The effect of service cuts on our pubs

and loads more

Spring 2019

Winner of CAMRA Branch Magazine of the Year 2017

Welcome from the Branch Chair Welcome to the Spring edition of our award In this issue -winning magazine. Chair’s chat / Branch Diary 5 After the Christmas and New Year break we started to prepare for the annual Stafford Beer Pub and Club news 6 & Cider Festival, which is in its 12th year and Save our Shrew 7 runs from 25th–27th July at Blessed William Howard School again. Yes, it does seem too Beer Festival 9 early to begin work, but there are a hundred Brewery news 10 and one things to sort out before opening day. If you feel that you can assist in any way with Pub of the Season 13 setting up, serving behind the bars, sponsoring Cider Pub of the Year the beer, in fact anything that would make this 15 a good festival then please contact the Festival Cover Story: On the Buses 16 Organiser Paul Hewitt (see page 9). Aside from the beer festival we have had a Visiting the ’88’ 18 busy period with the award of Pub of the Our lost pubs: 2009 21 Season (Winter) to the Bird in Hand, selecting pubs for next year’s Good Beer Guide, and the Uttoxeter news 24 CAMRA team entering the Star & Garter Quiz Potteries news 26 (and winning). This is well worth entering, not only for the gallon of beer you can win but the Contact us / Contacting you 29 other competitions for beer and cash prizes! Liverpool trip 30 We also had a trip to Liverpool for a tour of pubs in the Georgian Quarter; there are too Join CAMRA 31 many decent pubs, with excellent beers, in this city to do them all at once, but we made a start! More trips are planned in the near future, to ADVERTISING RATES: Atherstone and Derby. Anyone is welcome to Full page - £85 Half page - £55 continues over... Quarter page - £35

Book 4 issues and receive a Beer at Heart is published quarterly by Heart £5 discount per issue of CAMRA. Designed and edited by Andrew Murray. Opinions expressed are Next copy deadline: 15th MAY 2019 those of the author and may not represent those of CAMRA, the local branch or editor. Printed by Warwick Printing Beer at Heart is (c) CAMRA Ltd. www.warwickprinting.co.uk

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | THEGREYHOUND CAMRAbranch Pub of theSeason Autumn 2018

In theCAMRAGoodBeerGuide everyyear since 2005 8RealAlesavailable,including adarkbeer 30 gins available withchoice of Fever-Tree tonics

Quiz nightsTuesday andSun- day(entryjust£1per team) Sky &BTSports Card payments accepted

Openingtimes: 4pm—11:30pmMon-Thu 4pm—12midnight Fri 12noon—12midnightSat 12noon—11pmSun

TheGreyhound CountyRoad, StaffordST162PU Tel: 01785 222432 Steveand Bonita look forward to yourvisit Chair's Chat Branch Diary continued from page 3 NB dates and venues are subject to change, join us on these socials. so before making a special journey please A final point is to remind all CAMRA check the diary on our website: members that you can attend branch and www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk/diary WHAT IS CAMRA Beer Festival meetings if you would like to MARCH 2019 get more involved in CAMRA. It is our Annual General Meeting on 14th May, and *WEDNESDAY 13th: BRANCH MEETING at we’re always delighted to see new faces. the POSTE OF STONE, Stone, 8pm. The diary dates are on the right, and SATURDAY 23rd MARCH: ATHERSTONE reminders are usually circulated by email, so SOCIAL. Details TBC; Heart of Staffs CAMRA if you don’t receive these then contact me members will be notified of details by email with your email address and I will endeavour closer to the time or check the online diary. to sort it for you. THURSDAY 31st: BEER FESTIVAL organising meeting. Ye Olde Rose & Crown, 8pm. Frank Bryden Chair, Heart of Staffordshire CAMRA [email protected] APRIL 2019 THURSDAY 11th: SPRING PUB OF THE SEASON PRESENTATION at the GREYHOUND, Burston, 8pm.

FRIDAY 26th: Trip to STAFFORD HOCKEY CLUB BEER FESTIVAL, Riverway, 7.30pm.

MAY 2019 THURSDAY 2nd: BEER FESTIVAL organising meeting, venue TBA, 8pm SATURDAY 4th: STAFFORD SOCIAL. Details TBC (as Atherstone trip above) *TUESDAY 14th: BRANCH AGM, the Sun Inn, Stafford. 8pm.

JUNE 2019 SATURDAY 29th: DERBY SOCIAL. Details TBC (as Atherstone trip above)

JULY 2019 THURSDAY 25th—SATURDAY 27th: STAFFORD BEER FESTIVAL. Blessed William Howard School, Rowley Avenue, Stafford.

