Beer Around Ere issue 169

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Issue 169 | February - March 2013

Queens Head, Bulwick wins Pub of the Year 2013

Also inside Pub News • Gig Guide • Brewery Update Vince Cable Stands up for Tied Pubs and more!

Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA | www.peterborough-camra.org.uk

Chairman’s Corner

Chairman’s Corner | 3

W

ith the dawning of a new year, yet more challenges are still ahead for our campaign. Some of our members, as reported in the last issue of BAE, did make the journey down to London on the twelfth of December, to be part of the Mass Lobby to Parliament on scrapping the Duty Escalator on beer tax. Whether our efforts are successful or not remains to be seen, in spite of well over a thousand CAMRA members turning up.

We would certainly consider the exercise a resounding success!

Within our own branch we voted at our December AGM to revise our pub nomination system, to award pubs accolades of recognition of their efforts, in keeping the aims of our campaign foremost. We retain the nomination system whereby members can put forward pubs that they feel deserve recognition of their services and efforts, to receive an award. We proposed to drop the divisive Hop award and use only the Gold or Merit awards throughout the branch area. Successful pubs receiving either of these awards will automatically be nominees for the Pub of The Year (POTY) award. The branch committee will also have the power to put forward a selection of pubs which they feel should be considered worthy of some recognition. This may also include the current holder of POTY to ‘defend their title’ the following year.

All the pubs nominated would be subject to scrutiny by a sub-committee of members, with a maximum of 8 pubs going forward onto the POTY voting form. Nominations must be made by the 1st October, to allow for inclusion in the bi-annual newsletter to our branch members.

I would encourage all our members that have considered nominating a pub to do so. They may not ‘make it’ to the final but you may get some satisfaction from your efforts in helping them get the recognition they deserve. I also reported that our Pubs Officer Steve Williams intended to resign the post at the AGM. In spite

of much arm twisting, grovelling, plying him with copious amounts of alcohol and threats to his general demeanour - he’s gone! We may have a new appointment to the post in the near future but, at time of writing, I ask all contributors of pub news to send it to me, or direct to our BAE editor. (Please note copy deadlines).

Another new committee member has been added to our team in the form of Matt Mace who has agreed to take on the role of ViceChairman. In the event of me not being available at any committee functions I’m confident Matt will be a worthy stand-in.

Keep supporting our pubs at this difficult time of the year. In the meantime we will continue our battle against the government to stop increasing taxes and fight against the selling off of closed pubs to be converted into supermarkets that also are a cause of pub closures. We will also keep up the support of pubs that are losing out by the heavy handed practices of the pubcos.

Here’s to a successful 2013 campaigning year!

Cheers

David Murray, Branch Chairman.

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4 Real Ales and Cider ~ Log Fire Every Evening ~ Great Music Every Day ~ Pool Table & Dart Board ~ Whisky Rack ~ Lagers - Bitters - Ciders ~ Bottled Real Ales ~ Choice of 9 Wines ~ Covered Heated Smoking Patio ~ Free Parking ~ Hot Drinks – Costa Coffee & Twinings Tea ~ Big Screens - Live Sports ~ Bar Food & Snacks ~ Free Function Room

New Year Sale Offers throughout February and Mar ch.

Drinks from 50p. Food from £1.

FEBRUARY - ‘MONTH OF LURRVE ’

we are ‘Lurrving’ camra!

50p off all real ale Offer open to CAMRA card-carrying

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Weekly Mondays – Free Pool Tuesdays – Food Night Thursdays – Twisted music Fridays – LIVE NIGHT Saturdays – DJ Mr Fez Sundays – Free Pub Games 8pm Free Pub Quiz

Check website for full details OPENING TIMES

Monday - Thursday 12 - 3pm & 5 - 11pm Friday - Sunday 12 - 11pm

749 Lincoln Rd, New England PE1 3HD www.thecrownonline.co.uk Tel: 0843 523 5181

Pub News

Pub News| 5

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ur first report of the New Year is certainly a double edged sword. You may love ‘em or hate ‘em but the fact remains that Tim Martin, the big cheese of the JD Wetherspoons pub chain, is well on target to reach the milestone of one thousand pubs. Most of the pub conversions are done quite tastefully even if some are ’off the shelf’ clones. Locally, the clutch within our branch area are mainly well supported and accepted favourably. A few places have probably benefited from a ’spoons’ arrival, jogging some licensees to realise that you have to work hard to attract customers.

But! There are certain towns where the appearance of a new ‘spoons’ would not be welcome.

The first place that springs to mind is Stamford.

With a considerable wealth of pubs in the town, it’s not somewhere that you would think is desperate for the addition of any more pubs, let alone a Wetherspoons. Yet the fact remains that it is on the cards, as they have secured the old premises of the country’s oldest newspaper The Stamford Mercury. Three pubs are all within a short distance of the proposed site, with the recently renovated London Inn directly opposite.

