CAMRA AGM 2013 Handbook by Orchard House Media Ltd

ST ANDREW’S & BLACKFRIARS’ HALLS Norwich •19th - 21st April

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Handbook sponsored by Woodfordes Brewery

2013

CAMRA Members’ Weekend & AGM

Agmnorwich2013.org.uk

Local Organiser’s Welcome

Welcome to Norwich

In the intervening years the pub and brewery scene has been re-vitalised. In 1990 Norfolk had three breweries, today there are nearly thirty and more micros are opening all the time. We also have a great range of pubs selling cask ale from both our local brewers and those further afield. A recent survey conducted by branch members on one day in June 2012 identified 125 pubs selling a total of 569 real ales of which 254 were different. Also available were 55 real ciders. This makes Norwich one of the country’s premier places for drinking real ale. To aid you to visit as many of these pubs as possible local members have constructed six ‘pub routes’ taking in most of the real ale outlets in and around the City Centre. Samples of these are on pages 10 - 13 of this handbook. They can be downloaded from our AGM website www.agmnorwich2013.org.uk and copies will be available at St Andrews Hall. For those who visit Norwich and want more than just beer drinking there is much to see. Norwich has a great cultural heritage dominated by its Norman castle, now a museum and the magnificent 13th Century Cathedral. There are many historical medieval churches and other fine buildings. If you are staying longer there are The Norfolk Broads and an CAMRA AGM 2013

unspoilt coastline to explore, where there are some great real ale pubs. Lastly, I would like to thank all the many volunteers both from our branch and other CAMRA branches, plus our sponsors, who have contributed to make this hopefully a successful weekend and without whose help it would be impossible for this event to take place. Warren Wordsworth Local Members’ Weekend & AGM Organiser 2013 & Norwich & Norfolk Branch Secretary

Contents

On behalf of Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA I would like to welcome you all to Norwich. This is the second time in CAMRA’s history that Norwich has hosted this event, the last time, for those with a good memory, was back in 1990, twenty three years ago.

Organiser’s Welcome

Chairman’s Notes

Conference etiquette

Weekend schedule

Brewery trips Venue details and layout History of brewing in Norfolk Pub Trails

5-7 7 8-9 10-13

CAMRA Heritage Pubs

Thirty years of Norfolk Nips

Norfolk map

Cider and Perry in Norfolk

Norwich’s Real Heritage Pubs

22-23

Guide to local breweries

24-25

Pubs in the County

Eating out

Out and about

Emergency contacts

Getting here

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Chairman’s Letter

Chairman’s Welcome Thank you for registering to attend the 2013 Members’ Weekend in Norwich. It is the second time we have been to Norwich, with the first time being in 1990. Coincidentally, that was the first year that I attended a Members’ Weekend and I have fond, if vague, memories of that weekend, especially the Scottish Branches party in the halls of residence on the Saturday night.

“Don’t forget to check out the Members’ Bar, where a array of Norfolk beers, the majority of them 4.5% or less, will be available.”

Conference Etiquette

When it comes to real ale pubs, Norwich has an embarrassment of riches, so don’t feel obliged to try them all. Why not, like many members, including myself, spend an extra couple of days either before or after the Members’ Weekend getting to know Norwich and its wonderful array of pubs – they have

Members who attend the Member’s Weekend give up a great deal of their time for the Campaign. Similarly, guest speakers do so in a voluntary capacity. Most speakers, whether a guest or a member, will be nervous when addressing such a large audience and so, whether you agree with them or not, please remember that every speaker is entitled to put forward his or her point of view. While someone is

been warned to expect us and you wouldn't want to disappoint them, would you? As ever, if you have not spoken at conference before and want to do so, don’t be afraid to speak up. I am always on the lookout for people who have not spoken at Conference before and I am sure that many members who don’t necessarily want to speak themselves, would be glad to listen to someone new. If there is something on the order paper that you want to speak on, either for or against, buttonhole me in the Members Bar and I will do my best to make sure you get your chance. Don’t forget to check out the Members’ Bar, where a array of Norfolk beers, the majority of them 4.5% or less, will be available. Finally, if this is your first Members’ Weekend, feel free to engage me or any other member of the National Executive in conversation over a beer in the Members’ Bar as we will all be there at some point over the weekend.

speaking please do not walk around the auditorium or hold private conversations, as not only is this discourteous, but can also be very distracting. Please also remember to switch off all mobile phones, pagers and other potentially noisy electronic devices before entering the auditorium. If you intend to speak on a motion, please move forward towards the front in good time and also remember if

you do speak, to introduce yourself with your name and your branch. Please note, CAMRA staff will be making an audio recording of the proceeding which may be made available in the members' area of the CAMRA website. If you speak during conference and do not want to appear in the recording, please email tom.stainer@camra.org.uk to be edited out of the audio file.

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Agmnorwich2013.org.uk

Schedule and Trips

Weekend Schedule Weekend Schedule

Brewery Trips

Friday 19th April

All trips will depart from and return to the car park outside St Andrews Hall. Departures will be staggered in order as below

16.00 16.00 17.00 20.00 00.00

Registration desk opens Members’ Bar opens The first tour departs Registration closes Members’ Bar closes

Saturday 20th April 09.00 09.30 12.30 13.45 14.00 16.00 17.00 17.30 18.00 00.00

Registration desk opens Conference commences Lunch interval – Members’ Bar opens Members’ Bar closes Conference resumes Workshops and Policy Discussion Groups Members’ Bar opens The first tour departs Registration desk closes Members’ Bar closes

Sunday 21st April 09.00 09.30 12.00 12.30 16.00 16.30

Registration desk opens Conference commences Registration desk closes Conference ends – Members’ Bar opens Members’ Bar closes Glass stand closes – Sorry, no refunds after this time

This schedule is provisional and is subject to change. Tour departure times are staggered to avoid congestion outside the Halls.

