Ale Cry 121

Cry

issue 121, Winter 2018 03 05 08 10

Pub of the Season: Dog Inn Riley’s Rambles: Fleetwood Anatomy of a Pint: Part 2 Chorley Chatter

12 14 16 19

South Ribble Scene My Pint Of View Historic Preston Pubs: Part 4 Sumners is no more

21 23 26 29

Pub of the Year 2019 Defunct Microbreweries Ale Cry Visits… Longton Preston Parade

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH

EE FR

Ale

FIGHTING FOR DRINKERS’ RIGHTS IN THE HEART OF LANCASHIRE SINCE 1973

Branch Contacts Chairman DAVE BELL t: 07900 565281 e: chairman@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Membership Secretary JOHN SINGLETON t: 07456 914048 e: membership@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Treasurer DAVE WOOLCOCK e: treasurer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Secretary & Webmaster GORDON SMALL t: 01772 746118 e: secretary@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Pubs Officer RICHARD LANGFORD t: 07974 799224 e: pubsofficer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Pub Protection Officer DAVE LINLEY

Chairman’s Welcome

W

elcome to our Winter 2018 edition of Ale Cry. It’s December already and Christmas is almost upon us. We are holding our annual Christmas Social at the Mad Hatters in Preston on Thursday 13th December, starting at 8pm. If you are available, why not come and join us, you are welcome.

I have always enjoyed history and old architecture and it doesn’t get much better than when this is combined with pubs and real ale. This is the reason that the Black Horse in Preston is one of my favourites. The Black Horse is Grade II Listed and has many magnificent architectural features and an unusual layout. Many of you will already know this but you may not be aware that CAMRA publish a book entitled Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs and that the Black Horse is featured on the front cover of the latest edition. It is well worth getting hold of a copy if you have an interest in traditional pub interiors.

Alternatively, CAMRA have a Historic Pub Interiors website (www.pubheritage. camra.org.uk) and for social media fans, there is a Facebook page (search for CAMRA Heritage Pubs).

Reading about and researching these historic pubs is interesting and that’s great in itself, but the most important way that we can help protect them is by visiting them because that is the only way we can keep them open and make the preservation of their heritage viable.

Ye Horns Inn at Goosnargh is another

2

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Heritage Pub in the branch area. Sadly, this is currently closed and although there is an outstanding planning application to re-open it, the future remains uncertain.

We also need your help in identifying more candidates (you can find the criteria and instructions on the website), writing letters to oppose proposed pub changes and keeping us up to date with any alterations and proposals so we have a chance to protect the interiors. Next time you are enjoying a pint in a pub, have a look around, what you see may be worth preserving.

As ever, if you have any thoughts, comments or feedback, please get in touch with us via email, you will find a contact list in 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 our page. In addition, you can now follow us on Twitter, search for CAMRA Central Lancs.

We also produce a monthly newsletter 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 recipients.

Kind Regards DAV E B E L L

Branch Chairman

t: 01772 735628 e: pubprotection@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Cider Officer POST VACANT e: cider@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Social Media Officer STEWART GRIEVE e: socialmedia@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry Editor ADRIAN SMITH t: 07495 448555 e: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Social Secretary SIMON CROWE t: 07852 165024 e: social@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Young Members CATHERINE BEVAN e: youngmembers@centrallancs.camra.org.uk www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk @CAMRA_CentLancs CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch All material copyright © Central Lancs CAMRA No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor, Branch Committee or CAMRA nationally. Central Lancs CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to any advertisement or article and recommends the reader make their own enquiries. It should also be noted that inclusion of an advertisement in this magazine should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by Central Lancs CAMRA. Design & Layout: Stewart Grieve Design Ltd e: stew@stewartgrieve.co.uk www.stewartgrieve.co.uk Printed by: Printplus, Cocker Avenue, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 8JU t: 01253 299620 www.printplusgroup.com Front cover photo: Top Lock, Heapey

of Pub the season

Winter 2018

DOG Inn Longridge

W

e are delighted to announce that our Pub of the Season for Winter 2018 is the DOG INN, Market Place, Longridge.

Situated in a commanding position at the top of Berry Lane and having fantastic views over the Ribble Valley and surrounding Pennine Hills at the rear, the pub is a great place for inside or al fresco drinking and dining.

There has been a pub located on the site of The Dog Inn since the 1830s and the Dog has proved popular with the local community over many years. More recent years saw it fall upon hard times and it morphed into an Indian restaurant for a while before eventually closing down.

The people of Longridge never gave up on the Dog and in August 2017 it was brought back to life by the owner, Ben Lee, and his mother, Catherine Ball. Their mission has been to turn this once vibrant pub back into the thriving local watering hole that it was previously – rescuing ancient walls and old stonework to create a new yet traditional look and feel.

This historic inn is now decorated in a rustic style with a quirky fusion. A great place to bunker down in winter, it’s full of cosy, intimate spaces and has three log fires to thaw out beside while you tuck into one of its hearty Sunday roasts. Not forgetting the ‘Dog House’, a small tap room which provides an alternative atmosphere, where friends are invited to meet for a pint, watch sport and play darts.

On the bar, 5 handpumps serve a rotating choice of cask ale with regular beers Dog Inn Blonde, brewed by Westgate Brewery and

Black Sheep Best Bitter normally occupying 2 of the 5 pumps. Food is locally sourced and prepared to a high standard. Kids, dogs and muddy boots are all welcome.

The pub is open Monday to Thursday 12.00 – 23.00, Friday to Saturday 12.00 – Midnight and Sunday 12.00 – 22.00.

Our presentation of this award will take place on Thursday 24th January from about 8pm and we hope to see you there. A short hop on the number 1 Stagecoach bus from Preston will get you there before you know it.

DAV E B E L L

4. 7% P R ES TON

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

3

QU TH

U

?

RS

GHT

Central Lancs Community Pub of the Year 2018

IZ NI

M D AY 9 P

A warm and friendly atmosphere with great beers, wines & spirits, welcoming customers and a beautiful beer garden awaits you at…

THE BLACK BULL INN

of Penwortham

In CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2012–19

Enjoy a wide range of drinks

The ONLY Penwortham pub in the GBG 2019

• Cask Ale — Two permanent house ales (Theakston’s Best

& Robinsons’ Dizzy Blonde), a rotating CAMRA LocAle Lancashire guest ale, plus two national guest ales • Lagers — Birra Moretti, Kronenbourg 1664, and Fosters • Ciders — Strongbow, Dark Fruit, and Cloudy Apple • Guinness • Extensive range of gins, vodkas, and malt whiskys • Range of wines and prosecco • Low/non-alcoholic drinks available • Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate

Enjoy all the big sporting occasions, as well as the horses, on the 3 large HD screens indoors, and a garden screen in good weather

FREE

Dogs are welcome!

… but no children - sorry

On Stagecoach route No 3 – Pope Lane

Opening times Monday–Thursday 12–11 • Friday 12–Midnight Saturday 11–11.30 • Sunday 12–11 20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members

@BlackBullPenwor black.bull.penwortham

4

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Telephone 01772 752953 mail@blackbull-penwortham.co.uk

83 Pope Lane, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9BA www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk

RILEY’S RAMBLES: FLEETWOOD

U

ntil the 1830s, Fleetwood as we know it today did not exist. It was down to the vision of local landowner, Peter Hesketh–Fleetwood who believed that the sheltered harbour and the spectacular views over Morecambe Bay would be the ideal place to develop a busy seaport and holiday resort. At this time, the west coast main railway line did not go beyond Preston, and HeskethFleetwood came up with the idea of expanding the rail line to his new town, where passengers north would embark onto steamers to complete their journey to Scotland. Architect Decimus Burton came up with a plan to use what is now known as The Mount as a hub of a half wheel with residential streets radiating as spokes to the outer rim.

The jewel in the crown of this rim is the imposing semi circular NORTH EUSTON HOTEL, built in1841, which is our first call on this ramble. The completion of the direct

rail link to Glasgow in the mid 1850s made its original purpose obsolete, but today it is still impressive, and with its proximity to bus and tram termini is an ideal place to start. The bar is on the left as you enter the hotel and is a large and comfortable lounge with some raised areas. Three real ales are on the bar, with Black Sheep Best Bitter and Sharp’s Doom Bar as the two permanent beers, with the other a changing guest, which on our visit was Westgate Atlantic Hop (4%). The lounge is open 12–11 (midnight Fri/Sat) with food available 12–8 (9pm Fri/Sat).

Coming out, turn right and going down Bold St. you will find ADDITIONS CAFE BAR which serves one rotating guest beer,

often from Pennine Brewery, but could be anything. Open from 11–midnight (1am Thurs–Sat) food is available until 9pm and there is a Nepalese restaurant upstairs.

Heading back towards the ferry terminal and going down Queens Terrace you will find one of the oldest pubs in Fleetwood, the STEAMER. Famed for being the site of entertainer Syd Little’s ‘Little Restaurant’, the pub has plenty of other attractions, including up to 7 changing real ales, often sourced from the likes of Reedley Hallows.

Live music features at weekends and there is pool, snooker and darts.

Going back inland and down Lord St, with its tram tracks down the middle of the road, look out for London St. on your left and you will see the local Wetherspoon pub, THOMAS DRUMMOND. With all the features you have come to expect from this brand such as food and coffee at good prices, clean toilets etc, it is open from 8am until 11 (12 Thurs–Sat) with food until 11 all days. Eight changing real ales from the likes of Bank Top Lunar Halo at 3.8% up to Grainstore Rutland Beast at 5.3% will generally be available plus regulars Ruddles Best and Abbot.

