Ale Cry 111

non-brewing pub-owning companies.

A sliding excise-duty scale was devised Fighting for drinkers rights in the Heart of Lancashire since 1973 in 2002 to enable small breweries to

Ale Cry Which way you going?

Central Lancashire branch

compete with large companies enjoying

economies of scale.

Issue 111 - SUMMERsignificant 2016 This stimulated a rapid growth in the

number of small breweries, predominantly serving local markets, but many mediumsized brewers were unable to benefit.

Successive governments have influenced the sale of alcohol by increasing duty rates, which rose by more than 40 per cent between 2008 and 2013. Though cuts

ALTHOUGH CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN RECENT BUDGETS, BEER TAX IS HIGHER IN THE UK THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN EUROPE EXCEPT FINLAND:

GoTo: |

View from the Mountain

The Editor has given me quite a task - commenting on CAMRA’s new Revitalisation Project without getting expelled from an organisation I joined in 1973. I will save my opinions on the the whole misguided project for page 2. Our leadership claims that it is ~ FACTS AND FIGURES ~ vital CAMRA re-evaluates the direction we are moving in and urgently - so urgently that comments were required by 30th April even though most Taken from: www.camra.org.uk/revitalisation Since CAMRA was founded, and despite members hadn’t opened the questionnaire by then. our success in increasing the availability

v

52p

and variety of real ale, the population of the British Isles has shifted from beer-drinking

ON A PINT

~ FACTS AND FIGURES to more continental in particular, A booklet entitled: ‘The Revitalisation Project -~Shaping the Future’ has beentastes: sent to a growing love for wine.

An increasing of people between all members and I suggest that non-members view a copy of the leaflet bynumber going to the 16 and 24 years old are choosing not to CAMRA web site - address above. drink alcohol at all, or to drink less. increasing over the past three years to

Between 2009 and 2013, 3,800 coffee account for 17 per cent of all on-trade beer shops opened and 4,500 pubs closed. If 57 of per cent of all on-trade draught the current trend continues, the and number beer. in tenThe demand for real ale, part of a coffee shops could overtake pubs years. Coffee shop chains are beginning generaltotrend towards more authentic and diversify by selling alcohol, posing a further local products, continues to grow. threat to the traditional pub.

THE PRICE OF AN ON-TRADE PINT In 1974 there were fewer than 200BY INCREASED The anti-alcohol lobby has made ever breweries more strident claims about the dangers of in the UK. The 2016 Good alcohol to long-term health. Despite Beer Guide lists more than 1,500. evidence that moderate consumption, CAMRA’s Brewery Information System in a social and regulated environment, records more than 11,000 real ales: BETWEEN benefits both people’s wellbeing and

The national leadership decided last year that we ‘needed to discuss whether major change was needed to keep the campagn relevant’

COMPARED WITH 14p IN FRANCE, 9p IN BELGIUM AND 4p IN SPAIN IN 1974 THERE WERE FEWER THAN

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I thought at the time ‘Are you insane?’ We are on our way to a quarter of a million members - the most successful single issue consumer organisation the world has ever known and they ask - ‘are we still relevant?’ A portrait is painted by some of we who nearly eight per brewery. their communities, the drinks sector joined the campaign in its early days as antiquated rebels who have lost a sense of reality.

1987 AND British Isles today is 2011 Brewing in the has struggled to develop an effective

187%

counter-message.

200

THE REVITALISATION PROJECT

BREWERIES IN THE UK

characterised by innovation BUTand ONLY BY dynamism. “Craft beer” is used by many to

52%

LEGISLATION They ask us to decide within a year (why the urgency) whether CAMRA should now describe the products of independent The regeneration of the British brewing as distinct from those produced industry was principally a result brewers, of campaign on behalf of : ~ FACTS AND FIGURES ~ FOR Some OFF-SALES CAMRA’s campaigning. Legislation around industrially by global giants. brewers A) Drinkers of Real Ale brewing and pubs has had a mixed impact: have developed a new type of keg beer THE 2016 GOOD BEER GUIDE some good, some not so good. We have which some call “craft keg”. Our Members’ B) Drinkers of Real Ale, cider and perry campaigned vigorously (and with some LISTS MORE THAN Conference in 2015 accepted some new success) when legislation has threatened C) All beer drinkers to have adverse consequences for the beer of dispense as legitimate means methods drinker or pub-goer. of serving real ale. The clearly defined D) All beer, cider and perry drinkers In the 1980s, with six national brewers boundaries of the 1970s have become dominating beer and pubs the government E) All pub goers blurred to the point where some have became concerned about the lack of questioned their relevance.

F) All drinkers competition, the limited choice available CAMRA’S BREWERY INFORMATION

AGM

13th June Black horse preston All Welcome

1,500

and high prices. In 1989, a report by

SYSTEM RECORDS MORE THAN

~ FACTS AND FIGURES ~ ALES: NEARLY the Monopolies and Mergers Commission 11,000 REAL PUBS They go on to explain the consultation process which, as is always the with CAMRA, found that case the vertical integration EIGHT PER BREWERY Almost from the beginning, CAMRA has between brewing and pub retailing, gives us insufficient time to evaluate the issues. recognised the importance of pubs to known as the tie, constituted a complex

DEVELOPMENTS FROM

cask ale. It is therefore alarming that the

They point out how much had changed since the campaign was formed - how realtotal alenumber of pubs in the UKAfell ownership many pubs, but may lead to from GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLEof BETWEEN 1971 TO 2016 67,800 in 1982 to 51,900 in 2014. Twenty 11closures as well. was often poor in the olden days. Of course much has changed - the world has moved on.

Although the sale of beer is divided seven pubs a week are currently lost in the served without the use extraneous AND BEER Yes some real ale was of poor quality - was, is, always will be. That’s the thing about almost equally between theofon-trade and UK.Real As theBREWERIES main outlets for draught beer, YEARS OLD ARE CHOOSING NOT TO DRINK carbon dioxide.

In the 1960s and earlypromotion 1970s most major OR TO beer accounts for seven out of 10 pubs are central to CAMRA’s ALCOHOL AT ALL,off-trade, DRINK LESS. Ale. Like anything that is a living entity it is vulnerable.

Maturation is at the heart of the brewers reduced their traditional cask ale drinks sold in pubs. Beer is more important of real ale.

16 AND 24

THE REVITALISATION PROJECT

production and instead filtered and

definition. If the beer is unfiltered,

pubs than wine or spirits and pubs are Brewers own around a fifth of all pubs. unpasteurised and still active on the yeast, That’s why the big 6 brewers moved from real ales to ‘Zombeers.’ I’ve been critisised for carbonated their beer and dispensed it to facing stiff competition for fewer drinkers.

A third are owned by pub companies, it is real ale. It does not matter whether the from kegs. The market became dominated BETWEEN On-trade alcohol pubcos, and just under a half are using the term ‘Zombeer’ as a derogatory definition of keg ale. It’s a term created byknown as by container is aconsumption cask or a bottle.has fallen a few large brewing companies which, by 36 per cent since 2000, but off-trade independent free houses.

The introduction Beer represented 71 per cent of all by spending millions promoting their 2009 Melodious Mick and I think it is perfect way of describing something that has beenof akilled have increased in the code to regulate theclosing pubcos andtheir an smaller salesalcohol consumedby in 17 theper UK cent in 1970, brands and by down AND period. This linked to wider social adjudicator to oversee it, with licensees of for samecompared withis36 per cent in 2014.

Most rivals, developed a complex monopoly off and brought back to artificial life by the addition of gas and/or chemicals. Which 2013 beer wasas served on draught in pubs, keg beers. trends, such the rise in internet-based the largesttheir pubcos being able to opt for a brings us to the options (above). Options C,D,E and F. These options would welcome whereashome most beer today is bottled or on-demand entertainment. free-of-tie lease, may change the canned. Although beer’s share of the defined real ale in 1973 as: Zombeer drinkers into the Campaign i.e. 4 out of 6 options welcome keg drinkers into CAMRA Beer brewed from traditional ingredients, AND on-trade market has declined in the past CAMRA cont. next page 15 years (with an increase in sales of wine matured by secondary fermentation in the

PUB

3,800 COFFEE SHOPS OPENED

container from which it is dispensed, and

p2 Mawdesley and Eccleston; p3 Editorial, Chairman’s Welcome, ; p4 Manchester; p6 Cricket; p10 Wigan, Pub of Season presentation; p12 South Ribble Scene, Brewery News; p14 CAMRA Discount Schene; p18 Preston Parade; p20 South Lakes; p24 Real Cider; p26 Riley’s Rambles, More Brewery News; p28 Summer Pub of the Season - Pearsons, ChorleyChatter, Melodious Mick, A Perfect Evening; p30 Info page; P31 Membership Application Form.........................................and much more

BEER REPRESENTED

71% 1970

COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PREFERENCES

Economies of scale and lower overheads mean that supermarkets OF ALL ALCOHOL and off-licences CONSUMED IN THE IN than pubs, can sell their beer moreUK cheaply bars and clubs. The price of an on-trade pint increased by 187 per cent between 1987 and 2011, but only by 52 per cent for off-sales.

Competition has become increasingly aggressive with some supermarkets selling alcohol at cost price or below as a loss leader. Many publicans say these discounts THE PROJECT haveREVITALISATION hit their trade hard.

Pubs are also not benefiting from the economic recovery as much as other consumer choices, such as overseas tourism (up 11%), do-it-yourself equipment (up 18%) and recreation and

4,500 PUBS CLOSED

the trend, and cider), ale has bucked THEcask REVITALISATION PROJECT 9 COMPARED WITH

36% 2014

culture (up 16%). Discounting has also cut the cost of eating at home. A VAT anomaly benefits supermarkets, where not all food is subject to VAT, andOF puts pubs at a ALL ALCOHOL disadvantage, as they pay the full rate on CONSUMED IN THE UK IN all food sold. This has led to a further decline in pub-going.

Three in four people believe a well-run pub is as important to community life as a post office, shop or community centre, but a growing number view going to the pub as unaffordable. In a recent YouGov poll, commissioned by CAMRA, 30 per cent agreed that a pub was the best place to socialise, but 40 per cent preferred socialising at home and 35 per cent said that pubs were too expensive. Worse, 21 per cent said their local pub had closed.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal 200th Anniversary Celebrations are being promoted by The Canal and River Trust and The Leeds and 8 Heritage Weekend, June 25th -26th?, Leeds WaterLiverpool Canal Society Some of the events promised includeJune 18th–19th, Burscough front Festival,July 23th–24th, Blackburn Canal Festival, Blackburn,August 27th–29th, Burnley Canal Festival, Burnley.

The Market Ale House now opens on Mondays Ed

View from the Mountain cont

‘Zombeers’ don’t need a campaign behind them - these so called craft beers are cheaper to produce than the real thing yet ounce for ounce are In the 70s the big brewers tried to enforce a switch from real ale twice as expensive and are therefore more than twice as profitable for the to ‘Zombeers.’ Buying and closing down smaller breweries, taking brewers and pubcos.