Friday night trips from 5pm Running order - Grain, Cider trip, Humpty Dumpty and Panther Saturday night trips from 5.30pm Running order - Green Jack, Beeston and Woodforde’s. The Cider Crawl will also start at 5.30pm. They are scheduled to return by 9.30 10.00pm

Brewery trip descriptions Friday Panther Brewery – Situated on the site of the now closed Reepham Brewery, this five barrel-a-week brewery was re-opened in 2010 by Martin James. All beers are named after different coloured panthers. There will be a buffet of sandwiches and bowls of chips provided at the nearby King’s Arms (current GBG listed) pub. Grain – This South Norfolk brewery was established in 2006 by Phil Halls and Geoff Wright. In 2010 Grain opened their own pub in Norwich, The Plough and last year saw a major expansion of the brewery with its capacity tripled in size to 15 barrels a week. A Sausage Pie will be served (vegetarian Option available). Humpty Dumpty – Originally established in 1998, with present owners taking over in the mid 2000s. The brewery has its own onsite shop where you will have the Continued on page 7

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Hall Layout Plan

Brewery Trips - Continued opportunity to purchase their draft or bottled beers plus a selection of other local produce and brewery merchandise. A fish & chip supper is included on this tour.

in advance from the menu). The White Lion is East Anglia's Cider Pub of the Year 2012. The crawl can be adapted to suit the needs of those participating.

Cider trip to Crones and Jonty’s - Visiting Crones, Kenninghall, for a talk by Robbie Crone, plus a look around his set up. There will be cider to drink, as well as to buy and take away. We'll then move on to The Banham Barrel, Banham, for food and possibly some live music. It is also the home of Jonty's Cider, where Jonty Wright will give a brief talk. Saturday Beeston – Situated in Mid Norfolk this five -barrel-a-week brewery was established in 2006. with water coming from its own bore hole. The brewery also produces bottled conditioned beers. After the tour visitors will go to the nearby Ploughshares pub for a buffet. Green Jack – This Lowestoft brewery is the UK’s most easterly brewery. It was originally situated in the Triangle Tavern pub, but in 2009 relocated to a nearby refurbished fish-smoking house. There will be pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven included in this trip. Woodforde’s – Woodforde’s are Norfolk’s largest and longest surviving brewery having been originally established in 1981. It moved to its present site in 1989 and since then has undergone several expansions. There will be a cold buffet provided in the adjacent Fur and Feather pub. Cider Crawl around Norwich – This will be a guided walk visiting four pubs, each of which will have different ciders available. We start with Take 5, followed by either The Ribs of Beef, or The King’s Head. We’ll then go to The Cottage, and end in The White Lion for food (participants to select CAMRA AGM 2013

Brewing in Norwich

Brewing in Norwich Norwich was a natural site for brewing being at the centre of an area which grows some of the best malting barley in the country and had access to good quality water from the chalk that underlies much of the city. Monks were the earliest brewers and their breweries can be traced back to the 11th C, situated in their priories. The Benedictine Monks had theirs in Cathedral Close and the Austin Friars produced ale on a site between Mountergate and St Anne’s Staithe in King Street. In 1783, the population of Norwich was 35,000 and was served by nine breweries, in addition to those publicans who brewed for themselves in their own establishments. By 1836, the number had grown to 27, some of them very small. However, change was in the air. New production methods, including increased use of the steam engine, meant that the larger Breweries could benefit from economies of scale. Greater control of the brewing process meant that beer quality was more consistent. Porter, which required longer, and therefore more , storage was becoming popular and, significantly, there was an increase in the number of tied houses.

930 pubs between them, and the value of their tied estates were around 80% of the breweries assets. The writing was on the wall by the early 1960s as aggressive mergers and the introduction of keg beers and “lager” fuelled by massive marketing campaigns, began to take their toll. The big four did not respond well and this all led to the demise of large scale brewing in Norwich. Initially, they were cushioned by the value of their tied estates and protected by the production process which had not seen dramatic changes and therefore did not require major investment in new technologies. But there was also a feeling that the new generations did not have the flair or the passion of the founders. They were doomed.

In Norwich, the industry became more concentrated, and by 1841 over 75% of Norwich’s 558 pubs were in the hands of just seven companies, with Steward and Patteson controlling 33% of them. Brew pubs declined and the smaller brewers either collapsed or were taken over at an alarming rate. In 1858, there were 12 Breweries and by 1875, Norwich was left with Steward and Patteson, Bullards, Morgans, and Youngs, Crawshaw and Youngs, who were collectively known as “the Big Four”.

Youngs, Crawshaw and Youngs were the first of the big four to go. They had been bought out by Bullards and Sons, who took the 50 tied houses and closed the brewery in 1958.