It’s also reported that Oakham are in line to have a ‘spoons’ as well. Not quite the same a scenario, but I doubt if the local licensees are jumping with joy. As I said, love ’em or not, there are some places they really are not needed or indeed welcome! Nevertheless when the grand opening takes place I’ll most likely pay a visit to the new pub, as I’d rather see a pub opening than closing.

The Spinning Wheel at Baston closed in October, but looks set to re-open soon after being purchased from Wells & Youngs by local landowner, Mark Richardson. Despite being new to the industry he’s hoping to recapture the pub’s former glories with help from an experienced partner.

Spinning Wheel, Baston

Bourne has a brand new family pub – the Sugar Mill. Situated opposite the Elsea Park estate just to the South of the town, this Marstons development is clearly aimed at the family market.

A minimum of 3 Real ales are available -in the form of Pedigree, EPA and Hobgoblin on our visit. Those registering their names early at www.marstonstaverns.co.uk /bourne/sugarmill are promised a free pint on their first visit.

Sugar Mill, Bourne

Also in Bourne, Smiths has undergone a makeover. The extensive range of beer remains but the downstairs restaurant at the rear of the pub has been converted into cosy ‘stable’ style compartments.

In Market Deeping, the former Rigby’s bar in the Market Place has re-opened as the Stone Loach offering a range of ales from the Heineken stable.

The long-closed Oak Inn at Easton-on-the-Hill, near Stamford has been sold with ‘change of use’ planning permission.

Continued Overleaf

6 |Pub News Continued

News from the Fens Ye Olde Bridge Inn on the outskirts of Crowland has re-opened under new ownership of Alex and his family. Currently open from noon to midnight on Tuesday to Sunday there are two real ales available (Greene King IPA and Black Sheep Bitter) with a third being added when demand picks up. The IPA was on very good form at the time of visiting. Food is served 12 to 2.30pm and 5.30 to 8.30pm. Alex is planning entertainment and a revamp of the beer garden before the summer. This is a great pub to watch the sunset over the fens after a stroll around the local countryside.

The George and Angel in Crowland town square is closed and currently up for lease by Enterprise Inns. A beautiful old pub which has seen its share of ups and downs over the years. The last landlord made a good effort, really smartening the place up and serving good home cooked food.

But unfortunately the high costs of running a tied pub just didn’t work, a real shame. Fingers crossed for a new lease of life.

Crowning Glory of Lincoln Road reopens!

The Crown on Lincoln Rd, Peterborough has reopened under the new management of John Lawrence. Once a well known fixture on the Peterborough real ale scene (even having a pub crawl named after it - The Crown to Town) the Crown had been John Lawrence closed for a couple of years despite the best efforts of builder’s Baxter and King who spent thousands on refurbishment. Now John has taken the reins he plans to get the pub with the royal title back on it’s throne as the place to be for a good pint in Peterborough.

The pub has had further refurbishment with a pool room added to the side and a comfortable large seating area which is warmed by a real log burner. Currently offering three real ales and one real cider John told us he is open to suggestions from real ale drinkers on the ale they would like to see on the bar. Also throughout the month of

Crown, Pool Room

February John is promoting the ‘month of Lurrrve’ by loving CAMRA! Every card carrying member of CAMRA will receive 50p, yes 50p off a pint or bottle of real ale. Just show your card at the bar. For further information on this offer and any of the events John has planned please contact the pub on 0843 523 5181 or check out www.thecrownonline.co.uk. Good luck John!

Guinness Crisps spotted locally.

Our ad man Chris Shilling picked up a packet of crisps ‘flavoured with malt and hops’ on a recent visit to the Blue Bell at Maxey. Produced by Burts of Devon, it seems that availability is currently limited to certain supermarkets, but we wonder if this could start a trend amongst real ale brewers. How do they taste? ‘reminiscent of marmite flavour’ he reported.

Bluebell wins Award Congratulations to the Bluebell, Belmesthorpe which has won the Rutland CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2013.

Peterborough & District CAMRA POTY Our Pub of The Year has been voted as The Queens Head at Bulwick, in Northants.

A delighted landlord Rob was completely surprised when he was informed. “I certainly did not expect our pub to be anywhere close to receiving the top award” A presentation will be made to the pub in February as soon as a date is arranged. Congratulations to The Queens Head for their achievement.

Brewery News Hopshackle Brewery - Market Deeping Hopshackle has a new Double IPA available at the end of January 2013 called “Fire Belly“ 7.0% ABV. It is amber in colour and made with Citra, Columbus and Chinook hops - one for the hop heads !

Hopshackle Restoration 2010 9.5% ABV came second in the East Anglian Region Bottled Beer Competition and now goes forward into the “Champion Bottled Beer Of Britain" competition at the GBBF this year in August 2013 Noel Bexar County Brewery Those of you who adhere to stereotypes will no doubt be horrified to hear that there is an American residing in the city who has started a brewery to produce ‘American style beers’.

