Swiggin in Wiggin - Issue 4 - Nov 2014 to Jan 2015

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The magazine from the Wigan branch of The Campaign for Real Ale

November 2014 to

January 2015

A PINT OF FLAXEN ANYONE?

In this Issue...

• SAGA OF IVOR ‘FÚLL’ BELI • HOME & AWAY MEMBERS‘ TRAVELS • WIGAN’S NEW LocAle SCHEME

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+ Much More...

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Branch Contacts Chairperson: Pete Marsh e: chair@wigancamra.org.uk Vice-Chairperson: Ken Worthington e: vicechair@wigancamra.org.uk Branch Secretary: Lynda Gibson e: secretary@wigancamra.org.uk Treasurer: Brian Gleave e: treasurer@wigancamra.org.uk Membership Secretary: Shaun Ashton e: membership@wigancamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Donald Appleton e: pubs@wigancamra.org.uk Public Affairs Officer: Robin Gibson e: public@wigancamra.org.uk Pubs Heritage Officer: Pete Marsh e: heritage@wigancamra.org.uk Young Members Officer: Joanna Whalley e: young@wigancamra.org.uk Social Secretary: Roy Pearson e: social@wigancamra.org.uk Cider Officer: Carol Worthington e: c/o vicechair@wigancamra.org.uk Contributors to this edition: Ken Worthington, Carol Worthington, Dave White, Alan Wass, Shaun Ashton, Otto (the bier dude), Julie Atha, Barry Seale, Stuart Hurst and Roy Pearson.

Web: Twitter:

www.wigancamra.org.uk @WiganCAMRA

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. All editorial copyright © Wigan CAMRA 2014/15 Disclaimer: Views expressed in this publication are those of their individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor, branch committee or the Campaign for Real Ale nationally. Wigan CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by Wigan CAMRA.

Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. - www.camra.org.uk 230 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 4LW t: 01727 867 201 e: camra@camra.org.uk

PUBLISHED BY Capital Media Group 2 Halifax Court, Fernwood Business Park, Cross Lane, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, NG24 3JP t: 01636 302 302 e: swiggin@thisiscapital.com www.thisiscapital.com © 2014/2015 Capital Media Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted, reproduced, recorded, photocopied or otherwise without the express written permission of the copyright holder.

November 2014 - January 2015

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHAIR WELCOME

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elcome to our latest edition of ‘Swiggin In Wiggin’. As always I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this edition and hopefully this might inspire some articles from other members of our Branch. If you are interested in contributing please contact us.

As we reported in the last edition during July the branch had extensive discussions on the subject of LocAle and whether we should continue to operate the scheme. In the end it was decided we should continue the award as it gives licensees of small outlets the chance to gain accreditation for serving up a damn good pint of local beer but that we should revise the criteria to make the award more meaningful. More specific details are in the article together with a list of LocAle breweries. Members of the Branch will be asked to visit the premises of those applying to ensure that they fulfil the criteria for the award. If you think you satisfy all our criteria for LocAle please get in touch and apply for our accreditation.

Planning for Wigan Beer Festival is well advanced. As you will see from the article in this issue we have a Viking theme this year and we hope to once again launch Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

Last year on the Saturday we asked people to come in fancy dress (pirates was the theme) and very many did. On the Saturday of our next festival we are asking you to come dressed in a Viking theme. As last year we will have a prize for the best dressed Viking as decided by the festival attendees. More detail will appear on our website as arrangements are made.

Visit our site regularly to keep abreast of the latest festival news and to find out what’s going on in Wigan.

Ken Worthington

Vice Chair & Editor of Swiggin in Wiggin, Wigan CAMRA

ARTICLES FOR SWIGGIN IN WIGGIN? Local beer related articles are always welcome! If you would like to contribute please let us know or email your copy to editor@wigancamra.org.uk Please note that for legal reasons that a full name & postal address must now be submitted with any contributions.

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NOW THERE ARE FIVE: WIGAN BREWERIES THAT IS! HOPHURST BREWERY

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s promised in our last edition the Hophurst brewery is now operational.

Sited in an industrial unit in Hindley Business Park, Platt Lane the plant kit was installed on 6th October with brewing beginning on the 7th October. The picture shows brewer Stuart Hurst hard at work!

