Ale Cry 105

Central Lancashire Branch

Ale

Fighting for drinkers rights in

Winter 2014

Cry

Issue No. 105

since

1973

More Free Houses -

Bobs Opens,

Dressers and Wheatsheaf Reopen - A Tale of Three Steves

Whe Retu atshe 3 yrenas aftearf rs The

Bob into the

Bob Inn

Wheatsheaf in Coppull closed in 2011. It has been bought

by Joanne (who leases the Printers Arms just round the corner) having undergone a major refurbishment by dad Steve Parr’s company. The pub finally reopened in October.

I am pleased to report a pleasant airy open plan pub, with light wood bar and flooring. The pub is a true Free House with three handpumps. Sharp’s Doom Bar is likely to be the regular beer available, but the other two pumps will change regularly.

A visit shortly after opening yielded Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and Prospect Silver Tally – the latter being tried and found on fine form We wish Joanne and team every success

Adrian Smith

Stephen Cooney set up the Occasional Drinks Company in Merseyside in 2012. Prior to that he worked for Sam Smith brewery for 51/2 years as area manager looking after 60 pubs and clubs. During Chorley’s Continental Christmas Market and Christmas Light Switch on 2013 Stephen opened a cabin selling pints etc. Steve has now opened “The Bob Inn” in Cabin 24 of the market. He is handily located opposite Browns Butchers and between Pronto Pizza and a (soon to open) Tapas cabin so all your needs are catered for. Stephen said “It’s a very exciting time for myself, the market and the town centre. I am hoping the bar will be a huge success; attracting locals and real ale enthusiasts to the unique location to enjoy fine real ales, lagers and ciders The microbar is an excellent meeting point for family and friends providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.”

Toad

Dressers - “Phoenix from the ashes”

Like a phoenix from the ashes (literally) the Dressers Arms in Wheelton has re-opened after an enforced 6 months closure following serious fire damage. Owner Steve Turner has overseen significant changes to both layout and appearance. The upstairs Chinese Restaurant now has a separate entrance to the left hand side of the pub and the downstairs room has disappeared. The bar has been swung through 90 degrees and now runs along the back wall of the pub. The remainder of the layout is largely unchanged, although both the kitchen and the toilets have been moved and the pool table has disappeared. The pub has a cosy and comfortable feel. For the real ale fan there are still 8 handpumps with the three regular beers being Thwaite’s Wainwright, Black Sheep Best Bitter and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin Adrian Smith

p2 , Editorial, Chairman’s Welcome, Chorley Chatter; p5 Good Beer Guide, Picknose; Licensees at the Cricketers p7 Girl Power, Letter, Pub of the Season; P9 What Pub?; P11 Festivals; P13 Preston New in Brinscall - Matt and Demi. We Parade; P15 South Ribble Scene, Hoghton; P16 Mountain View; P19 Photos Why Join;wish them well.

P21 Riley’s Rambles; p22 Branch Details; P23 Membership Application Form... .........................................................................................................................................................and much more

I write this piece, the clocks have A Start to Breaking the Tie Chairman’s Bit As

just gone back an hour and winter is Editorial definitely just around the corner. This is a busy time of year for There are several stages before a Parliamentary Bill becomes

Law so we mustn’t build up our hopes too much that the CAMRA branches as we start the selection process for the next “Small Business Enterprise and Employment” Bill will succeed. Good Beer Guide. You may be wondering how we arrive at our I have been accused of not giving Lord Mountain a fair crack of branch selections and elsewhere in this magazine is an article the whip when it comes to finding space for articles. So you can describing the process and how CAMRA members can become imagine my trepedation when I asked him to scrap his normal involved. In my welcome in Ale Cry 104, I article and cover the above Bill. I flattered him by referring to mentioned improved communication. As things stand it is very his reputation in the field of customer care in the leisure industry difficult to contact our members directly. We have about 1200 in our branch area, with email addresses for about 800 of those. but it did no good and cost me a pint or two to persuade him.

Until the new national membership system comes online next

I told him that I would be suffering as well, having to massacre my editorial to make space so the only bit I have space year, we won't easily be able to send regular emails to members, so in the meantime we would ask anyone interested in finding out for is: a) thank Kay Ellis for her funny article what we are doing or what is happening in the branch area to use

b) promise cartoons and the return of the quiz

c) I have been critised by one branch member for our branch website, www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk (please note publishing a critical letter from a Fylde Branch member without new address – it's only an extra dot, but the dots do make the difference) or our Facebook page, which is cunningly titled CAMRA adding a comment. I believe in freedom of expression so if anyone wishes to comment on the letter - the next Ale Cry is only Central Lancashire Branch. We've recently had a three months away. Fingers crossed that someone respondes ed change of officers with Steve Enderby (AKA The Alp) stepping down as Social Secretary after a number of years hard work in this role. I'd like to record the branches thanks to Steve for his efforts down the years in organising our trips out. Our new Social Secretary is Wes Truran, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can come up with. Given the communication difficulties Now that Chorley has at least four free houses perhaps it is time mentioned above, it is not easy to advertise trips to the membership at large – so if you would be interested coming on one of our to check on two of the long standing ones. Steve and Denise Potter have been serving cask ale at the Potters Arms since 1991 trips, normally a brewery visit or trip to a town/city with a good range of pubs, please send us an email and we will add you to our building a loyal trade over the years. regular beers are Black circulation list when we have some ideas for future trips.

Sheep Bitter alongside 3 B’s Doffcocker and recent guests have I'd like to take this opportunity to remind all our members about included Loch Ness Wilder Ness (3.9%), Robinson’s Trooper our Christmas Social- which is being held this year at the Ale Em(4.8%), Thwaites Dancing Devil (4.3%) and Timothy Taylors Golden Best (3.5%). Alan Key at the Malt and Hops has not been porium in Preston. There is one very important piece of business in situ as long as the Potters but in the time he has been there he conducted at this meeting – we vote for the George Lee Memorial Trophy winner. Only members who attend are able to vote – so if has served a bewildering diverse number of breweries beers. you want to have your say, you'll need to be there with your memRecently we have seen beers fro Ossett, Cross Bay, Scottish bership card. We have a raffle on the night – and we ask everyBorders, Hart of Preston, Hornbeam and many, many more one attending to bring a raffle prize eg a bottle of beer with them Alan Thompson for this.

The article on WhatPub originally featured in

Normally I am able to write pages on local matters, but news the Bristol Branch magazine 'Pints West' and is reproduced (with

this quarter seems a bit thin on the ground. It’s probably a

combination of me travelling further afield of late and not many slight changes) with their kind permission and our thanks.

changes in the pubs I normally visit. However, what little news As I say, winter is just around the corner. Not my favourite time

we have is all positive. It’s always good to be able to write about of year, but a good excuse (as if one were needed) to settle down

new pubs or pubs that have reopened after a period of closure. I in a cosy pub somewhere, in front of a roaring fire with a pint

am delighted to be able to tell you about 3 of these in the Chorley or two. I've nearly filled my allotted space, but just have room to wish all of our readers out there a very Happy Christmas and

area – all opening within a month or so of each other.

Adrian Smith, Branch Chairman.

The Wheatsheaf in Coppull has been bought, refurbished Best Wishes for 2015.

and re-opened by Joanne It finally reopened in October. I cannot and must confess it is a few years since I have visited the Dresser's. The new pub sees significant changes to both layout and

comment on changes (never having been to this pub before),

but am pleased to report a pleasant airy open plan pub, with light appearance. My visit was before the pub had actually reopened

wood bar and flooring. The pub is a true Free House with three and the only other beer on the bar was Fuzzy Duck Cunning Stunt – although Steve confirmed that come opening time all 8

handpumps. Sharp’s Doom Bar is likely to be the regular beer

available, but the other two pumps will change regularly. A visit would be up and running.

The Shepherds' Hall Ale House

shortly after opening yielded Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and seems to be going from strength to

Prospect Silver Tally – the latter being tried and found on fine

form. Judging by the pump clips behind the bar, Prospect beers strength.There has been aninteresting

feature regularly. With unfortunate timing, Joanne has managed selection of ales since they opened (my

to reopen the pub and have a baby almost simultaneously – and favourite to date being Elland Diablo – a chocolate flavoured Porter at 5.6%)

we wish her well with both ventures.

Having celebrated Chorley’s first micro pub on the cover and they obviously get a good through of issue 104, we now have another one to enjoy. The Bob Inn has put of customers judging by the number of copies of Ale Cry they go through.

opened in the Market Place in the first week of November. It is

by far the smallest pub in Chorley, almost certainly the smallest The pub does not open on Mondays, but is available on that day for private functions if anyone is

in Lancashire and may well be in the running for the smallest

anywhere in the UK! Licensee Steve Cooney had the ‘pop-up’ bar interested. Adrian Smith

on Chorley market last year and has been looking for a

Just yesterday I gave pubs near the

permanent site ever since. The pub features three handpumps,

market a visit. Not one of the pubs

which will showcase two changing real ales and a cider. In

was more than 100 yards from the

addition there will be bottle beers and ‘drought’ imported Czech

lager. Steve is aiming to have beers that are not normally

market. A nice pint in the Sheps

available in the local pubs and is open to suggestions. The pub

Hall, then a good ‘n in the Crown

will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday / Tues and Thurs then a smashing pint of real cider Saturday.

