Issue 159 of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force

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F REE No.159

Winter 2011/ 12

IT’S WARM INSIDE YOUR LOCAL PUB!

Also inside: NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL REPORT NORFOLK’S TRUE HERITAGE PUBS PUB AND TRADE NEWS

CHRISTMAS ON THE DEATH STAR INTER-BRANCH SOCIAL TRIP WROXHAM BREAK COMPETITION

Newsletter of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

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New ale launched in aid of Sheriff’s Charity

Norwich & Norfolk Branch Chairman: Graham Freeman Tel: 01603 687495 Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk Secretary: Warren Wordsworth Tel: 01603 665557 Email: w.wordsworth@ntlworld.com Social Secretary: Michael Philips Email: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Mark Stimpson Email: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk Branch Chairman: Phil Buffham Secretary: Ian Bailey Contact: Bruce Ward Tel: 01485 609107

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

Branch mailing list web page: groups.yahoo.com/group/ CAMRA_Norwich Published every 3 months by the Norwich, Norfolk & West Norfolk branches of the Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2011 Norfolk Nips is produced and distributed by members of the branch in their own time.

On 12th October at The Trafford Arms Chris Higgins, landlord and Sheriff of Norwich for 2011 - 2012 in conjunction with Martin James of Panther Brewery launched a new beer “Paws for Thought” in conjunction with his ‘Norwich Civic Charity Appeal 2011- 2012’ which is Big C Cancer Charity.

People in attendance at The Trafford Arms with Chris included the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Jenny Lay, Cathryn Parish and colleagues from Big C, Martin James and his Panther colleagues plus Graham Freeman, Chairman of Norwich CAMRA and other representatives from Norwich CAMRA. Martin James Owner/Brewer of Panther Brewery describes ‘Paws for Thought’ his new beer as ‘ a golden ale like a New

Zealand IPA”. Please look out for this beer as for every bottle purchased £1.25 will go to this worthwhile cause The local Big C Cancer Charity.

The Big C Cancer Charity, which is based in Norwich, is a local independent charity committed to the care and support of those affected by cancer, and their families throughout Norfolk & Waveney.

Big C is not affiliated to a national charity; it exists independently and solely to raise funds for local people affected by the disease. The organisation also funds support and care at the Big C Family Cancer Information and Support Centre which is based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Warren Wordsworth

Edited by: Mike Baldwin Email: michaelbaldwin8@gmail.com Chris Lucas Email: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or of CAMRA Design & Production: Daniel Speed - Tamoko Design Email: dan@tamoko-design.co.uk Distribution: 12,000 copies / four times a year Norwich and Norfolk District: Tony Miles nips.distribution@gmail.com West Norfolk District : Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com Advertising: For advertising enquiries please contact Jane Michelson or Chris Shilling on: 01778 420888 / 421550 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk Ad space in NIPS is regularly booked up long before we go to press, so to avoid disappointment please get your ad space reserved at the earliest opportunity. The best way is to book a series of four ads – your message will then be visible all year round and you’ll enjoy a discount off the regular price

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Date for your Diary

George’s Fest 2012 Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd April

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NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letters

The dark nights will bring winter cheer The seasons have changed and the dark nights are now drawing in, but what better place is there to spend your time than in a friendly welcoming Pub. You might even decide on one with a log fire to warm yourself whilst choosing one of the many winter ales on offer.

Most Brewers will have a special beer during the winter months and it's very exciting to research the choices available.

I was recently told by a Brewer that his Christmas Ale was extremely popular when warmed up like the olden days.

I'm still looking for my red hot poker. Talking of the darker beers I hope you enjoyed our Norwich Beer Festival as we had lots of customers thanking us for the opportunity to drink the Stouts Porters and Old Ales.

There were new beers not available before and that’s what makes an enjoyable Beer Festival. I would like to thank the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich for officially opening the Festival for us which is one of the most popular events in Norwich. Without the help of our volunteers we would not

have a Festival so I take this opportunity to thank all of our little helpers. We all had a grand time. Also at this time of the year we ask for nominations for pubs to be included in the Good Beer Guide 2013 and we welcome any help in the surveying which is most enjoyable. Finally on behalf of our CAMRA Branch I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Graham Freeman Chairman Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA

The Wanderer Returns Alas, I did not make foreign parts as Stig suggested in the last issue of this magazine. The most exotic place I visited was Exmouth, for a weekend, where I sampled some fine Devon and Cornwall Ales. The absence was due to Email failure, him failing to receive my Email and myself not being able to access mine to find out he had not received mine; but I’m back with my Norfolk wit ( I think that’s what he put).

Another year has passed and there’s been good and bad.

I’ve lost count of the number of Beer festivals I have attended this year but there have certainly been some excellent

ones both in our area and in other necks of the wood.

There’s been several pubs closing and reopening, some unfortunately not reopening at all with the loss of the Woolpack at Walpole Cross Keys, and the Norfolk Harvester Kings Lynn. Also the demolition of the King William at Docking which closed in 2009.

Whilst the future of the Albert Victor at Castle Acre is still uncertain, but for the third time planning permission for the change of use has been refused. Thanks to Jeff for his objections on this and the other Pubs he is still fighting to keep open.

Overall I think we have had a good year in West Norfolk.

The membership has steadily increased.

We have had membership stalls at the Ancient Mariners Old Hunstanton, during their Beer Festival.

The editing and distribution of Nips and Cask Force have been very successful now having the second biggest distribution in the country. My thanks to all the members and committee concerned, hope you all have a good Xmas and New Year Buff

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Christmas is here again!

Welcome to the Christmas edition, I hope you enjoy it I’ve tried to give a mix of humour and information, many thanks to Mike and Warren for their help. The only problem with editing a magazine is not always having the time to write much yourself. So I’ll squeeze a couple of things in here.

Recently I had to travel to the North East and found myself in Teesdale I stayed at The Four Alls in Ovington, which brews its own beers a very individual establishment not currently in the GBG as a pub. During my travels it proved hard to find pubs open in the day time, but following instructions from a local BMW rider I found the Moorcock Inn in Eggleston, selling two real ales at a price that would make many drinkers in Norfolk smile, the inn also produced great food and had an unbelievable view across Teesdale at sunset.

I can highly recommend a visit, this pub is very CAMRA friendly as well, and I met pub folk from the midlands and passed on some copies of Nips.

A point about Christmas as well, after you’ve been out to the pub in December don’t forget many pubs really struggle to make ends meet after the Christmas holiday, not helped by skint customers and New Year resolutions!

Make sure you use your local early in the year, or next Christmas it might not be there anymore…

The New Year also sees the start of the search for branch pubs of the year if you have any nominations for the West Norfolk area please email them to our branch contact Bruce Ward at c.ward993@btinternet.com .

I’d like to thank all the people who have worked to make this a very good year for Nips, not just contributors but also those who tirelessly distribute the mag and publicans who let us display it.

A happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all our readers, and as always come to one of our meetings listed in Nips and meet some like minded folk for a chat!

With the pressure on pub culture at the moment we need every bit of help we can muster, or your only recourse at Christmas will be bottles from the supermarket…

Cheers, Stig PS. I know Bamberg isn’t in Norfolk, but it should be!

News from CAMRA HQ CAMRA urges Government to ban restrictive covenants CAMRA has responded to a Government consultation on the impact that imposing restrictive covenants on the sale of pubs has on local communities. These are used when selling a pub to prevent the new owner from keeping the pub open.

The Community Pubs Minister, Bob Neil MP, has recognised the adverse impact of restrictive covenants, arguing that they deprive local communities from playing a positive role in the future of their local pubs. He added that they 6

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can also have a double whammy effect “not only depriving them of a much cherished local asset, but also stopping them from ever using the building as a pub again.”

CAMRA believes that Government Intervention is the only way to secure real reform, saying that self regulation has clearly failed, with 12 Pub Companies still using restrictive covenants

CAMRA’s Great British Pubs (RRP £14.99, paperback) Compiled by Adrian Tierney Jones, this is the definitive collection of must visit pubs

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NORFOLK NIPS | Words from the Editors

The Ed’lines instead of longing for next October, we only have to wait until next May to celebrate all things Real Ale. A very happy Christmas from Norfolk Nips!

Many thanks to Stig and the Cask Force team for editing this edition, it gives us the opportunity to recover from the Beer Festival!

And what a Festival it was.

Following on from the inaugural City of Ale Festival, it now means that Norwich has two Beer Festivals to be proud of – good for Norwich, but also good for local Pubs and Breweries in Norfolk countywide, and beyond. This means that the really good news is that

The 2nd City of Ale Festival will run from 31st May – 10th June next year, later than this year because the Bank Holiday has been put back a week for the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations. It will be bigger and better this time, with more events, more pubs and a free programme! City of Ale had a presence at the Norwich Beer Festival, which was good to see. Together with CAMRA, the two Organisations need to work together for the greater good – and then who knows what can be achieved!

It was good to meet the two Norwich MP’s - Chloe Smith

throughout the UK. In celebrating everything about the British Pub, this book reviews and details over 200 great pubs. It includes two in Norfolk, The Fat Cat and The Kings Head in Norwich. Buy from the CAMRA shop (www.camra.org.uk/shop) or major book retailers

CAMRA – The Way Forward.