These became limited companies, which meant that they could raise capital through share issues. What made them so appealing to investors was the financial strength amassed in their tied estates - no wonder as by 1895, Steward and Patteson and Bullards had

Then in 1961, Morgan’s Brewery was jointly acquired by Steward and Patteson and Bullards. Morgan’s had an estate of over 400 pubs and the most modern brewery in the city. The chairmen of both companies divided the newly acquired pubs between themCAMRA AGM 2013

Agmnorwich2013.org.uk selves amicably (having drawn cards to decide who should have the first pick!) Despite assurances to the contrary, the Brewery on King Street was immediately sold to Watney Mann, with an understanding that they could sell Red Barrel, etc into their tied houses. Unfortunately, the boards at Steward and Patteson and Bullards had completely underestimated the power of the national advertising campaigns, and by 1962 Watney Mann keg beers accounted for over 50% of bitter sales in those pubs. Steward and Patteson were in a weak position as their finances had been stretched by the purchase of Morgan’s. Watney Mann began to purchase shares in both brew-

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Brewing in Norwich eries and were able to take over both Companies by 1963. However, this did not finally happen until 1967, when Steward and Pattesons breweries and 1064 tied properties were sold to Watney’s for £7.67m. It was at this time that CAMRA described Norfolk as being a “beer desert”. Despite investment, the reintroduction of lost brands, strengthened links to East Anglia and firm assurances to the contrary, it was finally deemed that the brewery was surplus to requirements and was closed in 1985. This brought about what was described by The Norwich and Norfolk Branch of CAMRA as “a tragic end to an historic tradition of brewing in Norwich”.

But by then, a new dawn was already breaking. In 1981, the Star Brewery opened at The Golden Star in Duke Street, followed by Woodforde’s in Drayton. Today, there are over thirty breweries in Norfolk, mainly small, but some are gaining reputations on a national scale. Their owners have drive, flair and a passion for the beers that they produce. Grateful thanks to Francis and Michael Holmes for permission to use data from their book “Norwich Pubs and Breweries Past and Present” published by Norwich Heritage Projects. The story continues on page 24

Pub Walks

Pub Walk 2:

City Centre South

Area/Route This walk is mostly contained in the City Centre shopping district of Norwich. The second half takes you through many old medieval streets which are known as ‘The Lanes’. The Murderers / Gardeners

Pubs The first pub, The Woolpack is situated at one end of what was once Norwich livestock market, now the area is a garden on top of the Castle Shopping Mall. The interior consists of a large single bar pub with separate dining area. The present building dates 10

from 1938, although a pub has been on this site for much longer. Close by is the second pub, No 12 formerly known as La Rouen, a much smaller more intimate pub selling mainly Adnams Beers. Towards the bottom end of Timber Hill is a pub with a double name The Murderers/ Gardeners (3) a

bustling City centre pub on split levels that is popular with the younger set. Close by is The Bell Hotel, (4) one of Norwich’s four Wetherspoons. This a typical of the Wetherspoons style, being large and spread over two floors. Very much smaller and set half way along a tiny narrow pedestrian lane is The Walnut Tree Shades, (5) a popular venue for blues and rock music fans. Adjacent to the Market Place is the recently re-opened ‘Sir

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visit www.Agmnorwich2013.org.uk for details of all six walks

The Walnut Tree Shades Garnet’ (6) set on different floors and levels. We now move into ‘The Lanes’ area of Norwich City Centre visiting The Vine, (7) Norwich’s smallest pub which also doubles up as a Thai restaurant. Close by is The Belgian Monk. (8). No British real ale here but this bar and restaurant, in addition to its menu of authentic cuisine, sells a large selection of Belgian ales both bottled and on draft. The Coach & Horses (9) is a large one bar Greene King pub selling guest ales in addition to the Greene King range. Last pub on this route is The Micawbers (10) a Victorian corner pub with bars on split levels.

Directions This walk starts at The Woolpack (NR1 3EH) situated on Golden Ball Street close to Castle and Castle Mall shopping centre. The second pub No 12 (NR1 3JX) is immediately CAMRA AGM 2013

opposite. After leaving No 12 bear right along Golden Ball Street and then right again into Timber Hill. Walk down Timber Hill and towards the bottom, The Murderers/Gardeners (NR1 3LB), is on your right. After visiting The Murderers continue down Timber Hill and right into Orford Street and the entrance to The Bell Hotel (NR1 3QB) is on your left. The Bell is on two floors, so when leaving depart via the downstairs bar onto Castle Meadow. Walk along Castle Meadow as far as Davey Place (a pedestrianised lane) and turn left down the steps and right into Castle Street then the immediately left to the very narrow Old Post Office Court where The Walnut Tree Shades (NR2 1NG) is immediately in front of you. Turn left out of Walnut Tree Shades onto Gentlemans Walk where you emerge onto Norwich Market. Turn left to Sir Garnet (NR2 1RD) which is at the end of The Market After Sir Garnet retrace your steps along Gentlemans Walk to The Guildhall and just to the right of the Guildhall by Tesco is a small pedestrian lane Dove Street. Walk along Dove Street and about half way along on your right is The Vine (NR2 1DE). Turn right from the Vine to the end of Dove Street and left into Pottergate. The Belgian Monk (NR2 1DS) is on your right. Turn right out of Belgian Monk and the almost immediately left into Lower Goat Lane. When you emerge at the end of

Pub Walks Lower Goat Lane The City Hall is immediately in front of you. Walk by the front of The City Hall (St Peter Street) and right into Bethel Street. The Coach & Horses (NR2 1NR) is about 200 metres along Bethel Street, past the Forum Library on your left. Turn left out of Coach & Horses to end of Bethel Street and cross over into Upper St Giles Street then right down Cow Hill to junction with Pottergate and The Micawbers (NR2 1DZ) is on the right.

