Ale Cry 96

Central Lancashire Branch Issue 96 (Preston Guild) Summer 2012

Ale Cry

Formerly the West Lancashire Branch

Fighting for drinkers rights in

PRESTON

since 1973

GUILD

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCS BRANCH AND ... PRESTON GUILD

1902 - Twenty years on and there was a growing trend for brewery takeovers, and for home brew pubs to be acquired by the breweries to become part of their tied estates. In Preston Boddingtons now had a significant presence with them having taken over Hull's Glover Street Brewery just two years earlier. Of the other breweries in existence in this Guild Year, Matthew Starting with 1882, and briefly looking at each successive Guild Year Brown was still growing in stature, William Hall & through to 2012:Co had now taken over at the Tithebarn Street brew1882 - This was the last Preston Guild of the 19th Century, and Preston ery, HC Breakell & Co now had a brewery on North was certainly a town with an abundance of pubs and beerhouses. Many Street, while William Sharples was a new name on the scene running the Croft Street Brewery. In Preston the people will have heard it said that Preston had once been a town with 365 pubs, one for each day of the year. Oddly this same claim has also most popular beer at this time would have been mild, been made for Norwich and York, and although this may not have been with bitter and stout also usually on offer for those quite true for Preston in 1882, anyone who has ever looked at one of the prepared to spend a little extra. (cont. page 3) Street Directories from the time in the Harris Library will know that a total of 365 pubs is not that too far fetched. In the 1880s there were a great many of Preston’s pubs that were home brew houses, but additionally there were also a handful of small breweries that had sprung up within the town boundaries, the largest of these being Henry Cardwell’s brewery in Tithebarn Street, James Hull & Sons in Glover Street, HC Breakell & Co in Church Street, and Matthew Brown in Pole Street.

This may only be the second Preston Guild since the formation of the local CAMRA branch, but for this Ale Cry it is only appropriate that this issue's retrospective looking article should be about Preston Guild and the changing face of pubs, brewing, and beer in the different years that Guilds have taken place.

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BULL TOLD TO CARRY ON The new owners of the Old Black Bull on Friargate in Preston have told Stan and Pam, the licensees there that things can carry on as before. After visiting the pub and seeing the cellar stacked with a wide range of unusual and exotic beers, they were given the all clear to change nothing on the beer front and they can continue to source the beers from wherever they want.

The pub is now leased to G.T. Pubs of Norfolk, owned by Richard Grundy and Howard Thornton. They previously owned GRS Inns and set up G.T. in 2010. They now have a portfolio of seventy pubs which include the White Hart in Fulwood and the Tom Finney in Penwortham in this area. Stan took over the pub in 1990 when it was a Boddingtons pub. Since then he has had a total of nine different owners of the pub, including Greenalls, STOP PRESS: De Vere Taverns, S& N, and Spirit. He has survived them all and will continue to strive to get the widest range of cask ales in the area, an ideal NewBrit re-opens under temp.mgt which lead to him winning the Central Lancashire Pub of the Year award Claire and John take over lease at Red Lion with the George Lee Trophy. It was the third time he has won the award, Wheelton. - Oak Tree at Withnell having previously won it in 1993 and 1994.

Paul Riley

Contents: p3 South Ribble;

Inside this issue!!!

p4 Preston ; p6 Locale, Guild Wheel; p8 S.Ribble, p9 Editorial; P10 Chorley ; 4 page Guild Insert; P17 Riley’s Rambles Durham; P21 Sally Round ; p22 Hopstar, Quiz; p23 Chorley Guardian, GBG; p24 Staveley; p25 Pub of the Season, John Duce; p26 Branch and meeting details p27 MEMBERSHIP FORM ...........and much more

due to reopen with range of ales inc.Holts

- Chorley Yates (recently Angels) to reopen under Amber Inns

4 page pull out

Guild

Guide and Maps

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The Branch and the Guild (cont) 1922 - At the time

celebrate its first Preston Guild by producing a Real Ale Guide which listed the 99 pubs and one off-licence where real ale of this Guild Preston was still a significant brewing town, with Matthew Brown having consolidated itself as the largest could be found in the more populated areas of the town. At brewery in the area by taking over rivals like William Sharples this time the most prevalent beers were Boddingtons Bitter and Theakstons Best Bitter, while Matthew Brown beers (now in 1919 and Hall, Hale & Co in 1920, and with HC Breakell & Co now also a sizeable business. Unfortunately for Preston brewed in Nottingham) were fast disappearing. It had been the Matthew Brown directors had even greater ambitions, and 24 years since Preston had last had a brewery of any size, but recognising that the Pole Street Brewery was fast becoming too during Guild Year two breweries were to come into existence small for their requirements they were on the look out for new - the Little Avenham Brewery at Gastons on Avenham Street premises. Just five years later the opportunity came, with them and the Preston Brewing Company on Brieryfield Road - the taking over one of their bigger rivals Nuttall & Co, acquiring former was to be the most successful, but both were to be relatively short-lived. 2012 - Twenty years on and it is time an additional 172 pubs together with a brewery. Almost im

for another Preston Guild. Twenty mediately Matthew Brown were to leave Preston to re-locate

years on and it is also time for another to the Lion Brewery in Blackburn, and in the next sixty years

Preston Guild Real Ale Guide. This the 'Lion' name would come to dominate the Preston pub scene.

guide was still being worked on as In the 1920s draught mild would still have been the drink of

this Ale Cry went to press, but I think choice for most of Preston's beer drinkers, but in 20 years there

everyone will appreciate that there had been changes with bottled beers now growing in popularity.

have been tremendous changes for the 1952 - There had been a gap of 30

beer drinker since the 1992 guide was years between Guilds, and Preston

produced. Preston is now a city, and it like the rest of the country was slo

has seen a great pub closures in wly recovering in the aftermath of

recent years. The percentage of pubs the Second World War. The town's selling real ale may now be higher, but the 2012 guide is only oldest brewery HC Breakell & Co likely to contain information on 50-55 pubs, barely half the had now gone having been taken number of those in the 1992 guide. Yet things are definitely over by Catterall & Swarbrick in not all bad - arguably a beer drinker in Preston can now prob1947, but at this time Preston was ably sample a greater choice of different brewery's beers than still home to a couple of breweries, while there were now a dwindling number of pubs which were at any time since the 1902 Guild when Preston was a town still brewing their own beer, notably the Hermon on Aqueduct populated with so many pubs brewing their own beer.

How things will be in 2032 is anyone's guess. Gordon Small Street and the Moor Park on Garstang Road. Although only registered in 1936 the biggest brewery in this Guild Year was Preston Breweries of Chester Road, but just three years later it was to be acquired by Thwaites Brewery who would gain 17 pubs in the Preston area. The only other brewery of any size was an oddity, the Preston Labour Clubs Brewery. This was also a relative newcomer, having only come into being just a few years after the last Guild, and it would also have a relatively short lifetime, closing in 1962. Again the most popular draught beer for Preston's beer drinkers would still be mild, but bitter was now becoming almost as popular.

1972 - This Guild occurred while CAMRA was very much in its infancy, with CAMRA West Lancashire branch still not to be formed until June 1973. At this time Preston was in a state that was fairly typical of the situation nationally, with the town having seen a tremendous amount of change during the 1960s with numerous pubs having been demolished. There were now no longer any breweries in the town, there were now no longer any pubs brewing their own beer, and there was a large proportion of the town's pubs now putting their faith in 'keg beer', the beer of the future. The Matthew Brown name continued to dominate the Preston pub scene, with something like half the pubs in the area selling their beers. Matthew Brown's Lion Bitter was easily the most commonly found real ale in Preston, but something called Slalom Lager was now beginning to outsell it. Surely for Preston's beer drinkers things could only get better.

1992 - By now CAMRA West Lancashire branch was well established, and the claim was being made that it was one of the oldest branches in the country. The real ale revolution was well underway (or so we thought), and the branch decided to

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Preston Parade Well, where to begin? We will start with the New Britannia on Heatley St. The pub is once again closed and up for let.

According to one time manager Steve Holt, he was woken up one morning at 9.30 am with loud banging on the front door. The bailiffs had arrived acting on behalf of Enterprise Inns, and they gave him 15 minutes to leave the building along with anybody else there.It is alleged that the lesee (not Steve Holt) owes Enterprise thousands in unpaid bills.

So, again, this once thriving real ale pub

has bit the dust. Let us hope that who

ever takes on the Brit can restore it

to its place on the must visit

list of real ale pubs of Preston

where it belongs. Let’s hope

New Brit they also put back the etched

windows that unfortunately disappeared under the previous regime

Delays have hit the opening of the new pub on Ormskirk Rd. which is to be run by the people from the Continental. It was due to open in September in time for the Guild but is now anticipated to be open for Christmas.

It has the working title of The Co-op to reflect the heritage of the building. (It was built as the offices for the Preston Cooperative Society).Meanwhile the Continental is to host another of its super beer festivals in September, details of which can be found on their advert elsewhere in this mag.

Co-op Good and bad news in the Black Horse on Friargate.

As promised in the last issue of Ale Cry, on its reopening

after refurbishment, three

guest real ales from other

breweries appeared

besides the five Rob

insons beers and very

popular they were. Too

popular it proved, for

Robinsons found that Refurbished Bar at the Black horse sales of their beers dropped alarmingly and they called a halt to the experiment pretty pronto. However, eight real ales are still available in this historic gem of a pub, albeit all from the Robinsons range, including the regulars (Unicorn, Double Hop, Dizzy Blond and Old Tom) plus seasonals and beers from the craft beer range. Graham, the landlord, is now selling food upstairs in what was once Peter’s Bar. I have tried it and it was very good. Besides pub classics such as various homemade pies chips and peas, there are burgers, salads, jacket potatoes, baguettes and sandwiches. Food is available 11-3 and 4-7 Mon to Fri and 12-7 on Saturdays.

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I actually went in a place I have never visited before, when I was persuaded to visit Barney’s Piano Bar on Church St. by the editor. It proved to be a revelation, for I found a very comfortable pub inside. There is the lounge, a separate games room to the side with pool table and darts, a conservatory round the back, with another pool table, and an outdoor seating area and smoke room. Oh, and real ale on sale at £1.85 a pint. It has our Ed with customer Brian recently been selling Black Sheep Bitter, which sells well, but other beers have been on sale. The owner is thinking of putting another pump on so he can sell other beers whilst keeping on the Black Sheep. The Bar is privately owned and has no brewery ties, hence the good value. They have both men and women’s pool and darts teams and cards and dominoes on Thursday. It does not serve food and they have a no children policy, so it is like a traditional local in attitude. It currently opens at noon till late.