So why should handpumps out of pubs, spending multi-millions on promoting their CAMRA want to welcome them. You tell pasturised products - Watneys Draught Red Barrel, Double Diamond, me but when our National Conference Whitbread Tankard (appropriate because the ‘Zombeers’ were votes on the Revitalisation Project in 20 transported from brewery to pub and club in petrol style tankers,) It months, thanks to proxy votes (which was easy - no risk of disturbing a dead product. Now we are told that can now carry the day) conference delegates the ‘new’ keg beers marketed as ‘Craft Beers’ are far better quality, (right) will just be lobby fodder and and I can testify to that having spent a lot of time in the USA. What CAMRA will have committed Hari Kari. our leadership can’t seem to grasp is that’s CAMRA’s rejection of So what should CAMRA be concerning itself with if not ‘revitalisation’ ‘Zombeers’ is not a comment about their quality. At the time CAMRA - How about: 1) democracy - local democracy - making the best of our was formed not all ‘Zombeers’ were of poor quality. The John Peel grass roots 1/4 million members - 2) health and ale Brewery in the Lakes produced a lager (lager was the new kid on the i.e the health differences between real ale and‘Zombeers’ block) called ‘Skol.’ It was so tasty that Lion (Matthew Brown) bought 3) full pints e.g. Sheps Hall Ale House poster>>>>>>>> The John Peel brewery just to acquire Skol and promptly shut the 4) AlcoholEducation If I appear to be critical of Peel Brewery. As someone who enjoyed all the John Peel ales in their our national leadership it is just that when an organisaCommodore in Grange was not impressed and a few years later when tion grows tenfold its leaders are bound to become Matthew Brown was gobbled up I thought serve you right. somewhat detached from the grass roots and in this The point I’m making is that nothing has changed - there were and case reality.

I’m not happy with this article but if I’m given the chance are good real ales and poor real ales and good ‘Zombeers’ and poor I hope to deal with the best way forward for CAMRA in future issues. Of one ‘Zombeers’ THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS AS TRUE TODAY AS IT WAS 40 thing I am certain ‘The Revitalisation project’ is not the solution and that a ODD YEARS AGO - THAT TRADITIONAL REAL ALES ARE OUR revised constitution which endorses and welcomes local democracy is BRITISH HEALTH DRINK OF WHICH WE SHOULD BE SO PROUD Lord Mountain are 5.30-8.30 Tue, 12-2, 5.30-8.30 Wed – Fri. and 12-8.30 Sat and Sun. Other features are a car park, and an outdoor smoking and garden area.

It is family friendly and once again has wi-fi.

Under the new bus regime imposed by the government whereby We had intended to go to the Original Farmers Arms in Eccleston, but services have been severely curtailed, access to the pubs visited on our we had spent so much time getting around that it was decided to go to trip today by public transport has been made more difficult, but not our final pub of the night, the recently opened Cockt’Alehouse in the impossible. Details of how later, but we were on our minibus, so could centre of Eccleston on the Green. This was a good call, for most of our fit these pubs in all in o-ne go. gang had not yet visited this new micropub and cocktail bar, as it had After picking up some members in Chorley, we finally arrived at our only opened towards the end of October 2015. first stop, the Red Lion, on New Street in Mawdesley. The small, white painted pub is in the centre of the village and has a lounge on the right and a small public bar with real fire on the left, and an attractive conservatory at the rear. Four real ales are usually on sale, from the Enterprise list Formerly the building was the home of the Grocers on the Green, run and change regularly. On our visit we could choose from Hawkshead by one time PNE favourite, Paul McKenna, but now belongs to Ruth Windermere Pale (3.5%), Purity Golden Ale (3.8%), Ossett Yorkshire Hull and husband Ritchie, and lo and behold they were behind the bar Blonde (3.9%) and Otter Amber (4%). The average price was £3.10 when we arrived. They made us truly welcome and we chose from the a pint. The pub is open noon -11pm all days except on Friday and four beers on sale that night:- Milestone Shine On (4.0%), and LoxSaturday when it stays open until midnight and serves food 12-2.30, ley Ale (4.2%) Great Heck Blonde (4.3%) and Cheshire Brewhouse’s 5-9 midweek, and 12 through to 9 Sat and Sun. Other features are as Lindow the Black Lake, a delicious type of stout with hints of expresso follows: - car park, garden and smoking area, child and dog friendly, coffee and dark chocolate balanced with vine fruits. It sounds like one free newspapers and wi-fi. We now moved on to the Robin Hood of the many cocktails on offer and the two ladies on our trip that night, in Mawdesley back on Blue Stone Lane, duly passing once again the Susan and Suzanne, could not resist trying a couple of the ones on offer. closed Black Bull, (with reports that it will reopen with its own They expressed the opinion that they were ‘super’ and I must admit I microbrewery meaning we will had a little sip and I could not disagree.

have to come this way again some Ruth and Ritchie also run the Victoria at Aspull which they have done

time in the future). The Robin for the last five years and have won the Wigan branch of Camra’s pub

Hood was once a ‘go to’ pub for of the season award two times. They must be in the running to win our

members of our branch, but is pub of the season some time soon, I would hope. Then, we could have less so these days, the beer range not being as varied as it once was. another trip out that way.

The beers on sale on our visit are typical of what you can expect these The pub is (like many micros) closed on Monday, but is open 4-11 days. We could choose from Black Sheep Best Bitter (3.8%), Thwaites Tues-Friday, 2-11 Saturday and 2-10 Sunday. This makes it hard to get Wainwright (4.1%), now brewed by Marstons at Banks’s brewery in to by public transport during the week, but can be done on Saturdays.

Wolverhampton of course, and a ‘badged’ Robin Hood beer (3.7%) (There is no Sunday service) Travel detail are as follows:- Service 347 brewed for Joshua Tetley at who knows where. (Probably also brewed to Southport from stand Q on Chorley Bus Station leaves at 11.50 and at Banks’s brewery in Wolverhampton!!) It was fairly quiet when we 15.20 respectively and takes about 30 minutes to get to Mawdesley. The arrived, food now dominating, but drinkers are made welcome. It is return journey leaves Mawdesley at 14.35 and 17.05 and Eccleston at open 5-11 Mon-Tue, additionally opening at lunch 12-3 Wed –Fri, 14.42 and 17.12, arriving back at Chorley at 15.05 and 17.35 and is open all day 12- 11 Sat and Sun. Meal times Paul Riley respectively. It is worth the effort.

Ale Cry visits Mawdesley and Eccleston

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Chairman’s Welcome

Welcome to our Summer Welcome to

Editorial

` ` Edition. I was unhappy with the quality of some

of the pictures in the last edition. The fault lies not with those submitting adverts and articles but with me as Editor and with the branch which has to finance it with limited resources. We have plans to put things right for the next issue. in fact you might spot some improvement in this one.

Another problem is the fact that a couple of our members have had problems with the camera part of their mobile phones so only half the photos of the Shepherds Hall Ale House trip to Chorlton have appeared and none of Melodious Mick’s photos of Jon Brindley’s brilliant concert at The Malt and Hops have materialised. His article ‘A picture paints a thousand words’ is on this occasion an approprite name.

I have lumbered Lord Mountain with writing the headline article. He is not a happy chappie - not because he doesn’t relish the topic but because he is finding it difficult to give adequate coverage to a vital all embracing subject in just a page and a half. This is the first time I can remember any article other than a locally focussed one making the headlines. As regular readers will be aware I have had cause to comment on examples of how out of touch our leadership are with what is happening at grass roots level. A good example is our efforts over two years to get them to tell membership applicants the cost to under 26 or over 60s without them having to ring or email head office.

The last comment when I spoke to hq was that it had been referred to a committee for cosideration. We have since come across some forms which do the job but the form in ‘What’s Brewing’ still asks these applicants to ring or email for the information. It is understandable when a body quadruples in size in just a few years that antiquated organisational machinery may lead to a catastrophe. If it does it will be because local democracy has too little place a in our organisation.

This may well be my last issue as Editor. I am pleased at the way I have develloped the magazine over the last 6 years from a 16 page monochrome issue distributing 3000 copies to 8,000 copies of a 32/36 page full colour mag. I couldn’t have done it with out the outstanding support from all our contributors - in particular Paul Riley who I contstanly toss my ideas around with and Branch Secretary Gordon (‘Sid) Small. Both have contributed at least 3 articles each to every mag. The other contributors are too many to mention but just as important. Finally I couldn’t have done it without the support and patient help of John Lucas from our printers NB Colourprint.

I should be a happy chappy but I’m not. I regard myself as a failure. I have tried by every means I know how to encourage more people to involve themselves in and give a little time to help CAMRA. It’s not been a total failure. Adrian Smith joined us an was Chairman for a year. Steve Jackson now runs our newsletter and contributes regular articles to the mag as does Michael Haughey.

Young people are drinking real ale like I’ve never seen since the seventies not just men but more and more women. I see it in local pubs and at every beer festival I attend.

So why am I such a failure??? Well I’ve tried so hard as I wrote earlier to find people to act as CAMRA contacts letting us know what’s going on in their local an droppin Ale Cry’s off there for us.

It is one reason why in this issue we have 32 rather than 36 pages (especially Chorley Chatter). Being a CAMRA Contact is not an arduous job in fact quite a pleasant one - especially the good chance of winning three gallons of real ale thanks to The Leyland Lion.

I’ll make one last appeal for you to think seriously about it and if you want to help get in touch with me about it because I an sick to death of being slagged off with the comment ‘Why don’t you ever mention our favourite pub?’

The one group of people I must mention for their kind words and helpful advice is - you the reader Ed

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our Summer 2016 edition of Alecry magazine. Let's hope this summer provides us with some decent weather for a change. As you are reading this, I hope that you are sitting outside your favourite pub, under a perfectly blue sky, in warm sunshine whilst enjoying some fabulous real ale. It's what I dream of every year so here's hoping.

In my Chairman's Welcome in the last edition, I spoke about how CAMRA is going from strength to strength and how Central Lancashire is a great place for real ale with the opening of more and more micro breweries and micro pubs. (Our latest micro pub, the Golden Tap Ale House in Leyland, opened on April 29th 2016.) Whilst this is true, it could be said that as an organisation, CAMRA is at a crossroads.

CAMRA was born in 1971 as the Campaign for the Revitalisation of Ale. At that time, 6 massive breweries brewed 80% of the country's beer and owned most of the pubs that sold it. They were conspiring to ditch traditional draught beer in favour of processed and carbonated keg beer. Over the years since then, CAMRA has changed all that and also changed the name of our organisation to the Campaign for Real Ale in 1973. We now have over 175,000 members and there are now over 1,500 breweries in the UK, producing over 11,000 different real ales.

So, back to our crossroads. CAMRA has recently set up a Revitalisation Project with the aim of breathing new life into the campaign. Members are going to be consulted about some key issues about future direction. Issues such as, should we focus on real ale only or good beer? Many drinkers now think good beer is more about it's quality and flavour rather than what type of container it comes out of.

Should we continue to campaign for real Cider and Perry, which we started to do in 1988, or should Cider and Perry now have its own separate campaign?

Who should CAMRA represent? Should we represent real ale drinkers only or all beer drinkers and pub-goers? Should we represent all drinkers or only those who drink in pubs and clubs, ignoring people These are massive decisions about who drink at home? the future which could mean major change for our organisation.

CAMRA believe that now is the right time to consider these issues as any changes can be made from a position of strength and success, with us having a record membership and greater influence than Members will be consulted between April ever before. and September 2016. In our Branch area, a Revitalisation Consultation meeting is being held in Preston on Thursday 15th September between 7 and 9pm. Look out for further details over the summer but I believe that this meeting is going to be held at the Ale Emporium on Fylde Road. All CAMRA members are welcome to come and As ever, if you shape the future of our organisation. have any thoughts, comments or feedback, please get in touch with us via email, you will find a contact list towards the back of this magazine, or better still, come along to one of our forthcoming meetings or events. Please also remember to visit our website www.centrallancs. camra.org.uk for all the latest information and local news and if you are on Facebook, please search for CAMRA Central Lancs and like We have also started a monthly newsletter our page. which is emailed to Branch members on the 1st of each month. If you are not receiving this, it will be because we do not have an up to date email address for you. Please get in touch and let us have your email address and we will add you to our list of receivers.