The Vine, Dove Street

Links to other Walks Leave The Bell Hotel at the lower level, and turn left into Red Lion Street. Carry straight on at the lights into St Stephens Street. At the end, turn right after Wilkinsons. The Champion (pub walk 4) can be seen on the other side of the road. To reach it, walk past the remains of the City walls and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing by the Methodist Church.

Pub Walks

Pub Walk 4:

South Side & Golden Triangle Area/Route This walk takes in the area immediately to the south of the old medieval walls of Norwich and is a mainly residential area of modern and older buildings. In the latter part of the walk once across Newmarket Road you are in an area known by locals as ‘The Golden Triangle’ which consists almost entirely of Victorian terraced housing.

many from local micros in addition to the Bateman range. Immediately opposite is The Freemasons (3) formerly owned by Woodforde’s when it was known as ‘The Billy Bluelight’. The Trafford Arms (4) is a classic community local free

Pubs The Rose (1) is sister pub to The Ketts Tavern (in Walk 5). Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the locally brewed Norwich Bear brews. The Kings Arms (2) is a Bateman’s pub but with a very large range of guest beers 12

Trafford Arms house run by the same couple Chris and Glynis Higgins for the past twenty years. There are usually around ten real ales available plus Kingfisher cider. The Coachmakers Arms (5)

is a bustling pub close to city centre and attracts many local office staff on weekday lunchtimes. All real ales here are dispensed by gravity. Very close by is The Champion (6) a small traditional style comfortable local, owned by Bateman’s with guest ales also available. We now move into ‘The Golden Triangle’ to The York Tavern (7) which on the outside is a typical Victorian corner local. The interior though has been much modernised over past two decades. Next is The Rose Tavern (8) another typical Victorian corner local whose interior is more traditional in style. This was a former Lacons pub, (note the Maltese falcons – Lacons old logo in the brickwork). It sells a fairly good range of cask ales. Going CAMRA AGM 2013

visit www.Agmnorwich2013.org.uk for details of all six walks

further away from the City Centre we come to The Eaton Cottage (9) a classic community local very popular with students who have accommodation in this area. Last but certainly not least is The Beehive (10) another great community pub. This is one of the few pubs left in Norwich which retains its bar and lounge. The bar has traditional wooden floorboards chairs and tables where the lounge is comfortably furnished with carpet and soft chairs.

Directions and Links Starting from The Bell Hotel turn left up Timber Hill, and when you reach the top cross at pelican crossing and bear left into Ber Street. Walk the full

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Eaton Cottage length of Ber Street and you will emerge onto Queens Road and your first pub, The Rose (NR1 3AE) is across the street. Turn left after leaving The Rose along Queens Road then shortly after left into Hall Road. The Freemasons (NR1 3HQ) and The Kings Arms (NR1 3HQ) are opposite each other. Next continue a little way along Hall Road from city centre and right into Trafalgar Street continue right into Southwell Road until you reach a mini roundabout and Tesco convenience store. Then turn left past some shops to The Trafford Arms. (NR1 3RL) On departing Trafford Arms

Pub Walks retrace steps past the shops and turn left along Victoria Street to St Stephens Road and The Coachmakers (NR1 3SP) is on the other side of the street. Bear left out of Coachmakers keeping to the left at roundabout to The Champion (NR2 1SE) Retrace steps when leaving the Champion back along St Stephens Road then into Newmarket Road at the traffic lights, and a short distance after turn right into Brunswick Road, then left into Newmarket Street, then right into York Street and The York (NR2 2AS) is in front of you. From the York bear left along York Street then right into Rupert Street and The Rose Tavern (NR2 2AT) is on corner of Rupert Street and Trinity Street. From The Rose Tavern turn left along Trinity Street to Unthank Road then left along Unthank Road until you reach The Eaton Cottage (NR2 2DQ). Continue left out of Eaton Cottage. Cross the ring road at the traffic lights and continue until you reach Leopold Road then left to The Beehive (NR4 7PJ).

Public Transport Buses 11 and 11A (pink route) go along Newmarket Road to St Stephens Street and Castle Meadow. 13, 13A, 14, 14A 15 and 15A (green routes) also go along Newmarket Road to the City Centre. Bus 25 runs between University of East Anglia to Railway station via city centre and goes along Unthank Road.