You may not have noticed it, but cask Boddingtons has disappeared from the face of the earth. This has come about because Hydes Brewery has ceased contract brewing following its plans to move to a smaller plant and close its existing

brewery. Up to now no new deal has

been struck to brew this one time

legendary beer. When you think of

all the Boddingtons pubs there used

to be in Preston with many of them

selling umpteen hogsheads of the

stuff, it has come to a pretty pass.

Some people still are fans of ‘the

cream of Manchester’ and miss their Moorhouses similar to daily drop of the stuff. To alleviate the original Boddingtons their misery at its loss, Stan from the Black Bull on Friargate has negotiated with Moorhouses Brewery for them to brew for him a similar beer so that he can supply his Boddingtons fans. It appears on the bar as Moorhouses Bitter and it is a very nice drink indeed.

I was gladdened to see a black board outside the Adelphi, at the far end of Friargate which proclaims ‘Cask Ale, It’s the way forward’ Fact.’ There is nothing there I would disagree with.

Inside the Adelphi you will usually find four real ales on sale, which on my last visit included Hart Brewery’s Maysons and Lytham’s Britain’s Pride. You can get a discount of 10% when you show your CAMRA membership card. Nearby, the Sun on Friargate now also has four real ales on sale. These are Thwaites Original, Wainwrights, Bomber plus one of Thwaites seasonal well worth the visit.

beers. The Sun is a very comfort

` ` able and relaxing pub and well

worth the visit.Back on Church

St. the Academy is also a pub

that deserves a higher profile. It

is now classed as a Smith and

The Sun Jones pub which is part of the Barracuda Pub group. Formed in 2000, it runs 190 pubs under three principal trading formats, S&J, Varsity and Cape, of which 160 are classed as Smith and Jones.

Besides the Academy, in our area they also run the Prince of Wales in Chorley. Their mission statement includes a The Academy commitment to friendly, safe pubs in a comfortable, contemporary atmosphere with great food and drink. S & J pubs are the part of the group which concentrates on real ale and the Academy has three real ales on sale. On our last visit there was Moreland Original at 4% at only £1.79 a pint, Jennings Cumberland and Wychwood Bountiful at £2.25 and both 4%. The first two are permanents, the other changes. Dean, the general manager, is hoping sales increase so that he can have more on. Two nights to look out for are Thursday after 9 pm and Sunday after 8 when the cask ales are on sale at £1.50. The pub opens at 10am (12 Sun) till 11 pm(12 Thur, 2am Fri, Sat) and food is available all the time up to 9pm. There is a DJ Thur – Sat and Karaoke Sunday evenings. Another thing worth noting is that Tesco vouchers can be used there and are exchanged at four times their face value, i.e. a £4 voucher is worth £16.

Nearby on Lancaster Rd. The Stanley has had a major exterior overhaul and is looking very colourful and bright with new fittings including attractive lamps and retractable awning to enhance the outdoor experience there.

This has been undertaken by Allan and Tracey at their own expense as pub groups do not seem interested in the upkeep of their properties like breweries did in times gone by. Inside you will find up to four real ales from the Cellermans Choice range. While in the area you could take in their other pub, The Market Tavern which having a freer tie, can get more exotic beers from wherever they want.

Many of you will have heard of the Guild Wheel, which is a 21 mile cycle and walking route that completely encircles Preston. Part of the route goes past the Shawes Arms at the bridge over the River Ribble.

Good news is that the council is making a bicycle station adjacent to the pub with a gate into their garden. It is to become a recognised ‘Watering Hole’ on the route and will appear on the guides to the wheel as such. When you get tired or thirsty on your rides (or walks) along this pleasant part of the route, you will be able tie up your wheels and go in the pub and enjoy the three changing guest ales that are always on sale in this welcoming pub with wonderful views over the river.

When you get tired or thirsty on your rides (or walks) along this pleasant part of the route, you will be able Bar snacks are also available for sustenance before you set off again. The pub is open from 12 till 11(12 Fri- Sat, 10.30 Sun).

In Longridge we welcome Mark and Karen to the Old Oak who have been there for a few months now. Having previously been at the Oak Tree at Brinscall and the White Horse in Adlington, they seem to be making a success of the real ale at the Oak, where five different real ales are on offer at any one time.

Moreover, they are currently getting through 12 different ales each week taken from the Cellerman’s Choice range. Because of this, the Longridge Real Ale Society has returned to the pub. The Old Oak has a comfortable lounge to the left of the bar area, a snug area behind the bar and a games room through to the right.

There is also a beer garden to the rear. In winter there are two real fires and a log burner in the pub. Mondays they have a quiz and a play your cards right session and Tuesday is darts night. All sports are shown at weekends and the pub is a keen supporter of the Longridge Ladies Hockey team which plays in the national league. The pub is open 4-12 Mon –Thurs, noon- 1am Fri –Sat and 12-11.30 Sun. Food is sold Friday through Sunday from 1-7 pm. While we are in Longridge, news of the former manager of the Corporation Arms. Steve Gregory is now the licensee of the Freshfield in Formby, Merseyside. The pub has had a major refurbishment, but it will remain a drinker friendly pub with 14 handpumps on the bar. Steve says he will always have a locale plus a stout/porter or mild on the bar and a guest real cider, and will work hard to continue to offer a great choice and variety of real ale. He says this shows Greene King’s (the owners) recognition of the importance of real ale to the pub. I have been in the pub previously and it was an excellent place to go. If it is even better, it must now be out of this world. I will have to go and check it out. Let us hope that some of Greene King’s enthusiasm rubs off on the Guild Inn on Fylde Rd. (former Hogshead).

We told you in the last issue of the sudden closure of the Stags Head in Goosnargh. It has now reopened under the temporary management of Mitchells of Lancaster’s pub running offshoot. I have not yet been to see what beers are available, but there should be some real ale. Mitchells will continue to run it until a new lessee can be found to take it over. Finally, Pickerings Country Hotel in Catteral now has cask marque accreditation for its non resident’s bar which offers a selection of cask ales from North West breweries with George Wright beers being the most

popular.

Pickerings also has 12 en-suite bedrooms, a conference

room and excellent dining facilities, set in 2 acres of

grounds. I would urge all readers to patronise all our

advertisers, for without their support, this magazine could

not be produced

Paul Riley

Girl Power

Real Ale’s no longer a man only domain!!

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REAL ALE GUIDE TO THE GUILD WHEEL LOCALE OUTLETS (as at July 1st 2012) • BRIDGE, Adlington (various) • WITHY ARMS, Bamber Bridge (various) • SADDLE, Bartle (Thwaites) • SITTING GOOSE, Bartle (Thwaites) • CRICKETERS, Brinscall (various) • TILLOTSONS ARMS, Chipping (various) • BLACK HORSE, Chorley (Holts) • HOP POCKET, Chorley (Thwaites) • KINETIC BAR, Chorley (Prospect) • MALT & HOPS, Chorley (various) • POTTERS ARMS, Chorley (Three B’s) • SWAN WITH TWO NECKS, Chorley (various) • WHITE BULL, Chorley (Bank Top)

The Guild Wheel (GW) is a legacy project for the 2012 Preston Guild. It is a 21 mile long cycling and walking route around Preston (Route 622 of the National Cycle Network – NCN); 80% is traffic free (63% on cycle paths and 17% on shared footways alongside roads) and 20% on minor roads. It passes along the north bank of the River Ribble from Frenchwood, past Avenham and Miller Parks, to the Docks, Lea Gate, Millennium Canal, UCLan Sports Centre, Cottam, Broughton, Longsands, Red Scar, Brockholes Wetlands and back to Frenchwood.

There are many real ale pubs on or near the route to provide the finest cycle pub crawl in the World (probably!).

The Continental, by the main railway bridge over the river, is in the Good Beer Guide (GBG) and was awarded the Central Lancashire Camra pub of the year award twice; it serves quality meals and a wide range of real ales including microbrewery beers and the house ale from Marble Brewery.

The Docks includes the Waterfront which has been closed for some time; it served real ale and good food before so give it a try when it reopens.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Following the lead of other branches, CAMRA West Lan

cashire branch (as we then were) launched a LocAle scheme

in Spring 2009. By doing this the branch was putting into BLACK HORSE, Croston CROWN, Croston practice an initiative that we would actively support those licensees in our area who were selling at least one beer that had been brewed (Moorhouses) (Thwaites) within 30 miles of their pub premises.

BROWN COW, Eccleston (Thwaites).

ORIGINAL FARMERS ARMS, Eccleston (various) Now more than three years on, there are 40 LocAle outlets (39 pubs HORNS, Goosnargh (various) plus one club) which are currently recognised by the branch as part of YEW TREE, Heath Charnock (various) the scheme. This is the highest number so far recorded, and comprises GOLDEN LION, Higher Wheelton (Thwaites) the pubs on the left BOAT YARD, Hoghton (Thwaites) <<<< ROYAL OAK, Hoghton (Thwaites) New to this list since the last issue of Ale Cry is the HOP POCKET at SMITHS ARMS, Lea (Thwaites) Chorley, and also the BROWN COW at Eccleston, while the BLACK RAILWAY AT LEYLAND, Leyland (Lancaster) HORSE at Chorley has been restored after temporarily being reWAGGON & HORSES, Leyland (Thwaites) moved. There is also a name change since last time, with the Old Bull BULL & ROYAL, Longridge (Thwaites) in Preston now being back under its old name the BULL & ROYAL. CORPORATION ARMS, Longridge (various) For the most up-to-date information about the branch’s LocAle outlets BULL & ROYAL, Preston (Moorhouses) go to the new CAMRA Central Lancashire website http://www.cenLAMB & PACKET, Preston (Thwaites) trallancscamra.org.uk/.

MOORBROOK, Preston (Thwaites) NEW WELCOME, Preston (Thwaites) In each issue of Ale Cry I am featuring a selection of the branch’s OLD VIC, Preston (various) LocAle pubs. This time I have looked at two pubs in Croston and one PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS RFC (Thwaites) pub in Preston.