The first brew, Flaxen, a 3.7% English non-citrus Pale Ale, pictured fermenting on the front cover, is now in casks and should be on sale by the time this edition is in print. It will be available first at the Swinley club on Wigan Lane. A second brew of Flaxen

is in production and will be more widely available soon. A second beer, Twisted Vine, a golden citrus bitter should be fermenting by the time you read this and is also likely to be marketed at Swinley Club in the first instance.

Check out the Website www.hophurstbrewery.co.uk, facebook page and twitter for further updates.

A family & community pub situated in Orrell near the beautiful Waterpark. Now boasting a new modern look whilst retaining a homely character & charm.

• 4 Ever-changing Real Ale Pumps • Fresh Homecooked Food • Extensive Menu • Chef Specials Board • Function Room - Please enquire for details

Go online to see our Christmas Menu Now taking Christmas Bookings (bookings advisable)

OPENING TIMES Mon & Tues: 4pm - Late Weds & Thurs: 12 noon - 12am Fri & Sat: 12 noon - 1am Sun: 12 noon - 12am

FOOD SERVED Weds - Fri: 12 noon - 2.30pm & 5pm - 8.30pm Sat: 12 noon - 8.30pm Sun: 12 noon - 7pm

Sandy Lane, Orrell Wigan, WN5 7AZ tel: 01942 511859

www.robinhoodorrell.co.uk @RobinHoodOrrell

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THE SAGA OF IVOR ‘FÚLL’ BELI PIE-KING THE VIKING

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vor ‘Fúll’ Beli (who later became ‘PIE-king the Viking’) set out, way back in the mists of time, with his fellow Scandinavian Vikings for a bit of “Looting and Pillaging” as was the norm back then. Around 300 years after Wigan started to rise out of the Dark Ages, at about 815 (the Year, not the time!) Wigan & Northumbria fell to Viking Danelaw. That’s around 1200 years since the Vikings came to Wigan!

One set of often overlooked records - taken from “The World History of the Pie” - is an extract from Chapter 579 concerning how Ivor “Fúll” Beli became ‘PIE-king the Viking’ of Wigan. ‘..and so it came to pass that after many arduous months of travel in a long boat, Ivor “Fúll” Beli , reached the shores of this isle, on what today is called the Lancashire coast. They navigated up the Leeds to Liverpool Canal which was hard going as it had not yet been built, and their oars kept getting caught in the bushes! So eventually they reached Wigan and thought this looks a bit of alright for a bit of “Looting and Pillaging” (as was the norm back then) but they had a mighty thirst upon them and they were fair clempt. But the gates to Wigan were closed! So Ivor “Fúll” Beli, smote them apart with his infamous frame axe and sniffed a mouth watering aroma.

So he set off in search of said smell which brought him to Pobel Vean’s bake & mead house, whereupon he smashed open the door and found five of the local women engaged in the making of pies. Ivor’s mouth

was slavering mightily by now. He plunged his forearm around a steaming pie that was on the table and stuffed it into his gob!

Ivor was astounded by the taste of the pie and how mouth watering a bit of meat and ’tater could taste encased in a bit of short crust.

Ivor took the five wenches to be his wives (as was the norm back then) and trusted them to supply him with many pies and much mead. He soon set about opening bake houses all over the local lands and people clamoured for his short crust delights. He even got the job of supplying all the other Long Ships with pies for their long sea journeys when they were off out for a bit of “Looting and Pillaging” (as was still the norm for many years!). Even when they had gone stale they were still useful, as they could be thrown at their enemies. A bit of stale crust in the kisser didn’t half hurt, and that’s where the saying “getting the short crust” comes from!

Ivor lost his ‘Fúll’ (translated as ‘Foul’ or ‘Smelly’) moniker as people far and wide stared calling him Ivor ‘PIE-king’ Beli...’

More proof if you need it can also be found of the

WIGAN’S 28TH BEER FESTIVAL - 5th to 7th March

At Robin Park Indoor Sports Centre, Loire Drive opposite DW Stadium Wigan Features over 70 real ales (available in third, half or full pint measures), approximately 35 ciders and 35-40 draught foreign beers. Ample seating and a variety of hot food (including pies!) available at all sessions.