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Norfolk Nips Magazine - The First 30 Years

Going from Strength to Strength It’s hard to believe, but Norfolk NIPS , our Branch Newsletter, celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Incorporating Cask Force, the newsletter of the West Norfolk Branch, it brings you all the latest news and information from across the County, as well as national news from CAMRA HQ and reports from around the world by globetrotting readers. The mission is simple – to inform and entertain – a good read whilst you sup a decent pint in your local, or being a handy A5 size, slip into your pocket to read later. The Spring Edition, No. 160, launched the celebrations. The Eastern Transport Collection Society’s LD5G Red Double Decker Bus graced the cover with an appropriate destination board display. In this issue, we had the first article by a guest writer – Cask Marque’s Annabel Smith- who wrote about the North-South Divide and what drinkers in different parts of the UK expect from their pints. The guest writer in the Summer Edition was none other than Tim Hampson who CAMRA AGM 2013

extolled the virtues of Norwich, and endorsed our claims to be the City of Real Ale. We also reported on Sir Ian Botham’s Great British Walk. We were at Coltishall with The Humpty Dumpty Brewery to welcome him as he completed the Norfolk leg of his journey. The Norfolk A – Z series had reached “D” and we looked at the history of Drays in Norfolk. The Autumn Edition No.162, looked forward to the 35th Norwich Beer Festival and the National CAMRA Members Weekend/AGM in 2013. It also featured reports on the Beer scenes in Germany, Hawaii and Fakenham! The Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History also got a mention. The Winter edition, edited by The West Norfolk Branch had a Victorian themed cover and reported on the successful 35th Norwich CAMRA Beer Frestival. The Current edition is our annual Spring Beer Festival Special, which highlights the local Beer Festivals taking part throughout the County, welcomes CAMRA Members to Norwich for the Members’

Weekend and AGM and looks forward to the 3rd City of Ale Festival. 17

Cider producers: 10 Crones, Kenninghall 11 Jontyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cider, Banham

1 Woodfordes, Woodbastwick 2 Norfolk Brewhouse, Hindringham 3 Humpty Dumpty, Reedham 4 Wolf, Besthorpe 5 Oakham, Peterborough 6 Panther, Reepham 7 Grain, Alburgh 8 Beeston, Beeston 9 Green Jack, Lowestoft

Wells

Sheringham

Horning

Cider and Perry

Real Cider & Perry in Norwich and Norfolk Norfolk has a long tradition of real cider and perry making, with cider and perry becoming increasingly popular in local pubs. Norwich has 19 cider pubs and Norfolk has 8 established cider makers, with a number of very small or new cider makers. Norwich also has the East Anglian Cider Pub of the Year 2012, and Norfolk cider makers have received several East Anglian Cider & Perry awards. Not exactly a cider desert as many believe! This is backed up with 113 cider pubs in East Anglia with Real Cider Sold Here windows stickers, and 35 cider makers who you may see at CAMRA beer and cider festivals in East Anglia. One of the pubs worth a visit is the White Lion, 73 Oak Street, which is the East Anglian Cider Pub of the Year 2012. It always has at least 20 ciders and perries available, which will increase for the Member’s Weekend. They always have local cider or perry available, as do several other pubs in Norwich. Norwich Beer Festival, held in October, is the home of the East Anglian Cider Competition. The winner of this goes forward to the National Cider & Perry Championships held at Reading Beer & Cider Festival, held in early May. Cambridge Beer Festival, held in late May, is the home of the East Anglian Bottled Cider Competition. Other beer festivals with a large range of cider & perry include Peterborough, Chelmsford, St Albans, and Rochford.

Ben and Bec ky at the White Lio n

Jonty’s Rum Ol’ Night, made by Jonty Wright at the Banham Barrel won the East Anglian Cider Competition 2012. He came 2nd in 2011 with Early Night. Crones Dutchie Original, made by Robbie Crone in Kenninghall, came 3rd in 2012. He won in 2010 with Owld Norfolk. Peter Blake’s Hog & Vine, made just outside Great Yarmouth, won in 2011. Whin Hill, won the East Anglian Perry Competition in 2011

Jonty Wright receiving his award CAMRA AGM 2013

and 2010. That means half the East Anglian Cider & Perry awards over the past 3 years have gone to Norfolk cider makers! There’s a cider trip on the Friday evening to Crones and Jonty’s (at the Banham Barrel), Whin Hill and Crones and a cider pub crawl on the Saturday evening visiting four or five cider pubs in the city. All the ciders and perries on the Member’s Bar will be from Norfolk, however, both West County Style and Eastern style ciders will be available. Visit www.agmnorwich2013.org.uk/home/ cider-and-perry for a full list of cider pubs in Norwich and details of cider & perry makers in Norfolk.

CAMRA AGM 2013

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Norwich Real Heritage Pubs

This is a series of articles that appears in Norfolk Nips highlighting the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years or so. For the CAMRA AGM at St Andrews Hall we feature two pubs close to the hall giving you the opportunity to visit them whilst in Norwich. three empty houses converted into the Golden Star brewery in 1979/80 and when brewing ceased in 1984 it was converted to a bar. The bar counter is old but imported and the bar back is one added in 1984. Note the old baffle/short partition and a tiny hatch with two-part sliding window between the two rooms.

Golden Star, Norwich This is a 17th century building that became a pub in the 19th century. Closed in 1970 by Watneys it was saved from demolition in 1975 when Peter Turner negotiated a lease from the City Council. It has a L-shaped main bar, which, from markings on the wall, ceiling and counter, indicate it was originally two small rooms and an off sales. It retains what may be the original counter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is the same one that appears in a photo of the bar taken in the 1920s that hangs on the wall. The bar back retains its old lower part but the top part is largely late 1970s work. Note the old spirit cabinet in the bar back fitting. Some of the wall panelling is old and the fixed seating on the right is at least 40 years old. The rear bar is in what was originally

Golden Star, 57 Colegate, Norwich MR3 1DD. It is open from 12 to 11 (12 Fri, Sat). Meals are served from 12 to 2.30 Mon to Sat; 5 (6 Tue) to 9pm Tue to Sat; Sunday roasts 12 to 3. There is a Bluegrass & Old Time Session on the third Thursday monthly and regular live music on Saturday nights. The pub has a bar billiards table. Phone number is 01603 632447. Website: www.goldenstarnorwich.co.uk where evening menus are updated weekly. Real ales on sale are Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, usually IPA Gold and up to three guest beers from independent and microbreweries.