The debate begins CAMRA’s strategic direction should be based primarily on increasing the popularity of real ale

(Norwich North) and Simon Wright (Norwich South), at our Festival. Both young, both keen, they were impressed with what they saw and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say. And they both listened, which is crucial. We may need their support!

Next year is a special year for Norfolk NIPS as we will be celebrating our 30th Birthday with the Spring Edition. It will also be three years since Cask Force was incorporated, so a celebration is due.

But how to celebrate – any ideas? Please let me know.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mike Baldwin Editor – Norfolk and Norwich Branch

(including cider and perry) and encouraging a thriving pub sector where real ale will be sold.

So says the National Executive who met recently at a special strategy meeting in York.

This was part of a process started by the CAMRA Fit for Purpose Report, which called for CAMRA to be more focussed on fewer campaigning objectives each year.

The new online members “opinion panel” will be used to test new ideas generated in York before potential campaigns can be put to the membership at the AGM in Torquay next April.

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Pub News

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Pub News The Fat Cat and The Kings Head, two iconic real ale pubs in Norwich, have made it into CAMRA’s Great British Pub Guide. Two hundred pubs nationwide in different categories are included, and these are the only pubs in Norfolk listed.

It’s a double celebration for The Fat Cat, which is 20 years old in December.

Jolly Farmers, Southery, now closed again. Queens Arms, Lynn, boarded up is now signed as sold. However an advertisement recently appeared in the business press for someone to run it. Wildfowler, Lynn appears to be shut up and not trading.

Kings Head, Great Bircham is now under new management.

Red Lion, Hockwold, looks good to reopen soon.

Chequers, Feltwell has reopened and ‘looks good’.

Wenns, Lynn. Greene King’s rep stated that they expect to convert it to a ‘Local Heroes’ format serving 4 GK beers and 4 others on handpump. We have been invited to a reopening. It is still trading in its current format and a refit such as this would expect to take a couple of months.

Cobblestones, Lynn failed to reach its reserve price at a recent auction. Duck, Stanhoe has a new landlord (he also keeps The Bell, Wiveton). Beers now on handpump with minor changes to internal layout.

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Red Lion, Thetford (Wetherspoons) have applied for planning consent for alterations to their buildings.

News from the West Once again there are a whole lot of closed pubs around the area. In Lynn there are the Queen’s Arms, Wildfowler and Cobblestones (formerly the Princess Royal) in addition to Antonio’s Wine Bar. Permission has just been given for the change of use to residential for the Norfolk Harvester and also the Red Hart at Three Holes and the Woolpack at Walpole Cross Keys. The Lynn News recently carried a picture of the demolition of the King William at Docking, which closed in 2009.

This leaves the Railway as the only surviving pub in this large village. I remember the Hare Arms and the Pilgrim’s Reach, but Docking Heritage group have much more information about past pubs and beer houses in the village.

Contact them at www.dockingheritage.org.uk.

Down in Stoke Ferry the last village pub is currently closed.

The chairman of the parish council, Tom Ryves is trying to save the Blue Bell and it would seem that there is some chance of this happening.

Check out the website at

www.stokeferry.com for the latest news and to see how you can help, with either financial or practical support.

It is not all doom and gloom, as the change of use at the Albert Victor in Castle Acre has been refused and the Red Lion in Thetford, which has been empty for some time, has been bought by Wetherspoons, who are reputed to have budgeted over a million pounds for the refurbishment.

Out at Clenchwarton, the Victory has reopened and has been totally redecorated by the new landlady, Wendy Hyam and her friends and family.

When I went in I was very impressed, by the atmosphere and delighted by the choice of a couple of real ales on offer.

Meanwhile, there are new faces at the House on the Green at North Wootton, where Steve and Tracy McGivern have taken over the bar and kitchen. The owners of the pub are the Reactive Leisure Management Group, who also own the Rampant Horse at Gayton, which has been recently refurbished, and the Maids Head and Woolpack in Kings Lynn.

One of our former branch pubs of the year is also under new ownership. The Kings Head at Great Bircham has been taken over by Charles Campbell and his wife Holly.

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NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News

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Some of our branch members have been in, and noted that there were 4 beers on offer, Wherry (£3.10), Speckled Hen, Humpty Dumpty, with St Edmunds, although these may vary. The food seems to be very affordable with take away fish and chips also available. Beer is cheaper on Tuesdays. Not far away is the Duck Inn in Stanhoe, which we believe has also changed hands. Hand pumps are now used to dispense the beer, rather than gravity and I believe that the glass-fronted cellar is to be remodelled. However the beer is still excellent and the food is up there with the best on offer in North Norfolk.

Down in Shouldham, at the Chalk and Cheese, there is an extra hand pump on the bar and the beer is no longer exclusively from Elgoods, with Wherry being on offer during our last visit.

In Southery, John reports that the Jolly Farmers is currently closed again having opened twice recently for periods of a few weeks with no real ale or promise of getting any. Finally, I was up north recently for the Oldham v Bury game and we found a few pubs in the Good Beer Guide. All were good, but the Rising Sun in Mossley is a stone terrace at the edge of a small East Manchester town. It had 10 beers, 9 ciders and one perry on offer, alongside a fine selection of bottled beers from Belgium and other places. It was also cheaper than most pubs in Norfolk. If they can do

it up there, why can’t we do it down here?

Out And About Around Fakenham John and June recently went to Fakenham races and stopped to try a few pubs. This is what they found.

The Bull, Fakenham, was as always, popular and welcoming, Tetley’s Headless Huntsman, Woodfordes Once Bittern (£3.00), Highgate I.P.A, from Walsall, Wherry (£2.90), Old Rosie (£3.45). Definitely a place to try again. The Star, Fakenham, Two pumps, Black Sheep Bitter £3.00 (Wherry clip under the Black Sheep clip) and the other pump was off with a Ringwood Best clip. The food is OK, £5.95 for Steak Pie, mash and veg, catering is contracted to an outside firm.

Passing the Gallery Bistro in Market Place, Fakenham, we went in after seeing notice advertising real ale on tap. Sure enough, they had Hobgoblin (£3.00) with the pump not very prominent but stated they had introduced it only this week.

Sculthorpe Mill, Sculthorpe, a really pleasant inside bar and outside seating, a Greene King house offered IPA (£3.10), Abbot and Speckled Hen. The Crown, East Rudham, offered Adnams Broadside and Southwold, along with Jo C’s (wife of owner) Norfolk Kiwi Ale from her own brewery.

The Dukes Head / Thams Restaurant, West Rudham, offered Spitfire and Adnams.

Ramblings from the Snug It's becoming increasingly worrying the growing number of pubs that are standing empty around Norwich and the surrounding area.

Around Anglia Square both the Magpie and the Cat and Fiddle remain closed. The Magpie was sold to an anonymous buyer a couple of years ago. Apart from railings being erected along the front nothing else has happened to it. Hopes that it would reopen as a pub are now fading fast.

The Cat and Fiddle just round the corner from the Magpie was sold at auction in the summer and has remained closed ever since. The pub is reputed to have been granted planning permission for a brewery at the back a few years ago.

Whether the planned redevelopment of Anglia Square will inspire the owners to reopen remains to be seen.

In the city centre, the Garnet Wolsey closed it's doors just before Christmas last year. It did open briefly early in the year but now it's doors are firmly shut. The Garnet Wolsey Continued Overleaf

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NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News continued is an important pub and well worth saving as a pub. At one time Norwich boasted 13 pubs around the market place. Now, sadly the Garnet Wolsey is the last remaining one.

The Cricketers Rest, sold last year and saw a flurry of building activity is still boarded up. The Surrey Tavern which closed in the spring is now up for sale. And so the list goes on.

On to something more positive, 2012 will see the welcome return of the Norwich and Norfolk Winter Ale Trail.

Running from 1st January to 31st March 2012 the Winter Ale Trail will promote CAMRA's LocAle scheme and beers from

Norfolk breweries. Look out for more details towards the end of the year.

Once again nominations are being sought for entries into the 2013 Good Beer Guide. Do you have a favourite Norfolk pub that you think should be in next year's guide? Then why not nominate it?

And also this year, we will be once again running two Pub of the Year (POTY) competitions, one for the Norwich POTY and one for Norwich and Norfolk County POTY. Winners of both POTY competitions will then go head to head at the AGM, with the overall winner becoming the Norwich and Norfolk Branch POTY.

If you haven't already nominated your favourite pub for entry into the 2013 Good Beer Guide and/or 2012 Branch POTY there is still plenty of time to do so by email to bfstaff@live.co.uk The closing date for nominations for entries into the Good Beer Guide is Saturday 31 December 2011.The closing date for nominations for the Norwich & Norfolk Pub of the Year (POTY) competition is Tuesday 31st January 2012.

I look forward to hearing from you. Until next time.

