F R E E Vol 36 Apr/May No 2 2014 The Year of the Horse comes to Battersea (photo Mike Flynn) – see page 22 Editorial London Drinker is published moving in the right direction at long last, on behalf of the perhaps because they have finally woken up London Branches of CAMRA, the to the fact that at present weekly closure Campaign for Real Ale Limited, rates of 28 pubs nationally and two in and edited by Tony Hedger. Greater London, the last pub in England Material for publication should preferably be will shut its doors in 2050. CAMRA sent by e-mail to [email protected]. PUBS AND THE GREATER LONDON continues to lobby national government to Correspondents unable to send letters to the close the planning loopholes and give our editors electronically may post them to ASSEMBLY’S LONDON PLAN Brian Sheridan at 4, Arundel House, Heathfield n early February, despite the hugely pubs sui generis planning use class. Whilst Road, Croydon CR0 1EZ. Isuccessful Battersea Beer Festival being in they claim to be listening, they are not Press releases should be sent by email to full swing and absorbing much of the senior acting. Local authority pub protection [email protected] hands in London Region, our vital policies are weak. In London we see far too Changes to pubs or beers should be reported to campaigning work on planning reform many examples of developers getting London Drinker, continued in earnest. James Watson from around them. Of course supermarkets and 9 Coppice Close, Raynes Park, London SW20 9AS East London & City Branch and Paul betting shops do not even need planning or by e-mail to [email protected]. Ainsworth from the National Planning consent to move into one of our boozers! For publication in June 2014, please send Advisory Group represented CAMRA at City This is something else we continue to electronic documents to the editor no later than Hall. James and Paul met with Andrew Boff, campaign about. Monday 12 May the leader of the GLA Conservative Group, The message we delivered to Steve SUBSCRIPTIONS: £7.00 for mailing of six followed by Steve O'Connell AM (Assembly O'Connell AM was that we appreciate the editions should be sent to Stan Tompkins, Member), a well-known supporter and mention of pubs in the FALP and we 52 Rabbs Mill House, Chiltern View Road, patron of London's pubs. Steve's local is the acknowledge the Mayor's genuine desire to Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 2PD (cheques payable award-winning Hope in Carshalton, see London's pubs better protected but we to CAMRA London). currently CAMRA’s Greater London Pub of feel that much more robust wording could ADVERTISING: John Galpin the Year and a fine example of what can be be included. We are asking for a clear Tel: 020 3287 2966. achieved under the right management with policy to steer the London borough councils Printed by Cliffe Enterprise, proper community support. Steve was towards resisting changes of use and the loss Eastbourne, BN22 8TR accompanied by a Conservative planning or demolition of a pub. We are asking for Views expressed in this publication are those of their researcher, Stephen Greek. change of use to be granted only when individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by James and Paul thanked Steve for his detailed and thorough marketing evidence the Editor or the Campaign for Real Ale Limited. support for the Capital's pubs to date. Keen has been provided to suggest that there readers will recall that Steve commissioned really is no demand for the continued use Advertise in the next of that pub in that area. We are suggesting LONDON DRINKER a seminal report on pubs – Keeping Local – Our advertising rates are as follows: which highlighted the shocking rate of that demand or community need could be Whole page £325 (colour), £260 (mono) closures and conversions that we have seen demonstrated by, for example, registration Half page £195 (colour), £145 (mono) over the past few years. This report, which as an Asset of Community Value. We hope Quarter page £105 (colour), £80 (mono) is available on the GLA website this latter suggestion will reinforce the Phone John Galpin now on existing guidance that ACV registration is a 020 3287 2966, Mobile 07508 036835 glaconservatives.co.uk/campaigns/keeping- [email protected] local/ , is built on detailed statistics provided material planning consideration. by our own Capital Pubcheck stalwart, We encourage all readers of London ᭧ Copyright the London Branches of the Roger Warhurst. Steve invited us to City Drinker who care about the future of the Campaign for Real Ale. All rights reserved Hall to discuss the draft further alterations capital's pubs to make their own individual CONTENTS to the London Plan (FALP) during the