The prospect of local pubs being swamped with local versions of ‘Bud lite’ is not a pleasant one.

Those of us with a broader education will be reassured by the knowledge that the United States is home to one of the largest craft brewery movements of modern times. Times have changed since your average bloke over the pond had a choice of Bud and Coors as the country is now awash with beers of truly exotic flavours. Not content with brewing just a variation on bitters, milds and porters this new breed of American small brewer calls on a massive range of influences and styles from around the world. Our local man is no different.

Since late last year Steve Saldana has been busy experimenting like a man possessed. Test brew after test brew have revealed new and unusual beers to challenge the beer scene not just locally but also further a field. Whereas some brewers would be content to produce an ordinary mild, Mr Saldana took another direction and produced a ‘Texas Pecan Coffee Mild’ using a coffee specially imported from his home town of San Antonio!

Whatever next?

Brewery News | 9

A look at some of the beers on the website reveals a list of 9 beers which have been test brewed. They range from the aforementioned mild to the unusually named San Jacinto, an American style IPA with 6 hop additions.

Many of the beers are named to reflect Steve's Texan heritage and as the history of the Lone Star State is inextricably linked with arguing, throwing rocks and generally shouting at Mexicans the beers are named accordingly. San Jacinto, El Alamo and Come and get it essentially commemorate battles and collective fist shaking during the Texas War of Independence when the locals made it clear they didn’t want to be Mexican. I’m sure there will be more patriotically christened brews in the catalogue soon! This close proximity to Mexico also accounts for a certain Spanish influence in some of the names and La Perla Negra (Black Pearl) a single hop porter is a prime example (there is also a La Perla Negra en Fuego meaning Black Pearl on fire which is dry hopped with Hatch chillies from New Mexico!).

The name of the brewery is also a reflection of his San Antonian roots as the city resides in that county, which incidentally isn’t pronounced as it looks. Just think of the X in the middle being as silent as the grave and you’ll get on fine when ordering your pint.

Bexar County Brewery should be in full production by the time you read this and the beers will be available locally although much of the output will be directed to the more specialised outlets around the country. The beers have already appeared in the Ostrich, Ploughman, Hand & Heart, Letter B in Whittlesey and several beer festivals including Ely and the Pig’s Ear. Further information may be gleaned from the informative, hand crafted website where you can follow his Facebook page, Twitter and other avenues technical. www.bexarcountybrewery.com Steve Williams Brewery Liaison Officer

Campaigns Update: CAMRA Westminster Lobby Day

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guides from HQ and a pack prepared by the campaign director, Jackie Parker. The purpose of the day was to see as many MP’s as possible and this was an invaluable resource for our meeting.

The day’s campaigning started at 11am as our group convened at a specially selected venue, the Emmanuel Centre, a short walk from Parliament itself. On arrival we received a briefing from our

Prior to the Lobby Day we had tried to set up appointments to see both Stewart Jackson (Peterborough Central) and Shailesh Vara (NW Cambridgeshire). Unfortunately Shailesh was not in Parliament at the time of our visit. However we were able to confirm a meeting with Stewart who very kindly – and at short notice - arranged to see us immediately after prime ministers questions.

As soon as we were finished he was off to a radio interview to explain in more detail some comments he had made about the booze trade in

n the 12th December over 1000 CAMRA members from all over the UK travelled to Westminster to lobby Parliament to call for the end to the damaging beer duty escalator. This event, organized on the back of the recent 100,000 strong e-petition, was the biggest ever campaigning event in CAMRA’s 40 year history. Members from Peterborough were keen to show their support too as a group from your local branch made the journey to the capital to help the rally to “Save Your Pint”.

Campaigning | 11

parts of Millfield in the local press the day before!

Overall it was a good meeting and we were able to get our points across. The most important ones being: • The beer duty escalator doesn’t add up: it is failing to generate the extra revenue that was anticipated and eliminating it would increase beer sales and hence beer duty into the Exchequer • It is contributing to continued closure of pubs – currently 18 a week – which is harming local communities • It is putting jobs at risk. There are almost 1000 jobs in the local area supported by the pub and beer trade • The beer duty escalator disproportionately affects pubs which offer a safe, sociable drinking environment. Supermarkets on the other hand can offer alcohol as a loss-leader and sell higher strength products without being held accountable for anti-social behaviour

with reference being made to the current economic situation and the difficulties of reducing any form of duty. Despite attempting to argue the point of diminishing returns it appears there is still some way to go to persuade our local MP of the benefit of scrapping the escalator altogether!

We did receive an email shortly afterwards in which he offered his support to CAMRA so watch this space.

When we returned to the Emmanuel Centre, via a tavern or two (naturally!), there was a pleasant celebratory atmosphere to the afternoon in the capital. The auditorium was full of CAMRA members who had collectively lobbied half of the MP’s in Parliament and the news was starting to filter into the media. The press was covering the story, updates were being posted on Twitter and Facebook and there were cameramen (pun intended!) gathered all over the place. For the next hour and a half speakers took to the stage.