The main bar counter of the Golden Star, Norwich CAMRA AGM 2013

The middle room of the Adam & Eve, Norwich with its 1930’s fittings

Adam & Eve, Norwich This 17th century brick and flint building has been a pub for some time. Prior to the early 1970s there was no bar in the pub and customers would have had their drinks brought to the table in jugs. The front door leads into the top bar with two low ancient settles attached to the ceiling. This small quarry tiled room has some old dado panelling, but has a new bar counter and bar back. It looks like it was subdivided as the floor markings indicate the position of more partitions in the past. The most intact part of the pub is the small snug situated in a 1930s extension. It retains its parquet floor, period brick fireplace and fixed seating but the dado panelling is new. The lower bar was created in 1973 from the former cellar and the floor had to be lowered some four inches. The Adam & Eve is a traditional pub with no TV, no machines and no pool table! Adam & Eve, 17 Bishopsgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ. It is open from 11 to 11 Mon to Sat; 12 to 10.30 Sun. Meals are served from 12 to 7 (5 Sun). Phone number is 01603 667423. The Adam & Eve has a Facebook page. Real ales CAMRA AGM 2013

on sale are Adnams Southwold Bitter, Theakstons Old Peculier and up to three guest beers. Other ‘CAMRA Real Heritage Pubs’ in Norwich are the Gate House, 391 Dereham Road NR5 8QJ (in the Good Beer Guide 2013); the Berstrete Gates, 174 Ber Street NR1 3EN (no real ale); Whalebone, 144 Magdalen Road, NR3 4BA (range of real ales) and the Gordon, 88 Gordon Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew NR7 0DR (has real ale).

For more information about CAMRA’s Real Heritage Pubs take a look at the CAMRA Heritage Pubs website www.heritagepubs.org.uk. Text and photographs by Mick Slaughter of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group. 23

Local Breweries Guide

Norfolk Breweries A Case Of Brewin’ Diff’rent? Given the current plethora and diversity of breweries in Norfolk it is hard to imagine, that at one time, there was no real ale production at all in the county. All there was was keg out of the Watney’s owned Norwich Brewery site down King St., and nothing else. So what happened? 1981, that’s what happened. Charles married Di, I did my O-levels, and the grist hit the liquor for the start of a new age in Norfolk Brewing History. Real ale was once more being produced at Norwich Brewery although that only lasted a few years until it was closed, the Star brewery flickered briefly, but much more importantly, in an industrial unit in Drayton, Ray Ashworth founded Woodforde’s Brewery and created Wherry Bitter.

the largest and most successful brewery in the county, also winning Champion Beer Of Britain twice in the process. They are currently situated in the broadland village of Woodbastwick which was publess until Woodforde’s opened the Fur And Feather pub across the yard from the brewery. Two years later Reepham Brewery started up. The ball had started rolling. The Reepham Brewery site is now occupied by Panther Brewery, and is the oldest brewing site still in use in the county. Panther Brewery is named from

reported sightings across the county of a large black panther like creature.

From these small and modest beginnings Woodforde’s have grown, moved twice, and even come back from the ashes Phoenix XXX like to become 24

The ball may have started rolling but it was only very slowly.... The Reindeer Brewery started up in 1987, and is no more, but its founders Bill Thomas and Wolfe Whitham went on separately to found Chalk Hill Brewery (1993), still going strong behind the Coach and Horses (Thorpe Rd.) and

Wolf Brewery (1995) in Attleborough. Ownership, location and plant have changed, but Wolf Brewery has been successful, and grown into the county’s second largest brewery with beers such as Straw Dogs, Lupus Lupus and Woild Moild. A few other breweries started up in the 90s such as Buffy’s (the first shed / garage in the garden site in Norfolk - Tivetshall St. Mary), and also Humpty Dumpty (Reedham), tucked away in The Broads, and born out of an idea by a former landlord of The Railway in Reedham, and a definite success story since changing hands a few years ago. A number of their beers have a railway theme. 2002 was also a watershed year for brewing in the county with the announcement of reduced beer duty for small brewers. A couple of breweries including Fox (Heacham) and Winter’s (Norwich) were already in the early days of production, but the measure has provided a springboard for many more to start up in various sizes and locations throughout the county from CAMRA AGM 2013

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the incredibly compact Front St Brewery (Binham), to the recently established Norfolk Brewhouse (Hindringham), a much larger and newly built installation in a former barn, who produce both the Moon Gazer range of cask beers, and StubbleStag lager, both names are local terms for hares. Also in this corner of North Norfolk is Jo C’s Norfolk Ale (West Barsham), as run by the only brewster in the county at present. There hasn’t just been an increase in number of breweries, but also in the diversity of styles of beer and experimentation, such as the Belgian style White Dove and Dragon Saison from Ole Slewfoot (North Walsham), a Bavarian wheat