Back down Lord St, the next pub you will encounter will be the KING’S ARMS. Originally a well regarded Higsons pub, it,

disappointingly, only had one real ale on sale, this being Deuchars IPA. It is open from 10am–midnight (1am Fri/Sat) with music Fri & Sat. Moving on down Lord Street, we come to the ROYAL OAK, the first of two excellent pubs owned by the Fleetwood Pub Co. Known locally as Dead’uns it was refurbished and reopened in 2013, with pictures of trawlers adorning the walls a reminder of when the fishing industry thrived here. It is a friendly traditional local with lounge bar and vaults. Live music features most weekends. Beer wise, there are two regular real ales in Reedley Hallows First Trawl (4%) and Banks’s Sunbeam (4.2%) and up to 6 changing guests. When we went in, these included Blackedge Hop and Cross Bay Vesper both 3.8%, and Dunscar Stout at 4%. You will also find two ciders on handpump and there is a range of craft lagers and specialist beers. Opening times are noon–midnight midweek, staying open to 1am Fri/Sat and CAMRA members get a 30p a pint discount as well.

Crossing over the Lord St. and going up Poulton Road (A587) for 300yards or so, you will come to Fleetwood Pub Co’s other

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

5

outlet, the well known and highly regarded STRAWBERRY GARDENS. With its 18 handpumps dispensing a changing range of beers sourced from both the North West and the rest of the UK, plus a fridge full of Continental and world beers, it is a magnet for discerning drinkers. Add to this its own bistro within the pub, with home cooked quality food at reasonable prices and its nearness to Fleetwood Town’s football ground; it is an ideal place for a pint and a bite before and after a home game. Other features of the pub are a big screen for Sky Sports, pub games including pool and darts in the vault, and its own bowling green.

It is also a top venue for Fleetwood’s yearly Blues and Folk festival every September and it holds an annual beer festival. Regular beers are Lancaster Blonde (4%), plus a Marston’s range beer. Then there are the six or more ever changing guest beers which on our visit included Bowness Bay Swan Blonde (4%) and Swan Black (4.6%), Cross Bay Sunset (4.2%) and Moorhouses Blond Witch and Pendle Witch.

Opening hours are 11–11 midweek and 11–midnight Fri-Sat. Food is available from 5–8 Mon, from noon all other days until 8 Tue–Thurs, until 9 Fri–Sat and until 6pm on Sundays.

The final pub on our ramble is the MOUNT, named after the man-made landmark adjacent. The Marine Hall and beach are over the Esplanade opposite. To

6

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

reach it from our last pub, you will have to go left to Milton St. and go up this to Abbotts Walk, turn left again and there you are. This imposing grade II listed building, built in 1896. Once a Boddington’s pub, it has retained some of its character, with its high ceilings, wood panelling and some art deco features. As a hotel, it used to have 50 bedrooms and The Beatles and Winston Churchill are among notables who stayed there. These have now been converted into

flats. Besides its main room, it has a games room, sky sports, and a separate function room for hire. Wainwrights and Greene King IPA are the two regular beers, with also a badged beer, The Mount, brewed for them

by West Coast brewing plus a changing beer which was Reedley Hallows Nook of Pendle (5%) on our visit. The pub is open from noon until 11pm (12pm Fri/Sat) with food served 12–9 (8 Sun) generally, but in winter there is a gap between 3pm and 5pm, also they finish serving one hour earlier in the evening.

To return to the North Euston and the tram and bus termini, go along the promenade with the sea on your left.

Alternatively, if you stopped around the Lord St. area, you can catch the bus or tram at the stops along this stretch.

Fleetwood can be reached direct from Preston by an approximately hourly on the hour bus service, number 75. The last one back is 1755 but be warned, it is a one and three quarter hour bus journey; not too bad on the way there, but uncomfortable on return.

You could break your journey at Poulton by catching an earlier return bus. Alternatively, you could catch a train to Poulton and bus it to Fleetwood using the 14 or 75 bus. The final alternative is the train to Blackpool and then taking the tram along the front to Fleetwood for 33 minutes. Unfortunately senior citizens can no longer use their bus pass on the tram.

PAU L R I L E Y

Branch Pub of the Season Summer 2017

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

7

ANATOMY OF A PINT

I

n the first part of this series of articles, we looked at the brewing process, and finished at the point where the beer was sitting in the fermenter, ready for packaging. In this article we’ll go through the packaging process – at least as far as the draft product is concerned. We also look at the differences between the 3 types of container – cask, keg and KeyKeg. There are different types of fermenting vessels; some are sealed and some are not. Beer Brothers use Unitanks – which are sealed and can be pressurised, which also allows the fermenter to act as a conditioning tank. After the fermentation process is completed, the beer is left for 7 days at 0°C to condition. Essentially this time allows suspended matter in the beer to settle, at which point the beer can be run off into casks.

Beer that is conditioned this way is known as unfined, and sometimes this will leave the beer looking slightly hazy. Some brewers will use a fining material (often isinglas) to help the yeast drop to the bottom. A pipe is connected to the tank above the point where the sediment has collected and the beer is allowed to flow by gravity into the cask.

The pipe goes to the very bottom of the cask and the filling is done slowly to minimise the likelihood of getting dissolved oxygen in the beer. This would cause the beer to oxidise early and spoil. Once the cask is full, a specified amount of priming sugar is added to restart the fermentation process. There is still yeast suspended in the beer and the added sugar will start a secondary fermentation. At this point the cask

is sealed and remains that way until it is tapped in the pub cellar.

If the beer is destined for a keg, the process is somewhat more complicated. The beer in the fermenter still has yeast in it, but minimal dissolved CO₂. It is essential to introduce food grade CO₂ into the beer at the desired pressure. This has to be done slowly; if done too quickly it can lead to CO₂ stripping – which knocks out the hop oils and degrades flavours. It can take 24 hours for the tank to reach equilibrium, when the pressure in the beer is equal to the pressure in the ‘headspace’ (the space between the beer surface and the top of the container). At this point the flow of CO₂ will stop and the beer is ready for packaging. This process is known as ‘forced carbonation’.

Many of the small brewers do not have the facilities to keg beer, as the equipment required is complex and relatively expensive and it is cheaper and easier to outsource this to a specialist business. Firstly the kegs are purged with CO₂ to remove any chance of oxygen contamination. The beer is then pumped slowly into the keg. While this is happening, pressure within the keg must be released slowly which stops the beer foaming.

Just as with the cask ale, the process is slow and gentle. Despite this being keg beer, it is often not filtered and not pasteurised – there is still yeast in it, and without doing anything else, there will still be a small amount of secondary fermentation going on. (Of course, that’s not to say that all keg beer is like this, particularly from the larger breweries).

We keep referring to CO₂, and this is probably as good a time as

PART 2 any to clarify something. CO₂ is essential to beer packaging – whether naturally produced by secondary fermentation or added by way of force carbonation, CO₂ is needed to keep the beer in good condition. It is not the ‘devil’s spawn’ – chemically, there is absolutely no difference between CO₂ produced as a by product of the brewing process and that ‘manufactured’ elsewhere.

So where does the KeyKeg come in to all this? You can fill a KeyKeg with real ale. Simply draw the beer off into a racking tank, add some sugar and mix it up. Then either pump or gravity feed into a KeyKeg and seal.

The beer will undergo secondary fermentation and be just as real as anything served from a cask via a conventional beer engine. You can also fill it with force carbonated beer – conventional keg if you like.

Top right: real ale cask stored horizontally Bottom right: real ale cask stored vertically

In part 3 of this article we will look at the art of cellarmanship in detail. For now though, let’s have a quick look at how the different beer containers are treated in the pub cellar. Until recently, cask ale was stored horizontally with the beer drawn from a tap towards the bottom of the barrel. It could either be poured direct into a glass or jug (gravity dispense) or using a traditional beer engine pulled through pipes to the bar. More recently, a floating device has allowed vertical storage (handy where cellar space is limited). As the beer is always drawn from the top

8

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

of the barrel, there is less chance of yeast sediment being drawn into the feed. In both instances, as the beer is drawn out, air is drawn in, either through a porous spile placed in the shive or, if the cask is vertical, through a breather tube at the top.

Kegs are stored vertically and a gas connector fitted into the top. CO₂ is pumped into the headspace forcing the beer up the central tube. Normally the beer will be passed through a cooler before serving as most keg beers are designed to be served at lower temperatures than real ale. One of the major criticism of this type of beer is that it is too fizzy, but it doesn’t need to be. A good cellarman will ensure that pressure is kept low enough to give good carbonation, but not to make the beer too gassy. In any case, CO₂ is expensive, so it’s a sensible way to save money.

Far right: keg dispense Below: KeyKeg (from left to right) full, halffull, empty

Although it includes the word ‘keg’, there is little similarity between a KeyKeg and a conventional keg. The method of dispense is unusual, in that it uses gas to force the beer out of the KeyKeg and up to the tap, but because of the construction of the container, the gas does not come into contact with the beer. There is an inner non-porous bag containing the beer and the pressurised gas or air is piped in between the bag and the outer shell. As this shell is rigid, the pressure forces the bag inwards and the beer out through the top of the container. As the gas never comes into contact with the beer, a real ale served this way will still fulfil CAMRA’s definition; despite the use of the dreaded word keg. Normally beers dispensed this way will run through a cooler so the beer can be served at whatever temperature the

landlord chooses. While this type of container has proved particularly popular for dispensing Craft beers, there are two main issues. Firstly they are difficult to recycle, so much of the KeyKeg is used once and then thrown away – which is bad for the environment as well as expensive.

