Ale Cry 124

Cry

issue 124, Autumn 2019 03 05 07 09

Pub of the Season: Plug & Taps Dave Linley Chorley Chatter My Pint of View

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Riley’s Rambles Branch Awards Real Ale Finder Historic Preston Pubs: Part 7

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South Ribble Scene Ich Dien Preston Parade Ale Trails

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH

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Ale

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

Chairman’s Welcome

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

Membership Secretary POST VACANT 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 POST VACANT e: pubprotection@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Cider Officer ED FLETCHER e: cider@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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

Ale Cry Editor ADRIAN SMITH

W

elcome to our Autumn 2019 edition of Ale Cry. Summer is coming to an end and shorter days and colder weather will be with us soon. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were experiencing record breaking temperatures with 38.7°C being recorded on the last Thursday in July (OK, this was in Cambridge, not in Central Lancashire but it was still very warm in our area too).

On a really hot day, some of us may have been tempted to swap our normal preference for cask ale for something colder and therefore deemed to be more refreshing. I recently came across more than one dedicated real ale drinker with a pint of cider or even lager on the table in front of them. When asked why this was the case, “it’s too hot for ale and this is colder” came the response.

OK, I can understand this, I get it, and although lager is a step too far for me personally, I am partial to a pint of real cider, particularly when the weather is hot.

According to Cask Marque, the recommended serving temperature for cask beer is 11–13°C. If the cellar is too warm or cold it will affect the conditioning of the beer, which is still an unfinished product on arrival. But Cask Marque’s research found one in three pints were served at over 14°C last summer, even in January, one in five were still too warm. On top of this, although the “ideal” temperature satisfies most regular drinkers, of those surveyed 64 per

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cent said they would like to try cask served below 11°C which is warmer than lager but colder than what they’re used to.

I am with the 64 per cent although I accept that if Real Ale is served too cold, then the flavour and taste will be compromised. I also accept that it comes down to personal preference. Whilst temperature is an important issue, the priority must be to drink consistently great quality cask beer that is well kept and in fine condition; there is nothing better.

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 regular 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: 07495 448555 e: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Social Secretary ALEX CALDERBANK t: 07401 020754 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 camra_central.lancs 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

of Pub season Autumn 2019 the

PLUG & TAPS PRESTON

T

his autumn’s Pub of the Season is a city-centre micropub that has just celebrated its first anniversary. In that time it has amassed a growing band of beer enthusiasts and regulars who are attracted to the always interesting and frequently changing beers, both cask and ‘crafty keg’. It is a venture of the Godwin family who also run the similarly-popular Market Ale House micro in Leyland.

Adam and Jack Godwin had been looking at the progress of micropubs in Preston and were thinking that the city centre could support another in the right location, when the Lune Street hairdressers shop came on the market. But as Adam Godwin relates, it wasn’t all plain sailing opening the pub – “after gaining a licence and having our offer accepted, we were nearly gazumped”, when a higher offer came in. After getting over that hurdle their opening date coincided with the 2018 heatwave and the cellar cooling systems had problems coping.

The name “Plug & Taps” is a nod towards its historical location, opposite the old Corn Exchange – the site of Preston’s “Plug plot riots” in 1842, where 4 demonstrators were killed by the authorities.

Check out the sculpture just outside.

There is a highly informative chalkboard listing the beers on offer. Adam posts a photo of it on their Facebook page every few days, so you can always have an idea what to expect.

With 4 handpumps and 10 taps, there are always 3 beers from Outstanding brewery and nearly always at least one from Rivington with the rest coming from breweries all over the country. (If you want to know what’s coming on next, the upcoming

pump clips are stuck on the top of the chalkboard!). The cellar has room for 8 casks – usually 4 online and another 4 settling. Beer turnover is usually pretty fast (one sold out in 5 hours) so you can be sure of a fresh and well-kept pint. Plus there is a large cans and bottles fridge that always has an interesting selection of beers and ciders, and that is going down well too.

Adam reckons that beer sales are probably around 50/50 cask to keg and he is happy when seasoned cask ale drinkers try some of the more unusual beer styles on keg (fruit beers, imperial stouts, sours etc). This is encouraged by selling beer in thirds, halves and two-thirds as well as pints.

If that isn’t enough, there are regular tap-takeovers that showcase beers from a single brewery – and again these are announced in advance on Facebook.

There is a chance that the next one will coincide with the CAMRA Central Lancs branch and social meeting there on Thursday 26th September, which is when we will be presenting the Autumn 2019 Pub of the Season award to the Plug &Taps. The social starts at about 8pm and all are welcome.

DAV E WO O L C O C K

THE POTTERS ARMS BROOK STREET, CHORLEY

Central Lancs Community Pub of the Year 2019

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.

FREE

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Central Lancs Community Pub of the Year 2018

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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

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

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

DAVE LINLEY

I

t is with great sadness that CAMRA Central Lancashire branch announce the passing of long-time local CAMRA member Dave Linley, who has died at the age of 64. He became ill while on holiday in Scotland and on returning home was not to recover.

Dave was involved with the branch for over 40 years, and was Chairman on two separate occasions, from June 1983 to June 1985, and from January 2012 to June 2014. In between these two spells, he was, with Dave Marsden, joint Editor of Ale Cry, with 56 issues being produced by them between 1995 and 2009 as the magazine developed into a much improved publication. For many years Dave had a permanent position as the branch’s Pub Protection Officer (previously Pub Preservation Officer), a job that he was ideally suited to, having worked for Preston Council for over 30 years in the Planning Department. Another responsibility taken by Dave was to be brewery liaison officer for Goosnargh Brewery, a role he carried out for five years from 2013 to 2018. Having highlighted him holding all the above positions, it is true to say that these are just some of the many jobs that Dave did for CAMRA Central Lancashire branch over the years.

Well known for his love of Stoke City, Dave was actually born in Colchester, although at an early age the family had moved to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. He spent time as a student at Oxford and at Hull, before commencing work in September 1978 when he moved to live in Preston. Apparently his arrival came on the same day that a serious fire almost destroyed the Victoria Hotel on Fishergate (now the Old Vic), an occurrence which he assured everyone was purely a coincidence.

Dave initially shared a house with CAMRA member Dave Jones, and within weeks of him coming to Preston he was attending a CAMRA branch meeting at the now long-closed Ribbleside pub on Broadgate. He did not take a backseat for long and in June 1980 became a committee member for the first time in the newly created position of Pub Preservation Officer.

A Planning Officer, his first job was working for South Ribble Borough Council at Leyland, but he did not stay there long and was soon to take up employment with Preston Council, where he was to remain for the rest of his working life. Dave took early retirement in 2011, but was subsequently to maintain a keen interest in local planning matters, particularly for the benefit of CAMRA Central Lancashire branch when there was a pub under threat.

As a CAMRA member Dave had a particular interest in the Good Beer Guide. Each year he would eagerly await the arrival of the new edition of the guide, and then once it was in his possession, he would meticulously trawl through it noting changes and planning out his travels around the country to visit pubs in the coming year.

Dave was also an enthusiastic follower of football. He was a Stoke City season ticket holder throughout his time in Preston, and in over 40 years must have missed barely a handful of their home games.

In later years he ensured that he would go to a game at least every Saturday by becoming a dedicated groundhopper, and during this period would think nothing of driving halfway across the country to get to a new non-league football ground.

He did have plenty of other interests. These included hillwalking (he was a collector of Marilyns and Munros); genealogy (he did his research long before the internet was to make this a much easier task); and European travelling (for about 25 years he arranged an annual holiday to Germany and surrounding countries for himself and his friends).

As many people will know Dave was most definitely a born organiser. Anyone who travelled with him on holiday, on a short break, or even one of his Yorkshire day trips, would be provided with a detailed itinerary of timings for bus journeys, meal breaks, pub stops, and even architectural church visits (for those holidays in Europe).

Dave’s unexpected death in July came as a great shock to everyone.

It was known that he had health problems, being a diabetes sufferer for most of his adult life, while in 2016 he had successfully undergone heart bypass surgery. With all this behind him, Dave was never one to let things get him down for long, and he was someone who was always planning out his next series of trips and outings for the future.

Dave has contributed so much to CAMRA Central Lancashire branch over the years and will be sadly missed by all his friends.

GORDON SMALL

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

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www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Chorley Chatter

I

t seems impossible to keep up to date with the changes at the moment. No sooner do we announce something in one issue, than the information is out of date.

In the last Chorley chatter, we told you that what had been Speakeasy / Warp & Weft on Chapel Street, Chorley had

closed. Well, we’re delighted to say that it has reopened again, with another new name, NELIPOTS. More a cafe bar than a micropub, there are two real ales on offer plus six keg taps for lagers and cider. The bar level has a small lounge, with a further lounge and ‘dining room’ (which can be hired) on the first floor. It is closed on Monday and Wednesday.

The MOOR INN on Moor Road has been in the news recently and it looks likely that the building will be demolished in the near future. It has been closed and boarded up for some time, but due to incidents of fly tipping, the council has now stepped in.