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Local Breweries Guide

beer from Opa Hay’s (Aldeby), and the eye-popping Mocha Moggie coffee beer from the Fat Cat Brewery (Norwich). The Fat Cat Brewery is situated at the imaginatively named Fat Cat Brewery Tap, and was set up by Colin Keatley who’s been a character in the Norwich pub trade for many years, and twice winner of the National Pub Of The Year, with The Fat Cat The above is by no means exhaustive, and there are other producers of good beer including Beeston (Beeston), Elmtrees (Snetterton), Grain (Alburgh), Tipples (Acle), and Waveney (Earsham). Popping south of the Waveney, briefly, mention

should be made of Adnams (Southwold), who never stopped brewing cask beer, even in the dark days, and Green Jack who also produce excellent beer, and are very capable in the area of strong beers, e.g. Baltic Trader, an imperial stout at 10.5%. A quick mention for Oakham Brewery, which isn’t exactly in Norfolk, but their beers are often seen in the city, and for those of you travelling via train and Peterborough, their brewery tap is very close to Peterborough station. Also one of thier original head brewers, is now involved with brewing on the former Blackfriars site in Gt. Yarmouth.

Pubs in the County

Pubs in the County If you would like to see more of what the county has to offer, here is a suggestion for a pleasant drive (most of the route is covered by public transport if Des is not available to drive). Head out of Norwich on the A140 northwards towards Cromer, and just after the Airport turn left at the roundabout onto the B1149 Holt Road. There are two pubs on this road which are certainly worth a visit. The Marsham Arms (NR10 5NP) is seven miles north of Norwich. A 19th C coaching Inn, it has recently been refurbished. Real Ales are served by gravity from the tap room. The Pigs at Edgefield (NR24 2RL) is an award winning pub, which operates a bartering system where you can exchange fresh produce for beer. Stay the night here and you can help yourself to the House Beer (Wolf Old Spot) from the handpump on the landing. Between these two pubs is a little gem, tucked away. Turn left onto the Heydon Road and the right at the crossroads and you will come to the picture postcard private village of Heydon. The Earle Arms (NR11 6AD) is an atmospheric 16th C former Coaching Inn with oodles of character just opposite the 26

green and next to the tea shop. When you reach Holt, you have a choice. If you take the A148 towards Fakenham at the roundabout, then turn right onto the Thursford Road at Thursford. Passing The Thursford Collection of Steam Engines and Organs on your left you will come to the village of Binham. Here you will find the remains of the Benedictine St Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Priory and The Chequers Inn (NR21 0AL) a picturesque welcoming pub, home to The Front Street microbrewery, which produces some interesting beers, including some occasional Belgian style beers made with East Anglian malt. To see the Georgian town of Holt, take the A148 as above, but the turn right into the High

Street opposite the Methodist Church. Follow the road round into Cromer Road. Just before the By-pass on the left hand side is the terminus of the North Norfolk Railway. You can park here (easier to park here than in Sheringham) and catch a train (alternate steam and heritage diesel trains will be running) to Sheringham, a bustling Victorian seaside town. Here, amongst many delights, you will find The Windham Arms, the Branch Pub of the Year 2011. Situated close to the Promenade, this is a welcoming pub offering a heady mix of Greek hospitality and food and local real ales and ciders. Spend some time in Sheringham, there is lots to see and do here (and great fish and chips) before catching the train back to Holt.

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Eating Out

Eating Out in Norwich Norwich has four Wetherspoon’s, with two – The Bell and The Glass House, close to the venue, offering their usual fayre.

This is farming country and there are many eating establishments which offer a warm welcome and delicious food prepared with fresh seasonal local ingredients. You are never far away from a pavement café, tea room or coffee house. Many pubs offer great food as well as local real ales and ciders and there are great restaurants offering the best in British, Continental and World Cuisine. If the café culture is for you, then head for The Britons Arms Coffee House, close to St Andrews, or Caley’s Cocoa Café in the 19th C. Guildhall amongst many others. There are also The Refectories in nearby Norwich Cathedral or The Cathedral of St John the Baptist near the city walls. Try also The Iron House, formerly The Ironmongers, which sells bottled Grain Beers. CAMRA AGM 2013

Good Food Pubs include The Reindeer, The Rumsey Wells, No.12, and The Garnet amongst others, all close to the Halls. And don’t forget The Belgian Monk, which offers Belgian Cuisine, with beers to match each dish. The Norwich City Football Club in Carrow Road is where you will find Delia’s Restaurant and Bar, and also Yellows, both part of Delia Smith’s Canary Catering. Jamie Oliver has recently opened a new Branch of Jamie’s Italian in the historic Victorian Royal Arcade.

For fine dining, there is Roger Hickman’s Restaurant, The Last Wine Bar, The Dining Rooms and Bar in Suckling House at Cinema City, The Wine Press@Wensum, Brummells Seafood Restaurant, and more. For further details check the Visit Norwich website www.visitnorwich.co.uk. Enjoy!

Thai Restaurants are very popular in Norwich, including the one upstairs in The Vine, Norwich’s smallest pub. Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Spanish and other restaurants are all just a few minutes walk from the Halls.

Norfolk Tourism

Out and About There is so much to see and do in Norwich, but if you want to venture further afield, there are many delights awaiting you in the fair County of Norfolk, Nelson’s County. Getting about is easy too. If exploring by car, the roads radiate in all directions from Norwich, making it simple to find your chosen destination. Trains run from Norwich to Sheringham via Cromer and also to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. There is also an extensive network of buses, covering the County.