Mark Stimpson Pubs Officer

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE |

The Elephant in the Room Although it is no longer a pub, many will remember the Spread Eagle, the large building just on the town side of Dodman’s Bridge in Kings Lynn. In 1836 it is recorded as having extensive pleasure gardens attached, presumably where Archdale Street and Eastgate Street were built around 1900. Next to these gardens was a field where circuses were held. In the time before television and cinema, it must have been quite a sight when the circus came to town with their exotic animals, most of which would never have been seen by the local people, probably not even in a photograph. In those days it was the custom for the circus to parade through town when it arrived to drum up some publicity for the show. In 1887 Ginnett’s circus arrived and set off towards the town. One of the elephants passed up the chance for a drink at the river by Kettlewell Lane and instead tried to enter the saloon bar of the Hob In The Well. The customers must have had something of a shock

as they exited rapidly through the open windows.

By 1928 I guess that the circus was being held on Tuesday Market Place as there is a report that elephants from Sanger’s circus broke out of their stables and headed for the Maids Head where they ripped out the window and pulled down the shutters on the bar.

On the corner of Norfolk Street and Chapel Street once stood the Flower Pot, one of Lynn’s important landmarks. Back in 1899 Lynn was a very different place with lots of narrow winding streets, but Barnum and Bailey’s circus still decided that their parade should be a grand one, with their magnificent free pageant being led by a large coach pulled by no less than 40 horses.

Disaster struck when they tried to get around Flower Pot corner and the ornate curved windows on the front of the hotel were smashed and the wooden panelling badly damaged. So beware – the posters are up and the circus is coming to town again. Hopefully the only performers who make it into the bar this time are the clowns.

Charlie Cairoli

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A great real ale pub in the centre of the City Exceptionally good Thai Food lunchtimes and evenings Now taking Christmas bookings Open on Boxing Day

We are in it!

The ONLY Thai Restaurant for Norwich in THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE!

www.vinethai.co.uk

Small but Perfectly formed Winter Beer Fest 23rd - 28th Jan 2012.

16 local and national Ales served from the Cask and Hand pumps

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE| Post-its

Pub Post-its As always, remember that these post-its are subjective and reflect the personal experience of our correspondents. Please feel free to email your post-its in to norfolknips@yahoo.co.uk - and if you really like the pub, why not nominate it for next year’s CAMRA Good Beer Guide?

The Apollo Tavern, Great Yarmouth.

There were four cask beers on and two ciders.

I had London Pride which was very good and at a sensible price. There were spare handpumps on the bar and also spare outlets from a curious system of dispense, presumably by pump, out of “pretend rustic” wooden casks. And, most importantly, a real choice of products.

Well done Apollo. Now you ale men, get in there and support it. Today, everybody else was drinking lager or the abysmal John Smith’s Smooth. Use it or lose it!!

The Kings Arms Also on Northgate St. is the The Kings Arms.

Woodforde’s Wherry and Nelson regularly on and a guest too. Nice pub and beers served at proper cellar temperature. Friendly and knowlegeable Licensee. A regular drop-in when in Yarmouth.

The Erpingham Arms The Erpingham Arms (formerly The Spread Eagle) has reopened in Erpingham, Eagle Road, Norfolk. The pub has been extensively refurbished and now provides delicious locally sourced food.

Family friendly with beer garden. Real ales includes Woodfordes Wherry, Nelsons Revenge and 2 Guests beers. More information check out their website: www.erpinghamarms.com The Iron House I just noticed that The Iron House (was the Ironmonger's - opposite Thorns on Maddermarket), while doing excellent coffee and cream scones, also has a range of Grain bottled beeers available (Best, Stout, Oak and Harvest Moon). Yet another place where you can have beer with a good meal (a very interesting menu including pigeon, Cromer crab, and fennel tarte tatin).

Obviously the way of the future!

Results of the East Anglian Cider Competition 2011 Three Norfolk cider makers, Peter Blake, Jonty's Cider, and Whin Hill Cider, are celebrating wins at CAMRA's East Anglian Cider Competition. The competition, which attracted a total of 23 cider entries and 6 perry entries, took place at CAMRA's Norwich Beer Festival in October this year.

2nd Early Night, made by Jonty's Cider in Banham

The results for cider were: 1st Hog & Vine Original, made by Peter Blake in Great Yarmouth

The winning cider, Hog & Vine, from small cider maker Peter Blake, was described by judges as having "an aroma o f a cornucopia of woodland fruits, a bit Christmas

3rd Dry Cider, made by Glebe Farm (Kings Ripton, Cambs) The winning perry, for the second year in a row, was Whin Hill Perry, made by Whin Hill Cider, Wells-next-the-Sea

puddingesque. Flavoursome with lots of body, and a long lingering finish.”

The winning perry, Whin Hill Perry, was described by judges as having "a delicate aroma of perfume with a hint of fruit, then a sweet and tangy flavour with a sharp edge. A balanced refreshing aftertaste makes it very drinkable.” Jim Fergusson from Whin Hill Cider in WellsNext-The-Sea commented that "this result shows the benefit of using real perry pears rather than dessert varieties.”

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DUKE of WELLINGTON TRADITIONAL REAL ALE HOUSE 14 REAL ALES GRAVITY SERVED available all year round from our glass fronted tap room

6 MORE ALES Enjoy your favourite takeaway with a decent pint and decent company!

Just order your food to be delivered to the pub or bring it in and we provide plates, knives, forks and environment.

We even have the menu’s available Indian, Chinese, Pizza etc.

CAMRA Good Beer Guide Listed

Open Monday to Saturday 12noon to 11pm Sundays 12noon to 10.30pm

ON HAND PUMP

Welcoming

REAL FIRE

Come and enjoy our Tap Room with a selection of Belgian bottled beers, Budvar, Erdinger and Riegele all on Draught.

91 - 93 WATERLOO ROAD | NORWICH | 01603 441182

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Norfolk CAMRA Branch Calendar

CAMRA Calendar Norwich and North Norfolk Branch Friday 16th December The Christmas Pub Crawl in Norwich See The Whiteboard for full details Tuesday 20th December Branch Committee Meeting and Christmas Quiz The Railway Tavern, North Elmham Friday 7th January First Friday Five Visiting five pubs in Norwich - Route TBA Tuesday 17th January Branch Committee Meeting The White Horse, Trowse

Tuesday 14th February Branch Meeting, Albion, Thetford Tuesday 21st February GBG selection meeting ,Narborough Social Club Tuesday 13th March Branch Meeting, Lifeboat, Thornham

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.

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

Friday 27th January Campaign Trip - TBA Friday 3rd February First Friday Five Visiting five pubs in Norwich Route TBA All events start at 8pm, unless otherwise stated.

For all events outside Norwich, a coach is provided.

To book seats or arrange pick up, please contact Michael Philips. socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk Branch Saturday 17th December Norwich Christmas crawl Starting 11am Eaton Cottage, Norwich See The Whiteboard for full details Tuesday 10th January Branch Meeting Blue Lion, Pickenham

8 Keelan Close, Norwich NR6 6QZ

Tel. 01603 787820

Search Winter’s Brewery

sales@wintersbrewery.co.uk www.wintersbrewery.co.uk @wintersbrewery

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Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 12

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This series of articles highlights the pubs whose interiors have been little altered in the past 40 years or so. This particular feature has a different style as we highlight the pubs (one a true heritage pub) that have wonderful bas-relief signs by the artist John Moray Smith.

John Moray Smith c1889 -1958 On the front of the Coachmakers Arms, St Stephens Road, Norwich, NR1 3SP, there is a basrelief exterior sign depicting St Stephen’s Gate through Norwich’s ancient City Walls.

Norwich Society state it has suffered from traffic fumes and is need of restoration. The interior of the Coachmakers Arms was last revamped in the early 1990s. It sells Woodfordes Mardlers Mild, Wherry, Nelsons Revenge, Adnams Broadside, Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale all served straight from casks on a stillage behind the bar. Open 11 to 11 and sells food from 12 to 8.30.

The re-painted exterior bas-relief sign at the Prince of Denmark, Norwich John Moray Smith is a Norwich based public artist who produced for Morgans Brewery of Norwich a number of both exterior and interior colourful bas-relief panels. To see examples of the panels at their best I recommend a visit to the Woolpack, Golden Ball Street. Norwich, NR3 1DF. Here the bar back features the remaining five of six panels celebrating the Norfolk wool trade that was commissioned for Morgans brewery in 1938 for this new build pub. Nowadays the Woolpack has an open plan interior and sells Adnams Southwold Bitter, a Woodfordes beer and three guest beers. It is open from 11 to 11 and food is sold from 12 to 9.

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Norwich Society produced an excellent fully illustrated booklet

The most colourful of the exterior signs still to be seen is the 4 metre by 3 metre one on the left hand side of the Prince of Denmark 140 Sprowston Road, Norwich, NR3 4JQ, dating from 1939 and was repainted in 2007.

Again the interior of the pub is much changed and Woodfordes Wherry is on sale.

Some of the splendid bas-relief panels on the bar of the Woolpack, Norwich

If yo your you 017 or e m.sl to d

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE |

Berstrete Gates, Norwich The exterior bas-relief sign at the Coachmakers, Norwich ‘John Moray Smith A Very Public Artist’ in 2007 from which much of the detail for this article has been taken. This details the whereabouts of many other signs. There are the three panels produced for the Ship Hotel, Cromer on display in Cromer Museum, Church Street, Cromer NR27 9ES (01263 513543), which has a small admission fee. There are also 5 of originally 7 panels produced for the Jolly Farmers, South Lynn that are being stored at the Museum of Norfolk Life, Gressenhall, Dereham NR20 4DR (01362 860563) and can be viewed only by request. Two other panels entitled ‘Punch & Judy’ and ‘The Maypole’ are also stored at Gressenhall.