SUN, Preston (Thwaites) WHEATSHEAF, Preston (various) CROWN, CROSTON. A Thwaites tied house that was added to the NABS HEAD, Samlesbury (Thwaites) branch’s list of LocAle outlets as recently as March 2012. With the NEW HALL TAVERN, Samlesbury (various) WELCOME TAVERN, Walton-le-Dale (Thwaites) De Trafford Arms now long closed, the Crown is the first pub that you reach when walking into Croston down Station Road after arriving RED LION, Wheelton (various) at the railway station. I have to admit that this was my first visit for a DOG, Whittle-le-Woods (Thwaites) few years, with there being a period during the interim when the pub

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The Ribble Pilot at the other end of the Docks serves a range The Anderton Arms, in the GBG with Thwaites beers and

guests, and lunch time and evening meals. of real ales and food bargains.

The Lea Gate (near the bridge carrying the GW over A583)

provides meals and real ale.

At UCLan Sports Centre the GW joins NCN62. If you

follow NCN62 for two miles along Cottam Way, Lea Road

and Darkinson Lane you will reach the Smiths Arms (a regular GBG entry) which serves excellent meals and a full

range of Thwaites beers and some guests.

Less than a mile further along NCN62, the Windmill Tavern at Salwick (GBG) serves fine meals and a range of real ales. ` Returning to the Smiths Arms and along Lea Lane you can

reach two more Thwaites pubs – the Saddle and the Sitting Goose.

Return south along Sidgreaves Lane, Lea Road and Cottam

Way to re-join the GW at Valentines Lane to travel north to Cottam Miller Green and Merry Trees Lane where the

Ancient Oak provides an extensive menu and at least two real

ales (Green King IPA and Old Speckled Hen recently).

Continue alongside Tom Benson Way to cross Tabley Lane

to Lightfoot Lane and Sandyforth Lane and Preston Grass hoppers is on the right, serving Thwaites beers and in the GBG in 2010. On to Broughton, Garstang Road (shared footway), D’Urton Lane and Midgery Lane to Longsands.

A short detour south along Fernyhalgh Lane brings you to

de

r, is tral

ofor it a

had been temporarily closed and also a period when it had not been selling any cask conditioned beers. These days though the real ale drinker can rest assured of a worthwhile visit as the Crown is once again offering a good choice of Thwaites beers. On my visit I found two of the three handpumps to be in use, with two Thwaites craft beers Torch Light and Whet Your Whistle being on offer.

BLACK HORSE, CROSTON. Now owned by Amber Taverns, this is another pub that was added to the branch’s list of LocAle outlets in March 2012. Going back quite a few years the Black Horse on Westhead Road was one of the first pubs in the area to hold regular Beer Festivals, and it is good to see that in April this year the practice was revived with them holding a Beer Festival largely promoting LocAle beers, while in December there is to be a Christmas Beer Festival. It was a little unfortunate that my visit for this article was in the early part of the week, as this meant that only three of the eight handpumps were actually in use. I had expected to find one or more Moorhouses beers to be on the bar, but this was not the case and it was Thwaites Wainwright that was present to satisfy my requirement to sample at least one LocAle beer.

WHEATSHEAF, ASHTON. This being the special Guild issue of Ale Cry, it seems only appropriate that I should feature at least one Preston pub. The Wheatsheaf on Water Lane in Ashton is also a comparatively

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The GW turns left at Fulwood Row through to Blue Bell Way and the disused railway line route to Grimsargh. This spur is not yet complete because part of the old line is in private ownership, but a route through to the Plough in Grimsargh through the Hills estate and B6243 is available.

Back to the GW, we continue past the Crematorium through to Boilton Wood and Brockholes Wetlands where a fine floating café is available.

Continue across Fishwick Bottoms, where the GW passes through the garden of the Shaws Arms which serves a range of real ales.

Follow on along the Ribble to Avenham Park, with its excel lent café, and a short distance beyond is the Continental where we started.

The GW is to be officially opened on Sunday 19th August and for walkers on the 18th August. You may not manage all this in one go but I will leave you to work out your own rounds using the Wheel – happy cycling and don’t drink too much when riding.

Maps and monthly updates are available on the LCC Guild Wheel website – www.lancashire.gov.uk/guildwheel.

Mike Atkins

recent addition to the branch’s LocAle register, being a pub that has really come to the fore in the last 18 months. Like the Black Horse at Croston it is a pub owned by Amber Taverns, and under their ownership it has been transformed from its days when it temporarily went under the Last Orders name. The landlord is a big supporter of real ale, and the pub was a worthy recipient of the branch's 'Pub of the Season' award for Winter 2011/12. On my visit there were five different beers available, including two LocAle beers Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and Moorhouses Blond Witch.

Look out for pubs and clubs in the branch area that are displaying LocAle promotional material - and in particular look out for 2012 window stickers which should now be in place. These establishments are to be recommended if you wish to support those licensees who are doing their bit for local breweries (and for the environment).

Gordon Small Well done Bradley Wiggins. The national press has pointed out that his local is one of our branches finest real ale pubs. Shows what real ale can do for you. So congratulations Brad. and the Farmers Arms in Eccleston Ed

No Melodious Mick this issue but he’s making the best of our glorious festival weather

South Ribble Scene In the last issue of Ale Cry it was reported that the QUEENS in Leyland had closed, and at the time I am sure I was not alone in beginning to think that its days as a pub were probably numbered. Thankfully this has proved not to be the case, with the pub having been acquired by Amber Taverns and with them having announced that it would be undergoing a ÂŁ250,000 facelift.

Amber Taverns are looking to be making big changes to improve the pub, and they will be well aware of the successful transformation that took place at the nearby Railway At Leyland just a few years ago. The pub is scheduled to be re-opening in August, and there is a possibility that when it does re-open it will have been given a new name. The landlord from the ROSE & CROWN in Farington is leaving to take over there, and he has informed me that his new pub will be selling three handpumped beers, including two beers from local breweries such as Moorhouses. With real ale doing so well at other Amber Taverns pubs like the Black Horse at Croston and the Wheatsheaf at Ashton, this all sounds great news for Leyland which has improved tremendously in recent years. Also in Leyland, the WAGGON & HORSES on Bent Lane has re-opened after a brief period of closure and is now under new management. The Thwaites pub is again open seven days a week, although from Mondays to Thursdays it is not opening until 3pm. Included among the beers available are those from the 'brewers dozen' range of craft beers that Thwaites are now producing.

The BRIDGE at Walton-le-Dale is again selling real ale, with Caledonian Flying Scotsman being available on a recent visit. This is a pub that has long had a handpump, but it is a handpump that has often been surplus to requirements. On several occasions in recent years I have turned up at the pub only to be told that there was no cask beer available, or that it would be coming on tomorrow. Hopefully on this occasion the availability of real ale will be permanent, and I look forward to my next visit in the coming weeks to check how things are going.

Staying in Walton-le-Dale, it was recently reported at a CAMRA meeting that the YEW TREE on Victoria Road has a new landlord who was previously 8 at the Hole In One at Lytham.

The long anticipated refurbishment of the ANCHOR at Hutton is to take place during the Summer, with the pub being closed for a short time before it re-opens as a pub that will almost certainly be strongly food oriented.

Going further towards Southport, the SMITHY INN at Much Hoole has had another change of landlord, with a replacement temporarily in charge as this Ale Cry went to press.

The South Ribble area has seen quite a few Beer Festivals in recent months, with events taking place at the Commercial Vehicles Museum in Leyland, the ANCHOR at Lostock Hall, and at Cuerden Valley Park in Bamber Bridge. Things have now gone a little quiet, but then just like buses, in September there will be two coming along at the same time.

First there is LONGTON VM SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB which will be holding its next Beer Festival over the weekend September 28th-29th. Even if you cannot get there for the Beer Festival this friendly club on School Lane is well worth a visit. There are two handpumped beers always available, with one of them usually an interesting guest beer that gets changed three times a week. The second Beer Festival is at OUR LADY & ST GERARDS PAROCHIAL CENTRE on Brownedge Road in Lostock Hall, and this takes place from September 27th-30th.

Again this is a club which has two handpumped beers permanently available, and in October it will be host to a CAMRA Central Lancashire branch committee meeting.Finally, since the last Ale Cry came out the proposed plan for a new pub in Penwortham has been given the go ahead, and work is now well underway with the intention that it will be

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EditorialCrafty

opening in October. that we have reported on regularly in Ale Cry is Zombeers also just as good. Just as the micro-breweries in The pub which will There was an excellent award winning Real Ale the States have challenged Coors, Budweiser, be on Golden Way Miller etc., so European micros have challenged pub in Manchester which was visited by our close to the Booths Peter Pie only to find that the real ale had gone Heineken, Carlesberg, etc.

So what’s Supermarket round- to be replaced by ‘Craft Ales.’ The subject of the problem ---- simply it’s not real ale ----- it’s about is to be called Craft Ales was raised at this year’s CAMRA na- Zombeer - it’s been killed off and brought back tional conference and I spoke in the debate. The to artificial life by the addition of nitrogen and the BROWN HARE, National Executive wanted to come up with a sometimes other gasses and chemicals. it is normal and as expected it is definition and decide which products we should practice throughout the rest of the world, but not Real Ale is healthier because it is to be another of Mar- endorse at our beer festivals. I warned that Britain. stons Inns & Taverns we should distance ourselves totally from all a living, natural, product, often organic, with no Craft beers, which I see as as a big a threat to chemicals or gases added so e.g. it won’t give you a pubs that are strongly real ale as ‘Tank Beer’ was at the time of the hangover. Being a ‘dead’ product craft beer can last food oriented. I have 1972 ‘Guild’ and ‘Keg Beer’ since then. Confer-a long time in the keg so is ideal from a producer Never heard of or landlord point of view but don’t be fooled into to say that I have no ence agreed with me. thinking it’s the same stuff as real ale.

‘Craft beer’? You soon will So what is it idea where the Brown and why should we be worried?

In the Traditional real ale is being increasingly produced Hare name has come USA you had your conglomerates, e.g. Coors in the USA and I’m confident that given time it My biggest fear from - would it not and Millers. then about the same time as our will thrive over there. is the almost certainty that in the UK the marketing have been more ap- micro-breweries were bursting on to the scene the same was happening in the States. Where-as men for the conglomerates will start marketing propriate to give it ours was a real ale revolution theirs was a keg your smooth flows - John Smiths, etc., as ‘Craft Ale’. a name associated I believe it will become CAMRA’s biggest challale revolution but none the worse for that.