*Branch meeting and AGM for CAMRA members only; all welcome to other events

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | Pub and Club news HIXON The Green Man is still trading, and Beer at went into a decline. ‘JD’ then disappeared in Heart understands that the owner’s plan is mysterious circumstances (rumours abound) to stay open till at least July, and that he and a few temporary managers have. We has rebuffed further attempts by the hope the pub now enters a period of stability community group to buy the pub on the under new manager Ben Richards. grounds that he didn’t think they could make a success of it. Hmm… Stafford Hockey Club’s Beer Festival, traditionally the first of the year, takes place STAFFORD from Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th April. No. 7 Market Square has launched a That is followed by the Sun Inn and the Thursday night quiz. Stafford’s quizzers are Kings Arms, both on May Bank Holiday spoilt for choice on a Thursday, with no.7, Weekend. If your local has a beer festival the Met Bar, Star and Garter and Ye Olde in the Summer, please contact the Editor Rose and Crown; Wednesday nights at the for inclusion in the next issue. Spittal Brook (and a monthly one at the County Staff Club); Tuesdays it’s the BURSTON Shrewsbury Arms and the Greyhound The Greyhound is our Pub of the Season for (also Sundays—eas is th Kings Arms’). Oh, Spring—join us for the presentation from and the Sun on a Monday. [We will 8pm on Thursday 11th April. Full write-up in endeavour to provide a full listing of pub the next issue. quizzes in a future issue.] CHURCH EATON On a retro tip, No 7 has also started vinyl The lease of the Royal Oak has been taken nights on alternate Wednesdays (open mic over by Woods Brewery of Shropshire, who on the other Wednesday, so make sure you have carried out a major refurbishment. check which week it is before turning up with your clutch of 45s). Slater’s plays host Fancy owning or running a pub? to People Play Vinyl on the 2nd Monday of Freeholds available for Star, Copmere End; every month, with retro board games on Swan, Forton; Hop Pole, Stafford; the other Mondays. Granvilles, Stone Leases/tenancies available for Red Lion, The Met Bar now offer a 30p discount on Sutton; Bridge Inn, Stone; Lamb & Flag, pints of real ale. [A full list of CAMRA Little Haywood; Chambers, Stafford discount pubs will appear in the next issue.]

The Bird in Hand has provided a home for ANYPLACE the British Legion, who sadly lost their base Anypub on Eastgate Street last year. Landlords! Your pub news could have been here. Drop me a line with short The Market Vaults: following the snippets about your upcoming events, rebranding in August last year as JD’s real ale promotions, beer festivals etc. Burger Company at the Market Vaults, it

6 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk Save Our Shrew Community Bid to Purchase Local

Villagers in Kingstone, near Uttoxeter, have united to try to buy their local pub the Shrewsbury Arms. Until recently the Shrew was thriving, attracting visitors from far and wide as well as the immediate community, but it has been closed since May last year. Locals held public meetings, formed The Shrew in happier times a society (KCS), got the pub listed as an Asset of Community Value, won where KCS are still hopeful of success. the support of the local council and Jonny Grey, Chair of KCS says around 50% of MP, and issued a share offer which villagers have bought shares, which shows a reached its initial target of £100,000 fantastic level of support for the venture. They by the end of January. The share offer want more than just the survival of the Shrew, has been reopened until the end of they want to create a proper community hub. March. Disappointingly, offers by KCS We wish them every success. to buy the pub have been rebuffed To find out more or get on board go to and it is going to auction on 3rd April, www.kingstonecommunitysociety.org.uk

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 |

Stafford Beer & Cider Fest 2019 dates announced

Hello everyone, gin bar with around six to eight varieties As I write St David's Day will soon be available, so there will be something to suit upon us and into Spring we go: better everyone. Stay tuned to our social media weather, lighter nights and thoughts turn sites for the first glimpse of our beer, cider to the 2019 Stafford Beer and Cider Festival. and gin lists. It's back with popular demand for its Following great feedback last year, twelfth iteration and the committee have Hindles will once again be providing the already met twice to start the planning for likes of hot pork baps, baguettes and this year. It's always amazinghow much pasties. preparation there is and how much time and effort all our volunteers put into the The beer festival is entirely run and festival to make it one of the best in the staffed by volunteers. No volunteers = country and hopefully we make Stafford no festival! and the surrounding area very proud. If you would like to help out head to This year’s Festival is being held on the staffordbeerfestival.co.uk/volunteers and 25th to the 27th of July 2019, i.e. the complete the online form. There are normal Thursday to Saturday. various jobs to do, not just during the opening hours but also with setting-up and As usual it will be held in the sports hall of taking-down. All volunteers are trained Blessed William Howard School, Rowley and well-looked after. You don’t need to Avenue, Stafford. There is plenty of parking have worked behind a bar before and it’s space on site; for anybody wishing to drive lots of fun! enter ST17 9AB into your sat-nav/ Further updates will be available nearer smartphone. the time of the Festival where a lot more For people travelling by train, when you information will be available about things arrive at Stafford Station, go out of the such as Charities, Pricing, Family Friendly main entrance and turn right, heading past Sessions and Entertainment to mention the car park towards the T-junction. Turn just a few things. right at this junction, go over the railway Hope to see you there, please come and bridge and continue until you get to the say hello. Let’s see as many of you as we pedestrian crossing. Cross the road and can attending this year. then proceed to the next road along on the left called Rowley Avenue.Go down this Thanks, road for about 200 yards and the entrance Paul Hewitt to the school is on the left hand side Festival Organiser (about 10 minutes’ walk). There will be at least 65 real ales and 30 www.staffordbeerfestival.co.uk real ciders & perries. In addition we'll have www.facebook.com/staffordbeerfestival country wines and for the second time a twitter.com/StaffsBeerFest