The exterior of the Berstrete Gates, Norwich showing the bas-relief sign by John Moray Smith The Berstrete Gates still retains three rooms and lots of fittings following a flat roof extension added in the 1930s by Morgans Brewery. The main bar has fielded panelling, a 1930s panelled counter, a bar back which looks 1930s but has some modern items such as the small glass pieces from

the 60s (or later), a 1930s brick fireplace, leaded windows, but it has been enlarged by incorporation of a lobby area in recent years. On the right is a splendid small snug with more oak panels on the walls and a 1930s brick fireplace. The small dining room on the rear left has a 1930s wood surround with new tiles fireplace and is served by a hatch/doorway.

The inn sign is a bas-relief mural by John Moray Smith depicting one of the city gates and has been repainted in recent years.

Berstrete Gates 174 Ber Street, Norwich NR1 3EN 01603 620623. Open from 12 to 11. No real ale unfortunately. Sells Vietnamese and Chinese food particularly on Sunday lunchtimes.

If you require photographs of your pub interior / exterior you can contact Mick on 01733 390598 or email m.slaughter45@ntlworld.com to discuss your requirements.

© Michael Slaughter 2011

It is still possible to obtain copies of the ‘John Moray Smith - A Very Public Artist’ booklet from Norwich Society. They cost £1 (or £1.50 including postage and packing). Write to The Administrator, The Norwich Society, The Assembly House, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RQ.

The wood panelled smoke room at the Berstrete Gates, Norwich

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The King’s Head KEG FREE HOUSE

Open 12.00noon - 11.00pm Monday to Saturday 12.00noon - 10.30pm Sunday

Run by enthusiastic drinkers and CAMRA members.

E WE AR IN IT!

14 Hand Pumps Keg–Free Zone Norfolk Ales and Cider Mild always available Worldwide Bottled Beers Belgian Beers Television-free Bar Billiards www.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk

rfolk o N A R M A C ar e Y e h t f o b Pu 8 2006 & 200 The Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1JE

www.kingsheadnorwich.com

y

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Wolf Brewery Launches Poppy Ale The Norwich Branch of The Royal British Legion – shoulder to shoulder with all that serve, have raised over £67,800 in the last year, says Branch Chairman Ernie Green. A cracking sum, you will agree, but as the Legion is planning to raise £90m in its 90th year, the Branch was looking for ways to boost their fundraising.

So they approached Wolf Brewery to ask if they could brew a beer for them, available in bottles and casks, which would be sold not just locally, but countrywide.

The result is Poppy Ale, a refreshing light golden 4.2% beer which was launched at The Murderers recently. The launch which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Jenny Lay and the Sheriff of Norwich, Chris Higgins, was hailed as a great success. Jenny Simpson from the Branch explained that they were

looking beyond the traditional two week Poppy Appeal. They will receive £7 per firkin, roughly 10p for every pint sold. Nathan Wryde, from Wolf Brewery added that they were delighted to be involved with the Charity and to be able to support such an important cause.

Nathan Wryde and Jenny Simpson man the bar

Update Alby Aldborough Attleborough Bawsey Binham Catfield Clippesby Cley Cromer Cromer Dabbling Duck Drayton Downham Market Downham Market Earsham Filby Gorleston Gorleston Gt Yarmouth Gt Yarmouth Gt Yarmouth Heacham Hethersett Hopton Kenninghall Kings Lynn Ludham Lyng Newton by Castle Acre

Horseshoes Black Boys London Tavern Sandboy The Chequers The Crown Muskett Arms The George and Dragon The Cottage Red Lion Great Massingham Bob Carter Leisure Centre Railway Arms White Hart Queens Head The Kings Head Dock Tavern Mariners Compass Mariners Red Herring St Johns Head Fox & Hounds The King’s Head White Hart Red Lion Live and Let Live The Dog Fox & Hounds George & Dragon

This list is believed to be correct at the time of going to press,new entries in bold North Elmham North Walsham Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Norwich Reedham Reedham Reedham Reepham Thurlton Tacolneston Sheringham Swardeston West Acre Wiveton Wroxham Wymondham Wymondham

Railway Orchard Gardens Beehive Champion Cottage (Silver Road) Gardeners/Murderers Jubilee Ketts Tavern Kings Head Leopard Rose Take 5 The Ribs of Beef Trafford Arms Vine York Tavern Wig and Pen Ferry Lord Nelson Ship Kings Head The Queen’s Head Pelican Windham Arms Lakenham/Hewitt Rugby Club Stag The Wiveton Bell Brewery Tap Cross Keys Green Dragon

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Inter Social

Real Steam and Real Ale at the Branch Inter Social Branches get together at The Whitwell and Reepham Station Beer Festival

ble were availa llent beers ce nd a ex r f le o b n ctio l Wob A good sele r - Whitwel ee B se u o H e including th od King Henry Go the mighty

gs don't ...ah, some thin owded change - overcr in and not a seat sight..

This being a Steam Sunday , some were determined no t to miss the train...

Some enjoyed the ride

Even Sam, our Coach Driver, enjoyed a Busman's Holiday!

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B is for...

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

B is for Bamberg a bratwurst and bac

When it fell to me to write something for a beer magazine with the only condition being the subject started with B, it was clear that I had to steer clear of what Doug and Pete might call the b------‘ obvious!

Of course there was always brewing, that ones not been done to death has it? So I thought I would tell you about one of my favourite places to visit, the true beer city of Bamberg in the Northern part of Bavaria known as Franconia.

Bamberg has a couple of claims to fame. Firstly it survived the campaigns of Bomber command and the US 8th Air Force virtually unscathed.

Meaning the buildings are real not post war reconstructions. Secondly it has ELEVEN breweries!

Anyone who has visited a beer festival knows that CAMRA embraces the wider European beer culture as well as our own. The great thing about Bamberg is you can see a whole culture without leaving the city.

My two stays in Bamberg were at the Fassla brewery which has the advantage that the bar

opens an hour before the breakfast room.

To visit your second brewery of the day just cross the street, where you will find Spezial all the breweries are accompanied by their own beer halls or are house breweries for pubs.

Some of the bars don’t open till later in the day so the morning gives you time to see the beautiful city itself.

Walking in from Fassla takes you across the river at the Altes Rathaus, the renaissance town hall standing over a weir with a gateway through its centre, it is decorated with murals.

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The main street climbs up towards the cathedral and is an amazing collection of old buildings many of which contain beer halls. The most famous of these is Schlenkerla which produces the famous Rauschbier or smoked beer which is an acquired taste to say the least, as it

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rg and bacon beer!

NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE |

tastes a lot like oak cured bacon. This is because the malt is oak smoked. The legend goes that a monk discovered after a fire in the Abbey maltings that the oak timbers had smoked the malt and rauschbier was born, is it true, who knows but it is a great story! If you find rauschbier too bacony Spezial do a more palatable version.

Up in the hills above the city centre many of the breweries have Kellars which allow the beers to lager these have gardens in which to sample the products under the shade of large and ancient trees, a good place to spend a hot central German afternoon. I think my favourite was Greifenklau.

On the walk back down weave your way to the Bishops garden on a terrace in front of the cathedral and enjoy the view over the city.

There are many more delights in Bamberg including Klosterbrau, Mahrsbrau and others.

The visits I have made so far have been in the summer maybe it is time for a Christmas visit, how could you go wrong?

Stig

The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 50 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

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Campaigning

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

The Death of the Pub What follows is a list. It’s rather a long one, so skip it if you wish.

Railway, Portland Arms, Jolly Farmers, Honest Lawyer, Seven Sisters, Anchor, Admiral’s Tap, Rummer, Carpenter’s Arms, Naval Reserve, Victoria, Spread Eagle, Swan (Gaywood) Swan (West Lynn), Ship, Stanley Arms, Crystal Palace, Hogshead, Woolpack, Freebridge, North Star, Discovery, Bird in Hand, Antonio’s Wine Bar, Bar XIX, Norfolk Harvester, Cobblestones, Fairstead, Mildenhall Hotel, East Anglia Hotel (JJ’s Bar), Lincoln Tavern, New Fishermans Arms.

There’s more. Hospital Social Club, St Margarets Club, Foster’s Social Club, St Augustine’s Club, Gas Board Club, RAFA Club, Railway Club, Norfolk Street Snooker Club.

As you may have guessed these are all closed. When I first came down to Lynn in 1980, they were all open, and I have drunk in all of them bar about 4 at some time in the

last 30 years. That is not the end of it, though. As I write, the Queens Arms and the Wildfowler lie empty and the South Gates Bar (O’Tools and before that, the Prince Of Wales) and the Hob In The Well cater for rather specialised clientele.

That makes a total of 42 pubs or clubs gone that come to mind – there well be more.

That leaves whole areas of Lynn with no drinking venue. I helped to do a leaflet drop a few months ago around the area bounded by Wootton Road, John Kennedy Way and the old railway line, and I think we delivered to close to 2000 houses. This area has no pubs.