Dave Bell Branch Chairman Kind Regards

Mick and Mike drop ofF Ale Crys in Manchester city centre As the cricket at Old Trafford finished early one day, the editor Mick Clark and I spent an afternoon taking in the pubs of central Manchester and leaving some copies of Ale Cry number 110 in each.

Emerging from Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop, our first port of call was only a short walk around the corner: The Britons Protection, a 200 year old, grade II listed pub behind the Bridgewater Hall.. Famous for its 350 or so different whiskeys there are also five cask ales on handpump. Jennings Cumberland Ale, Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and White Witch, Thwaites Britons Protection bitter and as it was nearly St Georges Day, Dragonslayer from Banks & Taylor. The origin of the pub name is debatable, some say it was a recruiting centre during the Napoleonic wars, others say it was a refuge from the Peterloo massacre in 1819.

The nearby Rain Bar is J.W. Lees flagship pub in the city centre. The buildings previous use as an umbrella factory gave the pub its' name but today the sun shone from a blue sky. Four cask ales were available: Manchester Pale Ale, Governor, Lees Bitter and the seasonal Pioneer commemorating the co-operative movement founded in Rochdale in 1844. Sunning ourselves outside in the large multi-level beer garden we leisurely drank our halves watching barges pass by on the Rochdale canal before entering the locks. I had a half of Governor a 3.7% malty beer developed in association with renowned chef Marco Pierre White specifically to complement food. Crossing over the road brought us to a gem of a pub, The Peveril of the Peak.

The pub is a green tiled wedge shaped oasis that was saved from demolition for a road scheme in the early 1980's after campaigning by CAMRA. This former Wilson's house has kept its' traditional multi room interior together with original stained glass and polished wood fittings. Above the bench seating, the walls are decorated with photos of visiting celebrities such as Steve Coogan, Robbie Coltrane, Terry Venables and Gary Neville posing for a photo with Nancy Swanick, the landlady for the last forty-five years. You may recognise the pub from TV series set in Manchester such as Cracker and Cold Feet, especially the table football game in the corner with teams in United and City colours. The Pev is now open from noon each day and serves four real ales: Timothy Taylor Landlord and three guests from microbreweries. There are four distinct drinking areas but when the weather is good there are tables outside.

A short stroll to the junction of Portland and Oxford Streets saw us into the Paramount, a Wetherspoons named after the nearby 1930's art deco cinema that is now sadly closed. Whilst sampling a couple of the nine cask ales available and glancing at the TV, we learnt that Victoria Wood had died. Having lost yet another major talent in 2016, it was a subdued walk along Portland Street, passing The Fab CafĂŠ,a quirky cult TV themed night spot that serves two cask bitters till 2am, that brought us to a row of three pubs. The Old Monkey is a Holt's house but as well

as their full range it also serves beers from Bootleg Brewing, # the micro brewery at The Horse and Jockey in Chorlton cum Hardy.

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The pub is on two floors, with regular comedy nights but the windows face tall buildings so it is always dark inside even on bright sunny days.

The Circus Tavern next door declares itself the smallest bar in Europe, it is a hatch serving dispensing Tetley bitter, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde and bottles of Guinness.

Drinking space is limited to a short corridor by the bar and two small rooms off it. Unsurprisingly on such a sunny day, the Circus was too crowded to enter. The third pub of the row, the Grey Horse, is not much bigger. A Hydes pub, it serves a light mild called 1863, a dark mild Old Indie, Original bitter plus different beers from Hydes' beer studio range and a guest ale which was Joules from the Market Drayton brewery when we visited. CAMRA members receive a 10p discount. The Grey Horse was remodelled a few years ago exposing the wood flooring and dark panelling. Football memorabilia from both Manchester clubs decorate the walls, a couple of hours later the Grey Horse would be filled with Manchester United supporters having a drink before catching buses to the match from across the road.

We moved on towards Manchester's Town Hall. This was designed in the Victorian gothic revival style by Liverpool born architect Alfred Waterhouse, who gives his name to the Wetherspoons across the road from it. Unlike most in their chain, this outlet is split into quite small rooms, giving customers a quieter, more private drinking and dining experience. Exiting via the Waterhouse's back entrance we turned left and went straight into the City Arms next door.

A regular CAMRA award winner, this small two room pub serves seven real ales on hand pump and a real cider from a box on the counter.

Glancing at the TV in the corner, BBC2 was showing The Hairy Bikers programme "The pubs that built Britain". Co-incidentally they visited two of the pubs we had popped into that afternoon, The Britons Protection and The Peveril of the Peak. After dropping some copies of Ale Cry at the adjacent Vine Inn, we headed towards Victoria station. On the way, we visited The Lower Turks Head opposite Shude Hill bus station and tram stop.

Re-opening three summers ago after being closed for twenty-two years, customers find six real ales, including two from the Keighley based family owned brewery Timothy Taylor, Lee's Manchester Pale Ale plus guests from Sharp's and local microbreweries.

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THE BLACK HORSE

Function Room is available to hire

Black 166 Friargate | Orchard St | Preston | PR1 2EJ Horse Cask Ales:

Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde, Wizard, Trooper, Old Tom, Double Hop. + 3 Guest Ales

Email: theblackhorse44@aol.com

01772 204855

Ciders:

Old Rosie Scrumpy, Stowford Press Cider.

Pub of the Year 2014

Lagers:

San Miguel, Becks, Carlsberg, Budweiser, Brooklyn, Veltins.

Gold Award Cellar 2014

Wines, Spirits & Bottles

PROUD TO BE BREWING IN PRESTON

HART BREWERY ESTABLISHED 1995

Brewery visits Take away from

Parties catered for our brewery shop

Deliveries throughout

Lancashire and beyond

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BREWERY Try our beers at the Eldon on Eldon St. & The Lane Ends, Ashton 5

7

Mick and Mike (cont) Victoria station is much improved with a new transparent roof stretching from the arena over the train platforms and the tram lines, keeping waiting passengers nice and dry. The Beerhouse pub and kitchen on the concourse opened last year. Drinkers can sit gazing up at the spectacular dome above the art noveau bar. The beers are Thornbridge Jaipur 5.6%, Beerhouse bitter 3.9% brewed by Greene King and a guest ale, which was Old Speckled Hen when I called in. These were expensive even for central Manchester, which tries to emulate London in all the worst ways and jettisons any northern sensibility. Opting for the lowest ABV, the Beerhouse bitter, I was charged an eye watering £4.15.

As we waited for the train, I composed a letter to the Evening News suggesting that Manchester Victoria station be renamed Victoria Wood station instead. At the very least the stop for trams to her home town of Prestwich should be.

Lastly, Sir Ralph Abercromby near the central library is one of three pubs, along with The Rising Sun and Nags Head, in an unusual crawl where you can enter by the front door, have a pint, go out via the back door into the neighbouring street and then cross the road to the next pub. Unfortunately, this 200 year old pub is under threat from a consortium who want to demolish the pub and neighbouring buildings

Anyone for Cricket?

-What beer goes best with watching cricket? A question posed at Old Trafford when Lancashire played their first home match of the summer. Thwaites had supplied beer to Lancashire CCC since 1995 with Wainwright on cask in the pavilion for £3 a pint. In addition, Thwaites sponsored the team shirts for the last eleven seasons. Some say Thwaites Wainwright is an uninteresting beer, but it is refreshing and only 4.1% abv. This makes it an ideal session ale for long warm afternoons in the sunshine, eating sandwiches and steadily building up a thirst watching our country's summer pastime. Cricket has regular breaks for meals, drinks, change of innings and rain delays allowing spectators ample time to sample the refreshments offered.

When it was announced last November that Heineken and the club had signed an exclusive five year deal, many feared the worst although welcoming the £1.2million into the club's coffers.

Heineken, Fosters and Strongbow, brewed a couple of miles away at their plant in Hulme, are now in all the bars around Old Trafford cricket ground. To the relief and joy of cask ale drinkers, they also work with local family run Manchester breweries, J.W. Lees, Frederick Robinsons and Joseph Holt, to provide a range of three different cask ales to the historic ground.

So from noon till three o'clock on the first day of our match versus Nottinghamshire, a beer from each of the Holts, Robinson's and JW Lees breweries was available in the pavilion long room for members consideration. The best known to pub goers in our branch area is Robinson's Dizzy Blonde (4.4%) made with Amarillo hops. Based at the Unicorn brewery in Stockport since 1838, Robbies own three pubs in our branch area – The Black Horse in the centre of Preston, Ye Old Original Withy Trees in Bamber Bridge and The Myerscough in Samlesbury. JW Lees Manchester Pale Ale, or MPA for short, is a 4% golden ale brewed using Liberty and Mount Hood hops in the Greengate brewery at Middleton Junction in north Manchester. Their sole outlet in the central Lancs branch area is The Halfway House on Preston Road in Clayton Le Woods.

6

and replace them with apartments, offices, a hotel and a new open green space in a 300,000 square feet property development. Manchester City Council are backing the scheme and refused to designate the pub as an asset of community value (ACV). The consortium, Jacksons Row development company, was formed by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. If the Abercromby is demolished, I hope Gary’s photo is removed from the wall of the Pev and the Old Trafford crowd sing “Giggs, Giggs will tear down your pub” to the tune of the classic Joy Division song “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. I know a few in the Old Trafford cricket ground Michael Haughey crowd who will……

Joseph Holt brewery in Manchester claim to be the only brewery still selling beer in 54 gallon hogshead barrels. The nearest Holts pubs to our branch area lie in Horwich, Wigan and Bolton. Two Hoots IPA 4.2% is a crisp, light ale with hint of citrus flavour.

Having sampled all three and Lancashire winning their opening match, cricket followers can look forward to an enjoyable summer.

Lancashire don’t play all their matches at Old Trafford. The alternative venues for the Red Rose, known as outgrounds, are a delight to the cask ale drinker whatever their level of interest in cricket.

Blackpool Cricket Club’s main bar in their two tier clubhouse is open seven days a week and has six handpumps offering a range of real ales. Their commitment to real ale and annual beer festival saw them win CAMRA’s award for Lancashire’s club of the year in 2013 and north west England’s club of the year in 2015.This summer the Stanley Park ground will host a one day match versus Nottinghamshire on Sunday June 12th and the Lancashire Thunder womens team will play their inaugural home competitive fixture in the new womens 20 over super league on the afternoon of Friday August 5th.

Southport and Birkdale cricket club pavilion has four hand pumps serving Thwaites Original, Wainwright and two guest beers.

Lancashire will be playing a four day match v Durham at the picturesque Trafalgar Road ground from Saturday 16th to Tuesday 19th July.

Michael Haughey

The Old Vic

CAMRA Recommended Good Beer Guide 2015

Tel.No.

Find us

Fishergate Preston

Opposite Preston Railway Station Serving breakfasts, lunchtime specials and all traditional pub food.