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | Brewery news LYMESTONE of Stone www.lymestonebrewery.co.uk refinished. The Tasting Clubs are continuing once a month, with an evening tea/beer/ The Breweryis still wine in February. March’s theme is gin, and busy although the membership is still available. contract to supply Lymestone Vaults won a Business Boost Stone Cold to Award from Newcastle Borough Council in Wetherspoons December 2018. This was a cash prize which is coming to will be used to upgrade the rear yard into an an end. urban garden, and hopefully improve the lighting to the Pepper Street elevation. The monthly beers for the term of this magazine will be: Neil Butler MARCH - POUNAMU4.2% straw Lymestone Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) coloured beer. APRIL - FLAGSTONE4.2% golden coloured beer for St. Georges Day. MAY - SON OF STONEMAN 4.0% copper SLATERʼS of Stafford www.slatersales.co.uk coloured beer, weaker than the winter special. Slater’s bar in Stafford Also that month STONEFISH MILD 4.0%, is continuing to do well. at the special request of Wetherspoons for Manager Rich is their Mild in May event. performing in The Full Monty at Stafford Sarah is still busy helping the main Gatehouse 25th-27th March to raise money production, but also carrying on for cancer charity KMAC. Tickets still producing STRAY CAT Lager and STRAY available as we go to press and all support CAT Pilsner. She is still experimenting gratefully received. with some seasonal specials. Meanwhile, Head Brewer Andrew is busy The Boiler Room bar in the main training for the London Marathon. building is undergoing a refurbishment to Our next seasonal brews are NELSON make it a bit more user-friendly for serving SAUVIGNON (4.3%, eponymous New staff. This function room has been very Zealand hop with a gooseberry and busy over the last few months and there grapefruit taste); PALE ALE (4.0%, US & are plenty of bookings coming up, NZ hops, dry-hopped for intense aroma); including the brewery tours special offers and QUEEN BEEmakes a welcome return mentioned in the last article. in late-May. The Reapers Sunday car shows resume NEON KISS has been entered into the on the 17th March. SIBA National Keg Competition. The Borehole had a small refurbishment Come on our Brewery Tour— next dates just after the start of the new year. The are 5th April and 3rd May. beer garden was being upgraded at the 1 HOP will be available in the House of time of my latest visit, with the garden Commons’ Strangers Bar from mid-April. furniture that was salvaged from the Darlaston Inn being repaired and Hazel Winfield

10 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk IZAAK WALTON BREWHOUSE TITANICofBurslem of NortonBridge www.titanicbrewery.co.uk Whitehouse Farm,ColdNorton, Stone, Facebook:@titanicbrewery StaffordshireST150NS Twitter: @Titanic_Brewers [email protected] Finalists in Publican Awards 2019 Notalottoreport sincelasttime, but We areoverthe moon to be finalists in this recovering from abusyperiodover years’ Publican Awards 2019,inthe Best Christmasand NewYear. It’s abit cold in Brewing Pub Companycategory.The thebrewerybuildingbut production awards will be heldinLondononTuesday continuesapace with the reverseosmosis 12th Marchsoplease do keep everything plant beingagood investment.Thereare no else crossedaswereally hope to bringthe changes to the core beersexceptthatLAST awardbacktoStokewithus! DROP has been reducedinstrength to 4.0% and is nowdescribed as 'a darkMidland- MakeMother’sDay style mildwithastout finish'. TreatMum thisMother’sDay Sunday 31st Beersare availableinall theregular Marchwithameal at oneofour pubs. Join outletsmentioned previouslyinEccleshall, us at the Sun - Stafford, TheWhite Star – Stoneand the Potteries.Somerecent Stoke, TheRoebuck – Leek and The additionsare the RedLion at Dayhills (near Cheshire Cheese – Buxtonfor aMother’s Stone),the FitzherbertArms at Daymeal. Book your tableinadvanceand Swynnerton,and thenewly re-opened Mumwillreceive afreegift. Plough in Uttoxeter. CAMRA West Midlands Regional Neil Butler, Izaak Walton BLO Awards At the endofDecemberweattended CAMRAWestMidlandsRegionalAwards PEAKSTONES ROCK of Alton extravaganza and we areextremelyproud www.peakstonesrock.co.uk to have beenawarded Silver AND Gold in We had an ok 2018.The theSpeciality Class!Silverfor Plum Porter marketisstill quitetough. and Gold forChocolate &Vanilla Stout. Onepleasing thing is the Alsohuge welldonetoour localCAMRA amount of beer thatweare branches andtheir fabulousvolunteers – nowsupplying to AltonTowersResort. We greattosee yougettingrecognition forall arenow supplying the Rollercoaster your hardwork. Restaurantaswellasthe Hoteland we are SunriseFestival in discussions with them over the Join us at the Sun, Stafford, fortheir first possibility of otheroutlets at thetheme beer festival of 2019 from 3rduntil 5thMay. park. It will be aweekendfullofbeer, cider,gins Crossways wonthe Staffordshire andagood oldchunk of live music – just Moorlandsvillage pubofthe year at Stoke what bank holiday weekends aremadefor! Beer Festival.The pubhad abusy Christmasperiodand despite beingclosed AmyVickers foraweek had areasonableJanuary.