Music all sessions except Friday afternoon which is quiet.

Courtesy bus runs from Town Centre to Venue throughout the festival - see www.wigancamra.org.uk for times.

TICKETS NOT REQUIRED. Opening times & prices Thursday 5.30-11.00 £2.00; Friday 12.00-6.00 £1.00; £3.00 after 6pm: Sat 11.30 am to 10.00pm £2.00; CAMRA MEMBERS FREE THROUGHOUT. 6

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Norse occupation of Wigan in four of the street names in the town centre Millgate, Hallgate, Standishgate and Wallgate are also indicative of Scandinavian influence – “gata” is Old Norse for street.

There is still Viking evidence today in placenames - such as Skelmersdale and Burscough. They even found the little wooded hamlet of Scholes, which is now part of Wigan. It is thought to have derived its name from the old Scandinavian word “skali” meaning hut.

So what better way to remember ‘PIE-king’ the Viking, than coming to Wigan Beer Festival & raising a flagon of ale (and a pie or two) to celebrate the 12,000th anniversary in March 2015?

As Ivor would say ‘Skol!’

Advertising Rates

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Special Positions - £175 each Book 5 editions & receive 15% discount. Free design.

TO BOOK CALL CAPITAL MEDIA ON 01636 302 302

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BREWERY UPDATES

Problem Child www.problemchild brewing.co.uk

Nothing reported.

LOCAL BREWERY NEWS

Martland Mill Brewery

All Gates Brewery

www.allgatesbrewery.com AllGates inclusion of Gin Pit at the GBBF was a success and on good form after a few teething problems regarding settling, with good reports from the punters.

The brewery is also pleased to have received the Silver Award in the Best Bitter category at the Bolton SIBA beer festival for the same beer.

The brewery recently held a “Road To Wigan Beer” festival which featured some excellent beers from all parts of the UK though the beer bus previously featured was unfortunately unavailable this time due to work commitments with the operators.

Expect a few dark winter beers to appear in the pubs very shortly e.g. Mad Monk, Hung Drawn and Portered alongside Double Espresso, Mesnes, and Quaker House stouts. Monthly specials for October will be Samhain and Mosaic with the bi-monthly beer Winter Zing. A future brew in the pipeline is to be a low ABV Half Devil 3.3%.

AllGates have identified a section of the, at present unused, Wigan Pier buildings for extra storage space once discussions with the Wigan Council have been completed.

www.martlandmillbrewery.co.uk A f t e r commencing in July the first beer, Spinners Gold, was a re s o u n d i n g success. Paul & Delia held an official launch event for the beer at the Raven in Wallgate hosted by owner Tony Callaghan and his assistant Lisa providing snacks including excellent steak and ale pies (made from Spinners Gold, what else?) to accompany an excellent range of beers.

Martland Mill’s second beer, Clogmaker 4% is currently in production.

Hophurst Brewery

www.hophurstbrewery.co.uk See page 4 for an update on our newest Brewery.

Wellcross Brewing Co. @WellcrossBrewer

Nothing reported.

Prospect Brewery

www.prospectbrewery.com

Brewing as usual with 2 new awards to grace the ever-increasing display these having been gained at the SIBA Northern Region Beer Competition which was held in Bolton. Big John was awarded Bronze for Best Speciality Bottled Beer and Clementine won Bronze in the Dark beer Category.

November 2014 - January 2015

Trading Standards

Have you ever... received a short pint? Deliberately been overcharged for your beer? Been to a pub that serves only keg beers despite advertising cask ales? Firstly let the publican know about the problem but if you don’t get a satisfactory response these matters should be reported to Trading Standards, which exists to protect the rights of consumers.

Wigan Council Trading Standards, Unity House, Westwood Park Drive, Wigan, WN3 4HE. t: 01942 827476 e: ts@wigan.gov.uk

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WIGAN’S LocAle 2015 SCHEME WHAT’S NEW?

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e revealed in the July edition of Swiggin that we are making significant changes to the scheme and that we would give more details so here they are : • Licensees themselves need to apply for the award if they believe they qualify • The award applies for the current year only so if a licensee gets the award in 2015 he has to reapply and requalify to get the award in 2016.