Their purpose was to challenge the bland taste- enge to date to combat that misinformation and I’m with the old West Lancashire Railway less beers produced by the conglomerates. My not sure we’re prepared for the challenge. trips to Seattle, Chicago and Wisconsin confirm Preston Guild 2012 Lots of good which once ran right how fantastically they have succeeded. The news about the growth of real ale past where the pub is range of tastes from hoppy to malty, from fruity over the last 20 years but of course it’s not all good - The ‘Guild Tavern’ to bitter is just as good as our real ale. being built?

Ed The range of quality craft beers across Europe --- became student flats last year Gordon Small

Dog and Partridge 44 Friargate Preston Tel: 01772 252217

House Casks Include: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Joseph Holt’s Best Bitter Tetley Mild plus: Weekly Guests From The Punch Finest Cask Range and SIBA Direct Delivery

Smokey-o-Joes 32-Seater Smoking Area Good Value Lunches Including: ‘The’ Curry Fridays The Big Quiz Thursday Night Rock DJ Sunday

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 Meet The Brewer Evenings

‘One of the UKs top 100 pubs 2011’ - Famous Grouse Awards Three time winner of George Lee Trophy Stan and Pam are looking forward to offering you a warm welcome Central Lancs Pub of The Year A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Guild week Festival of Guild Ales 33 Friargate - PRESTON - PR1 2AT Tel: 01772 823397 www.theoldblackbull.com

9

Chorley Chatter

PRESTON

The Hop Pocket on Carr Lane has re-opened after a short period of closure for re-furbishment.

The pub is managed by Daniel Swanton on behalf of his brother Stuart, who is landlord at the Golden Lion, Higher Wheelton.

The Hop Pocket is currently selling three beers which are Thwaites Wainwright, Lancaster Bomber, along with a Thwaites seasonal beer.

The pub is continuing as a favourite local music venue, holding a blues evening on Thursday nights where regulars can enjoy live artists and bands.

The Potters Arms on Brook Street has had a new paint job to replace the psychedelic polka dot scheme “which was attracting too many hippies and new age travellers to the pub”.

The previous paint job was the result of a prank perpetrated by some of the locals whilst landlords Denise and Steve Potter were away on their holidays.

The Potters Arms is back looking like a traditional pub again and still serves Black Sheep Bitter and Three Bees Doffcocker alongside other guest beers.

Beer festivals have been recently held at the Cavendish Arms in Brindle and the Lord Nelson in Clayton le Woods. a successful festival was held at Chorley FC, in conjunction with the Spinners on Cowling Brow ( to be held in July).

The Railway contimues to provide a changing range of excellent ales and excellent music at weekends Chas at The Bretherton on Eaves Lane continues to serve at least two high quality ales The Cumberland at the Parkers Arms is always in good nick Mark at Trader Jacks always has two good ales on tap After a change of landlord the Spinners at Cowling now has real ale back on sale with Theakstons Lightfoot and Green King IPA on the bar at the last visit.

New artwork in the Railway beer garden

A new beer has also appeared on the bar at the ever popular Rose and Crown on St Thomas's Road which is believed to be brewed by Caledonian Brewery of Edinburgh.

Sadly beer prices in the Chorley area have continued to rise with many pubs now exceeding the £3 a pint mark.

This may well have a negative impact on future trade as Chorley now begins to average higher prices than Wigan, Bolton, and even Preston.

It does not need a rocket scientist to figure out that the areas with the cheaper prices continue to enjoy much busier pubs! Maybe greedy pubcos and brewery conglomerates should take note, but then we do live in the wonderful capitalist world of George Osborne and Bob Diamond!

The Alp and Captain Mainwaring****

10

(inc. a couple of snippets from Toad)

PARADE

11

The

Walmer Bridge Liverpool Old Road, Walmer Bridge, Preston, PR4 5QE. Telephone - 01772 612296.

Darts - Wednesdays.

Quiz Night - Thursdays.

Live Football Coverage Five handpumps:

Robinsons Unicorn plus up to three guest beers always available.

Holder of Cask Marque and ACE Award certificates.

Large beer garden with children's play area.

Non residents bar offering a selection of fine Cask Ales brewed in the North West

“SOON TO BE FAMOUS”

PICKERINGS PRIDE 4%

ALE FROM THE GEORGE WRIGHT BREWERY

18TH CENTURY COUNTRY RESIDENCE SET IN 2 ACRES OF GROUNDS / 12 DELIGHTFUL EN-SUITE BEDROOMS / THE CEDAR ROOM A LA CARTE RESTAURANT / EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPED & MANICURED GARDENS / CHILDRENS PLAY AREA & ALFRESCO DINING / PUBLIC & RESIDENTS BAR / ALL PARTIES / FUNCTIONS / CONFERENCES / MEETINGS CATERED FOR ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T 01995 600 999 F 01995 600 100 E info@pickerings-hotel.co.uk www.pickeringshotel .co.uk

Garstang Road, Catterall, Nr Preston, Lancashire PR3OHD

12

713

The Old Vic

Also known as the Vic and Station

Tel.No.

Find us

Fishergate Preston

Opposite Preston Railway Station CAMRA Recommended Good Beer Guide 2012 7 Handpumps in action Normally 20 different real ales available during the course of a week Two 3D screens - 4 Sky Boxes Showing: Football, Rugby Cricket, Horse Racing, Darts, Athletics, Tennis, Golf and other major events Traditional pub with traditional lunchtime bar meals Buffets can be arranged 14

Academy

1

140a Church Street, PR1 3BQ, 01772 253730

Mon-Wed 10.00-23.00 Thu 10.00-00.00 Fri-Sat 10.00-02.00 Sun 12.00-00.00

www.smithandjones.co.uk

PRESTON GUILD

Three changing guests. Morland Original, Jennings Cumberland and Wychwood Bountiful on our visit.

Meals served all day TVs, and Pool table upstairs.

2012

Adelphi

2 43 Fylde Street, PR1 7DP, 01772 897961

REAL ALE GUIDE

Mon, Fri, Sat 11.00-01.00,Tue,Wed,Sun 11.00-00.00,Thu 11.00-02.00 www.adelphipreston.co.uk

This Guide has been produced for the celebrations of the 2012 Preston Guild. It covers all real ale pubs within the Guild Wheel cycle route, in effect the built up part of Preston.

We hope both residents and visitors to Preston will enjoy exploring the 52 pubs that serve real ale, enabling you to find a range of good, tasty beers and avoid the fizzy and tasteless beers on sale elsewhere.

Four real ales, three from Marstons and one guest.

Live music on Thursday, quiz on Monday. Food served all day. Pool table, large TV, function room available.

Ancient Oak 3 Merrytrees Lane, Cottam, PR4 0NZ, 01772 731992 Sun Mon Tues Thu 11.30-23.00 Wed Fri Sat 11.30-23.30 Two real ales Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen. Food served 12-22.00 Mon-Sat with a Two for One menu, 12-21.00 on Sunday for the weekend carvery. 20p discount for card carrying Camra members. Live music every two-three months. Pool table and indoor and outdoor playing areas for the kids.

Anderton Arms 4 The guide is a comprehensive listing of all pubs Longsands Lane, Fulwood, PR2 9PS, 01772 700104 serving real ale, and does not pass any judgement on the quality or range of real ales sold. For a selection of Sun-Thu 11.30-23.00 Fri-Sat 11.30-00.00 the best real ale outlets, see CAMRA’s GOOD BEER www.emberinns.co.uk/theandertonarmsfulwood GUIDE. Five real ales including Thwaites Original and Wainwright, York Terrier and two changing guests.

The entries were correct at the time of surveying, but Food served all day children welcome with parents if eating until 21.00. things do change over time. News of changes to local 5 pubs in Preston can be found in regular issues of Ale Angel 39 Lune Street, PR1 2NN, 01772 558144 Cry, or on line at www.centrallancscamra.co.uk. If we have missed a pub selling real ale or have got some Mon-Thu 10.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 10.00-01.00 Sun 12.00-23.00 details wrong I can only apologize and if you let us know we will correct this in the next Ale Cry and on www.theangelpreston.com Four ever changing guests available. our website.

Food served 11.00-15.00 not Sundays. Upstairs function room available Pubs described as LOCALE contribute to Barney’s 6 sustainability by serving beers brewed within 30 miles 118 Church Street, PR1 3BT, 01772 558580 of the pub, so saving on ‘beer miles’.

Mon-Fri 14.00-23.30 Sat-Sun 12.00-00.00 I would like to thank Dave Linley, Paul Riley, Dave Black Sheep Bitter on our visit but occasionally this may be replaced Bell and Gordon Small for helping with the surveys. by a guest beer.

Pub games and sports TV available Eventually we want to include every pub and club that 7 sells real ale in our area on our website but we have Bitter Suite to start somewhere and the Preston Guild has given us 53 Fylde Road PR1 2XQ 01772 827007 the excuse to start.

Mon 12.00-15.00 Tue-Thu 12.00-1500 18.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-00.00 Sun 19.00-23.00 If you want to submit your local on our database or you want to help us to survey the rest of the pubs www.bittersuitepreston.co.uk and clubs in our area, let us know or have a look at Six real ales available mainly from microbreweries based in Yorkshire. whatpub.org John Singleton Pubs Officer Central Lancs CAMRA

1

Regular beer festivals and also arranges coach trips to Fleetwood and Hawkshead beer festivals. Home made food is available at lunchtimes during the week. Live music on Wednesday and Saturday. Entrance set back at the side of the Mad Ferret.

Black Bull

8

315 Garstang Rd Fulwood PR2 9UP 01772 716834

Grey Friar

15

144 Friargate, PR1 2EJ, 01772 558542

Mon-Wed 11.00-23.00 Thur-Sat 11.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-23.00 Sun-Thu 09.00-00.00 Fri-Sat 09.00-01.00 www.emberinns.co.uk/theblackbullfulwood Five real ales available. Thwaites Original and Wainwright, Black Sheep Bitter and two changing guests.

Food served all day, children welcome in dining area until 21.00

Black Horse

9 66 Friargate, PR1 2EJ, 01772 204855

Greene King IPA, Ruddles and Abbot and Theakston Old Peculier plus 7 guest beers.

Wetherspoon pub with food served all day.

Guild

16

99 Fylde Road, PR1 2XQ, 01772 252870

Sun-Wed 11.00-23.00 Thu-Sat 11.00-00.00

Mon-Thu 10.30-23.00 Fri-Sat 10.30-00.00 Sun 12.00-22.30 www.gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-preston/guild-pub Greene King IPA Old Speckled Hen and two guest beers.