DavidEdwards

Issue36|Spring 2019 |

Pub of the Season The Bird in Hand, Stafford

This welcoming public house was awarded the Pub of the Season for Winter 2018/19 by our branch. A Black Country Ales brewery pub (one of two in Stafford), with three of their own beers on tap, normally Bradley’s Finest Golden, Fireside and Pig on the Wall. It is particularly pleasing to see a Mild in a pub as a regular beer; quite unusual these days, when most beers are bitter, golden or porter. In addition to these there are at least three other beers from a range of breweries and so (Left to right) Dee &Terry Cope, CAMRA there should always be something to suit all Branch Chair Frank Bryden, and bar staff tastes, not forgetting the real ciders and Anthony and Kirstie lager that are available for those who prefer their drinks that way. BIRD IN HAND The pub is quite traditional once you are Victoria Square,Stafford ST16 2AQ inside with a bar on the right as you enter, Tel: 01785 252198 the comfortable lounge to the rear and what https://birdinhandstafford.co.uk would be called a snug, I think, on the left as Facebook: @thebirdinhandstafford you enter. This room is handy for smaller https://whatpub.com/pubs/STA/1699 meetings and there is also a function room at the back of the pub for larger gatherings, Opening Times meetings and parties. 12-11 Sun-Thu; 12-Midnight Fri & Sat Meal times: 12-3 Mon; 12-3, 5-9 Tue-Fri; One of the factors for the Bird in Hand being 12-5 Sat & Sun the Winter PotS is the warming open fire however it could also be a candidate for the Summer season due to the large outdoor seating area, letting you drink your beer outside in the sunshine with friends. Dee and Terry have done a great job in building the food side of the Bird with a good range of dishes (which I have tried and enjoyed), plus a winning darts team and the ever-changing beer list to encourage locals and visitors alike into their pub. Frank Bryden

Photos courtesy of Chris Bedford

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | The Gang (minus two)

14 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.u k CiderChamp revealed TheKingsArms, Stafford

Heart of StaffordshireCAMRA membershavechosenthe KingsArms on Peel Terraceasour CiderPub of the Year. TheKings Arms regainsthe trophy it won two yearsago,prior to the Swan in Stone’s victorylastyear. LandlordEdhas been akeensupporter of real cider andperry sincetakingoverat the pubaround 5years ago. As wellasa regularofferofatleast five boxed ciders (servedcool notchilled) he hasheld festivalsputting cider frontand cider. Aproper‘Coronation St pub’,when visitedtheyhad Lilley’s Wild Dog, CheekyPig,Pickled Parrotand Apple&Pear,plusSnailsBank’sFruit Bat, ranginginstrengthfrom4%to7.5%. Thebranchwillarrangeapresentation in duecourse, advertisedvia theusual channels. Fornow we wish Ed ahearty congratulations andurgeall apple addicts to give the Kingsatryifyou haven’t already.

Andy Murray

Ourcider and perry is made usingfreshly pressedjuice,naturally fermented and matured to give character andflavour. ContactNickon07958 310713 or email [email protected] Website: www.hurstviewcider.co.uk

