Norfolk Nips #168

No.168

* see pages 53 - 65

Special Festival Section

E F RE Spring 2014

Are yew a’goin t’ Scarborough fer a bear?

SEE PAGE 3

Also inside: Coach & Horses Wins West Norfolk Pub of the Year!

PUB AND BREWERY NEWS BEHIND BARS • WOLF BREWERY WHITEBOARD • CAMRA DISCOUNTS BEER FESTIVAL CALENDAR • TABLE FOR ONE • COMPETITION AND MORE

Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

This years Charity is St. Martins Trust for the Homeless

Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms -

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

traffordarms@btconnect.com

CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGM 2014 25th – 27th April, The Spa Complex, Scarborough This time last year we were previewing the 2013 CAMRA Members’ Weekend in Norwich. How time flies!

Undoubtedly, it was a huge success and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Having grasped the baton from Torquay in 2012 the Branch reluctantly handed it over to Scarborough last summer.

Norfolk NIPS and Cask Force will be there to report on the proceedings in the Summer issue. Great pubs, wonderful beers and ciders are promised, as well as some exciting trips on the Friday and Saturday.

Don’t miss it – Register today!

Scarborough is home to some first class attractions including the 12th century castle and 19th century lighthouse. With over 60 pubs and hundreds of real ales to try from the surrounding area, there will be plenty to keep members entertained.

Pre-register now through the Members’ Weekend websitewww.camraagm.org.uk All pre-registered members will receive their handbook in advance, containing everything you need to know about the weekend such as event timetable, where to eat, local pub guide and how to get there. Pre-registration closes on 28th March.

Brewery Trips

Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Mike Andrews (Interim) Social Secretary: Michael Philips Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

Ampleforth Abbey This trip will take members to Ampleforth Abbey for a tour around the Apple Orchard and Cider Mill.

Pubs Officer: Ian Stamp Email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk

Filey Pub Crawl This trip will take members south of Scarborough where several pubs are recommended to visit including Grapes Inn, Buccanneer, Imperial Vaults, Star Inn and Bonhommes Bar.

Secretary: Ian Bailey

West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Steve Barker email: steve.barker495@btinternet.com

Contact: Ian Bailey Tel: 01553 766904

Branch websites: www.norwichcamra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk

Branch mailing list web page:

Great Yorkshire Brewery This trip will visit the Great Yorkshire Brewery located on the border of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.

Malton Crawl & Brewery Trip Members will go to Malton to take a pub crawl around the busy market town visiting Brass Castle Brewery.

Whitby Pub Crawl Members will visit some of Whitby's best real ale pubs during this pub crawl which has a long history and is dominated by the ruins of a medieval abbey church.

Volunteering The CAMRA Members’ Weekend wouldn’t be possible without help from our volunteers. If you would like to be part of a hard-working team, please submit your details using the online form found at camraagm.org.uk/volunteer

groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich and Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2014 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA.

Edited by: Mike Baldwin Email: michaelbaldwin8@gmail.com Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media 01733 211933 Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Jane Michelson on: 07732 393 621 01733 211410 jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year Norwich and Norfolk District: Adrian Simpson West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com

SPRING 2014 | 3

Chairman’s Bits

| NORFOLK NIPS

West Norfolk Chairman As Winter draws to a close, we look forward to Spring. Mornings are starting to get lighter earlier and the daylight is lasting longer in the evenings.

It is lovely to see the snowdrops flowering in the verges while driving along the highways and byways of the County.

I am very pleased to announce that The Coach and Horses at Dersingham is the Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Pub of the Year 2014. Many congratulations to Shelia and her team. This is a well deserved award to a pub that is very much part of the community and has regular music events, beer festivals and other events. The Railway Arms at Downham Market has recently been awarded the Branch Cider Pub of the Year and now goes forward to the Area competition, good luck to Ian, Lesley and Callum.

Turning to our friends at Shouldham. Success, the Kings Arms has been purchased. Renovations have commenced, with an anticipated opening date of late April. Many congratulations to all involved, it is really pleasing to be able to report a success story instead of the usual one of pubs closing. This is a fine example of the Community banding together to bring the village Pub back to life.

Various items of clothing with the Branch Logo are available at a subsidised cost, please contact Bruce Ward for further details. Enjoy the Beer festivals at Easter and into the summer. There is always a good choice of new beers to sample.

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask.

Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events.

Cheers Steve Barker W.N. Chairman

Got a short pint?

If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a pub, club or bar, you should contact the Trading Standards service by writing to them at Norfolk Trading Standards Service, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2UD or faxing them on 01603 222999.

Tongue twizzling food, and great value.

Huge garden and children’s play area.

Shooting parties, lunch & dinner menus available

Victory Barn Function Room for Weddings and Parties Come & visit Nelson’s local.

Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN

A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

01328 738241

NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Bits

Warren’s Words As I write this article, we are still in winter but spring is on the way and it will not be long before the clocks move forward an hour and we may dream of long warm summer evenings, when we may sit outdoors with a pint or two of real ale and while away the time. Let us hope for another summer as last year!

Summer is a time for getting about. It is the season of local beer festivals and opportunities to explore new venues. Take time to make note of pubs new to you that you can nominate as possible inclusion to the next edition of The Good Beer Guide. We are fortunate here in Norfolk and Norwich to have many high quality real ale pubs.

This edition of ‘NIPS’ contains details of many local festivals in Norwich and around the county.

A great deal of work and planning goes into

beer festivals by their organisers and their success depends on how well we, as real ale drinkers, give support.

Every day we hear of pubs closing, of villages loosing their locals that have served generations for centuries, so it is cheering that some local communities have taken action. We congratulate the villagers of Shouldham, who saved their local, “The Kings Arms” by raising £150,000 in a sale of shares. Their success was a result of, “the overwhelming response across West Norfolk” (Eastern Daily Press).

And finally a reminder that it is only a short time before CAMRA’s National AGM which this year is in the fine coastal resort of Scarborough. It should make a good week-end break. If you are going ensure that you register and book accommodation.

SPRING 2014 | 5

L o n c o k t s s Inn e d l e G Locks Lane, Geldeston NR34 0HW Tel: 01508 518414

SUMMER OPENING HOURS 11am - 11pm weekdays 11am - 1am weekends.

Food Service Summer Hours: Monday to Friday 12 - 2.30pm and 6 - 9pm Saturday and Sunday 12pm all day through to 9pm.

Go to www.geldestonlocks.co.uk for more information on our events, parties and music line-up.

Said to have been built in the 1560’s, the Locks Inn is situated by the river Waveney in the outstanding natural beauty of the Broads National Park.

With a philosophy that real beer, real food and real music make a real pub, the Locks is an unspoilt gem offering a movable feast of award winning ales from Green Jack and guest local breweries, and offers regular live music and other entertainment.

The Locks also offers a range of ciders, perries and craft beers.

Norwich and Norfolk CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013 HOW TO FIND US: On Foot: We are on a public footpath that crosses the River Waveney via a footbridge at the pub.

We are about 500m from the Angles Way.

By Boat: We are at the end of the navigational section of the River Waveney. Free overnight mooring is available.

By Car: Use postcode NR34 0HS. We are 800m down a track from Station Road, Geldeston.

NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

The Ed’lines Welcome to the Spring 2014 Issue. As in previous years, this is a bumper 72pp Spring Beer Festival Edition. Please visit some of those featured if you can. Their advertising in this magazine helps to keep it free for everyone to read in the pub or at home. What else do you get for free? Send your photos and reports into NIPS and we will publish a selection in the Summer edition.

It is Winters such as the one the country is suffering at present that make me thankful I live in West Norfolk adjacent to the oldest and most continuously improved flood defences in Britain!

There is a reason I begin with this comment, for those flood defences are controlled by Denver Sluice, an enormous set of flood gates near which can be found the premises of Two Rivers Brewery who have just won a CAMRA bottled beer award for their “Porter’s Pride”, a very impressive product (Chocolaty!) from a cask as well. Congratulations to all concerned.

As a branch we have all been knee deep in the Good Beer Guide pub surveying process leading to our selection meeting. This has caused some problems as the system for inputting the information

This is the issue that will be out when the CAMRA Members’ Weekend & AGM hits Scarborough. We will be there, sampling the delights that North Yorkshire has to offer and a full report will also appear in the next issue.

There have been some changes in the editorial content, with some new features that we hope you will enjoy. As ever, the remit is to provide a magazine that is both enjoyable and informative. We will continue to bring you all the latest news from the Branches and support CAMRA’s aims and objectives.

At the time of writing, I am assured that one day, it will stop raining. When it does, and the sun comes out, I want to make this year the time when I set foot in all those pubs that I have read or heard about, but never got round to visiting.

Well, some of them, anyway.

Why not do the same? Let’s call it a late New Years Resolution.

And finally, when you are next in your favourite pub, just ask yourself “What would I do if this place shuts tomorrow?”

May I be the first to wish you a Happy Easter!

Cheers!

Stig’s Words this year has completely changed. I would like to thank, on behalf of the branch, Mandy Stratton our pubs officer, who has retained both her post and her sanity during this difficult process!

We also used the selection meeting to choose our branch Pub of the year based on surveys submitted to Jeff Hoyle as explained in the previous NIPS. The result from a very close set of survey scores was that the Coach and Horses at Dersingham is West Norfolk Pub of the year 2014, congratulations to Landlady Sheila and all at the Coach & Horses.

A personal perspective I can give is that we turned up at the pub on a Sunday afternoon with my friend’s son who likes to play pool; the

pool table was away in a corner due to lunches being just over. Before we had time to ask, the barmaid who was in the middle of eating her own lunch had moved tables and pulled the pool table out into the room! Nothing is too much trouble, and the locals are always keen to chat which is always a good measure of a good pub anywhere, the beer quality is also excellent, they know their stuff.

Just to reiterate this was a close competition and I’d like to say that all the nominees are worthy of your attention in their own right, well done to all for maintaining the standards that got them considered in the first place.

SPRING 2014 | 7

continued overleaf

| NORFOLK NIPS

Pub News The Green Gate at Caister has re-opened, as have the Bull at Hellesdon (under the stewardship of Victoria MacDonald who also runs the Cellar House, Eaton and the Kings Head, Brooke), and the Black Horse, Earlham Road, Norwich, the latter having had a significant refurb.

bringing in real ales from the also relatively new - Hordford brewery S&P, which on recent visits have been in excellent condition. Live music remains the lifeblood of the pub, but the range has been extended from rock and blues, adding jazz, ska, reggae, folk and many genres.

The Kings Arms at Fleggburgh has been taken over by Mark Dixon, award-winning chef from the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth.

The Albion, Cromer, has just celebrated a year as a freehouse, having been taken over

by CAMRA member Stephen Knight in February last year five ales are now available, making a welcome addition to the real ale scene in the town.

The Wrestlers and the Star and Garter, both in Great Yarmouth have been converted to offices, and the Stores, Dereham Road, Norwich appears to have closed.

Great news from Reepham!