comments on the plan, before 10 April Branch diaries 5 public consultation phase which ends on 10 2014, copying correspondence into your Volunteering 10 April.. London Assembly Member. Simply enter News round-up 12 City Hall planners, with the full backing "GLA FALP" into your search engine and CAMRA events 18 of Mayor Boris Johnson, have proposed an follow the links. Tell the Mayor you want Battersea Beer Festival 22 additional paragraph, 4.48A, which forms to see greater protection for pubs in the London brewery news 24 part of the supporting justification for policy London Plan. It’s really not difficult. LocAle update 24 4.8 – Supporting a Diverse Retail Sector and James Watson Twickenham Fine Ales 31 Related Facilities and Services. The new Pubs Preservation Officer Marston’s new beers 32 supporting words are welcome but would CAMRA East London & City Branch EBCU 36 have more strength and influence on Brewsters 38 planning decisions if included within the John Gilroy 38 On Saturday 31 March CAMRA’s London pub guide history 40 policy itself. CAMRA London Region has Greater London Region will be holding Opinion 42 made comments to this effect and proposed a seminar on pub protection. The Pub campaigning 46 specific wording in addition to the existing venue is the Melton Mowbray, High Letters 51 sections that we have previously relied on, Holborn, from noon until 5pm. Anyone WhatPub? update 54 i.e. 3.16 – Protection and Enhancement of who cares for London's pubs and wants CAMRA Members’ Weekend 58 Social Infrastructure and 7.1 – Lifetime to get more involved in saving them is Obituaries 60 Neighbourhoods (as amended). welcome to come along. There is no Idle Moments 63 The attitude of local and regional charge. Crossword 66 planners towards pub protection is slowly 3 ONE OF THE GREAT SURVIVORS ….and just as fresh as ever Winner of 3 Local CAMRA Festival Awards in 2013 and 4 Awards in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain London & South East Area Competition 2012/13 ‘Time Honoured Beer - Locally Revered’ %UHZHU\$GLQGG Branch diaries elcome to our regular details of London CAMRA contacts and Wevents where branches say what is happening in their areas that might be of interest to drinkers across London. Events for April and May are listed below. Meetings and socials are open to all – everyone is welcome to come along. LONDON REGIONAL EVENT Secretary: [email protected] May – Sat 31 (12-5) London Pub Protection Seminar. Melton Mowbray, High Holborn. Anyone who cares for London's pubs and wants to get more involved in saving them is invited to come along . Website: www. london.camra.org.uk LONDON PUBS GROUP Chair: Jane Jephcote, [email protected], 07813 739856 April – Wed 16 Evening crawl of Clapton and Hackney: (7pm) Crooked Billet, 84 Upper Clapton Rd, E5; (8pm) Windsor Castle, 135 Lower Clapton Rd, E5; (8.45) Elderfield, 57 Elderfield Rd, Clapton E5; (9.30) Oslo, 1a Amhurst Rd, Hackney E8; (10pm) Cock Tavern, 315 Mare St, E8; (10.30pm) Globe, 20 Morning La, Hackney E9. Public transport will be required at times. All welcome . May – Wed 14 (7.15/7.30) Mtg. Royal Oak, Tabard St, SE1 (upstairs). All CAMRA branches and members interested in pub research and preservation welcome. Website: www.londonpubsgroup.camra.org.uk LONDON CIDER GROUP Ian White, [email protected] or text 07775 973760 (10-4 Mon-Fri) May –Tue 13 (7pm) Evening visit to the Golding Hop, Plaxtol, Kent, a classic rural long term Good Beer Guide pub selling ciders and ales, in great setting. Meet Borough Green Station, depart 7pm, for a 30 min walk. Please email [email protected] to confirm attendance. For information and details, see london-cider.blogspot.co.uk YOUNG MEMBERS GROUP Email: groups.google.com/group/london-camra-ym BEXLEY Rob Archer, [email protected], [email protected] April – Wed 9 (8.30) Mtg. New Cross Turnpike, 55 Bellegrove Rd, Welling. - Wed 23 Welling Social: (8pm) We Anchor in Hope DA16 3RW, then Plough & Harrow, New Cross Turnpike. May – Wed 7 (8.30) Mtg and Mild soc. Robin Hood & Little John, 78 Lion Rd, Bexleyheath. - Thu 15-Sat 17 Bexley Beer Festival, Old Dartfordians, Bourne Rd, Bexley: see website for further details. Website: www.camrabexleybranch.org.uk BROMLEY Norman Warner, [email protected]. April – Tue 1 Bromley North crawl: (7pm) Hop & Rye, 54 London Rd; (7.40) Swan & Mitre, 260-262 High St; (8.20) Greyhound, 205 High St; (9pm) Barrel & Horn, 204-206 High St; (9.40) Partridge, 194 High St; (10.20) Compass, 10 Widmore Rd. - Sat 5 Rochester soc. Meet (9.45) Bromley South Station for 10.09 train to Rochester, arr. 10.44: then (11am) Golden Lion, 147-149 High St; (12pm) Eagle, 124 High St; (12.45) Jolly Knight, 56 High St; (1.30) Crown, 2 High St; (2.15) Coopers Arms, 10 St.