Secondly, the customer has absolutely no way of telling whether the beer is ‘Real Ale’ or not.

I am indebted to our friends at Beer Brothers, for their assistance with the technical aspects and to Jack Summers-Glass of Furness CAMRA for his excellent drawings.

In part 3 we will look at what goes on in the pub cellar, and what needs to be done to get the ‘perfect pint’.

ADRIAN SMITH

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

9

CHORLEY CHATTER

T

here is a bit of a theme to this quarter’s news round-up from the Chorley area, and that is makeovers and improvements.

The MASONS ARMS has been getting plenty of coverage recently, and for good reason. It was our Spring 2018 Pub of the Season, and more recently it won our first ever Most Improved Pub of the Year award. The presentation was held in late October and the pub was packed, with branch members and regulars. The only disappointment on the night was that the pubs own beer, Masons Pale Ale, was not available to try. The first trial brew had been done a few weeks earlier and was a great success. The brewing plant, which can

be seen at the back of the lounge, is only a quarter barrel plant; so there is only one 9 gallon barrel per brew. It was all drunk within a day of appearing on the bar, and we are waiting impatiently for it to reappear. Hopefully this will become a regular feature in the pub.

While on the subject of pub improvements, there have been three major refurbishments in the last few months.

In the centre of town, the ROSE & CROWN has had a significant makeover, with the new look being much brighter and

modern than previously. There are still four real ales being served, but these are predominantly the usual suspects from the major players. Don’t be fooled by the large sign on left hand wall promoting ‘Craft Beer’.

Out at Riley Green, the ROYAL OAK has also been smartened up. The bar area seems more closed in than previously and there is definitely a restaurant feel rather than a pub. However there are six handpumps serving the four main ‘Thwaites’ beers – Wainwright & Lancaster Bomber (actually Marston’s brands) and Original and Nutty Black. A fifth handpump serves a changing guest ale, and on a recent visit this was, rather surprisingly, Beer Studio Lunar Glow rather than another of the Marston staples.

The sixth handpump serves a real cider.

Coupled with some rather excellent food, the overall package makes this a cracking country pub.

The third refurb is in Astley Village at what was previously the Barons Rest, owned by Trust Inns. The lease has been taken over by the Green Crab Pub Co, who also have the Dolphin at Longton, the Midge Hall at Leyland and the Rams Head at Longton in their group. The pub has

didWhen mostwe improved in 120) talk about community pubs, we often think of those serving a particular geographical area or a pub doing things for charity. These type of activities are strongly encouraged

by CAMRA, and we will be

10

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

focussing on one such pub each issue of Ale Cry (space and suitable candidates permitting).

Micropubs are rarely thought of as community pubs, due to their size and limited facilities and often due to the nature of their offering. However, the first pub to feature here is the TOASTIE TAVERN in Chorley. Anyone who has visited the pub will have seen that the back room is full of military memorabilia, and with good reason.

The Toastie is home to the Chorley Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast

Club, which is open to anyone who has served in either the armed forces or the emergency services. Members meet there on the first Saturday of every month and there are special events at odd times throughout the year. While it is great that veterans have a social venue where they can meet and catch up with old friends, there is more to it than that. It has been well documented that our

veterans tend to struggle in many areas, such as housing, employment, financial matters or mental health issues, and the club is designed to act as a focal point to obtaining help where it is needed. Given that these veterans have given so much for this country, it is great that there is this association there for them and that the Toastie Tavern has found them a home.

Photos courtesy of CAF & VBC

Pubs In The Community (SG – please do this as half page feature on colour backdrop as we

been closed for some time and reopened in October, with a change of image and a new name. The ASTLEY VILLAGE INN has emerged like a rather beautiful butterfly from an ugly chrysalis, and it’s difficult to fully appreciate the transformation.

Gone is the rather tired estate pub, and in it’s place is a smart, well appointed and welcoming pub/restaurant. Yes, it is predominantly a food driven outlet, but the food is quite superb with a wide ranging menu and substantial portions.

However, there is plenty of provision for drinkers, with a large bar and lounge area just inside the door. Three handpumps

serve what is intended to be a pretty much fixed range of real ales, Wainwright, Astley Session Ale (which is Greene King IPA rebadged) and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord (which was excellent and sensibly priced at £3.20). Judging by the number of people dining there, it has quickly caught people’s imagination, and we wish them well.

One pub that has had a fairly unsettled recent history is the EUXTON MILLS at Euxton. A few years ago the branch was involved in getting the pub listed as an Asset of Commuinty Value (ACV). We are delighted to learn that the current licensee, Leam Moffitt, who took over in January has just signed a 5 year lease, which hopefully will give a bit of stability.

An external refurb is due as we go to press and an official ‘re-opening’ is planned for late November. Internally the pub looks

We are a microbrewery based in Leyland creating traditional ales inspired by Leyland and its engineering heritage.

Available to the trade in bottle and cask Available to customers direct from the brewery shop Bespoke beers available for special events and corporate gifts

really welcoming, and is both child and dog friendly. A Marston’s tied house, the one regular beer is Wainwright, with up to 3 changing guests from the extensive Marston portfolio.

Finally, we are delighted to report some continuity rather than change. At one time, licensees would stay in pubs for many years, but nowadays it seems that some pubs change personnel more frequently than they change their beers. Not so at the SEA VIEW in Whittle-le-Woods, where former landlady Jean Thompson has been behind the bar for a staggering 40 years. Our photo shows Jean being presented her long service award by Tracy Bickerdike, business development manager for Star Pubs & Bars.

The pub is still run by the same family, with Jean’s son Lee taking over at the helm 12 years ago.

ADRIAN SMITH

Cann Bridge Ale House A new micropub in Higher Walton 4 handpulls serving an ever rotating selection of the finest cask ales 2 draught ciders plus house Bavarian Lager

Call or email to order or for our current cask and bottle availability.

20+ gins

07827 289200

Wines and Spirits

enquiries@crankshaftbrewery.co.uk

CRANKSHAFT BREWERY

47 Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton PR5 4DJ

Beer made and bottled in small batches in Leyland Crankshaft Brewery

Leyland, Lancashire PR26 7QL | www.crankshaftbrewery.co.uk

Cann Bridge Ale House

CannBridgeAleHs

@crankshaftbrew

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

11

SOUTH RIBBLE SCENE

I

n the last Ale Cry I described the imminent arrival of three new micropubs in the South Ribble area.

Three months later and all has gone to plan, with the three micropubs opening and with them all seeming to have been well received by local drinkers.

First to appear was the CANN BRIDGE ALE HOUSE in Higher Walton, which opened its doors to the public on August 31st, initially with four handpumps dispensing cask ales. Effectively the Crankshaft Brewery tap, this micropub has been a great showcase for them with a succession of their beers being available, including Leyland Tiger Cub (5.5%), Tenterhook (5%), Flywheel (4.3%), and Fishwick 115 (4.3%). Other breweries to be featured in the early weeks

have included Cross Bay, Rock The Boat, and Farm Yard Ales, while a fifth handpump has now been installed to dispense a real cider.

Like many of the branch’s micropubs, the Cann Bridge Ale House has been providing live entertainment with music sessions on Sunday afternoons.

Exactly a week later and it was opening day for the WILKINS & PYE on Liverpool Road in Longton. For those unaware, this name has been devised as a tribute to Longton’s two long defunct rival breweries W & R Wilkins and James Pye & Sons, which were both once located on nearby Marsh

12

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Lane. Impressively the boars head symbol originally used by the Pye brewery, has been adopted as the pub’s logo. In many ways the Wilkins & Pye is not a typical micropub, as it is also a sports bar showing events on a couple of large television screens. It is also not typical in that it is selling just two handpumped beers, a house beer and a changing guest beer. The Wilkins & Pye House Session Ale (3.8%) is brewed

by Beer Brothers, while the guests have included beers from Lancaster Brewery and the Mobberley Brewhouse.

Completing this spate of three micropub openings on successive Fridays, on September 14th it was the BEER BOX on Station Road in Bamber Bridge that was opening for business. The Beer Box is certainly a micropub with an impressive choice for drinkers, with six handpumps dispensing five cask ales and one real cider, while there are also eight keg beers for those who have this preference. Lancashire breweries represented on handpump in the

opening weeks have included Beer Brothers, Bowland, Lancaster Brewery, and 3 Piers.

Just weeks after opening, the Beer Box went into partnership with the neighbouring Brig ‘n’ Barrel micropub in hosting a 10 days long Oktoberfest Beer Festival complete with German beers and Bavarian food.

Other news from Bamber Bridge is that pubs at both ends of Station Road are currently closed. At the Walton-le-Dale end the PEAR TREE closed in August, with a

rumour going around that it was likely to be converted into a restaurant. At the Lostock Lane end the OLDE HOB INN is also closed for the foreseeable future. The pub, which has a thatched roof, was the scene of serious fire damage on September 26th. The fire started in the chimney, and was sufficiently hazardous that six fire engines were needed to bring it under control.

In the last South Ribble Scene the possibility was indicated that the former WALTON-LE-DALE CONSERVATIVE CLUB may be the location for another micropub in South Ribble. Latest news on this is that a planning application was submitted in September for the building to have a change of use from being a private members club to it becoming a drinking establishment.

Information is that should this planning application get the go ahead then the pub will be named the ‘Taps & Wine Bar’.