Curiously, for some time now, the pub has sported its earlier name, the Black Boy – a reference to when this part of Chorley had working coal mines.

Rivington Brewery have been operating from a small outbuilding at a farm on the outskirts of Chorley for a few years.

Their excellent unfined beers are regularly available locally in Shepherds’ Hall Ale House (Chorley) and Plug & Taps (Preston) – both in cask and keg formats. With the current operation pretty much at capacity, they are looking to expand. Planning permission has been obtained for a new larger brewery and tap room, at Home Farm on Horrobin Lane in Rivington (just a few hundred yards from their current home).

Having obtained planning permission and grant funding, they are hoping to have the tap room completed by mid-Autumn. Initial opening will be on Friday nights and all day Saturday & Sunday and should have a capacity for up to 60 people. There will be a couple of handpumps and a number of keg taps to showcase a wide range of their beers.

It was reported in the last Ale Cry

that PRIDE OF AGGI in Adlington was planning an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for change of use. There have been two applications for change of use put before Chorley Council and both have been turned down. The owners have now put in a further, final appeal, this time to the UK Government Planning Inspectorate. The pub is currently closed pending the outcome of this appeal.

The promised new micropub in Coppull opened in early June under the name CHEERS BAR. A visit during the first few days saw a bright and pleasant one room pub with 4 beers from Martland Mill on the bar. However after only 10 days trading the pub closed without any comment being made. This pub is owned by the same people behind the Pride of Aggi, and we have been told that the problem here is the same one – absence of planning permission. Strange indeed.

Having dealt with the openings and closings, a few other bits of news from around the area. At the RED LION in Wheelton, a plaque has appeared, stating that the pub has been awarded Timothy Taylor’s Champions Club status. The award is made to those pubs where the brewery’s beer is served in a consistently good

condition and thanks Phil & Sue for their ‘loyalty and tireless dedication to excellent cellarmanship’. It is the only pub in our area to be in this elite club and one of only a handful this side of the Pennines.

By the time you read this, the SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE in Chorley should be opening on Monday nights. It is good to see at least one of the micropubs in Chorley is going to be open on a Monday.

Last year we introduced a new award, for the Community Pub of the Year. We are delighted to announce that this years winner is the POTTERS ARMS in Chorley.

This is a true locals pub, with a strong emphasis on traditional pub games (it is rare to go in and not find a dominoes game in progress) and a strong commitment to raising money for charity. Ale Cry offers its congratulations to long time licensees Steve & Denise for all their hard work down the years. The award presentation will be on Thursday 19th September at about 8pm – and all are welcome.

Finally, while on the subject of presentations, the Summer 2019 Pub of the

Season was the YEW TREE at Angelzarke.

Not the easiest pub to get to, but a minbus load of members turned up to drink some excellent Blackedge beers and stand in the rain looking at the wonderful views from the pub beer garden. Ah, the British summer – you’ve got to love it.

ADRIAN SMITH www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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BREWERY & TAPROOM OPEN EVERY FRI & SAT

12PM TO 10PM

’ T E R C E S T P E K T S E B S ’ ‘PRESTON 7 rotating cask ales Craft beers and lagers 3 real ciders Large range of Belgian ales Wines & Prosecco

 Live

Music

 Quiet  Yard  Dog  Free

Lounge

of Ale

friendly Wifi

 Family Open everyday from noon till late 56 Lancaster Rd, Preston.

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friendly

My pint of view

B

eer Box opened on 13th September 2018, situated on Station Road in Bamber Bridge, just 300 yards down from fellow micropub Brig n Barrel. 12 months on as Beer Box celebrates its first birthday, we grabbed a few moments with owners Mark Bentham (Benny), Mark Murphy (Murf) and Darren Rooney to talk about what it’s like to open and run a micropub.

AC: Why did you decide to open a micropub and why Bamber Bridge?

BB: It was originally Benny’s idea; he’s worked in the trade for 20 years, mainly in Bamber Bridge, and is passionate about serving (and drinking) good quality beer. We all remember the days of pubs every 100 yards on Station Road and sadly many of those have closed. We could see an opening for a venue that would be a complete Free House, focussed on serving a good choice of ales and ciders from predominantly local breweries. The day after we first met to discuss it, we heard about another micropub (potentially two) also opening on Station Road! We could have let this change our plans but we saw this as a positive, two micropubs would compliment each other and hopefully attract more people to Bamber Bridge.

AC: What have been your biggest challenges so far?

BB: There always seems to be something to deal with running your own business but thankfully we have been able to deal with everything that has been thrown at us so far. Lack of storage space is constantly a challenge, we sell so much beer from so many different suppliers, inevitably we end up with a lot of empty barrels – getting suppliers to collect more regularly is a challenge, we had to borrow some off-site storage. We had an attempted break in, thankfully they didn’t gain entry but it cost us over £1,000 to fix the door and get extra security in place. We’ve also experienced some strange behaviour from a competitor using some questionable tactics, but we figure we must have their attention as we are doing things well so we just rise above it.

AC: What has been your highlight?

BB: There are so many to mention, it’s hard to pick just one. Our opening night with all our family, friends and tradesmen was certainly one; after 6 months of planning and hard work to get the pub open, it was nice to share the first few beers with all those who had helped us get there. Secondly, would be the Sunday afternoon sessions when the place is packed, we have live music on and there’s a real party atmosphere. St Patrick’s Day and the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May are two that spring to mind. People in Bamber Bridge love quality beer and live music! Lastly being named in the ‘top 50 pubs in the UK’ in a national newspaper, it came as a complete surprise as we didn’t even know they had visited our pub. Our customer’s feedback is the most important thing to us, but occasionally it’s also nice to get some third party recognition.

AC: Would you consider opening another venue?

BB: Definitely, if the right location comes up at the right time then we will look at it. We’ve already had discussions about potential venues, and about what we would keep the same and what we would do differently. It’s all about location and timing. We are also looking to continually improve Beer Box, the addition of outdoor seating at the front in early Summer proved very popular.

AC: What advice would you give to anyone else thinking of opening a micropub?

BB: Have a plan! We had a rough idea of layout and our plans crystalized as the work progressed. Our tradesmen were excellent and really patient with us but we did wing a few decisions as we went. Whilst we are delighted with the finished pub there are things that we would change and when space is at a premium it’s really important to have a clear plan. Also, everything costs more than you expect! There are ways of saving money, getting bargains and upcycling, but ultimately make sure you put together a full business case and a budget with some contingency in.

AC: How do you decide which beers / ciders to sell?

BB: We use a mixture of methods really. Our cask line-up changes every week and we rarely repeat a beer so we are constantly looking for new ales to try. We talk to a lot of breweries in the local area and further afield, we listen to our customers as they always have some good recommendations.

AC: What has been your favourite beer that you’ve had on?

BB: This is the hardest question to answer as we’ve sold (and sampled) hundreds of beers so far. Benny is the cask guy, Murf prefers keg ales and Darren enjoys ciders so we’ve picked one of each…

Benny – XPA from Five Points Brewery Murf – Clwb Tropicana by Tiny Rebel Darren – Hogan’s Original Cider from Alcester AC: What have we got to look forward to at Beer Box over the next 12 months?

BB: Food – we are slowly introducing cold food such as pies and scotch eggs, we would like to develop this further to offer platters and cheese boards.

More events such as further tap takeovers and ‘meet the brewer’ sessions.

Lots more live music from Beer Box favourites and new artists (we are always on the look out).

And who knows… possibly Beer Box 2! Watch this space.

Beer Box are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Untappd and Real Ale Finder if you want to find out more about the venue and what they have on. www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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RILEY’S RAMBLES: Warrington

A

t one time, Warrington was a town you passed through on your way to somewhere else. The smell of soap powder from the factory near Warrington Bank Quay railway station is my lasting memory of the place. Even though there were two breweries there (Greenall Whitley and Tetley Walker), there was little else of any note in the pubs of the town. Both the breweries are long gone, sacrificed in the rush of the conglomerates to become just pub owning companies.

Nowadays, there are good pubs and bars selling interesting beers in Warrington, and it is well worth a day out there.

Besides the beers, the town centre is being transformed with a new market square under construction which, if the current temporary market is anything to go by, will put the one in Preston to shame.

There are two ways to get to Warrington by train: directly on the main line from Preston to Bank Quay station (£13.40 return), or via Manchester Oxford Rd, changing there to a train that takes you to Warrington Central. As I was using the Johnston Press £10 Northern Rail ticket, I went via Manchester to Central, and my ramble starts from there. Normally, one would go direct to Bank Quay, the journey only taking 22 min, whereas the journey time to Central is about 75 minutes. The only drawback is that Bank Quay is about 0.4 miles to the centre and you have to walk (or bus) that bit before you get to the pubs.

Coming out of Central, turn left and you will soon see the Hop Pole on your right, but as this pub does not serve real ale, we ignored it and headed on to the nearby BLUE BELL. This is a large, one roomed Greene King pub selling three real ales from their range, which were IPA, Old Golden Hen and Hoppy Hen on my visit. Open from 9.30am (9.00 Fri/Sat, 10.00 Sun) and selling food all day, it hosts bands on Fri/ Sat nights.