Meals served 11.00-21.00. Table football pool and several sport televisions and also a quiet zone available.

www.blackhorse.co.uk

Eight real ales from the Robinsons range and one real cider Westonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Rosie.

Classic grade 2 listed pub with its tiled bar and mosaic floor. Guild Merchant 360 Tag Lane, Ingol, PR2 3UY. Food is served between 12-14.00 and 16-19.00.

Bull & Royal

10 141Church Street, PR1 3BT, 01772 555416

17

Currently closed for refurbishment expected to open on 26th August serving Marston real ales and Two for One food menu.

18 Mon Wed 11.30-23.00 Tue 11.30-23.30 Thu-Fri 11.30-01.00 Hartleys 7 Mount Street, PR1 8BS, 01772 204789 Sat 11.30-01.30 Sun 12.00-00.00 Two Moorhouses ales.

Real ale is served in the old bar at the rear of the pub.

LOCALE

Mon-Thu 12.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-01.00 Sun 14.00-22.00

Cattle Market

Jennings Bitter plus two others from the Marstons range.Food available 12.00-15.00 except Sundays.

www.marstonspubcompany.co.uk/pubs/view/17055

11 403 Brook Street, PR2 3AH, 01772 717265 Mon-Fri 14.00-23.00 Sat 12.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-23.30 Wells Bombardier.

Pool tables, darts and TVs are available. Food is served at lunchtimes. Live music on Saturdays.

Heskethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arms

19 421 New Hall Lane, PR1 4SY, 01772 759297 Mon-Sun 11.00-0.00

Continental

www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/heskethsarmspreston 12 South Meadow Lane, PR1 8JP, 01772 499425 Mon-Thu 12.00-00.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-01.00 Sun 12.00-23.30 Marstons EPA. A comparatively recent convert to real ale. Now more food oriented, a Sizzling pub, sister to the Sherwood at Fulwood. www.newcontinental.net Seven real ales on offer including Continental brewed by Jazz Bar 20 Marble Arch Brewery and changing guest beers plus a 7 Tithebarn Street, PR1 1DJ , 01772 886762 real cider and countless bottled beers from around the world.

Stages two beer festivals a year on site as well as having a Mon-Sat 08.00-20.00 Sun 09.00-18.00 beer tent at the annual Riversway festival. It also acts as an www.jazzbarpreston.com One real ale or cider is usually available. arts centre and a quality eating venue

2

Eldon

13 Eldon Street, PR1 7YD, 01772 49110 Mon-Thu 16.30-23.00 Fri 16.30-00.00 Sat 12.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-23.00 Wells Bombardier and Greene King Old Speckled Hen.Darts, Dominoes, Welsh Don and Pool. 8 TVs showing all sports channels. Quiz night Wednesday with free food.

Fox & Grapes

14 Fox Street, PR1 2AB, 01772 561149

Mon-Thu 12.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-22.30

Three hand pumps with constantly changing guests. Adnams Flame Runner, Greene King Golden IPA & Camerons First Gold on our last visit.

Jukebox, Darts and Pool. Bar snacks available.

Lamb & Packet

21

91a Friargate, PR1 2ED, 01772 823422

New Britannia

26 6 Heatley Street, PR1 2XB, 01772 879019

Mon-Thu 12.00-00.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-02.30 Sun 12.00-00.00

12(4 Mon)-11(12Fri-Sat) 12-10.30 Sun

Thwaites Original plus four other Thwaites beers, either regulars, seasonal or from the 1807 cask club range.

At least 3 beers from larger breweries.

Under temporary management. Pool table and TV.

Lunch times meals are available, also sports TV. LOCALE

New Welcome

Lane Ends

22 442-446 Blackpool Road, Ashton, PR2 1HX, 01772 733362 Mon-Sat 11.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-00.00 Three beers from Black Sheep Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars, Wells Bombardier or the Greene King list.

Food served 12.00-21.00 daily. Pool Darts, Poker and TV sports available. Live music features once a month

Mad Ferret

23

27 15 Cambridge Walk, PR1 7TH, 01772 253933 Mon-Fri 17.00-00.00 Sat 12.00-01.00 Sun 12.00-00.00 Thwaites Original.

Pool table and Darts. LOCALE

Norman Jepson

28 Bluebell Way, Fulwood, PR2 5PZ, 01772 651580 Mon-Sat 11.00-23.00 Sun 12.00-23.00

Mon-Sat 16.00-00.30 Sun 18.00-00.30

Jennings Cumberland and Snecklifter.

Food served all day. Also open from 7.00 Mon-Fri and from 8.00 on Sat/Sun for breakfast.

www.themadferret.net

Old Black Bull

Marston EPA. Pool table, live music Saturday, open mic night Wednesday, jazz last Thursday of the month.

Mon-Thu 10.30-23.00 Fri-Sat 10.30-00.00 Sun 12.00-22.30

55 Fylde Road, PR1 2XQ

35 Friargate, PR1 2AT, 01772 823397

29

Moorhouses Bitter and up to nine guest beers sourced from micros or small independents all over Britain.

33-35 Market Street, PR1 2ES, 01772 254425 Live music on Saturdays. Pool table. All TV sport shown.

Moorhouses Bitter is a beer specially brewed for the pub to Mon-Wed 10.30-21.00 Thurs 10.30-23.00 Fri-Sat 10.30-00.00 replace Boddingtons Cask Bitter which is no longer brewed.

Sun 12.00-21.00 Old Dog Inn 30 www.themarkettavernpreston.co.uk/ 133 Church Street, PR1 3BT, 01772 251373

Market Tavern

24

Three ever changing real ales.

Overlooking the outdoor market.

Moorbrook

25

370 North Road, PR1 1RU, 01772201127 Opens evenings only often after 9pm.

Thwaites Original and one other Thwaites beer.

This pub is where our branch was formed almost 40 years ago.

LOCALE

Mon-Sat 20.00-02.00 Sun 12.00-02.00 www.facebook.com/theolddoginn Wychwood Hobgoblin.

Listed building with little altered frontage.

Olde Dog and Partridge

44 Friargate, PR1 2AT, 01772 252217

31

Mon-Fri 11.00-15.00 18.00-23.30 Sat 11.00-15.00 18.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-00.00 Tetley Dark Mild, Holts Best Bitter, Timothy Taylors Landlord and two guest beers.

Meals served 12-14.00 Mon-Fri. Pool table. Quiz Thu. Rock music Sundays.

Monthly live music night. Landlord Ronnie Fitzpatrick is probably the longest serving landlord in Preston.

Old Vic 32 78 Fishergate PR1 2NJ 01772 254690 Mon-Thurs 11.30-23.00 Fri 11.3000.00 Sat 11.30-01.00 Sun 12.00-00.00 Courage Directors plus up to six guest beers, Moorhouses as well as one or two of Lancashireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smaller micro breweries usually represented.

Darts and pool and sports TV available and food is served 12.00-17.00 Mon-Sat and 13.00-16.00 Sundays .LOCALE

3

Phantom Winger

33

398 Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JE, 01772 972470 Mon-Sat 09.00-23.00 Sun 09.00-22.30 www.fayre-square.com/phantom-winger-preston Marstons EPA. Large family friendly pub with a Wacky Warehouse for children. Food served all day.

Pig & Whistle

34 849 Blackpool Road, PR2 1QS, 01772 732164 Sun-Thu 11.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 11.00-00.00 www.crowncarveries.co.uk Thwaites Wainwright.

Popular carvery meals served 11.00-21.30 daily. Dart board.

Plungington 35 67 Lytham Road, Fulwood, PR2 3AR, 01772 787081 Mon-Sun 12.00-23.00 Thwaites Wainwright.

Meals Sat/Sun only. Large bowling green at rear. Sports TV. Plungington Tavern

36 85 Plungington Road, PR1 7EN, 07792 105520 Sun-Thu 12.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-00.00 One changing real ale.

Pool, Darts. Sports TV. Karaoke evenings Fri/Sat Ribble Pilot 37 Mariners Way, Docklands, PR2 2YN, 01772 760673 Mon-Sat 11.30-23.00 Sun 12.00-22.30 Marston Pedigree, Wychwood Hobgoblin and guests from the Marston range.

Food served 12.00-22.00 Mon-Sat ,12.00-21.00 Sun. Shawes Arms

38 279 London Road, PR2 5AX, 01772 253998

Three changing guest beers normally include a Copper Dragon beer.

Pool.Nice children’s play area on the banks of the River Ribble.

Sherwood

39 Sherwood Way, PR2 9GA, 01772 716530 Sun-Wed 11.30-23.00 Thu Fri Sat 11.30-00.00 www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk/thesherwoodfulwood Thwaites Original and Wainwright Food served all day. TV sports.

Sun

44

112 Friargate, PR1 2EE, 01772 252335.

Mon-Thu 12.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-00.00 Sun 12.00-22.30 www.sunhotelpreston.co.uk Thwaites Original, Wainwright, Lancaster Bomber plus seasonal.

Sports TV, Pool. HQ for Preston Branch of Celtic Supporters Club. Accommodation available. LOCALE Unicorn

45

378 North Road, PR1 1RU, 01772 251603.

5-12.30, Mon-Thu, 12-12.30, Fri-Sat,12-10.30 Sun Up to 3 real ales, usually including Thwaites Wainwrights.

Darts, Pool. Quiz Thu, Karaoke Fri, Live music Sat.

Wellington

46

124 Tulketh Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, PR2 1AR, 01772 726641.

Mon-Sun 12.00-23.00 One or two guest beers. Copper Dragon beers often available.

Meals available between 12.00-21.00 Tue-Sun. Pool and Darts room at the rear.

Wellington

47

40 Glovers Court, PR1 3LS, 01772 821288 Mon-Wed 11.00-00.00 Thu Fri Sat 11.00-01.00 Sun 12.00-23.30 Three real ales from the Marston’s range, usually Marston Burton Bitter, a Jennings beer and Brakspear Oxford Gold.

Deservedly popular extensive range of good value meals all day.

Wheatsheaf

48

50 Water Lane, Ashton, PR2 2NL, 01772 725917.

Mon-Thu 11.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 11.00-23.30 Sun 12.00-22.30 Four guest beers, one from Moorhouses and others from small breweries in the north of England.

Keenly priced beers, big on sports TV. Live music Friday and Saturday. LOCALE `

49

230 Watling Street Road, Fulwood, PR2 8AD, 01772 707283 Mon-Thu 12.00-23.00 Fri-Sat 12.00-01.00 Sun 12.00-22.30 Two real ales changing regularly from the Enterprise Inns guest list.