• To qualify for the LocAle award the pub must first of all regularly offer a beer from a brewery on the branch LocAle list (though exception can be made if on random checks the pub has been exceptionally busy and the

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LocAle beer is not yet ready to serve or if the pub is running a beer festival).

• The licensee does not have to offer the beer from the same brewery all the time as long as at least one of the beers she/he sells is from any of the accredited LocAle breweries.

• Most importantly the beer must be consistently served in quality condition.

• Successful licensees will be given a LocAle certificate and CAMRA LocAle window sticker.

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So the next question is which breweries are LocAle accredited and how have we decided these?

Our LocAle boundary has been set as any brewery based within 20 miles (by the shortest road route) from Wigan Parish Church (chosen as the central landmark synonymous with Wigan).

At the present time, as is shown by our list which follows this article, this currently gives freehouse licensees a choice of over 30 breweries to select from but obviously with the number of breweries increasing all the time the list will need to be regularly updated and will be revised and published on our website every quarter.

LocAle BREWERIES • ALL GATES BREWERY - The Old Brewery, Brewery Yard, Wigan, WN1 1JU • MARTLAND MILL BREWERY - Unit 5, Otterwood Square, Martland Mill, Wigan, WN5 0LF • HOPHURST BREWERY - Unit 8, Hindley Business Centre, Platt Lane, HIndley, Wigan WN2 3PA • PROSPECT BREWERY - Unit 11 Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Standish, WN6 0XQ • WELLCROSS BREWERY - Wellcross Farm, 123 Tower Hill Rd, Upholland, Skelmersdale, WN8 0DT • BLACKEDGE BREWERY - Engine House No 2 Hampson Street Horwich, BL6 7JH • PROBLEM CHILD BREWERY - The Wayfarer, 1-3 Alder Lane, Parbold , WN8 7NL • GEORGE WRIGHT BREWERY - Unit 11, Diamond Business Park, Sandwash Close, Rainford, WA11 8LU • EVENING STAR BREWERY - Olde England, 113 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1SX • BANK TOP BREWERY - The Pavilion, Ashworth Lane, Bolton, BL1 8RA • BURSCOUGH BREWING COMPANY - The Hop Vine, Liverpool Road North, Burscough, L40 4BY • DUNSCAR BRIDGE BREWERY - Unit 13A, Dunscar Industrial Estate, Bolton, BL7 9PQ • MAYFLOWER BREWERY - Unit 13A, Dunscar Industrial Estate, Bolton, BL7 9PQ • 2&NINE BREWERY - Tavern Music Bar, 29 Church Street, Warrington, WA1 2SS • TIPSY ANGEL BREWERY - The Lower Angel, 27 Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2LY • MELWOOD BEER COMPANY - Home Farm, Knowsley Park, Prescot, L34 4AQ • COACH HOUSE BREWERY - Wharf Street, Warrington, WA1 2DQ

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If you are a licensee who can satisfy our LocAle 2015 criteria then please contact us for an information/application pack by emailing wiganlocale@gmail.com Or, if you drink in a pub which you think would satisfy the LocAle 2015 criteria, then please bring this article to the landlord’s attention.

Stock beers from the following local brewies to qualify for the new LocAle scheme in the Wigan area.

• BRIGHTSIDE BREWERY - Unit 10, Dale Street Industrial Estate, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 1AD • HOPSTAR BREWERY - Unit 9, Rinus Business Park, Grimshaw Street, Darwen, BB3 2QX • SNAGGLETOOTH BREWERY - Unit 9, Rinus Business Park, Grimshaw Street, Darwen, BB3 2QX • DEEPLY VALE BREWERY - Unit 24, Peel Industrial Estate, Chamberhall Street, Bury, BL9 0LU • SILVER STREET BREWERY - The Clarence Hotel, 2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX • LYMM BREWING COMPANY - 18 Bridgewater Street, Lymm, Warrington, WA13 0AA • BISHOP’S CROOK BREWERY - Woodford Close, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 9BX • STAR BREWERY - Star Inn, 2 Back Hope Street, Higher Broughton, Salford, M7 2PD • RTWO DTOO BREWERY - The Steamhouse, Station Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 9SB • ARKWRIGHTS BREWERY - The Real Ale Shop, 47 Lovat Road , Preston , PR16DQ • BEER STUDIO (Hydes) - Hydes’ Brewery Ltd, The Beer Studio, 30 Kansas Ave, Salford, M50 2GL • HART OF PRESTON BREWERY - Unit 5, Oxhey Trading Estate, Greenbank Street, Preston, PR1 7PH • DUNHAM MASSEY BREWERY - 100 Oldfield Lane, Dunham Massey, WA14 4PE • NORTON PRIORY ALES - Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Tudor Rd, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1SX • SOUTHPORT BREWERY - Unit 3, Enterprise Business Park, Russell Road, Southport, PR9 7RF