Neither does Fairstead, Reffley, the Springwood estate, South Lynn or North Lynn. I can only think of 8 pubs and 1 club outside the town centre.

So, suppose that you fancy a pint and you live on the Fairstead, what are your choices? Walk to the nearest pub – could be around half an hour. Catch a bus if you can find one. Take a taxi, if you can

The Docking Demolition October saw the Demolition of The King William Pub in the High street in Docking, The building had been closed since 2009. When permission was granted by West Norfolk council for its change of use.

Four three- bedroom houses are now going to be built in its place. Alas another Pub that will never serve a pint again.

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afford one. More likely it will be a cheap carry out sat in front of the TV. No chance to meet people, have a game of darts, try the pub quiz or join in the karaoke. Not much chance of a decent pint either. Some do go out for a drink, but end up sitting on a park bench with a can of cider or lager. Surely it would be better for everyone if all these people were in a pub or club.

I think that the pubs and clubs are the backbone of the country. They provide food and drink in a warm controlled environment. People interact socially and they are entertained. They might be the base for a football team, pool team or darts team. You may be able to read the paper, pick up a book or watch the football.

They provide employment and raise money for charity. When I joined CAMRA the battle was for a decent pint. The game has changed – now the very survival of the pub is at stake.

Jeff

Recent years have also seen the closure in the Village of the “Hare Inn and the Pilgrim’s Reach restaurant leaving The “Railway” in Station Road as the only Licensed Premises.

What a difference to years back when docking used to have around 11 Pubs and numerous small Beer houses.Information Regarding this can be found on the Docking Heritage Group website.

Buff

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There be more Treasure!

Rupert Eris shows the Clue Sheet to Graham and Warren when they thought they were going to be judges

Rupert Eris had promised us another Treasure Hunt, this time in Great Yarmouth, with less pubs than we encountered in Norwich last time.

So on a cold grey Saturday afternoon we gathered at The Mariners Tavern, ready for the off. True to his word, there were less pubs – nine instead of ten, but most were warm and welcoming and worth another visit when we are not frantically looking for clues. There were some rare delights, some interesting beers and more Lacons Falcons than you could shake a stick at – a poignant reminder of days gone by.

One of the delights was the revamped Apollo Tavern

NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Letters

Correspondence Dear Editor, Many congratulations to Woodforde's Brewery for yet another very successful Beer Trail, with special thanks to the organisers for their hard work on a job well-done.

higher priced pubs to be more “Up-Market” and not so busy, but strangely enough it was the reverse. (Although it was noticeable that those whose quality was not up to standard came from the £3.40 range).

It's a great idea that gets devoted drinkers visiting pubs other than their own “local”, thereby in a small way helping to keep the pubs open, rather than the ever increasing number that are sadly closing.

Another noticeable point was the few remaining “Characters” that usually have their special stool at the bar enjoying a good old “Mardle”, (after you have topped up their glass of course). Sadly these drinkers are a declining breed. There was one particular character who in nearly every pub I called at he was there or just moved on. In fact out of the 350 or so listed pubs, he usually visits the lot. (Hows that for dedication).

Of the numerous participating pubs in the Anglia region a card was supplied to each participant, who for the purchase of a pint of Woodforde's nectar, the pub would rubber stamp the card once. The object was to then visit up to sixty outlets, and in return for however many stamps were obtained, you could then claim various gifts from the Brewery shop.

I, like many others, completed a full card, and I was very impressed with the general quality of the beer that was served throughout.

Only two or three pubs needed some “Quality Control” to reach Woodforde's high standard. The one BIG noticeable difference between the pubs, was the variation in price, which ranged from £2.40 to £3.40 for a pint of Wherry.

With this variable price range I would have expected the

To those drinkers who have never been on the Beer Trail, I strongly recommend it, not just for the gifts you can obtain, (it cost you far more) but it's good to see how other pubs compare to your local, plus it’s nice to have a conversation with complete strangers where it’s about the same old thing.

Hopefully Woodforde’s will organise another trail in 2013, (or even next year) as it creates a lot of fun, especially if you travel around in a small group. Well done Woodforde’s - roll on the next one - I cant wait R E Blunden

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The Lobster

& Stables Restaurant

FRESH FOOD SERVED DAILY Vegetarian and Vegan options available

OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday 10am to 11pm Friday to Saturday 10am to 1.30am Sunday 12 noon to 12pm

BEER FESTIVALS ON BANK HOLIDAYS 10 Real Ales • Fine Wines • Childrens Menu Baby Changing • Disabled Facilities Large Beer Gardens • Dogs are welcome 13 High Street, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8JP Tel: 01263 822716 www.the-lobster.com

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01603 625891 www.thewigandpen.com

6 St Martins Palace Plain, Norwich NR3 1RN

This warm and friendly 17th century Freehouse is to the north side of Norwich cathedral. Owned by Craig & Lynne McLaren since 1993. ‘The Wig’ as its affectionately known, has built a reputation for fresh, fast, affordable British cuisine.

• Good Ale • Good Food • Heated smoking area • Comprehensive Outdoor Dining Area • Late Night Opening Look out for our Cask Marque Plaque.

This guarantees beer quality in the Wig & Pen and the opportunity to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.

For the 16th successive year, the Wig & Pen has been included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. We are very proud of this achievement.

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The

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NORFOLK NIPS | Norwich Beer Festival review

The 34th Norwich Beer Festival

Pics by: Mike Baldwin,jon Knights, Warren Wordsworth

Given the challenges that we face this can only be good. Martin Ward, Festival Organiser, was almost lost for words, but paid tribute to all those involved. He was pleased that the Beer selection had gone down well again.

Yet another winner, with the largest queues that some people could remember, extending way past The Playhouse Theatre. A very sorry sight for the “There is no demand for Real Ale” Brigade.

Simon Wright MP with Martin Ward and Mike Spivey

Opened with gusto by The Lord Mayor of Norwich Jenny Lay, following an impassioned address by the Sheriff, Chris Higgins, the Festival was thronged with happy drinkers all week.

Martin explains how the Festival works to Chloe Smith MP

The Sheriff, Chris Higgins, addresses the festival Norwich’s MP’s Chloe Smith and Simon Wright visited on the Friday. They were both highly impressed with what they saw and heard and seemed genuinely interested in the aims of CAMRA and the local Beer and Brewing scene.

The Entertainment Diary was packed with a mix of old and new favourites. This was the first Festival since Mike Capocci, described as “an almost permanent fixture at the Beer Festival” in last year’s programme sadly passed away. This year’s Charity was The Priscilla Bacon Lodge who found the experience very rewarding.

So that’s it for another year. Put Monday 29th – Saturday 3rd November in your diaries for next year. Enjoy the photos. There will be more on the Branch website soon!

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NORFOLK NIPS | Norwich Beer Festival photo diary

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NORWICH BEER FESTIVAL AWARDS 2011

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

Beers of the Festival 2011 Each year, drinkers at the festival vote for their favourite beers, ciders and perries. This year's Beer Of The Festival was Darwins Origin, a 4.3% premium bitter from Salopian Brewery, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire.

Gold: Humpty Dumpty, Festival Special Silver: Wibblers, Apprentice Bronze: JoC’s, Norfolk Kiwi

The silver award went to Ginger Doodle Stout, from Binghams Brewery, Twyford, Berkshire, and the bronze award went to Norwich's Fat Cat Brewery's Cougar.

Gold: Salopian, Darwins Origin Silver: Thornbridge, Sequoia Bronze: Winter’s, On The Beer City

Bitter

Premium Bitter

Strong Bitter Gold: Grain, Redwood Silver: Westerham, Audit Ale Bronze: Highland, IPA

Old, Stout & Porter Gold: Beeston, Old Stoatwobber; Silver: Mauldons, Blackberry Porter; Bronze: Harveys, Old XXXX.

Speciality Beer Gold: Binghams, Ginger Doodle Stout Silver: Art Brew, Spanked Monkey Bronze: Osset, Silver Link

Golden Ale Gold: Fat Cat, Cougar Silver: Crouch Vale, Yakima Gold Bronze: Golden Triangle, City Gold.

Barley Wine Gold: Ole Slewfoot, Friend Of The Devil Silver: Buffys, 9X Bronze: Blackfriars, Audit Ale

Cider Pickled Pig, Rum Cask.

Full Results Mild Gold: Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Silver: Riverhead, White Moss Bronze: Chalk Hill, Flintknappers Mild 34

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Perry Ross On Wye, Rum Cask Perry.

Foreign Beer Lefebvre, Barbar.

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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

Tel: (01986) 892623

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Planning

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

Campaigning Issues in West Norfolk The planning department has consented to the ‘change of use’ applications for the Norfolk Harvester in Kings Lynn and the Woolpack at Walpole Cross Keys. I expect that these will soon be knocked down and replaced with housing.

The application for the Albert Victor in Castle Acre has been refused and the council are keen to retain it as a pub. I know that I am not the only member to have objected on that one, so thanks to all that took the trouble to register their opinion. It is pretty easy – just look at the local council website and follow the links. You can find out about applications by checking the local paper – the Lynn News carries listings for the area. You can also see the notices posted on the buildings.