The Old Brewery House, which has been closed for some months, has been sold to the people behind Byfords, in Holt, who intend to refurbish and re-open it. And an application for conversion of the Crown (a Punch Taverns lease) to housing has been rejected by the Planning Inspector, stating that no evidence had been presented to show the pub was failing, and that its loss would be detrimental to the well-being of the community, and against local and national planning policies.

New licensee Sarah Burns has made a few changes at the Blueberry in Norwich, 8

| SPRING 2014

And last but not least, the Crown at Haddiscoe has new tenants, Neil and Heidi Etherington, who have freshened up the pub and installed new floors, auto-tilt stillages and a log burner, and refurbished the hand-pumps which are now serving three real ales from Sharps, Adnams and a local rotating guest (Humpty Dumpty Red Mill at the time of writing). The kitchen is open all day, with a takeaway menu as well, and curry and fish and chip nights. They’ve also added live music on Saturdays.

The Queen Victoria Snettisham, in new hands for just over one and a half years, has recently become Cask Marque accredited and added a forth handpull for guest ale.

News from the West The Gatehouse, a new Greene King Hungry Horse pub is up and running near the South Gates in Kings Lynn. It is just what you would expect.

Cheap food, IPA, a couple of other beers from the Greene King stable and a car park which always seems to be busy.

We tried it soon after it opened, and apart from some teething problems with the table booking system it was good enough for me to consider going back again next time my horse is hungry. Also in full swing is the Rathskellar wine bar and bistro in the Hanse House on the South Quay in Lynn. The kitchen is now fully operational and there are events such as live music planned. The problem that they seem to face is that the entrance is not so easy to find, but when people do experience the bar they seem to be impressed. The tribulations faced by Marriot’s warehouse next door which was flooded in December and then closed again during January due to a fire in the kitchen may have helped the Rathskellar, as a lot of people were looking for alternative places to eat, drink or have meetings.

Meanwhile the Woolpack on Tennyson Avenue is trading again, though when one of our members called in there was

Stig’s Words continued no real ale despite it being advertised on the board outside. Several of our members report being impressed by the changes at the Fenman, where the pool table has been replaced by sofas, and where a kitchen is now open so you can eat as well as choose from three competitively priced ales.

The work on Tuesday Market Place has now been completed and two sides are now pedestrianized. Come the good weather, it is envisaged that tables will be set up in the pavement by the businesses that front onto the area. I don’t know if the licensing laws will allow alcohol to be consumed, but if they do, the Maids Head and the Dukes Head, will be well placed to provide a decent pint whilst you sit and watch the world go by.

It is not all good news in Lynn. The Retreat remains closed and up for sale, with the advertising board suggesting that it would be suitable for transformation into a shop.

Bradleys wine bar is in the process of being turned back into a residential property, and the former pub by the South Gates is now a Turkish Restaurant. Pubs lying empty include the Hogshead on the High Street and the Queens Arms on London Road, which despite being granted a change of use almost two years ago deteriorates by the day.

Out on the fen, it seems that the choice of beer is

improving. The Queens Head in Emneth was selling London Pride alongside the Elgoods when we visited, the Marshland Arms on the Smeeth has been trying more adventurous beers, including some from Cliff Quay in Ipswich whilst the Chequers at Wimbotsham has had the excellent Two Rivers mild. The Victory at Clenchwarton always seems to be expanding its range and also offers cider.

We have had a lot more scores entered on the NBSS in the past months. Thanks to all that have taken the trouble to log on and rate the beer on sale in the pubs they visit. If you are a CAMRA member it is an easy way to get involved and help us decide which pubs should be selected for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide.

One which was scored for the first time recently was the Crossways in Lynn. It was also chosen as the pub of the week by the EDP at the end of January.

It’s good to see them feature a traditional street corner local rather than a picturesque village inn, and hopefully it will encourage more people to visit one of the few remaining suburban Lynn pubs.

Finally, the village bid to buy the Kings Arms at Shouldham has been successful, and work has started with an aim of having the pub open around April. Congratulations to all those involved and I hope it is an inspiration for other communities where the pub is threatened.

Jeff Hoyle

On a personal note I attended the Ely winter ales festival (Thanks to all from Ely branch). On offer as well as a superb range of well established ales was a newcomer, Number 1 from Three blind mice. Sometime first products of emergent breweries are “interesting” in the way some modern art is interesting, but this was excellent. Brewed in Little Downham by three friends who decided to go further than home brewing competitions, the name I learned was because they had no idea were things would go and might lead to the loss of tails!

Don Chinery, a blind mouse who also happens to be the festival organiser, told me they have the capacity to brew 20 Nines at a time, if the amount sold at the festival was anything to go by they’ll need to!

Finally the answer to the competition to win a signed copy of Roger Protz latest book “300 more beers to try before you die”, the pub used for the Christmas issue cover design was the Angel Larling (With thanks to Andrew and Liz for their help) There was even an Angel on the bar to give you a clue.

The Winner has been chosen and we’ll be in touch.

Enjoy the spring I hope you’ve all used you locals enough in the post Christmas period and that they are still there!

SPRING 2014 | 9

A new pub takes to the skies in Feltwell

NORFOLK NIPS | Wellington, Feltwell

Some who know me will know I’m an aviation enthusiast, nearby my home are the big USAF occupied bases of RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall.

Lakenheath houses the 48th Fighter Wing US Air Forces in Europe with its F15 Eagle jets, but also in use by the 48th FW is RAF Feltwell which houses large numbers of personnel plus a primary and secondary school and a tracking station with its three distinctive domes, which are sometimes made more entertaining by the projection of seasonal images such as a pumpkin at Halloween and recently Cupid for Valentine’s day!

But the local bases were not always American; Mildenhall and Feltwell were both constructed for the use of Bomber Command in the 1930’s.

What has this to do with pubs? I hear you cry, well in the early part of the bomber war Feltwell was home to Wellingtons of various famous squadrons, with many of the earliest raids on Germany being made from Feltwell. Distinct amongst these units was 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF with its distinctive AA squadron code. As you can probably tell this unit was financed and predominantly crewed by Kiwis.

There is a memorial to the New Zealanders in the village by the church.

So when Chris, with his friend (also Chris) and parents decided to buy the old Wine Lodge in the village and fully refurbish the building, the name The Wellington seemed appropriate, especially as Chris is, like myself, an aviation history buff. He was aware of the exploits of Sergeant pilot James Allen Ward, who whilst on a mission over Munster on 7th July 1941 as co-pilot in Wellington Coded AA-R found himself crawling along the wing in flight after a German night fighter had set fire to the fuel tank behind the engine, he kicked himself hand and footholds and managed to put out the flames with a piece of canvas! His actions saved the crew bailing out and they

Above: New Zealand Wellington Bombers in Norfolk 1939 Left: Sergeant James Allan Ward

returned to make an emergency landing at Newmarket still streaming fuel. JA Ward was awarded the VC for his actions but sadly didn’t survive to receive his medal being killed on the night of September 15th 1941. It is a specially commissioned painting of his Wellington AA-R which will feature as the pub sign in his honour.

The plans for the new pub are well advanced and include a refurbished cellar, new bar, new eating area, new accommodation to be added later, in fact, new everything! One of the most innovative ideas is a separate area upstairs with separate access, aimed at giving the local youngsters their own venue, this will be called “The Hangar”, Chris is a councillor and has made great efforts to include and take note of the advice of Police and other public bodies in relation to this facility. It will of course be alcohol free.

The precise real ales to be stocked are yet to be decided but I am told they will be varied and change regularly. Chris organised the Feltwell Beer Festival last summer (Which will be returning for a second year between May 23rd and 26th) so he has a few ideas. The intention is to be open by the time you are reading this, when I visited things were proceeding at quite a pace and all were confident of finishing on target.

It is nice to report on a new pub opening rather than an old one closing, so I wish them clear skies and a bomber’s moon.

Stig

SPRING 2014 | 11

Red Lion, Drayton

| NORFOLK NIPS

Good things happen in pubs…

When popular Quizmaster John Hutchinson lost a good friend in tragic circumstances recently, the pub rallied round to help. Licencees Peter and Kathryn Kedzlie agreed that all monies raised in December through the quiz would be donated to the Parkside Special School at the request of John. Including donations from Peter and Kathryn a total of £1,100 was raised.

Charity Quiz raises money for Special Needs School.

The Red Lion in Drayton runs a well attended Quiz Night on Mondays. Place your small change in a bucket and in return you get an entertaining quiz whilst helping local good causes.

On Monday 6th January, Barry Payne, Headteacher of Parkside visited the pub to collect cheques from John Hutchinson. Barry thanked everyone for their generosity and announced that the money will go to the creation of a sensory garden for the benefit of everyone at the school. The Monday night quizzes at The Red Lion start at 9pm. You may win a small cash prize or a bottle of wine in the raffle.

What good things have happened in your local? Contact us at Norfolk NIPS and Cask Force and we will spread the word!

Subscriptions and Branch information

EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

All Sky & BT Sports • A traditional pub Good covered outside areas Doggies welcome

“A festival of beers every day” 12

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We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and I would like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who have renewed their subscriptions recently. If you would like to join them in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send 12 first class stamps to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. I also send out occasional emails to members with details of forthcoming meetings and Branch events. All are welcome at these meetings so if you wish to add your name to my mailing list, send your email address to jeffhoyle@btinternet.co.uk.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Bar Man

Toilet humour? pints, but some of the old toilet blocks have been put to good use, notably in Binham, where the Front Street brewery moved in to occupy the former facilities at the Chequers. No jokes about the quality of the beer, please, as it is jolly good.

Some people rarely give them a second thought, whilst others consider pub toilets to be a good indicator of the quality of the establishment. If the toilets are dirty and neglected, is the kitchen or the cellar going to be any different?

Our recent trip to Ethiopia reminded me of the British obsession with toilets. Every day, as we boarded our bus, the guide would detail the up and coming comfort stops, together with an evaluation of the quality of the facilities. On past trips, ground rules have been set at the beginning, with agreements such as when we stop in the middle of nowhere, men head to the left and women to the right. There is a myth that travelers can’t be without Tetley’s tea bags, and indeed we did have one of our party who brought along a couple of travel kettles in order to make a brew wherever we went, but my contention is that every woman of a certain age who goes abroad must, by law, carry a packet of wet wipes. Indeed I wonder if the great explorer Richard Burton, reputed to be the first nonMuslim to enter Mecca didn’t have a packet under his robes.

In this country public conveniences are becoming harder to find as the financial cuts bite, but there are still some fine examples around, none better in my opinion than those under the statue of King William III opposite the pub of the same name in Hull.

As for pub toilets, we have moved on from the days revealed by the study of the first series of really detailed O S maps from the 1880’s, which show drinkers needs being met by the urinals in the yards behind the pubs of Lynn. These days it is rare that you need to leave the comfort of the building and cross the yard after every couple of

Probably the most ornate pub toilets in the country are the gents in the Philharmonic in Liverpool, and if you have never seen them, try googling the pictures. However landlords do not need to go that far. The main requirement is to sign them clearly. Men hate to ask for directions, and it can be quite embarrassing if you try a random door and it turns out to be the kitchen.