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FROM THE MISTS OF TIME A LOOK AT THE LOCAL PUB SCENE OF YESTERYEAR Thirty-five years ago October saw the launch of Walker’s Warrington Ale, a 1043 o.g. brew from Tetley Walker. The Golden Lion in Ashton-in-Makerfield, the Brookhouse Inn in Kitt Green and the Platt Bridge Inn in Platt Bridge were amongst the pubs in the Wigan area to sell the new beer.

Thirty years ago The Orwell opened its doors for the first time. At 70p a pint (36p for a half), the Tetley mild and bitter was a tad expensive, but any new pub on Wallgate had to be welcome after a year of closures and demolition.

Twenty-five years ago The Crofters Arms, Hallgate reopened as Edison’s, selling cask beer – Ind Coope Burton Ale – for the first time in light years. Meanwhile, on Millgate the Ship Hotel was about to reopen as a Yates’s Wine Lodge.

Twenty years ago Two Tetley pubs in Swinley – the Fox & Goose and the Bowling Green – dropped Lees bitter due to poor

sales. Just down the road, the Royal Oak added Castle Eden Ale and Flowers IPA alongside the Draught Bass.

Fifteen years ago Swings and roundabouts in Kitt Green. The Old Springs offered a guest beer along with Burtonwood bitter (Batemans XXXB when your roving reporter popped in). Not far away, however, the Miner’s Arms went over to Whitbread fizz.

Ten years ago Three more pubs in the Wigan area closed: the Railway Inn, Platt Bridge; the Hindley Arms, Hindley; and the Traveller’s Rest, Lamberhead Green. The latter was subjected to an arson attack soon after.

Five years ago Hartley’s Emporium on Standishgate burned down on 25th November and was closed for some time. Elsewhere in the town centre the Old Pear Tree reopened selling Marstons Pedigree and Ugly Sisters.

Dave White

The Crofters Arms The Old Springs 12

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THE ST A

U P CO M ING EVENTS

CLUB TY

ISH UNI D N

THE LANKY KATS - ROCK N ROLL Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month

SOUL / MOTOWN NIGHTS

Every 2nd Thursday of the month Small door charge applicable

SEE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

5 CASK ALES ON AT ALL TIMES

FROM VARIOUS BREWERIES, COMPETITIVE PRICES Full Size Snooker Table • Pool Table • Darts • Dominoes Cosy Lounge Room Large Function Room Available to Hire - Fri/Sat/Sun All bookings require a refundable deposit

Winner of CAMRA Club Of The Year 2010,11,12, 13 & 14 Runner-up Greater Manchester Regional Club Of The Year 2012, 13 & 14

Cross Street, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0HQ t: (01257) 424007 | e: standish.unity@standishunityclub.com www.standishunityclub.com November 2014 - January 2015

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Opening Times Sun - Thurs 7:30 pm - 11 pm Fri & Sat 7:30 pm - 12 am www.wigancamra.org.uk

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HOME & AWAY OUR MEMBER’S TRAVELS

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any of our active CAMRA members opt to take days out to locations near and far to try out other real ale pubs and sample brews we might not often get in Wigan.

We have decided to encourage our members to write about their experiences in a new feature piece as and when space permits.

BARRY’S TRAVELS - Lymestone Brewery I recently joined Southport CAMRA branch on a trip to Lymestone Brewery to present an award for best beer at their recent beer festival and was being picked up at the Mount in Orrell near Wigan. My early arrival gave me chance for a quick pint of Green King IPA. Once on the coach we set off down the motorway bound for Stone in Staffordshire, soon coming to a standstill due to heavy traffic around the Thelwall Viaduct but after managing to weave our way through we had a good journey arriving at the brewery thirty minutes earlier than planned.