I have recently been contacting our local MPs and asking them to support the implementation of the Business select committee’s recommendations on the beer tie. Henry Bellingham, as always, replied straight away, and Elizabeth Truss after a short delay, both with positive comments. However the MP for Mid Norfolk, George Freeman, would not reply because I do not live in his constituency, even though I explained that I was representing a group from his area. The more people who contact their MP the better, but I would especially welcome someone from his area to write to him.

Jeff

Change of use for the Red Hart at Three Holes has also been permitted. This had the backing of the Parish Council as well as the planning department.

Three pubs in Lynn are currently closed. Look out for planning applications for the Wildfowler, Queens Arms and Cobblestones, and put in your objections. As I write, the Queens Arms is displaying a ‘Sold’ sign, but I have not seen a change of use application. The Red Lion at Upwell is also up for change of use. One of the supporting documents is a viability report from a firm in Loughborough prepared by Jeremy Berridge LLB FRICS FCIArb Dip BMM Dip Arb, Associate, For and on behalf of Bruton Knowles.

Amongst some rather unconvincing, but I guess rather expensive statements was the following, which I include both for information and to see what you get for your money. This is copied and pasted from the report – the spelling is theirs.

‘Cobblestones, Blackfriars Street, Kings Nynn – A public hosue unsold at auction in July 2011, the last bid being £124,000.’

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Norwich’s oldest pub Norwich City of Ale Festival Best Pub Award 2011 Open 11am -11 pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 10.30pm Sun Food served 12 noon - 7pm Mon to Sat 12 noon - 5pm Sundays Best Hous Public eA Nor w ward ic Bloom h in 2011

17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ 01603 667423

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www.redlion-cromer.co.uk

Tel: 01263 514 964

Six Real Ales from local breweries including Bees, Woodfordes, Green Jack, Adnams, Blackfriars and Humpty Dumpty CAMRA MEMBER • GOOD PUB GUIDE GOOD BEER GUIDE • LOCALE SUPPORTER

10

%

off

your entire food bill!

Come along to see the recently refurbished Red Lion in Cromer and receive 10% off your food bill with this voucher

A selection of our Award winning Norfolk ales

The Wolf Brewery

Rookery Farm, Silver Street Besthorpe, Attleborough Norfolk, NR17 2LD Telephone: 01953 457775 E-mail: info@wolfbrewery.com

We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and an Olympic New Year for 2012

www.wolfbrewery.com

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The Shoulder of Mutton ~ Strumpshaw ~

Fine ales and good food served in a friendly atmosphere Real ales include Adnams Bitter and Broadside plus TWO guest ale (mainly from local breweries) Food served 12-2pm and 7-9pm (Mon-Sat), 12-2pm Sundays Pub games include Darts, Pool, Crib and Petanque!

Ian and Jenny look forward to welcoming you..

Norwich Rd, Strumpshaw, Norwich NR13 4NT

Tel 01603 712274

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Competition

Win a Real Ale Break in Wroxham

Spon

d by sore ,

Shed The ham x Wro

Win a Real Ale break on the Broads courtesy of The Shed in Wroxham and discover this real ale experience for yourself.

The prize is three nights (any Friday to Monday between January 6th - March 30th 2012) in a two Bedroom Cottage on the Wroxham Peninsular that will sleep up to six people.

PLUS ÂŁ50 Beer vouchers to be spend in the Shed during your stay.

A perfect real ale weekend for the lads and ladies!

To enter simply find the below words on the word search, fill out and the information panel and cut this page out and post it to:West Norfolk CAMRA, 19, Kemps Lane, Hockwold, THETFORD IP26 4LG The words to find are: bees, beeston, blackfriars, fox, holiday, humpty dumpty northcote, panther, peninsular, real ale, tipples, winters, wolf, woodfordes, yetmans.

The words to be found are only some of the breweries that The Shed supports.

Closing date for entries is 2nd January. Prize is subject to availability, terms and conditions aply.

Name: Address:

Email: The Shed is situated in the heart of Wroxham, on the Peninsular and was a traditional wooden boatshed. It now offers over 50 Real Ales, Milds and Stouts, all dispensed by gravity or handpumps.

Takeaway beers are available in HDPE containers, which can be taken back for recycling. If you

take them back cleaned out you can get 10p back on your next pint. All money raised from the recycling goes to Caister Lifeboat, one of only two offshore lifeboats in the country not supported by the RNLI. For further information about the Shed please visit: www.theshedwroxham.co.uk

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Why not visit...

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

The Oddfellows Arms, Gorleston No real cider, though, and food is not available at present.

There is a patio area to the rear of the pub beside the car park. I was intrigued by what looked like an old Smoke House. This had two floors and Dennis explained that this was going to be opened up, to provide space for eating and a BBQ, with a rear door which would lead onto a garden area.

Dennis is keen to promote a

To qualify for this series, pubs have to be worth visiting but are in a remote location or just not on your radar.

The Oddfellows Arms does this, tucked away in a narrow one way street in Gorleston, between the town and the quay. You wouldn’t know this former Adnams Tied House was there, and yet it is only a few hundred yards from the magnificent beach!

Landlord Dennis Morrell showed me around. This 200 year old building was originally two houses which have been knocked together. The result is a surprisingly large two room pub with comfy sofas, and tables and stools at the windows. There is a large Adnams mirror under the bookshelves.

There will always be four real ales on offer. The selection varies, but Adnams Old, Fullers 40

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London Pride, Green Jack Orange Wheat and Mauldons Mole Trap were available on my visit. Purity’s Mad Goose had been on and was very popular. Dennis has been trying a selection of bottled Belgian Beers, and there is also a selection of single malts. He is new to the trade having taken on the pub in March and wants to see what works for his customers. Tasters will always be offered.

warm and friendly atmosphere, so why not visit – but check opening times first!

The Oddfellows Arms 43 Cliff Hill Gorleston Norfolk NR31 6DG Tel: 01493 668416 Local transport; Buses:1,1 A,2,5,6,7,8,,A47,X1 to Gorleston Town.

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The London Tavern Free House

Great real ales, fine wines and spirits.

Town Green, Wymondham Telephone: (01953) 605675

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

Home-made selection of traditional food served daily, Main meals, Light lunches, Specials & Childrens menu.

Roast Dinners Sundays 12-3pm Chilled bar rolls made daily only ÂŁ1.00

Attleborough’s only current Good Beer Guide pub 2011 & 2012 Camra Discount Scheme & Local Ale

Large Car Park

Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing, Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

A warm welcome awaits you!

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415

Function Room for parties or meetings.

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26 St Leonards Road Norwich NR1 4BL 01603 618734

A real gem, well worth a visit.

Eight real ales to choose from, two of which change regularly.

Lovely enclosed beer garden with large sheltered smoking area.

Two pooltables upstairs.

Only a ten minute walk from the train station and city centre.

Pork pies and other light snacks available all day.

Open all day from 12 noon everyday.

Hog roast available sundays.

Sky Sports and ESPN

Wishing all our customers a very happy Christmas and New Year!

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Winter Ale Trail

Winter Ale Trail 2012

Each trail pub will stamp a trail card for each pint of LocAle purchased. Completed trail cards can be exchanged for a free ale trail t-shirt as well as being entered into a prize draw.

At the time of going to press the following pubs and breweries had signed up are Artichoke, Broome The Crown, Burston

Ugly Bug Inn, Colton Mermaid Inn, Elsing Beehive, Norwich Fat Cat, Norwich The Bush, Old Costessey Wyndham Arms, Sheringham Cherry Tree, Wicklewood Green Dragon, Wymondham London Tavern, Attleborough Chequers, Binham The Crown, Catfield Dock Tavern, Gorleston St Johns Head, Great Yarmouth The Railway, North Elmham Orchard Gardens, North Walsham The Cottage, Norwich Kings Head, Norwich Murderers,Norwich Ribs of Beef, Norwich Trafford Arms, Norwich The Vine, Norwich Wig & Pen, Norwich

Albion Thetford gets Award The Albion Public House Thetford has been presented with a Special Award celebrating 25 years (1987-2012) continuous recognition in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

Amanda Middlebrook was presented with the framed certificate by Phil Buffham chairman of the West Norfolk branch of CAMRA. The Albion has been run by the Middlebrook family for 42 years.

Reedham Ferry, Reedham The Ship, Reedham The Kings Arms, Reepham Queens Head, Thurlton The 9 breweries are: Beeston Blackfriars Fat Cat Brewery Grain Golden Triangle Northcote Panther Wolf Woodfordes The ale trail runs from 1st January to the 1st April 2012 so there is plenty of time to visit all the pubs and sample some locally brewed real ale.

Mark Stimpson Pubs officer

Photography by Tony Allison

2012 sees the welcome return of the Norwich and Norfolk branch of CAMRA Winter Ale Trail. The aim of the trail is two fold. Firstly to encourage beer drinkers to visit pubs that they would not normally visit during the winter and secondly to promote locally brewed real ale.

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A Beery Christmas

| NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE

A Beery

Christmas

There have been songs and even films about it. But now it was my turn – I was going home for Christmas.

I’d been up to Norwich, to investigate claims that Norwich was the City of Real Ale that I had read in Norfolk NIPS online.

So many beers, yet so little time. When I left, a new lifelong friend, a Norfolk Kiwi, thrust a copy of the 34th Norwich Beer Festival Programme in my hand, which, armed with a few beers, I had read on the train to London.

Now at Paddington, I boarded The Cheltenham Flyer and gazed out of the window as the train slid out of the station. Curious, I thought, Paddington Bear I might have expected, but Poo Bear and Nookie Bear waving at me? Classic!

It had been a Sunshiny day when I left, but the Spiced Winter sun was setting at Sundown and I drifted off dreaming of another Broadland Sunrise.

The train stopped with a jolt. With a quick look at the watch I realised that this must be my stop, so grabbing my bag, I leapt off the train.

Two things hit me at once – one, this wasn’t my stop and two, the train was leaving.

My bag was heavy and I was glad to see a figure coming towards me. With his antique 44

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uniform and Extra Pale complexion, I thought he was an Historic Porter and I asked to him carry my bag. He declined, saying that he was only able to carry smart phones of a certain make – he was the Blackberry Porter.

It was cold, with an Orkney Blast blowing from the Nord Atlantic.

I was Over the Moon to see the sign for the bar, and opening the door, I gazed at the Disorder inside. In one corner a crowd had gathered to watch Witches Wallop each other.

In another, a man was gently shaking a ferret.

On closer inspection, it appeared I was wrong, he was just an Old Stoatwobbler.

I made my way to the bar and was greeted by a man with a big badge that said Timothy Taylor, Landlord.

I ordered a Pint. “Mild, sir “he said, “for the time of the year” he added. I replied that I thought it was bitter.

“Ah yes, Best Bitter”, he mused,” kills the germs”. I had the Landlord’s Choice from the Great Raft of ales on offer. The beer was good, very good. “Good King Henry!” I exclaimed, “I can’t Believe it’s not Bitter!” “Tally Ho!” Moving away from the bar, I found room at a table near the fire. Two young ladies there introduced themselves “Sara Hughes, Ruby Mild” they chimed. (She was Decidedly Dark, that Ruby). Their friend, Captain Bob, who was a Bengal Lancer, mistook me for someone else.

“Peters Well?” he enquired. I politely told him that Wheat never met and I didn’t know Peter.

He was on his way to Pendle. Witches Brew a

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Tidy Pint for any Friend of the Devil up there he said and left to catch his train, steam hauled by 60014 Silver Link, I noticed.

I wasn’t sure if the girls were using Hopnosis on me, or whether or not there was a Dark Conspiracy. The Jiggle Juice was certainly flowing and that Vital Spark was certainly there.

But I was getting a Headcracker. It was probably Business as Usual for the girls but instead of them I was seeing a Black Panther and a Ginger Panther. They were joined by a Cougar and a Wildcat. I was seeing Double. Dragon – the one from Norwich, surley not, was devouring the Entire Stout Canary that had been in the cage with the Norwegian Blue.

Now, I don’t mind admitting that I am all for a Wee Drop of Mischief, and I was Sawley Tempted, but it goes Against the Grain.

So, as a Journalist, I felt that I had to do the decent thing and make my excuses and leave.

THE ANGEL INN FREEHOUSE

NORFOLK CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2010!

Open all day every day Excellent home cooked meals available from our award winning kitchen Large Beer Garden with play area En-suite accommodation Camping and Caravanning available Larling, Norfolk, NR16 2QU (17th Century former coaching inn)

Tel: 01953 717963 www.angel-larling.co.uk

I bolted for the door, liked a Spanked Monkey, tripping over the Norwich Terrier who was obviously relishing some Squirrels Nuts. Preservation was the name of the game and this was all Beyond the Pale.

Victory!” I cried, then it all went black as I was fought over by a Whyte Angel and a Phantom Monk, who pulled and pushed me.

“Wake up, Sir” I came to and realised that I was on the train, and it was my station.

Picking up my copy of the Beer Festival Programme I got off the train.

My bag was heavy, never a Porter when you want one…..

Merry Christmas!

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NORWICH AND NORFOLK BRANCH PUB OF THE YEAR 2011 Only NORFOLK Cask Ales

Homemade Locally-Sourced Food

** Try our Greek Specials ** Function Room available - Licensed Bar • Catering up to 65 people, 35 seated • Ideal for meetings, parties and special occasions • Parking Available

01263 822609 or 01263 826003 15-17 Wyndham Street, Sheringham Norfolk NR26 8BA www.thewindhamarms.co.uk

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Is there a good cider pub near you?

CAMRA has launched a scheme to promote pubs serving traditional cider. If a pub offers a good quality real cider or perry throughout the year then the pub is eligible for inclusion on APPLE’s website which lists these pubs alphabetically, county by county. The list can be accessed via the National CAMRA website, following links to the Cider pages. The pub itself is given promotional material, including a poster and a window sticker to publicise the availability of the real thing on the premises.

Plough, 58 St Benedicts, NR2-4AR

Crones.

Ribs of Beef, 24 Wensum Street, NR3-1HY

Kingfishers Take 5, 17 Tombland, NR3-1HF

Crones Trafford Arms, 61 Grove Road, NR1 3RL

Kingfisher White Lion, 73 Oak Street, NR3 3AQ

Westons A recent Norwich city survey of pubs discovered a good number selling cider and perry and a subsequent tour has confirmed that the following Norwich pubs sell products from the named maker:

The list is not, of course, comprehensive, and further research is ongoing. If you know of a worthy pub please let us know. We are particularly keen to find out more about what is out there in the county.

Cottage, 9 Silver Road, NR3 4TB

Westons, Burnards.

Duke of Wellington, 91-93 Waterloo Road, NR3 1EG

Westons.

Fat Cat, 49 West End Street, NR2 4NA Broad Oak. Fat Cat Brewery Tap, 98-100 Lawson Road, NR3 4LF

Broad Oak, Burnards, Gwynt y Ddraig.

Glasshouse, 11-13 Wensum Street, NR3 1LA

Westons.

Kings Head, 42 Magdalen Street, NR3-1JE

Kingfisher.

Lord Roseberry, 93 Roseberry Road, NR3-3AB

Westons.

National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2012 In 2011 the competition was won by a Devonian pub, the Old Cider Bar in Newton Abbot. Nominations for 2012 are open and N&N CAMRA invited nominations for a Norfolk Cider Pub of the Year at the cider bar of this year’s Norwich Beer Festival. With the upsurge of interest and production in our county we are intending to identify both a city and county pub that enthusiastically supplies quality cider. An interesting set of suggestions were received and these are currently being considered for nomination. Watch this space!

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Three Horseshoes, Runham

| NORFOLK NIPS

Reeling Back the Years contained many historic photos and articles including a newspaper cutting from 1969. In it the very last landlord lamented the closure, claiming that ‘people just don’t drink like they used to’. Fast forward to 2011 and national papers are full of stories about binge drinking, fuelled by the new alternatives of high street disneybars and cheap supermarket booze.

The Three Horseshoes at Runham first became a public house in the 1840’s and a list of every publican who subsequently ran the pub from 1903 onwards, exists – until 1969 when the pub closed. Until 11 years ago that is, when John opened what had become his home to the public on one special day of the year. It has now become something of a tradition for the whole village to call into the pub after the Harvest Festival Service in the church, partaking of a harvest supper washed down with beer and cider and at the same time raising funds for the village hall.

Arriving on my bicycle my welcome as a stranger was warm and enthusiastic and I found two Blackfriars firkins and a pin of real cider on the bar. That bar is the original 48

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corner bar that served the lounge and it is still there, complete with the two handpumps that originally dispensed the Lacons beers that the pub sold. To the left of the entrance hall I was proudly shown the Snug bar with its curved settle still in place from its public house days. A box on the table

Maybe the pub as the community hub no longer applies in this modern age, but all power to villages that maintain the spirit of local togetherness and for this one weekend of the year at least, hats off to John at the old Runham Horseshoes.

Mont

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NORFOLK NIPS |

Open all day every day food is served:-

Offering four real ales A traditional 17th Century pub, how they used to be

12-2 & 6-9 Tuesday to Sunday 12-3 Sunday for plated home cooked Sunday lunches with homemade Yorkshire puddings and fresh vegetables. Booking advised if dining.

Superb food using fresh, local, seasonal produce

From Norwich & Acle head to Salhouse and at the mini roundabout follow the sign to Wroxham, we are 200yds on the right.

Shoot dinners a speciality

Popular quiz every Wednesday from 8:30pm Meat raffle every Sunday at 4:30pm

Tel: 01603 721141 www.salhousebell.co.uk 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

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We now have EIGHT cask ales!

Good covered smoking area 10 mins walk from railway station

Ales from £2.00 a pint!

Apollo Tavern | Northgate Street | Great Yarmouth | NR30 1BP

Michaela and Rik welcome you to

The Kings Arms 22 Hall Rd Norwich NR1 3HQ

Tel: 01603 766361

Everchanging 13 Real Ales, Cider and Mild.

Popular Quiz Night last Wednesday of every month Occasional live Music – see website or phone for details

Food served: Tuesday - Sunday 12noon - 2.30pm with Roast dinner every Sunday

Eat your takeaway in the pub - plates and cutlery provided!