These included Mike Benner and Colin Valentine for CAMRA, MP’s Charlotte Leslie, Greg Mulholland, Andrew Griffith, Caroline Noakes and Hazel Blears, however the surprise of the day was Dawn Hopkins, the owner of Ketts Tavern, The Rose pub and the Norwich Bear Brewery.

She gave an impressive speech that got rousing applause throughout as everyone in the room appreciated the honesty of speaking from her own personal experience of the pub trade.

In summing up she said: “You have to love this job to do it. Everyone seems to know how to do our jobs better than we do. I love working in my pub, I love the social life, I love the banter, I love my staff and I love most of my customers. But in this case love is not enough.”

There were certainly signs that Stewart was supportive of the overall aims of the campaign and he advised us to continue to lobby even further up the chain by writing directly to the ministers in charge. He also said he would help us to publicise the campaign if we can supply him with relevant information. At other times however there was evidence of familiar political rhetoric

And with that the biggest day in CAMRA’s history came to end. The results of which will not be seen until the next Budget when hopefully the Treasury will have considered carefully the sound economic arguments for not continuing with the beer duty escalator.

Karl Simpson Press & Public Affairs Officer

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The Rose & Crown in March

5th Easter Beerfest

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Oakham Ales News | 13

A Look Through The Year Glass with Oakham Ales 2012 proved to be Oakham Ales most successful year to date with sales up 15% on 2011. Awards for the year were numerous with the brewery being rightly proud of winning Supreme Champion beer at the S.I.B.A. National Awards with Green Devil their 6.66% little hop monster.

Following this success Green Devil became their first regular brewed bottle conditioned beer available in 660ml bottles. With their beers now being sold throughout the land more staff are needed to flog it and the brewery now employs 22 people and with it a brightly coloured fleet of wagons shifting it around the highways and byways.

This year sees a few changes to the brewing calendar. The 5 regular beers remain with J.H.B. still by far the biggest seller in the portfolio. The seasonal ales available for 3 months at a time in calendar order will be Preacher 4.3%, The Hare and the Hedgehog 3.9%, Endless Summer 3.4% and Asylum 4.5%. All have appeared before as have the specials and vintage beers which at varying times of the year will be Black Hole Porter 5.5%, Green Devil 6.6%, Tranquility 6.5% and Attila 7.5%. A splendid quartet I think you’ll agree!

The Oakadamy of Excellence continues to grow and new beers will be available to pub participants throughout the year. Brewed by Oakham Ales themselves will be Jester’s Ferret 3.6% in March, Eugene’s Lair 4.3% in June, Gilbert’s Fridge 4.1% in September, in Oct / Nov will be the brewery’s first attempt at a green hop beer which is brewed using hops picked that very day so English hops it is then for Green Harvest Ale at 3.6% and December has Edgar’s Bazaar at 3.9%. The guest brewer idea went well and will be repeated with R.C.H. brewing a 4.1% Light Porter in Jan /Feb, a 3.7% amber beer from St. Austell for Apr/ May and finally for July/Aug

the return of Green Jack brewing a Peach Wheat beer at 3.9%. Bon appetit.

Still no firm news on the opening date of the new London venue by The Oval cricket ground but let’s hope it’s open by August as a celebratory pint or few after stuffing the Aussies in The Ashes wouldn’t arf be good.

For full details of the beers and other info visit the brewery website at www. Oakhamales.com Cheers,

Dave Allett

Broad Street, Stamford - 01780 763426

A FREE HOUSE Six Real Ales including Fullers London Pride, Abbot Ale and our very popular Doombar.

Food Served Monday - Friday 12 - 2pm Saturday 12 - 2.30pm Open all day - every day • Large Beer Garden

Six Nations Rugby Live on Big Screen

Starting 2nd Feb to 16th March

www.real-ale.org.uk

Coalheavers Tour of Peterborough 14 | Out and About with the Coalheavers Crew

immediately replaced so 7 beers altogether. This pub has been turned around so much since the Simmonds brothers took over but is still under threat from the megabeast that is Tesco. If Tesco get their way and this pub closes it would be a travesty. Anyway, it was now time to leave and Andy, the landlord asked if he could tag along with us. Of course he could. We were now 21.

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ver the past few years The Coalies tour party has visited many of the nation’s finest real ale cities such as York, Norwich, Derby and Nottingham to name but a few but this time we wanted to go somewhere a bit different and so decided to stay local. After a bit of a discussion as to exactly where to go we decided to follow the Citi 1 bus route which runs between Werrington and Orton, and for just £3.70 for a Dayrider ticket, it was good value.

Whenever we go on tour we always start at The Drapers for a hearty breakfast and we also had our first pint of the day. There were 2 Christmassy beers on and a couple from Oakham. We were there about 10ish and the place was really busy. Posh were home that day and we really wanted to avoid the football crowds.