The doors should be clearly marked men and women, not the jokey ‘Buoys and Gulls’ stuff.

Mind you, even that is better than one local pub I know that has no signs on the doors, leaving you to either peek in surreptitiously, or march in boldly. Either approach could cause raised eyebrows if you make the wrong choice.

Finally, decoration. It is not really necessary, but in some pubs that is almost their most memorable feature. Here are three to check out. The wine drinkers cartoons in the Bank House in Lynn are amusing, the James Bond girls poster and full size picture of Marilyn Munroe at the Berney Arms in Barton Bendish compliment the pictures in the bar, but my favourite is the poster at the Coach and Horses in Dersingham showing the girls with Pink Floyd album covers painted on their backs. It is almost worth having and extra pint so that one has an excuse to go for another look. bar.man@btinternet.com Read the Bar man every Friday in the Lynn news or check out the columns on line.

SPRING 2014 | 15

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 19

| NORFOLK NIPS

This series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years or so. Here we have a pub with possibly the oldest pub fittings we have featured and an inter-war pub with good Lacons detailing.

Coach & Horses, Tilney St Lawrence

Above: Coach & Horses exterior Right: Settle with iron stays Bottom: Family room Late 17th century Grade II listed country inn with a gabled front and porch. The public bar retains a rare pair of fixed settles. The two settles which are fixed to the ceiling with iron stays are believed to date from 1840, or possibly earlier, making them some of the oldest pub fittings we have featured in this series. Sadly they have been reduced in width to make a wider passageway into the room. In the settle on the right hand side (see photo insert) is an old pub game of pitch penny - no longer in use as they have no pennies and cushioning has been added to the seating back in recent years. The room is two-part with a central fireplace and on the right the former living room was taken into public use about 40 years ago and is now a dining area.

At the rear what was a butchers shop in the past is now a small 16

| SPRING 2014

family room and has a 1950s brick fireplace.

Coach & Horses Lynn Road, Tilney St Lawrence PE34 4RU – on the old A47, halfway between Tilney All Saints and Tilney St Lawrence. Phone 01945 880266. Website: coachandhorsestilney.co.uk Open Mon to Fri 12 to 2.30; 5 to 11; Sat 12 to 11; Sun 12 to 10.30. Bus: X1 to Tilney High End and walk. Meals 12 to 2; 5 to 8.30; Sat 12 to 8.30; Sun 12 to 2 Roast lunches then 2 to 8.30 normal menu. Real ales on

sale are Elgoods Cambridge Bitter and a guest beer. The pub has camping and caravanning facilities and the Morris Minor Club and Wolseley Club meet here regularly.

Avenue, Great Yarmouth

caption Text and photographs by Mick Slaughter of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group.

If you require photographs of your pub interior / exterior you can contact Mick on 01733 390598 or email m.slaughter7@btinternet.com to discuss your requirements.

NORFOLK NIPS |

A brick and Mock Tudor pub built 1929 by Lacons with decorative plasterwork above the ground floor windows.

The present public bar retains much of its interior fittings but has absorbed the off-sales - the door is still visible on the exterior. The public bar has good plasterwork decoration in the frieze area. The bar counter is the original with leatherette padded panels added to the front and a new top added in the 1960/70s. The bar back fitting is the original but fridges have replaced most of the lower shelving. Look for the colourful stained and leaded exterior windows featuring the Lacons falcon in two windows in both the right hand lounge and left hand pool room. On the right the lounge, which appears to have been two rooms changed in the 1970s and most of the fittings are from this date. It now operates as the Furlong Restaurant offering pensioners lunches, curry nights etc.

Avenue, 43 Beaty Road, corner Raleigh Avenue, Great Yarmouth NR30 4BW. Phone 01493 842807. Open: 12 to 12. Bus 8 (Gorleston to Caister). Meals in the bar and Furlong Restaurant (07511 296673) 12 to 2; 6 to 9 but will be 12 to 10 each day. Real ales on sale are Marstons EPA, Sharps Doom Bar and up to two guest beers.

Top: Avenue exterior Middle: Avenue main bar Bottom: Lacons falcon window

SPRING 2014 | 17

Table for one...

Pubs are for everyone, no question about that – even smokers. They have their own designated space which they can use and some pubs have been very creative in providing quality heated and ventilated shelters. No need to stay at home and somewhere to go when the urge strikes.

A win/win situation in my book, but are there others who deserve their own space too?

Last year, at the end of a long day in another part of the country, I decided that I deserved a beer.

Plenty of good Breweries in the area so a decent pint of real ale should not be hard to find.

Imagine my delight then when a picture postcard pub hoved into view. Nice exterior, sign saying

18

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good food and real ale available and cars in the car park. Promising, I thought. The old wooden door creaked authentically as I lifted the latch (or was it a snecklifter?) and I gazed upon the welcoming sight of three handpumps offering local ales.

There was even an attractive young lady to greet me. And then she spoke. He had the beautiful dialect of those parts, a voice you could listen to for hours, so I did not immediately register what she said. “Table for one?”

I should have taken more notice of that sign, especially the “good food” bit. A pint was all that I wanted, but as I looked around the pub, which was fairly busy, everyone was eating and the small portions that were served on slate slabs told me that it was not cheap. The young lady appeared to be somewhat taken aback that I did not want to eat and motioned to the bar before blissfully welcoming new arrivals who had obviously brought their appetites and Platinum Credit Cards.

I stood at the bar for what seemed like ages. This was obviously a bar that no one stood at nor was expected to. The young man wearing the colourful bow tie must have thought that I was there to

NORFOLK NIPS | The Rant

complain and so in true Customer Service fashion, he was pretending that I wasn’t there.

Eventually, I did get served, there was no way that I was leaving, and the beer was good even though it would have been cheaper in Norway. But with everybody sitting down, I was beginning to feel self-conscious, so I looked for a seat. Finding one at a small unlaid table near the WC’s I felt better.

This was my space! I knew how smokers must feel, but I did not wish to join them outside. So it got me thinking, and the thought that crossed my mind was this: In a pub which is, or claims to be, a top restaurant, but still sells real ale, why can’t there be a designated proper space just for those who just want a drink, and nothing else. And shouldn’t they be made as welcome as those who dine extravagantly and enjoy fine wines? (Some of whom complain on leaving and refuse to pay the bill?)

Maybe I was just unlucky – they didn’t even have any pork scratchings or pickled eggs. Are there others who deserve their own space?

Try our Award Winning Norfolk Ales

The Wolf Brewery has moved to:

Decoy Farm, Norwich Road, Besthorpe, Norfolk, NR17 2LA Telephone: 01953 457775 E-mail: info@wolfbrewery.com

Gift vouchers and Father’s Day gift packs available.

Brewery tours start from 1st May -pre-booking essential

Most Beers Available All Year Round in cask, polypin and bottles. Buy on-line at www.wolfbrewery.com or from our brewery shop.

SPRING 2014 | 19

The London Tavern Free House

Great real ales, fine wines and spirits.

Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pm Saturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pm Evening meals on request Find Us A Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pm R M A C in the eer Go o d B Chilled bar rolls made daily only £1 e Guid

Brewhouse Coming Soon!

Camra Discount Scheme & Local Ale Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing, Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415

Angel Gardens Free House

This independently run freehouse has been under the ownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on the north of the city near to Waterloo Park.

Homecooked and speciality meals “The Country Pub On The Edge of Town” Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA FREE

ACCESS

OPEN ALL DAY FIVE REAL ALES Meals Served

12noon to 2.30pm and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm

Bookings 01692 404800

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| SPRING 2014

Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef with years of experience.

Up to NINE reasonably priced Real Ales including FOUR guest ales Monthly Quiz & Darts • Live Music on Saturdays

en for Bookings now being tak ay nd Mothering Su

h LEON JAMES Live music 4 - 8pm wit

Part of the

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 427490 www.norwichinns.com email: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.uk

NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the West

The ‘Tesco’ Effect During my travels I talk to a lot of publicans, often asking how they are doing at that particular time of year. Some a fairly optimistic, some not, but there is a noticeable “Tesco” effect sometimes where a large establishment selling cheap has opened somewhere nearby or sometimes has been in operation for many years, having a destructive influence a bit like being too near a black hole or being a small country with a large, powerful neighbour.

This can occur in towns or rural locations and the pros and cons of the matter are hard for real ale/ pub enthusiasts to reconcile. Obviously most folk like to pay less for their beer if possible but many publicans are hamstrung by the limitations of a tie to a brewery or in many cases unseen loans to finance, say cellar work or refurbishments. This sometimes comes with conditions such as a minimum order from a brewery or supplier at a higher price even in pubs which don’t seem to have a tie.

This is of course the situation landlords of tied houses find themselves in all the time. So the effect of a new low cost outlet such as a Wetherspoons opening in a town can be very destructive but large free houses in rural areas can also siphon business away from smaller establishments.

I’ve talked to those in the trade on both sides of the debate and certainly many long standing pubs can suffer very significant downturns in business under these conditions.

One publican told me most of their regulars now used the cheaper outlet, others of course relying on food find all their regular diners desert them and as most pubs rely on food to balance the books this can be disastrous to a varied pub culture in a community.

It is not however fair to conclude that all publicans and managers of large businesses are

sitting on a throne of smashed up pub signs and money twirling their metaphorical moustaches and laughing maniacally!

When confronted with the assertion that they could wipe out all competition and “Tescoise” the local environment, some will tell you that this is not really a good outcome as in a town for instance the British drinker tends to like to progress from venue to venue rather than stay in one place and given no choice will often go home early or worse “preload” and arrive late and drink little more.

So it seems that it is in the interest of bigger establishments to try to help out or get involved with smaller neighbours, or so they tell me.

The rural perspective is similar with one landlord telling me he tries to make sure he doesn’t offer a beer that is popular at smaller neighbours, of course some rural landlords are very much locals and don’t really want to see their area impoverished variety wise. Drinking in your own pub all the time could get monotonous!

Now to ourselves, the consumers, I for one use Wetherspoon pubs and you cannot deny the value, but I think if you calculate the amount you save and spend at least some of it in other local pubs not only will you help to keep them open but you will meet more interesting people, business contacts and who knows maybe a soul mate.

It seems to me there is a threat to smaller often more individual pubs from bigger establishments after all there does seem to be a size beyond which the personal touch just won’t stretch, but if those managing these larger pubs recognise the value of their neighbours and make some allowances, maybe there is hope for the culture we all love after all.

Only time will tell.

Stig

SPRING 2014 | 21

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| SPRING 2014

NORFOLK NIPS | Behind Bars

Behind Bars After the fun and games of Christmas, January in the pub trade can bring you back down to earth with a bump. Seasonal excesses need to be paid for, waistlines need to be reduced and on top of this a trend to turn the January into ‘Drynuary’ – giving up alcohol for a whole month, often to raise money for charity.

Becoming a ‘dryathlete’ is increasing in popularity and millions of pounds has been raised.

I’m not convinced it actually saves anyone’s liver, and I’m quite sure at times it means stress levels go up, but for anyone that gives it ago I have nothing but praise.