Turn immediately right on leaving and in the Old Market Place you will find the BARLEY MOW. An historic Grade 2 listed building dating from the 15th Century

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it is half timbered and operated by the Stonegate group. I have visited many Stonegate pubs with interesting beers, but despite having 5 handpumps, I was disappointed to find only Greene King IPA available, as the other four were ‘coming soon’. These were Jennings Cumberland,

Marston’s Wainwrights and Lancaster Bomber, plus Brains Rev James which I was not much enamoured of. It also opens at 9am with food a feature. I quickly retraced my steps to the Blue Bell and turned right to reach a rotunda where you turn left onto Buttermarket St. Here you will find the first gem of the day, the LOWER ANGEL. With its red tiled exterior showing off its ‘Walkers of Warrington’ history, its interior takes you back in time. It has a traditional vault and lounge layout and a sheltered beer garden.

Memorabilia of Walkers brewery and stained glass can be found. What is more to the point is that a changing range of eight real ales are on sale, varying in strength and colour, with Weetwood Bitter (3.8%) as the one permanent beer. To give you an idea of what you might find, on this visit the guests were Fyne Jarl (3.8%), Parkway Brewery American Red (4%), Skinners Cornish Knocker (4.5%), Brains Rev James (4.5%), Empire Rum Porter (4.7%), Glastonbury Golden Chalice (4.8%) and Lymestone Stone the Crows, a black beer at 5.4%. The prices were very reasonable as well. It opens at 11am–11pm (12pm Sat) and noon–10pm Sun. Almost opposite the Angel is Bank St. where the entrance to the ‘temporary market’ is. If this is temporary, the new market is going to be impressive, because this temporary market looks better than our permanent one. It even has copious separate conveniences for ladies and gents, which is more than we have. One thing it shares with Preston and Chorley is a real ale bar as part of the market. At the far side, near the fish stalls, you will find the REAL ALE SHACK, an award winning micropub run by enthusiastic CAMRA members. Up to four changing cask ales plus a cider and craft ales are available at this friendly bar.

These were Vog Brewery Portland Pale (4.0%), Shack Best Bitter (which is Moorhouses Pride

of Pendle in real life), Titanic Plum Porter (4.9%) and 4T’s Big Bro (5%), both these last two at only £3.20 a pint. Currently they are bound by the opening times of the market, which is 10am–5pm Mon–Sat but, when the new market opens in about a year’s time, the Shack will move over too, and like our Orchard, will have access to the outside and will be open until later in the evenings.

Going back onto Buttermarket and turning right, you reach one of the two Weatherspoons pubs currently open in town, the LOOKING GLASS. I say currently, as there is talk of the other one becoming a victim of a rationalisation of the Weatherspoon’s empire. Anyway, the Looking Glass has a Lewis Carrol theme, even having a beer specially brewed for them by Coach House called Jabberwocky at 5%. Converted from a former Yates Wine Lodge, it has a mezzanine floor and all the usual delights we have come to know and like. It has the usual standard ales plus up to 5 guests which included this time Roosters London Thunder (4.1%) and Rudgate Ruby Mild (4.4%). It opens 8am till late.

Once outside again, head through the traffic lights and down Dial St. past a church to a roundabout where you will see our next pub, the TAVERN on the other side. The brewery tap for 4T’s, it features two rotating beers from 4T plus six ever changing beers from far and wide. It has been in the Good Beer Guide for twenty consecutive years. On our visit guests included Ludlow Best (3.8%), Abbeydale Serenity (3.8%) and Moonshine (4.3%), Cloudwater John Green’s Bouffant (4.6%) and Slaters Haka (5.2%). It opens

4pm Mon/Tue, 3pm Wed/Thu and at noon the rest of the time, and shuts at midnight (11pm Tue/Wed). It gets full when Rugby League is on TV or when Warrington Wolves are at home.

Next door is the BULLS HEAD, a rambling multi roomed 17th century pub converted from a row of ancient cottages.

The rooms include a couple of cosy snugs and a function room, and the pub even still has its own crown green for bowling.

The beers come from the Punch guest list,

which can be good, and this day there was Weetwood Cheshire Cat (4%), Hopback Sorcerer (4.1%) and Oakham Scarlet Maccaw (4.4%) plus a permanent Sharps beer.

It is open from noon–midnight (11pm Sun) Retrace your steps past the Angel to the rotunda and turn left down Bridge St. to find Friars Gate on your right. There is the threatened second Weatherspoon pub, The FRIAR PENKETH. This would be your first pub if you were coming from Bank Quay station. Built on the site of an old friary, it was actually the first of the Weatherspoon pubs in the town. Remains of the old friary ruins are visible through a glass floor. Besides the usual suspects, I was glad to see that there were three beers 4% or below available instead of the usual high gravity beers we see in many ‘Spoons’. There were five guests ranging from Peerless Pale (3.8%) up to Coach House Primrose Pale (4.6%). There is even a brick based beer garden. It would be a shame to lose it.

To get to our last pub, the 9 GALLON, a small single roomed micro converted from a convenience store, go up Barbould St.

next to the Showbar, turn left at Suez St, go down to Bold St. and turn right. Go up to the top and the pub is just past the White Hart.

The 9 Gallon has a central bar with seating around and dispenses up to six changing real ales and two ciders. At the start of the week the range may be less but builds up to weekend, cask ale being enthusiastically championed throughout. Four were available on the Wednesday of our visit: Pot Belly A Piggin IPA (4%), Beartown Peach Melba (4.4%), an Isle of Purbeck ale at 4.5% and Poynton Darkside (5.2%). The pub only opens at 4pm during the week, but opens at noon on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday, staying open until 11pm (12 Sat).

To return to Central Station, go back past the White Hart, straight on through the shopping centre to the rotunda, turn left and up to the station (unless you came from Bank Quay, in which case head back there).

A good day out with an interesting selection of pubs and ale on offer.

PAU L R I L E Y

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

· · · ·

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

LIVE MUSIC www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

11

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCS BRANCH AND ...

BRANCH AWARDS

A

le Cry readers will be aware that CAMRA Central Lancashire branch has a number of awards which are made each year. The branch created their first award as long ago as 1981, but in recent years the number of awards has been increased with as many as 10 presentations now taking place annually.

The first award to come into being was that for the GEORGE LEE MEMORIAL TROPHY (GLMT). This was named in memory of George Lee, the former landlord of the Moorbrook in Preston, who was also the branch’s first Treasurer. Traditionally decided at the Christmas Branch Meeting, the GLMT is for ‘the pub, person, or organisation that is considered to have made the greatest contribution to the real ale cause locally over the preceding 12 months’. Each year the winner is chosen from a shortlist of candidates drawn up by the committee, with there being a secret ballot open to those local CAMRA members who are present on the night. The first GLMT winner was for 1981-82 and was the OLDE BLUE BELL in Preston, the branch’s only Samuel Smiths pub, which was then fairly new as a real ale outlet. For many years the award was dominated by Preston pubs, the first two-time winner being the OLD BLACK BULL and the first three-time winner being the NEW BRITANNIA. The Old Black Bull was actually the first to win the GLMT two years in succession, and later this feat was also achieved by the BITTER SUITE (now the Speakeasy) and the CONTINENTAL. The first club to win the award was ST TERESA’S PARISH CENTRE in Penwortham, while other nonpub winners have included the REAL ALE SHOP in Preston and the now defunct OLD WHEELTON BREWERY at the Dressers Arms in Wheelton. The current holders of the GLMT shield are HAYDN & ANGELA WILLIAMS, owners of the Crankshaft Brewery in Leyland and the CANN BRIDGE ALE HOUSE micropub in Higher Walton.

It was some time before the branch came up with a second award, which was for PUB OF THE SEASON (POTS). This was introduced in Autumn 1996 to give some recognition to the many pubs across the branch area that were quietly doing their bit by promoting real ale.

Unlike the GLMT this was to be an award decided by members of the branch committee, and for several years the winners were selected with a pre-determined theme in mind. The first POTS certificate recipient was the HOGSHEAD in Preston (since re-named the Guild), while the second winner was the MYERSCOUGH at Balderstone (the theme being ‘a pub which you would least mind being stranded in’). Over the years the intention has been that awards are made in a fair way geographically across the branch area, while there has also been an attempt to recognise the many different types of pub. Almost 23 years on, and with just a handful of seasons missed, there have now been 87 POTS certificate award presentations made and notably there have been 87 different POTS winners. With the passage of time, quite a few former POTS recipients are now sadly a part of history – who can remember the AVENHAM PARK or FINNEY’S SPORTS BAR in Preston, or the SWAN WITH TWO NECKS in Chorley? The Pub of the Season for Summer 2019 was the YEW TREE at Anglezarke, while the Autumn

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2019 choice (and 88th different recipient of the award) is a micropub, the PLUG & TAPS in Preston.