Finally, the Dressers Arms in Wheelton has re-opened

and a laugh in Bobs on the market,

and one from the wide range in

Tate’s. To finish I took advantage of the Prince not only offering 10% discount with CAMRA cards

after an enforced 6 months closure following serious fire damage. but also buy 7 then one free pint cards on real ales. We don’t give the Prince the publicity Sue and team deserve. Always four

When I first came to Chorley in the early 1990’s this pub was a

favourite destination and at that time a regular entry in the Good good ales at the right price to choose from Royston

Beer Guide. Over the years I have found other watering holes 2

Chorley Chatter

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YE HORNS INN GOOSNARGH

PR3 2FJ

GOOD FOOD Delightful dishes prepared by our chefs using quality local ingredients. Our famous ‘Goosnargh Duck’ a speciality.

GOOD BEER Cask ales from our own micro brewery based on site along with beers from other local micro’s.

GOOD ACCOMMODATION 4* Bedrooms mean you can relax and stay awhile.

BEER FESTIVAL Don’t forget our annual beer festival August holiday weekend

Lancashire Pub of the Year 2014

01772 865230

BRINGING ‘LOCALE’ TO PUBS & BARS ALL OVER LANCASHIRE !!

Proud holders of the

‘George Lee Memorial Trophy’ Beer brewed with care and passion available in 9’s, 4.5’s and mini casks.

Call 01772 864382

3

The Crown @ Croston 01772 972785 www.crowncroston.co.uk

A warm welcome awaits from Jo & Rob

20p Discount to Card Carrying CAMRA Members 5 Cask Ales from Daniel Thwaites 1807 Cask Club Range and 1 Real Cider

Home Cooked food served Lunchtimes & Evenings Full breakfast menu Saturday & Sunday from 10am Regular live Acoustic music Ample car parking with a large manicured, secluded beer garden & Boules Pitch

Morning Advertiser North West Regional Winner Best Pint 2014

e-mail ~ thecrownhotelcroston@gmail.com

Mon-Thur 12 to 23.00 Fri 12 to 00.15 Sat 10 to 00.15 Sun 10 to 23.00 Closing times may be later than advertised !

4

it comes to the selection process for the GBG, but at the moHow you can help us choose the pubs! For ment there are too few to use, with some pubs not being scored

the past 40 years, CAMRA has produced the at all. As a branch we haven't promoted beer scoring in the past,

Good Beer Guide – the ultimate guide to the but is is something we are now looking to encourage, to ensure

very best real ale pubs around the country. more members have a say in pub selection for the GBG. Until I got involved with the local We are looking at ways of rewarding members for scoring their

branch, I had no real idea about the process beers and hopefully we'll have something in place by the time

involved and how the pubs were selected. So the next magazine comes out. But why wait? There's still time

I thought I'd write an article about just that. to influence our decisions for the 2016 Good Beer Guide – so

The guide comes out in September

get scoring!

Adrian Smith Paper Reports ACCORDING

each year.

As soon as it has hit the Picknose

TO many innkeeers

shops, local branches around the country

the legislation that was introduced on

are starting looking at possible entries for

1st January 1675 to ban spitting in pubs

the next edition. The criteria for going in

has had a catastrophic effect on the the guide are simple:With this in mind, I travelled to the busy market town of 1 Serve real ale, 2Keep it in good condition 3 and...Keep doing it trade.

Preston to find out what some of its 3,000 inhabitants thought

All pubs are eligible for consideration provided the of their spittle-free

Susie Slops, barmaid at the Clog licensee has been in situ for at least 6 months prior to the clos- and Cemetery, waspubs. the first to speak out in favour of the ban. ing date for entries – which is normally around the middle of “It’s miles better for the ” she told me. “You February. Unlike most other pub guides you cannot 'buy your don’t get none of that secondary plague. staff, I mean, if people wants way in' – all entries are selected purely on beer quality. This to kill themselves by drinking water instead of beer, that’s their means that the playing field has been levelled and a humble business, but I don’t see why the staff should have to share it.” back street local (and there are still a few of those left) has as

The landlady, Mrs Backtittle (49), was less enthusiastic. much chance of being in the guide as a luxuriously refurbished, “How can men come out, have a drink, and enjoy a good food driven chain pub.

In October we sit down at a conversation without clearing their throats? ” she complained, branch meeting and review the pubs that are in the current her one good eye heavenward to indicate a no-brainer. guide. Provided these are still eligible, they go into next years rolling Susie was having none of it. “Yeah, well it isn’t 'pot' and we add any other pubs considered suitable - these may you that empties the spittoons after a busy Friday night is it? be ones that just missed out the previous year, pubs where the And the worse the smog outside, the more that’s in them.” licensee had changed, newly opened pubs, pubs converted to

“Perhaps it would encourage some to give up spitting real ale, or pubs where the quality had improved over recent altogether?”

I ventured.

“Not chance!” Mrs Backtittle months. Central Lancashire has an allocation of 34 pubs and we pointed towards the doorway with herapipe. look at them normally start with a 'short list' of 50 or more.

Some all standing out there.” My first thought was“Just that it had begun to of these pubs will be well known to us, others will not be so rain.

“And we have to bring the food in that way! You well known – often these are the more remote pubs or ones not don’t need any sauce on our sticky toffee pudding once it’s come easily accessible by public transport. Over the next few months through there, I can tell you.” Suddenly, the sharp end of the pipe we then make an effort to visit as many of these as possible was jabbing into my doublet and she narrowed her eye (the other to see whether they are up to the required standard. swivelled sideways rather alarmingly). “You won’t print that, Early in the New Year we will spend hours debating the merits will you?”

“Of course not,” I said, already relishing of these pubs. Some decisions are relatively easy but when we the reactions of our Picknose “Only it’s the get down to the last few, there are always disputes – very often food what makes the money. readers.

Don’t earn bo-diddly on the ale, down to nothing more than personal preference. Once we have with what the brewery charges, and customers dropping. ” the final selection we complete resurveys of the pubs, update the “You mean wet sales are going down?” information on WhatPub and submit the details to HQ. Proofs “No, I mean they’re dropping. Dead. Like flies. Even before the come out in early June, and once these have been checked, our ban.” see. But do you think people are drinking at work is done – at least until September when we start the pro- home more these“Idays, rather than choosing the pub for company cess over again.

The biggest problem with the system and conversation?”

“Conversation? You see couples is that while we have over 1,000 members in the branch area, coming in now, fiddling with their broadsheets, not even looking we probably only see about 25 of them at any meeting during at each other.

It’s killing conversation. course, today’s kids can the year. This means that only a few people have any input into read before they can walk can’t they? InOfmy day, you got your the selection process – which doesn't seem very democratic. tweets from the town crier and that was all you needed to know.”

So how can we change this? Well, more of you could come to “So you don’t have any wi-fi here then?” meetings when we make the selections of course, but perhaps “Oh yeah. Got to move with the times. And it’s free.

Just pass a the biggest contribution you could make (but only if you are a message to the barber’s wife next door and within half an hour, CAMRA member) is by getting involved in scoring the beers every wife inside the town gates will know about it.

Fastest wi-fi you drink. It's really easy to do (provided you have a computer in Lancashire.”

“So, Mrs Backtittle—“ Fanny.

Call me or a smart phone) and is a great help to us. Go to Fanny. ”

“Fanny.

How do you see your future in the pub www.Whatpub.com and select the pub you want trade?”

“With a bleedin’ crystal ball of course!” She to score. On the right hand side of the page is a roared with laughter, awakening two bouncing bombs that set up box that looks like this.

Today's date such a vibration I could feel it through the floorboards. When shows automatically, but you can change the date the oscillations finally subsided, she wiped her eye and steadied by clicking on the calendar.

There is a drop the other one.

“I’ve got plans, dearie,” she said, pulling down box for the score , with a brief description me closer.

“I’m going to open a microbrewery in the stables.” of what the numbers represent. Below that are “Micro?

You mean brewing on a small scale?”

“No, not boxes for the brewery and the beer – provided it micro, silly.

MICROBE. It’s perfect.