But maybe it’s time that the charities that benefit from all these people avoiding the local for a month gave pubs credit where it’s due – according to Pubaid (www.pubaid.com) last year pubs and their generous customers raised £106,000,000 for charity!

At The Rose we host several charity nights each year, plus we have regular charity quizzes and sell second hand books donated by our customers (so far raising nearly £100 in just a few months). Pubs all across the city do likewise, hosting auctions, donating money raised from beer festivals and putting on events.

In early January we held a night to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research – we had a horse racing event, a raffle and a band – and raised over £1600. The community came together and dug deep in what is a tough time of year for everyone. As one customer said ‘It was a fabulous night – great fun AND you raise money for charity, you can’t beat it’. And that kind of thing just can’t be achieved in the drinks aisles at Tescos.

Also in January I took another trip to Parliament this time to watch the Labour Opposition

Day Debate to demand that the Government introduces legislation in this year’s Queen’s Speech to support local pubs. I viewed proceedings from the Public Gallery as Toby Perkins MP spoke passionately about why we need statutory regulation for pubcos that stops them from exploiting publicans and also includes a free of tie option, open market rent reviews and a pubs adjudicator.

The British Beer & Pubs Association (BBPA), the pubcos themselves and several MPs are still lobbying hard against this so it is still vital to make your voice heard – if you haven’t already done it, please sign the ‘Pubco Scandal’ petition set up by CAMRA (www.camra.org.uk) and also make sure your MP knows how you feel. Unless of course you are happy to get your community spirit – as well as all of your beer - from the supermarket.

Dawn Hopkins

Paul Richards King’s Lynn tour Paul Richards is running another historic pub tour.

If you would like to come along, please meet outside the True’s Yard museum at 6pm on Friday 6th June.

The tour will finish at the Rathskeller bar in the historic Hanse House. The cost is £5 per head and all proceeds will go to the True’s Yard museum.

SPRING 2014 | 23

NORFOLK NIPS |City of Ale 2014

Celebrating Fine Ale in the Fine City 2014 It’s back! Preparations are well in hand for the next City of Ale Festival.

Louisa Griffiths-Jones reports: This year’s Norwich City of Ale Festival looks set to be bigger and better – if that's possible!

Now in its fourth year the celebrated festival that has become a firm favourite for ale lovers across the UK will run from 22 May through to 1 June, 2014. Last year 42 Norwich pubs served 229 cask ales brewed by 36 local breweries during the ten-day festival. A total of 57,000 pints were enjoyed. Whilst all this evidence points to a highly successful festival, organisers are keen not to rest on their laurels, but to ensure that 2014 is bigger, better and packed with more brews and more events.

“Norwich and its Norfolk hinterland have so much going for them with a fine, historic city, compact enough to be walkable, lots of welcoming real ale pubs and over thirty local breweries producing a great range of ales from mainly local malts and grains,” Dawn Leeder, co-chair of City of Ale explained.

Phil Cutter, Co-Chair added: “More small independent Norfolk brewers are beginning to trade which is a real complement to the quality ale houses that support the local brewing industry.

City of Ale has gone from strength to strength with more pubs involved in 2013, and much more interest from real ale lovers from across the UK, with the generous support of the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID)”. And that support continues into 2014.

As well as the 229 cask ales last year's festival offered 133 events ranging from beer tastings, mystery tours on the City of Ale bus, a pub treasure hunt and a local brewery pop-up shop.

Katie Woods of The Jubilee told of a group from Yorkshire who were very taken by the local brewery pop-up shop she ran during the festival.

“They didn’t have enough funds to buy souvenirs as well as beer. So said they'd be back the next morning" she said, "and I thought, well maybe, but at 10.30am they were hammering on the door!"

And last year a gentleman from Wales did a 400-mile round day trip to spend a few hours enjoying beers at the city's The Rose pub. A couple from London turned up at the Brewers' Market: "We've never been to Norwich before, but we saw an article in the London Drinker and thought why not, so we're here for the weekend. So many great pubs all in walking distance - we love it!"

More details about the Norwich City of Ale Festival 2014 can be found at www.Cityofale.org.uk/2014. To sign up for the City of Ale newsletter that accompanies the Festival please send an email to cityofalepr@gmail.com.

SPRING 2014 | 25

CAMRA reaches 300 ACVs In February 2014 CAMRA announced that 300 pubs had been listed as Assets of Community Value.

Just 5 months after Community Pubs Minister Brandon Lewis announced CAMRA’s first milestone in reaching 100 pubs listed as Assets of Community Value at the 2013 Great British Beer Festival, CAMRA has secured over 300 pubs listed as ACVs. Pubs are now the most listed buildings in the UK; giving councils greater ability to refuse planning applications for up to six months and providing community groups with sufficient time to explore more options to save a valued local pub if it is for sale; with communities often raising the cash to purchase and re-open the pub themselves.

Speaking on the campaign success, CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said: “CAMRA

CAMRA launches online petition on pubco reform Go online (www.camra,org.uk) and sign the petition today!

To: Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business We call on the Government to stick to its promise to introduce a Pubs Watchdog to prevent valued pubs from being placed at risk of closure due to unfair practices in the pub sector.

Why is this important?

A Pubs Watchdog is urgently needed to govern the behaviour of large pub companies (which own around a third of UK pubs) and ensure publicans are treated fairly. A key role for the Pubs Watchdog would be to ensure rents and wholesale prices are reasonable.

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| SPRING 2014

launched the ‘List Your Local’ campaign just 9 months ago and are pleased to see the number of ACV pubs pass the 300 mark. “By listing their local, communities are ensuring that if the pub is under threat in the future, there is a muchneeded extra layer of protection which ‘stops the clock’ should it be put up for sale.”

CAMRA's next target is to secure 400 pubs on the ACV register.

What’s next for the campaign?

There is still more that needs to be done to protect pubs from conversion to other uses, including closing planning loopholes which allow a pub to be converted to a supermarket without planning permission.

New research shows two pubs a week were converted to supermarkets over the last two years. We now need to ensure local Councils back the closure of these national planning loopholes by putting forward proposals to Government for reform of the planning system under the Sustainable Communities Act.

Last year the Government recognised that “there is some real hardship in the pubs sector, with many pubs going to the wall as publicans are struggling to survive on tiny margins. Some of this is due to pubcos [pub companies] exploiting and squeezing their publicans by unfair practices and a focus on short-term profits. Four Select Committee reviews since 2004 have highlighted these problems” (Vince Cable MP, January 2013).

In 2013 the Government rightly concluded that “a change in the law is now needed to shift behaviour”. However, time is rapidly running out to introduce these important changes.

The case for action: • In a 2013 survey, the majority (57%) of publicans renting pubs from the large pub companies reported earning less than £10,000 a year.

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA News

Debate in Parliament shows overwhelming support for pub company reform

“If the Government does not introduce a Bill on this issue in the Queen’s Speech [in May], it is impossible to imagine that there will be sufficient parliamentary time to pass one in this Parliament”.

CAMRA’s campaign to end the Great British scandal closing pubs and win a fair deal for publicans took a huge step forward yesterday as overwhelming support was shown from MPs on the call to introduce pub company reform.

CAMRA’s Chief Executive Mike Benner said: “Yesterday's Parliamentary debate demonstrated overwhelming Parliamentary support for the introduction of a Pubs Watchdog.

MPs from all parties attended a Parliamentary debate to press Business Minister Vince Cable to stick to the Government's promise to introduce reforms before time runs out and more pubs close. Shadow Business Minister Toby Perkins MP scheduled the debate and called for legislation to introduce a Pubs Watchdog and open market rent reviews. He also called for publicans to be given the option to go free-of-tie and buy their beer on the open market.

Calling on the Minister to urgently act in the face of the “great pubco disaster”, he declared: • Typically these publicans have to buy all their beer from their pub company and are not allowed to buy on the open market. This can inflate the cost to publicans by around 50p a pint.

• The large pub companies have disposed of thousands of pubs in the last four years alone and plan to sell many more every year.

• In total 96% of people responding to a Government consultation survey declared their support for a Pubs Watchdog.

Publicans with the large pub companies should be given the option to buy one real ale on the open market – known as a guest beer right. They should also be given the option to choose a market rent only contract that would allow a publican to buy all of their beer on the open market from any brewer they choose.

‘MPs from all parties spoke strongly of the need for Government action after ten years of slow industry progress on introducing meaningful self regulation.

‘We were pleased that the Secretary of State reconfirmed the Government's view that self regulation has been inadequate and promised that a decision would be made very soon.’

In perfect timing to coincide with the Parliamentary debate CAMRA's petition (www.pubscandal.org) which presses Government to introduce reforms reached over 30,000 signatures. There was fantastic support and campaigning demonstrated from CAMRA members to help reach this number of signatures and an excellent running commentary on the debate was held on twitter.

The next step in the campaign is to keep pub company reform in the public domain and to increase the pressure on Vince Cable to announce his department's intentions for the reforms soon so that this issue can be a central part to next year's legislative programme.

Debate Vote The motion was tabled by Labour as it was an opposition day debate. The motion was defeated by 311 votes to 244 but this is not unexpected as the Government have a majority in Parliament. The point of the debate was not about the vote but to keep the pressure on Vince Cable and to show the cross-party support for this issue.

AUTUMN 2014 | 27

The Smallest Pub in Norwich • Open Monday - Saturday • Families welcome

A great real ale pub in the centre of the City Exceptionally good Thai Food lunchtimes and evenings

We are part of:

We are in the Good Beer Guide 2014 The ONLY Thai Restaurant for Norwich in THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!

www.vinethai.co.uk @ thevinenorwich

Summer Beer Festival 26th to 31st May 2014

NORFOLK NIPS | Charity

NORLSAR Presentation by Norwich Beer Festival charity donations

by Defra. The organisation get minimal costs covered (mainly just accommodation if required further afield) when they are called out or put on standby, as they have been a number of times in the last few months alone due to stormy weather and missing persons.

As we were preparing this issue, we learned that NORLSAR had been deployed to assist flood victims in Chertsey at the request of Surrey Search and Rescue Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue (NORLSAR) attended the Norwich & Norfolk branch of CAMRA’s monthly meeting in January to demonstrate equipment purchased from the donations during the 2012 Norwich Beer Festival. A total of £3,500 was given to the voluntary organisation from unused tokens and cash donated during the Beer Festival.

The new items purchased have boosted the stock of equipment available for use in emergency situations, as well as during search & rescue training exercises. They bought four radios, a repeater to boast communication signals, rescue ropes, dry suits and search & rescue buoyancy aids for the team which were shown to the branch members, as well as half an inflatable boat (the top section, which stayed in the land rover!).

The members present agreed it was a fascinating talk and very rewarding to find out in more detail how the monies raised in 2012 have been spent. The group heard of the variety of situations NORLSAR get involved in, how searches are organised and the importance of the new equipment.

Paul Chamberlain of NORLSAR said that since being selected as Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA branch’s charity in 2012, awareness of NORLSAR has noticeably risen which has been an important factor in boosting funds, attracting more volunteers, enabling them to undertake more training and as a result, increase their expertise in lowland rescue work.