CAMRA Central Lancashire branch was to continue with just two awards for the best part of 20 years, but in 2015 two additional awards came into being. Although for years the branch had been making nominations for the Lancashire Club of the Year award, it was decided that it was about time that there was an official CLUB OF THE YEAR award instigated. The first recipient was OUR LADY & ST GERARD’S PAROCHIAL CENTRE in Lostock Hall, while subsequent winners have been BAMBER BRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB, the BROUGHTON & DISTRICT CLUB, and the TRADES HALL CLUB in Bamber Bridge. The branch made no award in 2019, with this decision being made so that more formal procedures would need to be put in place for 2020.

In order to fit in with CAMRA’s regional requirements, a CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR award was also introduced in 2015. The first winner was the BOB INN in Chorley, with fellow micropubs the MARKET ALE HOUSE in Leyland and the SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE in Chorley being the next to be chosen.

The two most recent winners have been HAIGHTON MANOR at Haighton in 2018, while the MARKET TAP in Preston is the current holder of the accolade. A good mixture of different types of pub, but unfortunately none of our five choices has as yet ever gone on to have any success in the regional awards.

A new initiative saw three new awards introduced for 2018, with the most important being PUB OF THE YEAR (POTY). It may seem surprising that there had not been a formalised POTY award earlier, but in practice it had quite often been the case that the GLMT holder had also been designated the branch’s POTY winner. Unlike previous awards, POTY was to be the first branch award open to the votes of all local CAMRA members, rather than one just to be decided by those in attendance at one particular meeting. A shortlist of candidates was drawn up by the committee, and with the branch now having improved communication channels, the majority of votes for POTY could be submitted by local members using email.

Voting was accepted over a lengthy period of time, and local members were advised on what criteria they should be considering in making their decision. In 2018 after two months of voting the inaugural POTY shield winner was the GUILD ALE HOUSE in Preston, while in 2019 there was three months of voting, with the winner being the MOORBROOK in Preston. Interestingly in both years the MALT ‘N’ HOPS in Chorley has been the runner up.

Another award new in 2018 was that for COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR, which was instigated to highlight a pub that we considered ‘was doing that little bit extra to help benefit the local community’. Local CAMRA members were asked for nominations, with the winner being decided at a committee meeting from a

shortlist of worthy candidates. The first winner of the award was the BLACK BULL at Penwortham, while the 2019 winner is the POTTERS ARMS at Chorley.

The third award introduced in 2018 was that for MOST IMPROVED PUB OF THE YEAR. The intention for this award is that we could now recognise a pub where the real ale offering had been significantly improved. This might be due to the introduction of real ale in a pub not previously serving it, or where the quality/range was noticeably better. Again local CAMRA members have been able to put forward nominations, with the branch committee choosing the winner from a shortlist of four or five candidates. The first winner of this award was the MASONS ARMS at Chorley, with the 2019 winner being the VINYL TAP in Preston.

Hopefully with the increase in the number of branch awards, it can be seen that CAMRA Central Lancashire branch are able to give some recognition to a greater number and a wider range of pubs in the branch area. Long may this continue.

GORDON SMALL

CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2019

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

13

Real Ale Finder

I

f you’re out for the day, visiting a few pubs and would love to know what is on the bar, before leaving home, then this might be just what you are looking for. Real Ale Finder is an innovative app designed by CAMRA members Kenny Brunton & Jenny Bottley from Edinburgh.

Really it is two apps in one – with one for the pub and one for the customer. What’s more – it is completely free to use.

The pub version allows pubs to share their currently available beers on social networks as well as a mobile friendly web based beer board. A feed is also available for in-pub TV screens and there are various other tools available including the ability to run reports. Launched in 2017, the first pub to sign up to the app was the Black Horse in Preston and there are now around 200 pubs using Real Ale Finder.

There are quite a few pubs in our area already using this app, but the more that sign up, the more useful it becomes. At the time of writing, the pubs signed up are: Bamber Bridge: Beer Box, Brig & Barrel; Chorley: Ale Station, Railway, Shepherds’ Hall Ale House; Higher Walton: Cann Bridge Ale House; Leyland: Crankshaft Brewery Tap; Penwortham: Tap & Vine; Preston: Black Horse, Guild Ale House, Orchard, Plungington Hotel, Speakeasy; Whittle le Woods: Dog Inn. For the customer, there is an interactive map of nearby pubs signed up to Real Ale Finder, comprehensive listings of the beers available and real time notifications can be sent out when an ale becomes available. While clearly aimed at the real ale drinker, craft beers, cider and lager can also be displayed if the pub chooses.

There is also a coming soon section where the pub can list what is currently in the cellar. There is a brewery section, listing all their beers and for every beer there is a picture of the pump clip as well as brief tasting notes.

This app is easy to use and ideal whether you are a beer ticker or a casual enthusiast.

It’s long term success will depend on sufficient take up – both from the pubs and the customers.

It is ideally suited to the free house environment where

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beer ranges change regularly – so if your local isn’t on there, why not ask them to get onboard.

It certainly seems that licensees find it easy to use. We asked Kevin Quinn at the Guild Ale House and Will Hart at Shepherds’ Hall Ale House for their appraisal. This is what they had to say.

RealAleFinder is a great app, massively under-appreciated and as yet underused, despite the hundreds of pubs on it already.

This is what the app looks like from the pub’s point of view.

The main screens are the Add and Inventory screens. These are the key functions that inform the customer app – pubs can quickly search for any beer, cider, lager etc from the database and add it to their inventory as either delivered, coming soon or available, giving ample opportunity to advertise upcoming beers.

If a beer is not found, you can submit a query to the creators, who will source the information on the missing beer and add it to the database usually within a couple of hours, quite a feat for a twoperson team who started this as a hobby.

It takes about 30 seconds to add something to the inventory, shorter to take it off when a barrel is finished, it really is a dream of a process.

The app starts to shine in the Tools and Reports.

Pubs can use the information on the app to display a live beer board, on screen in the pub as well as available as a web page accessible by anyone.

The inventory information can also be pulled as a poster, you can get tasting notes for each beer to print out, and even download pump clip images – in case the brewery let you down on delivery!

Most interesting for the pub are the reports, giving a user insights into customer traffic and some stats on sales. The product duration and average pints per hour relies on when a product was added and removed, so to make the figures accurate you’ve gotta be on the ball while changing the barrel!

Last but not least is the simple but powerful nearby breweries function – for a micropub searching for local independent microbreweries, a straightforward list of the nearest breweries with contact details is a dream come true, and even makes an interesting conversation piece.

Considering this is all free to use, the value of this app is astonishing. All of the tools are easy to use, potential hours spent on stock sourcing and inventory management are converted into seconds, all while advertising your products to customers as well with no added effort. I would happily pay to use this app and I would encourage every pub start using it to get that Live Map buzzing with choice. As for customers, what are you waiting for?

ADRIAN SMITH

Freehouse owned by three friends 6 Rotating Handpull Cask Lines 8 Keg Lines Large selection of bottles and cans Local, UK wide and international breweries Wines, prosecco and spirits Regular live music acts Outdoor seating area Short walk from Bamber Bridge train station On the 125 Preston to Chorley bus route Unit 3, 143 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6LA 01772 339619

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

15

HISTORIC PRESTON PUBS

PART 7 Fishergate Hill

I

n the latest instalment of our look back on closed Preston pubs, we will focus on the Fishergate Hill area and the cluster of streets bounded by the railway line, Ringway and the River Ribble.

In years gone by there would have been many pubs in this area, but by the late 1980s only 6 remained.

Today, just the Continental is left – and let us not forget how close that came to being lost as well.

There is a peculiar symmetry about these pubs – they were all Matthew Brown houses, they are all still standing and all but one has been turned into a house. None of them have ever featured in the Good Beer Guide, nor have they ever won a CAMRA award. What they also seem to have in common is that hardly anybody in our group has owned up to drinking in them – perhaps due to the location, but possibly due to them serving Lion Ales, which were generally not as popular as the other beers available in Preston around that time, and real ale was not regularly available (if at all) in most of them. Our secretary, Gordon Small visited all of them in the late 1970’s and made some brief notes at the time. It is interesting to note that as far as entertainment went, they all had juke boxes and two of them had pianos.

To begin our tour of these closed pubs, we start at the railway station, and head down Fishergate Hill, until we come to South Meadow Lane. Just round the corner stood the CRICKETERS, which had

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a popular lounge and a small quiet tap room. Although the pub closed in 2009, the building is still standing today, with windows shuttered but complete with name boards and hanging sign. In 1867, the owner of the property and also the licensee is recorded as being one Cornelius Coward, who played cricket for Lancashire CCC, and probably explains the reason for the pub name. It is interesting to note that in the 1863 application for a spirit licence, one of the supporting facts was the absence of public houses in the immediate vicinity. “The Regatta on Broadgate was reported as being ‘a long way off’ – in fact it was just 230 yards!

All the buildings between the corner and the Cricketers have been demolished – one of these was the SOUTH MEADOW TAVERN, another Lion pub which closed in 1976. This was a tiny pub with very few facilities, but did at least manage a couple of Good Beer Guide entries – in 1975 and 1976. The building was demolished in 1978.