There’s all the microbes you is a known beer, the boxes normally auto fill as need in that stable, especially when the old mare’s been at the

you start typing, but if the beer is not listed you slops the night before. ”

She underlined her enthusican simply type in the information. There is an asm by tapping the pipe repeatedly on my arm until a gob advanced option where you can comment – and of tobacco fell out and stuck to my sleeve. “Sorry, dear,” this is particularly useful if you are scoring below 2 as it gives said, plucking it off and popping it into her mouth. “People us important feedback to allow us to discuss quality issues with she want from a pub, see? They’re fed up with bland beer. We’re licensees if appropriate. Once completed, all you have to do is going more to fill full of microbes so it tastes more like the old days. click on submit score and you're done. to score beer and it's not It’s going to it be called real ale.”

I could see the environan exact science, but I would guess that you all know when a mental angle of this.

Think how many consumer miles it would pint is right and when it's not!

The scores go into a save – at least three – and no need for those over-sized drays to central database and I can run reports as required. This helps us clog up our streets, pouring all that methane into the atmosphere by highlighting pubs serving good quality beer that we haven’t from the horse exhaust system.

Fanny Backtittle could known about before as well as pubs where perhaps there are tell she had fired my imagination with this new idea. issues. It also allows us to gain a picture of the changing range “It will all be brewed right here on our doorstep, ” she said, with a of beers across the 220 real ale pubs in our area. At the moment wink (or she might have briefly closed her eyes, it was hard to we only get a handful of scores each week – which are not much tell).

“All within spitting distance. ”

Kay Ellis use statistically. Ideally we would like to use these scores when 5

A short story

by Kay Ellis

Dea

6

Many to it, excel was a your on th becau deser so no got so may Some jungl mag, they but th It's th - Sim insi - Pro - Pro - Use - Stan - Mo sca - Res - Key alm - (Pro

I'm n think Cry i too h the fu

Chee Neil

Girl Power al Ale’m s naon is Rloengedroamain! here only

Caroline(right) - Landlady of the Dog and Partridge - Friargate -----with bar staff Carly and

Melissa.........

ENTER AT YOUR PERIL

Dear Ed Many thanks for the Autumn edition of Ale Cry. I always look forward to it, especially to pick up the pub news in your area, which is usually excellent and well informed. Adrian Smith's Chairman's Welcome was a good read too. He seems keen to make a difference and I hope your branch will give him your full support. He invited comments on the magazine, so I thought I'd offer my two pen'north, not least because of the huge amount of work you must all have put into it. You deserve some feedback !

You've already had some praise from me, so now for my Big Bugbear- the LAYOUT !! It's almost as if you've got so much to say, you want to cram it all in, whichever way, come what may - with soundbites and "flashing coloured lights" all over the place.

Some contributions like poor old Lord Mountain's almost get lost in the jungle!

I did a quick comparison with another A4 size CAMRA mag, the Nottingham Drinker (a former national prizewinner ?). OK, they are a big(ger ?) branch and seem to have more pages to play with, but they use and organise them much more effectively.

It's things like: - Simple eye-catching front page with fuller details on the lead story inside - Proper contents list (not tucked away at the bottom) - Proper indenting and paragraph separation of text - Use of subheadings to focus the reader's eye -and give it a rest !

- Standard use of a better (and smaller) type font (NOT Times Roman!)

- More selective and effective use of photographs (not little thumbnails scattered willy nilly throughout the text) - Restrained use of colour !

- Key words (e.g. pub names) emphasised in Bold (not some other, almost undetectable colour).

- (Probably) Economical editing of over-long contributions Etc etc

Sounds as if I'm turning this from praise into a good kicking!

I'm not. If I didn't give a damn, I wouldn't have written this at all. I just think that a bit of a re-think along some of these lines might turn Ale Cry into a really cracking magazine. No, I don't want your job - it's far too hard for me - but all power to your elbow(s), and Good Luck for the future.

Under 26

Cheers Neil Pascoe (by email) 7

Blondes Rule o.k....

We have chosen the Towneley

Arms on Berry Lane, Longridge

as Central Lancashire's Autumn

Pub of the Season 2014. The

Towneley was fully refurbished

in May 2012 and since then

Daniel and Charlotte Horabin have made great strides in making the pub the heart of the community. The Towneley now has a good reputation for real ales, with four hand pumps offering a variety of up to 16 different ales each week.

The pub also serves food all day every day and provides live entertainment at weekends while Wednesday night is Quiz night.

The Towneley has a welcoming feel about it and is family and dog friendly.

The Towneley Arms is a great asset to the Longridge drinking scene and we are delighted to acknowledge

the hard work and

success of Daniel and

Charlotte with this

award.

The presentation of

the award will take

place on Monday

19th January 2015 at

about 9pm.

Why not come along

and sample some

great real ale.

All are welcome.

Dave Bell

Pub of the Season

Stopping conglomerates turning pubs into supermarkets - just one

of many fightsCAMRA or over 60 You’d be mad must fight.Join not to join CAMRA From £15.50 to joi n: £2 0 rea l ale vouchers, us in that fight.... and 15 months members hip for the price 12 (see page 23) + Real Ale Disc ounts at hundred see page 23 >>> s of pubs:

Open From Noon Everyday Mini Beer Festival Every Visit 8 Cask Ales always available Great Value Home Cooked food all day with Tuesday - Curry Night Wednesday - Pie Night Thursday - Burger Night Friday - Fish and Chips Night Function Room Available Tel: 01772 378290 www.aleemporium.co.uk aleemporium@aol.co.uk facebook.com/aleemporiumpreston twitter - @aleemporium1

THE

POTTERS ARMS BROOKE STREET

New Look, New Beers Picked by our Customers Great new Prices Tuesday: All Cask Ales ÂŁ1.99 All this makes us the best free house in Chorley

Good Beer Guide 2015

Winner of Gidlow Paint and pint Competition)

and a real fire 8

10 9

OF B

The Wheatsheaf Coppull Spendmore Lane Coppull Nr Chorley Lancashire PR7 4NY

Coppull’s Newest FREE House Ever changing selection of Cask Ales including the popular breweries Prospect, Abbeydale, Bank Top, to name a few John Smith - Carling - Peroni - Kronenbourg 1664 Great selection Bottled beers, Lagers and Ciders.

Outside Smoking Area and Beer Garden FREE Juke Box - Monday FREE Pool – Tuesday Quiz Night – Wednesday Start 9.30pm

FREE to enter - 3 Rounds Prize for each – Snow Ball

Thursday – Darts Dominos Pool Sky and BT Sports Saturday Night Music Opening Times Monday to Thursday from 3pm Friday from 2pm Saturday and Sunday from 12pm Follow us on face book

The Railway Inn Steeley lane Chorley Lancs PR6 0RD 01257411449 emailrailwayinnchorley@yahoo.co.uk

Jennings Cumberland and 4 changing guest ales

A CAMRA pub of the Season

A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Free pool every Monday Darts and dominoes - Thurdays Free Jukebox every Tuesday

Chorley’s Premier Music Venue Live Music Friday and Saturday Evenings 10

Seasonal music festivals with up to 8 bands

2014 Cent been inclu form Bull took This cider atten Marc BUR objec the S Walb West years to the was a Time there days.

Cider ly hel been hoste numb mont ON C Shiel GOO held Festiv

Goin Beer this t ber a The f tival in M had u going ing th Beer the w

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Holid der F beers bran after Horn Pub o A few posse their ales, comp was a

OF BEER FESTIVALS

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH AND ... A YEAR OF BEER FESTIVALS

2014 has been a good year for Beer Festivals in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. By my estimation there have been upwards of 25 in the past year, and in this total I am not including the twice-yearly Wetherspoons festivals or the less formal themed festivals that are held at pubs like the Old Black Bull in Preston.

The first Beer Festival of 2014 took place at the SIRLOIN at Hoghton at the end of January.

This was actually a Sausage & Beer Festival, with 20 real ales, 6 ciders, and no doubt many sausages being available to those in attendance over the four day event.

At the end of March the 21st Preston Beer Festival was staged at ST WALBURGES CHURCH HALL. Always a popular event, the main objective of this Beer Festival has always been to raise money for the St Walburges Restoration Appeal. Looking back, the first St Walburges Beer Festival was run in conjunction with CAMRA West Lancashire branch (as we then were), but in subsequent years the involvement of CAMRA members has been left up to the individual.

Over the Easter weekend there was a first ever Beer Festival at CROSTON SPORTS CLUB. Timed to coincide with the commencement of the cricket season, there were a good number of Lancashire beers available over five days. A week later the WHEATSHEAF at Ashton held a Beer & Cider Festival. This is an Amber Taverns pub which has regularly held Beer Festivals in recent years, and previously there have been other Amber Taverns pubs in our area which have also hosted Beer Festivals.

May was to see the number of Beer Festivals on the increase. At the beginning of the month Beer Festival III took place at FULWOOD & BROUGHTON CRICKET CLUB, while over the same weekend their Palace Shield rivals at WHITTINGHAM & GOOSNARGH SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB held their own Whittingham Beer & Sausage Festival.