Ship 40 Food served 12.00-20.00 except Monday. Disco Friday and 3 Fylde Road, PR1 2XQ, 01772 252992 Saturday and live music once a month. Quiz Sunday. TV sports.

Mon-Wed 12.00-00.00 Thu-Fri 12.00-01.00 Sun 15.00-22.00 Pool and Darts. www.theshippreston.co.uk Withy Trees 50

Beer range varies, up to three beers available.

Food available 12.00-18.00 Monday to Friday. Opening hours Lytham Road, Fulwood, PR2 8JE, 01772 717076 www.withytrees.co.uk tend to vary. Weekly open mic and live music nights.

Trees (apparently now brewed by Banks’s) with a Stanley Arms 41 Withy changing range from Greene King IPA, Lancaster Blonde, 24 Lancaster Road, PR1 1DA, 01772 827957 Taylor Landlord and Wells Bombardier.

www.thestanleyarmspreston.co.uk Food served all day. Sports TV. Four changing guests.

Sunday roast served between 12.00-16.00. TV, Function suite Yates’s 51

upstairs has Northern Soul on Saturday nights.

144-6 Church Street, PR1 3AB, 01772 556941 10.00-23.00 Wed-Sat 10.00-02.00 Sun 12.00-12.30 Station 42 Mon-Tue Courage Best Bitter, Wells Bombardier.

11 Butler Street, PR1 8BN, 01772 253951.

Loads of TVs feature in this town centre pub.

Mon-Thu 11.30-23.00 Fri 11.30-00. Sat 11.00-00.Sun 12.00-23.00

Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Theakston Best Bitter.Given a facelift ahead of Preston Guild. Food served Mon-Tue 11.30-16.00 Wed-Thu 11.3019.00 Sat 11.00-19.00 Sun 12.00-18.00. Pool, Darts, sports TV available. Accommodation available.

Sumners

43 195 Watling Street Road, PR2 8AB, 01772 705626 Mon-Sat 11.00-00.00 Sun 11.00-11.00

Sumners cask (apparently now brewed by Banks’s) plus one guest (Robinsons Dizzy Blonde on our visit).

Food served daily. Sports TV. Close to PNE ground, ideal for home and away fans.

White Hart

Ye Olde Blue Bell

52

114 Church Street, PR1 3BS, 01772 251280 Mon-Sun 11.00-23.00 Four hand pumps serve Samuel Smith Old Brewery Bitter at a very reasonable price.

No juke box, no TV, perhaps what a pub used to be like.

In addition the VARIETY, 28 Adelphi Street, PR1 7BE, serves a real cider (Westons Old Rosie) but no real ale.

4

15

Hop Pocket

Carr Lane ChorleyPR7 3JQ 01257 276611

Thwaites Cask Ales

Home Cooked Food Blues Nights Thursdays Sky Sports Golden

Lion Blackburn Road

Higher Wheelton Chorley 01254 830855 stuart>swanton@btinternet.com

Come down and receive a warm welcome from our friendly staff

www.sugarvine/goldenlionwheelton.co.uk Quiz Night Wednesday 9.30 FREE Pie Supper.Large Jackpot Sunday Roasts 2 for £9.95 Tuesday and Thursday Steak Night - 2 Steaks and Free bottle of Wine £13.95

GLC Outside Caterers

6 handpumps: 5 Thwaites + 1 exclusive to Thwaites ‘1807 Club’

Monday - Free Pool CAMRA pub of the Season

Sky and ESPN Sports Channels Spring 2011 16

Riley’s Rambles...Durham

with a pub I shall mention later) Not far away was Ye Old Elm Tree on Crossgate, one of Durham’s oldest pubs, dating from 1600. Comprising an L shaped bar room and a top room, it was When visiting Hartlepool last year, we intended having a daya busy pub, both with locals and students and it was easy to see out in Durham, but thought we could not do justice to the wide

why; a comfortable pub with four variety of pubs there in one day. Instead, we agreed to spend a

guest beers and Wychwood Hob few days there in 2012, and in April we found ourselves staying

goblin as a pemanent. The guests in a very fine local hotel named Farnley Tower (no, not Fawlty

on my visit were all coincidently Towers), a very comfortable hotel within walking distance of the

4% and cost £2.90 a pint but there centre.

Durham is a very historic place to visit, with its was a variety of styles and included one from one of the local ancient cathedral and castle, both on an almost island surrounded breweries, Hill Island, so I was well suited with that. Hill Island by the River Wear. Besides the inherent attractions Brewery is open to visitors one weekend a month, but unfortuof Durham itself, it makes a good base for exploring the area, nately it was the wrong weekend. In The GBG it states that there with the Beamish Living Museum not that far away. We found were folk groups on Tuesdays at the Elm Tree, but not while we plenty to do and see while we were there, and then there are were there. Nevertheless we went there a few times for the the pubs. There are eleven pubs listed in this year’s Good Beer variety. Walking down towards the city centre, we next encounGuide and many more besides. Durham is a big University town, tered the Head of Steam, through an arch off North Rd. This and you will see thousands of students wandering round the modern large open plan pub has a reputation for high quality town, but they did not seem to overpower the pubs, like they do food, which was I admit very good, but I was disappointed with in some places. There is a downloadable map of the real ale pubs the range of beers, only two were available and both were strong of Durham available from the website of the Durham branch of Titanic beers(above 5% and so not to my taste). Just up the road CAMRA which will give you an idea of the positions of all of though was the local Wetherspoon pub, the Waterhouse. the pubs mentioned hereafter along with a picture, their addressLocated in the former water board offices and not far from the es and opening times. It does not list the beers however. The neabus station, it is described in the GBG as an excellent Wetherrest pub to where we were staying was the spoon pub and I agree entirely. Although busy, I was asked Colpitts Hotel, a Sam Smiths owned pub immediately if I wanted serving and while the barman was up so the only real ale here was their Old the other end pulling my pint, I was approached again to be Brewery Bitter, but it was excellent and asked if I was being served. If only it was like that in all their the pub is worth a visit as it has changed pubs. The beer range was good too, with Oakleaf Mild, Ilkley little since it was built in the late Victorian era. Consisting of Mary Jane, two Mordue beers, an Allandale beer and Dobs Best three separate rooms fitted into an A shaped pub on a corner, Bitter all at £1.85 plus the regular Abbot Ale And Ruddles. conversation rules and for those that appreciate pubs as they While we were there we noticed that a committee meeting of used to be, it is a must. Another attraction is the price, where it the Durham Branch of CAMRA was being held, so we was only £1.80 a pint, a genuine bargain. (especially compared

The Railway Inn Steeley lane Chorley LancsPR6 0RD 01257411449 emailrailwayinnchorley@yahoo.co.uk

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17

Riley’s Rambles - Durham (cont.) so we introduced our Gold(4%), all at £3.20.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, selves and handed them out copies of Ale Cry which theywe then went into the Court Inn on Court Lane and, guess what, next were very interested in.

The next day saw us to the county court. On entering I found that two real ales were on crossing over the bridge into the historic centre and hav sale, Daleside Cloggin Betty (3.7%) and Mordue Rosie (4.8%) and ing a very pleasant walk along the river (it was sunshin they were both £3.70 a pint. When I blanched at seeing this, the baring in April), taking in the archaeoogical museum, before maid said that they had a special offer on of 2/3 of a pint at £2.80. I looking in the Market Tavern in the Market Place. This made a quick calculation and realised that they were having the cheek single roomed L shaped bar is described in The Guide to offer me beer at the equivalent of £4.20 a pint. When I pointed this as being one of the most imroved venues in town, but I out, she said, ‘O, you’ll just be having a half then’. The Good Beer take it they were not talking about the décor, as it ap Guide says this is a large popular urban oasis. I couldn’t see why. pared a bit run down to me. They must have been talking We went on to the Half Moon Inn on New Elvet, close to one of the about the beer range as six real ales were available. They bridges across the Wear where we were able to by a pint and a half have two permanents in Deuchers and Bombardier and for less than it had cost for two halves in the Court. Among the beers the four guests on our visit were Box Steam Chuffin available was Draught Bass (4.4%) at only £2.50 a pint, a classic beer Ale(4%), Idle Brewery’s Idle Sod(4.2%), Mordue’s of Britain which I hadn’t drank for ages. Also on the bar was York Workie Ticket(4.5%) and Maxim Brewery’s Maxi Terrier (4.2%), Harvistoun Bitter and Twisted (3.8%) and Marston’s mus at 6%.

On our way up to the Cathedral we EPA (3.6%). The pub is named after its crescent shaped bar that runs stopped off in the Shakespeare Tavern on Sadler St. It is from the front room through to the lounge area, and is has traditional a Camra North East Heritage inn comprising a small décor throughout with some interesting pictures of the pub on the bar, side snug and back lounge that has largely main walls. It also has a large backyard next to the river which would be tained its character though some purists might disagree. very popular in the summer, if we ever got one.

It is supposed to be popular with both students and There are two other GBG listed pubs which we didn’t visit, the locals, but it fairly quiet on our visit. Deuchers is a Bridge Hotel near the railway station and the Dun Cow on Old Elvet, permanent at £3.00 a pint and the three other beers on so I cannot comment on those, but of the ones visited, you will probthis occasion were Jennings Cumberland, Courage Bitter ably be able to guess which ones we returned to. (now brewed by Wells) both 4% and Caledonian Dutch We did also visit the Beamish Museum whilst we were there and I man (4.5%) all at £3.20 a pint. After our refreshments would recommend this to everyone. It is hard to fit all the attractions which include a delicious strawberry tart from a con in on one visit, but the ticket lasts for one year, so you can revisit at fectioners over the road, we made our way up to the no extra cost. Highlights for me are the trams, going down a pit, and Cathedral and proceeded to be amazed by the marvels of course the Sun Inn pub in the reconstructed town, where two beers both of the inside and outside of this wondrous building. were on sale, Stables Beamish Hall XB and Theakstons Old Peculier.

I was reacquainted with the large knocker on the main Pity they were not at 19th Century prices, but still reasonable. There door which was at one time used to gain sanctuary and are many other features such as a farm, a waggonway and railway which I last saw in the 1960’s. We then went on a (guid station. A map of this ed) tour of the castle which is now part of the University. living, working open It is of great interest to Harry Potter fans as many of the air museum is available scenes featuring Hogwarts were filmed there. There is on their website. much else to see, even for non fans, such as the old kitchens, staircases and dungeons and we spent an enjoy able hour in the company of one of the students who was acting as our guide. That evening we made our first visit to a classic pub in every sense, the Victoria Inn on Hallgarth Street. The fact that it had been voted the local Camra pub

In and out of the Sun of the year six times tells you to expect something special. So it was.