At the bottom of Fishergate Hill, turn left and on the corner of Broadgate and Taylor Street stood the RIBBLESIDE. The entrance was on Broadgate, up a short set of steps, with a popular public bar and a lounge with occasional live music. This had been a ‘keg only’ pub for many years, until in 1978, a new licensee, Ken Austin arrived. He was keen on real ale, and following it’s reintroduction, a couple of branch meetings were held here in 1978 and 1979. Unfortunately (for us), Ken left in mid 1979 to take over the CAMRA Investments pub in Bristol (the Old Fox) and real ale was promptly withdrawn. The pub closed in 2008, becoming an indian restaurant for a few years. It is now a private house, but the hanging sign is still there with the name clearly visible.

Our next pub was a short walk up Taylor Street. The WEST END TAVERN was another typical end of terrace pub, with a grass triangle and a couple of trees in front of it.

Like many pubs in Victorian times, it brewed its own beer, and had the distinct advantage of having its own well. If the hype is to be believed,

Heading back down Bow Lane and just before reaching Fishergate Hill, there is a turning on the right – Good Street. A short distance along here on the corner of Ladyman Street stood our last pub, the KENDAL CASTLE. The building we see today was originally two properties, both of which operated as public houses. The smaller property, the Oddfellows Arms, stood on the corner, with the Kendal Castle being the adjacent property in Ladyman Street.

There was apparently fierce rivalry between the two establishments, After closure of the Oddfellows in about1910, the buildings were knocked into one and the larger pub continued with the Kendal Castle name. In 1962, Elsie it must have been good stuff as an advert in the Preston Chronicle from 1865 proudly proclaims:

Ale! Ale!! Ale!!!

Truth is stranger than fiction.

The Best Ale Brewed in Preston is to be found at the WEST END TAVERN, Taylor Street.

Thomas Lupton (Proprietor) The building is still there today, another one converted to a house.

To get to our next pub, go back up Fishergate Hill and before the council offices, turn left into Bow Lane. At the far end on the corner of Marsh Lane stood the SPRINGFIELD. The address for this pub has been variously recorded as being in Marsh Lane, Spring Street (which later became Bow Lane) and Bow Lane itself. The entrance was in the side of the building on Bow Lane, while there were two bays facing onto Marsh Lane. It closed in 1995 and is now a private house.

Salter, the wife of the landlord was murdered in the pub by a regular after she refused to lend him £5. The customer hid himself in the toilets at closing time, and came out later to rifle through the living quarters in search of valuables. When he was disturbed by the landlady, he hit her over the head several times with a hammer. In the last few years of its existence, it became just the CASTLE., with closure coming in 2008, after which it became a private house.

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 8 we will be looking at New Hall Lane, and would welcome any contributions from readers who frequented pubs down this road – all of which have now closed. www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

17

SOUTH RIBBLE SCENE

R

eaders of South Ribble Scene will know that CAMRA Central Lancashire branch have been keeping an eye on the former Walton-leDale Conservative Club and the plans that it will be re-opening as a pub to be called the TAPS & WINE BAR. We were hoping for some more definite information being available about its re-opening by now, but as this Ale Cry went to press the timescale remains something of a mystery. In April the Lancashire Post reported that there

thatched roof in place, but at present it is surrounded by protective fencing while the indoor refurbishment is taking place.

In the last issue of Ale Cry I began a new feature whereby I would look at a particular area of South Ribble which contained pubs that were rarely getting a mention in these pages. Last time I considered the real ales on offer at a selection of pubs in Hutton and Penwortham, and this time round I am looking at five pubs in the area close to Leyland Railway Station.

had been a planning application for a decking area to be put in place at the front of the building, and a recent visit would indicate that the frontage when finished will look very different from when it was a club. Hopefully next time we will have more to report about this interesting venture.

Just before going to press, we were made aware of plans for a second micropub in Penwortham. A proposal has been put to the council to convert the Bread & Butter tearooms into a small licensed establishment. The property is on Liverpool Road, just north of the Fleece Inn, and would be a welcome addition to the scene here.

Another pub that has recently submitted a planning application that will affect the outside of the building is the HUNTERS on Hennel Lane in Walton-le-Dale. This is a pub that has been transformed in recent years, and it is now very different from its previous existence as the rather rundown Welcome Tavern. The latest proposal for this Thwaites pub / restaurant is for a refurbishment to give the building ‘a fresh new aesthetic look’. The plans include the building of a new outdoor bar, and the provision of outdoor seating booths and timber pergolas.

In nearby Bamber Bridge YE OLDE HOB INN remains closed, but would appear to be not too far from a re-opening. The building is now looking very smart with a new

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Starting off at the ROSE OF FARINGTON on Stanifield Lane, the prospects were looking promising with a large banner outside indicating that the pub was ‘Now serving a quality range of CASK ALES’.

Unfortunately the reality inside was not so good. Impressively I was initially faced with four handpumps, but on the day of my visit there was no real ale available. Admittedly I may have just been unlucky with my timing as a couple of the handpumps did have pump clips that were turned round.

Crossing the border into Leyland it was then a short walk to the RAILWAY AT LEYLAND, a pub which was rumoured to once again be selling real ale after a spell as a keg-only establishment. This one-time regular Good Beer Guide entry may have had its ups and downs in recent years, but on entering it was good to find that the pub was little changed and the rumour of real ale was true. The pub has two handpumps, with Wainwrights being the one real ale on offer.

As it was my intention to visit only those pubs that are not often mentioned in Ale Cry, I decided that this was not a day to visit the Golden Tap Ale House, an establishment

which has recently hosted a CAMRA meeting. Walking past this micropub, my next port of call was the INDIGO BAR on Fleetwood Street. This was my first ever visit to this former Knights of St Columba Club, which became a pub in December 2018 after undergoing a refurbishment. Here two handpumps were in place and both were in use. Brentwood IPA was the one real ale available, with the other handpump dispensing Strawberry Blonde from the Cockeyed Cider Company.

Back up Church Brow, and we have the QUEENS at Number 1 Golden Hill Lane.

This was unquestionably the busiest pub of the day, but like the Railway the beer choice was a little disappointing. On a previous visit here I had been drinking a Prospect Brewery beer, but on this occasion the only real ale available was Wainwrights, although there was a second handpump which was not in use on the day.

Finally, and about two hundred yards further along Golden Hill Lane, it was on to the OLD LEYLAND GATES. This was another pub with a good number of customers, although the majority were there as diners rather than real ale drinkers. Of the five pubs surveyed, this was the one with the greatest beer range.

However with just two beers available, Greene King IPA and Greene King Abbot Ale, perhaps this was not that great an achievement. Worth mentioning though is that this was the pub with the lowest beer prices, with a pint of IPA coming in at just under £2, and that’s without any CAMRA discount.

While in this area of Leyland I had a quick look at the proposed new micropub planned to be established in the former barbers shop at the bottom of Church Brow. With the shutters down it was hard to see what was happening, but from what I could see I doubt that it will be opening for quite some time yet. There have also been rumours of a micropub being opened in Lostock Hall in the Tardy Gate shopping area. However again at this time there would appear to be nothing definite to report.

GORDON SMALL

TRADES HALL CLUB Bamber Bridge

Branch Club of the Year 2018

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

19

2020 Good Beer Guide

T

he coming of Autumn is always a special time in CAMRA, as we await the issue of a new Good Beer Guide. This year sees us up to issue 47, and with around 4,500 of the best pubs in the country nestled within it’s pages, this is a must have book for the discerning real ale drinker.

The pubs in the guide have been chosen after a rigorous selection process, visits by branch members to check the quality of the beer and much arguing at meetings. The names of the successful pubs are a closely guarded secret, and not to be divulged until the book is actually published. What I can say is that our area will have the usual mix - with old favourites extending their stay in the guide, pubs appearing for the very first time and some making a welcome return. As always of course, there are casualties. Pubs drop out of the guide for a variety of reasons; sometimes due to quality issues at the pub, but often due to changes of licensee. Sometimes there is uncertainty over the pubs future and rather than include a pub that may well see a change of landlord, we will tend to leave it out and replace with a pub where the future seems more certain.

For many years, we have witnessed the closure of traditional pubs, so the selection process became slightly easier each year with less candidates to chose from. However, in the last few years we have seen the rise of the micropub, and while they will not be everybody’s venue of choice, they almost always serve excellent cask ale, with the owner being passionate about this side of things.

This puts pressure on the branch to balance things out, we need a good geographical spread of entries and types of pub.

To give you a taster of what to expect in the new guide, some statistics. 25 of the entries are the same as last year. Of the 9 new entries, 2 of them are making a return after a period of absence.

The other 7 are appearing in the GBG for the very first time. While some of the new entries are indeed new pubs, some of them are long

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established traditional pubs that have never really featured on the real ale drinker’s radar. This is really encouraging – while pubs remain open there is always the possibility of a change of ownership or licensee to turn round their fortunes – and as a Campaign, we must continue to fight to save pubs whenever we can.