Also sandwiches, salads and delicious home made pies Parties Catered For 7 Handpumps revolving up to 20 cask ales each week 50p Wetherspoons vouchers now redeemed Sky/BT showing all major sporting events “Sunday Night Quiz with Cash Jackpot�

7

Our Fourth Beer and Music Festival August Bank Holiday Weekend Friday 26th, Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th

40 Cask beers to choose from over the weekend !

International beers and ciders Music and Entertainment each evening.

Free Mini Bus from Longridge and Goosnargh Please check website and facebook / twitter For full details

YE HORNS INN & GOOSNARGH BREWING CO Horns Lane, Goosnargh, Nr. Preston PR3 2FJ

01772 865230 www.hornsinn.co.uk

8

CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR 2016 CAMRA Central Lancashire’s first micro-pub has a lot to offer, including: 

 





 

Six constantly changing cask pumps A variety of changing real ciders Craft and foreign beers, including a constant pilsner A wide selection of gin, whisky and wine Bar snacks including cheese boards and pork pies Outside seating area Dog friendly

FRIDAY MEAT RAFFLE 7PM

33 Hough Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2SB 9

01772 626363

A Sally Round.......Wigan

along with a couple of real ciders. I had a pint of Pheonix Pale Moonlight which didn’t disappoint, it was my preferred hoppy fruity taste It is well known that Wigan is famous for it's pies but did you also know with a dry finish. Carole chose Acorn Blonde and it was declared as “OK”. Another glowing report from Carole! The Anvil was a decent that other famous Wigan food products include Heinz baked beans, pub with a fair selection of ale on offer but it wasn’t as good as the first Pataks Indian foods, Potters herbal remedies, Uncle Joe's Mint Balls, two pubs. and De Roma ice cream.

Anyway, it wasn't food that Carole and I were interested in, when we left Moving on we walked about 10 minutes or so to Doc's Symposium.

Preston Railway station on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon recently on a Virgin train bound for London Euston, it was real ale. A very reasonable £7.70 each got us a return ticket to Wigan North Western and 11 minutes after leaving Preston we were there.

Two minutes from the station and we entered Wigan Central at Arch No. 1 on Queen Street. This is the brainchild of Patsy and John Slevin, owners of Standish based Prospect Brewery. The idea was to combine their passion for real ale with This looks more like a cafe from the outside and the inside also adds the memory of Wigan to this feel. Amongst the teas coffee and cakes etc. were 4 hand pumps however. The clips showed Kirkby Lonsdale Radical at 4.2%, York Guzzler 3.6%, Weetwood Eastgate at 4.2% and Prospect Silver Tally at 3.7%. We both chose Silver Tally by local brewer Prospect, pale hoppy and citrus flavour it was just right for me but a little too bitter for Carole. I would describe Doc's Symposium as a Cafe/Restaurant which happens to serve some decent real ale. It is a little out of the way but Central Railway Station which worth the walk. disappeared 50 years ago. The Heading back in to the town centre, we were aiming for the Bouleresult is Wigan Central Real Ale vard but when we arrived it was closed so we ended up next door in and Cider Bar located in the historic railway arch No. 1. It opened Little Fifteens. This is a large pub with a really old fashioned, unusual, in December 2014 and it is fantastic, already having been awarded stylish decor. Apparently, it boasts Ladies double loos, whatever they CAMRA Wigan Branch Pub of the Year for 2015. There are 7 ales and might be, although I did not see them for myself you will be pleased 4 craft ciders are on the bar and on our visit, a singer with a guitar was providing live music to the throng of happy customers. Even better, on to know. As for the ale, only one was available although there were the bar was a jar of pickled eggs, the ale drinker's food of choice. Many two hand pumps. Hobson's choice was Reedly Hallows Old Laund at a pint of real ale has been soaked up with a pickled egg. The selection of 3.6%. It was reasonable quality and drinkable although, as much as the ale was Deeply Vale Drink Diep at 4.5%, Abbeydale Paint it Bax at 5.5%, decor was impressive, I wouldn't hurry back for the choice of real ale available.

Black Iris Endless Summer at 4.5%, Vocation Brewery Heart and Soul Outside it was still cold and wet and we opted to get the next train at 4.4%, Redwillow Brewery Smokeless Smoked Porter at 5.7%, Prospect Nutty Slack at 3.9% and Prospect Totem at 3.8%. Carole and I both back to Preston. We enjoyed our Sally round Wigan, particularly the had Endless Summer which is a session IPA and was a great start, pale, first pub, Wigan Central. If you haven't been to Wigan for a while, it hoppy and hints of citrus fruit. Inspired by the quality of our first drink is worth the short trip to visit Wigan Central alone although as Carole and I discovered there is more to offer than you might think. Dave Bell and also enjoying the music, we decided to stay for another, and we both chose Heart and Soul. This was even better, pale and hoppy with a tropical fruit aroma and taste. Delicious.

Pub of the Season - Spring Reluctantly we set off for our next - The Gables on Hough Lane pub, although I could have stayed in Wigan in Leyland and on April 18th Central all day, this was a Sally Round after we held a Branch meeting and all. social at the pub where we A short walk took us to the Tap and also made the presentation of Barrel in Jaxon's Court. Another great real the award to licensees Alan ale bar and more live music, who would have Chadwick and Ruth Smith. thought that Wigan would be rocking on a Alan and Ruth took over at Sunday afternoon. The Tap and Barrel is the The Gables about 18 months winner of CAMRA Wigan Branch Winter ago and considering that this is their first pub, they have done a Pub of the Season for 2015. The pub is the fantastic job. Prior to their arrival, the pub sold three real ales from Brewery Tap for Martland Mill Brewery and the standard Punch list. Alan and Ruth have added three additional 5 of their beers were on the bar, hand pumps which are free of tie. This allows them to stock beers Lancashire loom at 4.2%, Spinner's Gold at from smaller breweries and beers from Lytham Brewery often feature 3.8%, D-Day Dodger at 4.1%, Chonkinfeckle at 3.8% and Arctic Convoy and are very popular.

This was a new venue for one of at 4.5%. Carole chose Lancashire Loom, which turned to be golden with our Branch and Social meetings and I'm sure we will be back, with six a punch of grapefruit and lemon. I was allowed a taste and it was very different beers available it was thought by those present to be highly good. I had a pint of Chonkinfeckle, pale with a citrus hop and a bit appropriate that the pub receive some formal recognition. Well done flowery but still really good. The pub was very busy and we decided to and congratulations to Alan and Ruth.

If you haven't head off to the next one. visited the Gables for a while, get yourself along there and take a look, We walked past the Moon under Water, a typical Wetherspoon's pub you won't be disappointed and neither will your taste buds. which did not look great from the outside and we ended up in The The photograph shows CAMRA Central Lancashire Chairman, Dave Anvil. On offer was the ubiquitous Thwaites Wainwright, Abbeydale Bell handing over the Pub of the Season certificate for Spring 2016 to Daily Bread Best Bitter at 3.8%, Pheonix Pale Moonlight at 4.2%, Acorn the Gables licensees Ruth Smith and Alan Chadwick. Dave Bell 10 Blonde at 4%, Allgates All Black at 3.6%, Mallinsons Columbus at 3.8% 10

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tÉäÅçãÉë óçì íç ~ ãçÇÉêå ÅäìÄ ïáíÜ íê~Çáíáçå~ä î~äìÉëÒ Open: Mon-Thurs 7pm-11pm

Fri:5pm-11.30pm

Saturday: 3pm-Midnight

2 Guest Ale Handpumps

Sunday: 12noon-11.30pm

Live Entertainment & Function Room

rotated on a weekly basis

Quiz Nights every Sunday & Tuesday Sports Channels - Sky Sports & ESPN Memberships Available Snooker Table & Pool Table

11

First some important news from Leyland, as by the reported on the improvements being made at the ANCHOR in Hutton. time you read this, the town will have its second At the time this was a pub that was undergoing a refurbishment in micro-pub. This is the GOLDEN TAP ALE HOUSE, stages, with the prospect being that more work would continue well located in former shop premises at the top of Chapel into 2016. A bit of a surprise then when in February the pub closed Brow, just opposite the Queens, and a few doors up without warning, with joint landlords Martyn Driscoll and Liam Mills from the Leyland Home Brew shop. The Golden Tap leaving the pub after a dispute with owners Greene King, almost exactly opened on April 29th, and the a year on from when they had first taken the reins. As I write, the Anintention is that it will be selling six chor remains closed, and I just hope that this will not still be the case beers on handpump, including a A few days later when the Autumn 2016 Ale Cry is produced. selection of LocAle beers from the news came that one of the Anchor's nearest neighbours, the SIR breweries like Lancaster, Bank Top, TOM FINNEY on Central Drive in Penwortham, had also closed, with and Prospect. It is also to sell two the landlord and landlady having departed at relatively short notice real ciders plus a range of craft after just one year there. Soon after there was to be another surprise, beers and bottled beers. with the above mentioned Martyn and Liam from the Anchor taking Landlord James has come from Standish to open this micro-pub, which over at the Enterprise Inns owned Sir Tom Finney. Indications are that initially will be open seven days a week from 1pm with the closing times they now have ambitious plans for the Sir Tom Finney, but from a beer to be decided on the amount of custom.

Next some more drinkers point of view it will be interesting to see if they will be able to good news for the area, with CAMRA Central Lancashire branch maintain the increased beer range that was introduced by the previous recently making announcements regarding its 2016 Club of the Year and licensee.

Cider Pub of the Year awards. The good news is that I am able to report More news from Penwortham is that PENWORTHAM CRICKET that the winners of both these 'prestigious' awards have come from the CLUB will be holding their second Beer Festival over the August South Ribble area.

The branch's Club of the Year for Bank Holiday weekend. Last year's event was modest but considered a 2016 is BAMBER BRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB. This is a club which success, and in 2016 they are looking at taking a further step-up with a always has two interesting real ales available on handpump as well as festival of about 15-20 beers.

The nearest pub to the stocking a number of real ciders. A worthy winner, and elsewhere in cricket club, the PEAR TREE on Leyland Road, will soon be getting its this magazine you will read of the Club of the Year presentation which long-planned refurbishment. It was originally going to take place in the took place in April during their highly successful Beer Festival.

Summer of 2015, but was then cancelled, and there have since been a Incidentally the branch's previous Club of the Year winner was the couple of landlord changes. Things now appear to have settled down, nearby OUR LADY & ST GERARD'S PAROCHIAL CENTRE on and beer wise the pub has once again been selling two real ales, recently Brownedge Road in Lostock Hall. With Gary Quinn having left to Adnams Mosaic and John Smiths Bitter. It is now the intention that open the Guild Ale House in Preston, the club is now being run by the Pear Tree will be closing in May, and that it will be about 4 weeks new steward Paul who is continuing to keep a good range of LocAle before it re-opens. Although there is likely to be a strong emphasis on beers on the bar.

The branch's Cider Pub of the Year the food side, landlord Tim Hughes is intending that the beer range be for 2016 is the MARKET ALE HOUSE on Hough Lane in Leyland. This further enhanced once the pub re-opens.