Two weeks later the CONTINENTAL in

Preston held its first

Beer Festival of the

year. This was their

12th Beer Festival in

total, and once again

it was on a grand scale. Overall there

were 128 cask ales on

offer (plus 40 ciders and 20 keg beers)

Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend the ANCHOR at Lostock Hall was also

to hold its first Beer Festivalof the year.

Going back to 2008, the Anchor has been running twice-yearly Beer Festivals each with about 20 guest beers on offer. I estimate this to have been their 12th Beer Festival - the exact same number as the Continental even if on a slightly smaller scale.

The football season just about over, the Thirsty Magpie Beer Festival was held at Chorley FC's VICTORY PARK SOCIAL CLUB in May. This was the third staging of this Beer Festival which has had up to 80 real ales on offer each year and which appears to be going from strength to strength. Staying with football clubs, during the summer months COPPULL UNITED FC held their first Beer Festival in June, while CHARNOCK RICHARD FC tested the water by organising their first ever Beer Festival in July.

At the beginning of June, the 4th Annual Beer Festival was held at CUERDEN VALLEY PARK in the Walled Garden.

Blessed with good weather, 35 beers and a handful of ciders were available to those present over the three days. Two months later there was a Cider & Beer Festival held at the same venue.

On this occasion, with the ciders now outnumbering the beers, the weather was not so kind, and with the prospect of high winds the Festival had to be curtailed one day ahead of schedule.

Three Beer Festivals were held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The HORNS at Goosnargh had a Beer & Cider Festival utilising a large marqee in the pub garden, with 30 beers and 7 ciders being available. CAMRA Central Lancashire branch organised a social there on the Sunday, and during the afternoon were there to witness Mark and Denise Woods of the Horns being presented with the CAMRA Lancashire branches Pub of the Year and Tony Buller Shield awards.

A few miles away the WHITE BULL at Alston had also taken possession of a marquee to celebrate all things Lancastrian at their Ecky-Thump Beer Festival. As well as 25 handpumped ales, this Beer Festival also featured a Black Pudding Throwing competition. The third Beer Festival taking place at this time was at the MYERSCOUGH at Balderstone, this being part of a

fun weekend with entertainment for all the family.

August ended with the 5th Whittle Beer Festival taking place at the SEA VIEW at Whittle-le-Woods.

Erected on the pub car park, a marquee was in place with over 30 beers being available over the weekend. Question - was this the first Beer Festival in our area to be accompanied by a promotional video on Facebook?

At the end of September the ALE EMPORIUM in Preston held its first Beer Festival. This was an ambitious undertaking with over 50 beers and ciders being available over a weekend. Of course there were many Beer Festivals at this pub in its Bitter Suite days, but as far as I can remember this was the first time that the upstairs function room had been used for this purpose.

That same weekend LONGTON BEER FESTIVAL was taking place at the Longton VM Sports & Social Club. I believe this to have been their fourth annual Beer Festival which has a major objective each year to raise funds for a charity nominated by the club president.

Over the first weekend in October there were four Beer Festivals in the branch area. The 13th Continental Beer Festival was a big attraction, but real ale drinkers from the Chorley area were probably more interested in the TOP LOCK Beer Festival at Heapey. This year was the Top Lock's 14th Real Ale Festival, and it is interesting to find that when their first festival took place in 2001 Black Sheep and Caledonian were highlighted in Ale Cry as being notable beers. How things change.

Unfortunately clashing with the Continental (again), OUR LADY & ST GERARDS at Lostock Hall were holding their fifth annual Beer & Music Festival. This is another event that is held principally to raise money for charities. Always a supporter of LocAle micro-breweries, a feature of this year's Beer Festival was the availability of four beers from new local brewers Bishop's Crook.

The fourth Beer Festival of the weekend was a newcomer, with an Oktoberfest taking place at the PRESTON MARRIOTT HOTEL. The plan is that this become an annual event, with the hotel 'celebrating the very best in Lancashire ale' as well as them making a contribution to charities.

The following week the WHEATSHEAF at Croston held its 3rd Annual Beer Festival. Another to utilise an outdoor marquee, this Beer Festival featured 30 cask ales as well as ciders and world beers.

The Autumn Beer Festival season was then concluded in mid-October with the Oktober Bierfest taking place at the CHORLEY ARMY RESERVE DRILL HALL. Offering 60 real ales plus lagers and ciders, this is an event organised

Chorley Astley each year by Rotary Club Fest Chorley Astley Rotary Club to help raise money for a number of different charities.

As I write that is not quite it for Beer Festivals in 2014, as I am aware of one more Beer Festival that is to take place. This is an ambitious 31 day Beer Festival to be held at the WITHY ARMS in Leyland Old Town throughout December. The plan is that, in addition to the pub’s six regular beers, they will have up to 16 guest beers available at any one time in a heated hut area to the rear of the pub. Lancashire micro-breweries like Goosnargh and Three B’s will be featured, as well as the odd long distance traveller like St Austells.

Gordon Small More beer fest photos in “If a picture paints a thousand words” 11

12

Preston Parade

First, let’s get the old news out of the way. Ronnie was presented with a tankard on his last night at the Dog and Partridge in honour of his many years of service there.

He is now retired but he can often be seen sat at the bar in the Moor brook enjoying a pint from this side of the bar. The new licensee at the D&P is Caroline. With 16 years of experience in the trade, she was previously at the long demolished Fighting Cocks (previously the Boatmans) at the top of Marsh Lane. The original plan was to shut on the 10th November for a refurb, reopening on the 8th December. This has now changed, after a rethink, and it will now be February or March before it closes for what will now be a complete rebuild of the pub. It will be completely opened up, with the current porch disappearing, the bar and toilet area being cleared away (the toilets will be upstairs) and the front of the pub will have its windows greatly enlarged so that people can see directly into the pub. It will be unrecognisable from the pub as most of us knew it. One thing that will stay though is the commitment to real ale. You can still find several real ales on the bar and Caroline plans to continue with the SIBA direct delivery system, whereby she can get microbrewery beers delivered straight to the pub. Holts bitter has made a re-appearance whilst Lancaster Blonde seems a current favourite.

Speaking of the Moorbrook, I hope the zombie who smashed one of its front windows at 5 o’clock in the morning gets suitably punished. The window had survived intact for 150 years, only to become the target, for no apparent reason, of an idiot who needed hospital treatment after hurling himself at the window. A charge of criminal damage would be something appropriate. Let’s see.

Back on Friargate, Stan has retired at the Old Black Bull, leaving Liam in full charge of running the pub. Stan still has a role to play there, acting as a beer consultant to Harnser Inns who lease the pub. As such, he has control of the beer ordering there, and intends to continue the policy of sourcing as many new and unusual beers as possible. His last act as manager there was to negotiate a discount deal for CAMRA members.

Show your card and you will receive 20p a pint (10p a half) off the stated price of any of the guest beers (not the two regulars, Moorhouses bitter or Old Black Bull bitter as these are already reduced.) Another reason to join CAMRA. For a full list of pubs in our area that give CAMRA discounts, see article elsewhere in this issue.

More good news on Friargate from the Black Horse; by the time you read this,

guest beers should be on sale there.

Landlord Graham has told us that

three of the pumps will be dispensing

beers supplied by Titanic Brewery

from their extensive swops list. These

will change each week and you can

help choose upcoming beers by

suggesting beers from their brochure.

The four core beers of Robinsons

Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde, Double Hop and Trooper will keep their place in the first bank of four handpumps, with Old Tom being dispensed from a small barrel on the bar. The fifth pump will have their Christmas beer on (Indulgence, a 4.4% mahogany coloured winter ale), with the other three up for grabs. Furthermore, Guinness is being dropped with Triple Hop Porter taking its place. Should be interesting!

Plans for Preston’s first micropub to be open before Christmas have not materialised yet. The Plau, as revealed in the last issue, is to be sited in a former shop close to Roper Hall. It has a licence but awaits planning permission. It is looking like the New Year before we will see more of this interesting develop ment.Some interesting beers have appeared at the Guild (formerHog shead) on Fylde Rd.These have included Nottingham Brewery’s 4.2% Extra Pale Ale at a competi tive £2.90. They do not have the same freedom as some Green

King pubs in the beers that they can obtain, but efforts are made to try and increase the profile of real ale there and it deserves some support. Competition is high in that area with the Ferret and the Ale Emporium leading the way, with their choice of many exciting

ales from all over proving very

popular. The A & E, as the Emporium is affectionately

known, had a very successful 1st

beer festival in September (see left)

and is already looking forward to

its next one in the new year, probably in February.

The Corn Exchange on Lune St.

has recently been having a rolling ‘beer festival’ where different beers appear over several weeks and you get a card stamped and after six stamps, you get a free pint. Across the road, real ale availability at the Angel has been erratic to say the least, with the pub itself being shut every now and again, or not having any real ale on. We hope it can pull through the present troubles there and once again become a place where you can go and have a choice of interesting ales.