In addition to details of where you can find the best quality real ale, there is also an extensive brewery section with details of the beers they brew and accompanying tasting notes. The 2020 Good Beer Guide is scheduled for launch on the 12th September and will be on sale at all good booksellers and direct from CAMRA. It is available to order from the CAMRA website at discounted prices – members £12, non-members £14 (both prices + p&p). There is also an app version – available from Apple and Google Play and via the CAMRA website.

ADRIAN SMITH

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 • Sky/BT showing all major sporting events

• 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

Fishergate, Preston Opposite Preston Railway Station 01772 828519

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

21

Ich Dien – Service to the Community

I

n the lead up to Remembrance Sunday many of us take time to reflect upon the past, those who served our local communities and also played their part in ensuring our freedom during the First World War. For this article I have focussed on the PRINCE OF WALES, located on New Market Street, which remains an integral part of the town centre today overlooking the covered market. There are few public houses in Chorley with more history or that have made greater sacrifice than the Prince of Wales.

Many people will not now remember this part of the town prior to the development of the Market Walk shopping centre but

not so very long ago two streets, Livesey Street and Hill Street ran parallel to one another connecting the Market Place with Clifford Street. Back then the Prince of Wales had entrances on New Market Street and Livesey Street and together with the Fazackerley Arms Hotel (pictured left c.1872), which was demolished to make way for the new development the two properties had pride of place in this busy part of town.

Back in the late 1880s John and Esther Marsden moved into the Prince of Wales as the new landlords. They both originated from outlying villages to the north of the town and from families with a long history of running public houses; John’s family ran the Anchor Inn, Heapey (now the Top Lock) and Esther’s ran the Roebuck, Whittle-le-Woods.

For the next 15 years or so the Prince of Wales was to be their home and where their children, Harry, Edwin, Lavinia and Herbert spent their formative years.

The eldest son, Harry Marsden found work locally as a Joiner’s apprentice and lived and worked

Edwin

Herbert

Chorley’s Pals and Pubs Exhibition

T

he Centenary of the Battle of Festubert Exhibition in 2015 involved helping local schools research soldiers killed at the battle of Festubert and this sowed the first seeds for our Pals and Pubs project.

Local Historian Adam Cree had already been conducting his own research into Chorley’s casualties through his research into Susannah Knight and the “Golden Books” at Astley Hall and he worked on the Festubert project with St Michael’s School.

Pupils from primary and secondary schools around the area contributed to the project by producing “pop-up exhibitions” on individual casualties for display and this was to be the inspiration for our own project. The collaboration between Linda Langford and Adam Cree in working with pupils at Euxton St Mary’s Primary School on their casualties was to be the catalyst.

Following the successful exhibition in June that year we started to think how the project could be expanded upon and taken into Chorley’s wider communities.

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After a couple of pints and a bit of head scratching we agreed to bring together some of our work to promote local history and links to Chorley’s casualties of World War 1, the churches and pubs of the town, where they would undoubtedly have visited. Information from my blog on Chorley’s Inns and Taverns and Adam’s digitised records from Susannah Knight’s memorial album of 1921 were combined to create our own pop-up exhibitions in public houses in and around Chorley.

The idea of producing the boards inside the pubs with the assistance of local people proved to be an inspiration, invariably leading to much discussion and debate and brought to life their own memories and family history. Our first board went on display in the Prince of Wales on Cowling Brow on 24th March 2016 and more followed at the Bay Horse Heath Charnock, Bootleggers, Cricketers’ Arms (Brinscall), White Bull, Malt and Hops, Plough Hotel, Eagle, Lock and Quay, Mitre, Prince of Wales (Town Centre), Shepherds’ Hall Alehouse, Sebastopol and J&L Vintage Tearooms Whittle.

Harry

in the town until he enlisted in July 1916.

He served as a private in the 6th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and fought in Mesopotamia where he died on 16th July 1917 from heatstroke.

He was married to Edith Mary Sharples, daughter of Chorley’s Mayor, James Sharples (1905–1907) and attended the Parish Church of St. Lawrence.

Edwin Marsden trained as a Plumber’s apprentice and during the early 1900s left Chorley for a short period, emigrating to Australia but returning shortly before the war began and enlisted in September 1914. He was a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and was reportedly killed on 9th August 1915 at the landing at Chenak Bair (Chocolate Hill), Sulva Bay during the Battle of Gallipoli.

He attended the Parish Church of St. Lawrence.

Herbert Marsden started work as a Clerk in the Coal Office of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company but by the time he enlisted in October 1915 he was working as a Taxi Proprietor (Motor Driver).

He was a Lance Corporal in the Army Service Corps: 29th Division, Military Transport Company and served in Belgium, France, and Germany before his death on active service on 13th

March 1919 when suffering from influenza and pneumonia at Cologne.

The children’s father, John Marsden died long before the war but their mother Esther saw all three sons leave to fight in the war; sadly, none were to return and she too died in 1918. It is tales such as this that remind us how public houses and their families played, and continue to play such an integral role in our community today.

R I C H A R D L A N G F O R D J U LY 2 0 1 9 (with special thanks to Adam Cree for his historical input on WW1 casualties)

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www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

23

A salutAry warning

W

herever I go in the country I like to pick up the local CAMRA branch’s magazine and have a read. There’s usually something of interest, and occasionally there are ideas that I think would improve ours, or articles that inform and educate or amuse or depress. Whilst visiting Cannock Chase in Staffordshire recently I picked up the Lichfield, Sutton and Tamworth branch’s magazine “Last Orders” and read an article which I found amusing but on reflection caused me to think: I’m glad I don’t live there; and Could this happen here?

With permission of the LST branch the article is reproduced below.

Now first let me say that the comments are the article writers own. I am not particularly trashing Greene King or Doombar beers, although they are not particularly appealing to me. I think, amongst other things, this article is more a comment on how the bigger a brand gets, or when it is brewed somewhere

U

else, the more the quality drops off. Some of our local beers have grown and changed in taste over the years and not necessarily for the better.

What it also says is how lucky WE are – at the moment. There is nowhere in our branch area where the choice and quality of beers in 8 or so pubs, would be as limited or disappointing. Coleshill sounds like a throwback to the old days pre-CAMRA, when the big 6 brewers had a stranglehold on supply and were intent on a race to the bottom.

Following the reduction in quality and choice, an inevitable lack of interest in drinkers and landlords can set in, leading to offering only mass produced bland-tasting keg beers.

It strikes me as a salutary warning of what could happen if things went the same way and no-one put up a fight.

We all pay enough for our beer, so at least let’s insist on decent quality. If we don’t, bad landlords will take it that we don’t care and,

if we don’t care, why should they? Thank goodness therefore that we have not gone down that road. We have some great pubs and great landlords in our area and they are, by and large, selling some great beer so keep on supporting them. It can get much worse if we are not careful.

One other thing the article shows is the tireless work of CAMRA volunteers to get the information and educate others – for little or no reward. There certainly didn’t seem to be much reward in Coleshill. Although we do get complaints that we don’t visit this area or that pub occasionally, we do when we can.

I’d like to think that the articles you read in this magazine will never reflect on a Coleshill in our area, but it’s up to you the reader, to stop that happening.

If you are not a member of CAMRA, why not join us? See the joining instructions on page 31.

If you are, then get involved by at least insisting on the best. The work of CAMRA is not yet finished.

S T E V E JAC K S O N

Greene Doom

nless you’re coming from Birmingham direction, Coleshill isn’t that well served by public transport — one reason why it’s a town in the LST branch area which we don’t often get across to for a pub survey.

Still, there is the rail station at Coleshill Parkway, even if it is a mile outside the town. So on a grey day in March, we took the plunge.

After a good trudge from the station, we hit the Wheatsheaf. It’s a typical Harvester joint, mainly for eating, but there is Sharp’s Atlantic and Doom Bar on the bar. Bad news is that the Atlantic has been discontinued so it’s just a half of Doom Bar. The beer is in perfect condition, a really good sample of Doom Bar — that is to say, wet, comfortingly beerflavoured and totally unremarkable.

Another long trudge then to the furthest from the rail station, the George & Dragon. This was reasonable some years ago, with beers like Purity, but what’s on?

Just two pumps both showing Doom-bloody-Bar again, and at 40p/pint more than the Wheatsheaf.

Things pick up – a bit – in the Red Lion, where there’s St Austell Tribute and Fuller’s Oliver Island. The lemony-fruity Tribute is the better of the two, but even the Fuller’s isn’t bad for Japanese beer. The upcoming beers look fairly mainstream – Hook Norton, Purity and the like – but beggars can’t be choosers.

The Coleshill Hotel is fairly deserted for a Thursday lunchtime, and only Greene King Abbot and ‘IPA’ on the bar. I take one for the team and go for the Abbot.

The hand pull just gurgles – no Abbot. Unbidden, the friendly barmaid tries the ‘IPA’ pull too, more gurgling. Acting disappointed but secretly relieved, we beat a hasty retreat. Pretty rubbish though for a fairly upmarket Greene King pub – no beer.