Further along was the branch's first micro-pub, and was an immediate success, being Leyland Road both the SUMPTER HORSE in Penwortham and the chosen as the branch's Pub of the Season for Summer 2014, and it has PLEASANT also since become a Good Beer Guide entry. Leaving cider aside for RETREAT in the moment (see separate article), the Market Ale House usually has Lostock Hall six handpumped beers available, with Dunscar Gold, OSB Junior, OSB have also Hopscotch, Lancaster Admiral Archer, and the mysterious Darkwave recently had Bleeding Edge among those catching my eye on a recent visit. periods of Staying on Hough Lane in Leyland, the GABLES has also recently been closure. Sad honoured by the branch, in being chosen as the Spring 2016 Pub of the to report that the reason that the Sumpter Horse was closed for a few Season. I called in a week or so after the presentation night, and was en- days was due to a bereavement, with long-standing landlord Peter couraged to find that the beer range was just as impressive. These days McDonnell having passed away in March. Over the years the Sumpter the pub has three beers (Charles Wells Bombardier, Robinsons Dizzy Horse has been threatened several times with demolition, and in 2016 Blonde, and Sharps Doom Bar) which are permanently on sale, while there are again indications that Bovis have a preference that the pub be there are three beers on the bar as guests - these being Lytham Berry demolished to make way for a new access road.

Gordon Small Blonde, Lytham Stout, and Reedley Hallows Pendleside, at the time of Bowland Brewery have moved premises to my visit.

Having visited the Market Ale House and the Gables, Brewery News: on the same day I took the opportunity to see what beers were on offer Holmes Mill, a 19th Century mill off Greenacre Street in the centre of at two other Leyland pubs. The WITHY ARMS on Worden Lane had six Clitheroe to the south of the castle. As they are now on a much larger beers, Hopstar Off t’Mill, Nethergate Umbel Ale, Thwaites Wainwright, site, Bowland have invested in a new brewery plant to more than and Walls Alvertune, as well as their two contract-brewed beers Ribble quadruple their production capacity. So happily, there is more chance Odd Job and Ribble WA. While there I asked about the progress being of seeing one of their seven cask ales on a hand pump near you in future.

Once completed, their new home will feature a beer made in the construction of the planned on-site micro-brewery, and was told that it would not be in operation for several months yet. hall and brewery tap, a multi-use function room and live music venue.

The brewery are part of a redevelopment of the Holmes Mill complex Next I looked in at the EAGLE & CHILD on Church Road, where I was slightly surprised to find that there were as many as seven different that will see over the coming year the site restored and filled with a variety of retail shops, offices, a handpumped beers available, these being Brakspears Bitter, Jennings thirty-one bedroom apartment Cumberland Ale, hotel, studios, bakery, restaurant, Marstons Eagle Ale, bar, gym and leisure facility Marstons Old Empire, including an urban spa.The Marstons Pedigree, brewery tap and beer hall Thwaites Lancaster sounds like a good place for a Bomber, and Thwaites Wainwright. In the future branch day trip. We could Winter 2015/16 Ale Cry I then detox in the urban spa‌..

12 Michael Haughey

South Ribble Scene

s t c a t n o C A R M A C

13

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH AND ... THE REAL ALE DISCOUNT SCHEME

l e Di sco u

Scheme

MRA R A C e

A al

nt

CAMRA Central Lancashire

branch, like most other CAMRA

branches, has in place a Real Ale

Discount Scheme whereby

any card-carrying CAMRA

member is able to visit

certain pubs and clubs in

the branch area and

receive a discount on the

price that they are paying

for their pints (and possibly

their half-pints) of real ale.

The scheme has been running in our area for several years now, with an increasing number of pubs and clubs registering an interest that they are wishing to participate. Many of these establishments can be spotted as they will have on display a Real Ale Discount Scheme window sticker. However if you have access to the internet, then the most up-to-date information can be obtained by looking at the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch website, while in addition information about the scheme is also e-mailed to local members by means of the monthly branch newsletter.

The accompanying table lists those pubs and clubs in the branch area which are participating in the scheme as at May 1st 2016. For each pub/club there is also an indication of the amount of discount that they are offering to card-carrying CAMRA members. In practice it must be appreciated that this printed information may very soon be out of date, and the continued availability of a discount will always be at the discretion of the individual pub or club. It must also be recognised that the offer may be withdrawn at any time without any notice, and that the offer may not be available at all times during the week.

As you will see, the amount of discount can vary from establishment to establishment. Some offer a fixed price discount (perhaps 20p per pint), while others offer a percentage discount (usually 10%). The biggest discount that I am aware of comes from outside our branch area, at the Borough in Lancaster, where CAMRA members can get a £1 discount on beers produced at their on-site Borough Brewery. This is a welcome discount at what is an excellent Good Beer Guide pub, but I would think that the prices there are otherwise quite expensive.

The pubs that participate in the scheme are of many different types.

There are pubs that belong to a pub chain (eg. the LANE ENDS at Ashton which is a John Barras pub, and the ANDERTON ARMS at Fulwood which is an Ember Inns pub). For these pubs the parent company will have issued an instruction to all their pub managers so that they can allow a discount to be given. In contrast there are many instances of pubs (eg. the HORNS at Goosnargh, and the BLACK BULL at Penwortham) where the individual landlord or landlady will have made the decision to offer discounted rates to CAMRA members who buy their real ale drinks in their particular pub.

Eligibility to take advantage of the Real Ale Discount Scheme is just one of the many benefits a new member gets when joining CAMRA. Other considerable membership benefits are that CAMRA members qualify for a 20% discount when using National Express coach travel, while they qualify for a 10% discount when making purchases at Cotswold Outdoor shops. Additionally there are significant benefits to be had when using Hoseasons, Cottages.com, Beer Hawk, Red Letter Days, and the Merlin Group.

I'm sure that there are plenty of CAMRA members who have benefited when dealing with the above named companies, but I would think it is the Real Ale Discount Scheme that gets the most amount of patronage. This must definitely be the case if the Real Ale Discount Scheme is deemed to include the price discount arrangement that CAMRA have with the Wetherspoons pub chain.

For a number of years now CAMRA members have benefited by getting £20 worth of 50p beer tokens that can be used spread over the four quarters of the year when purchasing pints of real ale at Wetherspoons pubs. In our branch area there are four Wetherspoons pubs - the SIR HENRY TATE in Chorley, the LEYLAND LION in Leyland, and the GREY FRIAR and the TWELVE TELLERS in Preston, where these tokens can be used - while the OLD VIC in Preston is one of a number of pubs across the country that are also prepared to accept a Wetherspoons token in part payment for a pint. There can be no doubting that the Wetherspoons arrangement has been a tempting inducement for prospective members to join CAMRA, and with national membership currently standing at record levels, one must wonder how many of their 178,000 plus members CAMRA would lose if the Wetherspoons arrangement was suddenly to stop.

An alternative name for the Real Ale Discount Scheme has been the Pub Discount Scheme, as it is in pubs that most discounts can be obtained. However since the beginning of 2016 there have been a number of clubs in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area that have indicated that they wish to join the scheme. On the accompanying list you will see that discounts can now be obtained at the TRADES HALL CLUB & INSTITUTE in Bamber Bridge, at BAMBER BRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB, and at PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB. No doubt there will be cynics who say that CAMRA branches will have 'favoured' those pubs and clubs where they can get a discount. In my experience this is certainly not the case, and in particular in the Central Lancashire branch area a perusal of our recent award winners and Good Beer Guide selections will comfortably prove the point.

Actually I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about getting a discount for my beer in a pub that I may rarely or never again visit. It seems a little unfair that I as a CAMRA member can get a discount, while the pub regular stood next to me at the bar has to pay the full whack. But as they say you should 'never look a gift horse in the mouth', and taking the viewpoint that the discount is in place mainly to attract more people to the pub, my reservations are soon forgotten.

Also I have to say that it is greatly annoying to be sat in a pub drinking a pint of beer only to discover later that you could have got it at a discounted price. `Gordon Small Adelphi (Preston) 10% discount., Ancient Oak (Cottam) 20p per pint discount., Anderton Arms (Fulwood) 20p per pint discount.

Bamber Bridge Football Club 30p per pint discount., Black Bull (Fulwood), 20p per pint discount. Black Bull (Penwortham) 20p per pint discount., Boatyard (Riley Green) 10% discount., Crown (Croston) 20p per pint discount.,Fleece (Penwortham) 10% discount. Grey Friar (Preston) 50p per pint discount (using token). Horns (Goosnargh) 10% discount.Lane Ends (Ashton) 50p per pint discount (Goosnargh beers).

Leyland Lion (Leyland) 50p per pint discount (using token).

Malthouse Farm (Whittle-le-Woods) 10% discount. Nabs Head (Samlesbury) 10% discount.Old Black Bull (Preston) 20p per pint discount.Old Leyland Gates (Leyland) 20p per pint discount (guest beers).

Old Vic (Preston) 50p per pint discount (using token). Pear Tree (Penwortham) 20p per pint discount. Phantom Winger (Broughton) 10% discount. Plough (Grimsargh) 10p or 20p per pint discount. Poachers (Bamber Bridge) 10% discount. Preston Grasshoppers RFC 10% discount. Prince Of Wales (New Market St, Chorley) 10% discount. Roper Hall (Preston) 10% discount. Sir Henry Tate (Chorley) 50p per pint discount (using token). Smiths Arms (Lea Town) 20p per pint discount.

Trades Hall Club (Bamber Bridge) 10% discount. Twelve Tellers (Preston) 50p per pint discount I SAVED: (using token).Wellington (Ashton) £8.64 this week in Up to 25p per pint discount. pubs with the Woodsman (Clayton-le-Woods) 10p Discount sign in their per pint discount (weekdays). Yarrow windows i.e. one Bridge (Chorley) 10% discount. Yates year’s CAMRA (Preston) 10% discount.

14

membership saved in just Three weeks. Ed

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2012, 13, 14, 15 & in the new 2016 Guide!

Cask Marque award holder

FFiivvee CCaasskk A Alleess –– tthhrreeee rroottaattiinngg gguueessttss pplluuss TThheeaakkssttoonn’’ss LLiigghhttffoooott & A Grreeeennee KKiinngg IIPPA &G B Guuiinnnneessss Miilldd aanndd G Moorreettttii,, KKrroonneennbboouurrgg,, FFoosstteerrss,, M Biirrrraa M See our website for this month’s ales Try out our very popular weekly Quiz Night every Thursday – starts prompt at 9pm 20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members

Great beer, great team of staff and a warm and friendly welcome Saturday Music Theme Nights once a month – see facebook www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk or facebook 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham – 01772 752953 11-11 Monday to Thursday / 11 to 12.30 Friday & Saturday / 12 to 11 Sunday unless we decide to stay open later !

15

Withy Arms Leyland

MAY - Summer Bank Holiday Fest Sausage & Beer, Fri 27th May - Mon 30th May Live Music Every Night plus BBQ till late & Food All Day. Steins of WA German Lager JUNE - Leyland Festival (Parade Sat 18th) Fri 17th, Saturday 18th (Parade Day), Sunday 19th Live Music Every Night plus BBQ Every Day till late JULY - St Swithin’s Chinese Food & Beer Festival Fri 15th July - Sun 17st July, Live Music Every Night BBQ Every Day till late AUGUST - Mexican Food & Beer Festival Fri 26th Aug - Mon 29th Aug Live Music Every Night plus BBQ till late SEPTEMBER - Spanish Food (Tapas) & Beer Festival Fri 16th Sep - Sun 18th Sep, Live Music Every Night Tapas Available Every Day OCTOBER - Oktoberfest - German Sausages Fri 28th Oct - Mon 31st Oct, Live Music Every Night.

BBQ till late. Steins of WA German Lager

www.withyarms.com

16

Every last Friday of the month

‘

Walton Arms Bamber Bridge  www.waltonarms.com  01772 698105 17

This is not to be confused with the Fulwood and Broughton Preston Preston Parade Parade

Cricket Club, which is near Lightfoot Lane in Fulwood. The B& DC Major changes are afoot in central Preston. Graham and Angela, currently in the Black Horse on Friargate, have given six months notice to Robinsons that they intend to leave.

