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Issue 177 | June / July 2014

Inside this issue >

Pub News • Boozers of Stamford Brewery News • King’s Cliffe Brewery Iron Horse ‘Skool of Rock’ reports & much more

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

Chairman’s Corner | 3

Y

Chairman’s Corner

et again I am bringing up what some of you will feel is a bit of a tedious and thorny issue of reform within the pub industry.

The simple fact is that the government pledged, as far back as January last year, to introduce a statutory code of practice for the pubcos to adopt and enshrine in law. The principle was that a tied licensee should not be worse off than a free-of-tie licensee. Maybe we should not be surprised that nothing much has happened! However time is running out if legislation is to be announced in the Queens Speech in June.

Now, did we not hear a short time ago that the government thought they had very little ‘work’ to do before they packed up for their holidays? Come on guys get on with it, before even more poor licensees and pubs disappear.

One group of licensees that don’t get the same limelight as tenants and lease holders are those pubs with a manager running them. If they are very lucky to have almost as much autonomy as a tenanted pub then fine, as long as they remember that they are still only staff. Any shortfall in staffing will quite often have to be filled by the manager – even if it is their day off ! The pub may be sold by the pub company if they feel it’s not meeting targets or for any other reason. The managers, who may well have been there for a number of years, can end up on the street if the alternative offered is not suitable.

I’m pleased to report that our efforts to encourage members of our branch to increase submissions for nominations for Gold and Merit Awards has been successful. We are in the process of analysing these nominations and awards will be presented to the most worthy ones.

The Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA have good cause for a celebration this year. We will be celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the forma-

tion of the branch in 1974. There have been several pub venues where it’s alleged the inaugural meeting took place but, most agree that The Bull in Market Deeping was the first meeting place.

This was in conjunction with what is now the Fenland Branch who formed in June of the same year at The Bull. The Peterborough Branch proper came into existence in September of 1974. We are having a social gathering with the Fenland branch members at The Bull, in Market Deeping, in June (see Diary Dates). All members are welcome to join us as we will also be making an award to The Vine pub in the town on the same day.

The weeks are counting down to our premier event of the year. The Peterborough Beer Festival (PBF) will again be taking place on the Embankment in August from the 19th to 23rd (see page 23). The application for staff to sign up to help is now on-line. Please note that you cannot just turn up to volunteer this year, you must have pre-registered. We welcome past and new volunteers alike.

That’s it for now folks. Keep supporting your locals. There are still far too many closing their doors for good!

David Murray Branch Chairman.

The Cover Shot

This issue’s cover features the Bell in Stilton.

The Bell is one of only 14 pubs in the UK that received ‘Pubs in Time’ plaques (www.camra.org.uk /pubsintime) a few years ago the plaque is situated on the wall under the former coaching arch. Picture kindly supplied by Michael Slaughter.

ARE YOU MISSING OUT? Only the beer-stained copy left?

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Pub News Around ‘Ere PUB NEWS Maybe we should stop making reports on the re-opening or revival of pubs around our area.

Why you say? Well in the last issue of BAE we were trumpeting the re-opening of the pub on Oundle Road, formerly The Office and renamed The New Inn, which was its previous name!

It was opened with a flourish by Liam Scanlon of The Ostrich in the city centre. Sadly it closed with a whimper just four weeks later. Yes you read it correctly - four weeks! Another victim of the aggressive practices by the pubco owners who did spend some money on cleaning up the pub.

Unfortunately it was doomed to failure due to the lack of customers and by the fact it had been in decline for some time. It takes a great deal of effort and resources to revive a pub of this nature these days.

Another pub that we reported on just a few issues ago also has closed the doors. The Bluebell in Helpston seemed to be thriving with a good local regular customer base. The latest reports that are emerging from that neck of the woods is the pub is about to be converted into another use. ‘Closed for refurbishment’ is on the front door. Tales of it becoming a lap dancing club have not been confirmed! I mean Helpston must be crying out for such a facility, instead of keeping their last remaining pub open as a pub!

Hopefully we won’t be writing of the failure of another pub that is being revived by an enthusiastic couple in Stanground. I don’t want to repeat the above reports too often. The Heron in the centre of the residential area has a new lease of life.

Taken on by Meri and Rob who wanted to be able to walk across the road to a local pub with good beer and custom. The privately owned pub has been given six months to get established into something nearer its former glory. On a recent visit four cask ales were on offer at £3.20 a pint.

Three of these were from local breweries, Oakham, Digfield and Star with the ‘foreigner’ being an excellent Adnams Ghost Ship. CAMRA members

get a discount of 20p off a pint on production of a valid membership card. The pub has a large enclosed garden and a separate function room.

A pool table is at one end of the long bar.

Sky Sports also is featured.

A plea to all our licensees and members of CAMRA. We want to hear of your pub news whether it’s the closure of your local temporarily, change of licensee, or worse, the complete demise of your pub. Recently there were several pub beer festivals being held over the May Day Bank Holiday. We did not hear a great deal about them until the last minute! On weekends such as that many people make plans in advance, advertising your event in advance will help to attract customers!