The next-door Coach Hotel was keg-only some years ago, but there’s a turned-round clip on one of the hand pulls – Doom-bloody-Bar. The landlady said that they tried it out but there was absolutely no appetite for it. Yes, well In the Swan, the choices are ‘settling in the cellar’ or ‘beer line cleaning in progress’ over pump clips for Pedigree and Doom-bloody-Bar. So another hasty exit and the reflection that this pub crawl is going quite speedily.

Four ale choices in the Green Man, though not that inspiring today – Bass, Brew XI, Wainright and Doom-bloody-Bar. The Bass is in good nick though, and it’s nice to have a chat with departing landlady Helen before she moves on to pastures new.

Up the hill then to the Bell, now bearing Greene King insignia, and offering only ‘IPA’ on the bar. The ‘IPA’ is Doom Bar all over again – wet with vaguely beery overtones, inoffensive and instantly forgettable.

The final stride back to the station then and the Norton which lies right next to it. New management here, and while there’s a friendly greeting, the beer choices of Abbot and Doom-bloody-Bar hardly excite. Still, the obvious choice of Abbot is typically gutsy.

Well all done and dusted, and it’s only 3.30pm, possibly the quickest ever crawl of Coleshill, and we seem to have done as much walking as drinking. The dominance of Doom Bar has been quite depressing, and even the other choices available were hardly a motivation to visit.

Still, things can change, and we’ll definitely do another survey visit in the future. When? Oh, I dunno, what about 2025 say?

L A S T O R D E R S A P R / M AY 2 0 1 9 8 W W W. L S T C A M R A . O R G . U K

24

Ale Cry

ISSUE 124 AUTUMN 2019

M I C R O P U B

L O N G R I D G E

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10 craft beers and lagers 2 cask ales and real ciders Select Gins & quality spirits Fine wines Outdoor German style seating Free Wifi Background music

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Open everyday from 1200 till late.

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ST T E R E SA’S PENWORTHAM

BT SPORTS FREE WI FI POOL / SNOOKER LARGE FUNCTION ROOM LAGERS

REAL ALE CIDERS BIG SCREEN TV SKY SPORTS OPEN

MON–THUR 7–11 • FRI 7–12 • SAT 4–12 • SUN 12–8

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SPIRITS WINE GIN BAR SOFT DRINKS

St Teresa’s Parish Centre, Penwortham @TeresaCentre @stteresasparish

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

25

PRESTON PARADE

A

fter telling you in the last issue about a new outlet for real ale, the ROCK & BOWL, I now have to tell you that its experiment with real ale has failed, and it no longer sells cask beers. They tell me that lots of it was being thrown away, so reluctantly, it is no longer stocked.

The good news is that we do have a couple of new entrants to the real ale scene. The first of these is the ELDON HOTEL on Eldon St. It had briefly sold cask not too long ago, but now, under the enthusiastic endeavours of licensee David Murray, we can look forward to a bright future for real ale at the Eldon.

Since taking over at this Trust Inns owned pub, he has got the backing of operators Villa Leisure to install cask beer, and it is taking off. He has started by having just the one on handpump, (Westgate Classic Blonde, 3.9% at £2.50 a pint), but he plans to increase the range in the future. A friendly local pub with a spacious bar area and separate dart and pool rooms, it has a large outside area with seating and TV showing Sky and BT sports. There is also an upstairs room. Dave says he gets a lot of PNE supporters in on match days, as it is more or less only the length of Moor Park from the ground. The

pub is open 1–11pm Mon–Fri and 12–11pm Sat/Sun. The second new outlet is the MOOR PARK pub itself, at the crossroads of Garstang Road and Aqueduct St. just up from the Moorbrook. Famous for being the last homebrew pub in Preston (it brewed its last beer as recently as 1968, and for many years it had Jimmy Dougal, ex PNE footballer as its licensee), it then became a Matthew Brown pub. After many years of not selling real ale it recently shut for a refurb and on reopening, we are glad to see that two handpumps have been installed to dispense real ale. Now a Star Inns and Bars owned pub, licensee Gillian Walsh has two permanent beers in Deuchars IPA and Marston’s Wainwrights on sale. A locals

26

Ale Cry

ISSUE 124 AUTUMN 2019

pub, there are three seating areas off the main bar and an outside drinking area to the rear. There is pool and darts, and card games (they have a local Don team). There is live music Sat nights and Karaoke Friday night. Reasonably priced food is available 12–2.30 (all day breakfasts, baguettes, jacket potatoes, burgers, etc.) Sky sports are shown.

The pub is open noon–12pm (1am Fri, Sat).

Of course, just round the corner from

the Moor Park, on Cambridge Walk is one of our long-standing real ale pubs, the well-regarded PRINCESS ALICE. A real freehouse, it is justly popular and not just on matchdays, when fans of PNE have just a 15–20 minute walk to the ground.

Up to four real ales are generally on sale, typically from Lancaster Brewery, Bowland, Worsthorne and the like. A warm and friendly local, it has a distinctive tiled exterior and a modernised interior with many TV screens showing sports etc. There is live music Fri/Sat and a quiz on Weds.

It opens at 4.30 during the week and at midday on Sat and Sun. Along with the Moorbrook nearby, this makes four pubs that can be used for thirsty North-enders both before and after the match now that the Sumners does not exist anymore.

This brings me to our next bit of news.

Greene King, who closed and sold off the Sumners for a tidy sum which was then demolished prior to planning permission being granted, have announced that another of their pubs has closed and will

be sold off. This is the WITHY TREES at Fulwood. This once-popular pub (I remember it when Bill Craig had it under Matthew Brown) has lately not sold real ale and has therefore suffered from its closeness to both the Plungington and Black Bull, where real ales feature prominently. Greene King said that it is never an easy decision to sell a pub, but the cynic in me says that, as per the signs on the side of the pub pronouncing that the Withy Trees has the largest beer garden in Preston, it was any easy decision for a bean counter somewhere to come up with the idea that they could sell off this pub to a property developer and make another tidy sum, just like the Sumners. There must be something wrong at Greene King if they could not run either of these (once excellent) pubs at a profit. Still, if the loss of these two pubs means that many others (like the ones mentioned earlier in this article) stand a better chance of survival, it makes you wonder if you should care about Greene King’s anguish at losing another pub. If I was a drinker in the Lane Ends pub though, I would maybe begin to worry. What about all that land taken up by the Guild on Fylde Rd. You could build a block of student accommodation on that land! Whoops, I might have given them an idea, but somehow I think that they might already have done an assessment on that.

What is especially galling is that Jeremy Rowlands from the Continental put a bid in to buy the pub and he was gazumped by the property developer (the same one as at the Sumners) to the tune of £100,000 more.

Come on, Greene King. You had a chance to sell the pub to someone who would have kept it as a pub, but you chose to take the ‘big bucks’ and sell to a property developer.

Another worrying trend is for mysterious events taking place at threatened pubs.

Just before going to press, we learned that the SHAWES ARMS on London Road had been badly damaged by fire. This comes only a few weeks after the BOARS HEAD

at Barton, which is at the centre of a battle by the local community to reopen it, had spontaneously burst into flames. We understand that the fabric of the building has been badly damaged. What chance now of saving this pub?

Meanwhile, just up the road, the SPARLING pub and restaurant, which has been closed for a short period, is due to open on August 6th as the Pickled Goose.

We have no knowledge of what kind of establishment it might be, but we will let you know next time.

Back in Preston, Rachel and John at the NEW BRITANNIA have left the pub after only six months in charge for personal reasons. The new landlord is Tony and he assured me that he would continue building the real ale profile started by his predecessors with two cask ales generally on sale, often from far-flung parts of the country. I recently had an excellent pint of Exmoor Silver there.

Finally, after the last issue where I

lamented the disappearance of many Thwaites pubs in Preston, some good news of a couple on the outskirts, both in Bartle.

The SADDLE on Sidgreaves Lane has new tenants, Daniel and Lauren. They took over in June; the pub having been closed for a couple of months, and has been decorated and cleaned up. There are three handpumps on the bar, but they are only selling one beer at a time until they can gauge what the demand is. The beer alternates between

Thwaites Original, Gold and Amber, all brewed at their new plant at Mellor Brook, and Marston’s Wainwrights and Lancaster Bomber. The food there has had good reviews and is available 12–7 Tue–Thu, 12– 7.30 Fri/Sat. On Sunday they do breakfasts 9–12 and then have a set menu 12–6. Normal opening hours are noon till late. There is an outside play area and they even have a resident parrot named Bennie.

Just up the road, the SITTING GOOSE, which has been under temporary management, and has been closed for refurbishment will have new licensees in place by August and be open by the time you read this. Again, we will report on this in the next issue. With the new road to the M55 motorway being built nearby and a lot of housing developments going on, it should ensure that these pubs don’t go the way of the lost pubs in Preston.

PAU L R I L E Y

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

27

PRINCE of WALES Cowling, Chorley

8 Real Ales Live Music Dog Friendly Open Mic Sunday Quiz Night Wednesday Beautiful Beer Garden Friendly Atmosphere 5 Star Hygiene Rating

9-11 Cowling Brow Chorley PR6 0QE

@powcowling 01257 260815

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

28

Ale Cry

ISSUE 124 AUTUMN 2019

Friday from 2pm

Saturday & Sunday from 12pm

Emails To The Editor

I

loved the article about Boddingtons Neptune and the BAC workers (Historic Preston Pubs part 7). I think you were being polite about the “robust architectural style”, it’s the ugliest pub I’ve ever seen.

The Neptune is not unique about the bar staff pulling pints in advance for Aerospace staff however. When I worked at Ferranti Chadderton in the 1970s, I called in the Gardeners Arms in Moston on my way home. This was before all day opening, when pubs closed in the afternoon and the Gardeners was due to reopen at 5.30. I arrived outside about 5.10pm and the doors were shut. A few minutes later, about 100 men rushed up outside from the nearby British Aerospace plant.

When the doors opened, the huge island bar had about 200 pints of Boddington’s Bitter ready. Everyone rushed in and grabbed a pint, so I did the same. Eventually, the numerous bar staff started collecting the money and some blokes said they’d supped two and some said they’d supped four. Of course I had to ask the barmaid about this and she said this happened every night and some blokes arrived at 5.30pm and had to catch a bus home at 6pm, so they couldn’t wait to be served, so they just said how many pints they’d had and paid. Others, on

a less urgent timescale, sat down and paid later after the men in a rush had to leave.

I was amazed by this and the barmaid told me they’d been doing this for 20 years and the till had never been short. Occasionally blokes had to rush home, but they just told the bar staff next day and paid in arrears.

These were the halcyon days of Manchester industry in the 1970s, men who could drink 4 pints in 20 minutes whilst waiting for their bus home and were completely honest.

Howard, Haslingden Ed: thanks Howard. I’m not sure which part of this story is the most intriguing; the honesty of the average working man, or his ability to sup 4 pints in 20 minutes!

I

read your article in Ale Cry on the price of beer with interest, but was surprised that you seem to be taking the side of the producers. CAMRA is a campaign on behalf of real ale, cider and perry drinkers – not on behalf of producers and suppliers.

If a pubco such as JDW decides to give CAMRA members vouchers, the campaign would be foolish to refuse such a membership benefit. I also get membership benefits, mostly discounts of one sort or another, through my trade union, the National Trust and even my car

breakdown service. I don’t see why CAMRA should be any different simply because some people disapprove of them running a successful business, instead of the (frankly) stupid business model of most big pubcos.

In 1972, the price of a pint in the North West was around 13–14p. Using the Bank of England inflation calculator, 14p = £1.82 in 2018. We’re paying close to double that.

It’s no wonder people feel beer is expensive, especially after 9 years of austerity. Not everyone has a lot of disposable income; without Spoons, many people would not be able to afford to go out to the pub at all.

Neville Grundy, Southport Ed: It’s not a question of ‘siding with the producers’. For a system to work, there must be viability at all levels of the supply chain. If brewers feel they cannot make sufficient from their product, they may cease to produce the real ale that we love (a number of examples of this – Cloudwater being probably the highest profile one) or cease brewing altogether. We might then be left in the same sad position as the residents of Coleshill (see A Salutory Warning – page 24), with nothing on offer but the mass produced national products – in much the same way we were when CAMRA was formed in the early 1970’s).

Ale Trails

E

arly last year we launched the Chorley Ale Trail, featuring all 22 pubs in the town centre that regularly serve Real Ale. It was our first attempt at doing this sort of thing, but it seemed to work well, judging by the response from licensees and the speed with which they disappeared off the shelves. The trail has been out of print for a number of months, so we took the decision to produce Version 2, learning from any mistakes first time round.

The latest version is now available. The most noticeable change is the appearance – with the new one being pocket sized. When we did the first one we discovered that the information provided quickly became out of date (particularly opening hours), so we have restricted the information in the new trail. There are still 22 pubs, although there have been a couple of changes in the intervening period. Each pub features a QR code, so if you have a smart phone you can scan this and go direct to the WhatPub page for the pub – which will give you the most up to date information that we have – including opening hours, details of beers available and other facilities and features. There is also an interactive version on our website, with links to the WhatPub pages. We hope our readers like the look of the new Chorley Ale Trail, and use it to discover the liquid delights of the town.

Having finalised this, our thoughts turned to producing one for Preston. This was to prove a bit more of a challenge, due to the larger physical size and the number of real ale pubs. It was clear we couldn’t include all of them, and a couple of the ones that ‘had to go in’ were well away from the centre and didn’t fit easily on the map.

After much discussion (and several very enjoyable field trips) we finally settled on the 24 pubs that were going to be included. These

have been divided into 5 colour coded trails, with 4 or 5 pubs in each, although of course this is only our suggestion. What is clear is that there are loads of good pubs serving a great selection of ales.

Some of these are probably off most people’s radar, so even if you think you know the city pubs well, why not pick up one of our trails and try somewhere different. The Preston Ale Trail is the same handy size as it’s Chorley counterpart and has all the same features.

The launch of the trail was at the Old Vic on 16th August, and by now should be available at all the participating pubs and elsewhere.

ADRIAN SMITH

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

29

Thursday 5th September Most Improved POTY presentation at Vinyl Tap, Preston

CAMRA

SCHEME

VA I

A

Branch Diary

REAL ALE

DISCOUNT

Member Discount scheme

Thursday 26th September Autumn POTS presentation at Plug & Taps, Preston followed by Cider POTY presentation at Market Tap, Preston

RE

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.

May 2019.indd 1

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

Applejacks, Longridge

50p per pint

Baker Street, Preston

10%

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

Black Bull, Penwortham

20p per pint

Bob Inn, Chorley

20p per pint

Broughton Inn, Broughton

20p per pint

Cuckoo’s Nest, Chorley

10p per pint

Fleece, Penwortham

10%

Guild (Fylde Rd), Preston

25p per pint

Lane Ends, Ashton

10%

Market Tap, Preston

10%

Mill Tavern, Higher Walton

20%

Nabs Head, Samlesbury

20p per pint

Original Withy Trees, Bamber Bridge

10%

Monday 2nd December Committee Meeting at Bamber Bridge Football Club

Pear Tree, Penwortham

20p per pint

Plough, Grimsargh

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

All meetings start at 8pm unless shown.

Plungington Hotel, Preston

10p per pint

Trips For further details and to book, contact Alex Calderbank on 07401 020754 or email social@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Poachers, Bamber Bridge

10%

Preston Grasshoppers RFC

10%

Prince of Wales, Cowling Brow, Chorley

10%

Prince Of Wales New Market Street, Chorley

10%

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.

Smiths Arms, Lea Town

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

Tap & Vine, Penwortham

10%

Trades Hall Club & Institute, Bamber Bridge

10%

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

Walton Fox, Bamber Bridge

20p per pint

Wellington, Ashton

Up to 25p per pint

Wellington (Glovers Ct.), Preston

10%

Wings & Beer Co., Preston

10%

Thursday 3rd October Ale Cry Distribution Crawl – Grimsargh & Goosnargh – Minibus from Chorley & Preston Monday 7th October Committee Meeting at Shepherds’ Hall Ale House, Chorley (7.30pm) Saturday 12th October Brewery Trip to Wily Fox – Minibus from Preston & Chorley Thursday 24th October Branch Social at Bottom Spinners, Adlington (7.30pm) Monday 4th November Committee Meeting at Baker Street, Preston Thursday 21st November Branch Social at Market Ale House, Leyland (7.30pm)

Advertising Advert prices

Publication Dates

The next issue of Ale Cry will be published on 1st December 2019.

Deadline for copy and advert submission is 1st November 2019.

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

Ale Cry online

Digital versions of this and previous Ale Crys are available at: https://issuu.com/clcamra

30

LE HE

This pub offers CAMR A members a discount.

Find out more: www.camra.org.uk/ discountscheme

CAMRA Real Ale A6 Sticker

Thursday 19th September Branch Social and Community POTY presentation at Potters Arms, Chorley

LAB

Ale Cry

ISSUE 124 AUTUMN 2019

05/06/2019 12:45

CAMRA VOUCHER scheme The following pubs accept the 50p CAMRA vouchers.

Adelphi, Preston

Roper Hall, Preston

Bay Horse, Euxton

Sir Henry Tate, Chorley

Grey Friar, Preston

Twelve Tellers, Preston

Leyland Lion, Leyland

Yates, Preston

Prince of Wales, New Market Street, Chorley

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

£26.50*

a year. That’s less Includes than a pint a £30 month!

Real Ale

Cider & Perry Vouchers

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

✂

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

Your details:

Direct Debit

Single Membership (UK) Title ................................ Surname ........................................................................................

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£28.50

£18

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Please indicate whether you Email address

What’s Brewing

By Email By Post

wish to receive What’s Brewing ......................................................................................................................... and BEER by email OR post:

Non DD

BEER

By Email By Post

Concessionary rates are available only for Under 26 Memberships.

Daytime Tel ............................................................................................................................

Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership) Title ................................ Surname ...............................................................................

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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 standard national rates, cost may vary from mobile phones. New Direct Debit members will receive a 12 month supply of vouchers in their first 15 months of membership.

The data you provide will be processed in accordance with our privacy policy in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

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