A grade II listed building, it is almBROOK STREET. CHORLEY ost unaltered since it was built in 1899 and retains its three rooms, Good Beer Guide 2012 quaint décor and coal fires, giving it its warm and welcoming feeling. This is especially Black Sheep Bitter so in the tiny snug which is entered by passing through the far end of the bar. In this cosy room are, as one might expect, numerous pictures of Queen Victoria. Big Lamp Guest Ales bitter is the one permanent beer and three guests are on sale, which on this occasion were Wylam Gold Tan Prices start from kard(4%), Maxim Best Scotch(4.2%) and Durham White Paul Riley

S

18

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20

A Sally round……Birmingham I have been to Birmingham several times and I have generally been of the opinion that the city centre was not a great place to find good real ale. This all changed on my most recent visit when I stumbled across some great real ale pubs.

Tempting as it was to stay for the rest of the evening, we decided to continue our “sally” and made our way to the Post Office Vaults, close to New Street Station.

Going down the stairs, there was a distinct feeling of descending into a vault and it was certainly worthwhile. We discovered a real friendly local and a fantastic barmaid, Elinor, who has a great

The purpose of my couple of days in Birmingham was work attitude and smile to match. The choice was Salopian - Oracle, and I was somewhat tired when I left the office at the end of Beer Geek – Rise of the Geek, Darkstar – Summer Meltdown, the first day to check into my overnight hotel, having got up Black Iris – Peregrine Pale, Hobsons – Twisted Spire and Black at 5.15am to drive down that morning. My decision to head Iris – Blackjack Mild. The Post Office Vaults also has a superb out of the hotel with a colleague, Darren, instead of an early selection of bottled beers with over 280 different beers on offer from around the world. night proved to be a good one when we started our “sally round” and entered The A Sally round……Birmingham We started with a pint of Hobsons Twisted Spire at 3.6% which

I have been to Birmingham several times and I have generally been of the opinion that the city centre was not a great place to find good real ale. This all changed on my most recent visit when I stumbled across some great real ale pubs.

The purpose of my couple of days in Birmingham was work and I was somewhat tired when I left the office at the end of the first day to check into my overnight hotel, having got up at 5.15am to drive down that morning. My decision to head out of the hotel with a colleague, Darren, instead of an early night proved to be a good one when we started our “sally round” and entered The Wellington at about 6pm that night.

The sight of 16 gleaming hand pumps all in a row made me forget that I was quite tired and I couldn’t wait to see what was on offer. The first thing I realised was, that not only were there 16 hand pumps, but there were also 16 different ales to choose from. Not a single pump was missing a clip.

The pub was fairly busy and there were several people standing at the bar. Now sometimes it can be difficult to get a clear look at what is available at a busy bar because people stand around blocking the view of the pump clips. I know that some pubs resolve this by having a chalk board on display but The Wellington have taken this idea into the 21st century and the choice of available beers is displayed on several large plasma screens which list the name of the beer, the brewery, the ABV and an indication as to the colour of the beer, whether pale or dark. What an innovation.

Our first selection from the array of beers including offerings from Wye Valley, Oakhams, Purity, Titanic, Beowulf, Coastal, Cottage and Derby Brewing Co. was Oakham’s Citra at 4.2%. This was perfect for a warm spring evening, pale and fruity and it certainly lived up to it’s name. This was swiftly followed by The Derby Brewing Co’s SunSpotter at 4.4 %, another golden ale and a great choice.

was pale and hoppy, a good choice for me and this was followed up with a pint of Black Iris Peregrine Pale at 4.6% which was also in good form. Whilst in the pub we got chatting to a couple of members of the Birmingham Branch of CAMRA who again made us feel very welcome and gave us a locals view of the pubs nearby. Armed with this information we said goodbye to Elinor and our new friends and made our way to the Victoria on John Bright Street.

The Victoria seemed very quiet but then it was a Monday evening, although the Wellington and Post Office Vaults were much busier. It was worth calling in as Thornbridge Kipling was available, very tasty and not to be under-estimated at 5.2%. The other choices were Saddlers –Thin Ice and Wye Valley – Butty Bach.

By this time Darren and I were feeling about ready for something to eat and we made our way to China Town. Inside our chosen restaurant, no real ale was available, as expected, so we washed down our Sweet and Sour with bottles of Tsingtao.

Now somewhat full, we decided to conclude our Sally with a last pint in the Tap and Spile on Gas Street, by the Canal. Nothing out of the ordinary was on offer with the clips displaying standard fare such as Wells Bombardier, Theakstons Old Peculiar and Fullers London Pride. I settled for a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord for my nightcap, before making our way back to our hotel by around 11pm. It was a school night after all All in all, I shall look forward to my next trip to Birmingham.

There are many decent real ale pubs, far more than I imagined and certainly too many to list here. Next time you find yourself in Birmingham why not give them a try. The Wellington and the Post Office Vaults are two that I would recommend as worth a visit.

You might even get used to being called “Bab” which seems to happen everywhere in Birmingham. I am told that this is a term of endearment and is used regularly in the same way that barmen and barmaids in Preston might use the word “love” as in “Yes love, what can I get you”. At least in Birmingham it seems only to be used when addressing a member of the opposite sex. I was quite worried when in Nottinghamshire a few years ago when a barman said to me “Yes duck”. I had never been called “duck” by another man before.

Dave Bell

21

Hop is the Star at Hopstar

We did a little piece in the summer 2010 issue of Ale Cry about Barry Tyson expanding his brewery from a 2.5 barrel length plant to a 6 barrel one and moving his brewing operation to an industrial unit in Darwen. Barry promised us a visit to his plant for the mention, but it took us until this year to finally getting round to organising our visit. So it was that in March this year 15 lucky people got to visit this brilliant little brewery.( It should have been 16 but the Alp, who had organised the trip had had a bit of a scrape in his works van and couldn’t meet us in time.)

We were met at the door by Barry and his daughter Natalie along with Brian Leach who is CAMRA’s Brewery Liaison officer with Hopstar. Brian was to help us pull many pints of the beer available for us to sample that evening. He was immediately put to good use, dispensing pints of the Lancashire Gold, a light (in colour) 4% beer that uses Maris Otter Premium and crystal malt for its body and one English variety of hop and two American ones to give it that great taste, or we could have pints of J.C. which at 4.1% is a copper coloured well balanced beer. As we watched him pull the pints we could admire on the wall the many awards Barry has won for his beers since he started up. This was back in 2004 in his garage with his 2.5 barrel length kit bought from Porter brewery. So good were the beers that to keep up with demand, expansion was inevitable, which ended up with the 6 barrel one being installed in its new home.

Barry told us that, because us aficionados knew all about brewing, he would not do a brewery tour as such (it was all there in front of us), but would expound his brewing philosophy and we could ask questions later. He explained to us that he brewed beer because he loved doing it, but there could be no compromises with ingredients. His aim is to produce beers full of character for drinkers who appreciate his use of quality ingredients and the consequent full flavour. He said that the name of the brewery gives a clue to his beers; it is called Hopstar because, with his beers, the HOP is the STAR. There was to be no bland inoffensive ales from him. All his beers had to have that forceful character from the many varieties of hops he used. He told us he brewed from the heart, which explained to us his passion for brewing.

He explained that Natalie was now managing the brewery and between them they were kept busy, what with them opening his brewery tap in a pub on Bridge Street in Darwen called Number 39. We did not have time to visit the pub that night, because the hospitality was so good at the brewery, but it is a pub worth visiting, for besides its range of Hopstar beers, guest beers from other micros also feature. It is open from noon till late and a range of continental bottled beers are also available. Meanwhile, by now we were tucking in to the lovely hotpot provided for us.

Anybody who had questions had ample time to talk with Barry, between trips to the bar and general socialising and a very enjoyable evening was had by all.

Fermentation Vessel

Barry and Paul

Brewing Plant

The brewery is at Unit 9, Rinus Business Park, Grimshaw St Darwen BB3 2QX, and they can be contacted via their website hopstarbrewery.co.uk. Over 50 outlets are supplied in Lancashire and Greater Manchester and their beers can often be found on sale in Preston at places like the Dog and Partridge, Old Black Bull and Market. So keep your eyes peeled for one of their beers and if you like good, flavoursome beers try one. You will not be disappointed.

Paul Riley.

No it’s not the olympic

The Swan with flame - for those old

Two Necks enough to remember it’s

Chorley’s Hidden Gem

Hollinshead Street the old school sign, but

CHORLEY BOTTOMS which pub is it near? It’s mentioned in the mag. - a

A Real Ale Paradise • A CAMRA pub of the season clue is ‘cricket’ ed.

• A CAMRA good beer guide pub Handpumps serving quality Ales from Quiz: The Lancashire Walks Ale Cry Preston Guild Quiz • 5LocAle Breweries

i

set by John Griffiths and Bob Clare 1.

Which King granted Preston its first Guild Charter?

2.

Who was Prime Minister last Preston Guild?

3.

Which secondary school did Andrew Flintoff attend?

4.

Whose statue can be seen in Miller Park?

5.

Including this one how many Guilds have there been since World War 2?

6.

In which year did Tom Finney retire from professional football?

7.

Which novel by Charles Dickens featured Preston as Coketown?

8.

What is the circumference of the Guild Wheel? 21 miles 9.

The famous tightrope walker Blondin was the star turn at which Guild? 1862 1882 1902 10. Mayor Nicholas Grimshaw (1757 – 1838) holds what unique distinction?

Ans Page22

18

22

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CAMRA’s Chief Executive and our Communica- tions Officer - Mick Clark spoke about the dire straights the industry is in and the impact the situation can have on the social well-being of our communities. The message is clear - pubs are part of the solution not the problem Ed The 40th Good Beer Guide - 2013 - is now on sale. Available to CAMRA members for as little as £10 (online www. camra.org.uk/shop) or £11 mail order.

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23

Swan Trip to Staveley Wes and I were invited to join the regulars at the Swan with Two Necks in Chorley on the trip to Staveley for the Hawkshead Brewery beer festival. The day started with smashing bacon and sausage butties at the Swan.

We arrived in Staveley by train at around lunch time.