As a result they have recently been involved in flood rescue training in Surrey and Ireland and they are now the only UK lowland rescue team recognised

Buffys Brewery Competition Buffys started commercial brewing in 1993 and were one of the first breed of Norfolk Microbrewers. To celebrate 20 years in business they have produced a new brew called VICENNIALE and they have kindly donated a 36 pint polypin as a competition prize.

To be in with a chance of wiining this prize email the answer to the below question to michaelbaldwin8@gmail.com

by May 1st.

What links Buffy’s Brewery with a legendary TV series?

SPRING 2014 | 29

The Magpie, Norwich

| NORFOLK NIPS

Norfolk’s lost souls Every week, 26 pubs close their doors for the last time. These days they usually re-open as Supermarkets, Medical Practitioners, or a retail outlet of some kind or another. The one good thing that you can say about this is that at least the building still has some community purpose.

Conversion to a private dwelling may bring in a new family, who will use the local facilities, perhaps. But then there are those pubs for whom, it would appear, there is no future. The building lies derelict, falling into dis-repair and the only new paint it gets comes from a spray can.

Sadly there are a few in our fair County, and one such is The Magpie in Magpie Road, Norwich. Now boarded up, it’s once attractive frontage has become an eyesore.

But it wasn’t always so. In 1975 it was described as “a very warm hearted little beer parlour with its cosy carpeted public bar and brightly painted Britannia tables..” by John Riddington Young.

The origins of the pub can be traced back to 1806. Locals called it “The Weighing Chains” . This was because a weighing machine was attached to a beam by chains

at the front of the pub and this was used to weigh wagons and their merchandise as they entered the City through Magdalen Gates.

Down in the cellar, you can see part of the City Wall, apparently. In recent times, it was run by one who was claimed to be the UK’s youngest Landlady.

Now it lies forlorn, its future uncertain.

Could this happen to your pub?

Ask yourself the following questions: Are you there by choice? Are there other pubs within walking distance?

Queen’s Head and Waveney Brewing Company Traditional Village Pub with a brewery producing permanent and seasonal ales on site

Large beer garden, traditional games, lunchtime menu and a good selection of real ale, spirits and soft drinks Listed in the Good Beer Guide every year since 2000.

Station Road, Earsham, Norfolk 30

| SPRING 2014

Tel: (01986) 892623

NORFOLK NIPS |

Top ten Pubs …for Coat racks and bar hooks.

Right now it’s a problem. You want to go down the pub, but it is cold and wet outside.

The pub will be warm and dry, but where can you put your hat, coat, brolly, etc?

Here are my top ten pubs that offer such facilities (in no particular order).

The Magpie in Magpie Road, Norwich Who owns your Pub? Is it a Free House or is it tied to a Brewery or a Pubco?

Where would you go if it closed its doors tomorrow?

Is there anything you can do to prevent this happening?

The answer to the last question is YES. Find 20 like-minded souls who live in the vicinity and apply to your Local Council to have the Pub listed as an ACV (Asset of Community Value). It’s a stumbling block along the way, which tells prospective Buyers that people care about the Pub and are prepared to fight to keep it open.

If you hear any rumours about the Pub’s future, contact your local CAMRA Branch immediately. The Branch Pub Preservation Officer has a wealth of experience in these

matters and can raise objections to any Planning Notices, but only if it is brought to our attention.

Acknowledgement Historical Information about The Magpie comes from Frances and Michael Holmes’ excellent book Norwich Pubs and Breweries Past and Present, published by Norwich Heritage Projects.

A man walks into a new Supermarket and says “I would like a pint of Mild, please.”

The Customer Service person says “Sorry, we do not sell draught beer.”

To which the man replies “That’s funny, you did last time I was in here.”

The Coach & Horses Thorpe Road, Norwich Fat Cat West End Street, Norwich Fat Cat & Canary Thorpe Road, Norwich Fat Cat Brewery Tap Lawson Road, Norwich Kings Arms Hall Road, Norwich Kings Head Magdalen Street, Norwich Sole & Heel Rackheath Trafford Arms Norwich The Vine Dove Street, Norwich The White Lion Oak Street, Norwich Miss Terri Drinker

SPRING 2014 | 31

The Ugly Bug Inn

High House Farm Lane, Colton, Norwich NR9 5DG Tel: 01603 880794 www.uglybuginn.co.uk The Ugly Bug Inn is located in a peaceful rural location on the edge of the village of Colton, close to the A47 with links to Norwich and the Norfolk coast.

Real ales available from Beeston & Humpty Dumpty Brewery Great Dinner Jazz nights every month

En suite bedrooms with Four Star Inn AA Status Top restaurant catering for the adult market

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Ugly Bug Inn

Update

Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolk which are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme.

New entries are in Bold.

Alby, Horseshoes

Hickling, Greyhound Inn

Norwich, Murderers

Aldborough, Black Boys

Hickling, Pleasure Boat

Norwich, Red Lion

Attleborough, London Tavern Banningham, Crown Inn Barford, Cock Inn

Hilborough, Swan

Norwich, Reindeer

Holt, Kings Head Honingham, Buck

Norwich, Ribs of Beef

Binham, Chequers Inn Brooke, Kings Head

Hopton, White Hart Horsey, Nelson Head

Broome, Artichoke

Horsham St. Faith, Elm Farm

Norwich, Rose Norwich, Sir Garnet Norwich, Take 5 Norwich, Temple Bar

Caister-on-Sea, Green Gate

Country House

Norwich, Trafford Arms

Cantley, Reedcutter

Kenninghall, Red Lion

Norwich, Vine

Catfield, Crown Inn

Kings Lynn, Live and Let Live

Norwich, Wig and Pen

Cley-next-the-Sea, George Hotel Cley-next-the-Sea, Three Swallows

Lessingham, Star Inn

Norwich, York Tavern

Loddon, Swan Inn

Poringland, Royal Oak

Clenchwarton, Victory

Ludham, Dog Morston, Anchor Inn Neatishead, White Horse Newton Flotman, Relish Bar

Reedham, Ferry

Clippesby, Muskett Arms Coltishall, Red Lion Colton, Ugly Bug Inn Cromer, Albion

Newton by Castle Acre, George &

Reedham, Lord Nelson Reedham, Ship Reepham, Kings Arms Ringland, Swan

Cromer, Cottage

Dragon

Saxlingham Thorpe, Mill Inn

Cromer, Red Lion Hotel

North Elmham, Railway Hotel

Rockland St Mary, New Inn

Drayton, Bob Carter Leisure Centre

N. Walsham, Orchard Gardens Norwich, Adam and Eve

Downham Market, Railway Earsham, Queens Head East Dereham, Royal Standard Emneth, Queens Head Erpingham, Erpingham Arms

Norwich, Angel Gardens

Fakenham, Bull

Norwich, Champion Norwich, Cottage (Silver Road)

Filby, Kings Head Geldeston, Locks Inn

Norwich, Beehive (Leopold Road) Norwich, Bell Hotel Norwich, Cellar House

Gorleston, Dock Tavern

Norwich, Duke of Wellington Norwich, Earlham Arms

Gorleston, Mariners Compass

Norwich, Fat Cat

Great Massingham, Dabbling Duck

Norwich, Fat Cat & Canary

Great Yarmouth, Barking Smack

Norwich, Fat Cat Tap

Great Yarmouth, Mariners Great Yarmouth, Oliver Twist

Norwich, Garden House

Great Yarmouth, Red Herring

Norwich, Ketts Tavern

Great Yarmouth, St Johns Head

Norwich, Kings Head

Heacham, Fox & Hounds

Norwich, Lord Rosebery Norwich, Maids Head Hotel

Geldeston, Wherry

Hethersett, Kings Head

Norwich, Jubilee

Sheringham, Lobster Sheringham, Windham Arms Skeyton, Goat Surlingham, Ferry House Swardeston, Lakenham/Hewitt Rugby Club Tacolneston, Pelican Thetford Red Lion Thorpe Market, Gunton Arms Thurlton, Queens Head Upton, White Horse Wicklewood, Cherry Tree Watton, Willow House West Acre, Stag Wiveton, Bell Wroxham, Brewery Tap Worstead, White Lady Wymondham, Green Dragon

SPRING 2014 | 33

Awards Night|

NORFOLK NIPS

Champion Bottled Beer Of Norfolk 2013 The Humpty Dumpty Brewery of Reedham were delighted when their Broadland Sunrise was named Best Bottled Beer in Norfolk. A year-long series of tastings by volunteers from the Norwich & Norfolk Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale culminated in the amber coloured bitter being chosen as the overall winner, as well as winning the ‘bitter’ category.

The beer is described as ‘well balanced and fruity with a dry, easy drinking finish’. The brewery, opened in 1998, has won several awards over the years for its bottled and cask conditioned brewers. Humpty Dumpty recently celebrated its 15th anniversary by brewing a barley wine appropriately named ‘15’. This was entered into the ‘Barley Wine’ category and took the top prize. The judges commented that it was ‘rich and satisfying with banana toffee overtones’.

Norfolk Taste Panel chair Alan Edwards said “In the three years we have been organising the competition we have seen a definite increase in the quality of the beers entered. The final results were delayed because we started late due to CAMRA’s National AGM being held in Norwich in 2013. That, plus a total of forty three beers from twelve of Norfolk’s thirty plus breweries had to be tasted, meant it took a long time to complete the competition”.

Alan continued “I would like to thank the breweries for their support and my fellow tasters for their unfailing enthusiasm and dedication to tasting beer. The campaign is a strong supporter of Real Ale in a Bottle (RAIB) as the next best thing to drinking cask beer in a pub”. A full list of results, along with the contact details of the winning breweries, are below.

RESULTS Overall Winner Category Gold Humpty Dumpty - Broadland Sunrise Silver Front Street Brewery - Bliss Bronze Front Street Brewery – Ebony Stout Mild Gold Front Street Brewery – Fledgling Bitter Gold Humpty Dumpty - Broadland Sunrise Silver Panther Brewery - Red Panther Strong Bitter Gold Norfolk Square Brewery – Maverik Crazy Horse American IPA Silver Grain Brewery - IPA Bronze Poppyland Brewery – Happy Valley IPA Golden Ale Gold Grain Brewery - 3.1.6 Silver Norfolk Square Brewery - Scroby Speciality Beer Gold Front Street Brewery - Bliss Silver Poppyland Brewery – Crab Saison Bronze Humpty Dumpty – Norfolk Nectar Porter Gold Two Rivers Brewery – Porters Pride Silver Why Not Brewery – Roundhead Porter Bronze Norfolk Square Brewery – Winklepicker Stout Gold Front Street Brewery – Ebony Stout Barley Wine Gold Humpty Dumpty Brewery - 15

36

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, Fe lt wel l Th e Wel lingt on

Next issue of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force

Copy to editors by Thursday 1st May

On the streets by: Thursday 29th May

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www.edenbenatural.co.uk 38

| SPRING 2014

HANDMADE SOAP

NORFOLK NIPS | New Sub Branch Trip

Up Periscope! News from the Sub Branch A new Sub Branch has been created for the benefit of CAMRA Members who live in the Diss and Harleston area of Norfolk and the Botesdale, Eye and Stradbroke areas of Suffolk. Check the Suffolk CAMRA website for full details, visit their Facebook page or contact the Secretary, Ian Luff iluff@yahoo.co.uk. Here is their first report for Norfolk NIPS and Cask Force:

Good Beer Guide 2015 trip Following previous recommendations from members, a trip was organised to sample the wares on offer in nine pubs, all of which were in contention for the 2015 GBG Norfolk section.

