Issue 74 – Autumn 2018 FREE – Please take one Magazine of North Oxfordshire Branch of CAMRA Tax Burden On Pubs Making A port the local economy. The reali- Pint ‘Unaffordable’ ty is that there are very few places that can replicate the benefit pro- The majority of people in Britain Budget. Current plans will see vided by our nation’s pubs, and could be struggling to afford Beer Duty rise by around 2p per once they’re gone, they’re gone drinking beer in pubs, with new pint, and pubs are set to lose forever.” research by YouGov revealing £1,000 in Business Rate Relief, This study follows hard on the that 56% of people surveyed who increasing pressure on pubs and heels of other YouGov research expressed an opinion believe the driving away consumers. which reveals that four out of five price of a pint of beer in a pub in CAMRA’s National Chairman people in the UK have experi- the UK is unaffordable. Jackie Parker said: “It’s no sur- enced a local pub closure in the Pub pint prices are continuing prise that most people are find- last five years. A massive 80% of to rise, with a third of the cost ing pub pints unaffordable, Brits who expressed an opinion of a pint now made up of vari- given the tax burden they’re have witnessed at least one pub ous taxes including Beer Duty, facing. Beer drinkers will natu- close, and 21% have seen five or Business Rates and VAT. Pubs rally look to more cost effec- more close. are very often at the centre of tive ways to enjoy a drink, such This insight comes as CAMRA local communities, playing a as buying from off-licences and reveals its latest pub closures sta- key role in supporting personal supermarkets for home con- tistics, which have remained high wellbeing and combating loneli- sumption. at 18 per week. The hardest hit ness, but rising prices are driving “The result is incredibly detri- areas include Greater London and consumers out of pubs, putting mental to our local communities the East Midlands. them at risk of closure. and to our own personal con- These figures reveal the huge CAMRA is extremely con- nectivity. Having a good local obstacles facing pubs, which are cerned that there is no end in makes people happier, better- struggling with the burden of sight, with the Government connected and more trusting. taxes on the nation’s favourite planning to increase the tax Furthermore, pubs help bring drink. As a result, around 33% of paid by pubs in the November communities together and sup- the cost of a pint is now made up of taxes, such as duty. Obituary: Geoff Clifford CAMRA is calling on the Government to abandon any duty We are sad to report the death of hikes in the upcoming Budget. Geoff Clifford, a valued active Branch Pubs play a very important role member and founder of the Beer on in our national economy, con- Tap magazine. Geoff, a teacher and tributing £23.1 billion to the UK headteacher until retirement, passed economy annually. They also away peacefully on 24th August, after provide a wealth of social bene- a short illness, aged 76 years. fits to individuals and communi- CAMRA’s National Chairman Jackie ties, bringing people together and Parker – who served on the North making them happier, better con- Oxon Branch Committee with Geoff nected and more trusting. for many years – has submitted an Jackie Parker adds: “The lat- obituary, which you can read in this est YouGov findings, coupled issue on page 28. Continued on page 3 Visit the CAMRA North Oxfordshire Branch website – http://northoxon.camra.org.uk/ 2 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2018 Tax Burden on Pubs Making Beer Unaffordable Continued from page 1 It’s a vicious cycle. “Fundamental change is need- with our own pub closure fig- “Pub closures make us all ed if the British pub is to sur- ures, paint a dismal picture for poorer by reducing overall tax vive for future generations. We our pubs. As taxes continue to revenues raised by the pub sec- are urging the Government to rise, more people are choosing tor and weakening community take action to secure the future to drink at home and as a conse- life in areas where valued pubs of our pubs by relieving the tax quence, pubs are closing down. close. burden.” • Beer on Tap Editor: Steve year. I also thank the rest of the AGM News Lympany committee who have worked • Website: Matt Everard hard to keep things running. A big thank you to everyone On behalf of the Branch I’d We still need more help on who came along to the AGM like to say a big thank you to the committee, so if anyone is in The Sun at Hook Norton in Sarah Durham who stood down interested in getting involved July. Following the election of as Secretary, Sarah has been a contact me to have a chat. Officers, the Committee is as huge help to me