The Coast Head for a sandy beach, or explore the seaside towns of Great Yarmouth, Cromer, Sheringham and Hunstanton. There is plenty of wildlife too, with RSPB centres and boat

trips to watch seals basking in the sun.

Market Towns The Georgian town of Holt, historic Wymondham with it’s Abbey, Aylsham, Dereham, Diss, North Walsham, Swaffham and Fakenham are all worth discovering.

Visitor attractions There are the National Trust Properties - Oxburgh Hall, Felbrigg Hall and the Blickling Estate, which includes the magnificent Blickling Hall, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Railways served many parts of Norfolk, but little now remains. However, The Poppy Line runs steam and diesel trains between Sheringham and Holt; and The Mid Norfolk Railway runs a Heritage diesel

service between Dereham and Wymondham. In addition, there are the narrow gauge railways at Aylsham (The Bure Valley Railway which runs to Wroxham) and the Wells and Walsingham Railway. No trip to Norfolk would be complete without visiting the incredible Norfolk Broads. You can take a cruise from Wroxham or Horning, or hire a day boat to explore at your leisure.

Pubs There are far too many pubs to list here, see the Good Beer Guide 2013, pages 346 – 60, for inspiration, but you can drink Nelson’s Blood at Lord Nelson’s local in Burnham Thorpe or enjoy a Dutch Pancake with your pint on a 19th C Dutch North Sea Clipper at Wells.

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Getting there Train: The Bittern Line runs from Norwich to Cromer and Sheringham Bus: First Eastern Counties is the main bus provider in Norwich, but there is also, Konectbus, Norfolk Green and Sanders amongst others. Norfolk Green also run the

Emergency Contact Details: We hope that you won’t need them, but just in case: Dentist: call 01603 488 488 Doctor: call 0300 03600 333 Or visit Timber Hill Health Centre, level 4, 115 - 117 Castle Mall, Norwich NR1 3DD

Emergency Contact Details Norfolk Coasthopper service, which runs along the coast from Cromer to Kings Lynn.

Eastern Counties Day pass is £5.00 for Norwich and £14.00 covering the network.

Tickets: You can buy a Bittern Rover for £7.80 (Adult) which includes the train from Norwich to Sheringham and the Coasthopper bus to explore the coastline. A Fusion Ticket allows bus travel for a day when using more than one Bus Operator’s services. A First

Contact details: Greater Anglia www.greateranglia.co.uk Norfolk Green www.norfolkgreen.co.uk See also www.travelineastanglia.co.uk and www.visitnorfolk.co.uk

This is the Walk in Centre and Doctor’s Surgery, open 7am – 9pm seven days a week Located near Vue Cinema. Hospital (A&E): call 01603 286 286 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY If driving, take the A11 out of

Norwich and turn right at the roundabout before the Thickthorn Interchange. Police: call 101 Norwich Police Station Bethel Street, Norwich NR2 1NN Open Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm, Saturday 9am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm

Getting to The AGM 2013

Getting Here By car: From the South and West – From the M25, take the M11, A11, (A14), A11 to Norwich. (Please note that this route can be congested on Fridays at Elveden. The alternative is to stay on the A14 (Newmarket By-pass) to Bury St Edmunds, then take the A134 to re-join the A11 at Thetford.) From the Midlands take either the A14(Cambridge) (diversion above applies), A11 to Norwich, or the A47 (Peterborough) to Norwich, or the A17 (from the A1 at Newark), A47 to Norwich.

All routes: At the Thickthorn interchange with the A11 on the Norwich Southern By-pass, follow the A11 into Norwich. At the 3rd roundabout, turn left into Chapel Field Road. At the next roundabout, take the second exit into Grapes Hill. Keep right, and turn right at the traffic lights. Follow this road, past the former Bullards Brewery. Where the road merges at the top of the hill, keep left and turn left at the lights. The entrance to St Andrew’s Car Park (open 24 hours) is immediately on your right. For the venue, leave the car park at the pedestrian exit on level 2. Turn left at St Andrew’s Street and left again after the pedestrian crossing. You are there!

By plane: Norwich International Airport will handle scheduled flights from Amsterdam, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Exeter, Isle of Man, and Manchester, with Flybe, BMI & Eastern Airways during the weekend. Taxis and hire cars are available. The airport does not have a train station, nor a direct bus service into the city from the terminal, but the Airport Park and Ride (pay per passenger on the bus) is a short walk away. By train: Greater Anglia run direct services to Norwich from London Liverpool Street. They also run the local services from Norwich to Sheringham and Cromer, Great Yarmouth, and Lowestoft. There is an indirect service from London Kings Cross, via Cambridge and Ely which is not as convenient.

East Midlands Trains provide a service from Liverpool to Norwich, via Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham. Norwich Station, also called Norwich Thorpe is situated on the western outskirts of the city. Taxis are available, but it is possible to walk to the venue via the Riverside Walk, Cathedral Close, Tombland and Princes Street. Please note that there are no trains running between Norwich and Peterborough on Sunday 21st April. A replacement bus service is in operation. By Coach: National Express run services to Norwich which terminate at the Norwich Bus Station in the south of the city, about a 20 minute walk through the city from the venue. Taxis are available.

Trafford Arms Great Beer, Great Food, Great Atmosphere - situated in a Great City! Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms -

61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466 www.traffordarms.co.uk traffordarms@btconnect.com

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