Shuckburgh Arms, Southwick - Nene Valley Brewery are helping the new landlord settle in.

The remainder of the 10 year lease has been bought by a consortium of villagers in an effort to keep the pub open.

The weekend of 26/28th July will see some of the regulars from The Letter B and the other Whittlesey pubs doing an Ale Trail around the town. This coincides with the Fenland cycle rally that takes place that weekend, where the participants visit a number of Fenland towns and villages with a few pub stops on the way. Further details can be obtained from Bruce at the Letter B. New Wetherspoon’s in Oakham JD Wetherspoon has opened a new pub in the former Royal British Legion building in High Street, Oakham. It was originally intended to name the pub after one the founders of the Legion, Earl Haig. However, Oakham Town Council and the Oakham branch of the Royal British Legion wrote to JD Wetherspoon as they believed it should be named after someone local.

The Legion and Council suggested “The Captain Noel Newton”, as he was a former Rutland High Sheriff in the 1930s and lived in the building before

he sold it to the Legion for £1,600 between1948 and 1950. The Captain Noel Newton,55 High Street Oakham, Rutland LE15 6AJ Mike Blakesley Community Spirit!

From our Editor| 5

Editor’s Ramblings Not pub garden weather today, it’s pouring! We are now in beer festival season and I must admit to having attended two very good ones in recent weeks and look forward to attending a few more!

Will not be too long now before the “big one” on the embankment. Hope it’s not too wet!

“Young Members v Old Gits Games Night” was most enjoyable, good beer, good company and a plenty of laughs, especially at my attempts at Pool! A full report to follow in the next issue.

A big “thank you” to organisers Kara and John.

On the 22nd March, Andy and Stuart Simmonds proudly handed over a cheque for £17, 587.14 to the RSSC Unit of Papworth Hospital.

This fantastic amount of money was raised in memory of the brothers’ sister Kelly Simmonds.

Stuart, landlord of the Dragon and Andy, landlord of the Ploughman said none of this would be possible without the fantastic support of their customers and friends and proves what a couple of great community pubs can achieve Daniel Speed

Young Member Co-ordinator Brews Birthday Beer!

Kara Williams, local CAMRA Young Members Rep, got the chance to brew a beer for her 21st birthday at Bexar County Brewery, in Fengate, back in March. Brewer and owner, Steve Saldana, was on hand to supervise and advise on the recipe.

The beer, called Cherry Mysterious, had a respectable gravity of 5.3% and contained a shed load of cherries for that extra special girly effect!

The beer was showcased at the Hand & Heart St Georges Beer Festival.

Having been a landlord’s daughter from the age of 9 -19 (many years ago) I take my hat off to all those trying to keep pubs up and running and serving good quality real ale. It’s no mean feat and without them where would we ale drinkers go?

So, pop along to your local or now weather is improving, go further afield! I seem to have adopted the mantra “use it or lose it”, be it pubs or local amenities. Moaning once something has disappeared is pointless.

Cheers

JB

CAMRA Approve Frozen Cider

Campaigning | 7

CAMRA has welcomed the Government’s decision in the Budget to freeze cider duty.

Making the announcement, the Chancellor highlighted that some cider producers in the West Country had been hit hard by recent weather conditions so needed additional support.

This duty freeze will apply to cider with a juice content of 35% or higher, and will not apply to sparkling cider between 5.5% and 8.5% abv.

This is a welcome move which will support Britain’s real cider and perry producers – a vital traditional British industry. Andrea Briers, Chair of CAMRA’s Apple Committee commented: “Cider is a traditional British product and I welcome the Chancellor’s decision to freeze cider duty to help those who keep this tradition alive.

I would encourage you to help real cider or perry makers thrive by visiting a pub and trying some.”

CAMRA has cautioned that small cider producers (making below 70 hectolitres each year) already pay no duty, so the benefit of this duty freeze will primarily be felt by slightly larger producers.

CAMRA is continuing to campaign for a new cider duty system to support real cider with a considerably higher juice content.

For more information on real cider and perry, visit www.camra.org.uk /cider

• Food Served Daily • 12-3pm Monday - Sunday 6-9pm Friday & Saturday Sky HD and BT showing Football and Rugby

t. 01780 755141 w. jollybrewer.com Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP

www.real-ale.org.uk

BEXAR COUNTY BREWERY

Bexar County seem to be concentrating on collaborations with other breweries at the moment! Over the last few months there have been joint efforts with Hand Drawn Monkey of Huddersfield, Three Blind Mice of Ely, Xtreme and Mile Tree.

There have been various outings of their beer at a variety of beer festivals including The Hand & Heart, Coalheavers, Bartons Arms in Birmingham, Newark and Cambridge.

Bexar are very pleased to be part of the Mighty Micro Brewery tour for local CAMRA branch members on the 10th May.

CASTOR ALES

As the football season draws to a close and the World Cup is about to start, the football themed beers continue to be enjoyed. 12th Man, the golden, Amarillo hopped premium bitter was named to commemorate long suffering fans. To be a fan means dreams turn to despair and hopes are invariably dashed, but occasionally there is something to celebrate. In the case of Posh, a trip to Wembley saw them triumph against Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and a repeat visit in the Play Off final would be fantastic. Posh at WemBEERley, the beer brewed to celebrate Posh reaching the JPT final, has been brewed again and will make another appearance should Posh reach the Play Off final. Thanks to Toby Wood for naming the beer following a request on Twitter.

Castorware Mild was brewed again, for 'Mild In May' and will feature at the Cambridge Beer Festival, the Sir Loin Of Beef in Portsmouth and the Salmon in Leicester. Unfortunately such was the demand for this mild that the only outlet in this area will be the Prince of Wales Feathers in Castor. www.real-ale.org.uk

The beer festival season has seen the brewery brewing to capacity to meet demand. The Cambridge 41st Festival is celebrated by a festival special called Mozart’s FinALE, (his 41st symphony!). On that note, a big thanks to all our regular customers: Prince of Wales Feathers, the Beehive, the Ostrich, Hand and Heart and ‘Simmospoons’ in Werrington.

ELGOODS

QE Apple is now available as a draught keg beer.

Plum Porter was second overall in the recent national Wetherspoons Beer Festival. Bottled Warrior won Silver overall in the SIBA National bottled beer competition which was held recently.

Double Swan is the seasonal beer for May and June. This will be followed by Buzz Lightbeer for July and August. What may be the world's first Dark Lambic has been brewed and is now in the fermenting tanks. Greyhound Bitter is being brewed in May and June. Also in the pipeline is a Mango Wheat Beer as yet unnamed.

HOPSHACKLE BREWERY

Following a number of requests from customers, Hopshackle has brewed a range of traditional English Bitters, namely, Zen 3.8%, Legacy 4.3% and Special No.1 Bitter 5.2%. These are full flavoured, full bodied beers using only English hop varieties and traditional brewing practices.

This includes the use of a hopback which allows the addition of hop flavours and aromas at a very late stage in the brewing process.

Bottled beer sales continue to increase and a full range of Hopshackle bottles are now available at The Stamford Wine and Cheese Cellar.

MILE TREE BREWERY

The brewery is becoming more widely known around the area with a number of new outlets opening up to them, some regular, others on a more occasional basis.

BLO Reports | 9

Two local (ish) micro pubs (String of Horses in Holbeach and the Prior's Oven in Spalding) have taken Adventurer, Wellstream and Meadowgold in the last few weeks. The Cosy Club in Stamford and the Ploughman in Werrington have also taken Meadowgold in the last week or so and will, no doubt, be very popular.

The brewery was very well represented at the many local beer festivals in April and May. The Hand & Heart St George’s Beer Fest had From Dallas With Love, a 3.8% mild and their Rye Stout at 4.2%, even if it was for a very short time! Cambridge Beer Festival had Wellstream at 4.9% and Fenland Wheat 4.3 % for their Festival on Jesus Green in late May. Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre are now taking bottles of Adventurer, Wellstream and Strawberry Blonde for their gift shop.

NENE VALLEY BREWERY

Much time has been taken up in recent weeks with revised plans for the pub/restaurant on the site.

A decision has been made to keep the operation of this enterprise in-house.

PALMERSTON ARMS

Big Bang Theory is now the biggest seller in the shop with other beers also selling well. A “double” JIP (Jim Irving Pale) at 9.8% is planned for July when Jim Irving will be 98 years old.

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

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

QUIZ NIGHT Every Sunday from 7.30pm

Sales Director, John Blythin, now has regular deliveries in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire of 10 - 15 firkins per week. He has also had enquiries from local breweries in these areas for swap deals but Nene Valley are not doing this at the moment.

Deliveries are also being made into London’s craft beer pubs. This is mainly Big Bang Theory, Fenland Farmhouse Saison and Starless and Bible Black Porter.

continued on page 11 >

Cash jackpot and a gallon of ale!

VINYL NIGHT Bring down your favourite records Check Facebook for next event

UKELELE NIGHT Every Thursday from 7.30pm

PHILOSOPHY NIGHT Check Facebook for next event

LAZY SUNDAYS from 4pm

Opening Times Mon - Thurs 3-12pm Fri and Sat 12 - midnight Sun 12-11.30pm For information on live entertainment go to Palmerston Arms

Peterborough Branch Website |www.real-ale.org.uk

BLO Reports | 11

OAKHAM ALES

Micro-Brews. The brewery has recently installed a new fermenter, which has increased their potential capacity to 20 barrels per week, purely to help them keep up with demand.

Davy Jones 5.0% is also available. This is the third beer in John’s ‘pirate’ trilogy after Scarlet Macaw and Hawse Buckler. All three are now available for those pubs who fancy a ‘pirate’ night!

TYDD STEAM

The Oakademy beer for May/June is Paranoid 5.2% Green Devil IPA now available in bottles (and craft keg).

The ‘RateBeer’ website voted Oakham in the top 100 of brewers worldwide.