The Borderhoppa bus was commandeered and 11 excited members trooped aboard on a sunny Saturday morning. First stop was The Waterfront Inn at Diss where we found the door to be locked. Checking the watches it was only 10.59…..we were a minute ahead of schedule! Less than 2 minutes later however, Hardy & Hansons Rocking Rudolph was filling glass after glass and subsequently, mouth after mouth. A chat with the friendly landlady revealed that the RR was about to finish and be replaced with Double Hop Monster, a stonker of a beer at 7.2%, enjoyed by several of the team. On a personal note, it’s great to see such strong ale available. Not many pubs can sell this type of ale in significant enough amounts.

Back to the bus and on to

North Lopham Kings Head to find Adnams Southwold, Woodfordes Wherry and Polar Express, a guest ale from Cottage Brewing Company. Guest ales on Saturday’s here are £2.00 per

pint, a bargain. Also available was Adnams Tally Ho. This year’s offering is somewhat lower in ABV at 6.8% but nevertheless as tasty as ever.

anticipation however when Timothy Taylor Landlord, Sharps Doom Bar and Adnams Southwold (again!) were revealed.

Another short ride took us to

Harleston Cherry Tree The Cock Inn at Diss was next on the list with Adnams Southwold, Rocking Rudolph and Ghost Ship available. Obviously none of these were to the liking of Ian Muir who opted for a pint of H2O. Ghost Ship and Adnams Southwold were also available at the next stop, Winfarthing Fighting Cocks.

Stomachs were beginning to rumble by this time and the Gissing Crown came up trumps with a couple of excellent curries to soak up the ale. Lamb Rogan Josh and Beef Madras both organised by Kevin, the landlord, at a great price for us, fine food indeed. Ales available were Directors, Wolf, Southwold and London Pride.

A short ride to Burston Crown followed where four ales again were on offer, Greene King Abbot Ale, St Peters Golden Ale, Mauldons Silver Adder and…… guess what? Yep, Adnams Southwold.

Back on the bus again and this time the ride was a little longer and I sensed one or two heads may have started to nod in the winter sunshine! The Wortwell Bell was soon buzzing with

where Adnams ales (including Southwold!) and the excellent Tally Ho prevailed.

Homeward bound along the A143 and our final contender, the Billingford Horseshoes.

Wolf 2014 was the unanimous choice here.

Our final destination was our original starting point some seven hours earlier….Yaxley Cherry Tree (not part of the trip, merely just a base point) and we arrived one minute ahead of schedule. An excellent achievement helped greatly by David the bus driver, many thanks David! Also helped by the participants ability to sup up at short notice and get back on the bus in a timely manner!

Just to finish up the day, the new Indie Ale from Shortts Farm brewery was enjoyed at the Cherry Tree again as it had been the previous evening for several members.

An extremely enjoyable day!

Thanks to John Harvey, Mid Anglia Social Events Secretary for another great day out.

SPRING 2014 | 39

Wolf Brewery

| NORFOLK NIPS

Wolf seen at Decoy Farm!

Wolf Brewery have recently moved premises.

Not very far, it is true, just across the A11 in fact.

John Smith promised me something very different, so I popped in to have a look around.

Situated on the old Norwich Road, the Brewery has a delightful rural setting.

At the end of the drive, I park by the gates and wonder if I have found the right place. I can see pigs, pygmy goats, donkeys and assorted chickens and geese, but where is the Brewery?

Reassuringly, I spot the signs for Wolf Brewery and Cambridge Brewery and walk through the gate. I met John Smith and Kay Edwards, who with husband John bought the premises, in the new offices. It is still very much work in progress they tell me, but everything should be shipshape early doors in 2014.

This is not just a Brewery. There are holiday cottages to hire, a patio to host BBQ’s has just been laid and there will be camping facilities.

Camping? At a Brewery? Where did I put that tent!?

John takes me on a tour of the Brewery. They now have their own bore hole, which I always reckon is a huge bonus and the kit is very impressive.

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| SPRING 2014

NORFOLK NIPS | Wolf Brewery

Clearly this is some investment, and Wolf have created something that they are justifiably very proud of.

The Norwich and Norfolk Branch are due to visit shortly and they are certainly in for a surprise. Directions are easy – turn off the Norwich Road, pass the pygmy goats, turn left at the pigs…

In the last issue, we reported on the Presentation to the Normandy Veterans by Wolf Brewery and the City of Ale. We omitted to say that John and Kay Edwards, the owners of Wolf Brewery, made a personal contribution of £350, which matched the other contributions, so that the Veterans received £1,050 in total, thanks to their generosity. We would like to apologise for this omission.

The Harte Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755

FREE

ACCESS

Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with a wide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders.

Freshly cooked locally sourced food.

Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easy access from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus route from the city centre.

Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk to check out the menu and opening times

SPRING 2014 | 41

Town Green, Wymondham Telephone: (01953) 605675

Freehouse listed in The CAMRA Good Beer Guide Pub food 7 days a week served lunchtimes and evenings.

Function Room for parties or meetings.

Large Car Park A warm welcome awaits you!

What’s On at The Feathers Sunday May 11th Digance in the Hedge singer, live music from 8pm

Saturday July 12th Feathers Fest live music outdoors 8pm

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| SPRING 2014

Cider News Cider is something that most people associate with the West County and this is where the majority of producers are based but it might surprise you to know how many are based in East Anglia. Over the last few years the number has increased dramatically and there are now 31 commercial producers in East Anglia, 7 of which are based in Norfolk.

Each year CAMRA hold cider competitions throughout the country and the East Anglia round of the Competition is at held at Norwich Beer Festival in October. Over the last few years the number of entries has increased in line with the number of new producers and there are also enough perries produced in the region to hold an East Anglia perry competition. In all, this year’s competition had a record 33 entries and six judging panels.

Norfolk did very well this year, winning both the cider and perry competitions. Red Sky which is produced by Jonty’s in Banham won the cider competition and Whin Hill of Wells-next-the-Sea was judged to be the best perry.

Both of these products will now go forward to the National Cider and Perry Championships which take place in May where they will be up against ciders and perries from all areas of the country.

Andrea Briers

CROWN FREE HOUSE THE BANNINGHAM

We are in it!

Traditional Country Pub and Restaurant

•5 Real Ales•Great Food• •Sheltered Gardens•Log Fires•

01263 733534

Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY

www.banninghamcrown.co.uk

SPRING 2014 | 43

COAST ROAD, WALCOTT, NORFOLK NR12 OPE Telephone

(01692) 650371 FREE HOUSE

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMORE

OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pm Food available all day until 10.30pm 10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card

FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER www.lighthouseinn.co.uk

Makers of a range of award-winning organic traditional ciders including our User Friendly, Original, Old Norfolk (East Anglia’s best cider 2011), Special Reserve and our Rum Cask.

Norfolk Perry (subject to availability)

Now also a ‘Whisky Cask’ And our ‘Dutchie Original’ A blend of 2& 3 year old oak matured Norfolk cider Available in 5 Gallon and 10 liter poly-cask 20 liter Bag-in-Box, or 750ml and 500ml bottles

Tel: 01379 687687 07500 067 544 www.crones.co.uk

All our cask ciders are currently unpasteurised and free from preservatives (sulphites).

Our Bottled ciders are pasteurised but at the lowest temperature possible to ensure the product is stable without compromising the quality and without resorting to the use of sulphites.

(A range of organic juices also available)

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| SPRING 2014

NORFOLK NIPS | Dates for your diary

CAMRA Branch Calendar Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Friday 7th March First Friday Five Route TBC Tuesday 18th March Branch AGM 8pm Take 5, 17 Tombland Norwich.

Only CAMRA Members may attend this meeting

Transport is provided for Branch Meetings outside the City of Norwich and for Campaign Trips. The coach will depart from John Lewis promptly at 19.15 -BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL TO GUARANTEE A PLACE. Please contact Michael Phillips at socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk or on 07851923554.

In addition to the above an exciting programme of events is in preparation for the Summer months. See our website or Facebook page for details.

All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

Friday 28th March Campaign Trip Visiting five pubs in the County Route TBC Friday 4th April First Friday Five Route TBC Tuesday 15th April Branch Meeting 8pm Venue TBC Friday 25th April Campaign Trip Visiting five pubs in the County Route TBC Friday 2nd May First Friday Five - Route TBC Tuesday 20th May Branch Meeting 8pm Venue TBC Friday 30th May Campaign Trip Visiting five pubs in the County Route TBC

West Norfolk Branch Branch meetings (All include social) Tuesday 11th March The Chequers, Wimbotsham Tuesday 8th April The Stag,West Acre Tuesday 6th May The Windmill, Necton (First Tuesday rather than second) Tuesday 10th June The Wellington, Feltwell

SPRING 2014 | 45

The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340

Cliff Quay & Earl Soham

Beer Shop Selling our own beers plus a range of others in bottle, minikeg and polypins. We also deliver our range of cask beers to Norfolk too.

FOUR REAL ALES Wednesday Irish Folk Music Thursday Folk & Singing Music Friday & Saturday Live Music Sunday Celtic Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN: Mon - Thurs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11 46

| SPRING 2014

Shop Opening Hours Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm Saturday 10am - 1pm Our current seasonal beers Mermaid 3.8% Blonde Crammed full of floral hop aroma but not overly bitter, a great tasty session beer.

Roaring Forties 4% Golden Ale Light amber in colour with a fruity malt flavour

For Further details contact us on 01728 861213 Unit 1a Meadow Works Ind Est, Kenton Rd Debenham IP14 6RP

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA Beer Festivals

CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar Mar: 6-8 (Thu-Sat) 24th SUSSEX CAMRA BRANCHES BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL Hove Centre, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 4AH; 150+ Real Ales from across the UK; 60+ Real Ales in the Sussex LocAle Bar; 40+ Ciders & Perries; huge variety of bottled beers; tasty food, including vegan & vegetarian options.

Thu 5pm - 11 pm (£5); Fri 11am - 3 pm (£4); Fri 5pm - 11 pm (£8); Sat 11 am - 3 pm (£5); Sat 5pm - 10 pm (£6 or £3 concessions).

Mar:12-15 (Wed-Sat) Leicester Beer Festival Charotar Patidar Samaj, Bay Street / South Churchgate (off St Margaret’s Way, next to St Margaret’s Church) LE1 3AE 220+ beers, includes festival specials plus 30+ ciders/perries. LocAle bars feat approximately 80 beers. Authentic Indian curries plus English food includes veggie available all sessions.