Just over a year ago we were welcoming the re-opening of the OLD OAK at Hoghton, with it having been converted into the San Lorenzo Pizzeria Restaurant, an eaterie which had retained a bar selling three cask ales. Latest news is that this establishment is once again closed, and that it has had its windows boarded up. With its future

COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR taking place. Pictured following the presentation is CAMRA Central Lancashire Vice-Chairman Adrian Smith, with Black Bull General Manager Ian Robinson (holding the certificate) and Manager Carol Millen.

GORDON SMALL

In the last Ale Cry it was revealed that the BLACK BULL in Penwortham had been chosen as the branch’s first ever Community Pub of the Year winner. In August CAMRA Central Lancashire branch had a social at the pub with a presentation unclear, this is one of the many former Boddingtons pubs in the branch area that have had a troubled time in recent years.

Autumn has once again been a busy time for Beer Festivals at clubs in the South Ribble area, with Penwortham Cricket Club, Longton VM Club, New Longton Sports & Social Club, and St Gerard’s Parochial Centre all recently holding their annual events. South Ribble breweries represented at one or more of these Beer Festivals were Crankshaft Brewery and Chain House Brewery, while BEER BROTHERS BREWERY went one better by having their own Oktoberfest Beer Festival at their Walton Summit brewery premises.

Regarding CHAIN HOUSE BREWERY of New Longton, although they do not produce as much draught cask beer as we would like, they continue to be building up a great reputation for the quality of their keg and bottled beers. Latest plans are that there is to be a collaboration beer produced with Rivington Brewery in the run up to Christmas.

GORDON SMALL

THE WHEATSHEAF Spendmore Lane, Coppull, Nr Chorley, Lancashire

PR7 4NY

3 ever changing Cask Ales – including Prospect, Bank Top, Blackedge, Martland Mill & Coach House

FREE HOU SE

• Free entertainment: Jukebox — Monday Pool — Monday –Thursday Quiz — Wednesday 9:30pm • Friday/Saturday night live music • Sunday — Chase the Ace 12noon–5.45pm • Beer garden • Dogs & muddy boots welcome • Carling Premier & Strongbow Dark Fruits now being served.

OPENING TIMES

Monday – Thursday from 3pm

Friday from 2pm

Saturday & Sunday from 12pm

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

13

My Pint of View Over recent issues, My Pint of View has become a regular feature. It is normally a Q&A session between us and someone in the industry. In issue 119 we spoke to Gary Quinn at the Guild Ale House on the issue of cask v craft. There were some observations towards the end of this piece about where CAMRA is and what we should be doing. This was picked up on by Mick Barker at the Ale Station in Chorley, who has written this article in response. [Ed: this article should have appeared in Ale Cry 120, but due to a production gremlin, was omitted – sorry Mick]

I

n Ale Cry issue 119, a fellow licensee made several points and observations with which I identify and with which I agree. Interestingly, he described the current Campaign of Real Ale as a ‘beer club’, again an assessment with which I, sadly, concur. However, I would go further on this description of CAMRA. While being an accurate assessment of the current state of the campaign, it is not what a campaigning group should be.

As real ale drinkers we’re living in an unprecedented era. Small breweries galore have sprung up over the length and breadth of Britain - the greatest of brewing nations. This has increased choice and sparked innovation with lots of new ale styles being brewed. Many people now glibly say that CAMRA has achieved its objectives – after all, we’ve got thousands of breweries producing a diverse range of ales. Coupled with this, many free of tie outlets, like my own, have also opened, offering a route to market for the many new breweries. But with this brewing innovation has also come an increasing trend towards ‘kegged’ and canned product.

A significant number of brewers are now actively pushing keg ale and the Campaign for Real Ale has found itself in a ludicrously compromised position with its own events, like last January’s Manchester CAMRA festival, being more like an industry trade fair than a real ale festival. Bizarrely, canned and kegged products are in evidence across many brewery stalls at such CAMRA run events these days. Approximately 18 years ago I attended the East Lancashire CAMRA festival at which there was nothing but cask conditioned ale on offer. What has happened to CAMRA over the last decade or two? How has it so completely lost its way?

How can an organisation call itself the Campaign (working towards a particular goal) for Real Ale (…beer brewed from traditional ingredients (malted barley, hops, water and yeast), matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed, and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide…) and then platform non-real ales to the degree it now seems to do at it’s festivals? Easily apparently, CAMRA’s own definition of what it is supposed to be campaigning for is seemingly

There needs to be a clear argument presented for real ale as an aspect of our national heritage ignored as the new mantra seems to be, ‘if I like the taste of this or that drink, then its OK’. Well, I like drinking tea and coffee, but I don’t expect them to be promoted at a CAMRA event. It’s fine for people to choose to drink whatever they want to but, crucially, CAMRA should not be platforming and presenting non-real ale at its events or in its publications.

If there are enough people in the current CAMRA organisation who feel strongly that they should be advocating non-real ales, then they should start their own ‘beer club’ and leave protecting one of

14

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Britain’s unique cultural practices to CAMRA; the very campaign that initially set out to save and maintain the distinctive way us British brew, condition and dispense ale. Nowhere else in the world brews and dispenses ‘real ale’ like us. Real ale is naturally brewed, still a living, ‘conditioning’ product in the cellar and naturally carbonated. Nowhere else will you get a naturally carbonated ale – surely healthier than extraneously gassed and pasteurised keg stuff? Furthermore, many British real ales are subtly flavoured – a direct contrast to the heavily hopped ‘craft’ beer trend which started in the USA. As was pointed out in the last issue’s My Pint of View, such heavy hopping is necessary to impart flavour in beer that is dispensed at a significantly lower temperature than that of traditional British cask conditioned ale. Indeed, traditional mild and bitter are becoming endangered species in the rush to produce big hit, hop flavours. Worse still there is now a prevalent and incredibly arrogant attitude that old style ales (i.e. those not a part of the ‘hop forward’, metrosexual, hipster trend of the last decade) are somehow poor. I have even heard some of the new breed of brewers criticising long standing, often centuries old traditional English classic ales.

But therein starts different discussion…

Ironically, the possibility that stating that the Campaign for Real Ale should be about campaigning for real ale may be considered a controversial statement is testimony to how far the organisation has drifted from its fundamental, founding principles. I hope that the recent rejection by the membership of the most contentious aspect of the ‘revitalisation’ project (namely, to campaign for all beer, though it was not stated that directly in the mealy-mouthed, evasive language deployed by those who had put forward the revitalisation project suggestions) will result in CAMRA educating consumers and members about the differences in how beer is produced, conditioned and dispensed. Through doing this there needs to be a clear argument presented for real, cask-conditioned ale as an aspect of our national heritage, our uniqueness in the brewing world and, crucially, why a fully naturally produced product has so many advantages and is such a better product for the drinker than its extraneously fizzed, filtered/pasteurised beer alternative.

I started drinking real ale in the early 1980s and back then it was a battle to find cask-conditioned ale served in a well-kept state; where it was kept well, it was a revelation. More than 30 years on and we have loads of real-ale outlets, serving real ale in excellent condition. This is significant progress but some of the new breweries are now opening their own outlets in which there are more keg dispense fonts than real ale pumps. One of my regular customers has only just told me of his experience of this very phenomenon on a visit to a new brewery bar in Hull.

The relationship between CAMRA and a lot of the new breed breweries that have emerged in the last two decades is another point of interest. A significant proportion of the breweries now provide a range of kegged and canned beer and I believe this has created a further complication for CAMRA. The new breweries began as great proponents of the real ale cause, and the majority continue to be so, however, with such breweries growing and expanding their product range has come a muddying of the waters. CAMRA needs to advocate for the extraordinary range of cask-conditioned ale these

THE RED HERRING STE & MARY WELCOME YOU TO COPPULL’S TOP FREEHOUSE. Guest ales include

Bank Top, Reedley Hallows, Prospect, Wily Fox and many more

Live entertainment last Saturday of the month.

Sunday night quiz.

Ring Mill function room for hire.

OPEN

many breweries produce and, politely, refrain from getting involved with the rush to brew cold, heavily hopped USA style beer. On a local note, I was dismayed to see pictures of keg fonts from one such new brewery in the last edition of Ale Cry – why have these in a real ale magazine? Brewers can brew keg beer and consumers can drink it but the campaign for real ale should stick to what the organisation’s title unequivocally states.

MICK BARKER Ed: some strong words here, but I’m sure many of us can identify with much of what is written. On the question of selling non real ale (and other diverse products) at Beer Festivals, this is very much a commercial issue. Beer Festivals need to remain financially viable, and this means getting people through the door. If selling a wider range of products does this, then provided the main focus is on real ale (and at the Manchester Beer Festival it still very much is, despite the availability of non real beers) then is it really a big issue?

What this article does highlight, is the problem that CAMRA is now faced with. If we remain true to our roots, and campaign only for real ale we are pilloried by many people as being out of touch with the modern brewing scene and with beer drinkers in general. If we embrace the ‘new wave’ of beers and the breweries that produce them, we risk being accused of selling out. I think that’s what they call a ‘no win’ scenario. What do our readers think? Let us have your thoughts by email to editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk and we’ll print a selection in the next issue.

