Blair Signals 24-Hour Pub Opening

The Newsletter of West Dorset CAMRA 1000 copies throughout West Dorset Issue 23 Blair signals 24-hour And that is exactly what the Government is proposing. When they become law, the proposals will effectively mean that pubs can open up to 24 hours a day, subject to pub opening the views of the police and local residents. It will not be a free for all, with all pubs The Government has cleared the way for Britain’s licensing laws are unfair and opening through the day and night. Pubs pubs to open round the clock with the archaic. Many are left over from Lloyd will have to submit a detailed operating biggest shake-up in licensing legislation George’s days when the government plan for the licensing authorities to for 40 years. The recent Queen’s Speech didn’t want factory workers making consider and this must stipulate the hours confirmed that the government is at last bombs when they were drunk. I’m sure they would like to open. It is likely that heeding the wish of the majority and is you’d agree that this pa- t h e huge majority of pubs introducing a bill in the next session to ternal approach has no will only apply for an permit 24-hour pub opening. place in 2002 society extra hour or two at and reform of the law is long weekends. The move has caused some consternation overdue. among health professionals and raised Such a radical change in the law will help concerns about staffing costs with licensees. CAMRA thinks pubs should be able to turn our town centres into areas for all, However the Government has now been open when the landlord pleases, subject to rather than the war zones they have convinced (by the police, licensing bodies proper and consistent controls to protect become on Friday and Saturday nights. and CAMRA) that the benefits far outweigh the public from nuisance pubs. Areas where any one over the age of thirty these concerns. dare not tread. The current system means that all pubs close at 11pm. Everyone hits the streets at the same time after rushing down ‘one too many’ and queuing for too few kebabs and too few taxis. This leads to tension and overstretches public services such as buses and taxis as well as the police. CAMRA thinks that problems with binge drinking late at night are a product of restrictive licensing laws. We believe that reform of these laws will actually reduce binge drinking, lead to a more relaxed approach to enjoying alcohol and thereby reduce alcohol related disorder. The Government is committed to reform- ing licensing law. It’s a Manifesto com- mitment and CAMRA will be pushing hard to make sure the planned new laws become a reality. A poster from CAMRA’s long-running campaign to change Britain’s archaic licensing laws. Page 2 Ale Shop Out and about with Rich Gabe Moor Beer for Christmas Where our Social Sec reports on his travels in search of the perfect pint —in this issue he tests out pub accommodation in Cornwall. Once again ‘tis the season to be jolly or it will be by the time you get to read this! So breakfast for the pub. The room we had was are you planning a party or entertaining Room at the Inn very spacious, a kingsize bed, television, during the festive period; I suspect so, if wardrobes and a good size bathroom that not I’m sure you will over indulge – I will I was just flicking through the CAMRA actually had a bath in it and not the routine anyway! newspaper ‘What’s Brewing’, when I came shower! The breakfast was a full English; upon an article announcing that the popular tea/coffee, juice, cereal, toast and a good guide for beer, bed and breakfast ‘Room at fry up; the service was very friendly too- the Inn’ was in the process of being nothing was too much trouble! The cost for compiled by Tim Hampson. I can certainly my wife and me was a reasonable £42. recommend two pubs that I stayed in last summer, perhaps you know of a pub that A world apart and just outside Redruth merits inclusion in the guide; if so Email stands ‘Tricky Dickie’s’ a mine conversion! Tim on [email protected] for a Tricky’s is built on the former Tolgus nomination form. Mount tin mine site, the main bar being part of the old smithy. The pub seemed to be The two pubs I stayed at were ‘The Blue packed at all times; hardly surprising when Anchor’ in Helston and ‘Tricky Dickie’s’ there is a squash court and gym complex on near Redruth both in Cornwall and less the site, as the pounds go on you can work than twenty miles apart, yet totally them off! Have you thought about getting some ‘real different. The bar is a vast open plan affair with a ale” in for the holiday? There are some The Blue Anchor is one of my all time large dinning area taking up most of the fine local breweries in our area such as favourite pubs, a classic Cornish brewpub. space. Don’t get me wrong, Tricky’s is a Palmers, Quay, Ringwood and Goldfinch, The pub’s history can be traced back to the fine pub that serves excellent Sharpe’s but have you thought of something differ- 15th century, and it doesn’t appear to have beers and guest ales, but I would say the ent for Christmas, something you may not changed much over the years. As you walk biggest source of revenue comes from it’s see in the local area as a rule? in to this thatched pub you step into extensive menu, the food is excellent! Remember the summer when the sun another world. A short corridor with two A short stroll across the car park brings us shone and the days lasted forever? Well I rooms adjacent to the two bars, thick to the accommodation block, a large had a barbecue then and discovered that granite walls and stone floors set the tone bungalow with en-suite rooms. I suppose the ‘Moor Brewery’ in Ashcott, Somerset for a basic interior, no gaming machines or you could compare the way everything is had started wholesale distribution of beers television, just the thrum of the Helston set out to a ‘Travel Lodge’, the rooms all from other breweries. locals and the odd spontaneous singsong. I have a toilet and shower, television and said it is a brewpub, be warned all the beers As well as their own range of excellent fitted wardrobes. (known locally as ‘Spingo Ales’) are beers, Moor seem to deal with small brew- There are also conference facilities at very exceptionally powerful. The weakest called eries on quite a large scale - the last list I reasonable prices. The breakfast is ‘Middle’ weighs in at 5% and ‘Special’ the saw had about 25 different breweries on it, continental, lots of fresh fruit, cereals, stronger of the two permanent brews, is offering about 70 different brews, so meats, rolls and various beverages. The 6.6%. One-off brews are produced for there's bound to be something to whet the price for the two of us was £45 per night. special occasions. taste buds! So if your ever down Cornwall I can highly As for the accommodation, its actually recommend both places to stay, but hard to situated next door. ‘No 52’ is an old town leave! three-storey house converted into a bed and The Dolphin Hotel Park Street, Weymouth Full range of Hopback Beers The ideal venue for social functions/skittles (No alley hire charge) 36pt 18pt The best thing about beer from Moor is that they will split a nine gallon firkin Fantastic deals on our great Summer Lightning £46.50 £24.00 down to four and a half (36 pints). The beers in poly/minipins for your Best Bitter £43.50 £23.00 beer I had was racked ‘bright’ so there GFB £40.00 £21.00 enjoyment at home over the was no wastage and it could be drunk Entire Stout £46.50 £24.00 straight away! festive season and all other Winter Lightning £46.50 £24.00 If you want further details you can phone occasions the Moor Beer Company on (01458) For all beer orders and skittle alley bookings call John, Giles or Emma on 210050 or Email on ar- [email protected]. What are you 01305 786751 waiting for? Ale Shop Page 3 Swift Halves Best in the West (Dorset!) Thanks Dave! Each year members of West Dorset CAMRA vote for the pub and club in the area which they feel deserves the title of pub/club of the year. In 2002 the local winners were Tom Big changes are afoot at the Weatherbury. Browns, Dorchester and The Colliton Club, Dorchester. The local entries are forwarded Licensee Dave Cromack, who has been in the to the Wessex Regional competion and the winner of that contest is put forward for the trade for 24 years, 15 of them at the Weather- pub/club of Great Britain. bury, feels like a change of direction. For the past few years Dave has developed the British Local Club wins Regional Award Pub Accommodation Guide featuring 2500 Congratulations to Neil Gatehouse and staff at the Colliton Club, Dorchester . Not only were pubs in Britain & Ireland and wants to devote they selected by local members as their Club of the Year but they also came top in the Wessex more energy to this project, producing a CD Regional competition.

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