After leaving Drapers, all 20 of us jumped on the bus and headed to Werrington and The Ploughman. We were a bit early for opening time but when Andy saw 20 gasping people outside he let us in. He also bought us all a pint! And gave us all bacon rolls. Top man. There were 5 beers on from Brains, Jennings, Hopping Mad and Oakham. While there, 2 beers went and were www.real-ale.org.uk

Our next port of call was to be The Hand and Heart in Highbury Street. For those of you who don’t know, this is a great little backstreet boozer that always has a good range of beers and with Bram at the helm you know the beer will always be in good nick. When we visited there were a couple of Great Oakley beers, Wherry, Brewsters Andromeda and a beer from Venus Project. All very nice. And also a big thank you to Sue for the lovely chilli. Time to move on again and Bram asked to join us. Now up to 22.

Back on the No.1 bus into town to visit The Ostrich, which in my opinion, is the best real ale pub in the town centre. There were beers from Oakham Ales, Nene Valley, Cliff Quay and a test brew from Bexar County. Watch out for this brewery when it starts full time brewing hopefully very early in the New Year. I’ve tried a few and they are good. The Ostrich usually has 5 or 6 beers on at £3 a pint and, once again all the beers were good. A bit of a quandary now. England were beating the All Blacks and the 2nd half had just started. Do we stay or go elsewhere? As the buses run every 10 mins we decided to get the

continued on Page 17

Freehouse

Real Ales - Open Fire Large Selection of Beers & Spirits Function Room for Private Parties

Disco every Fri, Sat and Sun SKY and ESPN Sports in HD 3 Cask Ale pumps with at least 1 LocAle and others from far and wide

Food served every day • Sunday Carvery Function rooms available to hire for all occasions

Quiz Night every Wednesday 8.30pm start

Valentines Day 14th February

£17.50 per person Call for further details and booking London Street, Whittlesey PE7 1BH Tel: 01733 351001

Pool Table • Outside Garden • Car Park • Free WiFi • Freshly Ground Coffee Warm and Friendly Atmosphere Opening Hours Mon/Tues/Weds 11am - 11pm Thurs/Fri/Sat 11am - 1.30am Sun 12noon - 12pm Food Served daily 11am - 9pm 45 Alexandra Road, Wisbech PE13 1HQ Tel: 01945 467435

PALMERSTON ARMS 82 Oundle Rd www.palmerston-arms.co.uk

14 Ever-changing, gravity fed real ales Wood burner for winter

QUIZ NIGHT Every Sunday from 7.30pm Cash jackpot and a gallon of ale!

VINYL NIGHT Fri Feb 22nd and March 22nd Bring down your favourite records

UKELELE SESSIONS first Thursday of every month

PHILOSOPHY NIGHT Tues Feb 26th (7.30pm)

LAZY SUNDAYS from February (3pm)

Opening Times Mon - Thurs 3-12pm Fri and Sat 12 - midnight Sun 12-11.30pm

Real Ales • Large Selection of Lagers & Spirits

Pool Table • Darts • Fruit Machine Coffee to drink in or takeaway

Open Fire • Friendly Atmosphere Outside Garden • Taking Bookings for Private Parties

Open Sunday to Thursday 11am - 11.30pm Friday and Saturday 11am - 1.30am

For information on live entertainment go to Palmerston Arms Old Market, Wisbech PE13 1NJ Tel: 01945 464589

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Peterborough & District Branch

PUB OF THE YEAR 2013 Oakham JHB, Digfield Barnwell Bitter and Shepherd Neame Spitfire on permanently with two changing guest ales from local breweries.

Opening Times Tuesday - Saturday: 12 to 3pm and 6 to 11pm Sunday: 12 to 7pm

Food Served Tuesday - Saturday: 12 to 2pm and 6 to 9pm Sunday 12 to 3pm (Roast Rib of Beef every Sunday)

You might be a rambler or a cyclist, a neighbour, a tourist - or just hungry and thirsty – but whether you arrive on foot, by bike or on four wheels, this pretty stone-built inn offers a welcome that is family friendly, dog-friendly and, quite simply, all-round friendly.

Queens Head, Bulwick, Northamptonshire NN17 3DY Tel: 01780 450272

www.thequeensheadbulwick.co.uk

Thank you to all our voters for awarding us Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013!

CAMRA MEMBERS DISCOUNT in February

10% off all Food and Drink (Enjoy a meal with drinks and show us your valid CAMRA card and we will knock 10% off the bill!)

Out and About with the Coalheavers Crew - continued | 17

bus and go to The Swiss Cottage as they have Sky sports to watch the rest of the game.

Unfortunately the next 3 buses didn’t turn up and we got to The Swiss just as the game ended.

Never mind, we would just have to drink beer instead. The Swiss always has Roosters Yankee and there was also St. Austell Tribute and Digfield Fools Gold. There are usually only 2 beers on and occasionally 3, but it’s a great little pub and always busy. If you haven’t been before, it’s well worth a visit. We did intend visiting The Cherry Tree but because of the late bus we had to miss it out but we will definitely do it on the next trip. The beer quality there has improved dramatically under the new owners.

