Pint TakenThe Worcestershire County CAMRA Newsletter Winter 2011/12 Crown Inn, Withybed Green In this Issue… Local Hero wins Top 40 Award Redditch Winter Ale Festival details End of an era Local presentations Worcester Beer, Cider & Perry Festival review 1 CAMRA NATIONAL WINTER ALES FESTIVAL, MANCHESTER 18TH - 21ST JANUARY 2012 Foregate Street, Worcester Tel. - 01905 22373 Cask Marque Approved A traditional Wetherspoon’s pub offering a wide range of cask conditioned real ales and traditional ciders. A minimum of 6 real ales on at any time and 2 ciders. Monthly mini-beer festivals are held featuring local breweries. A small smoking area has been constructed in the rear to accommodate those who wish to have a drink and a smoke. Opening times: Sunday – Thursday 9am ‘til Midnight Friday/Saturday 9am ‘til 1am Good value meals are served all day every day from 9am ‘til 10pm 2 Celebrating great beer and the Top 40 Campaigners CAMRA Awards Luncheon CAMRA, the Campaign for Group, and John Grogan, Real Ale, was pleased to an- former MP and Beer Group nounce the success of its first Chair. Awards Lunch and Champion Also present at the event Beer of Britain presentation to were the brewing team from be held at the recently re- Mighty Oak, who were on opened National Brewery hand to officially receive their Worcester Branch. Centre in Burton upon Trent. Supreme Champion award for Also honoured was Mark The celebrations, tying in with their Oscar Wilde beer, after Haslam (Herefordshire the Mild came out on top in CAMRA‟s 40th birthday, took Branch), for his work in trying place in October, with just the Champion Beer of Britain to abolish the use of restrictive under 200 people in atten- competition back in August. covenants, plus many years dance. TOP 40 CAMPAIGNERS on the local branch committee CONGRATULATIONS As part of CAMRA‟s ongoing and for his role as local beer The Awards Lunch and Cham- 40th birthday celebrations, the festival organiser. Mark is one pion Beer of Britain Presenta- organisation‟s „Top 40 Cam- of the most positive can-do tions are held to officially con- paigners‟, as voted by campaigners currently active gratulate winners of CAMRA CAMRA‟s membership, were in CAMRA. His enthusiasm national competitions during officially invited and presented has encouraged many mem- the current calendar year, and with commemorative badges bers to achieve a number of as the organisation celebrates to praise their achievements. successful outcomes, particu- larly in saving pubs including its 40th birthday, CAMRA‟s TWO LOCAL HEROES organising committee felt the National Inventory-listed there was no better home Local member Simon Wise- Sun, Leintwardine. man from Worcester Branch than Burton upon Trent to PERFECT stage this year‟s ceremony. received his award for tireless Lauren Anderson of CAMRA‟s Taking place in a grand campaigning in the Worcester Marketing team, said: marquee on the Brewery Cen- area and helping run one of „It was a perfect fit to hold this tre grounds, attendees at the country's largest beer festi- Awards Lunch at the home of event were welcomed with a vals. Simon has been the lead- British brewing, and especially real ale reception, followed by ing light in the project to es- tablish a national database in a venue where attendees a four-course meal accompa- could experience first hand nied by a selection of Cham- and online pub guide. He is Britain‟s rich brewing history.‟ pion Beer of Britain winning also the current chair of ales. Attendees were also introduced to the history of brewing in Burton upon Trent with a tour of the museum and visitor centre. GUESTS A few of the guests at the event included Andrew Grif- fiths MP, local MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, Greg Mulholland MP, Chair of the All Party Par- liamentary Save the Pub Some of the ‘Top 40 Campaigners’ who attended the Awards Luncheon 3 Time to retire after 26 years formed by the Alvechurch Morris Men, masquerading as End of an Era such well-loved and mythical October marked the 26th anni- characters as Old Father Time, versary of when Dave and Bold Slasher, Sweet Moll, Trish Fisher moved from Bal- Beelzebub and St George sall Heath to run the Crown (there‟s even a dragon). Inn, Withybed Green, near Joined by the Alvechurch Alvechurch. This beautiful Lady Morris side Aelfgythe canalside pub (pictured below and a special guest side, six or and on the front cover) is seven dances take place after popular with villagers, visitors, the play before the festivities canal folk and walkers alike, COMMUNITY PUB move down into the village. and looks particularly attrac- All year round there are things BEST WISHES tive in the summer when its to do and the pub hosts After 26 years Dave and Trish hanging baskets are in full (amongst other events) eve- have now decided to retire, bloom. nings with the Alvechurch and they do so with our very Community Choir, Poetry and best wishes and thanks for Pints with the Withybed Poets championing real ale for so and the legendary New Year‟s many years. The lease on the Day celebration, when it pub is being taken over by seems as if the whole village Graham Smith and Peter Rey- congregates at the pub nolds, to whom we also wish around noon. The event fea- every success. tures a Mummers Play per- Continually changing guest ales and real ciders We are in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide Take away hoppers for real ales and ciders Traditional British Food. Caribbean Specialities and International Cuisine Top Road, Wildmoor, Nr Bromsgrove Discount on meals for card- B61 0RB carrying CAMRA members Tel: 0121 453 2696 Walkers and coach parties www.wildmooroak.com welcome CARIBBEAN NIGHTS visit our website for more news 4 the pub can be obtained by which make an excellent pre- calling 01527 759436. sent for the beer lovers in Local Bird’s brews news your family. The Bird‟s Brewery range of Hanbury plans News beers is now available to buy Hanbury Parish Council has in 5 litre mini-kegs in addition launched a petition against a to the traditional 500ml bottle property company‟s proposal New Hands direct from the brewery to develop land adjacent to (01527 889870). the Grade II listed Vernon The Boat & Railway, Stoke Director Steve Hammond Arms, Hanbury. The proposal Prior has reopened with Nick said „Bird‟s move into mini- is to build a hotel and 34 and Lee-Ann at the helm. Nick kegs is a bit like déjà vu for houses plus a football pitch has previously worked as the people of a certain age who and events area. The council Catering Manager at the pres- remember the good old Party says the development would tigious Worcester Racecourse. Sevens beloved of student change the rural identity of the A lot of work has gone into parties! Fortunately, these village. The property develop- the pub, mainly behind the mini-kegs do not also re- ers feel the development scenes, to improve the facili- decorate the ceiling when would benefit the local com- ties. However the traditional opened, having a handy pour- munity in terms of jobs and look and feel of the pub has ing spout and pressure re- amenities and ensure the fu- been maintained. lease mechanism which keeps ture viability of the pub. GREAT NEW MENU the beer in good condition for Wychavon Council planning A new and extensive menu up to a week after opening!‟ chiefs meet to discuss the has been introduced with The brewery will also be proposal in December. themes for each night of the selling three bottle Gift Packs week. Examples are Steak Night on a Monday evening, with steaks half price and Curry Night on Wednesdays. Each curry is good value for money as the £5.95 includes a drink. For those who enjoy the sweeter things in life, a pud- ding club is held from 12pm on a Tuesday with all pud- dings at £1.50. WELCOMING On a recent visit the Banks‟s Mild was in good condition and Nick pointed out that Banks‟s Bitter is currently on sale for £2.30 all day, every day. The reception from Nick and Lee-Ann was very wel- coming and they are keen to make the Boat & Railway a community centred part of the village once again. More details about the menu and what‟s going on at 5 Kidderminster CAMRA presentation Most Improved Royal Oak Kidderminster Sub Branch Kinnersley was delighted to present the Hollybush, Stourport on Sev- 01905 371482 ern with Most Improved Pub 2011 award. DELIGHTFUL Maggie Smith has worked at turning this pub into a delight- ful hostelry. In only two years she has put Stourport on Sev- Open 7 days a week, ern on the map including gain- 12pm - 12am ing entry to the 2012 Good Food served Mon - Sat 12pm - Beer Guide. 9pm DEDICATION Sunday roasts 12pm - 4pm Through hard work and dedi- try this pub as you will not be cation Maggie has turned the disappointed with the wel- 3 real ales always available Hollybush into a thriving pub- come. Maggie currently has warm friendly atmosphere lic house. With a friendly at- three Black Country real ales dog and walker friendly mosphere and good food we and three guest beers so you would recommend that you will always be spoiled for 3 self contained B&B rooms choice. 6 7 Adrian Stone continues his adventures in Eastern Europe full and hearty late breakfast, and I was ready.