Central Lancashire Branch Issue 99 Summer 2013
Formerly the West Lancashire Branch
Ale Cry
Fighting for drinkers rights in
40th
June 1973 Aniversary -
Issue
June 2013
publicity had been obtained in the local press and in NALGO union publications. The Moorbrook was packed out on
40 YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING IN THE PRESTON, CHORLEY AND LEYLAND AREA. On the 25th June the Central Lancashire Branch of CAMRA will celebrate its fortieth birthday, although for most of that time it was known by its original title of The WestLancashire Branch. this makes it one of the oldest Moorbrook branches in the country and I that fateful Monday night in think that it is at least the old- June 1973. est branch in the north west of I was appointed Chairman, England. Ken Hargreaves - Secretary I had joined the Campaign for and George Lee - Treasurer. the Revitalisation of Ale in There was no branch commitlate 1972 and had been made tee then. That came later. area organiser for a vague area roughly the same as old Our first brewery trip was to Lancashire without Liverpool Jennings in Cockermouth in September 1973. Everybody or Manchester. I decided to base CAMRA’s campaigning got a bit merry on what was headquarters in the Moorbrook to us a completely unknown brew and a few complaimnts Inn in Preston which served were made later. Thwaites beers from handpumps, the handles of which I Since then our brewery trips had spotted from the top deck of have been remarkably sober a passing bus. events. On my first visit to the pub We also organised a coach to after explaining what as far national day of as I knew were the objectives of CAMRA’s protest at the closure by Bass the Campaign to the Landlord, of the Joules brewery in Stone George Lee. I was surprised to be in Staffordshire. taken seriously by George and not treated as a complete nut- So Cheers to CAMRA Central ter. Lancashir Branch and here’s Prior to our first meeting some to another 40 years. Dave Marsden
since 1973
Editorial
40 years of CAMRA membership and most people think I don’t even look that old. Although I was one of the founder members of the branch I don’t deserve much credit for it’s development. As one of the rebellious generation I was a young trade union activist and I think other founder members felt that my experiences and contacts may be useful. After a little involvement in the preparatory days helping motivate people to come to the launch my other activities and my young family reclaimed me. It is only in recent years that CAMRA has returned to the fore for me. The members who really merit praise are Ken Hargreaves who, when the branch grew and divided, moved to the newly formed Fylde Branch and Dave Marsden who has maintained his involvement throughout the 40 years. Dave is the quiet man behind the scenes without whom Looks a bit flat Dave the branch couldn’t have thrived. As well as Chairman Dave co-edited Ale Cry for years. Real Ale drinkers in Lancashire owe him a vote of thanks.At our next 40th anniversary we’ll be over a hundred so will need a bit more support. It’s great that CAMRA now has over 150,000 members but without more becoming active our success can’t continue to grow. Ed
P2 Chorley, P3 Whittingham Beer and Sausage Fest; , Facebook; p4 Locale; P7 South Ribble; Black Edge Brewery; P9 Goosnargh Inside this issue!p5!! Old Newspapers; brewery, P12 Discounts; P13 Kingston-Upon-Thames; P14 Pub of the Season ; P15 Burscough; P16 Chester; P18 Preston; P20 Ale Cry visit - Goosnargh; P21 AGM, The Grove Leeds, Wigan Heroes P22 Branch Details; P23 MEMBERSHIP FORM ..... .....................................................................................................................................................................and much more