Our first port of call was the Popular Eagle and Child with a tranquil (until we arrived riverside beer Garden. A fine range of ales was on tap but we only stopped for a couple before making our way to the brewery itself.

We were all very impressed. with the whole site on which the brewery tap held centre stage.with a craft bakery adjoining from which I fed myselfon a couple of their delecious pies. The beers came from a carefully selected range of breweries.

It’s a good guide as to the high quality of the

beers on offer when nobody critisises a single

pint.

There were two bars - upstairs

and down and both were designed and finished

to the highest quality in keeping with the ales

served. It was certainly no slight on the inside

bars, rather the rare summers day that led to us

spending most of the day sat outside the beer hall.

Eagle and Child

After a few pints at the brewery Wes and I outside the Brewery beer hall decided a lice long walk was called for so we sauntered to the village of Ings home of the popular GBG pub the Watermill Inn and Brewery.

If you’re in the area we can certainly recommend a Visit. In addition to their own range of fine ales the guests were also excellent.

We were pleased with our decision to visit Ings and after a stroll back to Staveley and a last pint at the brewery we returned to Chorley. Most finished the evening off in the Swan but with me not being used to alcohol I gave Landlord Nick my genuine thanks for a wonderful day out and sneaked off home to get some Wes in the Watermill sleep, it being late for a little old man like me Royston

The Lock and Quay

Vicky and Staff welcome you to the Lock and Quay Botany Bay Chorley

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PUB OF THE SEASON The Summer 2012 Pub of

area. By 1992 the two rooms had been knocked into one large room with a raised area at the front, and with the serving area the Season is the Lamb & Packet in Preston. now re-located to the left of the building. Now in 2012 the With this being the special Preston Guild issue of Ale Cry pub has been given a modern image with a slate floor and disit was thought highly appropriate that a Preston pub should crete furnishing - it is also more spacious, with the raised area be chosen this time around, and with this being a year of diamond jubilees it is perhaps also significant that this is the having been removed and with the serving area now taking up branch's 60th Pub of the Season award winner - and the 60th less room. different pub to be so honoured

The landlord of the Lamb & Packet is Warwick Glover, who has run the pub with his wife Linda for the last 18 months. They have both been in the pub trade for over 10 years, having previously run pubs in Liverpool, Southport, and Preston.

The pub's opening hours are 12 noon to 12.30am Mondays to

Shortly after they took over at the Lamb & Packet Thursdays; 12 noon to 2.30am Fridays and Saturdays; and 12 the pub was temporarily closed while it underwent a comnoon to 12 midnight Sundays. Many years ago the Lamb & plete refurbishment, eventually re-opening in August 2011 Packet was renowned for its meals, and once again this side with a refreshingly updated interior. Since then the pub has of the pub business is being given greater prominence with become something of a showpiece for Thwaites Brewery food now available seven days a week from 12 noon to 8pm. with it selling a wide range of their regular and seasonal CAMRA Central Lancashire branch will be holding a meetbeers, and with it also being one of the select few Thwaites pubs that are able to sell guest beers from other breweries as ing at the Lamb & Packet on August 20th when the Pub of the Season presentation will take place at about 9pm. CAMRA part of their 1807 Cask Club range.

The pub has a bank of five modernistic metal hand- members and others are welcome to be there on the night.

Gordon Small pumps, and on a recent visit Thwaites regulars Original, Wainwright, and Nutty Brown were all available, plus two of ---their craft beers Whet The Whistle and Torch Light. Warwick was keen to point out that the emphasis is very much on cask conditioned beers, and that his pub is one of the very few that does not stock any keg bitter or mild at all. In fact recently he did have hopes to get a sixth handpump installed, but this has not proved to be practical due to the limited amount of space on the bar. Located at the far end In the last Ale Cry we asked of Friargate, and near to what was the Harris Technical College (now the University of Central Lancashire), the for CAMRA members willing to come forward Lamb & Packet was probably the first of Preston's pubs who would be our contact with two or three of to become popular with students, but over the years it has their local pubs and put the mag out round there. always managed to attract a good mix of customers.

John was one of those keen to help spread the With the Lamb & Packet being the branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub of the word - in Brinscall. It could be you next. We are Season during the main week of Preston Guild celebrations desperate for people to be our contacts. helping it is interesting to note that internally the pub has presented both CAMRA and the pubs. If you are willing to a very different appearance in each of three successive guild help it would be much appreciated and could win years. In 1972 it was a traditional two room pub comprising you 3 gals of real ale. Please ring text or email if a public bar and a lounge bar separated by a ccentral serving

Well Done John Findlay 3 gals of real ale coming your way Courtesy of Mark and Kaz at the Leyland Lion. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

you want to help - see page 26 - Thanks ed

JOHN DUCE It is with deep regret that we have to report the passing of John Duce, who many people will know, and

who for a great many years was a popular and valued member of the local CAMRA branch.

John first started coming to branch meetings in the late 1990s, but it was after he had retired from working that he got more involved in CAMRA activities. In 2001 he volunteered to become our Local Beer Guide Co-ordinator, and in June 2003 he became the branch's first appointed Pubs Officer. He was credited as the Pub Survey Co-ordinator when the Central Lancashire Real Ale Guide was produced in April 2004, and altogether was to serve as a committee member for four years.

For much of his life John worked as a quantity surveyor, and he had spent lengthy periods based outside the country working in the middle east before returning to work for British Aerospace at Warton. Always good natured, in branch meetings John was never one to let things get too serious. He was fond of his strong ales, and for several years took it on himself to be the unofficial branch contact for a number of local clubs.

John was to suffer a stroke in March 2007, and after this was not able to continue on the branch committee. He did however maintain an interest in CAMRA, and we did see him in attendance at one or two meetings with his wife in the next couple of years. He was later to be badly affected by a second stroke, and on June 9th he died peacefully in hospital aged 73.

John will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Gina and all of his family.

Gordon Small

25

Attention : Pubs, Clubs, Breweries, Pubcos, Suppliers to the trade Compare our target market with local press Read on--------------

Our quarterly publication goes right to the heart of your customer base. With an estimated 30.000 ‘interested’ readers ‘Ale Cry’ reaches ale drinkers all over the UK. Every pub we go in is given customer copies and also pub copies for drinkers to read and return to the bar for others to peruse.

And it’s not just to local locals - no - no - no. As all our volunteer distributors travel around the country and further afield we leave pub copies in pubs we visit on our travels: from Scotland to Devon; from Wales to Yorkshire; from Canada to Germany; from the States to Poland etc., etc., Contact us (see below) for full details of where they’ve been left and to find out how to advertise with us Other than word of mouth you won’t find a better way to get your message across - Just ask our current advertisers.

Current Prices: Double Page £300 Back Page £195 Full Page £175 Half Page £95 Quarter £55 Eighth £35 Over 800 branch members but only a couple of dozen active.

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over 60 You’d be mad noor t to join CAMRA From £14 to join: £20 rea vouchers, and 15 month membership for the lprale s ice of 12 (see page 27) `

Drink Real Ale Mother Nature’s Choice

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

Branch Details:

Officers and Contacts: Branch Contaact And Treasurer Womens contact: Chairman

Vice Chairman Secretary

Webmaster and Young members Social Secretary Communications (inc. membership & editor)

Paul Riley 01772 709272 Sue Riley 01772 709272 Dave Linley 01772 735628 Alan Thompson 01257 276363 Gordon Small 01772 746118 14 Bank Parade Penwortham Preston Steve Eaves steveneavesuk

@yahoo.co.uk Steve Enderby 01257 410146 Mick Clark

07984 840486

email address: clcamra@rocketmail.com

website- http://www.centrallancscamra.org.uk/

Real Ale -

Branch Meetings (8pm): Branch / Socials* Committee # You’re welcome to attend any of our meetings

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

6 24 11 22 8 26 6 17

#Malt&Hops (Chorley) *Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge) #St.Gerard’s Club (Lostock Hall) *Black Horse (Preston) #Shawes Arms (Preston) *Leyland Lion #Wellington (Preston) *Stanley (Preston) Christmas Social

Trips Thur 13th Sept - Ale Cry trip round north Preston. Minibus from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station) Leaves at 7.15 - Return to Preston 11pm. Contact Paul Riley to book a place (01772 709272)

Deadline for Adverts and Articles for the

Disclaimer: The views expressed in Ale Cry are not Summer (Guild)Edition:: necessarily those of the Editor, the West Lancashire Expected Publication Date: Branch of CAMRA, or of the Campaign for Real Ale

7/11/12 23/11/12

Quiz No 8 (Preston Guild) Answers Quiz kindly donated by:www.lancashirewalks.com

1. Henty II 2. John Major 3. Ribbleton Hall High School. 4. Edward Stanley ,14th Eary of derby 5. 4 6. 1960. 7. Hard Times 8. 21 Miles 9. 1862 10. Only person to be elected Guild Mayor twice - 1802, 1822. Picture quiz: Watermill at Ings ( Inn - Ings)

26

Proud supporter of traditional,

AMAZING OFFERS FOR REAL ALE DRINKERS

healthy, British made, real ales & CAMRA in its fight to bring this healthy, organically produced example of British culture to more people’s attention.

You don’t need an existing member to recommend you to join CAMRA, but if one has, he or she could win 3 gallons of real ale , just by insterting their details here.

Name

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

•

£20 of JD Wetherspoon beer tokens •

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

Once you have joined, if you live in Central Lancashire CAMRA area:

1.

Chance to win 24 pints of real ale in Greyfriars, Friargate Preston

for encouraging friends to

join CAMRA

2 .Chance to win

24 pints in the

Leyland Lion

on Hough Lane,Leyland for

helping keep the branch in formed aout what’s hap

pening in your local pubs

So fill in this application form below asap and post it to : FAO Gary Fowler, Wetherspoons Membership Offer CAMRA

Membership No

230 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, Herts, Al1 4LW

Phone No

27 25

Quality Ales - Cask Marque accredited Four Real Cask Ales changed daily plus Kronenburg 1664, Amstell & Fosters Lagers Draught and Bottled Ciders & Guinness See this month’s range of cask ale on our website Why not try out our popular weekly Quiz Night including music rounds and Chase the Ace every Thursday –starts prompt at 9pm Beer Garden to rear Great beer and a warm and friendly welcome For events and other information visit www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham – 752953 11-11 Monday to Thursday / 11 to 12.30 Friday & Saturday / 12 to 11 Sunday unless we decide to stay open later !