HurstViewCider,Ivetsey Road, Wheaton Aston, Stafford ST19 9QP

Issue36|Spring 2019 | Miss the bus to the pub? Last April Staffordshire County Council made huge cuts to the subsidies it gives to the private companies that run our buses. This resulted in many services ending, particularly on evenings and Sundays. Neil Butler looks at some of the impacts of the cutbacks, whereas opposite Paul Dykta finds at least one service still running When the editor asked me to write this longer feasible for evening events. article I thought it would be relatively Rural locations are hardest hit with drastic straightforward, i.e. if you can't get to the reductions or complete removal of services. pub by bus, you would have to walk there It could be argued that using buses to visit (good exercise and build up a thirst), or get rural pubs was always somewhat limited. It someone to drive you, or drive yourself should be remembered that a lot of rural (hmm, maybe not), or not bother and drink services were in-bound to a town for at home, especially in the evenings. Some employment, schools, shopping or market options are more practical than others, days, in the latter case the service restricted depending on the distance to the pub, the to those particular days. Other things to be weather, the time allowed, time of day etc. considered in the past were the restricted This study is broken down into urban and licensing hours, disposable income, longer rural sections to make it a bit simpler for me working weeks with less or restricted leisure as I have experience of having lived at the time, less early retirement. It is interesting edge of the West Midlands conurbation and within these restrictions to try and relate if a now in a village with no amenities and a particular favourite rural location was any possibly soon-to-disappear bus service. more accessible in the past. I have tried this Large conurbations generally have good using a copy of the Potteries Motor Traction public transport systems at all times of day, timetable for 1969, and some timetables in including night buses in certain cities and Geoffrey Smith's history of Austins/Happy Sunday services. From my experience of the Days coaches. Certainly it was easier to get Black Country and Wolverhampton the to places such as Barlaston, Copmere End service patterns have been relatively and Hilderstone in those days. unchanged from before de-regulation in the To finish, a brief case study: I offered to 1980s. Some rationalisation has been carried organise a branch social to the Fitzherbert out, especially recently with the combination Arms in Swynnerton, to undertake their of some short routes into longer ones (some guided 3.5 mile walk. The idea was to go on a too long). For example, the No.1 from Saturday so that those who work Monday to Tettenhall to Dudley, via Wolverhampton, is Friday could participate. We would catch the based on two previous routes that go back to 14 bus from Stafford to the pub, do the walk, the days of the trams. This has resulted in a have some food and a few drinks and catch more intensive service at certain times and the bus back or continue to Stone. Alas the better use of resources for the operator. 14 no longer runs to Swynnerton on a In Stafford there has been a contraction of Saturday. Yes, this does suggest an services, especially during evenings and on affirmative answer to the editor’s question. Sundays, there now being no service at all to These are just some of my thoughts and Wolverhampton at these times. The train is opinions, and not to be seen as a definite available, but only to the two centres and answer. We’re keen to hear your views on Penkridge, so how to get to the Harrows at this: has your ability to get to your favourite Coven, for example? Some of our branch pub (or any other pub) been affected? members have found access restricted for Publicans, has your trade suffered? Please let visits and meetings, e.g. is no us know by contacting the Editor. 16 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk On the buses: 825 With the 101 completed, we move on to the Arriva 825 Stafford to Lichfield bus. As this bus only runs every hour (with a few exceptions) it will not always be possible to do the pubs I quote in a single run, unless you can find a reason to stop in a pub for an hour. [Do you need a reason? Ed.] Well we haven't got off to a good start – we left town and stopped at the Spittal Brook, alas it was Monday and it doesn't Barley Mow open till 16:00 Mondays. Onward next stop is the Radford Bank, a Stonehouse foodie Old Speckled Hen: not available (and due pub; the front door's shut, so round the to be taken out); and Abbot Ale. I'll have back to the restaurant door, and in. On that then. Not the best Abbot I've had but enquiring the pub itself doesn't open till fair. 15:00 hours but I can have a drink there, The next stop after a short run (on the Tribute or Doom Bar. I chose the latter— bus) through the Chase is the Wolseley not that good, so farewell. Arms. Another pub where the food might On the bus to the bod, one of Titanic's be more important than the beer. Five new(ish) ventures. It looks nice, lots of pumps, three ales: Pedigree, Wainwright ladies and lots of cakes, coffees and food. and…Doom Bar. I had Wainwright – not cheap or impressive, but saying that I got a warm welcome from the staff, there's ample drinking space and an open fire. The bus now calls into Great Haywood, Time left to visit one place so it has to be the Clifford Arms (front cover). There was a choice of five ales: Bass, Old Speckled Hen, Broadside from Adnams, Scrum Down from Greene King and—wait for it—DOOMbar. Between us we had the Bass and Broadside. Best bitters today. That was Monday, today is Friday.A Also ales: three Titanics, a Milestone bitter check on WhatPub (and Facebook) for plus a Lister's Limehouse Porter, (and nice opening hours, so my wife and I decide to it was). Bod also had nine taps for keg/ walk to the Spittal Brook to finish off this craft and a good selection of craft bottles leg of the 825. We arrived at 14:10 to find and cans. You could spend an hour in here. the doors shut and the place in darkness Now on the bus to the BarleyMow at (that went down well). Perhaps a regular Milford (door to door). A Greene King pub at the pub could update WhatPub, or (so there’s a CAMRA discount); largely maybe it was a one off; I'll have to go back food orientated, but plenty room to sit and and let you know in the next issue. drink, with one drawback: of the three (Bet the wife won’t join me.) pumps, Greene King IPA: not available; Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | Visitingthe ‘88’ Chris Bedfordisbackonhis travelstothe pubs in Staffordshire which featureinthe Good Beer Guide (orGBG as us CAMRA-typescallit) Thereare 88 Staffordshirepubsin thecurrent (2019)edition by my reckoningand here aresomeofthose I’ve visitedsince my last article. If youhavenever been to Marchington, do go to thispleasant village between Uttoxeter and Sudbury. More specifically,headtothe Dog &Partridge!Uttoxeter branch’s Pubofthe Seasonfor Summer2018, therewerefouralessoIwentfor Banks’sAmber Ale andtook some 6.0% SarahHughesDarkRubytoenjoy at home.Chatting to acouple of people,weheardabout theirpopular ‘Sunday Sessions’ of live musicevery weekend. Lookout forthe fabulous pubsignwhen youvisit. Afriendofminewithlocal Potteries knowledgesuggested avisit to the Holy Inadequate:inthe GBGand proudofit Holy Inadequate in Etruria.So, while headingbackfromrunning a10K in Bird in Hand.Visitingwithmymate Cheshire,Itookhis advice andpoppedin, Dave,who had recently movedfromSurrey certainlynot to be disappointed. to ourHeart of Staffordshire patch, we Certificatesondisplaycelebrate the found no fewer thaneight ales to choose achievements of this ‘shining light’ which from with BlackCountry Ales’ B.F.G.being includemultiple branch Pubofthe Year my choice.Itwas apleasure to returnin and Staffordshire Pubofthe Yearawards.I early Januaryalong with severalbranch optedfor SirenCraft Brew’s Ju Lu loose memberstocelebrate the pub’sWinter leaf pale ale. Locatedinaside buildingis Pubofthe Seasonaward. theInadequate BrewerysoI’d like to Back in thePotteries,specifically Burslem spendalot more time at the pub and the BursleyAle House at Wedgwood sometime in thefuture, minus my running Place. It is apleasantsmallishpub on two kitofcourse. [I hope you’ll be wearing floorsand new in the2019GBG.Previously something Chris—Ed.] awinebar,the Bursleyisnow adorned Thereare 24 pubs included in the 2019 with no fewer thanseven handpumps GBGthatdidn’tfeature in 2018 – I’m offeringfive ales andtwo ciders.Ioptedfor happy to be corrected – and making a ValeAle,brewed exclusively forthe pubby welcome return to the guide is Stafford’s Slater’s. Icouldn’thelpsmilingatthe name