over the last Lynne Baldwin follows: • Chair: Lynne Baldwin • Secretary: Position vacant New Clustermasters Needed • Treasurer: Simon Whitehead • Pubs Protection: Brian Wray After many years of outstanding a link between CAMRA and the • Pubs Database: John service Alan Mitchell has had to pub and feeding news back to the Huntbach hang up his Beer on Tap delivery Editor for the magazine. • Membership: Paul Forrest satchel. Many thanks to Alan for You also get the chance to write • Branch Contact: Martin Batts the work he has put in to enable up the Good Beer Guide entry • Social Secretary: Stuart Beer on Tap to be the magazine should the pub make it into the Robbins it is, from his Branch news book, so you have the ultimate reports to the reliable distribu- excuse to go the pub! For more CONTACT DETAILS – A PLEA tion of Beer on Tap which he has information and to apply for the FOR NORTH OXON BRANCH facilitated. job please contact the Editor, or So there is now a vacancy for any member of the committee. MEMBERS a Clustermaster in the Fewcott, The Editor is (still) standing As you may be aware, Branch Ardley and Caulcott area and we down in June so an Editor will be funds no longer allow us to still require someone to deliver required for the magazine to con- send out Beer on Tap and let- to the pubs of Chipping Norton. tinue next year. For the chance ters to members on a regular The duties of a Clustermaster to take over the best job in basis. include, delivering Beer on Tap CAMRA; contact the Editor for We are now mainly reliant to the pubs in your area four full details. If you want to discuss on sending e-mail through the times a year and then topping it face to face we can arrange a Comms system if we need to up as necessary. Then acting as cosy chat over a beer. contact you. Please could you log on to CAMRA’s nation- CAMRA North Oxon Branch Contact List al website and check that we Email addresses are followed by northoxon.camra.org.uk/ have a current e-mail address CHAIRMAN TREASURER for you, otherwise we may not Lynne Baldwin be able to let you know what’s chairman@ lynne@ Simon Whitehead treasurer@ VICE-CHAIRMAN simon@ happening in the Branch. Position vacant MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY BEER ON TAP EDITOR Paul Forrest membership@ Branch Diary Steve Lympany bot@ paul@ Tel: 07811 667507 PUBS PROTECTION OFFICER All meetings start 8pm, other events BEER ON TAP ADVERTISING Brian Wray pubs@ EDITOR start as shown. Socials contact: Lynn Oliver Sladen botads@ BEER FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR Baldwin (07790) 118341. BRANCH CONTACT Tim Wilkins bbf@ DECEMBER Martin Batts contact@ LOCALE COORDINATOR 1: Christmas Social to Chipping Tel: 07854 116408 Position vacant Norton via public transport WEBMASTER SOCIAL SECRETARY Martin Batts For latest list of events in the webmaster@ Branch Diary, please check the Stu Robbins social@ Tel: 07871 277235 Trading Standards: Oxfordshire County Branch website at Council, Electric Ave, Ferry Hinksey Road, https://northoxon.camra.org.uk/ Oxford OX2 0BY Magazine of CAMRA North Oxfordshire 3 • Eight quality real ales plus seven • We serve on average 40 different traditional ciders and perrys guest beers per month • Hoegaarden Belgian White Beer, • Live music and comedy nights (see plus a good selection of craft beer online events list for details) on draught, bottle and tin • Good selection of English fruit wines Celebrating 31 consecutive years in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide • Pleasant courtyard drinking area www.roseandcrown.charlbury.com Email: [email protected] Market Street, Charlbury, Oxon OX7 3PL • Tel: 01608 810103 OPEN – Sun-Fri: Noon–1am; Sat: 11am–1am Fri 25th–Sun 27th January 2019 OVER 20 REAL ALES on sale All types of beer over the weekend on sale, not just Good choice of traditional Cider & Perry festival winter ales Hot food available most sessions 4 Beer on Tap – Autumn 2018 Branch News The Chequers, Chipping Norton Darren Gillett and his team have now been running this popular, characterful town centre Fuller’s pub for six months. After a thorough refurbish- ment of the Grade 2 listed build- ing, the pub reopened in May. South African born Darren was previously at the Station House in Henley-on-Thames and had a year at The Bell in Charlbury. Dutch chef Marianne Wit is responsible for the food and has overseen an increase in catering sales since reopening. The offer- ing is what Darren calls ‘real food’ from a new menu along- side regular special events and The Chequers, Chipping Norton – going from strength to strength under Darren Gillett a new wine menu (featuring a White Horse, Duns Tew now also sport a Stroud ale, usu- number of South African wines).