Next stop was a 2 minute walk away, The Palmerston Arms. This once very busy pub had been struggling a bit recently but with new licensee Ian Benton, a former regular of the pub, now running things, the pub is now back to its best with about 10 to 12 very well kept beers on.

It was here that the memory started to slip a bit, especially after having the 7.5% Batemans BBB. Batemans and Oakham Ales are always on here and half a dozen others from various breweries. If you haven’t been too pleased with The Palmy recently, I urge you to visit again, you will be impressed.

Last stop today was home ground, The Coalheavers Arms. For those of you who don’t know ‘The Coalies’, it is tucked away in Park St. in Woodston. The pub has 8 hand pumps and a range of Belgian beers and for the unconverted; one English unpasteurised lager is available. This is a great little pub with a friendly atmosphere, well worth visiting, especially during its 2 beer festivals each year. Several beers from Milton were on along with 2 from Arbor, a Great Oakley and another that I cannot remember. I blame the BBB. All in all a great day and its good that you can now do a decent tour of Peterborough. In all about 44 different beers were available that day and if we had visited either of the Oakham Ales

pubs that figure would have been at least 50, unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit these 2 pubs. It was also unfortunate that we didn’t get to the Solstice as I hear they have more beers on now. The next time we do this crawl we will include The Solstice and Cherry Tree.

Dave Botton

Up to 4 Real Ales available • Friendly village pub with riverside mooring • Large garden • Dogs welcome Food served: Tues to Sun 12 - 2.30pm, Mon to Sat 6pm - 9pm

LIVE MUSIC SATURDAY 2ND MARCH - 9pm

THE ROCKET DOGS www.real-ale.org.uk

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Selection of Real Ales including Oakham Ales Sky Sports • Pool Table • Darts Regular live music and Karaoke Bar snacks available Tuesday to Saturday lunchtimes Home cooked Sunday Lunches Small conference room available

(Weddings,Christenings and business facilities) FREE

46 High Street, Eye, Peterborough PE6 7UY Tel: 01733 222234

www.real-ale.org.uk

The Prince of Wales Feathers Castor, Peterborough Tel: 01733 380222

© Mick Slaughter 2009

Blue B~ oEyear~

Award winning village local in historic Castor.

Close to the Nene Valley Railway & Ferry Meadows.

Beer Festival

Serves 5 guest ales & real cider. Walker & dog friendly.

Home cooked food lunchtime & midweek evenings

May 10th to 15th

What do you do with a Redundant Bank?

News | 19

Well-You could turn it into another tax-exempt coffee chain, or you could open another ‘Lloydaspoons’. But what if it’s a village bank barely big enough for Two Tellers and six customers?

Well if you are the Postmaster in Willingham near Cambridge you turn it into the area’s first Micro Pub! Chris Warren always thought running a pub might be a good thing to do between closing the blinds at the Post Office at 5.30pm and letting in the postmen at 5am, so when Lloyds Bank decided to give up the bank in Willingham, wheels started turning in real ale lover Chris’s mind and the “What if ?” scenario slowly turned to “Why not?” and The Bank moved from imagination to hard bricks and mortar.

With the help of wife Linda designing and planning the customer side of things, and opening just before Christmas 2012, The Bank offers a selection of real ales served straight from the cask behind the bar in excellent condition.

The range on offer varies from week to week and often day to day as the policy appears to be to offer the greatest choice of available beers to the public without ties to Breweries.

The first time I visited there were only two beers available, Adnams Broadside and American IPA, both in superb condition. I was told that the reduced selection was due to the good villagers of Willingham seeing off 5 different casks of ale the previous night! A little investigation revealed the evidence- 12 empty casks awaiting collection at the back of the premises! On my next visit to The Bank there were four ales available, the Adnams Sole Star and Milton Pegasus that I sampled were, as I have come to expect, on top form. Quietly working on the stillage ready for the next session were Black Sheep and Everards Old Flame.

The Bank is situated on High Street, Willingham and is approximately 5 miles north of the A14 at Bar Hill, it is also easily walkable from Longstanton Guided Busway. The Bank is open from 6pm to 10pm on Tuesdays, 5.30pm to 10pm Wednesdays and Thursdays to Saturdays 5.30 to 11pm.

For more details call Chris or Linda at The Bank on 01954 260331 D.T.E. Clowne

Vince Cable steps in to 20 | Campaigning News

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced plans for a statutory code of conduct to govern the relationship between pub companies and publicans. Here is the full letter printed as received, it makes for hopeful reading!

protect pub landlords

Campaigning News | 21

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www.real-ale.org.uk

Please support our advertisers | 23

The Cherry Tree 9 - 11 Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9PB Tel: 01733 703495 FOUR Real Ales available including Oakham Inferno,Timothy Tayor Landlord and two changing guest ales.