They have negotiated an agreement with Star Inns to take over the nearby Market Tavern at the other end of Orchard Street, and by October they will be installed there as the new licensees.

Star Inns are spending over £100,000 on refurbishments of both cellar and public areas plus the accommodation. An advanced beer dispense system, which apparently works at -8º C is being installed in the cellar. Graham is taking a five year lease and there will be 6-8 real ales. Something to look forward to then, eh. Robinsons are in the process of deciding who goes into the Black Horse. Perhaps it needs listing as an asset of community value.

Another major change in our area is the news that Mark Woods of the Horns Inn, Goosnargh, has put the pub up for sale with Christie & Co for £700,000. His family have been at the Horns since 1952 but Mark has confirmed that he and his wife are looking to retire from the pub within the next couple of years. Their children are not interested in taking the business over, so the family involvement with the Horns will cease. Mark would continue living opposite the pub and probably carry on running the brewery there (and caravan site), unless whoever buys the pub particularly wants these and makes him an offer he cannot refuse. Mark thinks things are unlikely to move quickly and he will definitely be running a beer festival there again this year.

Over in Broughton, there is a new face at the Broughton Inn, at the cross roads there, where Julia Cookson has taken over. A Vintage Inn, part of the Mitchell and Butlers group, (now, there’s a name to remember, M &B!!) it will be receiving a major revamp before summer. Previous landlord, Dave Beswick is now in charge at the Walton Fox in Bamber Bridge, another Vintage Inn. When you start looking into who owns what, you would probably be surprised to learn that Mitchells and Butlers own over 1,700 pubs and restaurants, all over the UK. They are branded under various groupings, including, in our area, such names as Ember Inns, (think: - Anderton Arms and Black Bull Fulwood, and, as revealed last issue, Ancient Oak Cottam.).Then there are Sizzling Pubs such as The Pig and Whistle at Lea, (formerly the Toby Carvery), and Sherwood Fulwood, not to mention such brands as O’Neill’s, Harvesters and Crown Carveries.

They have more tentacles than an octopus. So many tentacles that it would seem that the left Sizzling hand says on their website that the Hesketh Arms at the top of New Hall Lane serves real ale whilst we have been informed that they were throwing so much of it away that the right Sizzling hand has made the decision to stop selling real ale there. You could not make it up. Whilst we are in Broughton, I can give you more information about the Broughton and District Club there on Whittingham Lane.

was founded in 1890 and is situated in a pleasant residential area not far from the Broughton Inn. The main clubhouse there houses a bar with two lounges which have been completely refurbished recently, and a snooker room with two tables, plus a pool table and table tennis table, and a meeting room and bowls pavilion. The bar serves two constantly changing real ales, which on my last visit were Winster Valley Lakes Blonde, a 3.7% fruity and hoppy beer, and Reedley Hallows Pendleside at 4%, a spicy light coloured beer with hints of tropical fruits. Beers are usually around the £2.50 mark. It is a members club with subscriptions of £21 a year and is open 7.30 -11pm (10.30 Sun) plus 12-3pm on Sat and Sun. There is a separate hall and the attached Wilson Room available for hire, suitable for functions from christenings to wakes, parties, dinners and conferences. Visit their website (broughtonanddistrictclub. co.uk) for more details.

Meanwhile, back under the M55 into Preston proper, Preston Grasshoppers RFC on Lightfoot Green now offers card carrying Camra members a 10% discount on their real ales in their recently refurbished Wainwright Bar, which is open to the general public.

Selling a selection of Thwaites provided beers as well as other ales, the bar is open from 4pm during the week and noon at weekends.

The club itself has a selection of rooms for hire, catering for events both large and small, from the 300 person Dooley Suite to the 60 guest Wiseman room and 50 guest Leigh gallery plus the Simons Lounge for smaller meetings and conferences. Full details on their website (pgrfc.co.uk).

Back in Preston, the Guild Ale House on Lancaster Road has been trialling opening up on Mondays. If the response has been good, the bar will open regularly on Mondays henceforth. Go on our website to find out the latest info. One thing that will open there this month (June) is the outside drinking area to the rear of the pub. To be called the Yard of Ale, the small sun (we can hope) trap is actually about six yards long. Unfortunately, the upstairs room has not yet got anywhere near being ready to open to the public, so we still have something to look forward to there.

Meanwhile, I have no news on when the other micropub, the Plau on Friargate, will be opening. Work there proceeds at a slow pace, and we can only hope that it will be worthwhile in the end. What we do know is that the Continental will be holding its delayed beer festival from Thursday 23rd June – Sunday 26th June and there will be more than 150 beers on sale. Let’s hope the sun shines on it.

Paul Riley

Big Clock in the Middle of Chorley Which Pub? Answer - Page 20 18

A CAMRA Pub of the Season ‘One of Chorley’s few Genuine Free Houses with 5 hand pulled Real Ales, usually including a mild, which are generally sourced from local micro brewers’

Guild Ale House Lancaster Road - Preston

u Paulaner Münchner Hell u Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier u 7 Real Ales

including the legendary “Bishop’s Crook Two Screws”!!

u Bavo Belgian House Lager

u Brugse Zot u Lindemans Kriek

We also serve a wide range of bottled & canned beers om around the world.

No music & no TV “just a great atmosphere with a great crowd”

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Open 7 days a week from 12:00 noon

South Lakes Tap to Tap Walk

Also available were red, gold and black bitters, a cask conditioned lager and another stout at 9.5%. Other Hawkshead beers available were craft keg lager, bitters and a wheat beer. It’s easy to see why the Beer Hall was voted Westmoreland Branch’s Pub of the Year 2016.

The Beer Hall does a lot of good food including its famous beer tapas – choose and share from a selection of small portions of local sausages, black pudding, pie, cheese, fritters etc.

Despite the obvious temptation to have more, the walk had to be done so off we set. Some planning needs to be done in advance here as there are a couple of routes possible including some higher fell routes. I don’t intend to give too much detail as that would be for other interest groups, but basically we followed the river Kent along the Dales Way footpath to Burneside, then the road and paths to the outskirts of Kendal, where we picked up the river again following it to Stramongate bridge. The weather was kind and we enjoyed a good walk with plenty to see along the way.

The easiest way from the bridge is right on Stramongate, left into New Road until you cross the river at Bridge Street. Turn right on Aynam Road, passing the old fire station for about 150 yards where you turn left into an industrial site (see a pattern?).

50 yards on your right is the new Bowness Bay Brewing Company ’Factory Tap’. The Tap had only been open for a couple of months when the River Kent paid a visit, flooding the bar to a depth of two feet, however after some hard graft it was soon emptied, dried and cleaned and re-opened again. The tap has quickly established itself as a quality real ale outlet, opening on Thursday to

In my opinion there are no finer days out than a walk in the fells or countryside followed by a rewarding pint or two in a pub afterwards.

Many a visit to the Lakes or Dales has finished in the most splendid fashion on a sunny patio or thawing out next to a roaring fire with a pint of liquid revival mixture to hand.

These days I don’t know whether I would class myself as a walker who drinks or a drinker who walks. Definitely the former in my younger days and as I get older, am crossing over the dividing line. I now consider that a walk is not a walk unless a pint or two follows.

One of the easiest walking areas of the Lake District to reach from central Lancashire is Kentmere and the famous (to fell walkers) Kentmere horseshoe. When a walk in the area is done the obvious choice of post walk pint for many is the village of Staveley. A village easily missed these days because of the bypass on the road from Kendal to Windermere.

However Staveley is still very much a go-to place for walkers AND for drinkers and a plan was formulated to take the train, visit the village and its beer outlets and then walk the 6 or so miles to Kendal to where a new brewery tap has just opened before catching the train home again. If you love real ale and walking, you’ll love this.

We caught the 10:45 train from Preston for the 45 minute journey to Staveley (return £17.80, concessions £11.75). Dependent on which train you catch you may have to change at Oxenholme, but the connecting train is usually waiting for you and may add 10 minutes.

Depending on the weather, alighting onto the elevated platform at Staveley is one of the best platform views anywhere, or one of the most exposed. Take in the view, or quickly descend the steps, cross Crook Road and continue ahead down The Banks, bear right at the stream and in 100 yards reach the Eagle and Child – the long time walkers’ pub in the village.

The pub has been in the Good Beer Guide since 2000 and is a traditional cosy Lakeland pub with country life adornments on the Saturday closing at 9pm. ceiling and walls, open fires, good 8 hand pumps serve their grub, accommodation and beers all named after Lake fantastic (usually local Cumbrian) Windermere’s boats plus beer. On the bar during our visit one changing guest (Dent were Ulverston’s Flying Elephants, at 3.7% the right choice for a long Aviator on our visit). You session and nice and hoppy it was; Barn Gates Tag Lag, Jennings can probably guess what Snecklifter and Ringwood’s Razorback. All at £3.40 - Lake District Swan Blonde (top seller), tourist hotspot prices I’m afraid.

Swan Black (IPA), Swift Conscious of the walk ahead we limited it to just the one pint and set Best and Raven Red are all about, but there were also Yan (seasonal off back up the main road into the village. Unfortunately for cars, bus- golden ale), Esperance Abbey (strong, dark, Belgian style) and Swan es and brewery vans the December floods caused severe damage to the Bistre. I love the Blonde but tried the Yan which was a tasty light sesroad bridge and it is still closed meaning a detour for them, however sion ale, followed by the Bistre, a combination of the Swan Blonde and there is a footbridge still in use for us walkers.

Black – hoppy, smooth and a taste of chocolate. To me it was worthy of Passing the ‘for sale’ Duke William pub you turn right after the Spar a second. shop into an industrial site, which, if you haven’t been before, is hardly A problem on the trains meant we had to go to Oxenholme to catch the scenic but the Hawkshead brewery is an industry and the Beer Hall a West Coast mainline train but if you try this trip a 20 minute walk gets later addition and it is you to the Kendal station (backover the bridge, right on what’s inside that New Road, right on Quiz Answer: matters. After the cosy Stramongate and follow the Prince of Wales traditional Eagle and signs). Trains back to Preston Child, this brewery vary between 45 and 75 mins ‘Tap’ is a modern wood apart so best check before and glass palace with hand and the train journey brewery equipment takes about 45 minutes. A day greeting you at the door. A large blackboard lists all the Hawkshead out by train, a cracking beers available, both cask and keg, along with strength, tasting notes traditional Lakeland pub and and price. With the walk in mind just one pint was planned but people a bracing countryside walk needed to eat so a couple more were allowed (we were going to walk it by the river between two off afterwards anyway!). I opted to start with two halves of my favour- brewery taps. All is right ites: Windermere Pale (3.5%, £2.80 a pint) a light, hoppy, refreshing with the world! Jacko beer and Dry Stone stout (4.5%, £2.90) smooth and chocolatey – if you don’t normally drink stout, try a half you might just enjoy the change.

