pub’s regulars, Alan Black, a former heating engineer who was later employed by Oftec, the trade body for oil-fired heating. Alan has researched the potential to reuse waste cooking oils, fats and greases as an alternative to kerosene. “Five or six years ago we were aware of the benefits” says Alan, “it is environmentally clean, safe and energy efficient, but had been dismissed because it would have meant using virgin oils, with the resulting destruction of wildlife through farming palm oil. But now processes have been developed to treat waste oil from the food industry to create the fuel”. The proof is in the pudding, as it were – since the new heating system has been installed at the Five Horseshoes, the pub’s carbon emissions have been reduced by nearly 90%! Investigation of how to offset the remaining 10% was soon under way, and
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
it was discovered that this could be achieved by planting thirteen trees every 25 years. Fifteen trees will soon be planted near local schools on behalf of the Five Horseshoes. Heat pumps, which extract heat energy from the air or the ground, are currently the Government’s favoured technology for homes that aren’t on the mains gas network. But Alan Black - and Martin Cooke, MD of EOGB Energy Products (which supplied and installed the system in Barholm) – are keen to change this way of thinking now that hydrotreated vegetable oil, or HVO, is in their view a viable alternative. “Even with a new installation, like the one we have carried out at the pub” says Martin, “we’re looking at about £4,000 to £4,500 compared to about £12,000 to install a heat pump system”. To back up their faith in HVO and to show support for Horseshoes landlords Emma Freeman and Matt Thompson, Oftec paid for the installation at the Five Horseshoes and will fund the fuel for three years. In return, energy data will be extracted from the building to provide a case study for the fuel to be used more widely in homes and businesses around the country. The last word from Emma: “We’re not ecowarriors, but you have to do your bit”. Ain’t that the truth............ (This item is largely taken from an article in the Stamford Mercury, 22nd October 2021)
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
01/10/2019 15:07
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Bobby on the Beat CAMRA’s Oldest Columnist, Gordon Bunting, continues his look back over life in a Stamford pub during the post-war years..... We rarely see a police officer these days (except in a patrol car), but after the war you saw “cops” all over the place. One was always on duty in Stamford’s Red Lion Square, and many times my father, the landlord of our pub (the Burghley Arms in Sheepmarket), would tell me to run to the square and tell the officer on duty that fighting had broken out among the navvies slaking their thirst after working on the Stamford bypass. The policemen, from memory, were big, burly men who soon quelled the trouble!
under it – and say to my Dad “Fill it up, I’m off to the gents”. When the customer returned, his glass would be full, with his change alongside it. Then the scam came in : “You’ve shortchanged me, guv’nor – I left a pound note under this glass”. Strangely enough this ploy never worked in the Burghley Arms – my Dad was from Fletton, after all! At this time of year, there were no fancy Christmas lights in the pubs, just holly and mistletoe. However, our pub was festooned with red and yellow crepe paper chains, painstakingly made by me and my sisters. After Boxing Day, all decorations came down and everything looked rather bare – but things soon looked up as there was a New Year to look forward to! Gordon Bunting
At that time, evening licensing hours were 6 till 10pm and it was not unusual for officers to patrol the pubs and tell the landlords to clear the premises – and I recall them clearing glasses with drink still in them and shepherding out the few remaining old chaps, who hadn’t been quick enough to swallow the contents of said glasses. There were no tills then. Most pubs simply had a pot under the bar, well out of reach of stray hands! A little trick some would try on a busy night was to put their empty glass on the bar – with a ten-shilling note Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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BAE 212
THE LOST EDITION......
beer AROUND ‘ERE
PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
212
FREE! PLEASE TAKE ONE
APRIL/MAY 2020
FLAGS OUT IN FLETTON
Beer Around ‘Ere 212 came out just as the first lockdown bit, and as pubs and clubs were closed there didn’t seem any point in trying to distribute it. When restrictions were briefly lifted later in the year, there wasn’t really the time to organise distribution, especially as many volunteers were – probably rightly – unwilling to venture onto licensed premises, and that was assuming that licensees wanted paper copies of a newsletter in their establishments.