One of their distributors in Keighley, ABV Wholesale, have named their greyhound Scarlet Macaw after their beer!

Sales are going well. Sandman and Cock have recently been brewed, both of which are from the brewery’s occasional portfolio. Quench has just been brewed and also Learning To Fly has made its second appearance. The only other news is that the brewery has just invested in a new delivery van and trailer. There are no new beers planned at the moment.

Planning has already started for the Peterborough Beer Festival and their 2015 beer list. There will be some new Oakademy beers and a return of some old favourites. Rumours are that the PBF beer may be dark in colour.

Beers will be on at these forthcoming festivals – Rail Ale, Chesterfield, Cambridge, Lincoln and Northampton.

Citra bottles have been entered for the first time into the Australian International Beer Awards!

Fingers crossed.

STAR BREWING COMPANY

Keep a look out for Star Brewing Company's latest seasonal “Quasar”, which is a 4.7% Golden Ale. This should now be on sale locally, at one of the many fine outlets that we are blessed with in our area.

During April, “Sirius”, a 5.2% I.P.A was brewed, which has proved very popular in the past.

With the imminent onset of the local beer festival season, there should be plenty of Star beers on offer, along with the ever growing range of local

29 North Street, Stanground PE2 8HR. 01733 753544

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

Now showing BT Sport

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www.real-ale.org.uk

Membership Matters

CAMRA Membership Information| 13

Do you already have CAMRA membership or do you want to become a CAMRA member? Here are the current membership rates.

CAMRA MEMBERSHIP RATES Full Single Membership £23 (non-Direct Debit £25) Full Joint Membership £28 (non-Direct Debit £30) Full Life Membership £414* Full Joint Life Membership £504* Concessionary Rates ** Under 26 Membership £15.50 (non-Direct Debit £17.50) Joint Under 26 Membership*** £18.50 (non-Direct Debit £20.50) Over 60 Membership £15.50 (non-Direct Debit £17.50) Joint Over 60 Membership*** £18.50 (non-Direct Debit £20.50) Over 60 Life Membership* £279 Joint Over 60 Life Membership*** £333 *Life Membership is not available to sign up online. If you wish to take up Life Membership please call the Membership Team on 0845 0727807 for more information. ** For further information about concessionary membership rates please contact the Membership Team. *** Both members must be eligible to receive concessionary membership and in the same concessionary category to apply for Joint Concessionary membership. i.e. both members have to be under 26 or both members have to be over 60.

I gave details of membership benefits in the April / May issue of BAE but these can be found on the CAMRA website (www.camra.org.uk /benefits).

Bob Melville Membership Secretary

14 | Please support our advertisers

Huntingdonshire CAMRA Rural Pub of the Year 2014 Opening Times Mon - Thurs: 11am-3pm & 5-11pm Fri - Sun: Open all day

Food Served All day Sunday

www.real-ale.org.uk

Two Beer Gardens (one V.I.P!) Childrens Bouncy Castle every Sunday throughout the summer Refurbished Restaurant

LocAle Report | 15

LocAle Re-award at the College Arms

T

he opening day of the recent Wetherspoons International Beer Festival at the College Arms was the latest setting for a Camra LocAle Award presentation.

couple of micro brewers from out of town on a ‘busman’s holiday’. My wife and I also stayed a little too long as I was temporarily addicted to the fine Elgoods Plum Porter which was on sale.

The LocAle award follows hot on the heels of an Oakademy award from Oakham Brewery, with The College stocking a selection of their seasonal brews.

The College has come a long way in the real ale stakes since I had my first ever pint in there in the late 90’s. I remember clearly that a £0.99 pint of a well-known Yorkshire Best Bitter, being virtually undrinkable. (Hint: Family brewery sold to Scottish & Newcastle, the black sheep of the family then going it alone.) No prizes available!

The team which includes Nicky Rolfe & Cellarman Ron Jones are doing a great job in raising both the profile of the pub and beer quality.

They kicked off their festival, with around 30 beers on simultaneously, utilising indoor stillage with cooler jackets and serving most of them direct from the cask. All of the beers were in good condition and were thoroughly enjoyed by the Camra representatives present. These included a

This is not the first LocAle award at The College, as past regimes have received the accolade, prior to falling by the proverbial wayside.

We wish the current team every success.

David L McLennan Peterborough & District LocAle Coordinator www.real-ale.org.uk

16 | Pub History

Disappearing Boozers Of Stamford Or 10 Into 2 Won’t Go! given that the Vic was a Melbourn’s house). The landlord gave me a look and asked “Is it a stag night?” Resisting the temptation to reply “No, they’re all for me but I’m extremely thirsty so can you start pouring please” I duly said “Yes”.