Open: Wed 5pm-11pm; Thu/Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 11am-10pm. Card carrying CAMRA members free entry all sessions.

Apr: 23-26 (Wed-Sat) 23rd East Anglian Beer Festival At the Apex 1 Charter Square Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD 90+ Real Ales and Ciders served direct from cask. Opening Times Wed - Sat 12 noon to

11PM. Admission is free to CAMRA members and £3.00 for non-members.

Food available at all sessions.

Apr: 9-12 (Wed-Fri) 12th Maldon Beer Festival Plume School, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 6AB. 50+ real ales and ciders, with a strong emphasis on those not seen in Maldon before. Opening times: 4-11 on Wednesday 9/4/14 then 11-11 from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12 April. Entry free to CAMRA members, admission £1 at all times to nonmembers.

May: 17-18 (Sat-Sun) 6th SPRING ALE & STEAM WEEKEND Winchcombe Station, Gloucestershire 24 carefully selected Beers and 4 Gwatkin Ciders. Hot & Cold Food with Soft Drinks.

A train ticket on the day is required- see GWR website or you need a platform ticket at Winchcombe for entry £2.

Tel Roger Price N Cots Chairman 07850429630 for details.

May: 23-25 (Fri-Sun) Newark Beer Festival Newark Beer Festival, Riverside Park, Tolney Lane, Newark, NG24 1DA. 140+ real ales plus cider, perry & country wines. Food available at all times.

Open Fri 10.30am - 10.30pm, Sat 10.30am 10.30pm, Sun 12 noon - 4pm.

SPRING 2014 | 47

A popular pub with locals and holidaymakers alike, the Crown Inn is perched right on the clifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches of Sheringham in Norfolk.

Enjoy meals or snacks from our extensive and popular menu with a spectacular view of the seafront.

Every Saturday - Live Local Bands Friday nights - Resident DJ plays your favourite club classics Monday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes, refreshments and free entry Tel: 01263 823213 crownsheringham@hotmail.co.uk www.crown-sheringham.co.uk Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQ

48

| SPRING 2014

NORFOLK NIPS | From the Archives Issue No.24 April/May 1986 A4, 4 pages, printed in dark blue on pale blue uncoated paper.

available for many years. Where they lead, others had followed; The Plasterers Arms, The Golden Star, The Ferry Boat, The Gardeners Arms, The White Lion, Micawbers, Merchants, and The Ribs of Beef.

Editor: Paul Moorhouse The Greene King Brewery was causing some concern in this issue. They had let it be known that they would like to run ten pubs in Norwich, adding to the three that they already owned: The Kings Arms, The Windmill and The White Cottage. In the absence of any agreement with Whitbread, Courage or Watneys, the only way that they could do this was to buy out freehouses.

In this way they acquired the Golden Star, The Brown Derby, The Lillie Langtry and The Ferry Boat. The Lawyer was considered, but the sale did not proceed. The Golden Star had sold Greene King beers from time to time and was one of the most renown freehouses in the City, selling a variety of guest beers and also beers from the Star (Tap) Brewery. Greene King did a sympathetic job of the refurbishment which was much needed. Concern was expressed that there were only three beers, all Greene King products for sale in these pubs.

And then, shortly before this issue of Norfolk NIPS was published, the Evening News reported that Greene King might be buying the Ten Bells.

The Ten Bells had made its reputation by shunning the mass produced beers from Bass, Truman and Ind Coope, amongst others, and offered a wider choice of beers than had been

Why did Greene King want The Ten Bells, asked Norfolk NIPS? It was argued that the remaining freehouses would benefit, but concern was expressed at the threat to the new small breweries that were emerging in Norfolk.

But the real concern was that Greene King itself could be swallowed up by a major national or multi-national player, the consequences of that were unthinkable.

Elsewhere in this issue, there was a report of a pub survey trip to Great Yarmouth for the forthcoming No Squit Norfolk Beer Guide and one correspondent was complaining about the shoddy way that families with young children were being treated in pubs.

There were advertisements for Colin Keatley’s White Lion (9 ales always available) and the 3rd Dereham Beer Fair.

And if you wanted to join CAMRA, you could fill in the form featuring Keg Buster in Kitchener mode saying “British Beer needs you.”

Celebrating 20 years of brewing

www.buffys.co.uk Tel: 01379 676523 buffysbrewery@gmail.com

SPRING 2014 | 51

Erpingham Arms Freehouse

01263 761591

www.erpinghamarms.com email:info@erpinghamarms.com Eagle Road | Erpingham | Norfolk | NR11 7QA

5th Beer Festival

Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July 2014 20 real ales from around East Anglia

Live blues duo ‘Morrison & Daniels’ on Sunday 8 -10pm Free Prize Draw | Barbecue 6 – 10pm every night

THE WHITE LADY • WORSTEAD Proprietor DENNIS GILLIGAN

TITCH FEST

A freehouse in the heart of Worstead with up to NINE ales available

Five luxury bed and breakfast all en suite

2nd - 4th May

Large new restaurant serving food seven days a week

Charity music event for the Jenny Lind Childen Hospital FRI 2ND MAY (PM): BLIND TIGER, WICKED FAITH & POUT AT THE DEVIL SAT 3RD MAY: THROB, LOU & THE DIOMONDS,BIG PINK,BUSS WOOD SUN 4TH MAY: BIG BLACK CADILLAC, THE BARE ESSENTIALSC,UGLY DOG SKIFFLE BAND, HAYLEY MOYSES BLUEGRASS FORUM and more

Traditional Sunday Roast

LIVE MUSIC, FREE EVENT, REAL ALE BEER FESTIVAL, LOTS OF FOOD and STALLS

Curry & Pint night Thursdays

WORSTEAD WHITE LADY MUSIC AND BEER FESTIVAL

Live Music, Poker and Quizes

20 bands over the weekend

check web site for details

www.thewhitelady.co.uk 52

| SPRING 2014

25th - 27th July LIVE MUSIC, LOTS OF FOOD and BEER FESTIVAL with over 50 real ales and ciders

NR28 9RW (01692) 535391

Beer Festivals - Spring / Summer 2014

Over the next three months, a celebration of real ale is taking place in pubs and other venues across the county.

lished and some are new this year. Some of these festivals run over a few days and others go on for a week or more!

Norfolk is rapidly becoming centre stage for real ale in the UK. With Norwich having held the CAMRA AGM in April 2013 and then in June 2014 the ‘Norwich City of Ale’ event returns for its forth year. Many pubs in the city have teamed up with Norfolk’s finest breweries to offer up some of the best real ale in the country.

There are a wealth of attractions at these beer festivals, including beer and food pairing, hog roasts, live music, children’s entertainment, bouncy castles and even a funfair, many of these festivals are raising money for charity.

Also a huge range of events throughout Norwich is organised. ‘Norwich City of Ale’ is becoming a major event in the city and beyond, attracting visitors from all over the country and from abroad!

During the summer months there are dozens of beer festivals being held in pubs throughout Norfolk. Some of these festivals are well estab-

With there never being so many micro-breweries in the UK, not only will you get the chance to sample a variety of real ales you may never have tried before - including those brewed specially for the occasion - you’ll be able to try your hand at traditional pub games, take part in an ‘ale-trails’ and history walks and learn how this great tasting drink is brewed.

In the following pages is a selection of pubs which have

er s 14 Be valer 20 sti mm Fe g / Su

ri n Sp

Norfolk Pub

advertised their beer festivals with us. We have also included a diary which lists all of these events and any others we have been made aware of. To get an idea of location, there is also a map included. The numbers on the map correspond to the numbers next to the diary listings.

A well-run pub can cater for all ages, offering a place where friendships can be formed and provides a convenient stopping point for a family enjoying a bike ride on a sunny day. To help you plan your travel to and from these events we have also included a brief guide to bus and train travel and where to find further information and timetables.

So whether you want a quick pint after work, a night out with your friends or a family day out with the kids; look in at the local, you won’t regret it.

SPRING 2014 | 53

A Beer Festival is near you!

1 21-23 March 3rd Fakenham Beer Festival Fakenham Community Centre, Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY

2 17 - 21 April Fox and Hounds, Heacham Easter beer fest

3 17 - 20 April

Locks Inn Beer & Music Festival Geldeston NR34 0HW Live Bands all weekend

4 18 - 22 April Royal Oak Easter Beer Festival Poringland NR14 7JT Live music and food

5 25 - 27 April

Dragon Hall Beer Festival 115 - 123 Kings Street, Norwich Live music and food

6 2 - 4 May Titch Fest Charity Beer and Music Festival White Lady, Worstead Live bands over three days plus food stalls. Free entry 7 16 - 18 May

Mid Anglia CAMRA Beer Festival Yaxley Village Hall IP23 8BX 25 ales and 6 ciders

8 22 May – 1 June Norwich City of Ale City wide festival of ale. www.cityofale.org.uk

9 23 – 26 May Feltwell Beer Festival

10 23 - 25 May

12 23 - 26 May Green Dragon Beer Festival Green Dragon, Wymondham 50 real ales and ciders, live music and BBQ.

13 26 - 31 May Summer Beer Festival Vine, Dove Stret, Norwich

14 19 - 23 June

| SPRING 2014

Crusaders Beer Festival Beckhithe, Little Melton NR9 3NP 25 ales and ciders. Camping and caravan space available.

22 18 - 20 July Lodge Beer & Music Festival Lodge, Tuddenham NR20 3DJ Local ales, live music and family freindly.

14th Solstice Beer Festival Hill House, Happisburgh 23 25 - 27 July NR12 0PW. Over 100 ales, Reedham Beer Festival ciders and perries.Live music and entertainment. Family friendly 24 31 July - 2 August Angel Inn Beer Festival 15 20 - 22 June Angel, Larling NR16 2QU 5th Norfolk Ale and Music Fest 25 1 -2 August Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe North Walsham Beer Festival PE31 8BJ. Norfolk ales and local Scout Hut, Midland Road, North musical talent.

Walsham. 30 real ales and ciders,

16 3 - 6 July Beehive, Norwich Leopold Rd NR4 7PJ Over 30 beers, Charity BBQ.

17 11 - 13 July

food and music.

26 8 - 10 August 5th Ranworth Beer Festival Ranworth Village Hall NR13 6HS 20 ales and ciders, live music

5th Erpingham Beer Festival 27 9 August Erpingham Arms NR11 7QA Beer Festival and 20 Ales from around East Anglia.

Community Charity Day Green Dragon, Wymondham 18 12 - 13 July Catfield Crown 1st Beer 28 22 - 30 August Festival Beer Festival The Street, Catfield, Duke of Wellington, Norwich NR29 5AA Live music, BBQ and stalls

19 15 - 20 July Summer Fair and Beer Festival Heathlands Centre, Blofield Heath NR13. 14 ales, live bands, BBQ and family night

FEM.ALE Brewsters Festival 20 25 - 27 July Plasterers Arms, Norwich White Lady Beer and Music Festival White Lady, Worstead 11 25 May Rugby Sevens Beer Festival 50+ real ales and 20 bands.