Those who subscribe by post got their copies, and several boxes found their way into the right hands thanks to willing helpers; but thousands of BAEs spent weeks in a Corby warehouse and then months in Dave Binnington’s garage in Stamford and have now found their way into my hands. When 213 came out in late October it was suggested that a few copies of 212 could be distributed with each consignment – however, it was decided that “old news” probably wouldn’t be welcomed, especially as we were looking forward rather than back (the issue can, of course, be enjoyed online via the website). Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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However – I know I’m biased, but I thought it was a ruddy good issue, and I can’t bear the thought of hoying all those magazines into a skip! It might well come to that – Tina won’t put up with them indefinitely - but, in the meantime, if anyone who would like a “hard” copy of BAE 212 wants to get in touch, I’ll make the necessary arrangements. Al
A warm welcome awaits you on the East Sussex coast! CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference will be hosted by our Sussex branches at the Winter Garden in Eastbourne 8-10 April 2022. After two years without a physical event, hundreds of members have already registered to attend – to see what Sussex has to offer by way of great beer, cider and perry. The weekend is a chance to meet friends, make new ones, go on organised brewery trips and take part in activities. It’s free to attend and open to all CAMRA members. The weekend is staffed by volunteers – with a range of opportunities to help on offer. All the information is on the event page – where you can register to attend / sign up to help - go to www.camra.org.uk/members-weekend-agm-conference Or email membersweekend@camra.org.uk 24
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO “JAMMY”? BAE reader Colin Shepherd, of Weldon, asks if anyone remembers “Jammy” Wells, landlord of the Wheatsheaf in Titchmarsh during the 1970s and 80s. It seems that the pub (a recent CAMRA Gold Award winner) was the “go-to” place for a steak dinner even back then, and the jovial Jammy’s domain was the kitchen while his wife looked after the ale.
Jammy (which may not have been his given name) loved his rugby and turned out alongside Colin for Corby RFC, and on their nights off he and his missus would head into Corby for.....a drink at the Rugby Club! If it’s any help, Jammy had a brother called Nigel, who went to work in the Middle East in the late 70s. Colin is interested to find out if Jammy is still about. Anyone?
NOW SERVING AT SOKE FEST KEY THEATRE / P’BORO / 21–23 JAN BAKERSDOZENBREWING.CO.UK Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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QUARTS AND THOUGHTS Spent a happy week in a less-than-sunny Cleethorpes in late August with two daughters and three grandchildren, but absented myself each evening to sample the local pubs and to fill my three-and-a-half pint demijohn to accompany the evening’s entertainment. The Signal Box Inn calls itself “The Smallest Pub On The Planet”, but as customers can’t actually go in, it surely doesn’t count (you stand outside and order). The No 2 Pub, at the station, a multiple winner of local CAMRA awards, supplied my tasty White Rat and Hancocks HB (the No 1 Bar, also on the station concourse, was mysteriously shut). The real find, though, was Willy’s, a seafront bar with an onsite micro brewery. Their Willy’s Original Bitter was quite superb, as was the Bass, and the ambience had Tina waxing lyrical! “A gentler, quieter crowd of an afternoon” says the Good Beer Guide – so we fitted in nicely... On returning to Stamford, we dined one evening at the Bull and Swan in St. Martins, in recent years perhaps not a pub you’d associate with beery eminence, but it had been proposed for the GBG. I’m happy to say I could see why! Three of Nene Valley’s products on handpump and all were in top condition. Well done! In the last issue of BAE I mentioned our visit to the Racehorse in Westhall, Suffolk, where locals were trying to raise £96,000 to buy the pub. I’m delighted to report that the target has been reached and the pub saved. Shows it can be done.... I was in Bromsgrove overnight a few weeks ago and headed for a pub I’ve used before, the Ladybird in the town’s Aston Fields. Their Batham’s Best and Wye Valley HPA went down a treat as I fell into conversation with a Scouse plasterer (as you do) who had once been on the payroll of the notorious drug baron Curtis “Cocky” Warren. Made the trip up to Grantham on Bonfire Night for the St. Wulfram’s Beer Festival. I have never missed here, even before CAMRA took it over, and 26
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
QUARTS AND THOUGHTS
my sister lives about two minutes from the church so I invariably book in for the night! Dickie Bird’s comprehensive review of the event appears earlier in this issue, and his assessment is largely spot on. The token system is definitely flawed – on entry, the three of us paid our tenners and received a total of 25 tokens. I asked for clarification and was told that as the only CAMRA member of the three, I got “more tokens” – but how many more wasn’t clear. As the first round – two pints and a half – hoovered up thirteen tokens, it meant we had to buy more before ordering a second drink!
Anyway, those minor details must not detract from the excellence of the ales consumed! Some genuinely mouth-watering products were drunk, including Red Squall (4.4%) from the local Newby Wyke brewery and Pheasantry Lincoln Tank (4.2%), but for me the stand-out ale on the night was the Barley Wine (7.0%) from our own Hopshackle Brewery, based of course in Market Deeping (you were only allowed to buy it in half-pints!). Happy daze! Al
Also, I had to smile when we ordered said second drinks. The barman said that one of the ales was “at the other end of the bar”, so would I mind going up there and queuing again! I don’t think I was being unreasonable when I replied that I would prefer not to – so off he went, cheerfully enough. As I didn’t say when he got back, I could have spat further than he had to walk....
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
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POSH PINTS AND AWAY WE GO..... It’s proving a rollercoaster ride for the Posh as BAE goes to press, with some difficult trips – and hopefully some decent ales in the following pubs coming up. As we go to press it’s not known who – or where – Posh will face in the FA Cup.
LION INN
44 Mosley Street NG7 7FQ Large traditional free house with choices from a changing range of nine cask ales, with Castle Rock and Draught Bass the permanent offerings.
Saturday 4th December (League)
Saturday 18th December (League)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST KO 3pm
BLACKPOOL KO 3pm
TRENT NAVIGATION
Meadow Lane NG2 3HS Popular Victorian canalside pub not far from the City Ground and featuring the onsite Navigation Brewery, whose ales occupy most of the pumps. A large and varied menu is offered daily.
VAT AND FIDDLE
BAR 19
19 Queen Street FY1 1NL Four changing ales (often Coachhouse, Holt’s, Lees). An “oasis of real ales” on one of Blackpool’s main party streets. A locals’ bar during the day and a nightclub later on. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018. However, no food served.
Queen’s Bridge Road NG2 1NB The tap for the adjoining Castle Rock Brewery, this art deco gem is just two minutes from Nottingham railway station. Guest ales also feature among the thirteen handpumps and hot food is always on offer.
PUMP AND TRUNCHEON
KING WILLIAM IV
SADDLE INN
6 Eyre Street, Sneinton NG2 4PB Recommended by the BAE editor! Known generally as the King Billy, this Victorian gem is a family-run free house which is a haven for real ale drinkers, with eight microbrewery ales from near and far. No grub though.
BREAD AND BITTER
153-155 Woodthorpe Drive NG3 5JL Recommended by the BAE editor! The pub is a converted former bakery and twelve handpumps serve Castle Rock ales plus rotating guest ales. Home-cooked food varies – check out the specials board.
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13 Bonny Street FY1 5AR Old-fashioned and welcoming free house just off the Golden Mile. Six guest ales can be enjoyed along with home-made pizzas and foot-long sausages. 286 Whitegate Drive FY3 9PH “A Blackpool institution” dating from around 1776. Draught Bass and five changing ales complement walls featuring many sporting prints. Food served until 9pm.
Wednesday 29th December (League)
BIRMINGHAM CITY KO 745pm OLD MOSELEY ARMS
53 Tindal Street B12 9QU Traditional 19th century backstreet gem serving ales from Church End, Enville, Wye Valley. Tandoori food served in the evenings. Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
SPOTTED DOG
104 Warwick Street B12 0NH A bit off the beaten track but worth persevering if only for the competitively-priced Holden’s Mild. Multi-roomed pub with a strong Irish feel, serving excellent scotch eggs (including veggie and glutenfree versions).
LAMP TAVERN
157 Barford Street B5 6AH Another hidden treasure, this time with Hobson’s Mild as a permanent ale along with a Stanway. Run by the same friendly landlord for the last 27 years. No food.
WOODMAN
New Canal Street B5 5LG Grade II listed pub on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. Castle Rock Black Gold and Harvest Pale plus three changing ales. Nosh available.
Monday 3rd January (League)
BOURNEMOUTH KO 745pm
Saturday 22nd January (League)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION KO 3pm CROWN AND CUSHION
2 Lloyd Street B71 4AT Within easy walking distance of the Hawthorns, away supporters are always welcome in this singleroomed pub offering Castle Rock Harvest Pale and St. Austell Tribute plus a changing guest (often Harviestoun).
ROYAL OAK
14 Newton Street B71 3RQ Traditional backstreet local serving St. Austell Proper Job and Wye Valley HPA plus two changing ales. Bar snacks available.
THREE HORSESHOES
86 Witton Lane B71 2AQ A warm welcome is offered in this refurbished oneroomed boozer owned by Black Country Ales, whose products are served from ten handpulls alongside four changing guests. Bar snacks available. Al
CRICKETERS
41 Windham Road BH1 4RN Imposing Victorian local close to the ground, serving Fuller’s London Pride and two changing ales. Lunchtime food served.
FIRKIN SHED
279 Holdenhurst Road BH8 8BZ Quirky, friendly family-run pub hosting a constantly changing range of cask and keg beers alongside an impressive cider range (the pub is a former CAMRA National Cider Pub of the Year). No food though.
Is your local pub under threat? CAMRA has the tools to help you save it
SILVERBACK ALEHOUSE
518 Wimborne Road BH9 2EX A micro with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which serves five changing ales, often from the Nottinghamshire area plus six ciders. Light snacks available. Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
camra.org.uk/saveyourlocal
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Diary Dates
CAMRA meetings, socials and beer festivals
DECEMBER
FEBRUARY
Saturday 4th Christmas Fayre (11am – 6pm) at the Iceni Meadery, 14 Alfric Square PE2 7JP Real Ales, Ciders, Perries, Gin Bar, Mead and Mulled Cider.
Monday 7th Branch Monthly Meeting, 830pm at the Bumble Inn, 46 Westgate PE1 1RE All welcome but please bring your membership card!
Saturday 4th Children Of The Revolution at the Ostrich Inn, 17 North Street, PE1 2RA Monday 6th BRANCH AGM, 830pm at the Yard Of Ale, 72 Oundle Road, Woodston PE2 9PA All welcome but please bring your CAMRA membership card! Friday 10th Children Of The Revolution at the Ploughman, Werrington PE 4 6NA
AUGUST Tuesday 23rd – Saturday 27th 43RD PETERBOROUGH CAMRA BEER FESTIVAL RIVER EMBANKMENT
FORTHCOMING BAE DEADLINES: BAE 215, covering February and March: deadline 7th January, out on 31st January. BAE 216, covering April and May: deadline 26th February, out on 28th March.
Saturday 11th Children Of The Revolution at the London Inn, Stamford PE9 2DB Saturday 11th December 11am - 3pm Green Backyard Christmas Fayre Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 8AT Featuring 5 draught ales from Xtreme Ales and their 12 Bottles of Christmas. Friday 17th Children Of The Revolution at the Brewery Tap PE1 2AA
JANUARY 2022 Wednesday 5th Branch Monthly Meeting, 830pm at the Crown,749 Lincoln Road PE1 3HD All welcome but please bring your membership card! Friday 14th - Sunday 16th Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival.
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Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
Branch Contacts Branch Committee Secretary: Dickie Bird 74 Ellwood Avenue, Peterborough PE2 8LY 07731993896 info@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Chairman: Vacant Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 treasurer@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Vice Chair: Vacant BAE Editor: Alun Thomas 07870 847536 bae-editor@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Social Sec: James Sheppard
07852 772394
social-sec@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Bill Taylor 07903 078340 pubs-officer@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Campaigns Officer: Andy Simmonds 07949 181737
Press Officer: Raeanne Elliott press-officer@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Cider Officer: Andy Stone 07816 893997 cider@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Young Members: Ryan Murray young-members@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Membership: Karen Quinn membership@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@ peterborough.camra.org.uk LocAle Officer: Mark Wroe 07595 549388 locale@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Webmaster: Dickie Bird 07731993896 webmaster@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Minuting Secretary: Jonathan House 07305 764604 /01733 260005
jonathan.house0807 @gmail.com
Melbourn: Don Rudd 07806 731765
Brewery Liaison Officers
Mile Tree Brewery: Steve Williams 07756 066503
Bexar County Brewery: Dave Botton 01733 345475
Blue Bell: Situation Vacant bluebell-blo@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Bowler’s: Andy Stone 07816 893997 Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07768 085441 Drum and Monkey: Keith Miller 07525 750502 Elgood’s: Jonathan Boyall elgoods-blo@peterborough. camra.org.uk Hopshackle: Jonathan House 07305 764604 Kings Cliffe Brewery: Don Rudd 07806 731765
Nene Valley: Bill Taylor 07903 078340 Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417 Rocket Ales: Don Rudd 07806 731765 Tydd Steam: Dickie Bird
07731 993896
Xtreme Ales: Mark Wroe
07595 549388
xtreme-blo@ peterborough.camra.org.uk Visit our website at: www.peterborough. camra.org.uk Advertising: Paper Red Media Neil: 01536 358670 n.richards@btinternet.com
Trading Standards Contact Citizens’ Advice on 03454 040506 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Pub Merit Awards & Gold Awards Does your pub have excellent beer, friendly staff, a great atmosphere, community spirit, or have they introduced additional hand pumps? If so, nominate them for an award. Gold Awards are for pubs that make exceptional efforts to improve. The Merit Awards is for pubs that continue to maintain high standards. If you know of a deserving pub within the branch area, please complete the form below indicating Gold or Merit and post to the secretary or email nominations to info@real-ale.org.uk
Pub name: Pub address/town/village: Reason for award: Your name: Your phone number or e-mail address: Your membership number:
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
BEER AROUND ‘ERE
31
The Farmers
SO MUCH MORE AT THE FARMERS
SUCCULENT ROAST MEATS ALL DAY GRILL MENU DELICIOUS DESSERTS VEGGIE OPTIONS SPECIALS BOARDS
SATURDAY BIG BREAKFAST
From 8am - 11am. Start your Saturday with a full English from the carvery. Help yourself!
Only £6.95
FOUR CHANGING REAL ALES PREMIUM LAGERS GREAT WINES COFFEE
TEA
WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS Two fantastic function areas for hire. The Green Room is a covered area that brings the outside in. The Broadway Suite upstairs will hold a maximum of 75 seated and up to 120 party style depending on layout. Perfect for business meetings, conferences, funeral wakes, weddings, civil ceremonies, parties and all of lifes occasions. Large outdoor space for wiling away the last few days of summer
200 BROADWAY, YAXLEY WWW.THEFARMERSYAXLEY.COM TEL: 01733 244 885 THEFARMERS@BTCONNECT.COM 32
BEER AROUND ‘ERE
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/22
Visit our website for up-to-date news: www.peterborough.camra.org.uk