The Victoria, on Ryhall Road, now a private house

O

ften, when I mention in conversation that I live in Stamford, people enthuse “Oh yes, all those great pubs!” Indeed the town has always been known for its many watering holes, but sadly the national rate of closures (up from 16 to 18 a week, I read recently) has affected Stamford just as badly as anywhere else. In the south-western quarter of the town alone we have lost no fewer than ten pubs or clubs in the last couple of decades with a mere two opening to replace them. Admittedly the two are the Tobie Norris and Mama Liz’s, both recent winners of this branch’s Pub Of The Year award (so it’s not, quite, all doom and gloom). My point is that nine community drinking establishments (if you don’t count the RAFA club which metamorphosed into the Norris) have been lost, probably forever. From a personal point of view the saddest thing is that I can remember drinking in all of them at one time or another.

The Victoria on Ryhall Road has been a private house since the 1990s. I went in there one Thursday night as the vanguard on a stag night (in the days when such events were held a mere two days before the wedding). I asked for seventeen pints of bitter (probably Sam Smith’s Old Brewery

www.real-ale.org.uk

The O’ Brien’s Arms at the top of Brazenose Lane was about ten seconds walk from my girlfriend’s house in the mid-80s, but apart from one function it never got my custom. Even in those far-off days the words Watney Mann meant I kept walking. The pub is now Stamford School’s medical centre.

(

“In the south-western quarter of the town alone we have lost no fewer than ten pubs or clubs in the last couple of decades”

)

The Daniel Lambert (St Leonard’s Street) was a thriving boozer in the 90s and early 2000s under former Met police officer and opera buff Tom Auchterlonie but sadly his wife Anne’s illness meant they had to move on. The pub never recovered and is now a beauty salon. In its earlier life as the Reindeer this was the pub that taught me not to drink Ruddles County at lunchtime.

Younger readers should be aware that County then was one of the premier strong ales in the country, uniquely twice winner of the prestigious International Brewex Award, and not the thin, Suffolk-brewed imitation foisted upon us today!

The General Gordon in Wharf Road, run for what seemed like decades by the Jakes family during the 60s and 70s, finally fell from grace in the early 90s. My football team drank in there

Pub History

post-match and you could never be sure from one week to the next just who the licensees would be.

Eventually it closed (rumour had it that a single cellar beam was holding up the entire building) only to reopen briefly in the mid-90s as Fat Boys’ Bar. Finally it was demolished and flats now adorn the site.

Cummins (formerly Newage) Social Club, a few doors down from the Gordon, closed its doors earlier this year and is to become an IT hub.

Although no real ale was offered in latter years, there were two hand pumps in use previously and the ale was always worth drinking.

Just across the town bridge, the Anchor closed in 2001. Much of its trade at one time came from lorry drivers overnighting on the nearby cattle market but when that facility closed the pub suffered. The landlord and landlady (his domain was the kitchen while she kept the ale in topnotch condition) moved on, as I recall, to the White Swan at Harringworth. The classic Anchor

| 17

building now wears its Pizza Express logo with a faint air of embarrassment.

Round the corner the George Tap is now part of the George Business Centre to the rear of the eponymous hotel. I recall it being popular with RAF personnel from Wittering going on leave who would buy their tickets from the nearby railway station before repairing to the Tap for a pint or two of Newcastle Exhibition, whilst waiting for the train. The Morgado family ran the pub before moving on to greater things at the Bull and Swan and the Royal Oak, Duddington.

Back across the river.........The Dolphin in East Street, which only closed at the end of last year, never really recovered in my opinion, from the departure of entrepreneurial landlord Mik Maksimovic and his wife Tina at the end of the 90s. It will almost certainly become a residential property!

Alun Thomas

www.real-ale.org.uk

18 | Please support our advertisers

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cooked in an authentic wood fired pizza oven every Friday from 5.30-10pm

Tel: 01778 560238 Barholm, Stamford, Lincs PE9 4RA

The 20/49 motor club Meet on the 19th June 7pm aprox. (weather permitting)

A Traditional Ale House with an open fire

15th June - Father’s Day BBQ

Six Real Ales with four on rotation

Live Music

3 Ciders • 2 Lagers • Fine Wine & Spirits

8th June - The One Eyed Cats

large beer garden • Pool room

(groovy foods bbq available)

Opening Times

29th June - BRM band (playing 2pm to 6pm)

Open from 4pm week days, 1pm Saturday and 12pm Sundays

13th July - The One Eyed Cats (Groovy foods bbq 2pm to 6pm)

20th July - Children of the Revolution ( 3pm to 6pm) (Groovy foods bbq available)

The Ramblewood Inn ‘The pub in the woods’ The all day venue – Open for meals and snacks 12pm to 9pm daily A conservatory restaurant with food served all day, nooks and crannies in the old stables, outdoor seating and extensive parking, plus a selection of Real Ales.

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KCB Brewery Revived A

King’s Cliffe Brewery | 19

brewery that closed down exactly one hundred years ago has been resurrected by a local enthusiastic brewer. The brand new King’s Cliffe Brewery has started full production in Unit 10, Kingsmead, Station Road, King’s Cliffe. The new brewery, complete with new five barrel brewing plant, is the result of hard work and planning by brewer Jeremy O’Neill (Jez to his friends).