18 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk of one of the other ales – Stouty McStoutFace by Mad Dog Brewing Co. I’ll finish at the Rusty Barrel, another 2019 GBG newcomer, found in the Fernwood Centre Community Shopping precinct, Rugeley. Opened in December 2016, ‘beers change all the time’ here and very true judging by hundreds of pump clips on display below the ceiling. On Bursley Alehouse—did they misspell Burslem? my visit on a sunny February late afternoon, I had the choice of two Rush. The four matched with the Live Beer from Pentrich Brewing Co., namely Glass Board on the micropub’s website. It was Half Empty and Kiama w/Mosaic, along nice to relax sitting in an armchair next to with Lincoln Green Brewing Co.’s Misty the window drinking my Misty Morning Morning Dew and Blythe Brewery’s Gold Dew 4.0% copper ale!

PEAKSTONESPEAKSTONES ROCK BREWING CO. LTD

Beers available Oblivion: ABV 5.5 Black Hole: ABV 4.8 Alton Abbey: ABV 4.5 Chained Oak: ABV 4.2 Churnet Valley IPA: ABV 4.3 Pugin’s Gold: ABV 4.0 Nemesis: ABV 3.8 Also seasonal beers

Why not visit Crossways micropub, Uttoxeter Rd, Blythe Bridge, to sample our beers

Sales enquiries: David Edwards Tel: 07891 350908 Email: [email protected]

WWW.PEAKSTONESROCK.CO.UK AA Recommended, AA Pick of the Pubs, The Good Pub Guide’s Staffordshire Dining Pub of the Year. As recommended in: Les Routiers in Britain; Which? Guide. FREEHOUSE Our Lost Pubs: 2009 A bad year this, eight pubs in the Heart of Staffordshire area closed forever...

Doxey Arms Three Tuns House conversion Residential development A solidly built inter-war pub the Doxey A private house, converted into a pub Arms was kept in the late ‘seventies by during the 1950s by Joules of Stone Arthur Candlin Junior, who moved with the name and license transferring there from the nearby New Inn when it after their Three Tuns in Gaolgate was closed by Bass Charrington. His Street closed. Many settlements lose father Arthur Candlin Senior was well one of their two pubs but Doxey is known as licensee of the Kings Head, especially unfortunate in losing both. for many years Stafford’s top darts pub. Furthermore the Doxey Institute, which had cask Ansells Bitter, has also closed.

Telegraph, Stafford Office conversion The Telegraph was a keg-only Bass Char- rington pub in the 1970s but it did much better through the 1990s during the second Rising Sun,Stone spell of Barry Thompson, an avid Aston Demolished for housing Villa fan who referred to coppers paid over the bar as ‘shrapnel’. continues over...

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | Lost Pubs 2009 continued

LyntonTavern/Crossbow,Baswich Demolished, nowaCo-op store Cock,Beamhurst TheCrossbowwas opened by Ind Houseconversion Coopein1961, theyeartheymerged with Ansells andTetleystoformAllied Breweries, Britain’ssecondbiggest brewer. From the mid ‘sixties to mid‘eighties this estate pubwas kept by Frank Carey, whose militarypast was evidentfrom hisdemeanourand thedress and behaviourrestrictionsinthe lounge. Frank wasn’tinterested in sellingreal aleand he was amiserable [Expletive deleted—Ed.]. Compiled by Phil Vickers/PM Anymemoriesofthese pubs to share? Please contact the Editor. Wellington,Uttoxeter Officeconversion Advertisewith and reach 2500+ realale drinkers and pubgoers in theheart of Staffordshireand beyond

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www.warwickprinting.co.uk District News Large-scale commercial brewing returns to Uttoxeter Ale is one of Britain’s most iconic products. It defines the nation to many and along with tea, underpinned the industrial revolution. The thirst of the forge masters of the black country, the dry mouths of the master potters in Stoke- on-Trent and the refreshments of the railway engineers of Derby were sated by the brewing industry of the Trent Valley, centred around Burton-on-Trent but stretched wider, to local towns including Uttoxeter. U&D Pub of the YearSimon Ardron