OPEN ALL DAY EVERYDAY Traditional Meals Served Mon - Thurs and Sundays

Private Function room holds up to 40 people Ideal for small meetings, weddings and parties

NOW SERVING SIX REAL ALES plus Ciders and Perries.

Over 30 Malt Whiskies

Covered Smoking Area

• Food served daily •

Valentine’s Day Meals for Two only £10

12-3pm Monday - Sunday 6-9pm Friday & Saturday

From the specials board • Bookings now being taken

AMPLE PARKING • CAMRA GOLD AWARD

• Sky HD and 3D showing Football and Rugby •

www.cherrytree-inn.co.uk t. 01780 755141 w. jollybrewer.com Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP

www.real-ale.org.uk

24 | Please support our advertisers

Real traditional ale house in the heart of the city

5 Regularly Rotating Ales Opening Times :- 11am -11pm Monday to Thursday, 11am -1am Friday to Saturday, 12 - 11pm Sunday,

Live Music Fridays and Saturdays ring or check facebook for details!

North Street, behind Westgate House, Peterborough Tel: 01733 746370 www.facebook.com/ostrichinn www.real-ale.org.uk

IN THE CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013

Rhythm and Booze

GIG GUIDE

FEBRUARY

1st FEB - The Feds - Ploughman, Werrington 1st FEB - The Undercovered - Charters, Town Centre 2nd FEB - Electric Warriors - Prince of Wales, Castor 2nd FEB - Eyes Wide Open - Blue Boar, Eye 3rd FEB - Jimmi and Pep - Charters, Town Centre 8th FEB - Symptom - Charters, Town Centre 8th FEB - Ramshackled Serinade - Ploughman, Werrington

9th FEB - Hooker - Blue Boar, Eye 9th FEB - Mid Life Crisis - Dragon, Werrington 9th FEB - Kickback - Carpenters Arms Stanground 10th FEB - Best of Unplugged - Charters, Town Centre 15th FEB - More I See - Charters, Town Centre 15th FEB - Circa 73 - Ploughman, Werrington 16th FEB - Les Woods - Prince of Wales, Castor 17th FEB - Lexie Green - Charters, Town Centre 22nd FEB - Honeywell - Blue Boar, Eye 22nd FEB - Mazlow - Charters, Town Centre 23rd FEB - Overdubs - Dragon, Werrington 16th FEB - Mistreated - Prince of Wales, Castor 24th FEB - Bon Rogers - Charters, Town Centre

MARCH

1st MAR - 9pm - Children of the Revolution -

8th MAR - Kickback - The Golden Fleece Stamford 8th MAR - The Zoots - Charters, Town Centre 2nd MAR - Children of the Revolution - Prince of Wales, Castor

9th MAR - Disco - Blue Boar, Eye 10th MAR - Best of Unplugged - Charters, Town Centre 16th MAR - The Wash - Blue Boar, Eye 16th MAR - Kickback - The Stage - Deeping 16th MAR - The Malingerers - Prince of Wales, Castor 22nd MAR - Kickback - Swiss Cottage - Woodston 23rd MAR - Amplified - Prince of Wales, Castor 29th MAR - Groove Cartel - Charters, Town Centre 29th MAR - Kickback - Ostrich - Town Centre 30th MAR - Glassheart - Blue Boar, Eye 30th MAR - The Les Woods Band - Charters, Town Centre

REGULAR EVENTS

Charters Unplugged takes place on the first Monday of every month, hosted by Bon RogersWhite and featuring a guest artist. Also at Charters Pint of Poetry & A Dash of Drama remain on every 2nd Wednesday.

Live Bluegrass Session every third Monday of the month at the Shuckburgh Arms, Southwick.

Charters, Town Centre

2nd MAR - Bebop Alula’s - Prince of Wales, Castor 2nd MAR - 9pm - Rocket Dogs - Woolpack, Stanground 2nd MAR - Twenty4 - Blue Boar, Eye

Send any details for April / May gigs to info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk before 10th March

It’s FREE to list your gigs here!

Diary Dates FEBRUARY Tuesday 5th February: Branch Committee Meeting at The Dragon, Werrington.

Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th: 23rd Battersea Beer Festival Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) Lavender Hill 150 kils of beer from around the country, traditional ciders and perries, country wines and continental beers.

Contact :info@batterseabeerfestival.org.uk Saturday 23rd February: POTY presentation to the Queens Head, Bulwick. Depart Brewery Tap 6 pm. Cost £7 each.

Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd Chelmsford Winter Beer & Cider Festival King Edward Sixth Grammar School Broomfield Road, Chelmsford 180+ beers with emphasis on winter brews; also cider + Belgian beers Contact: camra@chelmsfordcamra.org.uk Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd Derby Winter Beer Festival Roundhouse, Pride Park Derby DE24 8JE Contact: www.derbycamra.org.uk MARCH Monday 4th March : Branch Committee Meeting at The College Arms, Broadway, Peterborough.

Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th 29th London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival Camden Centre,Bidborough Street London 70+ real ales plus great range of imported beers, ciders and perries.

Contact: ianshacklock@gmail.com www.camranorthlondon.org.uk

Diary Dates | 27

14th - 16th Empingham Cricket And Social Club 5th Annual Beer Festival Exton Road, Empingham, Rutland. LE15 8QB. At least 15 Real ales, Sports Quiz, Live Music.

Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd Leicester CAMRA Beer Festival 220 real ales, 35 ciders and perries See advert on this page.

APRIL Thursday 18th - Tuesday 23rd Hand & Heart 4th St George’s Beer & Music Fest. A full itinerary of events & bands for the (very) long weekend will be posted on the facebook page & website.

Friday 19th - Sunday 21st CAMRA Members’ AGM Weekend in Norwich see advert on oppostite page.

28 | Please support our advertisers

www.real-ale.org.uk

Please support our advertisers | 29

Established in 1796 as one of the ORIGINAL Stamford Ale Houses with a large beer garden, providing accommodation with free WI-FI.

Serving eight real ales and six real ciders.

We also host two annual beer festivals in April and September.

Live Music events please call for more information 29 Scotgate, Stamford

Tel: 01780 753 598

30 | Contact Details

Branch Committee

Beer Around ’Ere

Secretary: Dickie Bird 4 Cissbury Ring,Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QH 01733 574226 (tel & fax) 07731 993896 info@real-ale.org.uk

Editor: Jane Flew bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Distribution: David Murray (See Chairman on the left) Advertising: Jane Michelson

Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@real-ale.org.uk

01778 420888 Mobile: 07732 393621 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk

Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 0870 7620848 (fax) treasurer@real-ale.org.uk

Magazine & Advertising Production: Daniel Speed 01733 211001 info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Vice Chair: Matthew Mace 07809 629241 vice-chair@real-ale.org.uk Social Sec: John Hunt 07923 489917 social-sec@real-ale.org.uk Pubs Officer: Neil Holmes 07886 974977 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk Press Officer: Karl Simpson 07737 297072 press-officer@real-ale.org.uk Young Members: Katie Barrett 07951 919451 young-members@real-ale.org.uk Membership: Steve Saldana 07988 067260 membership@real-ale.org.uk Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk LocAle Officer: John Rice 07759 342702 locale@real-ale.org.uk Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk

Postal Distr: Daryl Ling 01733 235881 Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917 Bexar County Brewery: Steve Williams Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07821 912605 Elgoods: John Hunt 07923 489917 Hopshackle: Noel Ryland 07944 869656 Melbourn: Lew Clayton 01780 765063 Nene Valley: Bob Melville 07941 246693 Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417 Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07923 489917 Trading Standards 08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our websites at: www.real-ale.org.uk www.beer-fest.org.uk

The next issue of BAE will be available on: 21st March We must have your stories, news and advertisements by: 4th March Late copy cannot be guaranteed entry.

Please contact Chris Shilling 01778 421550 Mobile: 07736 635 916 or Jane Michelson 01778 420888 Mobile: 07732 393621 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk for all of your advertising needs.

Neil Holmes pubs-officer@real-ale. org.uk or 07886 974977 is always looking for pub news.

Please send stories and other copy to bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Beer Around ‘Ere is published by Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2013, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA.

The Simmonds Family present:

THREE GREAT PUBS

serving Real Ale with fantastic prices!

Staniland Way, Werrington centre PE4 6NA Tel: 01733 327696 www.savetheploughman.com

Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011

THE DRAGON

Seven Real Ales from £2.00 a pint Live Satellite Sports • Live Entertainment Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5-7pm

Hodgson Centre, Hodgson Ave PE4 5EG Tel: 01733 578088 Six Real Ales from £2.20 a pint Live Satellite Sports• Live Entertainment

The Queens Arms

31 Station Hill, Brixham TQ5 8BN Tel: 01803 852074 6 hand pumps and a regular £2 special Weekly Live Music and Events Facebook: The-Queens-Arms

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95 ry

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Real Ales!

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5 £ ly

More than just a Carvery!

A great welcome awaits you at The Farmers, Yaxley.

We are famous for our fresh vegetables and great carvery meats, succulent and served with all the trimmings, then finished off with a tantalising hot or cold dessert!

Open Every Day 10am - 5.30pm All Day Menu & Coffee Midday - 2:30pm Carvery & Specials Menu 5:30pm - LATE Carvery & Grill Menu Sunday Open From 12 Noon - 9pm All Day Carvery

Check out our lunch time grill menu’s and our ever changing specials boards. Put it all together with three fine cask ales and you have the perfect place to enjoy dinner with friends or a family celebration. We have a self contained function suite which is ideal for parties, weddings and all of life’s celebrations.

So if you’ve not been before give us a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Now Taking Bookings for Valentines Day and Mothering Sunday 200 Broadway, Yaxley Tel: 01733 244885 Email: thefarmers@btconnect.com www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk