Swiggin in Wiggin - Issue 1 - Dec 2013 to Feb 2014

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

December 2013 to

February 2013

COME TO WIGAN'S 2014 BEER FESTIVAL

In this Issue...

• WIGAN FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL • WIGAN PUBS SCENE • LOCAL BEER FESTIVALS

FRE

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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: Michelle Slater e: membership@wigancamra.org.uk Pubs Officer: Mark Davies 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: Sandra Cottam 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, Julie Atha, Mark Davies, Sandra Cottam, Brian Gleave Web: Twitter:

www.wigancamra.org.uk @WiganCAMRA

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. All editorial copyright © Wigan CAMRA 2013 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 © 2013 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.

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHAIR A WARM WELCOME TO YOU

W

elcome to the latest edition of Swiggin.

Many of our readers will know that the last Swiggin was produced in March 2013 and nothing has been published since so I think maybe an explanation is in order. All Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branches are run by unpaid volunteers and many of those are in full time work so CAMRA is a hobby. Our previous editor and our layout technician (for want of a better title) had seen an increase in demand on their time in their day jobs and found that putting together each publication from scratch to the standard we had come to expect was becoming too much so they decided they could not carry on. I would like to thank both Alan Robinson and Roy Pearson on behalf of the branch for putting together our previous Swiggins and improving the standard to what it has become today.

The Branch eventually took the decision that we would have to outsource the publication of the magazine to ensure its future survival.

Swiggin will continue to be a quarterly publication and we will endeavour to use the magazine as a way of letting you know about real ale, ciders and perries, pub and local brewery news. I hope you enjoy this edition of our new magazine.

Cheers!

Ken Worthington

Vice Chair / Editor of this issue Wigan CAMRA

Advertising Rates 3000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED 5 TIMES A YEAR TO OVER 120 PUBS, CLUBS, LIBRARIES AROUND WIGAN & BEER FESTIVALS ACROSS NORTH-WEST ENGLAND Full Page - £125 • ¼ Page - £55 • ½ Page - £95 Special Positions - Back Cover, Inside Front Cover or Inside Back Cover - £175 each Book 5 editions & receive 15% discount. Free design.

TO BOOK CALL CAPITAL MEDIA ON 01636 302 302

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PUB OF THE SEASON CROOKE HALL INN

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he picture shows CAMRA Wigan’s Autumn Pub of the Season, the Crooke Hall Inn, Standish Lower Ground at a meeting on 22nd October 2013 where the award was presented to licensees Greg and Jenny Liptrot.

Greg and Jenny have years of experience in the pub trade and clearly deserve a reputation for getting each of their tenancies into the prestigious Good Beer Guide. Long- standing CAMRA members may recall that Greg ran the Old Pear Tree, Wigan before taking a few years break from the pub game then taking over, with Jenny, tenancy of the Hare & Hounds in Hindley which also gained GBG status until they moved to the Crooke Hall in June 2012.

The Crooke Hall is situated alongside the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Crooke Village and has recently been completely refurbished including the cellar bar which is now available for functions. Outside is a fantastic canal-side setting with ample parking, a play area and bench seating.

The Crooke sells a range of Allgates real ales alongside regular changing guest beers. There is a delicious, reasonably priced menu including children’s options available 7 days a week 12 noon to 8 p.m. There is also a range of daily specials and special roasts on Sundays. A selection of teas, hot chocolate and coffees are also available.

A Ukulele Club meet on a Wednesday night and a Folk and Acoustic night is held every Thursday.

So for a nice stop after a canal walk or a quiet drink join Greg and Jenny at the Crooke Hall Inn and you will be made most welcome.

WIGAN’S PUB SCENE

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nfortunately the space in this edition does not permit a report of all the many changes of the pub fortunes in Wigan since our last edition of Swiggin in Wiggin but a summary of the last 3 – 4 months activity is shown below : Closed pubs : • The Eckersley in Poolstock • The Old Toby Inn, Skelmersdale • The Royal Oak, Standishgate Gone forever : • Standish Court Golf Club (demolished) And on a more positive note, new cask outlets in Wigan : • The Hingemakers Ashton-in-Makerfield 4

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A SUMMARY...

• • • • •

The Officers Club, Wigan The Dray King Hindley Green (Thwaites) The Stork in Billinge (Marstons) The Kings Arms Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Dochertys Wigan (formerly the Charles Dickens and owned by Chris Docherty formerly of the Royal Oak Standishgate).

• The Bird i’th Hand Hindley alternating 2 beers from the Caledonian and Theakstons ranges.

• The Fifteens @ the Fox formerly the Fox @ Roby Mill now part of the Fifteens chain.

This brings the total number of pubs selling cask ale in the Wigan branch to 138 as at 28th November, just slightly up on the 133 we had at this time last year and the 137 in November 2011 .

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BREWERY UPDATES LOCAL BREWERY NEWS

Patsy’s husband, John, has recently retired from his IT job and is now involved full-time at the brewery.

The Brewery Bar also remains popular with drinkers.

A couple of new beers are ‘in the pipeline’ but definite launch dates have not yet been finalised.

Problem Child

All Gates Brewery

www.problemchild brewing.co.uk

Due to increased demand some of the core beers are occasionally being brewed at Dunscar Bridge Brewery.

With Christmas time upon us the beers will be of a darker hue. Expect to see the Sloe Stout and Mad Monk both 7.2% winter warmers alongside Gin Pit (4.2), which hopefully is continuing as a core beer.

Other core beers such as California, All Black and Napoleon’s Retreat are going well.

Recently All Gates worked on a collaborative brew with the Northern Monk brewery in Bradford. It was a barley wine style beer known as Northern Gates, a warming 8.2% - just the job for an icy evening! It is also planned to bottle this beer as well and it will be available from various beer shops.

The brewery are hoping to feature two of their beers at next years National Winter Ales festival in Derby, those being the Northern Gates and Quaker House Oatmeal Stout.

After finally surmounting planning problems the Problem Child Brewery is now in full production. The brewery is a 5 brewers barrel plant, small enough to be hand crafted and big enough to be viable. The microbrewery kit is brand new and English made, by brewery specialist Vincent Johnson.

The first pint, Scallywag was brewed on the 15th June 2013 and sold at the Wayfarer on the 17th July 2013. Scallywag, a golden hoppy ale, brewed with cascade & galena hops.

There are three other regular beers in the Problem child range Rapscallion is a deep golden ale with flavours of toffee and a gentle liquorice background which is brewed with chinook & galaxy hops. Then there is Scoundrel, a straw coloured hoppy ale that is light and easy drinking brewed using cluster hops and finally Good Spankin described as a golden, sharp and dry, full of flavour with a strong finish. It is brewed using a lager malt with brewers gold and magnum hops.

www.allgatesbrewery.com

Prospect Brewery

www.prospectbrewery.com

Prospect were pleased to win two awards at the SIBA Regional Beer Competition in October – Big John in the cask stout section of the competition and Clementine in the bottled speciality beers competition. Prospect is very proud to be the only brewery in the entire north of England to have won a SIBA regional award for cask beer for seven consecutive years - in fact, ever since they started brewing.

Despite these awards and the ongoing strength of sales, they feel that the time is right to undertake a bit of re-branding. Have a look at new website: www. prospectbrewery.com.

Prospect’s search for both a second pub, their first being the Silver Tally in Standish, and the relocation of the brewery continues unabated.

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Mayflower Brewery www.mayflowerbeer.co.uk

We reported in January 2013 that the brewery kit had been sold as brewer Alan Brannigan was to take a sabbatical. Alan is back and working with his father-in-law running Docherty’s pub in Wigan and he has started brewing again using the equipment at Dunscar Bridge brewery, but unfortunately the brewery falls outside of Wigan’s boundaries.

Mayflower beers, however, can be found at Docherty’s.

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

THE ST A

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND OUR YEARLY

CLUB TY

ISH UNI D N

BEER FESTIVAL

3 DAY EVENT 21st - 23rd March FEATURING LANCASHIRE’S FINEST ALES FREE ADMISSION ON ALL THREE DAYS Live Music From A Fantastic Local Band ‘Rattled’ (Rock) - Playing On 22/3 & 23/3 ALL ALES ONE PRICE REGARDLESS OF ABV • NON MEMBERS WELCOME

5 Handpumps with a wide choice of the finest Local & Regional Cask Ales Full Size Snooker Table • Pool Table • Darts • Dominoes Cosy Lounge Room • Function Room - Free Hire

Winner of CAMRA Club Of The Year 2011, 2012 & 2013 Winn Runner-up Greater Manchester Regional Club Of The Year 2012

Cross Street | Standish | Wigan | WN6 0HQ t: (01257) 424007 | e: standish.unity@standishunityclub.com www.standishunityclub.com Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

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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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Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

25th BENT & BONGS BEER BASH 30TH JAN - 1ST FEB 2014

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sessions will have a selection of wonderfully tasty festival fodder.

Last year the festival raised in excess of £19,000 for the charitable work they undertake and Wigan CAMRA are only to happy to be involved in the festival.

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 Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

eer!

Dunscar nscar scar Business B i Park P Park, k ckburn kburn Road, Road Bolton Bolt Blackburn Bolton, Lancashire, BL7 9PQ

New B

www.dunscarbridge.co.uk

he Bent and Bongs Charitable Trust, in association with Wigan CAMRA, present the 25th Bent and Bongs Beer Bash which will be held once again at Formby Hall, Atherton, M46 9EY. As usual money raised will be used during 2014/2015 to support local charitable and community projects which will enrich the lives of the local community through various activities including music, sport, education, hobbies and pastimes.

There will be around 80 real ales available, real ciders/perries and a fantastic selection of draught and bottled foreign beers.

The festival is open Thursday 6pm - 11pm admission £5; Friday 4pm - 11pm admission £7 Saturday 12pm - 4pm then 7pm - 11pm admission £6 each session. Admission reduced for card carrying CAMRA members and after 9:30pm on Thursday (£3) and Friday (£5) ... but only if there is space in the hall!

Entertainment all sessions. Thursday night are the Sixties, a tribute to the Beatles and the sounds of the sixties. On Friday night there will be Run Out The Guns so get set to jig along with their fusion of country, blues, rock and perhaps a sprinkling of Irish folk music. Then on Saturday afternoon the always popular Cracked Flag will be back again and on Saturday night Juke Box Heroes will have the festival rocking until either the time or the beer runs out. All

t: 01204 600713 e: hello@dunscarbridge.co.uk

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WIGAN BEER FESTIVAL 2014 27th FEBRUARY - 1st MARCH

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he 27th Wigan Beer Festival takes place from Thursday 27th February to Saturday 1st March, again at Robin Park Sports Arena, Loire Drive, Wigan and for the fifth year the festival launches Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

This year we have a pirate theme and invite customers to come to our “pie”-rate festival in pirate fancy dress on the Saturday.

Once again we offer around 60 real ales, 35 real ciders/perries, and draught foreign beers something for everyone !

Our large venue has ample seating available and no problems getting in. We have live music at all sessions apart from Friday afternoon. Thursdays band to be confirmed. Friday night is “Glamorize” a popular local 70’s tribute band so if you like a bit of glam rock you need to join us for the evening. Saturday we have three bands on starting at mid-day with “Kiss the Blarney” - a traditional Irish band playing both traditional Irish music and contemporary music.

Our tea time session is Silverstone and to round off the evening we have our ‘pirate’ group “Roll Out the Guns” to get you stomping your feet.

A courtesy bus runs from town centre to venue throughout the festival (see our website for timetable).

Opening times / Prices - Thursday 5.30 - 11.00 £2.00; Friday 12 to 11pm Admission 12.00 - 5.30 £1.00 after 5.30 - 11.00 £3.00; Sat 11.30 am to 11.00pm £2.00. CAMRA members FREE every session. For Thursday there will be limited FREE entry advertising flyers available from various local pubs and Wigan Food and Drink Festival partners.

CAMRA has seen a massive growth in membership to around 156,000, so if you are not already a member what better place to join that the festival? There will be membership incentives to join on the day.

Feeling peckish? We have a welcome return for our Continental Sausage stall which is complemented by the In-House catering concession and possibly other stalls selling more unusual belly fillers.

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Pirate Themed,

l!

Pie-rate Festiva

Once again we ask our customers to donate unused tokens to our favoured charity Wigan and Leigh Hospice. Last year festival-goers donated £1,234 to the charity.

Remember that the festival is run by a band of unpaid volunteers who make the festival happen and we thank them all for their sterling efforts in organising and setting everything up.

For more information about the festival visit: www.wigancamra.org.uk

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.

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

AWARD WINNING BEERS ...probably the most advance microbrewery in the UK

George Wright’s is a small independent craft brewery based in Rainford, producing a wide range of fine quality beers and ales since 2005. Owned and run by award winning brewer Keith Wright the brewery produces a wide range of beers and ales available in Cask and Bottles.

Visit our website for Tasting Notes and further information.

Brewery shop now open - Monday to Friday 10am till 8pm.

Sales: 07738 249096 Brewery: 01744 886686

Follow us on twitter! @GWrightsbrewing

w w w. g e o r g e w r i g h t br e w i n g . c o . u k

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FROM THE MISTS OF TIME A LOOK AT THE LOCAL PUB SCENE OF YESTERYEAR Thirty-five years ago Boddingtons seasonal Strong Ale (6.3%) was available at the Whitesmith’s Arms Standishgate at 34p a pint.

Thirty years ago After a year of speculation, the Millstone in Swinley changed hands from Greenall Whitley to Thwaites. Cask mild made a welcome return.

All was not well in Hindley with the Cross Keys and Spinners Arms (both Greenalls) going over to keg beer.

Twenty-five years ago The Whitesmiths Arms on Standishgate reopened as Harry’s Cellar Bar with Boddingtons bitter weighing in at 96p a pint, presumably to cover the hire of bouncers.

Ind Coope Burton Ale could now be found in a number of Tetley pubs, including the Commercial Inn, New Springs and the White Lion, Upholland.

Traditional Tetley mild and bitter returned to the Old Engine in Gathurst for the first time in light years.

Twenty years ago Swaps with Tetleys meant that the Engineers Arms, Higher Ince and Hare & Hounds, Hindley now sold cask Vaux ales. The latter was a real ale gain, with Samson selling at 99p a pint.

The Swan & Railway on Wallgate added a guest beer to the permanent fixture of Banks’s mild and bitter, Draught Bass, XXXX mild, Stones bitter, and so on. Recent guests included Marstons Pedigree and Batemans XXXB.

Fifteen years ago The Old Pear Tree had seen a legion of managers come and go in the two years since Frank and Jean Fielding had retired. However, things were looking up

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

fo l lo w i n g the appointment of Dave Dobson as Mine Host. Dave had come from the Zetland Hotel, a GBG regular in Southport and quickly reinstalled cask Burtonwood bitter at the former Frog Lane favourite.

Rumour had it that the long-closed Bird i’th’ Hand in Higher Ince was about to reopen. Things were pretty grim elsewhere in Ince with the Amberswood Tavern and Bush (both Burtonwood) going over to nitrokeg and the Conquering Hero closed and boarded up. Real ale – Wilsons bitter – was available at just one pub, the Park Hotel.

Ten years ago The Water Wheel, a keg Thwaites inn at the foot of Brook House in Scholes closed. The word on the street was that the pub was to be converted to a bingo hall.

In Higher Ince, the Engineers Arms reopened as the New Engineers Arms, only to close again within a month, while the Crawford Arms at Red Rock had closed for a major refurbishment.

Five years ago The Crofters Arms on Market Street reopened, but as a Thai restaurant.

The long-closed Seven Stars Hotel on Wallgate was boarded up after a fire and looked decidedly dilapidated.

The Lych Gate in Standish reopened and was back on cask. Recent guest beers included Wells Bombardier and Black Sheep Bitter.

Dave White

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FOOD FESTIVAL GIVES HAIL TO THE ALE! 27th FEBRUARY - 8th MARCH 2014

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he Wigan Food and Drink Festival began as a weekend event in October 2007. It was popular but with something missing – Drink!

Festival Organiser Keith Bergman of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust explains ‘The early focus was on restaurants and local food produce until 2009 when we joined forces with Wigan CAMRA to provide a genuine celebration of Wigan – its food and drink. A match made in hospitality heaven!’

The 2014 Festival runs for 10 days commencing with the opening of the Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival on Thursday 27th February. Alongside the Beer Festival there are 20 restaurant based events and tastings. Wigan Town Centre becomes the Festival focal point from Tuesday 4th March with 5 days of cookery demonstrations in the Kitchen Theatre, Continental Food Market and a Family Food Fun Day on Saturday 8th March featuring a live music stage, food and drink giveaways and street entertainment.

This year’s theme is Baking and Beer.

Coinciding with British Pie Week (3-9 March), the Festival will embrace the household kitchen phenomenon which is seemingly the best thing since sliced bread – baking. A number of events including cookery classes and restaurant nights are on the menu, headed up by Wigan’s own TV chef, cook book author, acclaimed pâtissier and Winner of BBC Great British Bake Off 2012 - John Whaite.

Fighting the culinary corner of Beer is the Wigan CAMRA event following on from which is an American Themed Mini Beer Festival at the Crown at Worthington; The Brewery Bus, which on Saturday 8th March will tour Wigan’s 3 micro breweries ; and, taking advantage of a tenuous link with beer, there is to be Wigan’s first Wine Festival at Haigh Hall on Friday 7th March.

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‘We’ve been good for each other’ continued Keith. ‘CAMRA had already created one of the most successful beer events in the north of England and we were establishing ourselves on the food side. Working together, the overall event has greater awareness and credibility. The Beer Festival attracts record numbers as does the town centre food events and there are more and more sell-out restaurant events. The partnership is adding to both the local economy and national profile of the town.’

The full Wigan Food and Drink Festival Programme is published on January 6th and is available by calling 01942 828271 or downloaded at wlct.org/foodanddrink from the New Year.

LocAle UPDATE The following local pubs are currently in the scheme: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

THE ANVIL - Dorning Street, WN1 1ND THE BERKELEY - Wallgate, WN1 1LD THE BOULEVARD - Wallgate, WN1 1LD BRICKMAKERS ARMS - Woodhouse Lane, Springfield, WN6 7LN BROCKET ARMS - Mesnes Road, Swinley, WN1 2DD CROOKE HALL INN - Crooke Road, Crooke, Standish Lower Ground, WN6 8LR CROWN HOTEL - Wigan Road, Aspull, WN2 1DP CROWN HOTEL - Platt Lane, Worthington, WN1 2XF DELPH TAVERN - Tontine Road, Orrell, WN5 8UJ EDINGTON ARMS - Ladies Lane, Hindley, WN2 2QJ GERRARD ARMS - Bolton Road, Aspull, WN2 1PZ HARE & HOUNDS - Upholland Road, Billinge, WN5 7JH HARE & HOUNDS - Ladies Lane, Hindley, WN2 2QA MASONS ARMS - Carr Mill Road, Chadwick Green, Billinge, WN5 7TY MILLSTONE - Wigan Lane, Swinley, WN1 2LF THE RAVEN - Wallgate, WN1 1LD THE ROBIN HOOD - Orrell, WN5 7AZ ROYAL OAK - Standishgate, WN1 1XL THE SILVER TALLY - Shevington Moor, WN6 0SQ SIR THOMAS GERARD - Gerard Street, Ashton-inMakerfield, WN4 9AA STOCKS TAVERN - Alder Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NN THE VICTORIA - Haigh Road, Aspull, WN2 1YA WAYFARER INN - Alder Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NL THE WHITE CROW - Chorley Road, Worthington, WN1 2XL WINDMILL HOTEL - Mill Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NW

LocAle accreditation is awarded to pubs which pledge to always offer at least one locally brewed real ale on their bar

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

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MANCHESTER BEER FESTIVAL 22nd - 25th JANUARY 2014

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fter a nine-year tenure in Manchester the “powers that be” in CAMRA decided to switch the venue for the 2014 Winter Ales Festival and following an outcry both from volunteers and drinkers the concept of a Manchester Beer & Cider Festival was conceived. The new festival takes the same slot in the January calendar in the amazing setting of the National Cycling Centre, commonly known as the Manchester Velodrome.

There will be well over 300 cask conditioned craft beers alongside a bar full of real ale in a bottle (drink in or take away) and every beer that is ready for sale will be available from the first session until it is sold.

In total there will be no fewer than 16 bars to visit with at least 75 different ciders and perries and imported from Germany, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic

and US beers will be available.

1,700 seats will be available around the track from where visitors will be able to look over the festival and watch cyclists riding the track.

The Velodrome is served by trams every 12 minutes and even more frequent bus services.

CAMRA Members get free entry all day Wednesday and Thursday with entry discounts all other times.

The festival opening hours are: Wednesday 22nd 4.30pm – 10.30pm; Thursday 23rd Noon – 10.30pm; Friday 24th Noon – 10.30pm; Saturday 25th 11am – 7pm.

For latest news follow the festival website at www.manchesterbeerfestival.org.uk

The Crowns 6th Winter Ale Festival January 10th – 12th 2014

The Number One Weekend of the Year A fantastic range of seasonal ales and new beers for the Crown from light hoppy snowy beers, flavoursome amber ales, and dark, mysterious winter warmers.

Beers from Hayrake, Phoenix, Cumberland, Evan Evans, Facers, Otley, Archers, RCH, Orkney, 3 B's, Liverpool Organic, Blakemere, Sadlers, Atomic, Yates, Dunscar Bridge plus a few more I might find under the xmas tree.

A great excuse to give your new years resolutions a day off and get some decent ale down yer neck!

Platt Lane, Worthington, Standish, Wigan, Lancashire. WN1 2XF. Free Phone: 08000 686678

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Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

WHAT PUB? www.whatpub.com

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or a number of years, people have been asking why CAMRA, as the UK’s largest and most influential pub-going consumer organisation, doesn’t have its own online pub guide. Well now it does and the site is called What Pub? Anyone can use whatpub.com to search for pubs across the UK and then look up opening times, descriptions, facilities and, of course, details of the real ale and cider on offer. Being an online guide means that extra functions such as additional text for descriptions, photos and live map data are also available.

Pubs featured on this website have been independently added and updated by thousands of CAMRA volunteers and includes over 96% of Britain’s real ale pubs. There are 35,962 real ale pubs currently listed, 24,419 with complete details. CAMRA Wigan’s What Pub list is, we believe 100% correct, however if

out of date information or inaccuracies are noted we welcome your updates.

You can ask for pub details to be amended by clicking on Submit Updates, complete the update form, and your updates will be sent by email to our Pubs Officer. It would also be great if you would volunteer to help survey it for us at the same time.

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Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to:

Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW

Service User Number

9 2 6 1 2 9

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society To the Manager

Join CAMRA Today

Complete the Direct Debit form and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription.

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd. with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your Details Title _____________ Surname _______________________ Forename(s) ______________________________________ Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) _________________________ Address _________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________ Postcode _______________________

Single Membership (UK & EU)

Direct Debit

£23

Joint Membership £28 (Partner at the same address)

Non DD

£25 £30

For Young Member and concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201.

Tel No(s) _________________________________________

I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association

Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership)

I enclose a cheque for _________________

Title ____________ Surname _______________________

Signed ______________ Date ___________

Forename(s) ______________________________________

Applications will be processed within 21 days

Email address ____________________________________

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) _________________________

Campaigning for Pub Goers & Beer Drinkers

Enjoying Real Ale & Pubs

Join CAMRA today – www.camra.org.uk/joinus 18

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Bank or Building Society

Address

Postcode

Name(s) of Account Holder Branch Sort Code Bank or Building Society Account Number Reference

FOR CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALES LTD. OFFICIAL USE ONLY

This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society.

Membership Number Name

Postcode

Instructions to your Bank or Building Society

Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale Limited and, if so will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

Signature

Date

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

This Guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer.

The Direct Debit Guarantee

• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits.

• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

• If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd. asks you to.

• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.

Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

W E A Y FA R E R H T Brew Pub & Restaurant

IN Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

www.wigancamra.org.uk

19

16 handpumps Serving Traditional Ales Ciders and Perry

THE BEST CHOICE OF ALES IN ST HELENS!

Beer Festivals throughout the year

A Traditional Friendly Pub with a Great Atmosphere, Real Fire and an Ever Changing range of Real Ale

A CAMRA REGIONAL

PUB OF THE YEAR

A Runner-up for the

CAMRA

NATIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR

Draught Continental Beers Tuesday - Quiz night 9-30 pm Thursday - Curry and Jazz Night Cask Marque Good Beer Guide 2013 Open Mon & Tues 2-11 Wed - Sun 12-11

We are now serving Quality Homecooked food Wednesday - Sunday.

Cooper St. St Helens Tel 01744 751289