Uttoxeter has a long history in the crowns and the beers from the small brewing industry. The Maltings is not a independents are beginning to outsell them. name plucked out of thin air but is a The customer’s palate has become more homage to the part Buntings Brewery sophisticated and the average pubgoer played in the town’s history. Alas that demands variety and quality. One landlord once famous name has gone but is not recently told me that the guest beers outsell forgotten and now is to be replaced by the the staples 6 to 1. Uttoxeter Brewing Company who pay Uttoxeter Brewing Company, with their homage with their Buntings Blonde. new 1600-litre brewery are poised to enter Tom and Andy, founders of Uttoxeter this growing market, to provide more beer, Brewing Company, have been brewing for with economies of scale that should many years, perfecting their recipes to hopefully see their beers in more and more produce beers that, unlike many big local pubs, increasing the choice for all brewers, is based on the quality of the pubgoers and satisfying the desires of the final beverage and not the bulk costs of fans of their beers. the hops or barley. At the time of the I’m delighted that the great heritage of Uttoxeter and District CAMRA beer brewing in Uttoxeter has returned and I festival in 2016, they went commercial and hope that their success will further extol the registered their brewery with HMRC. name of Uttoxeter not just as ‘Racing from’ Since then they have brewed in a very and ‘JCB’ but also as a name synonymous small scale, honing the recipes based on with great quality real ale. I wish Andy and feedback, supplying local pubs and Tom every success in their endeavour and gaining a following amongst the am sure that real ale fans from around the regulars and the publicans. country will also be cheering them on. As CAMRA chair, talking to independent publicans, they tell me that the once Simon Ardron mighty Bass and Pedigree are losing their Chair, Uttoxeter & District CAMRA

24 | www.uttoxetercamra.org Uttoxeter District Pub of the Season savings for The Bramshall Inn CAMRA members

At a recent Uttoxeter branch meeting the branch Pubs Officer Dave Felthouse informed members that the branch has been able to obtain a number of discounts for all CAMRA members. By presenting your CAMRA card some considerable savings can be obtained: Hollington The Raddle—20p off per pint Hollington The Star—10p off per pint Marchington Dog & Partridge—20p off The Uttoxeter sub-branch Winter Pub of per pint the Season goes to the Bramshall Inn. Marchington Bull’s Head—10p off per Branch members met on Saturday 12th Jan pint to present the Pub of the Winter Season Alton White Hart—20p off per pint award to the Bramshall Inn. The Manager, Alton Bull’s Head—10% off total bill Luther Mattock was delighted with his Alton Peakstone’s Inn—20p off per pint award. Having only re-opened in the Checkley Cricket Club---10p off per pint summer of 2018, it was a real lift to be given Teanford Anchor—10p off per pint this award. Uttoxeter Bank House—10% off a main Stone Rd, Bramshall, Uttoxeter ST14 5BG meal

Full Marks for Alton Landlord

You know you can always get a great beer at the Bull’s Head in Alton. Successful local landlord James Miller certainly knows how to keep a top quality beer and he can back this up by pointing to his recent Cask Marque review. James was delighted that this latest visit continued to demonstrate that his beers were always kept in prime condition. Simon Ardron, local sub-branch Chairman, said ‘The Bull’s Head provides some great beers and always in peak condition. The more landlords like James who manage their cellars to the highest standard, the better for all real ale drinkers.’

Issue 36 | Spring 2019 | Pottering around the Potteries

With 2019 now well and truly upon us, it the bar on the left-hand side of the is time once again to go pottering around entrance; however, the back area is raised the Potteries; in the Spring edition of slightly to give the impression of a Potter’s Bar, a special guest star goes separate drinking space. Four hand pumps pottering around the streets of Hanley to dispense a changing selection of beers see what he can discover, but, on a more from breweries both near and far, big and familiar note, this is what Potter’s Bar itself small; Mallinson’s and Marble were has discovered during its recent potterings. complemented by Adnams when Potter’s In the second half of last year, three new Bar paid a visit, although Titanic has also micro bars opened within the boundaries of been spotted, bringing the beer much the City of Stoke-on-Trent. Opening at the closer to home. It is open every day, beginning of September, Hog Noggins is a 12noon – 10.30pm; another to add to the new bar for Burslem, located a couple of pub crawl itinerary in The Mother Town. doors down from the New Inn; readers may Meir is not exactly known for the quality remember the premises when it housed the of its real ale pubs, so when Swifty’s much-lamented Beer Emporium. Bright and opened during December, it immediately airy inside, it is basically one long room with attracted a curious and loyal following. Namedafter the ownerMichelle Swift, it is locatedonWeston Road,justaround the corner from Broadway,soisconvenientfor busesfromBlytheBridgeand Longton; one large room inside, the walls aredecorated with pictures andphotographsofthe area in daysofyore. TitanicPlumPorterisa regularbeer on thebar,joinedbyguests from other smallbreweriessuchasRAN Alesand Facer’s; real cider from Hurst View andothersisalsostocked, accompanied by TheUbiquitousGin.Open Jolly Potter from 7pmMonday through Wednesday and from 1pmthe rest of the week,thisis Piccadilly in Hanley last summerto indubitablyagoodthing forThe Meir. almost instant acclaimand is nowafirm Alsoopening in December in the favouriteamongst localCAMRA premises occupied by theold Post Office members, andalsothose furtherafield as on Christchurch Street in Fenton,the Old it has been mentionedwithinthe pages Post Office specialisesincraft beers, with of thisredoubtablemagazine. Aprilsees sixservedfromkeg taps,plusavariety of the return of an oldfavourite,the cans andbottles to choose from;thereare Greyhound Inn at Penkhull; oneofthe twohand pumpsonthe bar andbythe oldest pubs in the Potteries,ithas been time youreadthis, they maybeserving real overseen by Allan Webb forafair few ale, as none was availablewhen Potter’sBar yearsnow,last winning Pubofthe Month came to call.The Ubiquitous Gin andother in May2015. In May, we arebackin spiritscomplete the picture; closed on Newcastle, taking ourlegendary Pubof Monday &Tuesday, it is open from 1pm theMonth barreltoatraditional pubthat Wednesday through Saturday and12noon hasnever wonthe awardbefore: the Jolly on Sundays. Potter is very handyfor NewcastleBus Finally,anew openinginGood Ole Station andkeepsafinepintofale.Italso Newcastletoreporton. AHardDay’s keepsavery sillydog,but it is forthe ale Night is locatedonKingStreet, just below that it wonthe award. Probably. theLittle Vic; obviously themed after The So if any readersfromsouth of the Beatles, theirmusicplaysinthe pub border fancyatrip northofthe border, although,rather incongruously, it is a any of theabove establishments arewell photoofElvisthatgreets youasyou approach the bar.Aswiththe OldPost worthavisit. Or youcould visitthem all. Office,there is no real ale, although eight Whynot?It’sthree whole months until tapsserve avariety of beers, including thenext editionof ;some some interestingforeign specimens. Closed sort of activity hastooccupy this time. on Monday,itopens at 3pmTuesday to MartinPerry,EditorofPottersBar Friday and 12noon at weekends. Anotheryear, and another awards season commences.The PotteriesPub of Get more news from theCAMRA Potteries branchincluding thelatestissue of Potters theMonth forMarch wasaneasy choice: Bar at www.camrapotteries.co.uk Mart’s Brewhouse &Tap opened on