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M

The Rotary Club of South Ribble’s

MER BRIDG L A E W

A Sp Ma THE R P i Re TIN ons n ed R5 w 6B or ar P clam ED ds at W rb Te io A m l: @ 01 n Y RD bt 7 ar S 7 co 2 d nn 33 ec 48 t.c 68 om

BEER & BANGER FESTIVAL 17th, 18th & 19th June 2016 Walmer Bridge Village Hall Gill Lane, Walmer Bridge, Nr Longton, PR4 5GN Friday 17th 4pm to 11.30pm, Saturday 18th 1pm to 11.30pm, Sunday 19th 1pm to 8pm

CAMRA E H A L F P R IC Y R T N E £ 2 .5 0

50 Real Ales Live Music Entry Fee £5 (Includes commemorative glass & programme)

In aid of charities Rosemere Cancer Foundation • North West Air Ambulance St.Catherine’s Hospice • South Ribble Rotary Good Causes

www.walmerbridgebeerfest.org.uk

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22

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

Coppull’s Newest FREE House Ever changing selection of Cask Ales including the popular breweries Prospect, Abbeydale, Bank Top, to name a few John Smith - Carling - Peroni - Hop House 13 Lager Great selection Bottled beers, Lagers and Ciders.

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

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

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

@penworthamcc

Penwortham Cricket Club

2nd Annual Beer Festival

Friday 26th August

26th - 28th August

Exclusive free entry to CAMRA members

www.facebook.com/ penworthamcc

From 6pm

August Bank Holiday Weekend

Saturday 27th August 1:30 P.M. START

PENWORTHAM 1st XI –v–

WHITTINGHAM 1st XI plus

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT ENTE

A great selection of quality local and regional real ale, plus fun for all the family.

Sunday 28th August

12:00 P.M. START - 20/20 CRICKET

PENWORTHAM LEGENDS –v–

PALACE SHIELD LEGENDS plus

PCC INVITATIONAL INVI XI -v- PCC YOUTH XI BBQ, FACE PAINTING and more

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Penwortham Cricket Club, Middleforth Green, Leyland Road, Penwortham PR1 9QE (behind Penwortham Sports and Social Club)

REAL CIDER AND REAL PERRY In addition to being the winner of the CAMRA Central Lancashire

Although CAMRA is the Campaign For Real Ale, it branch Cider Pub of the Year, the Market Ale House also becomes

is also an organisation that has an objective to be a our branch's nomination for the CAMRA West Pennines Cider Pub

campaign for the protection and promotion of real of the Year award. In this capacity, the Market Ale House is up against cider and real perry. the Commercial in Accrington (chosen by CAMRA East Lancashire This being the case, it only seems right that Ale Cry should include a branch), and the Pump & Truncheon in Blackpool (chosen by Blackregular article specifically aimed at drinkers of real cider and real perry. pool Fylde & Wyre branch), plus there are also two nominations from However here I have to own up, as I myself can claim only to be an branches in the Cumbria area. At the time of writing, we have yet to occasional drinker of real cider. If anyone better qualified would like to arrange a Cider Pub of the Year presentation night, and here's hoping contribute an article to Ale Cry, then I am sure that this would be muchthat we will also soon have to arrange a second presentation for the appreciated by the Editor. regional award.

According to the CAMRA definition, real cider is a long-established The number of real cider/perry outlets is gradually on the increase. A traditional drink which is produced naturally from apples and which strange one this time is the ANGEL on Lune Street in Preston, which is neither carbonated nor pasteurised. Likewise real perry is also a is a pub that has recently been selling a real cider despite selling no long-established traditional drink that is made from pears in a similar real ale. Actually this is not the first Preston pub to have done this - in fashion. In practice real cider and real perry can usually be recognised recent years both the Variety and the Jazz Bar have temporarily been as they are often served by gravity from a polycask or some similar 'real cider only' outlets. container found on or behind the bar. They can also be served by hand- Listed in the accompanying table are the outlets which we believe are pump, but here you need to be a little more careful as not all handcurrently selling at least one real cider or perry. You will find that there pumped cider/perry is real. are a number of additions compared to the list that appeared in the As mentioned elsewhere in this Ale Cry, the MARKET ALE HOUSE Spring 2016 Ale Cry. Thanks go to those people who contacted the on Hough Lane in Leyland, has been chosen as the branch's 2016 Cider branch with information about cider and perry outlets, and once again Pub of the Year. A worthy successor to the Bob Inn in Chorley, this we would be pleased to learn of any further adjustments that need to be means that the two winners of this new award have both been mimade to this list. Please send any information you have to the branch cro-pubs which have only been in existence for a comparatively short committee, e-mail: clcamra@rocketmail.com.

Gordon Small time. The Market Ale House opened in December 2013, and since OUTLETS SELLING REAL CIDER Bamber Bridge then has always placed great importance in keeping a good range of Bamber Bridge Football Club; Olde Original Withy Trees; Withy Arms. real ciders and perry, with a choice of four usually being available at Chorley: Bob Inn; Shepherds' Hall Ale House; Sir Henry Tate. Croston: any one time. On a recent visit there were three ciders and one perCrown. Eccleston: Cock T' Alehouse. Euxton :Travellers Rest. Heapey Top Lock. Hoghton Sirloin. Leyland Golden Tap Ale House; Leyland ry which covered a variety of different strengths, these being Black Dragon Welsh Cider (7.2%) and Sandford Orchards Perry (7.5%), plus Leyland Lion; Market Ale House; Withy Arms. Longridge Corporation two from the Celtic Marches company Lily The Pink Cider (4.5%) and Arms. Longton: Dolphin. Preston Ale Emporium; Angel; Black Horse; Continental; Dog & Partridge; Ferret; Grey Friar; Guild Ale House; Thundering Molly Cider (5.2%).

Roper Hall; Twelve Tellers; Wheatsheaf.

The Red Herring

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

Guest Ales include: Reedley Hallows,

Prospect, Bank Top Good Beer

and many more

Guide --

 Ever changing selection of 5 Cask Ales from Champion Brewers near and far; Dark and Strong ales always available.

Sat night entertainment, we’re in it.

Sun night quiz

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

 Traditional Ciders / bottled Continental Beers / Wine.  ‘Sup’ a perfect pint in our oversized glasses.  Range of Bar Snacks including our famous topped pork pies with Keith’s chutney!  Games night every Wednesday; including Backgammon, Chess, Scrabble, Dominos……….  Dog friendly, child free pub!

67 Chapel Street Chorley, PR7 1BS

Pouring times Mon: Closed Tue – Thu: 14:00 – 22:00 Fri: 14:00 – 23:00 Sat: 12:00 – 23:00 Sun: 14:00 – 21:00

Next door to Bus Station & 2 minutes from Train station Shepherds Hall Ale House @ShepsAleHouse

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PRINCESS ALICE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MONDAY – THURSDAY 4.30 – 11.30 FRIDAY

4.30 – 12.30

SATURDAY

12.00 – 12.30

SUNDAY

12.00 – 11.30

FOUR REAL ALES (CASK MARQUE APPROVED) POOL TEAMS – DART TEAM- WELSH DON TEAM – DOMINOES TEAM- GOLF CLUB ARTISTS EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT QUIZ NIGHT WEDNESDAY, FREE ENTRY AND CHIP BUTTY SUPPER SUNDAY OPEN MIC NIGHT ALL SPORTS SHOWN ON 15 TVS

Q

29-31 CAMBRIDGE WALK PRESTON PR1 7SL 01772 823737 25

Riley’s Rambles - Rochdale There were two reasons for me going on this ramble:- one was to visit Camra’s National Pub of the Year 2013, The Baum in Rochdale, and secondly, to go round the newly opened Todmorden curve railway line between Burnley and Manchester. The fact that I was using a Johnston’s Press Northern Rail Day Rover for only £10 meant that on the way there, it was quicker to stay on the train and get off at Hebden Bridge, and go back down to Rochdale on the Manchester Train than hang about on Blackburn station for 25 minutes. I would only fulfil the second reason on the way back. Travel details later.

We arrived at Rochdale train station at noon and proceeded up Maclure Rd to Drake St. where we turned right. Shortly you come to Moore St. on your left, down which you go till you meet Church Lane.

Go along here and turn left down Nelson St. Here you will soon arrive at our first pub, The Flying Horse, on Packer St. Nestling in the shade of the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, the pub, dating from 1691, was rebuilt in 1926 as an impressive stone three storey high hotel, with 10 ensuite bedrooms and many original features remain. Seven cask ales are available, and on our visit these included Rossendale Glen Top (4.0%) at £2.50 a pint, Partners Brewery’s Ghost (4.5%) at £2.60, plus Phoenix Moonlight (4.2%) and Spooky Brew (4.5%). Home cooked ‘proper’ rustic food is served until 8pm seven days a week. Live sport is shown plus there is live music on Thurs, Fri and Saturday. A good start to the proceedings.

Coming out, we turned right to admire the work being undertaken to reveal the River Roch which has been hidden from view since Victorian times. Work is scheduled to complete this year and will completely transform this area of town. I, for one, cannot wait to revisit the area and admire the fruits of the £250m regeneration of Rochdale town centre. Until the work is done, I cannot give informative directions, but I guess you would cross over the river, turn right and make your way towards Stationers Entry and the Butts, to find our next pub, Wetherspoon’s The Regal Moon. Converted from a former cinema, the pub is open plan but split into discrete drinking areas. Eighteen pumps are on hand to dispense a wide variety of ales and ciders, with local and West Yorkshire micro brewery beers featuring. It was very busy and no wonder, with prices from as low as £1.49 a pint, up to £2.20. Everything else that you would expect from a Wetherspoon is in place, so you know what the score is there. It was time to find the main reason for our visit and I must admit I got lost once or twice seeking out this hidden gem on an isolated part of Toad Lane, but finally I was given accurate directions at the information office. From the Regal Moon, go right to meet Yorkshire St. where you againturn right, going up to B & MBargains. Here you go left to Hunter’s Lane and left there will bring you to the Baum alongside Rochdale Pioneers Museum, It is # worth the effort to bring you to this split level inn full of old world charm. We were famished by this time and stuck into some good, reasonably priced food lashed down with one or two of the seven real ales available from he ever changing range. On our visit these went from the 4% beers of Grain brewery Blonde Ash and Green Mill Talisman (£2.70 a pint) up to Temperance St. Brewery’s Beer Nouveau at 6%. We then went next door and spent some time in the Rochdale Pioneer’s Museum, The birthplace of the Co-operative Movement. From here we retraced our steps back past the Regal Moon, where, I guess, you would now cross over the river and go up Drake St. From here we retraced our steps back past the Regal Moon, where, I guess, you would now cross over the river and go up Drake St. to join Oldham Rd. where you come to the Cask and Feather Now a sports bar, this was once the home of the McGuinness Brewery which our branch

did a brewery trip to many moons ago. It was one of the few pubs that received a cast iron memorial plate produced by one time active member of our branch Carl Hart when he worked at Coupe’s Foundry at Higher Walton. The mini-brewery closed in 2006 after a disastrous fire and all production equipment was moved to Offa’s Dyke Brewery Shropshire.

Pleasantly quiet at the time of our visit, I would imagine it got rather busy with its big screen for sports at match times. We were offered free soup and a roll, but were too full after our dinner in the Baum and the coffee and cake that we fitted in at a café in the Wheatsheaf shopping centre, to take advantage of this kind offer. Instead we had a go at the Phoenix Navvy, (3.8% and only £2.20 a pint) and Green Mill Gold (3.6%). The Navvy is a permanent beer whilst the Gold could be anything from the Green Mill range. There is usually a further changing third beer, but it had run out and its replacement had not yet settled. Nevertheless it was a fine end to our day out in Rochdale.