Our hosts were very welcoming and we were made very comfortable in the bar area as we sampled the beers on offer. Stone The Crows, Stone Faced and Foundations Stone whilst learning some interesting facts about the brewery building’s history which was the home of Bents Brewery from around 1900 until the early 1970s then used by a variety of small manufacturers before acquisition by Lymestone and major renovation in 2008. After the talk we had a short informative tour of the brewery returning to the bar are for a few more drinks and had freshly made sandwiches which didn’t take long to disappear. It was now time for us to say our goodbyes as we had a couple of pubs to visit in Stone.

The first was The Royal Exchange, an Everards and Titanic establishment serving up to six guest ales, many from micro breweries, plus a real cider to complement the ales.

Some of our party left to go to the Wetherspoons pub Poste Of Stone which is a large open plan pub that

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used to be a post office.

I carried on to The Swan where the coach was to pick us up later. This is a gem of pub, a grade II listed building renovated in 1999 serving up to eight real ales with 450 breweries represented so far. They hold an annual beer festival in the second week of July. After stopping here longer than expected it was time to leave for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Our first call was to a corner local just off the A34 called Castle Mona. A pleasant pub with a central bar dividing the lounge from the vault area. They had five beers plus two guest ales. I settled for a Titanic beer and made myself comfortable in the vault watching and cheering on Wigan Athletic in the FA cup semi final.

Time came to move to our last pub in the centre of Newcastle-under-Lyme, the brewery tap for Lymestone brewery aptly called Lymestone Vaults. A delightful pub situated up a narrow street a delightful pub serving Stone Cutter 3.7%, Stone Faced 4%, and Stone The Crows 5.4%. Unfortunately I couldn’t see the end of the FA cup as there were no TV’s or music in this pub, just good beer and conversation.

It was a shame to leave but time was calling for us to return home after a wonderful day at the brewery and around Stone and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Barry Seale.

PIE-EATERS ON TOUR - Whitby Bracing winds, plenty of steep streets, steam trains and there is something wrong if you can’t get good fish and chips! Whilst trying to find our B&B we passed The Little Angel pub and noticed the chalk board outside with a variety of real ales on the list.

One to try when we had unpacked. What a gem it was too with two snug type rooms and an open area around the bar. We were not surprised to be told it

November 2014 - January 2015

had been voted Cleveland Pub of the Year. Not a quiet pub there being a number of tellies showing sport.

We tried Saltaire Kala Black IPA 6.2%.

Next we tried the Dolphin near the swing bridge and overlooking the river another good pub where we had our first taste of Whitby Saltwick Nab 4.2%. Also Jarrow Rivet Catcher 4% which Jean rather liked and Derby Mercia 5%.

Next on our list was the Black Horse - now this is what a pub is all about! Small front room and a small side room both with their own bars. Such a friendly and atmospheric pub. Good company. Cotswold Spring OSM 3.9%, Black Dog Rhatas 4.4%. Beers in tip top condition.

Next in line we tried the Station Inn (an old favourite) and were not disappointed especially when discovering that one of Alan’s favourite beers was on i.e. Hop Back Summer Lightning 5%. Another Whitby brew, Platform 3 3.6% went down well and beer condition excellent.

A day trip out on the bus (No 4 half hourly service) saw us at Staithes. Be blowed there was another very steep hill down to the harbour. Had a coffee, stroll round and then had some lunch at the Cod & Lobster with a pint of North Yorkshire Old Jack’s Tipple

3.8%. Back up the hill to the Captain Cook hotel which has just been refurbished – very nicely I might add. Alan tried the Whitby Black Death 5% and North Yorkshire America IPA 4.5%.

Another day saw us take the steam train to Grosmont to look round the engine works. If you are into steam trains we saw the Sir Nigel Gresley, Mallard, in regular service from Grosmont to Pickering. This train cannot go all the way into Whitby because it is too heavy for parts of the track.

What a magnificent steam train. We had lunch at a café housed in an old school house then went across the road to the Station Tavern where a pint of Green Jack Rising Sun 5% was tried. We had hoped that the Crossing Club would be open but no such luck.

All in all a couple of days in Whitby went really well. Great people, great food and great beer. When are we going back ?!!

Jean & Alan Wass.

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LOCAL PUB NEWS KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE

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ince our last edition was published there has been a much welcomed addition to the Wigan pubs scene – albeit currently only open part time. Chris & June Docherty, formerly of real ale meccas like the Beer Engine and in recent years the Royal Oak and more recently still Docherty’s, opened Wigan first micro bar, Doc’s Symposium, in August.

The pub, which is on Mesnes Street, almost opposite the park, currently only opens Thursday to Sunday but may extend opening hours if there is a demand and offers 5 cask ales, draught

continental lagers, wheat beers and a delicatessen selection of snacks. Well worth a visit!

Another micro pub, the Albion Ale House, situated on the High Street inn Standish is currently undergoing fitting out and is due to open some time in November.

Prospect Brewery now has a separate linked company Prospect Inns Limited who are also opening up a micro bar under the Railway Arches by Wigan North Western station. The bar, which is to be called Wigan Central, was identified as the ideal location for their cask only outlet serving Prospect beers alongside many guest ales from the length and breadth of the country back in June but delays of planning and licensing permission etc meant that Patsy and her team only got the keys earlier this week. Fitting out is planned with the aim of opening their doors in November. The bar is to be managed by Dan & Gina Buck, former managers of the Great Ale Year Round Bar in Bolton.

Other ‘pub’ news is of real ale returning to Harry’s Bar in Wallgate – they now have 2 handpumps and were selling Prospect Silver Tally when our informant visited, and of the St Oswalds Catholic Club in Ashton which is now selling Thwaites Wainwrights.

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PUB OF THE SEASON, AUTUMN 2014 THE VICTORIA, ASPULL

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ontrary to some speculation the Pub Of The Season selection is not a spur of the moment decision or reliant upon personal favourites of branch officers. Nominations are sought at branch meetings usually getting 4 or 5 potential outlets proposed. Members are then asked to do random visits to the pubs nominated during the coming month so that they are able to decide which they feel is the best pub of the ones nominated. At the next meeting the person who made the nomination says a few words about what makes the pubs special and a democratic vote is taken with the majority vote being the winner.

With just 10 annual and seasonal branch awards during the course of the year award-winning pubs have to do more than sell a good pint and it is the welcome and ambience of the pub which makes the Victoria in Aspull stand out as one of the best Wigan pubs! A number of our members were treated to that welcome (and a very nice buffet) recently when we

turned up to present the award.

The pub was fairly busy for a cold and windy Monday night and those folk who had ventured out were rewarded with a choice of Allgates California (3.8%) or Napoleons Retreat (3.9%) which are regular beers at ‘the Vic’ or one of the 2 guest beers Abbeydale Alchemy (4.2%) or Phoenix Pale Moonlight (4.2%). I think that between us we must have tried all of them and all were in good form.

Our picture shows licensees Ruth and Richie are clearly delighted to get our Autumn 2014 Pub Of The Season award to keep the Summer 2013 Pub Of The Season Award company!

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!

S

ome Wigan branch members have recently been in contact via our website asking about how the branch selects pubs for awards and Good Beer Guide entries. At our October meeting we had extensive discussions on how we can involve more members directly in this process (without excessive bureaucracy overloading people’s voluntarily given free time). Hopefully very soon all Wigan branch members will receive direct correspondence either by email or snail mail from our Membership Secretary about how YOU can get more involved.

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www.wigancamra.org.uk

The branch have an ‘active’ group of around 40 members who attend some branch meetings/ social events and of course the AGM with a core group of about 18, which includes our officers and committee, who attend almost all branch meetings. Since decisions on awards are made at meetings then it is this group of members who vote on awards and good beer guide selection.

We have around 135 pubs in the Wigan area which serve at least one cask real ale albeit that some pubs may only sell this at weekends when there

November 2014 - January 2015

is most demand. Obviously it is virtually impossible for our active members (many of whom have work and or family commitments which take up their time besides CAMRA involvement) to visit all 135 pubs frequently, if at all. We have a great pubs officer who devotes at least one evening a week on visiting pubs in a particular area.

We also distribute our quarterly publication Swiggin in Wiggin to all cask ale outlets when we aim to note if cask ale is on offer and any significant changes which might be required to the online What Pub information we have, so all pubs do get a visit from us every 3 months or so.

But with annual awards being limited to 6 (at present, a new award is planned for next year) and just 4 seasonal awards and the imposed limit for Good Beer Guide entries of 15 for Wigan borough and 5 for our Lancashire pubs clearly only a small percentage of our real ale pubs achieve an award or GBG entry and selling a good pint of X or Y, creditable that that might be, is not enough to gain a branch award.

A visit to deliver Swiggins, even if you do have the time to try a quick pint, is often not enough to get a real feel for a pub so this is where we are

looking to involve our less active members to make recommendations for pubs we can survey, maybe even have a meeting if the pub has a separate room which we can commandeer for a couple of hours, which can give us the chance to assess ‘good’ pubs properly.

So it is over to you to get more involved.

Online with Wigan CAMRA Do you know that a third of Wigan CAMRA Branch members keep in touch with happenings within the branch via email?

We send out monthly bulletins about what is going on within the real ale scene locally plus beer lists for local festivals and other ‘hot off the press’ news.

If you are a Wigan CAMRA member and do not currently receive our e-mails, please contact our Membership Secretary and let us know your e-mail address. This will only be used for internal CAMRA communications – we do not forward our e-mails list to any other organisation.

IN November 2014 - January 2015

www.wigancamra.org.uk

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Wigan branch of The Campaign for Real Ale

IN

SOCIAL TRIPS SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

T

he third social trip of the year took place on Friday, May 30th. On this occasion the trip was a triple-header providing exceptional value at just £10 per person.

First call was at CAMRA’s newly-crowned National Pub of the Year - the Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton, just outside Clitheroe. Steve, the landlord, opened the pub early just for our group so it was good to have the pub to ourselves for a short while. See the group photo below!

Our next calling point was Skipton where we split into two groups - one group visited the pubs in the town centre whilst the other group visited the Beer Festival on the outskirts of town.

Our final destination was Saltaire Brewery where we attended their once-a-month Beer Club and our ‘treasurer and joint festival organiser Brian Gleave presented the Beer of the Festival’ award to Tony Gartland, MD and Head Brewer at Saltaire, pictured.

Thirteen handpumps served a wide range of beers priced at just £2 a pint which certainly encouraged imbibing.

Even though the trip took place on a weekday, there was a higher than expected demand

f o r

places on the trip. A reserve list was put in place but we eventually upgraded to a larger coach to accommodate everybody that wanted to attend. Despite a few late drop-outs, the trip was still well attended - 40 people, including quite a few on their very first Wigan CAMRA outing.

PUB SURVEY TRIP I am working with our transport company to find a suitable date (probably in November) for the next pub survey trip. The location and pubs to be visited will be organised by Donald, our Pubs Officer. The trip will be provided free of charge for branch members.

More details will be sent out nearer the time by email to branch members.

Roy Pearson.

NEXT SOCIAL TRIPS

I am not looking to arrange any other coach trips during the rest of the year though branch members will be doing the usual ‘Twixtmas’ trip by public transport on Saturday 27th December.

The destination and route is yet to be determined and will be influenced by the availability of transport etc. More info will be available to members via email and also on the branch website nearer the time.

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www.wigancamra.org.uk

November 2014 - January 2015

Greg & Jenny are delighted to welcome you

THE CROOKE HALL INN Crooke Village | Standish Lower Ground | Wigan | WN6 8LR | t: 01942 204451

Wigan CAMRA Pub of the Year & Community Pub of the Year 2014 ALLGATES CASK ALES ALWAYS AVAILABLE & REVOLVING GUEST ALES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY • QUALITY FOOD SERVED 12 NOON - 8PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK

• Cellar Bar • Wood Burning Stoves • Beer Garden • Children's Play Area • Folk & Ukulele nights • Darts Teams • Wigan Pie Eaters Meet • Annual Beer, Boat & Music Festival

Beautiful canalside location November 2014 - January 2015

IN

@crookehallinn

Crooke-Hall-Inn

www.wigancamra.org.uk

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Wigan branch of The Campaign for Real Ale

IN

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November 2014 - January 2015

IN November 2014 - January 2015

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