North Walsham RFC, Scottow NR10 5BU. Cask ales, BBQ & Hog Roast

54

21 25 - 27 July

A beer festival is near you!

The numbers on the map match the numbers next to the events described on page 54. This map is to show yo

15

2

Brancaster Staithe

1 Gt. Massingham

Roydon

9 Feltwell

24

56

| SPRING 2014

Larling

Beer Festivals section

ou the general area and is not to scale!

17 Heydon

11

22

10

21

14

25

13 5

12 27

6 20

8 16 28

18

19

26

23

Reedham

4

Poringland

3

Geldeston

7

Eye

SPRING 2014 | 57

Main Road, North Tuddenham NR20 3DJ 01362 638466

3 Day Beer & Music Festival Fri 18th - Sun 20th July A weekend of live music and local real ales Friday 18th July - Live music in the evening from Dougie Archer Saturday 19th July - Live music all day from local bands and headlining act Against All Odds.

Sunday 20th July - Live music during the day from The Backdrafts Plenty of fun for all the family with bouncy castle & childrens stalls on Saturday ÂŁ3 per person per day or ÂŁ5 per person for the whole weekend - Children go free

www.thelodge-tuddenham.co.uk 58

| SPRING 2014

Beer Festivals section

Travelling around Norfolk Norfolk is well served by train and bus services between all the major towns, villages and out of Norfolk via Kings Lynn and Norwich. There are also many cycle and walking routes available for the more adventerous beer hunter or those with families looking for a full day out with some excercise thrown in.

Other services include X8 covering Kings Lynn to Fakenham and Heacham.

Greater Anglia and East Midlands Trains Services run everyday into Norfolk from Ely, Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich.

X5 and X6 services from Fakenham to Norwich covering many villages including Little Snoring, Erpingham. Aylsham and Mile Cross.

All services pass through Norwich where you can then go on to the coastal Norfolk towns of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and Sheringham.

There is a large map of the routes available for download at: www.norfolkgreen.co.uk

Go to www.greateranglia.co.uk or www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk to check times

Heritage Train services Mid Norfolk Railway Travelling between Dereham - Yaxham Thuxton - Kimberley Park - Wymondham Abbey This volunteer run railway has a variety of locomotives including a fleet of heritage diesels.

Go to www.mnr.org.uk to check times.

The North Norfolk Railway Travelling between Sheringham - Weybourne Kelling Heath Park - Holt The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam train (vintage diesel trains on some journeys) through a delightful area of North Norfolk designated as being of outstanding natural beauty.

Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/timetable.php to check times.

Bus Services Norfolk Green run a number of Bus services into and around Norfolk.

The Coasthopper route sets off from Kings Lynn and covers Hunstanton - Wells Weybourne - Sheringham - Cromer and many of the smaller villages in between.

The X1 First group service runs into Norfolk from Peterborough passing through Kings Lynn, Narborough, Swaffham and several other villages to Norwich. The service then runs on through Acle and Great Yarmouth.

Cycling Norfolk has hundreds of miles of quiet country lanes and roads to explore. To help you, East of England Tourism has developed a range of Free circular Cycling Discovery Maps.

These are available at: http://www.visiteastofengland.com/ things-to-do/Cycling.aspx The Sustrans National Cycle Network passes through Norfolk and is designed to make cycling fun, safe and simple as you cover huge stretches of the UK. www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map /national-cycle-network One third of the Network is completely free from motor traffic, using old railway paths, forest tracks, country parks and bridleways, and the rest uses quiet minor roads and traffic-calmed streets in towns and cities. so if your having a drink - get out of the car and on yer bike!

SPRING 2014 | 59

Beer Festivals section

Community Centre, Blofield Heath NR13 4QH

FRIDAY 20th, SATURDAY 21st & SUNDAY 22nd June

Great line up of LOCAL musical talent Norfolk real ales Home cooked pub food & lots more FREE ENTRY ALL WELCOME

and much more, see our advert in the Summer Issue of Norfolk Nips! www.heathlandscommunitycentre.org.uk

Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk PE31 8BJ

T: 01485 210930 www.jollysailorbrancaster.co.uk

Registered Charity: 303909

Large walled garden - Fresh home cooked food 50+ malt whiskeys - Bar & specials menu’s Fine wines & beer - Local and national ales

Function room available for all occasions What’s Happening..?

Beer Festival Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May Up to 50 real ales, local ciders, live music and BBQ 9th August - Beer Festival & Community Charity Day Quiz nights every Thursday from 8pm

SPRING 2014 | 61

Inaugural Mid Anglia CAMRA

Beer Festival

25 ales and 6 Ciders sourced from within a 30 mile radius

16th -18th May 2014 Friday 5pm - Sunday 6pm

Music, food and good company ‘Small but beautifully formed’ Yaxley Village Hall IP23 8BX (4 miles south of Diss Rail Station) A

FESTIVAL

www.midangliacamra.co.uk

Hill House Inn - Happisburgh For 2014: 5 DAYS

Thursday 19th June to Monday 23rd June inclusive The

Over 100 Beers & Ciders 14th (and the odd perry) from far and wide, at competitive pub prices.

LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT inc. Rock, Traditional Jazz, Rockabilly, Skiffle, Folk and much more.

Family Friendly

CAMPING AVAILABLE IN LOCALITY One Off Entry payment of £5.00 to festival valid for the whole weekend. (Numbered wristband).

FREE PRINTED FESTIVAL GLASS AND TASTING NOTES. Food served all day inc BBQ & our NEW Coffee shop and Carvery Festival T-Shirts available

Come and join us at the independent festival by the sea.

Celebrate the 14th Solstice festival and 4 centuries of the Hill House.

For more details contact:- Clive and Sue Stockton, The Hill House Inn, Happisburgh, Norfolk NR12 OPW Tel/Fax 01692 650004 Web www.hillhouseinn.co.uk

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Beer Festivals section

Victory Inn Clenchwarton

ish Fresh fps & chi iday

r every idf e main s g (alon nu) me

nal Traditiost Roa day un every S pm) (12 - 4

Tel: 01553 775668

Food served from Tues to Sun Locally sourced ingredients We cater for all dietary requirements including Coeliac, Vegan and Vegetarian.

Pub Quiz

first Wednesday of every month All proceeds going to local charities

Main Road, Clenchwarton Kings Lynn PE34 4AQ

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Serving a good selection of changing local real ales The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 60 bottle conditioned ales from 15 Norfolk brewers.

We are located on a beautiful arable farm close-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which provides much of the malt used in brewing the ales we sell.

The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.

Tel: 01328 710810 www.therealaleshop.co.uk

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Also serving home cooked food.

Sunday roast 2 courses for ÂŁ8.95.

Two main meals for ÂŁ10.00 from our set menu.

1st Mini Beer Festival

(Monday and Tuesday lunch times only.) live Sat 12th from 6pm, 12th & 13th July an m, 2p m fro th d Sun 13

BBQ entertainment and BBQ and stalls. live entertainment, you there! see to pe ho We

The Street, Catfield, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5AA

Telephone: 01692 580128 Email: catfieldcrown@hotmail.co.uk

Beer Festivals section

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The Farmer’s Arms ‘The pub on the hill’

The Ancient Mariner Inn ‘The pub by the sea’

BEST WESTERN PLUS Knights Hill Hotel & Spa, South Wootton, King’s Lynn PE30 3HQ

BEST WESTERN Le Strange Arms Hotel, Golf Course Road, Hunstanton PE36 6JJ

email: reception@knightshill.co.uk

email: reception@lestrangearms.co.uk

tel: 01553 675566

tel: 01485 534411

Open for meals 12 noon – 9.00pm daily - Real food, Real ales, Real pub

For special offers visit www.traditionalinns.co.uk

£1 0

OFF

Your bill when you spend £20 VALIDATE YOUR COUPON

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Name Email Postcode

Terms and Conditions - Coupon valid only when £20 or more is spent on food, cannot be exchanged for cash, does not apply to spend on drinks cannot be used in conjuction with any other promotion, not valid for parties in excess of 8 people. Valid until Thursday 10th April 2014.

If you do not wish to receive further promotions please tick here Q

CAMRA Discount Scheme

| NORFOLK NIPS

Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local!

The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of a Membership Card): Bridge Tavern, Riverside, Norwich: 10% off all real ales Cherry Tree, Wicklewood: 30p off a pint of Buffy’s (see wicklewoodcherrytree.co.uk/what.php) Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a pint of real ale Lighthouse Inn, Walcott: 10% off all real ales

London Tavern, Attleborough: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale Plasterers, Cowgate, Norwich: 10% off all real ales (available to all customers on Mondays) Pig & Whistle, Westlegate, Norwich: 10% off all real ales Railway, North Elmham: 10% off Red Lion, Drayton: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale Here is one that we have just received from Paul Crisp (formerly of Balckfriars Brewery and The White Horse, Upton:Head to Furlongs Restaurant at The Feathers in Great Yarmouth to receive the following: A free dessert for any CAMRA member when purchasing a main meal on production of membership card throughout March and April. Real Ale is available.

If your pub or business offers a discount to CAMRA, but isn’t on this list, please contact pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk and let us know the details (including any restrictions).

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of Two Halves

A Campaign

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Join CAMRA Today Complete the Direct Debit form below and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription.

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201.

All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your Details Title

Direct Debit Single Membership

Surname

Non DD

£2

£2

£2

£

(UK & EU)

Forename(s) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Joint Membership

Address

(Partner at the same address) For Young Member and concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201.

Postcode

Email address

I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association

Tel No(s)

I enclose a cheque for Signed

Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership)

Date

Applications will be processed within 21 days

Title

Surname

Forename(s) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

/

Enjoying Real Ale & Pubs

Campaigning for Pub Goers & Beer Drinkers

Join CAMRA today – www.camra.org.uk/joinus Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Service User Number To the Manager

Bank or Building Society

9 2 6 1 2 9

Address

FOR CAMRA OFFICIAL USE ONLY

This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society Membership Number Postcode Name

Name(s) of Account Holder

Postcode

Branch Sort Code

Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale Limited and, if so will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Instructions to your Bank or Building Society

Bank or Building Society Account Number Signature(s)

Reference

Date

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

This Guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer.

The Direct Debit Guarantee This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits.

If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd asks you to You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

Award Winning Real Ale Pub poringlandroyaloak @poringlandoak

We Don’t Have a Big Screen TV, Food Or a Juke Box We do have 17 handpumps, with Real Ale from far and wide, 2 Real Ciders and 2 Real Ales From gravity, a large car park, large beer garden With heated smoking shelter, darts, pool, quizzes And crib.

We now serve morning coffee from 11am, children are welcome.

The Royal Oak lies at the heart of the community and new customers are always welcome. Come along and get a real welcome from a real pub selling real ale!!!!!!

Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon.

Easter Beer Festival Friday 18th April to Tuesday 22nd April

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

Music Friday and Saturday with “TOSH”

Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

A dream of a pub situated in the village of Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.

14 years in the Good Beer Guide!

The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.

44 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JT

www.poringlandroyaloak.co.uk Tel: 01508 493734