Hoppy Days M I C R O P U B

L O N G R I D G E

• 5 Rotating, Hand-Pulled Real Ales • 3 Natural Still Ciders • Bottled Beers • Wines + Spirits • Juices, Sodas + Snacks Open Hours: Monday : 4-8pm Wednesday : 4-9pm Thursday : 4-9pm Friday : 4-10pm Saturday : 1-10pm Sunday : 1-8pm

Monday–Thursday from 3pm Friday–Sunday from 12 noon

MILL LANE, COPPULL, CHORLEY, LANCS 01257 470130

CAMRA should stick to what the organisation’s title unequivocally states

PR7 5AN

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

15

HISTORIC PRESTON PUBS

PART 4 MEADOW STREET

I

n the latest instalment of our look back at some of Preston’s long closed pubs, we focus on the small area of streets sandwiched between the A59/A6 and Deepdale Road. In this issue we are indebted to the contributions of my friend of many years standing, Tony Wilson, a life long resident of the Preston area, who introduced me to the delights of Preston pubs back in the mid 1970s, and spent his formative years in this part of the city. His anecdotes, and those of his brother John, help bring to life the pubs that used to stand in these streets.

Having served the community for over a century, all these pubs were swept away in just 12 years!

So let’s start our exploration on Meadow Street, just a few yards in from the junction with the A6 and opposite St. Ignatius church. Here

stands the remains of the CLOVER, a Tetley’s pub that was originally a mid- terraced property but became a detached during the demolitions/ redevelopments of the 60s. Tony Wilson recalls: ‘This was my dad’s local, a fairly basic community pub with a small vault and larger lounge.

John Dixon was the landlord between 72–74 and he was followed by Bob Dickinson. Then came Norman and Christine Rae who had the pub from 76–80. They worked hard and built the business up before moving on in 1980 to the Farmers Arms in Churchtown, near Garstang, where they excelled in good food and ales. The pub had a varied history subsequently, finally closing in 1998 when it was converted into flats. It has been boarded up since about 2010.’

Just a few doors further along stood the MEADOW ARMS. (TW) ‘This pub was next door to our house at 40 Meadow Street. Sam Baines was landlord in the 50s and 60s.

My parents sold the house to Vaux

16

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Brewery in 1961 and the pub was extended into No. 40! I remember the builders knocked through into our old front parlour and smashed up our old piano which we had left in situ. Bill Smith had the pub from 1967 to 1985. He was bald but one day he appeared in a scruffy red wig.

We were all too polite to mention it, even though it seemed to have a life of it’s own. He built up the business and I remember taking Eileen, my then girlfriend (and now wife), in on Monday nights. We’d sit in my old front parlour and watch Alias Smith and Jones. We’d have three pints of bitter, two cokes and two bags of crisps and have change from 50p.

Bill Smith installed a large colour TV for the 1970 World Cup, possibly one of the first in a pub in Preston.

It was standing room only. In 1985 it became MR PICKWICK’S before closing in 1996.’

It’s a short walk to our next two pubs, along Meadow Street and turn left on to St Paul’s Road. A little way along is Shaw Street and on the corner of this and Egan Street was

the STONE COTTAGE. This Matthew Brown pub was built of Longridge stone in the mid 1800s, and is thought to have been the house of the commanding officer of the Fulwood Barracks. Note the G carved in the centre of two interlocking triangles in the apex of the gable end – a government symbol which can also be found at the Barracks. It appears that it’s original use was short lived as it was first recorded as a pub in 1853. For four years between 1979 and 1982 the pub was listed in the Good Beer Guide, finally closing in 2008, having for a short time carried the name LA’S BAR. (TW) ‘This was a typical back street pub with a round bar and was reputed to be haunted.

I had my first beer in a pub here at Christmas 1966, aged 14 and a half.

A pint of mild at one and nine pence (8.5 new p). In the early 1990s the pub stopped serving draft beer and went bottles and cans only.’

Back on to St. Pauls Road and up to the corner of Swarbrick Street, brings us to our next venue,the HYDE PARK, which was a Bass pub having previously been owned by Catterall

Square stood the EDINBURGH CASTLE, a Tetley pub. This was on a corner opposite St Paul’s Church, which later became Red Rose Radio.

The pub was renamed Red Rose in the 80s, before closing in 2006.

Just round the corner and up at the end of East Street stood the STEPHENSONS ARMS. Another Catterall’s pub. This later became CHURCHILL’S before closing in 2008. TW ‘my only recollection is that it was quite a large corner pub.

I remember drinking Watneys Red Barrel there in the late 60s.’

East View runs along the end of East Street and a short distance down here on the corner of Newton Street stood another pub that over the years carried a number of names.

Originally it was a Matthew Brown pub known as the SIR ROBERT PEEL, which had an entrance on Newton Street. In 1983 it was turned into the HOLLYWOOD BAR, with the entrance now on East View. Under this new incarnation it was one of the early ‘fun pubs’ with drag acts and table dancing (among other attractions). In 2002, there was

& Swarbrick. (TW) ‘In the 1970’s the pub was renowned as the mecca for underage drinking! During the 1980s the Landlord, known as “Judsy” was an occasional extra on Coronation Street.’ The pub closed in 1996 and has subsequently been demolished.

If you now retrace your steps virtually to the Meadow Arms and turn down the bottom end of Egan Street, you come to the WINDSOR CASTLE. (TW) ‘This was a basic community pub serving good quality Thwaite’s ales. It sat on a corner site and still had outside toilets. There was a change of licensee in 1989 and the new one (Fred) persuaded Sir Tom Finney to pull the first pint on opening night.’ In 1993 it achieved it’s sole entry in our Good Beer Guide, before closing in 2001.

A bit further down on St. Pauls www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

17

S T E WA RT G R I E V E D E S I G N LT D

another change of name, when it reopened as FINNEY’S SPORTS BAR. Licensee John Cotton turned the pub into a thriving sport’s bar, with a number of large TV’s. He also reintroduced real ale, and the pub won the 2004/5 Pub of the Season as well as being featured in the Good Beer Guide from 2006 to 2008. It closed in 2010 and is now a travel agent.

Our final pub in this section was at the bottom of Deepdale Road, on the corner opposite the prison gates. The COUNTY ARMS was originally a Chester’s pub, later Whitbread. The pub closed in 2006 and has subsequently been demolished.

ADRIAN SMITH All the excellent photographs used to illustrate this series of articles come from the Jim Holderness collection, and we gratefully acknowledge this and being able to use them. In part 5 we will be looking at the Plungington Road area.

GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR PRINT With more than 15 years experience I offer friendly graphic design services with a keen eye for detail. Designs ranging from flyers, brochures, catalogues, and books are all assured the same commitment and creativity, guaranteeing projects exceed expectations.

w w w.stewar tgrieve.co.uk stew@stewar tgrieve.co.uk 07761 335 847

THE POTTERS ARMS BROOK STREET, CHORLEY

Three Bs Doff Cocker Black Sheep Best Bitter + Guest ales from local breweries

Don’t miss Tuesday All cask ales £1.99 A real pub with darts, dominoes, pool, and a real fire

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

18

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

FREE

SUMNERS IS NO MORE

S

adly, the SUMNERS on Watling Street Road was demolished on 5th October. Once it was one of Preston North End fans favourite watering holes, serving vast quantities of Boddingtons Bitter. It has declined in recent years under Greene King ownership and lacklustre management, and the building was showing signs of neglect.

It closed earlier this year, was offered for sale and bought in August by the MFCT Trust. Pete Marquis, local demolition contractors, were appointed to demolish the building presumably with the intention of redeveloping the site for some use other than as a pub.

They first tried simply giving the Council notification of the intention to demolish the pub. However, the Council did not fall for that one. For the last couple of years, actual planning permission has been needed to demolish a pub, following a successful campaign by CAMRA to protect these valuable assets from aggressive developers.

So a planning application to demolish was made, and registered at the end of August.

According to the Council planning officer’s report, supporting information states that the building has not been used as a pub since it was sold. “It is stated and confirmed that there are suitable alternative public

houses within the area including: The Withy Trees to the West; The White Hart to the East and The Royal Consort to the South.

Additionally there are also alternative public houses within the area, these being: The Anderton Arms – Longsands Lane, and the Black Bull – Garstang Road. It is considered that, as the building was vacant and could no longer support a viable public house …”

Although the White Hart is nearby, the Withy Trees is almost one mile away, the Royal Consort and Anderton Arms one mile away and the Black Bull over two miles.

If the Council thinks these are reasonable alternative community facilities for local residents and North End fans, it clearly has no interest in providing community facilities for its residents.

Also, in the report, the Council’s Environmental Health officers say that the condition of the building was in a state that could potentially cause danger to the public due to the degree of damage sustained from vandalism. This is surprising considering that the site was secured with Heras fencing (as around a building site), and there is no evidence that Pete Marquis ever submitted a structural report to demonstrate the claimed poor condition. What they did do was remove the roof tiles before even applying

Top left: old Sumners Hotel and Royal Garrison 1985 (Edwin Williams), Top right: 2017 (Helen Woodward), Bottom: New Sumners shortly after construction, late 1980’s (Jim Holderness)

for permission. This means water would have penetrated the interior, but hardly made the building dangerous. If the Council Building Regulations department consider a building dangerous, can they not take action to require a building to be made safe? Did they do so? Were they even involved?

It looks as if pressure was put on the Council by the applicants to allow quick demolition – they had intended to demolish it even earlier if the prior notification procedure that they tried had been accepted – and that the Council has caved in very easily.

CAMRA submitted a detailed objection to the planning application on the grounds that other pubs in the area (Royal Garrison and Deepdale) have already closed and that demolition would leave the area without adequate pub provision, contrary to both national planning policies and Preston Council’s Local Plan policy on Protection of Community Facilities. The Council dismissed our objection as raising concerns about “the loss of a community facility”. It considers that the pub was no longer viable, with no evidence of this other than apparently a statement by the applicant, and that there is adequate alternative provision, one mile away!

So, the Council has granted permission on the ground that demolition is in accordance with national policy and the Local Plan and there are no other material considerations to indicate against demolition. This lets the demolition contractor off completely for jumping the gun and demolishing in advance of permission being granted.

It also sets an awful precedent for the loss of other pubs in Preston. Apparently it is now easy for any pub owner who wants to demolish their pub and redevelop the site.

All they need to do is: Close it; Damage the building; and Claim that it has become dangerous.

The Council will then not take any action to protect the pub/community facility. As long as there is some other pub vaguely in the same area, they think demolition will comply with Council policy and permission will be granted.

This will not apply to pubs which are listed buildings, and maybe not to ones in Conservation Areas, but every other pub is desperately vulnerable.

The immediate concern is the Boars Head at Barton. A planning application to demolish that pub was lodged before the application to demolish the Sumners, and the pub has been damaged since it closed so it is in poor condition.

However, the Council has not made a decision yet. Will they take the same soft line, favouring the developer rather than the community? Or will they take a more robust attitude? www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

19

Just before demolition 2018.

The differences at the Boars Head are that: 1 it is on the Council’s own Local Heritage List for the rural areas of Preston, which includes buildings of some historical and architectural interest that contribute to the character of an area and are valued by local people; 2 It is designated as an Asset of Community Value by the Council following an application by the local Barton Heritage Group; and 3 It is (was) the only traditional pub in the village, the other business, the Sparling, being mainly a restaurant.

We can only hope that these factors will persuade the Council to take a different stance and refuse the application to demolish the Boars Head.

But the Council’s attitude to pubs is not encouraging. In addition to approving the demolition of the Sumners, they have on three occasions refused applications by CAMRA to designate other pubs as Assets of Community Value, the Shawes Arms at Frenchwood, Wellington at Ashton and Horns at Goosnargh. The Boars Head is the only pub that Preston Council has so designated.

This is not the planning department, the decisions are made by the Community Involvement Team. But, generally Preston City Council do not seem to believe that pubs are of Community Value, a view that I suspect most of our readers would disagree with.

DAV E L I N L E Y P ub P ro tect ion Officer

Masons Arms Most Improved Pub of the Year 2018

· · · ·

4 rooms 2 bars 6 rotating cask ales Gin and wine bar

98 HARPERS LANE, CHORLEY PR6 0HU

· · · ·

Ciders, lagers and spirits Fresh snacks daily Open everyday Free wifi

LIVE MUSIC 20

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

· · · ·

Sky, BT & Racing Dog friendly Family friendly Monday night quiz

PUB OF THE YEAR 2019

L

ast year we changed the way we selected our Pub of the Year (POTY).

In an effort to make the voting process more transparent and inclusive, we opened up the voting so all branch members could take part. We had over 140 votes, which is about 10% of the total membership – which was very encouraging. In a tightly fought contest, the eventual winner was the Guild Ale House in Preston. How quickly a year passes and it’s now time to start the voting process again.

The nationally agreed POTY criteria are as follows: • Quality of Beer/Cider/Perry • Style, Décor, Furnishing and Cleanliness • Service, Welcome & Offering • Community Focus and Atmosphere • Alignment with CAMRA Principles • Overall Impression By using these criteria, we hope our winning pub will stand a better chance in the county and regional rounds of the competition.

Voting is now open and will close on 28th February 2019. The result will be announced via our website, Facebook page and Twitter feed as soon as the votes have been counted.

We expect the presentation of the award to be made in April with a full write up in the Summer Ale Cry (Issue 123). The long voting window is deliberate – the pubs are well spread geographically and we would encourage members to visit all the pubs before voting (rather than just voting for the one they regularly go in), to enable them to make a truly informed decision on this year’s nominations.

Having decided that the current holder of this award will not be eligible the following

year, the committee has drawn up a shortlist of 6 candidates and these are: • Ale Station, Chorley • Golden Tap, Leyland • Mad Hatters, Preston • Malt‘n’Hops, Chorley • Masons Arms, Chorley • Moorbrook, Preston Voting for this award is open to all branch members and can be done in a number of ways: • by email to: secretary@centrallancs.camra.org.uk • by hand at any branch meeting during the voting window • by completing a form which will be available from the bar at all the eligible pubs and leaving it behind the bar, from where it will be collected.

However you chose to vote, you must include your name and membership number and you can only vote once!

Branch Secretary, Gordon Small has once again agreed to act as the ‘returning officer’.

This is a great opportunity for all branch members to contribute to the selection of our Pub of the Year. If you want to have your say, you need to be a member – so join up now! You can find a membership form inside the back cover of this magazine.

TRADES HALL CLUB Bamber Bridge 3 Handpumps for real ale Other drinks at bargain prices inc. San Miguel and Warsteiner.

CAMRA members welcome.

(Discounted prices on production of valid membership card)

Membership available all year round.

154c Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancs. PR5 6TP http://www.trades-hall.co.uk

Acts on every Saturday.

Bingo every Wednesday and Saturday.

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

21

JD Wetherspoons are proud to support CAMRA in Central Lancashire

Tellers The Twelve reet, Preston 15 Church St

Sir Henry Tate New Marke t Street, Ch orle

y

Grey Friar 144 Friarga te

, Preston

The Leyland Lion 60 Hough Lane, Leyland

3 permanent beers available Ruddles, Abbot Ale and Doom Bar with a wide choice of rotating guest ales 22

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCS BRANCH AND …

DEFUNCT MICROBREWERIES

I

n previous articles I have written about some of the larger breweries that once existed in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. For this article I am considering the now defunct microbreweries that have come and gone during the lifetime of CAMRA. The first appeared as long ago as 1976, in a part of our branch area that is now the responsibility of CAMRA Southport & West Lancashire branch. The location was Rufford, at the NEW FERMOR ARMS on Station Road, which became a brewpub when landlord Alan Mawdesley began brewing his Fettlers beers – Bitter, Mild, and Lager. Although the beer was handpumped, it did not initially meet with the approval of CAMRA as it was stored under pressure in tanks. In 1981 the pub was purchased

by Tetley Walker, and for several years the beer available was the more acceptable Blezards Bitter. In 1987 the pub reverted back to being a free house, with Fettlers Bitter returning. The brewery survived a few more years until May 1992, when the pub was closed to be converted into a residential care home.

Next on the scene was the LEYLAND BREWERY COMPANY in 1983. This was established by local CAMRA member Ian Bignell who realised an ambition to set up a small brewery at the rear of his off-licence premises near the Leyland Cross. Ian first produced a beer called Tiger Ale, then later introduced Old Cross Ale, but his restricted brewing capacity meant that sales were effectively limited to his own off-licence.

The Leyland Brewery Company proved to be a relatively short-lived venture, and by mid-1985 it was all over with Ian selling up

with the intention that he and his family emigrate to Australia.

In June 1992 Preston got its first brewery for almost 25 years when the LITTLE AVENHAM BREWERY was started up by Dave Murray in the cellar of the Gastons pub on Avenham Street.

The first brew was Clog Dancer, and this was soon followed by

beers named Pickled Priest, Torchlight, and Pierrepoint’s Last Drop. For several years Little Avenham Brewery was a thriving business, and the beers became increasingly available in pubs throughout the country.

However in mid-1995 Gastons was sold, and the brewery was re-located to the Preston Wine Company premises on Hawkins Street. A licence was obtained to run a bar at the new site, but without Gastons as a regular outlet, trade inevitably suffered and in January 1998 the brewery closure was announced.

Later in 1992 Preston got a second brewery, with ex-Matthew Brown man Graham Moss setting up the aptly named PRESTON BREWING COMPANY with his business partner Neil Coulton. This brewery was located on Brieryfield Road in Preston,

and beers produced included Pride Ale, Pride Dark Mild, Walburges Splendid Porter, and Tom Finney. Not having its own pub, the Preston Brewing Company struggled to find outlets for its beers, and midway through 1993 it was decided to have a name change to Atlas Brewery. This failed to make a significant difference, and in 1994 the brewery was closed.

Moving on to 2001 and the OLD WHEELTON BREWERY was founded by ex-John Smiths employee Steve Turner at the Dressers Arms in Wheelton. This pub, which was part of the Marsden Inns group, had brewing equipment which was visible through a glass panel behind the bar. Beers produced for the Dressers and other pubs in the group, included Big Frank’s Bitter, Just A Flyer, and Milk Of Amnesia. After a couple of years brewing became more sporadic and it eventually ceased in 2004, with Pictish Brewery actually supplying Old Wheelton beers to the pub for a short period.

Next, there was CHORLEY BREWHOUSE, a comparatively short-lived brewery, which was located in the Coppull Enterprise Centre on Mill Lane. This brewery appeared in 2012, with beers such as Grain Pole, Napper Tapper, White Coppice, and Black Coppice being produced. In the event the brewery was only in operation for about six months, and early in 2013 it was announced that the Chorley Brewhouse was no more.

A more recent casualty has been the GOOSNARGH BREWERY, which was located at the Horns Inn, Goosnargh, where landlord Mark Woods had long had plans to set up a brewery. Housed in a small outbuilding in the pub grounds, Goosnargh Brewery produced its first beers in April 2013, utilising equipment that had previously belonged to Grindleton Brewery of Clitheroe.

The regular beers produced were Goosnargh Truckle, Pale, Red, Gold, and Bit O’Blonde, these beers also being sold at a handful of other regular outlets. In 2016 the Horns Inn was put up for sale, although it was thought a possibility that Goosnargh Brewery may survive. However in 2018, when a sale eventually went through, the brewery equipment was surplus to requirements and it was sold off.