See all of Norwich City’s matches (Home and Away!)

See

www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk for details

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

NORFOLK NIPS | West Norfolk Committee

West Norfolk Committee The committee of West Norfolk CAMRA as elected at our AGM 11-11-11

FOUR REAL ALES Live Music, Friday & Saturday Large garden overlooking the River Wensum OPEN Mon - Thurs 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11

Chairman Phil Buffham Secretary Ian Bailey Treasurer Jim Fergusson Membership Secretary Jeff Hoyle Press & Publicity Bruce Ward Pubs Officer Ian Bailey Deputy Pubs Officer Mandy Stratton (new) Pubs Preservation Officer Jeff Hoyle Nips / Cask Force Editor Chris Lucas Webmaster Nige Nudds Cider Andrea Briers Branch Contact Bruce Ward Public Affairs Officer Jeff Hoyle Appontment of Auditors Ros Harre and June Parsons

Subscriptions EATON COTTAGE

To received the next four issues of Norfolk Nips and Cask Force send 12 1st class stamps to:-

UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

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

Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG. Thanks to all those who have sent nice letters with their renewals.

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l g al n i d w sho me an ! w No FC ho ames NC ay g aw

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | From the Archives

From the Archives Issue No.40, Christmas 1988 brought us grave news about the plans by Courage Brewery to refurbish The Plough in St Benedicts, Norwich. Plans included knocking the two, small, attractive bars into one, taking the historic wooden counters out together with the pool table and the dart board.

The new major emphasis would be on food, rather than beer, aiming to make this “the best pub in Norwich for food.”

Geoffrey Kelly, a local historical consultant, who had been drinking at The Plough for 25 years, feared that the money could be squandered and cited the Ten Bells as an example.

He felt that the Plough was “the last truly traditional house in Norwich.”

Landlady Betty Lambert felt that the plans would lessen the original objective of the pub – to be a real ale establishment.

She added that she managed

to persuade Courage to ship Directors up from London only by paying for the handpump herself.

Old favourites from Woodfordes were Norfolk Nog and Head Cracker together with Norfolk Porter (1041).

To cheer us up, the new Editors had been touring the pubs of Norwich, looking for Winter Ales.

Mauldons had introduced a new old, called Mauldons Old which joined their regular Christmas Reserve (1065)

They had found Black Shuck from Forbes, which had been launched at The Norwich Beer Festival. This was made from 100% malted cereals and had no sugar, additives or finings.

Nethergate Old Growler was available at Swannington Hall and The Reindeer – which was brewing Sledgehammer (1067) again for Christmas.

From The Reepham Brewery, they came across Smugglers Stout (1048), heavily researched at The Reindeer and Brewhouse Ale (1055) a full bodied reddish bitter.

Greene King had introduced Winter Ale (1060) but they could not find any in Norwich.

Tolly Cobbolds were offering Old Strong (1046) a rich dark brew, thought to be the best that Tolly produced.

Des O’Brien had done some research on Adnams, and was full of praise for Old Ale (1042) and the rare Tally Ho (1075) Watneys were producing Bullards Old (1057) – brewed in Wiltshire by Ushers!

Whitbread were offering Winter Royal (1055) and you might find bottled conditioned Imperial Russian Stout (1104) in some Courage pubs.

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Telephone: 01379 898 445 Email: info@thebellrickinghall.co.uk www.thebellrickinghall.co.uk

The Bell Inn, The Street, Rickinghall, Norfolk IP22 1BN

The Bell Inn is a family owned and run Country Hotel with ample Free Parking and Patio Garden.

• 8 En-suited Bedrooms • The Chimes Restuarant seating up to 30 guests • Private Function Suite • Bespoke menus tailored to suit all functions • Warm & friendly atmosphere • Five Real Ales Whether you are visiting us for business or pleasure we will endeavour to ensure your stay with us will always exceed your expectations.

We are open all day every day Food Served 12:00 - 9:00 every day Sunday Lunch served all day 12:00 - 9:00

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NORFOLK NIPS & CASK FORCE | Beer Festivals

Beer Festival Diary 18th – 21st January 2012 (Wed – Sat) National Winter Ales Festival Sheridan Suite, Oldham Road, Manchester M40 8EA www.alefestival.org.uk/winterales 19th – 21st January 16th Cambridge Winter Ale Festival University Social Club, Mill Lane 23rd - 28th January Vine - Norwich - Small but Perfectly formed Winter Beer Fest. 16 local and national Ales served from the Cask and Hand pumps.

21st - 22nd January Blackfriars Brewery, Gt. Yarmouth - January Sale beer festival 25th – 30th January Pig n Falcon, St Neots Winter Beer Festival.

20 Ales and Ciders.

11th - 12th February Blackfriars Brewery, Gt. Yarmouth - Valentines Beer Festival from 12noon - 11pm 24th – 25th February (Fri – Sat) 3rd Chappel Winter Beer Festival Event is operated as a fundraising activity for EARM by CAMRA. 60+ winter beers, + few ciders/perries.

Note: Ticket Only Event in the Goods Shed Open: Fri 11am-5pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat 11am5pm, 6pm-11pm.Each session £5 per person (plus 50p transaction fee on entire order), inc admission + fest glass. Card-carrying CAMRA/EARM members also get token for free pint on admission. If you wish to attend more than 1 session you need to purchase a ticket for each session. Please book ticket before setting out, ticket numbers are limited & NOT available on the door. Buy tickets via www.earm.co.uk or call 01206 242524 any day between 10-4pm.

Website: www.earm.co.uk

Contact: Tickets 01206 242524 Venue: East Anglian Railway Museum Chappel & Wakes Colne Station 8th -10th February 22nd Battersea Beer Festival 150 kils of beer from around country, traditional ciders/perries, country wines + continental beers. Hot/cold food. Soft drinks available.

Open daily from 12noon-11pm.

Admission £4 (£3 before 5pm Wed), £1 discount for CAMRA members at all times.

For further information please contact info@batterseabeerfestival.org.uk.

15th -18th Feb 11th Derby Winter Beer Festival 200+ real ales inc winter beer styles (barley wine, stout, porter, strong milds + old ales), plus cider + perry, and continental beers.

Trade Sess Wed 2pm-4.30pm. Open: Wed 4.30pm-11pm; Thu-Sat 11am-11pm.

Hot/cold food avail throughout.

Entrance charges, entertainment details + staff forms: www.derbycamra.org.uk General enquiries contact Gillian Williams 07847 504074.

24th - 25th March Blackfriars Brewery, Gt. Yarmouth - Wheely Good beer festival. Arrive on your bicycle and claim a FREE drink!

Friday 6th - 10th April Royal Oak, Poringland - Easter Beer Festival

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

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

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 427490

email: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.uk

www.norwichinns.com

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask.

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

Tongue twizzling food, and great value.

Huge garden • Summer barbecue

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

Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN

01328 738241 56

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Earle Arms Heydon

Traditional Norfolk freehouse and restaurant

Three Real Ales always available Good Food • Real Fires

01263 587376 Satnav: NR11 6AD (Just off B1149 Holt Norwich Rd)

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PLEASE TURN OVER...

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...I have felt your presents!”

KINGS HEAD HOLT 6 BRILLIANTLY KEPT REAL ALES Including the ever popular Adnams Bitter, Broadside and Woodfordes Wherry.

Proudly providing 3 guest ales (143 in one year and rising!)

Giving everyone a fantastic accompaniment to our ever growing grill menu. So why not try a delicious locally sourced steak cooked to perfection on our char-grill!

3 stylish, comfortable, yet affordable B&B rooms for single, double or family use

Recently re-furbished ‘George’ Lounge with Snugs and quiet corners Come pull up a stool, grab an Ale at ‘The Question mark Bar’ and put the world to rights!

Live music throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn Enclosed Courtyard Beer Garden in the heart of the Appleyard To find out more you can visit our website http://www.kingsheadholt.org.uk/, give us a call on 01263 712543, or just come on down and give us a try, you won’t be disappointed!

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Young Membe rs Now

on f group/ acebook: ww N.N.yo w.face ungme mbers/ book.com/ e d Cask Forc n a S P I N folk s u e o f No r The next is ch n 9th Mar o t u o e b l wil e for copy Deadline dat

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Friday 16th December

Norwich Christmas crawl (Join or leave at any pub) p 5.00pm Fat Cat Brewery Ta 5.45pm Whalebone 6.15pm Duke of Wellington 6.45pm White Lion 7.15pm Plough 8.00pm Micawbers 8.30pm Rose Tavern 9.00pm Mulberry 9.30pm Eaton Cottage 10.00pm Beehive

Saturday 17th December

Norwich-Wes t Norfolk CAM RA Xmas Pub Cra wl

1100 Eaton Cott age 1145 Mad Moos e Arms 1230 Garden Ho use 1315 Black Hors e 1400 Earlham A rms 1445 Alexandra 1530 Fat Cat 1615 White Lion 1700 Plasterers 1745 Glasshou se 1830 Playhouse Bar 1915 The Vine

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Award Winning Real Ale Pub 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 Good Friday 6th - Tues 10th April Music Friday and Saturday Night

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

Easter Egg Raffle on the Sunday in aid of The Break Charity

Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

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

13 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

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