The work on the new Wetherspoon pub on Church Street, the Twelve Tellers, continues apace and it should open in the third week of January. The imminent opening of this pub has sparked into life the owners of the Academy opposite who have brought in LT Pub Management to run it and at the time of writing, frantic work is taking place inside there, and it will probably have opened by now. Next door, the front bar of the Bull and Royal is also having work done on it and also will probably be open by early December. The main bar continues to serve two Moorhouses beers at competitive prices, while Yates’s, which had a short period with no real ale on, has now recommenced selling two ales,one of which will be Wells Bombardier. A similar situation occurred at Fishers, where real ale disappeared for a while. It now has a couple back on sale, with Wychwood Hobgoblin and Bombardier from Wells recently on the bar.

Welcome news is that real ale has

been reintroduced at the White

Hart on Watling Street Road in

Fulwood. John, who only took

over there in November, explained

that the pub had been leased from

Enterprise Inns by Ash Taverns for a trial period of three months to see if they could pull it round from its previous downward spiral. Hopefully it will become permanent, for John has a lot of experience of real ale, having previously been at the Little Angel in Whitby, which is listed as having eight real ales including six guest ales. Ash Taverns was formed in 2011 with the intention of turning round failing pubs and developing them into successes. They currently have a portfolio of over 25 pubs in the north of England and are expanding. We wish them every success.

In the White Hart, John started with Moorhouses Pride of Pendle, and has since had Thwaites Wainwrights on sale. He can source his ales from the Enterprise cask list, so has some room for manoeuvre on this, but he would prefer mostly beers from Lancashire. Opening hours are 11am – 11.30 pm Fri and Sat, 11-11 Mon, Tue, 11-9 Wed, Thu, and 10.30 Sun. Pub grub including pies etc is available 12- 4 all days except Monday and are sourced from local firm Latham’s, who are renowned for their cakes.

Unfortunately Joanne and Carl of the Shawes Arms on London Road have given up running the pub and have reportedly left the trade. It is currently being run by a temporary manager until new tenants can be found. Real ale is still available, but unless new people take over, it could mean yet another closure and no pub at all on London Road. A sad indictment of the 13 current pub environment!

Paul Riley.

The Old Black Bull

Now Free of Ties on Cask Beers This allows us to offer up to 9 local and regional Real Ales at all times

Heated Beer Garden 3D TV - Live Sports on 7 Screens CAMRA members discount on guest Ales 20p off a pint, 10p off a half

‘One of the UKs top 100 pubs 2011’ - Famous Grouse Awards

Three time winner of George Lee Trophy New Brews Regularly Sourced Central Lancs Pub of The Year A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Thurs Eve a Cask Ale at £1.99 a Pint 33 Friargate - PRESTON - PR1 2AT Tel: 01772 823397 www.theoldblackbullpreston.co.uk

PARKERS ARMS Park Road Chorley 01257 261999

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am - 12pm Friday - Saturday: 11am - 1pm Sunday: 11am - 12pm Real Ales from £2. per pint: Jennings’ Cumberland + guest

14

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In each issue of Ale Cry I look at the real ale For some time now the School Lane Club has come under the

pubs and the beers that are available in a same ownership as the two highly successful Withy Arms pubs in

particular area of South Ribble. This time round the branch area, although as you would perhaps expect the beer

I am looking at the pubs in the vicinity of range at the club has not been quite so impressive. It has recently

Leyland railway station, having visited them on a been announced that there will be a

Saturday afternoon at the beginning of November refurbishment at the club in January, and that on re-opening it

Ten years ago this was an area of Leyland that will become a pub (a third Withy Arms?) and that it will be had little appeal to the real ale drinker. These days the situation selling four handpumped beers.

Gordon Small is very different, with the pubs having seen much refurbishment Although most work carried out and with the four pubs closest to the station

of this report is now all serving real ale.

I started my stroll just over the about the pubs on the Blackburn Old Road section of the A675 border in Farington at the ROSE OF FARINGTON on Stanifield that runs through Hoghton, we Road. This was a pub that a year ago was looking something of a actually started off at a pub that lost cause to real ale with the handpumps seemingly being there has only recently come into our purely for display purposes only. At the beginning of 2014 the branch area. The Hare and pub went into private ownership, and following a short closure Hounds in Abbey Village was for while undergoing a refurbishment it re-opened in February. many years considered to be in The former Rose & Crown is now much improved and is a good the East Lancs branch area, but, community local. On my visit there were three beers available, along with Brinscall, is actually Charles Wells Golden Cauldron, Caledonian Golden XPA, and in Chorley Borough, so it was Courage Directors Ale. Crossing Boundary Street into only right that in a tidying up of branch boundaries, the pubs Leyland, I next called in at the RAILWAY AT LEYLAND on Pres-in these areas should become part of our sphere of responsiton Road. A current Good Beer Guide entry, this is a pub that bility. Thus it was that one Thursday evening, our minibus in 2007 was completely transformed by a major refurbishment. turned up to sample its wares. There are two regular beers on A spacious pub attracting a mixed clientele from all age groups, sale, both from Copper Dragon, Best Bitter (3.8%) and Goldit was for a time Leyland’s premier real ale outlet and for several en Pippin (3.9%) plus up to two changing beers, which on our years annual Beer Festivals were organised. These days it contin- visit were Thwaites Wainwrights (4.1%) and Bomber (4.4%). ues to provide a good selection of cask ales, with Sharps Doom The pub, which is at the southern end of the village, has been Bar, Lees MPA, and Conwy Welsh Pride being the beers on offer comfortably modernised and consists of a lounge area with a on this occasion.

Further along Golden Hill Lane, the OLD wood burning stove, a small snug like area and a separate pool

LEYLAND GATES was the last of the room at the back. There is a beer garden to the rear. Meals are

quartet of pubs I visited in the available with German delicacies a speciality. In fact, they had

Leyland railway station area. Opened recently held an ‘Oktoberfest’ with German food and lagers.

in the 1980s as the Dingman, and Food is served Tues – Sun from 12 -8, with the pub itself being

then briefly having spells as the open 12(5 Mon) till late. Quiz night is Thursday from 9.30 and

Hogs Head and the Hogs, it has for a occasional special events take place.

few years now been branded by the From there, we headed back Spirit Pub Company as a John Barras house. The pub has four

north up the A675 to the Royal handpumps, but at the time of my visit just two were in use, the Oak at Riley Green, a Thwait beers available being St Austell Tribute and Wychwood Hob es tied house that is a regu goblin, while coming soon were Thwaites Wainwright and Black lar award winner and belongs Sheep Bitter. A bonus for CAMRA members here is that they can to their 1807 cask club and as can get a 10% discount on the price of a pint of real ale.

such, is an outlet for both their Staying in Leyland, and there is news

seasonal beers and the range from the GABLES on Hough Lane of

of guest beers that membera major change, with licensees Steve ship allows. Thus, we were able to choose from Thwaites Nutty and Heather Melling retiring and black, Original, Wainwrights and Lancaster Bomber, plus the leaving the pub after 31 years in guest, which was Brains Across The Pond, a 4.2% beer that was charge there. Once a doctor’s surgery, a wopping £3.60 a pint. The other beers were more reasonathe Gables became a pub in the 1950s bly priced. The pub itself is very warm and comfortable, with and was for many years a little bit of real fires and low beamed ceilings. Small alcoves radiate off a Greenall Whitley land in Leyland. central bar and there is a rustic feel to the pub. It is open 11.30Most recently visited by CAMRA Central Lancashire branch in 11 (10.30Sun) and there is a varied menu available for dining February on an Ale Cry Distribution Crawl, the beers on that 12-2.30, 5.30- 9 midweek and all day Sat and Sun. It is quite occasion were found to be in fine form. With Steve and Heather handy for the nearby historic Hoghton Towers and the canal now no longer in residence, at the time of writing there is cur- basin on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. rently a sign in the window proclaiming ‘Business As Usual’.

Continuing north, just past

While the Gables has remained open, there are a couple Hoghton Towers, we came to of pubs in the area that have recently had periods of closure. The the Boars Head. One time BLACK BULL on School Lane in Moss Side was given a major Whitbread owned, this 16th refurbishment earlier this year and in August had ambitious plans Century stone built pub has for a Beer & Sausage Festival to take place, although this was later recently been extensively short notice. Several weeks later the pub was closed for a while, refurbished and now has a but it now has a new landlord and has since re-opened.

smart dining area to the left as

The other pub to be closed in recent you go in, but it retains its

weeks is the PEAR TREE on Leyland original oak beams and roaring log fire and casual drinkers

Road in Penwortham. Since the are welcome round the bar or in the lounge to the right. There

long-standing landlord left at the is also a newly built outside terrace area to the front. Four real

beginning of the year the pub has ales are available, with Cross Bay Sunset Blond (4.2%) being

been in a state of limbo while the a regular and on our visit there was also Copper Dragon Best

Pubco look for someone new to take Bitter (3.8%), Jennings Bitter (3.5% and £3.10 a pint) and

over. On my most recent visit there Marstons New World (3.8%). An extensive food menu from was no real ale available, and on checking the pub again at the sandwiches to roasts is available 12-3, 5-9 and all day Sat, beginning of November I found it closed for no apparent reason. Sun. whereas the pub itself is open 12-11(10.30 Sun).

Subsequently it was reported in the Lancashire Evening Post that Our final pub that night was the nearby the Pear Tree had been closed by the South Ribble authorities, as Sirloin, on Station Rd. which is just off due to an oversight it had been operating without a licence for the main road, adjacent to the about three months. Hopefully the situation will soon be sorted level crossing on the Preston – out and there will be better news to report about the Pear Tree in Blackburn railway line. An attractive, the next Ale Cry. Now on to Bamber Bridge and the SCHOOL stone built free house, up to six beers LANE CLUB. Is it a club, or is it a pub? Well at the present time it are on sale which change weekly. On is a club, but from early in 2015 it will formally become a pub. 15 our visit, we found Bridstones (cont)

South Ribble Scene

Ale Cry goes to Hoghton

Ale Cry goes to Hoghton (cont) PennineGold (4.3%)

It is good news for small brewers too. Currently pubco tied pubs cannot deal directly with their local brewers. A market rent only and Sandstone (3.9 %), the latter at £2.95 a pint, plus Outstanding Brewery’s 3.9, which as you might expect is 3.9%. The option would lead to better and fairer access to the pub market for Sirloin Bitter is Thwaites Original re-badged. You will find a small brewers and cider producers (I’ll deal with Cider further warm welcome in this split level bar with its cosy open fires in down the column) which will increase consumer choice. It would winter, old beams and numerous historic pictures. There is an allow publicans and their families to earn a living, often denied to upstairs restaurant, function room and a secluded garden. Live them by pubcos taking the lions share of the pub profits. For the music features most weekends. The name of the pub celebrates consumer it will mean a cheaper pint in many pubs, free from the the legend that James the First so enjoyed the loin of beef he was outrageous price lists, an end at last to the pubco price escalator.

It is time for the pubcos and the discredited trade eating at the nearby Hoghton Towers that he knighted it. The Sirloin is open 12-11(12 Fri-Sat, 10.30 Sun), with food availableassociation - the so called British Beer and Pub Association - in 12-2.30, 5-9 Mon-Thu, all day Fri-Sun until 9pm (8pm Sun). reality the ‘Big Brewers and Pubco Alliance’ to accept this change to accept the will of the House of Commons and to stop the

That was the last visit for that evening, but our next trip out will be a continuation of this journey, starting from the ludicrous scaremongering and campaign of misinformation that Old Oak and incorporating the pubs in the Gregson Lane and they are engaged in as a last ditch desperate King Canute style bid to stop this tide of change. What is so stupid is that this tactic in Higher Walton areas. (See trips and future meetings for details). The pubs as far as Riley Green are easily accessible from itself will damage the large companies who they are supposed to Preston Bus Station with the 152 service running more or less represent. It is bizarre that a trade association is predicting doom every half hour from stand 57 during the day. Unfortunately in for its members - and those members need to quickly consider is the evening the service peters out during the week with the last really what they pay their subscriptions for, less this odd tactic bus back from Riley Green at 2030 (2130 Sundays). However, becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

A word of warning. Complacency is must be avoided. on Fridays and Saturdays there is a bus back at 2130 and 2230.

Abbey Village can be reached from Chorley Bus Station stand C Firstly politicians are famous for thinking it’s all over now when a every half hour during the day, hourly in the evening with the fight has only just begun. There are more stages in the Commons last bus back from the Hare and Hounds at 2331.

Paul Riley and Lords before it becomes law and having made their billions so easily over the years they will not give up easily. Already they are whinging and amazingly even talking about using human rights legislation to prevent the law change. If that wasn’t so sick it would be funny.

I mentioned Cider earlier. There is an Irish based multinational called the C and C Group which was about to buy the Spirit Group of pubs. As soon as the first stage of the Bill went through they had second thoughts. Why you may ask is that important? Well they own Bulmers, Magners and Gaymers so

My article this isssue was on my specialised subject of “customer called ciders and the problems for genuine hand pumped real

care in the leisure industry” - in this case the pub and club trade. ciders could have been exasserbated. So lets’s hope that that is the

I was going to define what in my opinion made a) good bar staff, first and only the first positive change following the progress made

b) good cellarman/woman, c) good licensee and ask for names so following last week’s vote.

that you could nominate candidates for 2015 awards for each. I Even if the Bill becomes law that will not be the end of it.

would have been dealing with a) this issue - but everything has There are many exceptions in the Bill including Family Brewers

been put back an issue because the editor thinks that the subject he with

less than 500 pubs. The important thing is that all sides

has asked me to cover is more topical and is of vital importance accept the will of the people as expressed through Parliament.

to both customers and licensees. I agree. So start thinking about I have said for many years that a more locally based pub

your potential nominees whilst I proceed..................................... environment could ignite a social revolution whereby people

PART 4 CLAUSE 42 OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE could once more see the benefits of socialising in a friendly pub

AND EMPLOYMENT BILL went through its first reading with a atmosphere rather that the insular home environment. I hear all

majority of just 25. This left the governing coalition fuming as the time that times have changed. Of course they have. Games,

they and their friends in the pubco conglomerates got egg on TV and social networking are just some of the alternatives to

their faces thanks to the brave dozens who defied their party ‘goin’ down the pub.’ Stupid as I might be even I am aware of that.

whips and voted with the Labour opposition to send the Bill to But I don’t see an either or situation. No one is suggesting that

the next stage. people will desert their home based socialising. But the evidence

There are a few hurdles to jump before the Bill becomes is already manifesting itself that the behaviour of the big pubcos

Law and this is the time when parliamentary lobbyists earn their before the legislation led to change so that new free houses

crust. These are the people who vested interest groups use to including the new micropubs started to attract more and more

persuade MPs to back them. If you have billions of pounds to custom. If that is added to by improved beer choices and lower

play with it makes it easier to grease the wheels. Believe it or not priced beers that the legislation may well bring about more and

if you are billions in debt as are two of the biggest pubcos you more people, single and couples, young and old may realising

have similar power. It’s not just the baddies who have influence - that nothing can beat the enjoyment of mixing with friends and

CAMRA is a lobbyist with the power of nearly 200,000 members strangers

in the social environment that only a pub or a club can

behind it which gives it real clout, but we weren’t the only generate.

supporter of the Bill.The Federation of Small businesses, the

I don’t want to put a dampener on things but there are

Forum of Private Business, Trade Unions, licensee organisations still many obstacles to overcome that need CAMRA’s and YOUR

and the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group. “The way the ten involvement.

organisations managed to work together under one campaign

Firstly - as a former politician myself I know how easy

umberella is a testament not just to them, but equally to the it can be to think that the ball is in the back of the net and the

importance that they have given to this issue, an issue not just victory achieved only to find that the goal is disallowed for offside

about jobs, publicans and business but about fairness and about We must not forget that the big pubcos and their friends justice.” Thus spoke Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for are as slippery as snakes with a the potential to give you a nasty

Otley and Chairman of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group. bite if you let your defences down.

He added that this was about an “inconvenient thing called the If the law change does materialise there are many battles

truth - the end of the Great British Pubco Scam.” still ahead for CAMRA to fight: So what is Part 4 clause 42 about and what are the • A fair crack for the pub industry i.e a fair playing field in

implications for customers, pubs and the country? competition with supermarkets

Well it’s about giving licensees of pub groups a market • Social Education on the downside of drinking e.g

rent only option. it will mean a fair split of pub profits between Alcoholism, Bingeing, the lonelyness of drinking at home,

big and small businesses. - the pubcos and the publican • drinking on the street, only using the pub to top up after

whether tied or free of tie. It will allow many more pubs to having too much

survive and thrive and to continue to contribute to their • A fair pint i.e. lined glasses.

communities and the economy encouraging investment and jobs These are just some of the battles ahead so if you’ve not already

Research by The Federation of Small Business showed that this done so why not join us and if you have already joined why not

simple change, which simply allows a fairer split of pub profits get activate (See pages 22 and 23) Lord Mountain

would lead to the creation of nearly10,000 jobs and an overall 17 16

benefit to the economy of £78 million.

View from the Mountain

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Fishergate Preston

Opposite Preston Railway Station CAMRA Recommended Good Beer Guide 2015 7 Handpumps in action Normally 20 different real ales available during the course of a week Two 3D screens - 5 Sports足Boxes Showing: Football, Rugby, Cricket, Horse Racing, Darts, Athletics, Tennis, Golf and other major events Traditional pub with traditional lunchtime bar meals Buffets can足be arranged

17

Dog and

Partridge Friargate Preston Under New Management 5 Cask Ales Monday - Free Pool and Jukebox Live Music and Open Night coming soon Refurb. in new year THE MALT AND HOPS Free House

Leylan

Be M M M

real ale hostelries - a long time

Good Beer Guide entry - a

stopping off point for train and

bus commuters, serving a wide

and changing range of ‘locales’.

Fancy a game of Draughts come along (alternate Tuesdays). Quiz night is Wednesday with free hot pot. There’s live entertainment on Fridays and Poker on Saturdays The Malt and Hops offers free wifi, sports t.v.and much more.

The Malt and Hops is on twitter and facebook.

Otl Mu

Beer Garden

Black Welco Pam fr Melod houses

‘One of Chorley’s most popular

CASK ALE

LOYALTYCARD CARD LOYALTY

Well worth a visit or two or three or more

18

Publ

If a picture paints a thousand words

CAMRA badly needs branch contacts to keep us in touch with your local pubs and to distribute Ale Crys to them Please contact me. Steve Jackson volunteered and won himself 3 gallons at the Leyland Lion

Lytham Beer Fest

Southport Beer Fest

Greyfriars Autumn Fest

Leyland Lion Trip To York

Black Bull (Friargate) Welcomes Moorhouses Pam from the Bull with

Melodious Mick and Moor- houses M.D. David Grant

Steve is a new branch contact covering The Welly, Wheatsheaf, Thurlby, Lea Gate, Pig & Whistle, Lea Club, Ashton Golf, Buffitos, Ribble Pilot, Lane Ends and Parkfield club.

Steve was presented with his 24 pint tokens by Leyland Lion Manager Mark Batty

Just some of the benefits of joining CAMRA........

Free - Monthly

Quarterly

Chorley Rotary Club Oktober Bierfest Chorley Drill Hall

Beer and Music Melodious Mick Otley Beer & Music Fest 2014 Pubs all over our area are offering real ale discounts to CAMRA Members including:

Adelphi, Preston. Anderton Arms, Fulwood. Black Bull, Preston, Black Bull, Fulwood. Black Bull, Penwortham.Boatyard, Riley Green. Crown, Croston.Fishers, Preston.Fleece, Penwortham.

Hartwood Hall, Chorley. Horns, Goosnargh.Lane Ends, Ashton.Malthouse Farm, Whittle-le-Woods.

Nabs Head, Samlesbury. Old Leyland Gates, Leyland.Phantom Winger, Broughton.Poachers, Bamber Bridge.Woodsman, Clayton-le-Woods.

Yarrow Bridge, Chorley. Bob Inn, Chorley, Prince of Wales(Market) Chorley

18 pubs closing every day. The impact on our society is extremely serious.

We need your support.... Join us......

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in Ale Cry are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Central Lancashire Branch of CAMRA, or of the Campaign for Real Ale

Published by: The Central Lancashire Branch Of The Campaign for Real Ale

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Young Members...

Desperately needed to replace us codgers.22 Please contact ed........

THE 33 Hough Lane, Leyland, MARKET ALE HOUSE PR25 2SB

*

*

CAMRA’s Pub of the Season - This Summer

* Quality cask ales, cider and wine * Constantly changing selection of cask ales from microbreweries in Lancashire and the North of England * Bar snacks inc pork pies and cheese platter * No tv's, music or mobile phones just good old conversation (or peace and quiet)

Opening Hours Mon: closed, Tue, Wed, Thu: 2 - 10, Fri, Sat: noon to 11pm, Sun: 2 to 8pm

Tel: 01772 623363 e.mailthemarketalehouse@hotmail.co.uk

THE BOB INN

The Red Herring

24 MARKET PLACE, CHORLEY

MILL LANE, COPPULL, CHORLEY, LANCS. Tel: (01257) 470130 Ste & Mary welcome you to Coppull’s only freehouse: An oasis in a beer desert.

Guest Ales include: Reedley Hallows,

Prospect, Bank Top Good Beer

and many more

Guide --

Sat night entertainment, we’re in it.

Sun night quiz

Ring Mill function room for hire Monday to Thursday open from 3pm Friday to Sunday open from 12pm

PROBABLY THE SMALLEST PUB IN LANCASHIRE PROBABLY THE SMALLEST PUB IN LANCASHIRE

2 CHANGING CASK ALES + REAL CIDER 2 CHANGING REAL CIDER, CASKCASK ALESALES £2.60+PINT

IMPORTED CZECH LAGER & BOTTLED BEERS

OPEN 10-6 MON-TUES, THUR-SAT OPEN 10-6, MONDAY – SATURDAY

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20p A PINT DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS 20P A PINT DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS

R

Riley’s Rambles

Southp

ort

During that particularly sunny period we had in September, we Four real ales were available, decided it would be a good idea to have a few days away whilst we Tetley Mild, Burcough Duke had the chance. Having heard how good those holidays by coach of Lancaster at 4%,and £2.80, were, we originally looked at a holiday advertised as Cambridge for Robinsons Unicorn and 4 days and only £99 all in. We dallied for a day and then discovered Marstons Pedigree, There that all places had been taken overnight. Thus it came about that is an outside drinking area to we ended up at a guest house in Southport for three days.

the front of the pub.

We quite often go for a day out there, and have a drink in Retracing your steps one or two of the hostelries, but this was an opportunity to do a towards the railway station, comprehensive survey of all that the centre of Southport had to you will find a couple of pubs on Eastbank Street, The offer the real ale enthusiast, and pass on my findings to you.

Wellington had Robinsons Dizzy Blond on sale, whilst the

All the pubs we visited are either on Lord Street itself or Volunteer on the other side of the street is a Thwaites tied on the streets between there and the railway station, so are easily house and had Wainwrights and accessible to those visiting by either bus or train.

Bomber on.

The first night, after having a meal in an Italian restaurant Continuing our walk along on Lord Street, we started off by looking in the Bold Hotel, at the the pedestrianised Chapel St. towards northern end of the road. A residential hotel dating back to 1832, the station, I almost fell over a board it has been recently refurbished and now has an open plan dining, proclaiming that a bar called the Tap bar and snug area, with a popular patio to the front. On our visit, and Bottles could be found by going there were two beers on sale, Wells Bombardier (4.1%) and Cale- down a covered arcade called donian Golden XPA at 4.3%. Walking south from here, down Lord Cambridge Walks. This was a Street, we came next to the Willow Grove, opposite the war memo-surprise, because no mention of it could be found on rial, the first of two Wetherspoon pubs in Southport.

Whatpub. Intrigued, we went down and found a delightful Strictly speaking, a Lloyds No 1 Bar, it has all you can expect micropub that had opened only four weeks previously. Behind from this brand, it having music on a Friday and Saturday night, the four handpumps was assistant manager Luke who told me but quieter at other times. It is L shaped with an extra upstairs that they usually dispensed locales, but wheat beers and fruit drinking area and has nine handpumps, dispensing the usual mix style ones were also a speciality of the house. There was also of local and national beers. My only beef, and this seems to apply toa selection of over 150 bottled beers to choose from, local, all their pubs, is that nearly all the non-standards always seem to benational and international. You could try ‘Beer Roulette’ where above 4.5%. I prefer to drink beers of below 4%, so I can try more you draw a slip out of a bag and are served whatever it says. of them before I feel I have had enough. I do not go into Wether- On our visit the cask beers available were Prospect Silver Tally spoon pubs to drink Ruddles Bitter.

(3.7%), Liverpool Organic Joseph Williamson Tunnale (4%),

In a street just behind this bar is a pub called the Oast both £3.00, Allgates Gin Pit (4.3%) at £2.90 and Peerless Full House, which is listed on Whatpub as selling real ale. It did not Wack, a 6% ale at only £3.40. Unlike a lot of micropubs, this have any when we went in. Back one is open every day from noon, closing at 11pm Mon-Thurs, along Lord Street, we come to the Midnight Fri-Sat, and 10.30 Sun. Luke told us they intended institution that is Baron’s Bar, having interesting bar snacks, tapas style. We enjoyed it so located inside the Scarisbrick much there that we went again the following day, when two of Hotel. A long time supporter of the beers had changed to Prospect Pioneer, and Peerless Triple real ale, with its atmospheric bar, Blonde, both 4%. it now also has a bright front

Going back onto Chapel St, past the railway station lounge area which overlooks the you come to the Hoghton Arms on the corner of London St. A main street. Nine real ales were one time Bass selling pub, the only real ale on sale that night available, which, besides the ever was Thwaites Wainwrights, the other pump had its clip turned present Tetley Bitter, included three from Moorhouses, two from round. We turned left down London St, coming to Anchor St. Dunscar Bridge and one each from George Wright and Lancaster on your right, where you will find Southport’s only Robinsons Brewery. Prices seemed quite reasonable too.

pub, the Mason’s Arms. It is a small, well

Further along, you come to the Sandgrounder, a busy pub looked after pub, with a small room on the left showing live sports and also featuring live music in its spacious

and a real fire that would make it a cosy refuge open plan bar. The food prices seemed good value and three inter- in the cold of winter. There were three pumps, esting unusual real ales were available. Unfortunately for me, they but that night only Hartleys XB was available. were all over 4.6% so were not to my liking. I would hope that on In conversation with the friendly barmaid, we other occasions, some lower gravity ones might be on.

told her of our original intention to go on one

The last pub at this end of Lord Street is the other ‘spoons, of those coach holidays, to which she replied the Sir Henry Seagrave, named after the former land speed record ‘oh don’t do that, they are full of old codgers’ holder who used to race on the sands there (and we know there’s which makes me wonder when I will become an old codger. plenty of that). A spacious pub with an attractive frontage, it boastsAnyway, we had had enough that night and retired to our 12 handpumps, so there should be plenty of choice for all. Again, billet.The next day, after checking out the Lakeside Inn on the however, you had to be a lover of strong beers to enjoy the wide promenade, which seems to have been overtaken by all these range of beers. Besides the Ruddles, there was only one beer below micropubs as the smallest pub in Britain, (Wainwrights and 4.1%, a very nice pint of Dunscar Bridge Wicketkeeper. I would Spitfire on sale), we undertook the longish walk up Manchester probably spend more time in their pubs, besides using up my 50p Rd. to the Mount Pleasant, as this is a popular pub with attendoff vouchers, if they would only cater for those wanting a fuller ees at Southport F.C. Here we found Wainwrights once again flavour low gravity ale. I must admit that the sirloin steaks are veryand Sharps Doom Bar. good.

We decided that we had better get on more well

The next day after visiting the Freshfield, Merseyside’s pub known ground and headed back to the northern end of Lord of the year at Formby, with its 14 real ales, (why can’t other Green St and the Inn Beer café bar and shop. It being still sunny and King owned pubs be like this - ok the Taps is another), we conwarm we sat out the front and watched tinued our review of Southport pubs by moving off Lord Street to the passers by as we enjoyed our King Street, where we were surprised to find that the Falstaff Inn Southport Brewery Sandgrounder was closed up. I remember going in this pub and it having several (3.8%) and Golden Sands (4%), both unusual beers on, so maybe it will be resurrected sometime. £2.80. There is also a huge selection of

Going further down King St. you will come to the Cheshirelocal, national and foreign beers for take Lines, a comfortable community pub with plenty of wood panels, away or drinking outside or in the long wooden beams and attractive windows. It was very busy, with a interior with a comfy seating area at the mix of people of all ages with a bit of live entertainment going on. far end. You can also have a nice pot of 21 tea or a coffee, and snacks and cakes are

available. Opening at 11 Branch Meetings (8pm): Branch / Socials* Committee #

(12 Sunday) it closes at You’re welcome to attend any of our meetings / trips 10 pm (10.30 Fri-Sat).

Dec 4 # Bottom Spinners (Adlington From here, we crossed

7pm start) the road and went up Union St. to go in the pub called the 15 * Ale Emporium Preston ----Guest House. Whenever we are (Christmas Social) in Southport, this is the one we Jan 8 # Leyland Lion (Leyland) always head for. From its

19 * Towneley Arms (Longridge Edwardian half timbered

inc Pub of Season Presentation) frontage, its wood panelled interior and separate rooms, it Feb 12 # Old Vic (Preston) exudes class. Add to that, a

23 * Black Horse (Preston) pleasant courtyard to the rear, its quiet atmosphere that encourMar 12 # Prince of Wales (Cowling Chorley) ages talk and its 11 handpumps, it is a wonderful refuge from the 23 * Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge) hustle and bustle of Lord St. There are some permanent beers like Theakstons Bitter and Old Peculier, Caledonian Deuchers IPA, and an Adnams beer but there is a constant supply of changing guests, Officers and Contacts: enough to keep it interesting. There is usually a mild, such as Moor- Branch Contact/Chairman Adrian Smith 01257 273931 houses Black Cat, local beers from the likes of Three B’s, Burscough, Secretary / Web site

Gordon Small 01772 746118 etc. and ones from further afield. They even had Draught Bass on

14 Bank Parade Penwortham when we were there, which harks back to its days as an Higsons Preston pub, when beer there was served by gravity from behind the bar.

There is a good range of lunches at unbelievably low prices for the Treasurer Paul Riley 01772 709272 quality of food provided, and always a warm welcome. Well worth Vice-Chairman John Singleton 07449 453854 a visit.

Pubs Officer Adrian Smith 01257 273931

It is relatively easy to get to Southport from Preston by Womens contact: Sue Riley

01772 709272 bus. Using the regular 2X service, you can be there in 40-50 minSocial Secretary Wes Truran 07766 881252 utes. With the last bus back to Preston being at 2211, you can be at the bus station for 2251, in time for a bus home. There is a later Young Members Vacant stopping bus, service 2, at 2227 which arrives at 2336, if the longer Communications (inc. editor) Mick Clark 07984 840486 journey would not discomfort you.

Paul Riley

Riley’s Rambles (Cont.)

Attention!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pubs, Clubs, Suppliers and anyone else interested in contacting people who like to socialise: Our advertisers benefit from our 7,000 copies being read by over 60,000 drinkers all over the uk and even abroad

We have a dozen or so distributors - the list below covers just SOME of the places just 3 of them have dropped mags off at. A more comprehensive list in the next issue

Including:

Lytham, Garstang,Southport Skipton, Fleetwood, Cumbria, Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire (inc. Whitby, Pickering, Scarborough)Lancaster, Liverpool, Stockport, Blackpool, St.Anne’s, Hull, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Girvan, Newcastleton, Newcastle, Bristol, Feltham, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Louth, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Holmfirth, Otley, Leeds Huddersfield, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Scarborough, Pickering, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Torquay, Bromyard, Aston U Lyne, Stalybridge, Poulton, USA (mid west), various European countries.

Membership

John Singleton 07449 453854

email address: clcamra@rocketmail.com

website- http://www.centrallancscamra.org.uk www.facebook.com CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch

Trips / Visits / Ale Trails: The branch would welcome more members and potential members joining us on our trips and visits. Our next one is: Wed 29th Jan - Ale Cry distribution Crawl to Hoghton (7.15pm -10.45) To book places contact ++Paul Riley 01772 709272..

Minibuses leave from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station)

New Social Secretary TheAlp - Steve Enderby has

called it a day as Social Sec .

Our thanks for his efforts

over the years. Wes Truran as

taken over and will organise

trips to breweries etc. so con

tact Wes or Paul (see above) Deadline for Adverts and Articles 08/2/15 for the Spring Edition:: Expected Publication Date: 24/2/15

It’s directed advertising so it reaches where you want it Trips / Ale Trails etc to reach If you’d like us to arrange any trips give us your ideas - contact Wes. Prices: Double page £300 Back page £195 Girl Power................

Full page £175 We really need more Half Page £ 95 female involvement .........Please contact ed (above) 22 Quarter Page £ 55

One of the world’s largest and fastest growing consumer organisations....

Be a partof it ......................

Why not Join NOW...........

Accordingly, in association with CAMRA, we are pleased to announce these AMAZING offers:

£20 of JD Wetherspoon Real Ale tokens

15 months membership for the price of 12 if you agree to pay by direct debit

then once you’ve joined : Chance to win 24 pints to

enjoy in the Leyland Lion Proud supporter of traditional, healthy, onHough Ln., Leyland for British made, real ales & CAMRA in its fight to helping keep the branch bring this healthy, organically produced example informed about what’s of British culture to more people’s attention. happening in one or two of your local pubs and perhaps dropping a few Ale Crys off for us

--------------------------

Single Membership (uk & eu) £23 £25 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £15.50 £17.50 Joint Membership (Partner at the same address) £28 £30 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £18.50 £20.50 I wish to Join the Campaign for Real Ale and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of the Association I enclose a cheque for: (or complete dd >>) Signed: Date: (If Joint membership - Partners name and signature):

.

Date:

.

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WITHY ARMS

Visit us over Christmas

Large or small bookings being taken

Food served 12 ‐ 2 and 6 ‐ 9 Mon to Sat Sunday 12 ‐ 9

You are welcome to dine outside these times if you pre‐book

Xmas Beer Festival In the rear heated covered hut area from 6pm every night in December

14 CASK ALES / GUEST CIDER / MULLED WINE ROAST CHESTNUTS

Worden Lane, Leyland, PR25 3EL We are near to the Big Tesco and opposite the Old Leyland Cross

www.withyarms.com Call John on: 01772 301969

LEYLAND OLD TOWN