In November 2016 there was much interest when Thwaites Brewery unveiled the refurbished Grill & Grain At The Boatyard pub at Riley Green. It was revealed that over £1 million had been spent on the www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

23

refurbishment, with a major attraction being the on-site GRILL & GRAIN BREWERY which could be viewed from outside the pub through large windows.

Beers produced by visiting brewers from Thwaites Brewery were Ruby, IPA, and Gold.

Unfortunately in April 2017, less than six months after opening, the pub was severely damaged by a fire, and at the time of writing its future would still appear to be uncertain.

24

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Next a strange one, the BRINDLE DISTILLERY which had built a fine reputation for producing Cuckoo Gins in recent years. In 2017 they opened the Cuckoo’s Nest bar at their Holmes Farm premises, and for a while they brewed their own beer for sale on open days. Beers produced were Time O’Clock Tom and Foggy Fozzy, but brewing appears to have stopped in June 2018 with the bar having to close due to them not having the appropriate planning permission.

Another brewery to bite the dust in 2018 has been the PARTRIDGE BREWING COMPANY based at the Dog & Partridge pub in Chipping. This brewery was another short-lived venture, and there will be very few people reading this article who will have sampled their beers. Brewing commenced in 2017, and that year the brewery participated in a ‘Meet The Newer Brewer’ event at the Hoppy Days micropub in Longridge. A few months into 2018 the

Dog & Partridge shut and was up for sale.

The brewery is currently closed although the owners are looking into the possibility of restarting brewing at another location.

As well as the microbreweries detailed above, I should perhaps mention a few other brewery names that seem to have vanished in recent years. ARKWRIGHT’S BREWERY was around from 2010 to 2016, but was then superseded by the mysterious Darkwave Brewing company, which itself has not been seen in local pubs for quite some time. BISHOP’S CROOK BREWERY of Penwortham (brewing since 2013) and THIRD EYE BREWERY of Heskin (brewing since 2015) are both breweries that have been largely inactive now for well over a year.

HART BREWERY operated in Preston from 2010 to 2018, but has now been renamed Oscar’s Brewery, and in 2019 is expected to be re-located to Nelson. Finally there is SMART’S BREWERY which was in existence from 2011 to 2013 and which produced a beer called Smart Arse. Although it had an address in Lostock Hall, it is understood that their brewing was done by Wessex Brewery in Wiltshire.

Here I have summarised the defunct microbreweries that once existed in the branch area. Keep reading Ale Cry for news on the many microbreweries (and nanobreweries) that are still up and running in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area.

GORDON SMALL

COPPULL CONSERVATIVE CLUB

20% discount for camra members 20+ Gins 2 rotating real ales Pool & snooker table HD Big Screen Live entertainment

Opening Mon—Thurs 7—12pm Fri 5—12pm Sat&Sun 2—12pm

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

25

ALE CRY VISITS… LONGTON

W

e last went to this area of our branch as an organised trip in 2012. There have been a few changes since, and with the opening of a micropub in the village, we thought it was about time we went again. The trip in 2012 was the first time we had used Bob’s Minibus as our mode of transport, so it was fitting that this would be the first outing since his retirement. We are now using FS of Penwortham for our jaunts.

Like last time, we decided to start at the

farthest point and work back in; this being what is now called TH’OWD SMITHY INN at Much Hoole. It is part of the Holt Pub Co, which has several outlets in the North West, all of which are run as free houses. One to look forward to is their latest development on Avenham Street in Preston which should open in the next few months. The Smithy is a traditional village pub that has been opened out somewhat, but can soon become busy and quite full. There are four handpumps, with Lancaster Amber (3.6%) and Moorhouses White Witch (3.9%) as regulars (£2.90 a pint), plus two changing guest beers each week. When we arrived, the one guest was Beer Brothers IPA (3.8%) but this was soon removed from sale and we were left with the two regulars. The pub opens at 12.00 except for Mon & Tue when it is 4pm and closes at 11.30 (midnight Fri/Sat, 10.30 Sun). There is usually live music every week and a quiz on Tuesday.

We next went down to the WALMER BRIDGE INN, another good community

26

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

local, this time with two rooms consisting of a comfortable lounge on the left and a smaller vault. Three handpumps on the bar, where you should usually find Weetwood Cheshire Cat (4% at £3.40 a pint) as they sponsor the pub for their Cask Marque accreditation, plus a Kirkby Lonsdale beer at weekends and then a changing guest beer. This was Bradfield Farmer’s Blonde (4%) on this visit. BT Sports feature and outside there is a large garden and children’s play area with a car park to the rear. It is open 4pm (2pm Sat, Sun) until midnight each day).

We did not have time on this trip to stop off at the LONGTON ARMS which usually has beers from the Robinsons range on sale, as we were off to visit the Dolphin (Flying Fish) on the edge of Longton marsh. We also sailed past School Lane, down which can be found LONGTON VM SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB. Luckily, I got to visit it a couple of days later and I can report that, although labelled as a club, it has a premises licence and is open to everyone.

Often serving beers from the vast Marstons range on its two handpumps (Ringwood Boondoggle at 4.2% on my visit) it frequently has interesting guests beers on sale such as Dunscar Monroe Blonde (3.8%) or a Beer Brothers ale on one of the pumps. Open from 7.30pm till 11pm, it has two modern lounges and a public bar with a snooker table and veranda overlooking the two bowling greens. It holds a beer festival every September.

As I said, we made our way to the DOLPHIN the isolated pub at the end of Marsh Lane. It is now part of Green Crab Pub Co, a small, family run collection of pubs in the Longton and Tarleton area including the Rams Head and Village Inn, and retains its cosy atmosphere in the wood floored public bar to the right of the main entrance. There are usually three ever changing real ales on, all at £2.80 a pint and we could choose on this visit from Roosters Buckeye (3.5%) or Dunscar Monroe Blonde, Lytham Lowther

having just run out, with Hawkshead Windermere Pale set to be on next. For those requiring sustenance, there is a large and varied menu available both in the bar and the restaurant in the rear conservatory The pub is open noon till late depending on who is in, with food served 12–2 & 5–8.30 Mon–Fri, 12–2 & 5–9 Sat, and 12–7 Sunday.

Riding back into the village, we headed for one of the main reasons for this trip, which was to visit the new micropub: WILKINS AND PYE. Named after the two long defunct brewers based in Longton, it occupies the former premises of the Tipsy Toad off-licence on the main road through the village. Quite compact inside, there are two real ales on the bar, one of which is the semi-permanent W&P House Session Ale brewed for them by Beer Brothers, the other is an ever changing selection of local brews.

On our visit it was Lancaster Brewery Hoppy Daze, a 3.8% beer at £3.10 a pint. There is live sports on the screens and they serve bar snacks such as chicken wings, nachos, burgers, and loaded fries. They are open all days from 4–11 weekdays and from noon at weekends, closing at 10.30 on Sunday.

Just opposite from there is the RED LION, where the only real ales are Greene King IPA and Bombardier Gold. It has a spacious interior and is a popular live music venue at weekends; it also shows live football. There was a pub quiz on that Thursday.

We moved on the short distance to the GOLDEN BALL OF LONGTON as it is now known, on the main road at the junction with Marsh Lane. Although the focus these days is on food, there is plenty of room for the casual drinker with a designated ‘tap room’ to the left on entry; besides which, there is plenty of room when the diners go. Alongside the highly praised food, you would find four real ales on sale. Three of these are regulars, being Castle Rock Harvest

Pale, a tasty 3.8% beer, Moorhouses Blond Witch at 4.5%, and Sharp’s Atlantic (4.2%).

The fourth pump has a changing range of guest beers which on our visit was Black Sheep Holy Grail, a 4% beer (dedicated to Monty Python). A pub since 1822, it was once the Wilkins brewery tap, the brewery being situated just behind the pub on Marsh Lane.

The pub is open all day from 12–11, except Monday, when it is 4pm–11. Meal times are 12–9 Tues–Sun. There is live acoustic music every Sunday from 4pm.

Back along the road past W&P you will find the BLACK BULL, a popular community

local. Open plan with TV and games area towards the rear, it has just got a new landlady by the name of Janine. It is her first pub, but she has worked at the Walmer Bridge Inn previously. For many years the pub sold one beer from Copper Dragon. Now there are two handpumps, one permanently selling Wainwrights (I would prefer the previous beer) and the second to be a changing guest. So far these seem to have been Black Sheep Best Bitter and Hobgoblin Gold. It is open 12–12 (1am Fri & Sat).

The final pub in the village is the RAMS HEAD, a pub/restaurant also belonging

to the Green Crab Pub Co, opposite St Andrews Church. There is a large bar room on the left and a separate dining room.

Two beers were available, the ubiquitous and mysteriously popular Wainwrights, plus a changing guest – on this occasion, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. The pub is open 12–11 throughout (10pm Sun), meals served 12–2 and 5–8 (8.30 Fri &Sat) and 12.30–6.30 Sun. Visiting Longton from Preston (and Southport) is very easy as the No 2 bus passes regularly through the village, even in the evening.

PAU L R I L E Y

CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2019

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

27

THE

OLD VIC SUNDAY NIGHT QUIZ WITH CASH JACKPOT

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 25 cask ales including many local brewers each week • 50p Wetherspoons vouchers now redeemed

• New enlarged outdoor area with large screen TV

• Included in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

• Outside area now covered and heated

• Upto 20 gins on our new gin menu

• Live music all summer

• Live train arrival and departure times shown

• Sky/BT showing all major sporting events

Fishergate, Preston Opposite Preston Railway Station 01772 828519

28

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

PRESTON PARADE

L

et’s get this out of the way first.