Issue36|Spring 2019 | 27

ContactUs Contacting HeartofStaffordshire branch Branchofficers[until the AGMon14th May] You Branchcontact(temporary): FrankBryden We endeavourtocontact allour contact@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk membersregularly viaemailwith Tel: 07878704770 detailsofsocials,meetings,beer Chair: FrankBryden festivalsand news items. chair@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk Treasurer: Dave Tomkinson should be readily treasurer@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk available from your localrealale Membership Secretary: KellyPorter puband is published in PDF on the membership@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk branch websitebut if youwould like to take outapostal subscriptionfor Beer at HeartEditor: Andrew Murray editor@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk £4 peryear (tocover costs) please Tel: 07814864 311 contact theEditor. Webmaster: Martin White Find us on Facebook: webmaster@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk HeartofStaffordshire CAMRA Clubs Officer: Paul Dykta Uttoxeter &DistrictCAMRA clubs@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: FrankBryden pubsofficer@heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk Thank Yous: Thefollowing positions areall vacant: Tom Abbott,Simon Ardron,Chris Secretary Bedford,Frank Bryden, Neil Butler, Paul Dykta, Paul Hewitt, Martin SocialSecretary Perry,DaveTomkinson,Phil SocialMedia Vickers,WarwickPrintingand all Cider Officer ouradvertisers. PublicityOfficer Articles, letters andsuggestions for Public Affairs Officer thenextissuegratefullyreceivedby Young MembersOfficer theEditor. Thenextissueof will appear in June 2019. If you’re interested in takingonarole,orjoining thecommittee in ageneral capacity, please contactFrank Bryden,BranchChair, or Andy Murray, Beer at HeartEditor. Consumer information If youhaveany complaintsovershort Uttoxeter&District sub-branch measures etc. andhavenosatisfaction Branchcontact&Chair: SimonArdron from the pubinquestionpleasecontact Email: [email protected] CitizensAdviceon03454 040506 Website: www.uttoxetercamra.org

Issue36|Spring 2019 | 29 Liverpool 8 Some pics from our branch social to eight pubs in Liverpool on 16th February

It’s not possible to do all of Liverpool’s best pubs in one day, so we concentrated on a particular area of the city, heading for the Georgian quarter. First stops were the Sanctuary (local CAMRA Newcomer of the Year) on Lime St and the Dispensary further up the road. We couldn’t not visit the Roscoe Head, one of the ‘Famous Five’ to appear in every edition of the Good Beer Guide. It’s a cosy place with two small bars and four small rooms. The Fly in the Loaf (an ex- bakery) is an Okells pub, one of three in the city owned by the Isle of Man brewery. Then Ye Cracke on Rice Street—famously the pub John Lennon used to frequent when he was at art school. Loads of Beatles memorabilia (natch). A stretch of the legs now to Peter Kavanagh’s, Egerton Street (in Liverpool 8!). You’ll never have been anywhere like it! On CAMRA inventory of pubs with a nationally important historic interior. We rounded off with the Grapes on Hardman St and the Swan on Wood St, which hasn’t changed a jot since I frequented it 25 years ago: ace jukebox (check); portrait of Karl Marx (check); Phoenix Wobbly Bob at 6% (check). Top: Fly in the Loaf Every pub was interesting in its own way, and I Above and below: Peter Kavanagh’s don’t think any of us had a bad beer all day. We must go back soon! Below left: Ye Cracke (or Crack?) Words: Andy Murray Pics: Chris Bedford

30 | www.heartofstaffordshirecamra.org.uk Join up,joinin, jjoin the campaign

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