If you had the time and energy, (it’s a mile walk from the Flying Horse) another good pub to visit would be the Cemetery Hotel on Bury Rd. Recognised by Camra as having a nationally important pub interior, our branch ran a trip to this pub many, many years ago. Serving 5 (7 at weekends) changing guests, with Phoenix brewery featuring, it would be as welcoming today as it was all those years ago. It does get rather busy on match days, it being close to Rochdale Football Club. We, however, were too tired after our long day in Rochdale and made our way back from the Cask and Feather to the railway station. Here we caught the train to Blackburn, finally negotiating the Todmorden curve (our second reason for this visit), and duly changed trains to a Preston bound one.

As stated earlier, I was using a Johnston’s Press Northern Rail voucher for my journey. When this offer is not available, you must change at Blackburn to the direct service to Rochdale. The normal through fare from Preston to Rochdale is (May 2016) £17.10 each. In that case, book a day return from Preston to Blackburn for £6.30. Then ask for a Blackburn to Rochdale return ticket which is £9.20 (a saving of £1.60). If there are couples travelling (like we were), you have plenty of time to get off at Blackburn and buy a duo ticket to Rochdale for £13.80. This saves a couple a considerable £7.80.The last train to get you back to Preston before 11pm is the 21.19 from Rochdale to Blackburn, changing there for the train to Preston at 22.31. This arrives at Preston railway station at 22.51. Happy travelling!

PAUL RILEY

More Brewery News:

Beginning production in January of last year and call themselves "The two who brew", Dave Reece and Phil Leyland are not actually brothers but have been friends since they were pupils at Fulwood High School. There is a family connection however, as Dave's father Alan Reece helps out, doing the banding on the casks.

Seven different beers are produced in rotation: Dark Wheat Beer 6.5%, lightly carbonated with hints of liquorice and tart berries Golden Wheat Beer 5.5%, a German style top fermented wheat beer made with Saaz hops and the bitter orange peel accentuates the citrus bouquet.

Chocolate Porter 4.3%, made with real cocoa this is a heavy beer with a slight flavour of roast coffee and dark chocolate. IPA 6% is made with three varieties of hops and then dry hopped for extra flavour.

Milk Stout 4%, initially but with the gentle bitterness of dark roasted barley Best Bitter 4.2% a malty chestnut brown bitter which is their session beer. and lastly, the first beer they brewed, a Dusseldorf style Altbier 5.5%. Their next will be a dark, 9% IPA called Black Widow available in bottles. The brewery has limited capacity and brews two barrels a week. Dave and Phil's expansion plan envisages between seven and ten barrels a week delivered to free houses and pubs taking guest ales from the SIBA list. As well as looking for larger premises in the South Ribble area, they are looking to replace their current brewing kit with a much larger one.

Michael Haughey

26

Newly refurbished !!

CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2012, 13, 14 &

the only Penwortham pub in the 2015 Guide!

Cask Marque award holder

FFiivvee CCaasskk A Alleess –– tthhrreeee rroottaattiinngg gguueessttss pplluuss TThheeaakkssttoonn’’ss LLiigghhttffoooott & A Grreeeennee KKiinngg IIPPA &G B Miilldd aanndd G Moorreettttii,, KKrroonneennbboouurrgg,, FFoosstteerrss,, M Biirrrraa M Guuiinnnneessss See our website for this month’s ales

THE POTTERS ARMS

Try out our very popular weekly Quiz Nightevery Thursday – starts prompt at 9pm 20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members

BROOK STREET CHORLEY

Stop Press: And now… visit our new sister pub – The Pear Tree Inn!

Three Bs Doff Cocker Black Sheep Bitter + Guest Ales From Local Breweries

Great beer, great team of staff and a warm and friendly welcome Saturday Music Theme Nights once a month – see facebook

8 REAL ALES - 4 CHANGING WEEKLY

www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk or facebook 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham – 01772 752953

11-11 Monday to Thursday / 11 to 12.30 Friday & Saturday / 12 to 11 Sunday unless we decide to stay open later !

We Are In The Good Beer Guide 2016

Don’t miss Tuesday: All Cask Ales £1.99 A Real Pub with

Stephen and Denise have been glad to welcome good beer lovers for over 25 years at the POTTERS 27

Chorley Chatter

The Market Tavern has been closed for about a month. Because of its prime location and history the Branch has started the process of listing it as an asset of community value . It looks like it might not be necessary as I have been told unofficially that a number of applications have been received. If my Well done Dave and Natalie - only a couple of months into the job as source gets it, it will return to being a real ale pub after a considlicensees of Pearsons in Chorley and you are our ‘Pub of the Season.’ erable period.

The phrase ‘Community Pub’ is a bit overused and misunderstood Henry who was in charge of ordering and looking after Real Ale these days so let me make it clear just what an important term it is. at Tates has moved on to pastures new working for Dunscar Bridge Brewery. He did an excellent job at Tates and Millions of people in this country are lonely and depressed, many feel will be missed by the customers. On the subject of Tates there is a imprisoned at home. Pubs and clubs are not the only means of escape rumour that JDW are hoping to increase its size by expanding but are one of the best. The press, Government and many vested

into the Post Office interests and religious groups want to keep people away from pubs.

Toad Well I say to them - take the blinkers from your eyes and take a peep at the the community spirit you will find.

Summer Pub of the Season

If a picture paints a thousand words Melodious

Mick

Shepherds Hall I popped into Pearsons Ale Trip to Chorlton Cum Hardy the other week and the Went on a great trip , by train, to Chorlton Cum Hardy. A beer craik going on with drinkers paradise in fantastic weather with brilliant companions, the gang under the telly (my description because my phone camera wasn’t working) lifted my even the compulsary photo of Toad appearing to be sleep.

WWWent to The Hop Pocket a couple of weeks ago. Good spirits. I knew Steve Wilson and some of the others. It lifted my heart to see twenty or so people of all ages and backgrounds chatting and beer and enjoyable Karaoke run by Stormin Norman and including a couple of songs from Melodoius Mick. What more could anyone ask having a laugh. It reminded me of ‘Codger’s Corner’ in the much LLLast Sunday I went to see probably the world’s lamented ‘Swan With Two Necks’ and that is praise indeed. Pearson’s for? is a well deserved recipient of our Pub of the Season award and you greatest singer and multi-instrumentalalist Jon Brindley at the Malt are all most welcome to attend the presentation night on the 25th July and Hops. If you think I’m wrong about that ask anyone who was there - What a great time was had by all MM Fester

A Perfect Evening

hire, fresh glass with every drink and a card for £5 giving you 2 pints or 4 halves. A choice of 20 beers and 10 ciders.

• Heaven!

A trip to the Beer Festival at Bamber Bridge Football Club • There was also a cup final being played by two local teams – a good game finishing 4 – 1 to the team in white.

Thursday 14th April 2016 • Best of all....... Entertainment! – Paul Kenny a ukulele player and • Have you ever had a perfect evening? I have and this was it!

George Formby impersonator. Who wouldn't like that? Adrian • The trip started at 6.35 pm on the 125 bus from Chorley Bus Stafor a start – mind you he is a southerner. tion. Adrian Smith got on a few stops later and we sat together • Then Dave Bell our chairman got up and gave a good little upstairs chatting until we got off just after the railway station in speech, awarding the Club of the Year 2016 Certificate to a deBamber Bridge. lighted stewardess and committee.

• “Trust me” I said. “I know the way. I have been before. It's just • What a well run club.

Cask ale always available, modest prices next to the railway line.” and a friendly welcome.

Open every evening 7 till 11 and all day • After trudging through various new built housing estates and Saturday on match days. climbing over garden fences we attracted some attention. “What • Time to go, and a walk back to the main road that did not are you doing?” people said. involve climbing over fences or through people's gardens. This • “Oh we are members of Campaign for Real Ale” we replied, was because we walked with Paul and Sue Riley – who did know which seemed to be sufficient explanation for they said “Oh carry the way! on then” • The bus home took us past the Sea View Pub and no you can't • We eventually arrived, and what a well run festival it was. £1 Paul Tate 28 see the sea. Mind you it was dark by then. admission for all, free brochure, good food available, no glass

tickets available over the bar and online

£1 DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS WITH TICKETS BOUGHT AT THE BAR

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Attention!!!!!!!!

Pubs, Clubs, Suppliers and anyone else interested in contacting people who like to socialise:

Our advertisers benefit from our 7,000 copies being read by over 60,000 drinkers all over the uk and even abroad

It’s directed advertising

so it reaches where you want it to reach

Prices: Double page £300 Back page £195 Full page £175 Half Page £ 95 Quarter Page £ 55

Officers and Contacts:

Branch Contact/Chairman Dave Bell 07900 565281 Secretary / Web site Gordon Small 01772 746118

14 Bank Parade Penwortham Preston Treasurer Paul Riley 01772 709272 Vice-Chairman John Singleton 07456 914048 Pubs Officer Adrian Smith 07495 448555 Womens contact: Sue Riley 01772 709272 Social Secretary Wes Truran 07766 881252 Young Members Vacant (contact Mick - below) Communications (inc. editor) Mick Clark 07984 840486 Membership John Singleton 07449 453854

email address: clcamra@rocketmail.com

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

Branch Meetings (8pm): Branch / Socials* Committee # You’re welcome to attend any of our meetings / trips June 2 # Bamber Bridge FC 13 * Black Horse (Preston) (AGM) July 14 # Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge) 25 *Pearsons(Chorley)

(incPub of the Season Presentation) Aug 11 # Leyland Lion 22 * Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge)

*

Socials / Trips / Visits / Ale Trails: The branch would welcome more members and potential members joining us on our trips and visits.

Our next one is: July 7th - Ale Cry Distribution Crawl Preston City Centre. - Minibus from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station) 7.15p.m.

July 30th - Day Trip to SheffieldOld

We have a dozen or so distributors the list below covers just SOME of the places just 3 distributors have dropped mags off at. A more To book places or check on times for Trips comprehensive list in the next issue Contact: Paul Riley (01772 709272)

Including:

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

AGM 13th June Black horse preston All Welcome

Deadline for Adverts and Articles 1/8/16 for the Autumn Edition:: Expected Publication Date: 1/9/16 Deadline for Adverts and Articles for the Winter Edition: 1/11/16 Expected Publication Date: 1/12/16 1/6/16 Deadline for Adverts and Articles for the Spring Edition:: 1/2/17 Expected Publication Date: 1/3/17

Disclaimer:

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

30

£20 of JD Wetherspoon Real Ale tokens

+15 months membership for the price of 12 if you

agree to pay by direct debit - then once you’ve

joined : Chance to win 24 pints to enjoy in the

Leyland Lion on Hough Ln., Leyland for helping

keep the branch informed about what’s happening in one or two of your local pubs and perhaps

dropping a few Ale Crys off for us (just contact ed)

Heading towards a quarter of a million members - one of the world’s largest and fastest growing consumer organisations........

Be a part of it .....................................Why not join NOW..............

Complete the form below, seal it in an envelope and post it to ‘CAMRA, Membership Department, 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts., AL1 4LW.’

✁

Cut along thick dotted line to detatch membership form, complete form, fold along thin dotted line and secure on outside edges before posting

Fold along this line

31

Outside Dining Area at Leyland

Bar Area Bamber Bridge

Great Beer & Great Food Food Served Monday to Saturday Lunchtime 12:00 ‐ 2pm Evening Service 6pm ‐ 9pm Sunday All Day 12:00 ‐ 9pm

www.withyarms.com Bamber Bridge ☎ 01772 697706

Leyland Old Town ☎ 01772 301969

6 Hand Pulls In Each Pub