Full details of what went on at the SUMNERS appear elsewhere in this Ale Cry. Here is my take on the issue. Nobody involved with this debacle comes out of it well. Firstly, Greene King, the owners of this pub, have shown their ineptitude in allowing the pub to be run down so badly. Back in the days when this was a Boddingtons house, it sold 16 hogsheads every week – nearly 7000 pints. Secondly, after the developers had flaunted the regulations and demolished the pub before they had the required planning permission, Preston Council planning department simply rolled over and gave the permission retrospectively. To say that the building was a danger to the public, after they allowed them to remove the tiles from the roof is a joke. When Councillor Stuart Greenhalgh questioned the removal of the tiles, he was told that this did not form any part of the demolition process and did, therefore, not require permission. Are they for real? How come the Spindlemakers pub on Lancaster Rd. which closed nearly 25 years ago is still standing and has not become a danger to the public? I think there was a part of wish fulfilment going on here.

Anyway, let’s get on with the good news.

The NORTHERN WAY, on Friargate, was opened in October by Amber Taverns in what was once O’Neills and latterly Shenanegans, and a fine job they have made of it too. Spacious yet cosy, with two gas fires, it is comfortably laid out with a raised area to the rear. In the centre there is a glazed atrium with a black and white tiled floor and throughout there can be

found interesting artworks including both macabre pictures and clowns. There are eleven TV screens showing all sports and a heated roof terrace. Under the control of manager Liam, there are four handpumps and he plans to have an ever-changing range of beers sourced both locally and nationally. Additionally there will be international craft beers plus cocktails and gins from around the world. They aim to be competitive with Wetherspoons on prices, charging £2.30 for all cask ales. They are open 10am–11pm weekdays remaining open till 1am weekends. Future plans include having Northern Soul Nights and other similar events.

Just over the road, the long awaited PLAU was finally due to open on November 16th, after a gestation period of three years. This magazine will have gone to press before it opens, so I cannot describe its interior, but it should be spectacular, with wood panelling, raised areas, views of its historic gin still and its own well and other original features.

Four real ales were promised and knowing

the track record of Jeremy Rowlands other ventures, we should expect a wide ranging choice of real ales from far and wide. It will also major greatly on gins of all descriptions which fits in well with archaeological finds that were made in the cellar that caused the long delay in its opening. Now extending over four floors, there is room for over 200 people including a dining area. I am sure it will prove to be worth waiting for. Full details including opening times can be found on our WhatPub website.

Rather quicker in its appearance will be a new venture on Winckley Street, off Fishergate that plans to be open by late November. To be called OTTER’S POCKET, it is the brainchild of Mark O’Rourke, who also owns both a Spanish restaurant called Fino and the burger bar We Don’t Give a Fork. The Otter’s Pocket is a pie and ale house with Mark making the pies himself.

There will be three cask ales supplemented with other ales, 50 wines and typical spirits.

Mark says it will be somewhere you can get a pie and a pint before you go out, but

I assume a casual drinker won’t be turned away, with it being open between noon and 11pm Sun-Thurs and 12–12 Fri/Sat. The long delayed refurbishment of the OLD BLACK BULL on Friargate finally took place recently and it turned out rather well, with the retention of the vault, new upholstery, revamped toilet facilities and having been redecorated throughout.

Leased from Greene King by the Funky Owl group, the new licensee is Siobhan Cahoon and she plans to have five changing guest ales eventually. Teething troubles at the outset led to the pub often running out of real ale, but hopefully this can be overcome and its popularity restored, especially with televised sport returning. There is also live music on Friday and Saturday evening and a pub quiz on Tuesday. Future plans include introducing food and possibly accommodation. Even a beer festival is mooted. It is open 10am–midnight Mon– Thurs and until 1am otherwise, though they could shut earlier on Sundays. Along with all the other developments on Friargate, it is further good news for this part of town.

With the Wings and Beer Co running what is now known as the MARKET TAP at the top of Orchard St, a wider range of guest ales now appear on the bar and the pub is increasing in popularity. With a CAMRA discount of 10% on cask ales, the prices become competitive with, say, a £3.50 beer only £3.15 with the discount. Several beers from Farm Yard Ales have been on sale lately, these ales not being widely available hereabouts, along with other interesting guest ales. Well worth another look.

PAU L R I L E Y

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

29

Branch Diary Monday 3rd December Committee Meeting at Shepherds’ Hall Ale House, Chorley (7.30) Thursday 13th December Christmas Social at Mad Hatters, Preston Monday 7th January Committee Meeting at Guild Ale House, Preston

Discount Pubs All over the country, hundreds of pubs are offering a discount to card carrying CAMRA members. These pubs deserve your support and listed below are the ones in our branch area that we believe are offering a discount.

Adelphi, Preston

10%

Ancient Oak, Cottam

20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Anderton Arms, Fulwood

20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Bamber Bridge Football Club

20p per pint

Bay Horse, Euxton

10%

Black Bull, Fulwood

20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Monday 4th February Committee Meeting at Leyland Lion (7.30)

Black Bull, Penwortham

20p per pint

Bob Inn, Chorley

20p per pint

Thursday 21st February Branch Social, Cann Bridge Ale House, Higher Walton

Broughton Inn, Broughton

20p per pint

Fleece, Penwortham

10%

Monday 11 March Committee Meeting at Malt‘n’Hops, Chorley (7.30)

Grey Friar, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Guild (Fylde Rd), Preston

25p per pint

Saturday 23rd March Trip to Windmill Brewery, Parbold.

Minibus from Preston with Chorley pick up – timings TBA

Lane Ends, Ashton

10%

Leyland Lion, Leyland

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Market Tap, Preston

10%

All meetings start at 8pm unless shown.

Nabs Head, Samlesbury

20p per pint

Trips For further details and to book, contact Simon Crowe on 07852 165024 or email simonpdcrowe@gmail.com

Old Vic, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token except Thu when real ale is discounted for all customers

Pear Tree, Penwortham

20p per pint

Plough, Grimsargh

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

Plungington Hotel, Preston

20p per pint

Poachers, Bamber Bridge

10%

Preston Grasshoppers RFC

10%

Prince of Wales, Cowling Brow, Chorley

10%

Prince Of Wales New Market Street, Chorley

10%

Roper Hall, Preston

10%

Sir Henry Tate, Chorley

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Smiths Arms, Lea Town

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

Tap & Vine @ 69, Penwortham

10%

Trades Hall Club & Institute, Bamber Bridge

10%

Twelve Tellers, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Walton Fox, Bamber Bridge

20p per pint

Wellington, Ashton

Up to 25p per pint

Thursday 17th January Good Beer Guide Selection Trip (destination TBA) Minibus from Preston 7.15, return for 10.45 Thursday 24th January Branch Social & Pub of the Season Presentation at Dog Inn, Longridge

th

Advertising

With a print run of 6,000 and magazines available in pubs and clubs across the area and beyond, an advert in Ale Cry is probably the best value targeted advertising around.

Advert prices Quarter page: £55 Half page: £95 Full page: £175 Back page: £195 (not currently available) For further details contact: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Publication Dates

The next issue of Ale Cry will be published on 1st February 2018.

Deadline for copy and advert submission is 1st March 2018.

Trading Standards

For complaints about issues such as short measures, contact: Lancashire County Council Trading Standards County Hall, Pitt Street Preston, PR1 0LD. T: 0345 404 0506

30

CAMRA

Ale Cry

ISSUE 121 WINTER 2018

Wellington (Glovers Ct.), Preston 10% Wings & Beer Co., Preston

10%

Yates, Preston

10%

If you know of a pub offering a discount that is not listed here, or one is listed that no longer offers a discount, please let us know.

If you are a licensee and are interested in joining the scheme then please contact editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Join up, join in, join the campaign From as little as

£25†

a year. That’s less than a pint a month!

Or enter your details and complete the Direct Debit form below and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and save £2 on your membership subscription

✂

Protect the traditions of great British pubs and everything that goes with them by joining today at www.camra.org.uk/joinup

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus, or call 01727 798440.* All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.

Your details:

Direct Debit

Title ................................ Surname ........................................................................................ Single Membership

Non DD

£25

£27

£30.50

£32.50

Forename(s) ........................................................................................................................... (UK & EU) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) ............................................................................................... Joint Membership

Address ................................................................................................................................... (Partner at the same address) ....................................................................................................................................................

For concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk .................................................................................. Postcode .............................................. or call 01727 798440.

Email address .........................................................................................................................

I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to Daytime Tel ............................................................................................................................ abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association which can be found on our website.

Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership)

Title ................................ Surname ...............................................................................

Signed ......................................................................................

Forename(s) ..................................................................................................................

Date ..........................................................................................

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) ......................................................................................

Applications will be processed within 21 days.

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road St. Albans, Herts AL1 4LW

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society To the Manager

Bank or Building Society

This Guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer.

The Direct Debit Guarantee

Service User Number

9

2

6

Address

1

2

9

l

This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits

l

If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request

l

If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society

l

If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign Real Ale Ltd asks you to

l

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

FOR CAMRA OFFICIAL USE ONLY This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society Membership Number Postcode

Name(s) of Account Holder

Name Postcode

Instructions to your Bank or Building Society Bank or Building Society Account Number

Branch Sort Code

Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale Limited and, if so, will be passed electronically to my Bank/ Building Society.

Signature(s)

Reference Date

✂

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

†Price of single membership when paying by Direct Debit. *Calls from landlines charged at local rates, cost may vary from mobile phones.