The logo of the brewery features a ‘King’ chess piece (see above). At a recent official open evening four of the beers brewed by Jez were on offer. Starting at the lower gravity of 3.8% ABV, 5C, was a light and golden hoppy ale. Next up the scale was no.10, an amber coloured ale at 4.0% ABV. The strongest was a powerful 5.5% ABV full bodied ale named K2. There was another mystery beer at 4.7% ABV without a name. A variety of hops were on show, Fuggles, Goldings and Challenger to educate the visitors.

An original poster from the previous King’s Cliffe Brewery states that the proprietor G.K. Papillon used only pure English malt and hops of the best quality with no sugar or other ingredients added. This of course applies to the present day brews. The poster also states “The beers of this Brewery are strongly recommended by a most eminent London Physician and other leading members of the Medical Profession as being tonic, pure, wholesome and digestive.” It was alleged they were beneficial to any sufferers of gout, rheumatism or liver complaints. Now how many brews today have that claim?

We wish Jeremy good fortune in his new venture and I’m sure, based on the tastings that I had,

his beers will soon be sitting on the bars of many local pubs.

David Murray

New Landlord at the Nag’s Head, Eastrea.

Kevin Archer took over the pub in March this year as the landlord and the chef. The previous landlord had introduced real ale to this community pub. Kevin has expanded the real ales to include 3 regular guest beers. During my visit there was Greene King IPA (regular), Batemans XXXB and Oakham Citra. The beer is very well kept and on the board for the coming week, was Adnams Broadside, Hardys & Hansons Olde Trip plus Star Brewery Meteor.

Real ale is popular with a local Whisky Club who meet there once a month, for Whisky Tasting Night.

Kevin is keen to try as many different real ales as he can to give his customers plenty of choice, and has been in contact with many of the local breweries. The feedback from his customers is very positive.

He sells good pub food from Tuesday to Saturday and the always popular Sunday Roast Dinner.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Mike Blakesley Press Officer

www.real-ale.org.uk

MOTORBIKES, ROCK & ROLL, FISH GUTS & LOCAL BEER

T

he weekend of 11th, 12th & 13th April saw a very well organised LocAle Beer Festival at the Iron Horse Ranch House in Market Deeping.

A plethora of Bikers, Motorbikes, Tickers, Beer Lovers, Music Fans, Musicians, Brewers, Diners & other normal human beings gathered at the venue under a collection of marquees. These were erected especially for the event, at the back of the premises alongside the River Welland.

There were over 30 LocAle beers on offer to oil the serious beer lovers just as well as the Castrol GTX in the atmosphere oiled the motorbikes, bringing back the temporary nostalgia of being a Lambretta 175GT & Ariel Arrow owner several years ago. Seriously though, there were some impressive looking Harley Davidsons turning up throughout the weekend.

The non-stop live music performed on stage by a cacophony of very talented musicians was certainly an eye opener for someone of my age, but at least I now know who “Denacious T” are. Cool eh?

It was great to see a "Gabble" of local brewers gather at the event throughout Saturday afternoon, each individually available for a “Meet the Brewer” session, all armed with a sample of brewing ingredients. Despite this, the “Fish Guts" debate was ongoing and all that was lacking was a live sturgeon for the demonstration.

Proprietors Richard & Verity Swinscoe certainly put on a great event and at the same time supporting a very worthy charity for disabled bikers.

It was great to see so many local brews on sale and the venue being so busy. They have their own stable beer on sale permanently now called "Prospect", which is brewed by Bexar County Brewery of Peterborough. www.real-ale.org.uk

The venue has a typically American feel to it, with a restaurant menu to match!

The restaurant was full to the rafters nearly all day. This was well supplemented by their own outside catering unit, which I gladly used in order to soak up a little of my drinking excesses.

On a serious note, it was a very impressive effort to put all that together & I sincerely hope it was a financial success. It was certainly a success from my side of the bar and I look forward in anticipation to their next festival.

Dave McLennan - LocAle Officer

hugely popular Tom Wright Band, featuring the youthful Rex Gates on bass. I’ll have to venture out of my cave to see these again I think as I’d like to know how you can bend guitar strings like that without acquiring some kind of personal injury. I'll mention them to the Peterborough Beer Festival Organiser to see if he can pull strings and book 'em! The bands continued and beer carried on flowing and by late afternoon the sawdust laden floor was soaking up a few spillages and the marquees were buzzing.

IRON HORSE SKOOL OF ROCK AND ROLL – NOT BAD AT ALL!

I

t has only been open in the new location a few months, but the Iron Horse has already put itself firmly on the map for decent beer and live music. The bringing together of these two ingredients culminated in the recent Skool of Rock & Roll in April. A line up of bands performing over 3 days and a choice of about 25 different ales from some excellent local brewers made for a painlessly enjoyable event.

Saturday 12th was the only day we could make, but we knew we were in for an entertaining day when within minutes of grabbing a pint of Mile Tree Adventurer our first musical interlude had begun. It was just after midday and Denacious T started the proceedings. They are couple of youngsters (everyone is a youngster compared to me!) who perform mainly Tenacious D material. A good start I thought with more to come. By the time my second pint (Elgoods Spring Challenge since you ask) was wending its way south we were educated by the

Having all of these local beers on board it was bound to attract those ale buffs who know a thing or two about the dark art of brewing, but it was still a surprise to see a clutch of brewers among the swilling throng. I knew the afternoon would become more confusing as we went along as they’d soon clumped together and were speaking ‘in tongues’ with us mere mortal outsiders catching a word or two of English such as hops, malt and yeast. The rest of the language was completely unintelligible!

All of the gigs at the Iron Horse usually have a charity element to them and this was no different with the chosen charities being Sense and N.A.B.D (National Association of Bikers with a Disability). Let’s hope they raised a packet.

Steve Williams

P

GO Ceterb W LD AMRoroug IN AW A h NE A R RD 20 13 Real traditional ale house in the heart of the city

5 Regularly Rotating Ales Opening Times :- Sunday to Thursday 12noon - 11pm Friday to Saturday 11am - 1.30am

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

Campaigning | 23

Roll up, roll up, to Britain’s Biggest Pub

CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival will be bringing a carnival atmosphere to London’s Olympia exhibition centre this summer with an extravagant circus theme complete with live-action circus performers.

But fantastic beer will of course remain the star of the show, with over 350 different breweries offering 900 different real ales, ciders, perries and international beers to over 50,000 thirsty beer lovers throughout the week-long event.

The festival will feature 29 bars including 11 brewery bars run by the Nation’s biggest and best brewers of real ale, plus food and merchandise stalls as well as a full schedule of entertainment on the GBBF music stage.

THE GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL, OLYMPIA, LONDON, 12-16 AUGUST 2014

The event is set to be one the biggest and best Great British Beer Festival’s ever, so don’t miss out on your place at the festival and buy a ticket now via www.gbbf.org.uk /tickets.

Coming soon, the 37th Peterborough Beer Festival!

Yes, it’s back for another year! Situated on the Embankment, Peterborough from 19th - 23rd August the festival will have a HUGE range of draught real ales, ciders, perries, wines and bottled beers available.

New this year the festival will be open all day from Wednesday 20th! Remember, there are free and discounted sessions available to CAMRA members so this is a great time to join up to the campaign.

Further information will be available in the next issue of this magazine and posters will be going up around Peterborough in the next few weeks. Put these dates in your diary,

19th - 23rd August www.real-ale.org.uk

24 | Please support our advertisers

www.real-ale.org.uk

DIARY DATES

JUNE Tuesday 3rd Committee meeting.

The Ostrich (tbc) 8.30pm. All branch members welcome, please bring membership card.

Sunday 15th Gold Award presentation to The Vine / 40th anniversary presentation to The Bull (both at Market Deeping) Meet at Queensgate bus station at 11.50am for the 12.00 bus to Market Deeping. Return on the 4.20pm bus from Market Deeping.

This is a joint event with Fenland branch.

Please contact Social Secretary John Hunt.

JULY Friday 4th Elgoods have kindly invited the branch to visit the brewery at Wisbech.

The visit will include a brewery tour, garden tour for those so inclined and refreshments.

Depart Brewery Tap at 6pm and return by 11pm. Cost for the minibus is ÂŁ8.00.

To book contact Social Secretary John Hunt.

Monday 7th Committee meeting.

The Heron, Stanground (tbc) 8.30pm All branch members welcome, please bring membership card.

Saturday 19th CAMRA Cycle Rally. Start Cathedral Square at 16.30. Contacts are Ross Parton 07971229865 and Chez Hansel 01733 341931.

Diary Dates and Festival Listings | 25

BEER FESTIVALS

MAY Saturday 31st May Knobworth - 2-day real ale, cider & live music festival in aid of charity. Now in its third year of kicking cancer in the balls. The Angel Inn, Yarwell, PE8 6PR. Thursday 22nd May - Sunday 1st June Norwich City of Ale. City-wide beer festival encompassing 44 pubs and over 30 breweries.

Thursday 29th May - Sunday 1st June Woolpack, Stanground, PE2 8HR - Beer Festival with 10 real ales and live music.

JUNE Sunday 1st June Peterborough Conservative Club on Broadway 9 ales, 3 ciders, european bottles, food, music and stalls open from 11am.

Saturday 7th June Kings Head, Kings Cliffe Road, Apethorpe, PE8 5DG. Live music, real ale, German lagers and food, hog roast.

Friday 13th - Sunday 15th June Fathers Day Cask Ale Festival at the Cuckoo, Alwalton, PE7 3UP. JULY Thursday 3rd July - Sunday 6th July Ploughman Summer Beer Festival Staniland Way, Werrington Centre PE4 6NA. Friday 4th - Sunday 6th July 1st Annual Beer Festival at The White Horse, Baston, PE6 9PE. 20+ ales and ciders plus live music.

Friday 25th - Saturday 26th July 11th Deepings Beer Festival. Real ales, ciders, fairground rides and stalls.

Gig Guide | 27

The Gig Guide JUNE

Sun 1 - Oakham Mic Night 6pm - Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Sun 1 - One Eyed Cats 2.30pm - Charters, Peterborough Mon 2 - Unplugged 8pm - Charters, Peterborough Fri 6 - Frankly My Dear - The Cock Inn, Werrington Fri 6 - Front Cover - The Dragon, Werrington Sat 7 - Too Fat to Kidnap - Iron Horse, Market Deeping Sat 7 - The Overdubs - Straw Bear, Whittlesey Sat 7 - Chris Hatt 9:30pm - Charters, Peterborough Sun 8 - Groove Cartel 2:30pm - Charters, Peterborough Fri 13 - Kick Back - Iron Horse, Market Deeping Sat 14 - The Blues House - Straw Bear, Whittlesey Sun 15 - Grounded 2:30pm - Charters, Peterborough Sun 15 - Jazz Jam 7pm –late - Brewery Tap, Peterborough Wed 18 - Grainne Duffy Band - Iron Horse, Market Deeping

Fri 20 - Medicine Hat - Iron Horse, Market Deeping Sat 21 - Reverb Nation 10:30pm - Charters, Peterborough Sat 21 - Sons of Kal -el - Iron Horse, Market Deeping

Sun 22 - Children of The Rev 2:30pm - Charters, Peterborough

Sun 22 - Leon 2:30pm - Charters, Peterborough Fri 27 - The Whole Point - Brewery Tap, Peterborough Sat 28 - The 707 - Straw Bear, Whittlesey JULY

Fri 4 - Fedz - Ploughman, Werrington Sat 5 - Zak Zoot - Ploughman, Werrington Sat 5 - Motor City Vipers - Ploughman, Werrington Sat 5 - Rocket Dogs - Iron Horse, Market Deeping Sat 5 - The Boobonyx - Straw Bear, Whittlesey Sun 6 - Nuggets - Ploughman, Werrington Fri 11 - Rattleshack and Thy Last Drop - Iron Horse, Market Deeping

Fri 18 - CJ Hatt Trio - Iron Horse, Market Deeping Sat 19 - The One Eyed Cats - Straw Bear, Whittlesey Sat 26 - Pennyless - Straw Bear, Whittlesey Please send any details for August / September gigs to info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk.

Pub Merit Awards & Gold Awards Does your local pub have excellent beer, friendly staff, a great atmosphere/ community spirit, or have they introduced additional hand pumps? If so nominate them for Gold or Merit Award. The new Merit Award is for pubs that are continuously outstanding, so if you know of a deserving pub within the branch area, please complete the form below indicating Gold or Merit Award and post to the secretary or email nominations to info@real-ale.org.uk.

Pub name:

Pub address/town/village:

Reason for award:

Your name:

Your phone number or e-mail address:

Your membership number:

Contact Details | 29

Branch Committee Secretary: Dickie Bird 4 Cissbury Ring,Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QH 01733 574226 (tel & fax) 07731 993896 info@real-ale.org.uk Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@real-ale.org.uk Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 0870 7620848 (fax) treasurer@real-ale.org.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 07474 758194 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk Press Officer: Mike Blakesley 01733 390828 (h) 07747 617527 (m) press-officer@real-ale.org.uk Young Members: Kara Williams young-members@real-ale.org.uk Membership: Bob Melville 07941 246693 membership@real-ale.org.uk Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk LocAle Officer: Dave McLennan 01733 346059 (h) 07854 642773 (m) locale@real-ale.org.uk Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk

Beer Around ’Ere Editor: Jane Brown bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Distribution: David Murray (See Chairman on the left) Advertising: Jane Michelson 01733 211410 jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Magazine & Production: Daniel Speed - 01733 211933 info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Proofreader: Bob Melville See details below Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917 Bexar County Brewery & Mile Tree Brewery: Steve Williams 07756 066503 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 Star Brewing Company: Dave McLennan 07854 642773.

Xtreme Ales: Matt Mace 07809 629241 Trading Standards 08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our website at: www.real-ale.org.uk

The next issue of BAE will be available on: 25th July We must have your stories, news and advertisements by: 2nd July Late copy cannot be guaranteed entry.

Please contact Jane Michelson Tel: 01733 211410 Mobile: 07732 393621 jane@orchardhousemedia.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 © 2014, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA.

Ploug Ploughman hman werrington Peterborough Peter rborou rou ugh CAMRA C CA AMRA Pub Pub of the year year 2014 & 2011

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The D ragon Dragon H odgson A ve P Hodgson Ave PE4 E4 5EG Dr Dragon-Werrington agon-Werrington T el: 01733 578088 Tel: tthedragon-werrington.co.uk hedragon-werrington.co.uk

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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 menus 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.

Introducing our new Green Room, available for parties and weddings.

We are now taking booking for 2014!

Taking bookings for Fathers Day 15th June Book early to avoid disappointment.

200 Broadway, Yaxley Tel: 01733 244885 Email: thefarmers@btconnect.com

www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk