Beer around Ere issue 187

188 Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale April / May 2016

Dyed in the wool winners!

Woolpack triumphs with Pub of the Year 2016 see page 13 for more info.

NO DILLY-DALLYING IN NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME

LOCALE PUB OF THE YEAR

LETTER B WINS AGAIN!

A quest up north for beer and oatcakes

Palmerston Arms receives coveted John Rice award

Cider pub of the year goes to the Letter B Whittlesey

ALSO INSIDE PUB & BREWERY NEWS

DIARY DATES

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Editor’s ramblings | 3

By the time you read this Easter may have been and gone. I hope you had a good one and included at least one visit to your local!

There are many really good pubs in our Branch area and one way to bring these into the limelight and encourage others to visit them is to recommend them for an award see page 28. We are all too keen to moan and criticise but not so keen to give praise! So, please do recommend deserving pubs, it shows that they are appreciated and are providing “what customers want”.

An email from a reader regarding a situation he had experienced about a manager in his local, which has in fact since closed, reminded me of my ‘ramblings’ in an earlier edition. In this I had said that bar staff can make or break a pub and so can licensees/managers. CAMRA urges people to use it or lose it but it’s not always that clear cut. There are instances where, if you do not feel welcome or the standard of service is below par, there is no way you are going to spend your hard-earned cash just to keep that pub open. It has to work for both sides of the bar!

What is your view on the half pint of beer/cider costing more than half (in some cases a lot more!) as much as a pint? Have you experienced this?

As with all situations there are two sides to each story. Would welcome your thoughts.

Editor: Jane Brown bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk

Published by: Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

Produced on behalf of CAMRA by: Orchard House Media Ltd Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Rd, Market Deeping. Tel: 01778 382758

Magazine Design & Production: Daniel Speed daniel.speed@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Advertising Sales Manager: Jane Michelson Tel: 01778 382718

IN THIS ISSUE Welcome from the editor 3 Chairman’s corner 5 Pub news 7–11 Presentations 13 Brewery news 14–16 Where’s all the Craic? 17 Werrington social 19 No Dilly-dallying 20–23 Diary dates 24 Discover real cider and perry 24 Not a bridge too far 27 Recommendation 28 A good time for charity 29 Branch contacts 30 Join CAMRA 31

I would like to compile a list of pubs for publication in BAE that offer reduced prices on beer/cider for CAMRA members on production of their membership cards. I realise that some are ‘one off offers’ but what I am looking for are establishments that permanently have offers. Please, landlords, landladies, managers, customers, let me have details. We all know about Wetherspoon’s vouchers but I’m sure there are many more and they may encourage more people into your pub!

Don’t forget May is CAMRA Cider & Perry month! Last but by no means least a big “thank you” to all contributors to this and previous issues, without you there would be no magazine! Also thank you to Jim Martin for the cartoon on page 17, it made me smile! Articles/ideas for articles are always very welcome.

Cheers!

JB

Distribution: David Murray chairman@real-ale.org.uk Proof Reading: Bob Melville - 07941 246693 Printed By: Precision Colour Print Ltd Haldane, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Circulation: 7,000 copies distributed to pubs, clubs and members throughout the Peterborough and District CAMRA Branch area. A digital version of this magazine is available to view and download at issuu.com

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Beer Around ‘Ere is published by the Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2016, 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 next issue of Beer Around ‘Ere will be available on the 26th May. We must have your stories, news and advertisements by 3rd May Please send your stories and other copy to the editor, Jane Brown.

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Chairman’s corner |5

Chairman’s Corner By the time you are reading this we shall know whether our latest plea to Chancellor George Osborne, for a fourth cut in beer duty, has been successful.

If there is a cut then it can only further strengthen the argument that any reduction is a benefit to CAMRA’s cause to save pubs from closure. The last three years in which a cut has been made has surely been a much needed boost to the pub industry, after suffering continuous increases in beer prices alongside several other increases in their costs.

One of these costs that has caused an outcry from licensees is the introduction of a new charge to pubs, clubs and restaurants serving alcohol past midnight. I’m not just talking about city centre pubs but also community pubs, which open later on the odd occasion or at weekends only. Although the rules were introduced by the last government in 2011, the legislation also gives councils discretionary powers to charge more for late night licences to pay for additional policing. The attitude of many pub owners is, rather than pay these extra charges, they would simply close earlier. If that was the case then all the reforms in pub opening hours that have taken place over the last twenty or thirty years would be wasted.

As I write this it has been announced by the Weatherspoon pub company that they have plans to stop serving Sunday roast dinners after Mother’s Day. Having on several occasions been to one of their pubs and enjoyed a quite adequate Sunday roast along with a decent pint of real ale included in the price, I must be one of many of their customers who are sorry to see this happen.

Knowing that the Sunday lunch trade is a major part of any pub’s weekend footfall it does seem a bit strange that ‘Spoons’ have taken this step.

Maybe there will be somone who will persuade Chairman Tim Martin to reverse this decision.

Although the forthcoming referendum as to whether we are to remain in or opt out of the EU is the main topic at the moment I’m not entering into any debate at this time. Reason? Simple, we will be bombarded with a load of facts, figures, scaremongering and even barefaced lies by the political elite that, by the time the voting comes, many will be sick and tired of it all, even though it may well be one of the most important decisions that we make in our lives.

One of our longest serving local licensees is Bert Murray (same surname, no relation!) of the Bull in Market Deeping, I cannot claim to have served such a distinguished career as Bert, first as a top class professional footballer with Chelsea and Peterborough United amongst his clubs, then as licensee at the White Horse in Market Deeping before moving round the corner to the Bull. As a token of our admiration for Bert and his wife Elaine we are holding our April Branch meeting in the pub. We also hope to replace the commemorative plaque on the wall of the pub which records the formation of the Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA, in 1975. I would like to see as many members as possible at this meeting, especially those from the Deepings area. Bert and Elaine retire from the pub on the 24th April, but we are holding our meeting on Tuesday 5th April.

Finally we are on the lookout for a member to step up and fill the vacant post of LocAle Pubs Officer.

Due to relocating ‘oop north’ to Barnsley, our present LocAle Officer Dave Mclennan has to step down. We thank Dave for his enthusiasm and dedication during his time in this role. We wish him all the best for the future. That’s it for now folks.

David Murray Branch Chairman

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Pub News

In my report to the Branch AGM in December I recorded that twelve pubs had closed during the preceding year. Of these, three will certainly not reopen, one of them having been razed to the ground, whilst there is every possibility that some of the remainder will. In fact during the same period nine pubs reopened, some of them, albeit, having been closed for just a short period. In addition, three totally new pubs opened up. So it looks as though we are just about drawing even. Of course, this situation is changing by the day, but it does seem to run counter to the perceived national trend. Either the perception is no longer the reality, as many flat- earthers have come to accept, or the trend has bottomed out. If the latter is true, I suspect it is in no little respect due to the increasing awareness of the ACV process. Not only does this impose restrictions on change of use; it also raises the profile of pubs to make them a more desirable investment.

ACV Champions A few months ago, a man by the name of Alex Brown contacted me regarding the Red Lion in Gedney Hill which has been closed for some time.

He was enquiring about the ACV process and I offered what advice was currently at our disposal.

Alex helped form a group who got as far as setting up a charitable company and extended the moratorium period for the pub. He has recently written to advise me that: “after an inspection we had to concede that due to the level of dereliction of the property our group would not be able to raise the level of funds to purchase the pub and do essential initial repairs.”

He goes on to say that “Fortunately it looks as though a local business man is negotiating to buy the site and keep it as a pub with an enabling development”. I suspect that raising the ACV brought the pub to public notice and occasioned the commercial interest that might resurrect it. Through his experience Alex says he has become something of an expert in ACVs and is offering his support to anybody who requests it.

I have inserted Alex’s contact details below.*

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Pub news |7

Simon Brand has advised me that an ACV has finally been accepted on the Straw Bear in Whittlesey. Let’s hope it reopens soon. I have also heard that a petition has been raised to save the Angel in Ramsey. Despite the cynicism and recalcitrance that surround this process, it looks as though the strenuous efforts of branch members are finally bearing fruit.

On the other hand, the Northfields in the north of the city has been closed and boarded up for some time. It has been acquired by an Asian interest and is destined to be converted into a shop and flats. Nothing is due to happen for two years, so there probably is a covenant on it. Of the six bidders, only one of them was interested in retaining it as a pub, so I suspect that raising an ACV would be a waste of time. I have heard that Darren, the previous licensee of the Northfields, is due to reopen the Blue Bell in Dogsthorpe, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Off the beaten track In this case, a railway track. Availing myself of the offer of a lift, I thought it a good opportunity to reach some of the pubs inaccessible by public transport. And so along the A1175 and across the railway crossing to the Whistle Stop, aptly named as the pub that originally served Tallington railway station. This is a very traditional pub with a large horseshoe-shaped bar surrounded by railway memorabilia. It is very well furnished with tables supported by ornamental cast iron bases and pedestals bearing the celebrated name of Thornton and Ardy, clearly of Victorian origin.

These were quite popular in the London pubs of my youth, ensuring that any inebriate lurching in the direction of a table packed with drinks would have very little impact upon it. The pub has an extensive, moderately priced menu and serves London Pride and Bombardier, along with guests in the summer.

Just along the road is Ye Olde Bertie Arms in Uffington. Dating back to 1691, this is one of the oldest and most attractive hostelries in the

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8 | Pub news - continued

branch. I had heard so much about it and was looking forward to the visit thinking Saturday afternoon to be the perfect opportunity. Its website encourages us to “drop by Ye Olde Bertie Arms and remind yourselves how good it feels to enjoy a pint of local real ale in a true English country pub? Landlord Peter Birch and his team look forward to giving you a warm welcome...”

Unfortunately, the door was locked.

Whilst in the area we thought we would take the opportunity to check out the Blue Bell just over the border in the Rutland branch. This little gem nestles deep in the village of Belmesthorpe. It is a beautiful old stone-built pub with flagstones and two imposing stone fireplaces. Six real ales are available including an outstanding pint of Bishops Farewell.

Back across the railway crossing is the village of Greatford. The Hare and Hounds is a lively, rambling village pub on two levels, so mind your head as you approach the bar. On our visit they featured Springhead Roaring Meg, JHB, Adnams Broadside, Nobby’s Plum Porter, Grainstore Cooking and Bass. A pot of tea was thoughtfully provided for the driver. A blazing fire warming the delightful small rooms welcomed us into the Five Horseshoes in Barholm. On Saturday afternoon it was packed with locals and landlady Emma told us that they also attract the cyclists and walkers who descend upon the fens. It has a large beer garden and a dedicated pool room. Emma and Matthew have been there for four years and were offering JHB, Bishops Farewell, Newby Wyke White Squall, Adnams Southwold, and Hopshackle Historic Porter. Another feature of the pub is home-baked pizzas cooked in a pizza oven on the premises.

Regular readers will be aware that I am constantly at pains to describe routes to pubs by public transport or public footpath, but sometimes the only way is by car. So don’t forget, if you drink and drive, don’t breathe.

Stamford update Conflicting reports surround the Periwig. I have BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

heard that Knead Group intends to absorb it into the Crown next door. How they intend to do this I am not sure, but I have since heard that the signage has been removed and is now advertising Patens Wine Merchants instead. It would be a great pity to see this ancient hostelry disappear.

The William Cecil, formerly Lady Ann’s’, at the top of St. Martins has been refurbished and the bar is now open to the public, so technically it is a pub. I took the opportunity to visit this sumptuous, up-market establishment at the end of January and found a very warm welcome from Tom, the front of house manager. Built from the ubiquitous Stamford stone it is a very attractive venue popular with locals for coffee and food. It boasts a reasonably priced set menu for lunch times and a more elaborate a la carte available from 6.00pm. I had previously been informed that the Olympic bar is decorated with pictures of Lord Burleigh. Imagine then my relief and delight when I discovered that this was not Elizabeth’s enforcer but was, in fact, the fifth Marquess of Exeter hurdling his way to Olympic gold in 1928, hence the name of the bar.

Grainstore Rutland Bitter was the house beer – Stamford prices but in excellent condition.

Back into town and the Green Man has now been taken over by George Sakkali. No news of the new manager as yet but we must hope that they will continue their tradition of two annual beer festivals.

Further updates Mike Lane has notified me that the Decoy in Milking Nook is closed again and on the market for £450,000 with a grant from the council allowing change of use. Anybody interested in aborting this ridiculous idea……?

Meanwhile, over in Langtoft the Waggon and Horses has had a chequered past and an uncertain future, partly through indifferent management.

I visited it recently and had a warm and friendly welcome from new proprietors Deborah and Richard. They have been in the pub trade for a long time having run several pubs before. Richard has been a chef for 21 years having worked previously at the Spinning Wheel in Baston. The pub was well frequented on a Wednesday afternoon Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Pub news - continued |9

and it looks as though they are determined to make it work. It should come as no surprise to us that the hospitality industry is best served by hospitality. Colin Payne, Amanda’s business partner at the Peacock in Woodston, has taken over the Duck and Drake in Yaxley. Given Colin’s dedication, I am sure we shall start to see an interesting choice of beers in the pub and I am looking forward to visiting. Sadly, the Simmonds brothers are leaving the Dragon in Werrington, but they hope to go into another free trade venture and I am sure they will update us on this in the future.

“Return to the dreary fen... ...Upon whose dreary edge” four villages lie in splendid isolation in the northernmost reaches of the branch. Straddling two counties, with half of the bar in each, is the Tydd Gote Inn in Tydd Gote. Hopefully it is also straddling two landlords, but the news is not good. I was told by a local that it has been closed for a month and is destined to become an Indian restaurant. The Five Bells in Tydd St. Mary is a spacious, L-shaped pub with exposed brick facing on the open fires, a restaurant to the side and a dedicated pool room to the rear. Serving a Tydd Steam beer in regular rotation with Old Speckled Hen, it is the local of Tydd Steam brewer Will Nevison, who brews just along the road. Expect no higher praise.

The clatter of dominoes and a warm welcome from landlord, Tim Ryan, awaited us in the Hat and Feathers in Sutton St. James. This is a busy, friendly typical Fenland village pub serving Batemans XB in excellent condition. Despite the lively atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon, Tim told us that he doesn’t open Mondays and Tuesdays through lack of trade. If you are in the area you might want to make a visit on a Wednesday or a Sunday between 6.30and 8.00 p.m. where you will get a steak and all the trimmings for £6.95!

Further along the road to Tydd St. Giles and the Crown and Mitre offered us Fullers ESB, St Austell Tribute and a beer called Martin Carter’s Captain’s Cask. Landlord Mick told me it is a beer brewed specially for the pub by Marston’s in recognition of one of his customers. It is a fruity 3.6% Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

bitter, possibly a standard beer rebadged, but it is my guess that it is dry-hopped. Asking who this customer was and why he has been celebrated, Mick told me that he had been using the pub for 72 years and that he was sitting alongside me. So I had the good fortune to speak to Martin who told me that he had captained the pub teams in football, cricket, dominoes, and darts (for which he also represented England) and the wall bore a certificate declaring that he is a qualified Irish Whisky Taster. In response to my impertinent enquiry regarding his actual age, he told me that he was 88. It was a great relief for me to discover that I was not the only juvenile delinquent who had been served in pubs since I was 16 years old.

Perhaps in deepest Fenland we had found the secret of longevity.

Micro landlord reaches new heights The general trend towards accommodating the change in public taste is becoming increasingly evident in the growth of micro pubs. Tom Beran, landlord of the Coalheavers Arms in Woodston is planning to open the first micro pub in Peterborough. The Bimble Inn will occupy the old pharmacy in Westgate and, having just received planning permission, he hopes to be open

by Easter. The interior will be completely ripped out to make way for a cold room, and the exterior shop front will be redesigned in the industrial rustic look in slate blue-grey. Tom and Michelle intend to run the pub themselves along with the Coalheavers. Tom told me his target audience is “beer lovers who enjoy pubs and feel that the town centre will benefit from a pub with a new perspective which will enrich the drinking experience for the city drinker”. The product range will include five real ales, cider, craft keg, new wave brewery bottles and cans, and British table wine. I asked Michelle why it is being called the Bimble Inn. “Well, of course, it is because the family is always bimbling”. Why didn’t I guess that? I am sure that this venture will attract a more varied custom to the city centre and provide a spin off for other popular real ale venues.

The growth of this part of the market has attracted much publicity recently and it looks

F

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as though we are starting to get our share of the action. Page & Saldana Hospitality have applied for a licence for 8b Church Street in the city centre and I understand that John Lawrence (formerly of the Crown) and Steve Williams (formerly Pubs Officer) plan to open a bar in the north of the city. They have identified this as a significantly unexploited area and I have absolutely no doubt that this venture will be welcomed by a pub impoverished public.

Cultural change has rightly been cited as a reason for pub closures but it sometimes appears to me that this is a statement of the bleedin’ obvious.

Cultural change brought pubs into existence in the first place and has accounted for their changes over the centuries. Readers interested in investigating this phenomenon might like to consult Peter Haydon’s book: The English Pub: A History.

However, this was published in 1994 and I, for one, think that it is important that we continue the analysis.

Having served my pub apprenticeship in London, when “the guvnor” frequently rejoiced in being Hitler’s grandchild- in fact some of them made a positive virtue of it- I can see where this argument is coming from. Not that I am criticizing this sophisticated brand of customer care.

For us youngsters it set the boundaries and instilled in us a standard of acceptable bar behaviour that has served us well over the years. Survey after survey, however, reveal that good service is highest on the list of priorities for pub users and the old fashioned governor is something of a dinosaur. So what changes have we seen in recent years?

The most exhaustive survey I have read on pub closures is the 2014 Institute of Economic Affairs Survey compiled by Christopher Snowdon.** The ACV process is now a key campaign for CAMRA, and as Pubs Protection Officer I am duty bound to support it. I have also witnessed its benefits. Mr. Snowdon puts an alternative case, believing that government regulation is actually detrimental to the trade. What is the point in creating an artificial market? He also explodes a few urban myths.

“Changing tastes, the shift towards home drinking and the increasing sale of alcohol in the off trade Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Pub news - continued |11

are all long term trends that do not sufficiently explain the rapid acceleration of pub closures after 2006….I estimate that approximately 4,000 pubs would have closed without any additional pressures”.

Since 10,000 pubs have closed over this period, what other factors must be taken into account?

After carefully examining some suggested solutions, Mr. Snowdon has proposed the following remedies: reduce alcohol duty, reduce VAT on cooked food, abolish cumulative impact zones (government policy prevents new pubs from opening in areas of high demand) and reverse the smoking ban. He goes on to say “The UK should follow the lead of many European countries that allow the hospitality industry to accommodate smokers.”

At the time of the introduction of the smoking ban, 54% of pub customers were smokers.

As lifelong non smoker, I, for one, would have no objection to a reserved indoor area for smokers where there is no interface with the bar. Hands up all those who agree with me.

John Temple Pubs Officer *Alex Brown may be contacted on: mail@fruit-machine-sales.com

** Institute of Economic Affairs Report 2014: Christopher Snowdon. Christopher Snowdon is Director of Lifestyle Economics at the IEA.

Send us your news!

Calling all landlords and landladies! Had a refurb? Got a great event on? Started selling a new range of ales or cider?

Let us know and we will add your news to these pages.

Just email John Temple at pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk

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14 Ever-changing, gravity fed real ales thepalmerstonarms BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

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Peterborough and District Branch Pub of the Year 2016

The Woolpack, Stanground.

Linda, landlady of the Woolpack, Stanground received her Pub of the Year Award from Peterborough and District CAMRA Branch Chairman, Dave Murray, and Steve Williams, original proposer of the Gold Award, on Friday 12th February 2016. Branch members joined locals in celebrating a well-deserved award for this community pub. Good beer, good company what more could one ask for! Congratulations!

Cider Pub of the Year 2016

The Letter B, Whittlesey.

Congratulations to Bruce and Denise who won “Cider Pub of the Year� for the second year in succession! The Award was presented on Saturday 20th February 2016. A small contingent of CAMRA members ventured from Peterborough by minibus to join locals for an enjoyable evening of cider/beer, music, plus buffet. A great evening was had by all!

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The Palmerston Arms were presented with the Peterborough and District Branch, John Rice LocAle Pub of the Year award. The presentation to Simon took place on Monday 7th March at a monthly branch meeting. Congratulations Simon and team!

LocAle Pub of the Year 2016 APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

14 |

Brewery News Abstract Jungle There have been some big changes at Abstract Jungle over the last few weeks and regretfully Simon has decided that, due to a family illness requiring him to be closer to home, he will move the brewery away from the Peterborough area much sooner than initially envisaged. Of course, priorities change in any business venture and we will all be sorry to lose Abstract Jungle from the local brewing scene.

Simon passes on his thanks to the Peterborough brewing community for welcoming him and especially to Steve Saldana at Bexar County Brewery for allowing him to invade his space over the last few months.

Local CAMRA members and local pubs have been both enthusiastic and helpful in the launch of Simon’s venture and will continue to support Abstract Jungle as the intention is to maintain existing supply links with the Peterborough area.

On a more positive note Abstract Jungle will be moving into another brewery of note but in Nottingham, just a few miles from Simon’s home.

Totally Brewed are an amazing brewery based in central Nottingham and they are kindly allowing Simon to brew at their site until Abstract Jungle find a more permanent home in the area.

The final brew from Peterborough was a “special” Alpha Pale which was readily available around Peterborough at the end of February. It was a 4.8% abv pale ale with Cascade and Amarillo hops with a long bitter finish.

Abstract Jungle and Totally Brewed have already brewed a “collaboration special” which is a chocolate and hazelnut porter and the first brew from Abstract Jungle in Nottingham is the Pride a 3.9% abv Pale Ale, available from early March.

Peterborough CAMRA extends their best wishes and support to Simon and his family with every BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

good fortune for the future and I’m sure we will still be keeping up to date with brewing news from Abstract Jungle on a regular basis.

core beer.

Bexar County There have been collaboration brews with Weird Beard, Alphabet and 3 Blind Mice. A new beer called Scarecrow Army 4.7% abv is now available and may become a

Castor Ales With the recent announcements regarding new hostelries in the city. Not wanting to be left behind Castor Ales always had ambitions of a brewery tap it could proudly call its own. The problem as always is that these things cost money and get complicated by planning, organising and the inevitable red tape (that pesky EU red tape gets everywhere coming over here sticking to our fingers!). As if that was not enough many people were warning Castor Ales that the period just after Christmas was not the right time to open a brewery tap. However, undaunted, Duncan stood by his guns and in characteristic fashion, just went out and did his own thing.

“I was aware of what people were telling me, but in the end, I found the whole process quite painless-apart from signing the cheque obviously” he told BAE "to be honest, everything went so smoothly I was beginning to think that some calamity was bound to befall us at the last minute.

However, I just went into the merchants, selected the tap I wanted, and arranged for a local plumber to fit it.”

The official opening was at the end of January, and already it has made a great difference to the brew day cleaning experience. The old tap dripped constantly and was almost impossible to

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turn on and off, so once we bought the new plug for the sink, there really was no turning back.”

Castor Ales went totally wild (for us) and brewed a Plum and Liquorice Porter Imperial Roman Porter 4.6% abv. This one off brew (although be warned we still have plenty of liquorice root left) has been well received at the usual Castor Ales outlets.

Another “new” brew just hitting the cellars of our loyal publicans is a special Hopping Toad, brewed to celebrate the Leap Year. “Leaping Toad” is a dry hopped (Cascade), version of our award winning flagship brew and comes in at 4.9% abv.

Catch it if you can.

Elgoods Straw Beer was brewed for the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival in January. This was followed in February by Greyhound Strong Ale. The seasonal beer for March will be Snake Slayer a 4.5% abv stout brewed to celebrate St Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland. The seasonal for April will be Puff 4.3% abv. This will be a burnished copper ale with hints of currants and raisins. The brewery will be sending both bottled and keg beers to the Craft Beer Rising Festival in London. Elgood’s are always looking at ways to increase sales and exports are a growing part of this strategy. Italy is a growing market and the brewery is hoping to see growth in sales to the USA this year including the Coolship beers. Cambridge IPA is being discontinued as a regular cask beer. Elgood’s have just completed the sale of the Boat at Whittlesey to incumbent landlord Phil Quinn.

Hopshackle Brewery The brewery is doing very well, sales are still good following an excellent Christmas and New Year. Black Mule 5.6% abv, has just been brewed. This was 7% abv when last brewed 3 years ago. Aniseed Porter 4.8% abv, Vanilla Porter 4.8% abv, Historic Porter 4.8% abv are all available now, plus Extra Special Bitter 4.8% abv, Sumo 5.2% abv and Hopnosis 5.2% abv all available in casks and bottles.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Brewery news |15

Kings Cliffe Brewery KCB have been brewing a ‘one off ’ beer with Simon the manager of the Ostrich, North Street, Peterborough. It is an amber ale of around 4.2 % abv and should be on sale for Easter.

Brewer, Jez, continues to do ‘one off ’ brews for the Cross Keys at Kings Cliffe and the Crown at Elton.

Mile Tree Brewery Mile Tree are looking forward to the year ahead and will be having their beers available at beer festivals both near and far.

They also continue to supply a select number of local pubs.

Nene Valley Brewery Construction work at the Oundle wharf site ended on March 4th with the building workers and their machinery leaving the site. There remains some floorpainting and internal cladding to be done to bring the premises up to spec for brewing purposes before the new fermenters etc. can be installed.

Nene Valley’s collaboration brew, with The Pint Shop in Cambridge, will be called Supersonic after the lyrics from Oasis' Supersonic - I'm feeling supersonic, Give me gin and tonic. The beer is a pale 6% abv wheat beer with flavourings from cardamom, cinchona bark, coriander, lemon and juniper. It was launched on March 17th at the Pint Shop. The beer will be available in bottles, keg and small quantities in cask.

The Iron Horse Ranch House in Market Deeping are launching a Craft Beer Club on April 6th which includes a talk from a craft brewer. The brewer for the first talk is from Nene Valley.

The beer list for the Easter Beer Festival at Oundle Wharf should be out on social media by the time of publication with around 30 beers from outside the local area. Nene Valley beers will also be available and somewhere within these will be the brewery's one millionth pint. All drinkers

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APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

16 | Brewery news - continued

at the festival who purchase a Nene Valley brew will be given a ticket for their “Millionth Pint” competition. The prize will be lots of Nene Valley beer in bottle, can, keg or draught.

Oakham Ales For 2016 the Oakadamy range of beers offers six new outings brewed bimonthly with a theme of super sleuths, detectives and heroes so here goes: - February had Affair at Styles 3.8% abv, a pale hoppy ale which received good feedback. April beer Chemical Syndicate 3.9% abv is a ruby beer packed with new world hops. Enough Rope 4.3% abv in June is followed in August by Velvet Claws 4.2% abv.

Study in Scarlett 4% abv is to be October’s beer and last but not least for December Shot in the Dark 4.1% abv.

March sees the return of Beer Monster which was brewed originally as the breweries festival special for the 2008 Peterborough Beer Festival.

Those that can’t remember it is an amber brew at 4.8% abv. Also seen around locally has been Mompessons Gold 5.2% abv, which remains ever popular and very good it is too!

The two new craft kegs, Export Stout 6.5% abv and Blonde 4.5% abv were launched at Craft Beer Rising recently at The Old Truman Brewery in East London. They will now form part of the new ‘Craftworks’ range. The expansion work at the brewery continues with in their words “Just very boring digging of holes and rewiring in preparation for other stuff ”!

Shoulder of Mutton Things are going well at the moment with the success of Shoulder Stout 4.6% abv in cask and keg. The brewery is venturing into the world of lager with Shoulder Lager 4.7% abv in cask and keg. The first batch ran out in a few days prompting a rapid reorder of Saaz hops from the Czech Republic. Real ale stocks have been bolstered by a new monthly special blond called Hills and Hollows named after a play area in the village and a fruity number called Ropemaker 4.6% abv named after a former trade in the village which will be ready this month. Oresome and

BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

Rosie’s Sweat Box, both at 4.2% abv, were to be available at the Leicester Beer Festival.

Star Brewing Company Beers being brewed at the moment are Titan 4.2% abv and Astral 4.5% abv. The next beer to be brewed will be Orbit 4.1% abv which will be a pale and hoppy beer. This will be available from the middle of March. Brewer, Simon, has received an enquiry from the organisers of the East Anglian Beer Festival (Bury St Edmunds) with regard to supplying beer to their Festival.

Tydd Steam Sweet Chariot was brewed ready for the Six Nations Rugby. This is actually Scoundrel re-badged. Mind Bomb will be brewed shortly with some being entered in the SIBA National Beer competition. Iron Brew is currently available. Sales have been good and the recent launch of Arctic Fox’s Polar Bear brewed to celebrate Will’s nephew’s trip to the South Pole created quite a lot of interest in the brewery.

Ratcatcher is making its second appearance as part of the brewery’s occasional portfolio.

Xtreme Ales January is always a busy month with Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival coming straight after Christmas. Goldilocks and Dancing Pigeon were available at a number of pubs throughout the town during the festival. The Letter B also had additional beers at their traditional Grufton real ale bar. Xtreme were honoured to be asked to brew a festival special for the CAMRA Winter Ale Festival held at the Roundhouse in Derby. Their Scout Stout was named in honour of a Derby committee member, who passed away last year. It received excellent reviews. Pigeon Ale was also at the festival. Beers have also been sent to Colchester, Leicester and Booze on the Ouse festivals.

Production continues at an increased level with beer going to local pubs and pubs further afield.

The search is still on for larger premises.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

Trip around Werrington |19

Werrington Village Social After a Saturday at Straw Bear the ordinary-ness of peeling potatoes, preparing veg and charcoaling meat held no charm at all, (yes lads, Sunday Lunch does not miraculously appear on the table). Good job then the Social Secretary, ever keen to ring the changes, morphed Pie Night into an afternoon social with carvery to start.

In a branch that has over two thousand seven hundred members, it’s a great shame that only nine could be bothered to support the event but hey!

Like everything else people only get off their inert gluteus maximus when things disappear for good.

Speaking of which, our first port of call, in the area of Werrington the locals are keen to keep the epithet “Village”, was The Blue Bell, the last (at time of writing) open Elgoods pub in the city (and sneer all you like, it’s a local family-run brewery not sitting on it’s laurels but embracing the changes in beer styles and adapting, again support or lose) and pleasant it was too. The bar has been freshened up while the restaurant was packed. And no wonder! Three choices of meats, and plate sizes, as well as a field of veg per person at the price of a decent joint of meat! The beer drinkers all found pints to suit tastes and while the lemonade left something to be desired, like taste and bubbles, a word at the bar soon had the matter rectified.

A run around the village to make room for more beer was suggested by the Editor post-lunch, but we managed to ignore her on the short walk to the next watering hole, The Three Horseshoes. In such a small space there did seem to be a lot of screens of the television variety. Not that it bothered us, we were too busy chatting, y’know that good old-fashioned pub pastime that makes customers drouthy for more beer, not catatonic, gazing at moving pictures. But we were obviously out of place here so, after just a pint of nothing out of the ordinary, we departed for our final hostelry of the afternoon.

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Double the walk, so about five minutes, took us to The Cock Inn. Here too, beer drinkers found suitable refreshments but Straw Bear was starting to take its toll and some of the number had to depart. While very busy with late afternoon quaffers we were able to find seats away from the jukebox, and continue with conversation. Settled now for the rest of the afternoon we mused why this area of Peterborough is so well served with public houses.

There is of course yet another pub in the village never mind another two in Werrington magna.

According to the last official census the village has the highest ratio of widows per capita in Peterborough. Couldn’t be the ultimate grey girl power, could it?

The Wean

at Sundays, 3 Cumbergate, Peterborough PE1 1YR Bookings on bbq.nights@yahoo.com Tel: 01733 554 334

Great local ingredients, cooked low ‘n slow over wood in our multi-award winning Cookshack Smoker, imported from the USA. Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs & more.

Good Meat+Rub+Smoke+Time=BBQ

APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

No Dilly-dallying

A Pub Crawl of Newcastle-under-Lyme

Twenty five of us set off from Peterborough Station on Saturday morning, map and sheets in hand with 14 pubs to visit. Of all the days to travel towards Birmingham, it happened to be Peterborough against West Brom in the FA Cup. Football!

Our first stop was Nuneaton. We had to wait there for the connection to Stoke-on-Trent and had enough time to walk to the Felix Halt on Stratford Street, a Weatherspoon’s. What should we spy on the pumps? Only Elland Brewery’s Nettle Thrasher. Woe is us! Dickie had travelled all that way to have a pint of his own beer. I joined him in a pint and he confessed: “No nettle was harmed in the making of this beer”. Weatherspoon’s is Weatherspoon’s the whole country over, but they are open and serving at 10:30am on a Saturday.

They may want to put that review in their advertising.

On the train again and Mick organised ‘Sid’s Taxis’ to pick us up at Stoke and take us to BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

Newcastle under Lyme, as there is no station there (eight in a taxi for £1.25 each). “The Castle Mona please driver” on Victoria Street, a Free House open 12- 12 on Saturday - and we were off. Quite a good choice of beer. My choice was Punch and Judy at 4.3%, they also had Bombardier 4.1%, Slumbering Monk 4.5%, Joules Pale Ale 4.1% and Growler 5.0%. So, most tastes covered there. What I did like in the pub was the ‘Joule’s’ advertising on the walls, one of which read, “REAL GENTLEMEN GET PROPERLY LAAGERED” with the two AA’s in the spelling, advertising Craft Brewed larger by Joule’s Master Brewers, and a footnote of “always demand a properly laagered lager”. Note taken.

Across the main road is Castle Oatcakes, which was our next call, for a snack, or breakfast. Mick had extolled the virtues of Staffordshire oatcakes, so we all went across. Oatcakes to me are a biscuit that I would have with cheese in the evening.

However, these Oatcakes are a pancake but made

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Newcastle-under-Lyme Tour |21

with oat flour, and I had a breakfast box of three oatcakes, with fillings of tomato, baked beans, fried egg, mushrooms, bacon and sausage, all for £3.50.

A single oatcake with cheese and bacon cost £1.80. They open at 5am till 1-30pm Thursday to Saturday and we can recommend you try oatcakes when in the Stoke area.

creen 5%, a robust smoked porter. Rob said this smelt and tasted of smoked kippers, always a selling point for me! Although I did like this pub, I think we sat in the wrong corner as there was the most awful smell of air freshener. OK in the toilet but NOT in the pub. The inn sign is rare being a tiled picture of a bull’s head.

Old Bulls Head, Newcastle under Lyme

Another tucked-away town centre pub is the Lymestone Vaults, Pepper Street which sells six Lymestone real ales and four guest beers (+ seven real draught ciders). It was only when we arrived that we realised the pub sold Oatcakes with a range of fillings, so we could have had some for lunch in a warm pub rather than standing in the street as we did at the Castle Oatcake shop!

Back up the road now to the Jolly Potter, Barracks Road. They had four hand pumps with Battlefield beers, 1403 4.1%, Gold 3.8% and Sabut Jung 5.8%, plus Wincle Beer Co’s Burke’s Special 5%. Nice pub

of two rooms, and the locals were friendly. They even moved away from the radiator so we could all get a warm We re-jigged the schedule here as we had the Arnold Machin (Weatherspoon’s) down for a visit and lunch for those that wanted it. However, as we had had the oatcakes earlier we went onto Old Bull’s Head Inn, Lad Lane. Finding your way around Newcastle under Lyme is a little challenging as not many streets display their names, but we found our way. The Old Bull is a charming and old fashioned pub in the centre of town, the oldest in Newcastle, dating back to the 14th Century. We received a very warm welcome and the food smelt wonderful. It also had an attractive ‘Snug’. Mainly Joule’s beer, they had Pale Ale 4.1%, Slumbering Monk, Blonde 3.8% and Old No6 4.8%, plus Wrekin Pale Ale 4% and SmokeVisit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Next up was Ten Green Bottles, Merrial Street, a craft beer pub that I liked very much. They have an extensive range of bottled beers which you can drink in or take out, and the staff were wonderful; helpful and very chatty. There is also a great range of Gin. Philip tried a ‘Poppies’ gin from Belgium, which has the distinct smell and flavour of aniseed and lives in an old clay-like bottle with a poppy design on the front. It’s served in a large balloon glass, with pomegranate pips, grapefruit and rose lemonade with four cubes of ice - very nice. Also three real ales.

We are on a roll now and the next port of call was the Bridge Street Ale House. This is the first micro pub set up in the area and it’s like going into your Nan’s house. The large front room has a central entrance door, then at the back, two rooms look out onto the garden and have a

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Ten Green Bottle, Merrial Street

APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

variety of old fashioned dining tables and chairs. On the walls are posters, memorabilia of Batman, Spiderman and Lord of the Rings - so perhaps not your typical Nan’s house. They had four hand pumps. I had a Wentworth Blueberry Stout. 4.5%. Also available was Slater’s Premium, Phoenix Arizona and Castle Rock Traffic St. Specials #6 Rat Race.

Hopwater Cellar

We are Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016!

Up to 4 Real Ales available • Friendly village pub with riverside mooring • Large garden • Dogs welcome

Food served: Wed to Sun 12 - 2.30pm, Mon to Sat 6pm - 8pm

LIVE MUSIC SUNDAY 3rd April THE STRINGLERS 4pm - 6pm BEER FESTIVAL MAY DAY WEEKEND

Fri 30 April – Sun 2 May BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

Across the road from the Ale House is the Hopwater Cellar, also specialising in bottled beer from all around the world, also selling one real ale and a craft keg beer. This is owned and operated by a local CAMRA member. It is open 12-8pm on a Saturday, well worth a visit for the quirkiness of it and for the retro, Commodore PET 2001 Series, personal computer. Looks somewhat like a check out till.

We set off up the road to visit the Albert, Brindley Street, which is only a 10 minute walk away and where I was looking forward to seeing the tiled mural that is devoted to local man Philip Astley, who in 1768 invented the circus ring.

We found the Albert and as my dad and brother both were called Albert, I felt at home

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Newcastle-under-Lyme Tour - continued |23

with them and the pub. It is a small place, only a single room, and Paul the landlord made us very welcome. He came and told us the history of the pub and how he used to walk past it as a ‘Youth’ and see men sitting inside in trilbies, smoking pipes and wearing suits and thought “That’s not for me” only to find himself there for the past six and a half years with his wife Hilary. He said that he caters for the locals and they like the beer he serves, Marston Pedigree sells five and a half nines and Bombardier two and a half nines a week. If that’s your trade then you have to cater for them, but a great friendly pub to visit.

Just 200 yards along the same road we found The Freebird, named after a Lynyrd Skynyrd song. It is a real ale music pub, which is frequented by ‘Bikers’. When we were there it was a little quiet and neon lights during the day never really hit a note with me. Eight real ales on sale.

Some of the party took taxis to the Hop Inn, Albert Street, which is the current Potteries CAMRA Pub of the Year. This three roomed pub sells six real ales from some of the best microbreweries in the country. Nearby is the Victoria, King Street, another pub in the Good Beer Guide selling four guest beers mostly from microbreweries.

Close by is the last of the pubs we visited - the Greyhound on George Street. En route to this pub you have to pass The Museum Pub on the same road, but as time was not on our side we had to neglect this one. What a warm welcome we had at Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

The Greyhound. On the pumps were, Titanic Plum Porter 4.9% a favourite of ours and of The Palmy Tuesday night Black Beer Club, plus Titanic Steerage 3.8%, Titanic Iceberg 4.1%, Titanic White Star 4.5%, Everards Tiger 4.2%, Dukeries Ray of Sunshine 4.2%, Camerons Gold Bullion 3.9%, Windsor & Eton Canberra 4.6% and The Beer Studio Yakima Palisade 4.7%. What choice and prices from £2.75 to £3.40 a pint. They also sell snacks and have a great selection of Scotch Eggs. So we had three of those. Caramelised onion, duck egg and chutney, and mango, £2.50 each served with a dish of relish, very nice. Taxi arrived and we went back to the station with Sid’s Taxi’s again.

Train back to Nuneaton with time to spare (an unrecorded Simon & Garfunkel album). The decision was either a 10-minute walk to Lord Hop, a micro pub in the town centre selling four real ales or a one minute hop to The Crown, across the road from the station, en route passing The Railway pub. Our choice was The Crown. The beer was £1.99 a pint, a large old building a little like going into The College Arms size wise. The bar staff had wonderful face piercings. Six real ales and four ciders; we plumped for the Milestone Honey Porter 4.9%, also available was: Slaters Rye IPA, a black IPA 3.9%, 4T’s A.P.A. pale ale 4%, Mordue Workie Ticket 4.5%, and Cottage Brewery GWR 5.4%. A wonderful choice and then the music racked up and Mr. ‘Gibbo’ and son were well away as were the rest of us. What a shame our train had to stop us. A great time in a great pub that you could very easily pass by on the way to Lloyds or ‘Spoons’.

Our journey home was eventful as involved travelling back with jubilant Posh supporters. Seats wherever you could get and we managed the 1st Class with Carl, with a curly “C”, and joined in with the Posh singing.

A grand day out with some great people who had an excellent time.

Roz Fountain (Photos by Ross Parton, Derek Gibson and Alan Fury) APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

24 | Please support our advertisers

Diary Dates April

Tuesday 5th April 8.00pm Branch Monthly Meeting and presentation at the Bull, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA. Help us celebrate Bert Murray’s retirement and the replacement of the plaque commemorating the formation of Peterborough & District CAMRA Branch in 1975. All members welcome, please bring membership card.

Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th 7th St George’s Beer and Music Festival at Hand and Heart, Highbury Street, Peterborough PE1 3BE.

Saturday 23rd Joint visit with Huntingdon branch to the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The branch have been invited to join Huntingdon

CAMRA meetings, socials and beer festivals in the coming months

branch on their rail trip to The Bermondsey Beer Mile in South East London. Meet at Peterborough railway Station at 8.30 for 8.46 train. Group save ticket with Travel card is £16.55 return. Please book places through John Hunt, Social Secretary.

May

Tuesday 3rd at 8.30pm Branch Monthly Meeting at the Lime Tree, Paston Lane, Peterborough PE4 6HA. All members welcome, but please bring membership card.

Thursday 5th – Sunday 8th Coalheavers Arms Spring Beer Festival. 5 Park Street, Peterborough PE2 9BH. Friday 6th The Overdubs. Saturday 7th Jamaican BBQ and DJ.

Wednesday 18th Midweek campaigning crawl to Elgood’s country visiting some of the more out of the way pubs in Guyhirn, Murrow and Wisbech St Mary areas.

Depart Brewery Tap at 7pm and return by 11pm. Cost £5.00.

Please book places through John Hunt, Social Secretary.

Monday 23rd - Saturday 27th 43rd Cambridge Beer Festival 200+ ales, 80+ ciders & perries, plus foreign beer, wines and meads. Famous CAMRA cheese counter, with a range of British cheeses. CAMRA members free all sessions. See www.cambridgebeerfestival.com for more information.

Discover Real Cider and Perry

When I moved to England in the late 80’s I was taken to my first beer festival. At the time I didn't drink beer so I found myself at the cider bar and it was a revelation. Having spent years drinking the standard fizzy cider that was available in pubs I discovered a drink that tasted of apples and you could taste the flavours coming through from the fruit. I also discovered the variety of drinks that were available.

I quickly learnt that very few pubs sold real cider and that the

BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

only place that I could guarantee being able to find it was at the larger CAMRA beer festivals so I joined to find out where the festivals were and started travelling to those which were easy to get to.

Thankfully we now live in a very different world. We have seen the number of cider producers increase in recent years so many areas now have a cider producer somewhere nearby. Most beer festivals now sell real cider and perry, with even the smaller ones having a small selection. There are also a lot more pubs with at least one

available and many stocking a good range.

If you search for pubs that sell real cider in your county on the Whatpub website, you are given a choice of pubs. It is even possible to arrange cider crawls of larger towns and cities. May is one of CAMRA’s cider campaigning months so, now that it is easier to find in pubs and at beer festivals, why not take the opportunity to try some real cider or perry and discover the variety of flavours that you can find in these drinks.

Andrea Briers

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Please support our advertisers |25

25+ Beers, Ciders and Craft Lagers.

Live Music all weekend Gorefield Gala day on Saturday, lots of stalls and attractions.

Camping available, ÂŁ5 per pitch, with toilets on site and shower block. please book in advance. email: bookhall@gorefield.com www.hall.gorefield.com Gorefield Community Hall, Wolf Lane, Gorefield, Wisbech, PE13 4NE Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

26 | Please support our advertisers

Peterborough’s Oldest Members Club Just a short walk from Bus and Railway Stations and Queensgate

Food served Wednesday to Sunday Free entry to CAMRA members Live Music & Entertainment Sat 9th April Sole Runner Sat 16th April Athenry Sat 23rd April Sun of a Gun Sat 30th April Go with the Flow Fri 6th May Sole SX Sat 7th May Gone to the Dogs Sat 14th May Betty Swollocks Find us at: 7 Burghley Rd, Peterborough PE1 2QA Tel 01733 896989 theburghleyclub Website: www.theburghleyclub.com

BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Charters 25th anniversary|27

Town Bridge not “A Bridge Too Far” for ‘Leendert - R’ Moored next to Town Bridge is an old Dutch barge housing ‘Charters’ bar and ‘East’ restaurant, two of the City’s iconic eating and drinking establishments. It was in 1991 that the barge was purchased

by Paul Hook, of Oakham Ales, and taken on an intrepid voyage across the North Sea and up the River Nene. They even had to sink her to get under Town Bridge, and then refloat her into the position where she has lain ever since serving some millions of locals and visitors alike. So in 2016 the ‘Leendert – R’ is having her 25th birthday as a restaurant and bar venue, a far cry from the times when, for 85 years and through two world wars, she plied the Rhine carrying grain and sand.

Charters a perfect venue to attend during the Easter and August beer festivals, or indeed at any time when the customer is seeking choice and variety, or just something new. Their large range of modern ciders has proven popular, There is also a large riverside garden area for alfresco drinking, eating and music whenever the weather allows.

There will be special birthday events in September. Let’s drink to the next 25 years for the Leendert – R. She serves the City well.

That her role today is different is obvious when you mount the gangway and see the casks and kegs stacked on her bow. The whole of the lower deck is Charters bar, retaining the authentic feel of an old working barge with the interior hull and struts, and the beams and poles providing a gritty feel. It is an attractive bare-boards environment, and there is an ample variety of seating with eclectic furniture such as old church pews and stripped-down, old dining tables. Charters prides itself on serving a vast array of ever-changing real ales and ciders. This makes

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APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

28 |

Recommendation A brief definition - congratulations, extolment, kudos, praise - an expression something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable.

If you are a CAMRA member does your local pub have excellent beer, friendly staff, good atmosphere, promote community spirit? Why not recommend them for a Merit or Gold award?

Peterborough and District CAMRA present these awards throughout the year to recognize the efforts made by publicans to deliver both the best pub experience and good quality beer and cider, but it needs members to nominate deserving pubs.

Two award schemes are in operation: CAMRA Merit Award The Merit Award is for pubs that maintain the highest level of good service, an excellent quality and range of real ales and ciders, and provide a great atmosphere.

CAMRA Gold Award The Gold Award recognizes pubs that have made extraordinary efforts to improve the quality and range of their beers and ciders, along with great service and atmosphere, creating what we know and love as the British pub.

First Steps Your nomination could result in your local being recognized by a wider audience. In December all the pubs that received awards throughout the previous 12 months are automatically put forward for the Branch Pub of The Year Award or POTY as it is affectionately known. Branch members then vote for their choice.

The winning pub is automatically put forward for County Pub of the Year and then possibly onto Regional and then National Pub of the Year. So, who knows what you can start with your nomination! A nomination form can be found in Beer Around Ere or you can email your nomination to the branch secretary Dickie Bird info@peterboroughcamra.org.uk Please ensure your email includes your name, membership number, and phone number, as well as pub details and either “Merit” or “Gold” award.

Mike Blakesley Press Officer

Pub Merit Awards & Gold Awards Pub name: Pub address/town/village: Reason for award: Your name: Your phone number or e-mail address: Your membership number:

BEER AROUND ERE | APRIL / MAY 2016

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|29

A Good Time for Charity Well as nights out sampling live local music go, this was one of the best in a long while.

Step forward three bands, a good crowd and all for a deserving cause. This event was at the Cherry Function Suite, Oundle Road and held in memory of local good fella Simon Vjestica, aka Rat, and for Multiple Sclerosis. First up were The Dole, featuring Gizz Butt on stage alongside his old mates for the first time in a very long while and made all the more special with an old friend of many and of Rat’s, Murko Bradavich on keyboards. I've got to say that without much rehearsal the band absolutely nailed it.

Playing original songs that were penned some thirty years back, their mix of energetic drumming and guitar laden riffs were underpinned by what would have been experimental keyboard sounds of the day, with their short set quite rightly earning a deserved encore. So with their dark shades now off, they finished what may well be their last ever appearance, with aplomb, applying equal energy to their post stage pints too!

Next up was a band known to many on the local live music scene, The Phsycobombz. Now slimmed down without the doors-esque keyboard sound that could sometimes take them over, they seemed more energetic and with a cleaner sound too.

With bass player problems the week before this gig, the band invited Andy Lyndsey along for the ride and I think it's fair to say they delivered the goods with a sound that had a more 60's garage band sound. Mod even? Quite possibly. Enjoyable? Definitely. With the venue now packed their performance dovetailed superbly with what The Dole laid down previously and to what the next band were set to deliver.

With it being so busy there was the expected queue at the bar, three deep in this case. It was due to this that I could only get my hands on the pubs resident Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Thankfully it lived up to the mark, so I was soon back in the queue!

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Next up on stage were The Expletives, a band that have seemingly come from nowhere in these last three years. Yet again delivering tight polished anthemic punk covers that are adorned with their very own Johnny Rotten giving it, as is normal, a 110% full on frontal earlobe assault. Matched by gesturing and body shopping that would make any Mum proud.

By now the crowd were rightly into the night’s fare and it was soon time for some of the 50 somethings amongst us to start pogoing. Well, as long as their knees held up of course.

I'm sure some aching joints, and for that matter heads, were present over many Sunday morning coffees, but hey the night’s music was damn good, as was the reason for the night’s event taking place.

Lez Wheeler

The Bluebell Inn

Helpston

The Bluebell, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED Tel: 01733 252394 Email: hello@bluebellhelpston.pub We support local micro breweries stocking great local cask conditioned ales - always a choice of 4 including “10 Woodgate” which is specially brewed just for us.

Open seven days a week for drinks and serving fresh, seasonal, locally sourced produce, our menu offers something for everyone.

‘Lunch for Less’ Menu Monday to Friday

(offering a special two course menu only £10) APRIL / MAY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

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

Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk

Mile Tree Brewery: Steve Williams 07756 066503

Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk

Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417

LocAle Officer: Vacant Position locale@real-ale.org.uk

Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 treasurer@real-ale.org.uk

Vice Chair: Matthew Mace 07809 629241 vice-chair@real-ale.org.uk

Brewery Liaison Officers Abstract Jungle: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917

Social Sec: John Hunt 07923 489917 social-sec@real-ale.org.uk

Bexar County Brewery: Dave Botton 01733 345475

Pubs Officer: John Temple 07905 051 312 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk

Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07821 912605

Cider Officer: Bernidette Gilbert

cider@real-ale.org.uk

Kings Cliffe Brewery: Mike Blakesley 07747 617527

Membership: Bob Melville 07941 246693 membership@real-ale.org.uk

Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@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

Elgood’s: John Hunt 07923 489917 Hopshackle: Noel Ryland 07944 869656

Melbourn: Don Rudd 07806 731765

Nene Valley: Bob Melville 07941 246693 Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07923 489917

Shoulder of Mutton Brewery: John Temple 07905 051 312 Star Brewing Company: Don Rudd 07806 731765

Xtreme Ales: Vacant Position 08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our website at: www.real-ale.org.uk

Trading Standards

27th - 30th of May • Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

30+ Real Ales & 10+ Ciders Friday 27th Northern Soul In The Marquee from 6pm Supporting Northern Soul against Cancer

Saturday 28th From 7.30pm Easton Theatrical Society Present: “ Easton’s Got Talent”

Sunday 29th Village Fete From 11am Children’s entertainment, stalls, sideshows, live music and fun for all!

Sunday 29th From 8pm* The Music of the 60’s & 70’s House Party Monday 30th from 1pm Live bands over 2 stages

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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 5:00pm - Late Carvery & Grill Menu Sunday Open From 12 Noon - 9pm All Day Carvery

Check out our lunch-time grill menus and our everchanging 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.

Planning a wedding or special family event?

We have lots of packages available including our new Green Room facility.

Please call for further details.

Now licensed to conduct Civil Marriage ceremonies on the premises

Now taking bookings for

Fathers Day on June 19th

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

www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk