Central Lancashire Branch
Ale
Fighting for drinkers rights in
Spring 2015
Cry
Issue No. 106
since
1973
Church Street Gets Real The imminent opening of The Twelve Tellers, Wetherspoons new outlet at the top of Church Street in Preston, certainly prompted a lot of activity at the pubs in the vicinity.
be possibly twenty three different real ales on sale, a veritable beer festival all of its own. This is what you can expect to find in these pubs. The Twelve Tellers has five permanent beers on sale, which are Ruddles Bitter, Greene King Abbot Ale, plus Sharps Doom Bar, Adnams Broadside and a house beer specially brewed for them by Coach House called Bank Job at 4.3%. Then there are its guest beers which could add another seven to the choice. Across the road, Hogarth’s has five pumps, one of which usually has a real cider. There could be two beers from their own microbrewery which resides in the pub of the same name in Bolton, plus two guest beers from anywhere in the UK. What is more, Hogarth’s is actually cheaper than the standard prices at Wetherspoons. Of course, Camra members can get 50p off in the Twelve Tellers with their vouchers, but when they run out….. Next door, the back bar at the Bull and Royal always has two beers from Moorhouses on sale, again at competitive prices. These are usually Pride of Pendle and Blonde Witch. The newly refurbished Yates which officially opened on Friday 20 Feb. will be selling one ‘classic’ ale plus two beers from local brewers or maybe a seasonal. At the opening they had beers from Lancaster, Lytham and Kirby Lonsdale. At the nearby Fishers there are two handpumps with usually Black Sheep Bitter and Wells Bombardier on.
By the time the Tellers finally opened on 22 January, Hogarth’s, on the opposite side of the street, had already opened after a complete refit, and had soon become a favourite with real ale drinkers. Next door, the Bull and Royal had refurbished its front bar as a champagne and cocktail bar and renamed it Harry’s Bar, whilst Yates was frantically giving itself another upgrade, in If you add to that Old Brewery Bitter at the Olde Blue Bell, corporating initially (which is having its own refurb), Hobgoblin at the Old Dog, three handpumps on three guest beers at the Stanley and three beers from the Mar its bar. The outcome of stons list on sale at the Wellington on Glovers Court, it is this is that in the certainly giving Friargate a run for its money for its reputation distance of fifty yards as the premier district for real ale. For more details of these pubs or so, there can and news of other pubs in Preston, see Preston Parade inside be this magazine. Paul Riley p3 , Editorial, Chairman’s Welcome, Towneley Arms; p3 George Lee Trophy; p4/5 Preston Parade; p6 Club of the Year; p7 Riley’s Rambles; p8 Hoghton part 2; p10 . Pub Conversions; p12 Chorley Chatter; p13 Eastern Fringe, Letters; p17 South Ribble Scene; p20 Mountain View; p21 Whitby; p23 Pub of the Season; p25 Cider & Perry, Something Different; p26 Branch Details; P27 Membership Application Form......................................................................................................................................and much more
t in p r . le me fa of st a usto p C e 20 gu Per f n o ke
The Old Black Bull. E
It does 33 Friargate, Preston, PR1 2AT, Tel: 01772 823397 met in O like ou Liam and the team warmly welcome you to proble The Old Black Bull. advert When contrib • Live Bands Every Saturday and varying Fridays. option • Live Sports Nine HD televisions showing SKY Sports, BT On thi sports, Racing UK and At The Races. impro need t •10 Cask Ales With nine regularly changing guest ales best fo •CAMRA Discount 20p off a pint of guest ale, 10p off a half advert local p •Bottled Craft Beers Brooklyn Lager, DNA, and Punk IPA damne •Bar Snacks Including freshly prepared sandwiches, The bi Lancashire crisps, pretzels, nuts and pork scratchings. impac •Thursday Special Offer Selected cask ale £1.99 a pint proble positiv from 6pm the nu pubs a Whilst 200,00 fustrat Opening Times: Monday-Thursday: 10:30am-11pm thems when t Friday-Saturday: 10:30am-12am local a Sunday: 12pm- 10:30pm or dro surpri each se Referr effort t fact, w them a who d contrib Irish Jo Finally beer festival in ALE EMPORIUM WINS who h September, following on from the highly GEORGE LEE TROPHY Comm successful one last year. The winner of the George Lee Trophy 2015 is the Ale Emporium in Preston. This to buy automatically means that the pub is CAMRA Central Lancashire Pub of the Year. Besides winning this prestigious award, they have Only taking over the pub in January 2014, Trish Mounsey and partner Peter recently also been named as best bar in Dewes have ensured that the pub continues to be at the forefront of the real ale Lancashire by readers of the Lancashire Evening scene in Lancashire. Post, and received an excellence award from Ossett Brewery. Voted for by local Camra members, The George Lee Trophy is awarded annually to the pub, club or organization that had done most in the previous year for the cause of real ale in the branch area. It was instigated in remembrance of the genial bugle blowing landlord of the Moorbrook Inn, which was where the inaugural meeting of the branch took place on Monday 25th June 1973. His enthusiasm and verve helped the branch to thrive and it is a fitting memorial to his hard work in promoting real ale when a lot of his fellow licensees were converting their pubs to keg beer. The Ale Emporium now goes forward to compete against the other Lancashire branches to see if it Long can win the county award. Paul Riley front We s whic ping are fo The shield was presented to them at a recent social by Branch Chairman Adrian each Smith, who in his speech complemented the couple on their commitment to real anyw ale and the quality and variety of the ales on sale. The pub has easily surpassed W Le the 1000 different ales mark and Peter, in accepting the award, stated that it was ble th their policy to try and run the bar as a mini beer festival at every visit. The eight Robi handpumps mean that there is a continuous variety of ales on sale. He said that my fe they had some exciting plans for the coming year, including holding another 2 ne
To
M M
l. Editorial
What a difference 3 months makes. Chairman’s Bit When I wrote my piece for the last
Ale Cry I was talking about the onset of Winter. By the time you read this, we will be edging into Spring – with longer It doesn’t cost much to run a CAMRA branch. The expense is evenings and (we hope) warmer weather. Spring is an important season for CAMRA, with many beer festivals being held. met in some branches by running beer festivals and in others While this branch does not organise it's own festival, many like ours by making a profit from magazine advertising. The of the pubs and clubs in our area hold their own event. Some problem is, with pubs suffering financially, finding enough may well be advertised in this magazine. For details of the advertising to cover the space occupied by articles and photos. others, please check for updates on our website or Facebook When I can’t I have to compact the mag - either disappoint some page (details of these can be found in the Branch Contacts contributors or reduce the size of the photos. I choose the final option - the photos - and am overall pleased with my balancing act section on page A New Year – and a time for resolutions. Now On this occasion I’ve managed to find a bit of extra space. But to CAMRA is the Campaign for Real Ale, and while we have a lot improve it further we need to find additional advertising. We of information about our local pubs in Ale Cry, we don't tend need to find more people to point out to pubs that Ale Cry is the to say too much about the campaign side of things. So my perbest form of advertising - and it really is because it is directed sonal resolution for Ale Cry is to have more information about advertising which reaches the drinking public far better than the Campaigning. While CAMRA gets involved in all matters local press who aim at the general population and charge a concerning pubs and beer, there are 4 Key Campaigns that we damned site more than we charge. See page 26 as proof. are really focussing on. These are: * Stop tax killing beer and pubs The big issue the Campaign is fighting is the death of pubs and its * Secure an effective government support package for pubs impact on the social life of the community. There are dozens of * Encourage more people to try a range of real ales, ciders and problems which need to be tackled before there is a noticable, perries positive impact on the overall numbers of pubs and a growth in the number of people mixing with friends and making new ones in * To raise the profile of pub-going and increase the number of people using pubs regularly pubs and clubs. This is the subject of the article Radio times (p14). So in each of the 4 issues of Ale Cry in 2015 I Whilst I am pleased to see CAMRA’s membership racing towards will pick one of these campaigns and try to give you a bit more 200,000 and our branch membership zooming past 1,000 it’s information about it. May is the traditional month for CAMfustrating that so few of those 1,000+ are prepared to involve RA to promote mild so for this issue I am going to look at 1pm themselves actively in the battles we are having to fight, especially encouraging more people to try a wider range of real ale, cider when that involvement can be as little as keeping an eye on one’s and perry. m local and letting us know anything interesting that’s happening Another area the branch will be looking at is or dropping a few Ale Crys off there. That is all the more awards. Until now, the only annual award has been the George surprising when you consider that 3 gallons of beer is the prize Lee Memorial Trophy – which is our Pub of the Year. The deeach season for someone prepared to be a branch contact. cision was made at our Christmas Social and after a very close Referring back to the previous paragraph it wouldn’t take much vote, the Ale Emporium in Preston was declared the winner effort to encourage your local licensee to advertise in Ale Cry, in (by one vote from The Moorbrook). The trophy was presented fact, with ads for as little as £55, the evidence is that you’d be doing to Pete & Trish on 5th February – well done to them after only them a favour. I do appreciate the support I get from the members 1 year in the pub. who do help with the mag. especially the regular and occasional For the first time in several years we have contributers, Dave Bell, Paul Riley, Gordon Small, Adrian Smith, chosen a Club of the Year and for the first time ever a Cider Irish John, Melodious Mick, Toad, Royston and The Alp. Pub of the Year – details elsewhere in this magazine. We have a number of ideas for additional awards: look out for details in Finally may I wish every success to the Save the Gillibrand group, future editions of Ale Cry. who having persuaded Chorley to declare the pub an ‘Assset of I mentioned in Ale Cry 105 that our new Community Value’ are starting the six months race to raise money social secretary, Wes Truran, was planning a number of trips. to buy the pub for the community Ed These are detailed in the branch diary on page [MC please have insert] – so if you'd like to come along, please contact Wes to I’m under Doctors Orders to book your place. We only run a minibus for these trips; places drink more water. So every ning are rather limited, so if you want to come along – don't delay. time I go for a pint you’re likely Finally, a further plea to our readers to use to see me with a pint or half of WhatPub (www.whatpub.com) to give us feedback on any water as well. I tried it on the changes to pubs in our area. It really is appreciated by us – it's rge Leyland Lion trip to Harrogate pretty much a full time job keeping track of what is going on lub in the 300 or so pubs we look after. Also, remember if you are and it felt like it did me good and didn’t spoil CAMRA member you can use WhatPub to score the beer the taste of the beer. The only downside was the aquality in the pubs you visit. This is vital and helps us keep four trips to the loo that night. I will update ce of an eye on beer quality – which is all important when we come to making awards and selecting the pubs for the Good Beer you on my progress in the next issue M M ural Guide. Adrian Smith y 25th As well as our Branch meeting, we were also there to present On Monday 19th January 2015 we the Danny and Charlotte Horobin with our Pub of the Season Award held our Branch meeting at the o his for Winter 2014. Branch Chairman Adrian Smith is pictured Towneley Arms on Berry Lane in f making the presentation to Danny and Charlotte. A well-deserved Longridge. For anyone living in the bs to Preston area, the pub is relatively quick award for a friendly, local which continues to go from strength to strength. and easy to get to, as the Number 1 Stagecoach bus service runs frequently Congratulations to Danny and Charlotte, we had a great night. mpete back and forth between Preston and if it thank you for your hospitality and for the lovely food that you put Longridge and the bus stop on Berry Lane is almost outside the on for us. If front door of the Towneley. any readers We soon settled into the cosy room towards the rear of the pub haven't paid a visit to the which had been reserved for our meeting but not before stopping at the bar for the first of several pints of great real ale. There Towneley are four hand pumps on the bar offering up to 16 different ales Arms recently, each week. The pick of the crop on the night, in my opinion anyway, was Manchester Pale Ale. A golden, citrusy brew from J it's about W Lees. I noticed that I was not alone in my choice. Also availa- time you ble that night was Lancaster Blonde, Jennings Cumberland and did. You won't be Robinson's Dizzy Blonde all of which met with approval from disappointed. my fellow Casketeers. 3 Dave Bell
397
Melodious Mick The Towneley Arms, Longridge
Preston Parade
The front page details all the good news about the Church Street area of Preston, more of which later, but there is some potentially bad news. By the time you read this, Mike, the long time tenant of the Old Vic and Station on Fishergate will have left. The pub, which belongs to the Inns and Leisure pub group, is being taken out of tenancy and turned into a managed house. Inns and Leisure, which is based in Preston on Leicester Rd. have a portfolio of over 32 pubs in our area, which include such non real ale pubs as the Royal Consort and Army and Navy. What their plans are for the Old Vic, we do not know, but if the present bar manager, who is the one who orders all the beer, is not kept on, I would be very worried that its reputation for keeping a good range of well looked after real ales could be in danger of going out the window. We will await developments with trepidation.
11am-12pm midweek and 11am-1am Fri/Sat. Yates, as reported, will, according to General Manager Ben, have initially three’ real ales on sale, but he is hoping to increase this to five in due course. Similarly to Wetherspoons, food will feature strongly at Yates, with the prices for this bound to be competitive. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the real ale, with it being £3.10 a pint. Yates will also feature a DJ on Thurs-Sat. Who will win in that battle? Yates will open at 9am to 1am Sun –Tue, 9am3am other days. Further down Church Street, Sam Smiths Old Blue Bell is having some modifications done. New windows are planned and an opening up of the fireplaces, so that real fires can be installed, is on the cards. That should make for a cosy and comfortable pub.
The n accre tions brew thing
D& P are w
At Sun. Thwa have
Back to the changes on Church St. As announced on the front page, The Twelve Tellers, Wetherspoons second pub in Preston (which had been a long time coming) is now open. Converted from a former bank, which has been shut for over twelve years, it has a magnificent frontage,
cavernous interior and retains some interesting features from its previous existence. There are some small rooms and alcoves off the main bar area and a large patio to the rear with both smoking and non smoking areas. The toilets, which are down a narrow staircase are quite attractive, especially the ladies, which retains some original copperwork. A DJ will be on the scene Thurs-Sat from 10pm, when you could expect some bouncers on the door. It is open from 8am all days, closing midnight Sun/ Mon/ Tue, 1am Wed/Thurs and 2am Fri/Sat. Food available 8am9pm. There are two wood panelled former boardrooms upstairs that can be hired for functions. Hogarths, over the road, now comes under the arm of Amber Taverns, and has been quite tastefully done out inside. It now consists of a main bar area with a lot of little ‘rooms’ giving it quite an intimate feeling. It has quickly found favour both for the range of beers and its pricing policy, even if it is described as a gin palace, with over 80 types of said beverage available. Like the Wheatsheaf at Ashton, there is an abundance of screens showing sports programs. There is a strict over 18s only policy, making it a safe haven for people who don’t like to see children running round pubs. Also there will be no DJ blaring out and interrupting your conversation. Opening hours are
It shuts the first week of March and reopens on Good Friday, the 3rd of April. Bad news at the nearby Barneys though with real ale being discontinued. Back down Friargate, the guest beers at the Black Horse seem to be going down well and are proving popular.
4
from on va intro pint Black Bom Thwa O Ryan the p
with also mem
.....cont.
At Angels, Steve Holt is still trying to keep the real ale flag flying with often a couple of beers on sale. Three Bs beers feature often, but last time I was in, there was Big Clock’s 4.2% beer Dirty Blonde available. Very good it was too. The next plan of landlord Graham, who is now cask marque Up in Ashton, the other Wellington on Tulketh Rd. accredited, is to form a Real Ale Club there, various attractions to include things like ‘meet the brewer’, social trips, brew a beer for the pub and much more. Further details as things develop. It looks like it will be mid March before the D& P shuts for its long awaited alterations. Let’s hope they are worth waiting for. At the far end of Friargate, there is a new couple at the Sun. Jordanna and Theo have recently taken over this Thwaites tied house and although this is their first pub, they closed for a short period for some alterations, including the have had experience of working in the trade. Originally entrance, and now has six handpumps, with two permanent beers in Jennings Cumberland and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin plus up to four guests which can be sourced from anywhere, with some very unusual beers turning up recently. This friendly street corner local consists of a main room and a rear pool and darts room. It opens at noon till 11pm except Fri/Sat when it stays open until 12.30am with live music. Farther afield, but in our area, news of a pub that could be coming back from the dead. The owners of the Cross Keys at Whitechapel, near Inglewight, which has been closed for the best part of ten years, have been granted a licence. The pub, which was affectionately known as the ‘Dorchester’ (not for its poshness), could even be open for March. Further reports will follow. Paul Riley
from Blackpool, they are hoping to have a bit of live music on various nights to give the pub a boost and looking to introduce food in the summer with possible free pie with pint promotions. At present they have four real ales; - Nutty Black, Original, Wainwrights (their best seller) and Bomber, but this could change with the introduction of Thwaites seasonal beers. Opening hours are from 12-12. Over the roundabout, the new manager at the Adelphi is Ryan, previously of Molloy’s in Blackburn. He is continuing the previous manager’s policy of promoting the real ales,
with up to four available, mostly from local micros. There is also the 10% discount on production of your Camra 5 membership card.
CLUB OF THE YEAR CAMRA Central Lancashire have created a new annual award to recognise what we consider to be the best club in the branch area. After careful consideration at the February committee meeting it was decided
that the first recipient of this Club of the Year award should be OUR LADY & ST GERARD'S PAROCHIAL CENTRE at Lostock Hall. For a number of years now St Gerard's has been a great place to visit to encounter an ever-changing range of real ales. The beers available have often been from interesting small independent breweries, with Lancashire micro-breweries such as Three B's, Reedley Hallows, Hart of Preston, Lytham, and Bowland often being in evidence. Particularly popular at the club have been the beers from the local Bishop's Crook brewery, and since this micro-brewery was established just two years ago the club has become something of an unofficial brewery tap and has been a testing ground for them to try out their new beers. The steward at the club is Gary Quinn, who with the backing of the club committee, has been a keen supporter of CAMRA for several years. A couple of months ago he was able to get an additional handpump installed, and this means that the club is now able to offer up to three different real ales at any one time. A highlight of the year at St Gerard's is the staging of an annual Autumn Beer & Music Festival held to help raise money for the club's nominated charities. The 2014 event offered a range of 30 beers and ciders, including four different beers from the aforementioned Bishop's Crook brewery. Unfortunately for the last three years,
despite choosing a different weekend each year, the Beer Festival has clashed with that held at the Continental in Preston. Hopefully this will not be the case in 2015 and more people will take the opportunity to look in at our Club of the Year. For those who don't know, St Gerard's Club is located in Lostock Hall on Brownedge Road, just 100 yards from the Leyland Road junction. It is open Mondays to Thursdays 7pm to 11pm; MEET THE BREWER Fridays 5pm to 11.30pm; Saturdays TH 13 MARCH COACH 3pm to 12 midnight; and Sundays 12 noon to 11.30pm. It operates with a HOUSE, LYTHAM Premises Licence which means that non-members are welcome to visit the AND HAWKSHEAD club and are able to sample the real ales BREWERY available. As CAMRA Central Lancashire Club of the Year St Gerard's will be put forward as our branch's nomination for the Lancashire Club of the Year award, where it will be in contention for this honour alongside up to five other clubs from across the county. The current Lancashire Club of the Year is the Ighten Leigh Social Club at Burnley, and you have to go back to 2002 when there was MOBILE BAR last a winner from our branch area, which was the now demolished Ashton FROM COACH Institute & Social Club. Actually St Gerard's was Central Lancashire HOUSE. UP TO branch's most recent nomination for Lancashire Club of the Year in 2013, but 27 CASK ALES unfortunately on that occasion it lost AVAILABLE ALL out to Blackpool Cricket Club.
AT ONCE
CLUBWATCH UPDATE. There are now about 40 clubs in the branch area that THE are understood to be permanently selling at least one real ale. An up-toGREYFRIAR date register of these clubs is maintained on the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch website. Gordon Small 6
what ed ck
rs
e ome g he ittee, ouple to
ual
l has
ity to
d's
m n m;
2
he ales
b
n for rd, is ubs
ghten ou was
ton
r , but st
now at
oained
s n e l Riley’s Rambles St He
were on sale when we went Our Yuletide excursion was prompted by an article in Merseyale, Christmas, for only two Liverpool and district’s Camra magazine. It painted such a good in, their own Cruel Britannia, a 3.7% picture of the pubs there that we had to go and see for ourselves. session bitter and Robinson’s Dizzy However, all the pubs listed in the Good Beer Guide only opened Blonde. The home brew was on fine after 2pm or even later, so, with the help of whatpub, we worked form and was a remarkable £1.00 a half. From here we headed for out a route visiting other pubs first, before going on to the late the Duke of Cambridge and openers. Thus it was that our band caught the 1130 Northern Rail Sportsman Inn, both on Duke St. train in quite warm bright sunshine and arrived in a surprisingly which is diagonally right over the big roundabout. Both these pubs were found to be shut. In a way, cold and foggy St. this was lucky for us, because it meant we were able to spend Helens at 1205. more time in the Turks Head, a superb pub which reached the Walking straight finals of the Camra up Bickerstaff St. national pub of the year and then bearing competition. left at Cotham St, To reach it from Duke we came to our St, go right up Crab St first pub,The and Oxford St to Sefton, on the Cooper St.where you corner of Baldwin will see this half St which opens at timbered gem with its 11 o’clock. A large, etched windows. comfy pub on split Inside this split levels with wood panelling, it offered four real ales, the fairly common Deuchars, level pub you will Pedigree and Brains Rev James plus the one we all chose, Sharps find an ever changing range of beers from the twelve pumps, and a warm glow from the real fire. A real mix of beers too numerAtlantic, a 4.2% beer at a reasonable £1.25 a half. (We usually drink in halves on these jaunts). Having been advised of the ex- ous to mention of all styles and strengths, from Orkney Latitude cellent products of a local pie maker called Burchalls and being (3.6%) to Outlaws Full House (6.2%) at an average of £1.30 a in such close proximity to their shop on nearby Westfield St. we half make this an unmissable stop on any trip to St. Helens. We went there next to try their wares. Apparently they sell like the stayed for a while. It opens at 2pm during the week and noon Sat Our next pub was to be the Cricketers, proverbial hot cakes and you must be there early enough or they and Sun. which only returned to the real run out. No wonder too, as they were as good as they said and were enjoyed by all except one of our band who abstained in the ale scene in 2013 and yet became the 2014 St Helens pub of the belief that you should not mix eating and drinking. It was his year. To reach it, go back down to loss. Duke St, and turn down Lowe St., Next was to be the Counting House, which to reach King St, turning right to come to another big roundabout. we reached by going The second exit on the right will down Ormskirk St. bring you to Peter St., where you and Church St. and will find this friendly and bright community local. It is well turning left into Hardshaw St. The pub worth seeking out, with its real fire, traditional bar and comfort looks like it should be able lounge. Seven pumps dispense a changing range of beers a Wetherspoons, being which included on our visit ones from Fernandez, Bollington, in an old bank with a Connoisseur and Abbeydale, averaging £1.15 a half with the Camra discount. It opens at 2 pm Mon –Thurs, noon otherwise. vaulted roof and its Our last pub was the Phoenix on Canal St. To get there, large open plan interior, but is in fact run by Pub Call Ltd, who go back to the big roundabout and turn right I could not find on Google. It has eight handpumps, but on our down the A58 to reach Canal St on the right. visit, only two beers were on sale, both from George Wright Also a one time winner of St Helens pub of Brewery, Cheeky Pheasant (4.7%) and Roman Black (4.8%) at a the year, the Phoenix has a traditional games very reasonable £1.15 a half with the Camra discount. The pub room and lounge where live music features. opens at 10 am and shows sports on many flat screen TV’s. Up to six beers are usually available featuring Retracing our steps towardsOrmskirk St. we turned local breweries and micros. We could choose down Bridge St to reach the Market Tavern, between Melwood Paleface (4%), Dunscar formerly a Greenalls pub which is now owned Bridge Brewdolph (4.4%) and Copper by Amber Inns, who we know well in our Dragon’s North Star (4.2%) or Golden Pippin (3.9%). There is a area for running competitively priced Camra discount here too. This is another pub that opens at 2pm pubs with a pleasant environment. This Mon- Thurs. Whilst most of us sat down here to rest our weary was a good example of that and was legs, One of the gang remained at the bar talking to a local. We justly very busy. Five real ales were wondered what could keep him so occupied in conversation. on sale for an even better price of Eventually he turned to us and introduced the very man who £1.10 a half:- George Wright Mild baked those delicious pies we had bought many hours before. (4%) and Partridge in a Pear Tree The irony of it was that Mick James, who stayed at the bar and (5.1%), Old School Playtime (4.2%), joined him in conversation, was the very one who had declined Sky’s Edge New England Best (4.2%) to try them earlier in the day. plus Tetley Bitter and a real cider. It It was now time to head back to the Railway Station. opens at 11 am. Cross over the A58 to reach Bridge St. and retrace your steps via By now, we were approaching 2pm, and started heading for the late openers, but first we went Church St. and Hardshaw St. to Bickerstaffe St. turning right to go back down to the station. If you have time, look out for a fish to the Olde England on Corporation St which we reached by and chip shop up a side street on your left as you approach the retracing our steps to the Sefton and proceeding up Baldwin station. It gave us a bit of sustenance before catching the 1829 St to meet a large roundabout with the pub over on the right. train back. The last train back during the week is 2216 but on Olde England is a good name for this pub with its interesting collection of artefacts adorning its intimate lounge, including a Fridays and Saturdays there is a late train at 2331. Tickets cost knight in shining armour. It is also the home of the Evening Star £12.40 return individually, but two travelling together can get a Brewery and usually has a wide range of beers on its eight hand- duo ticket for £18.60, saving quite a bit. pumps, We can only guess that they must have had a very busy 7 PAUL RILEY
Ale Cry goes to Hoghton
Part Two
As indicated in the last issue, our latest mini-trip would pick up where we left off last time on our journey towards Preston on the A674 from Hoghton. Thus we started at the Old Oak, just downhill from the Sirloin, where we had finished our last trip. For many years this one time Boddington’s pub was run by Joe
two real ales on all the time. At present, a beer will always be held back, so that they never run out of real ale. He is trying out various breweries, with Three B’s proving popular. In fact, the beer available for us was their Doff Cocker, a 4.5% hoppy beer at £2.60 a pint. When that ran out, the next beer up was to be Crossbay Nightfall. The pub features both a full size snooker table and a pool table down some steps on the left and also an upstairs function room that can accommodate up to 120 people which is free of charge. The pub opens at 3.30-11pm Mon-Fri, noon – midnight on Saturdays and noon- 11pm on Sundays. Why the name? It is called Net’s in memory of owner Bill’s wife. Moving on, we returned to the A674 and went down to Higher Walton. We had hoped we would visit the newly reopened Swan there, a one time Boddingtons house, but we were advised that there was no real ale there, so we continued to the Mill Tavern. Now a Marston’s pub, the Mill once belonged to Burtonwood Brewery, much missed by many including me. It then sold both their mild and bitter and a stronger beer called Forshaws. On this visit, we could choose Jennings Cumberland (4%) at £2.79 or Marstons Pedigree. These seem to be on most of the time but it has been known to have four beers on sale at once. The pub itself has a large central bar with seating either side and a pool room to the rear with free pool on Monday until 7 pm. Sports TV is a feature and there is a car park to the rear of the pub. It is open 12-11 all days except Fri/Sat when it stays open ‘til 1am. For our final stop on this trip, we went along to the White Bull in Walton -le-Dale. A community pub, it never disappoints whenever we go in. Busy as usual, it looked like there had been some
Botham, who I worked alongside as a humble apprentice at Taylor Reids on Blackpool Road. They made stainless steel pressure vessels for the chemical industry, but unfortunately closed in the late sixties. Since Boddington’s closed and Joe left, the Old Oak has been through many hands and is now leased out through Punch Taverns. Reopening after a period of closure, and narrowly escaping being renamed The Cromwell, it is now a two roomed pub and grill with the front section bar having a pool and dart area, whilst the rear bar is the restaurant and grill which has an extensive menu with something for everybody. There were three beers on sale when we arrived, Sharps Doom Bar (4%) at £2.85 a pint, Black Sheep Bitter (3.8%) which alternates with Wells Bombardier, and Thwaites Wainwrights. So, nothing out of the ordinary nowadays, but at one time we would have been excited. The Doom Bar ran out half way through our ordering bout and was not replaced with anything else. Sky and BT sports feature. The pub opens at noon till 11 pm (1 am Fri/Sat, 10pm Sun) with food on sale all day till 9pm (10 Fri/Sat) From here, we deviated off Hoghton Lane to get to the Black Horse on Gregson Lane. A former Matthew Brown inn, this community local was very busy, with a pool match being in progress in the games area to the right of the central bar, but we were made very welcome. On the left is a split level lounge, which we quickly helped to fill up. There are usually three changing beers from the Star Inns Cellerman’s Choice range which often includes beers from Caledonian and Theakstons. On food which we had just missed out on. Jokingly, one of the crew this night we had Courage Directors and Caledonian XPA, a 4.3% asked if there was any more. Instantly, the landlady said she beer at a very reasonable £2.50 a pint. Good value food is served would get us some chips and disappeared for a while only to Thurs 5-8pm, Fri/Sat 12-3 and 5-8 and 12-7 Sunday. Other attrac- come back with some bags of chips and curry sauces from the tions are a quiz on Wednesday nights, live music twice a month local chippy, which she laid out for us. Last time we were there, and a karaoke night. The pub itself is open 3pm-12 Mon-Thurs, we were given free cake. Truly a real gem. Beerwise, they always have Thwaites Wainwrights on, but the other two beers could 12-12 Fri/Sat, 12-10.30 Sun. A 100 yard walk down the road brought us to what is now called be anything, with local customers often deciding what should Net’s bar, a place not many of us had been in before. Formerly the be ordered. Our two guests that night were both from Crossbay brewery, Halo at 3.6% and Dusk at 4%. Gregson Lane Social Club it has been operating as a pub since Another ex Boddinton pub, the White Bull is fairly compact early 2013, when local inside, with a room to your right and a couple of other areas with building contractor, Bill pool and darts down the slope. It has a small car park to the front, Slater, bought the club and but its great feature is the many things that go on there to keep completely overhauled it it vibrant. From bingo nights on Mondays, tasty Tuesdays when and turned it into a fresh, the cask is only £2.00 a pint, Welsh Don Nights (a card game bright and comfortable for those that aren’t acquainted), live music weekends, to other sports bar, with flatscreen events, there always seems to be something happening. It is open TVs including an 80 inch 12-11.30 Mon-Thurs, and 12- 12.30am Fri-Sun. I am told it can giant. What is more, it is be quite overflowing with customers on a Sunday. With its friendcompletely free of tie and ly welcome, no wonder. beer can be sourced from All the pubs on this trip can be reached by using the number 150 wherever they want. bus service which runs between Preston Bus Station, and Bamber Manager Ian is trying to Bridge fairly regularly, and even right up to late, so why don’t you build up the real ale business Paul Riley so that he can have at least 8 give them a try.
held arer 2.60 ay a uncree me?
4%) he . and . e n ‘til
ll in nev-
ew
e re, ays
d ay
with ront, p en
er pen an end-
150 mber you
9
CAMRA CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH AND ... PUB CONVERSIONS A matter of great concern to CAMRA nationally is the number of pubs that are being closed so that the premises can be used for a completely different purpose. A particular problem across the country has been that a great many pubs have been converted into shops. This has happened in our branch area, but over the years in Central Lancashire there have been more occurrences of pubs being converted into restaurants and even more occurrences of pubs being converted into private accommodation. Of course it is not all one way. There have been some notable instances of pub conversions where a building that has long been in use for another purpose has then been converted into a pub. In this article I highlight a few such pub conversions that come to mind. Topically, the TWELVE TELLERS on Church Street in Preston is a pub that obviously comes into this category. Opened as recently as January 2015, it became Preston's second Wetherspoons pub and their fourth in the Central Lancashire branch area. Architecturally a most impressive building, the pub is housed in what many people will remember as the former TSB Bank premises which were in use until the 1990s. The bank had been opened in 1907 for the then booming Preston Savings Bank company which had outgrown its previous headquarters on Fishergate (later the Midland Bank and now Sainsburys). After being finished as a bank the Church Street premises had lain empty for many years, with a previous attempt by Bass to turn it into one of their Edwards chain pubs having failed to win police approval. It now seems a little ironic that the building which closed as a Lloyds TSB bank and is now a Wetherspoons Lloyds Number 1 Bar.
However at the end of 1996 things became more interesting with the pub being subjected to its first make-over as it was re-launched as the Flax & Firkin selling various Firkin branded beers. There was talk of a micro-brewery being established on site, but this did not happen and within a couple of years the Firkin chain of pubs was no more. Subsequently the Corn Exchange was re-named the Assembly, becoming a sports and games fun pub aimed at a younger clientele, and for many years it was effectively a no go area for real ale drinkers. A further change of direction came in 2013 when the pub was once again using the name the Corn Exchange and was once again selling real ale, with Thwaites beers usually to be found. Staying in Preston, another pub with a completely different previous existence is the GUILD on Fylde Road. For many years the building was known as Moss Cottage and initially under a Doctor Walmesley it was partly utilised as a doctor’s surgery through to 1987. It had become semi-derelict by the early 1990s, and in 1995 was converted into a pub then known as the Hogshead (like the previously mentioned Flax & Firkin it was part of a national chain). Appealing to Preston’s growing student population it was a great success, and gained the honour of being CAMRA Central Lancashire branch’s first ever Pub of the Season in Autumn 1996. A few years later, with the demise of the Hogshead chain, it was acquired by Greene King. A second pub with a history of previously housing a doctor’s surgery is the GABLES on Hough Lane in Leyland. This was the practice of a Doctor Johnson until it was sold and converted into a pub in the late 1950s. Although there are now more pubs being converted into shops than vice versa, there are a number of examples in our area of shops being converted into pubs. A second pub on Hough Lane in Leyland is the LEYLAND LION. This was most recently a Spar shop before being acquired by Wetherspoons in 2011, although many people will also remember it in an even earlier existence as being Leyland’s General Post Office.
Of course the Twelve Tellers is not the first former bank in Preston to have been converted into a pub. In 1988 the National Westminster Bank at Number 1 Fishergate was the scene of a dramatic bank robbery that made the national headlines. A few years later the premises were vacated by the bank people, and in 1993 the building was acquired by Greenalls with it being opened as a pub then called Wall Street. A prominent feature in the early days was a huge revolving video cube which was claimed to be the largest of its type in the World. Initially Wall Street was a real ale outlet, with two beers from Greenalls then being available. However things were soon to change, with the pub ceasing to sell real ale, and with it becoming an all-out fun pub which for a time was re-named Squares. At the beginning of 2013 there was another change of direction with the pub becoming a John Barras house and with it being re-named FISHERS. Real ale was re-introduced, with Greene King IPA typically being available, and with CAMRA members qualifying for a 10% reduction on the price of their real ales. Two years on the availability of real ale continues despite it being a bit hit and miss at times, while the CAMRA discount appears to have been removed Like the With the growing popularity of the micro-pub it is quite like Twelve ly that there will be more former shops that get converted into Tellers and pubs. In our area, and again staying on Hough Lane in Leyland, Fishers, the the MARKET ALE HOUSE was previously a travel agents shop, CORN while the SHEPHERD’S HALL ALE HOUSE on Chapel Street in EXCHANGE Chorley was previously a newsagents. Finally, as you may have is another read in a previous Preston Parade article, there has been talk of cavernous Preston getting its first micro-pub to be located on Friargate, and Preston pub to be called the PLAU. Should this eventually come to pass then with an it will be an interesting one. Until recently the building housed interesting a retro clothes shop, but go back over 100 years and the building past. was originally in use as a pub called the Plough. A pub closed for Perhaps not strictly speaking a conversion, it came into being in 100 years before re-opening - surely some kind of record? 1993 after the 3000+ capacity Public Hall had been demolished, with the re-constructed front portion being made into a pub. Gordon Small Initially it was a real ale outlet, with Tetley beers on sale. 10
THE
POTTERS ARMS BROOKE STREET
New Look, New Beers Picked by our Customers Great new Prices Tuesday: All Cask Ales ÂŁ1.99 All this makes us the best free house in Chorley
Good Beer Guide 2015
Winner of Gidlow Paint and pint Competition)
and a real fire 11
Chorley Chatter
reported that a local pub Once again, news from operator was looking to create a the Chorley area is a ‘nice urban pub with cask ale, bit thin on the ground guest beers and good food’. this issue. Either there Hopefully a deal can be done and by next issue we will be able to is not much going on, or a period of poor health has report some progress. meant I have not been out and about as much as usual. The area has another new pub with the opening of the War Horse There has been another change of licensee at the Hop Pocket. Neal on the Buckshaw Village development. The pub is on the main and Lorraine, until recently at the Sun in Preston are now running road through the estate near to the Tesco store. Owned by Greenethings although rumour is that this is only a temporary measure. King there are six Adrian Smith handpumps, which The main story is the fight to stop the Gillibrand Arms from feature Greene being flattened for housing.It is bad enough when the attempt King IPA and comes from developers, who are not known for their scruples), Abbott plus four when the move comes from an organisation which is guest beers. When but supposed to have the community at its heart i.e. Chorley I visited shortly after Community Housing, I am disgusted. We have a promenant opening, the other Councillor with a foot in both camps I think he should consider four beers were all whether he should have a place in either. from Coach House - the Cheshire Gold was tried and found to be on good form. Although essentially open plan, with clever use of partitioning they have managed to create a pub with dedicated areas for adults, families with children and sports TV fans. Several pubs have temporarily closed for refurbishment recently. The Hoghton Arms at Withnell and The Plough at Euxton have both had fairly extensive attention from the builders. Both should be open again by the time this magazine hits the pubs and full details will be in the next issue. Regulars at the Bay Horse on the A6 in Whittle would be forgiven if they are getting a bit confused. Having changed the name to Jack's at the Bay Horse relatively recently, a change of tenant saw the pub re-branded again, this time as Skippy's. Before I had a chance to get in to have a look, there was another change of licensee and the pub name has reverted to the Bay Horse. The new licensee is Kerrie Whaite and we wish her well. Initially, the regular beer will be Deuchars IPA with two changing guests for the Heineken list. The Crown on Chapel Street in Chorley celebrated it's first anniversary on 14th February. With five changing beers from Lancashire breweries, this has been a welcome addition to the Chorley scene and has become a firm favourite with branch members. The Bob Inn will be closed from 26th February for a week to allow for some reorganisation behind the bar – and should reopen on 5th March. A fourth handpump has been installed which will enable them to have a draught perry – making it the first pub in the branch area selling perry on a regular basis. A while back we reported that moves were afoot to reopen the old Royal Oak in Chorley. Part of the building had been used as a pub in recent times – as the Tut N Shive and Kinetic Bar – but although some work took place, nothing has happened. Rumours continue to persist about a reopening and we know of at least one local licensee who is considering taking the pub on. A feature in the local paper 12
The way the law stands CAMRA cannot involve itself directly in the membership of the Committee of the community organisation which is fighting to preserve an ‘Asset of Community Value’ but we are and will continue to offer all our support to Bernie and the Save the Gillibrand Group. The technical support of our 170,000 members is behind the campaign and advice and supportive involvement will be available from our officers and committee members, particularly the active members who live in the vicinity and know that the weight of over a thousand local members is behind the campaign 100%. Adrian was quite right to suggest that not a lot is going on in the area but that is not always a bad sign in an era of pub closures The new pubs - The War Horse, The Crown, The Sheps Hall Ale House and the Bob Inn all seem to be thriving. In fact our Editor was spotted having a pint of CAMRA’s Champion Winter Ale, Elland 1872 Porter with Sheps Hall licensee Tom. Former Springfield and Alison Arms licensee Steve Barker who organised several successful beer festivals in the area last year has a few more lined up this year including his second one at Charnock Richard F.C. Fri - Sun 1 - 3 May, with over 15 Real Ales and Ciders on tap and before that his first one at the Royal Oak, Chorley Old Road, Whittle, Fri - Sun 10 - 12 April. For further details contact Mike on 07980959024. We wish him every success and are sure the events will bee as good as last years. Toad
district with Sky Sports.
MRA’s
who r has
l Ales Oak, her
s ad
Chorley Chatter
The Oak Tree, Brinscall continues to serve up its excellent Holts bitter along We guests, welcomerecently Matt andselected with further from the theVillages Prospect range. A the further News local At Easter will be lively as ‘Chorley Grand Prix‘ trundles through from Belmont/Adlington to the Cricketers, reate a Demi hitfrom has been Holt’s SIXEX, at 6.0% still more a mild than a stout but very on Saturday, 4th Brinscall having previously April. All the local pubs will be happy to welcome you and with k ale, the Fringe A mini beerwith festival may in emerge at road Easter. News from the quaffable. Eastern rolling closures over the 5 laps of the circuit it is a good d’. worked Marstons nge Eastern excuse to sample the local fare. It can also all be done on a e to Cheshire and Wales. Now Fringe number 24 bus between Chorley and Blackburn settled into the Village At and Easter thetoVillages will be lively as thepub ‘Chorley Prix‘ trundles welcome Matt Demi theincluding to encourage gamesGrand including to theWe to encourage pub games this young couple are‘FIFA in for World the through from Belmont/Adlington on Saturday, 4th April. the local pubsThe willHare and Hounds , As they did for Ironman Challenge Brinscall having Cup’ nights onthe All Neal Cricketers, g ‘FIFA World Cup’ nights on long haul and are very keen to at Abbey Village will be putting on a ‘barbie nning previously worked be happy to welcome you and with rolling road closures over the 5 laps of thewith barms’ through with Marstons in‘Quoz’ on Thursdays, a testing ‘Quoz’ on the community back to the and tons Thursdays, andbring a testing the day and will quench thirsty racegoers with their regular ure. in circuitNow itpub is a excuse to sample the Copper local fare. It can also allPippin be done on aBitter (3.9 and Cheshire and Wales. settled Sundays. asgood a centre for village activity. Dragon ales Golden and Best th ettled Sundays. Presently they have been running a selection of beers 3.8 respectively). When I called in they also had Adnams Bitter number 24 bus between Chorley and Blackburn the Village this young couple uple intowith (4.7%) and Moorhouses White Witch (3.9%) and those tasty speJennings Cumberland and Cocker Hoop as regular areales in for long Duck haul and arerefreshing very pt re very andthe Golden (4.0%) pale ale brewed cial plates of food with a German twist that just warm you up on they did for the Ironman Challenge The Hareday and Hounds , ataround Abbey es), keen to bring for theAs community back a winter’s after a brisk walk Roddlesworth. back exclusively Villageforwill be putting on a ‘barbie with barms’ through the day and will to the pub as a centre village the by age | Marstons is quench thirsty racegoers with their regular Copper Dragon Golden activity. Presently they have been Finally I recently had the ales pleasure with a local group to been proving to be ider running Pippin and Best Bitter (3.9 and 3.8 respectively). I called invisit they undertake theWhen first ever brewery to also the Parker Brewery at, a selection of beers with with very successful. Banks, nr. Southport. Over the last four months Rick Parker ownhad Adnams Bitter (4.7%) and Moorhouses White Witch (3.9%) and those Jennings Cumberland and Cocker Cocker On Easter er and chief brewer has scaled up his home brewing to operate plates of food with a German twist that just awarm you up on a Centurion Pale Ale at Sunday there tasty as regular ales special and Golden an 800litre, 3 brews week micro brewery. oldenHoop will(4.0%) be a ‘Family 3.9%ABV is light and refreshing and is offset by Barbarian Bitter winter’s pale day after refreshing ale a brisk walk around Roddlesworth. ale Duck (4.1%) an amber bitter with a light caramel note. To compliment Day’ with several exclusively these a new brew Viking Blonde was still in the fermentation ub by brewed ales on tap, a craftsfor the pub by Finally I recently had to the beers enjoyed over a all very Marstons is proving to be very tanks on itswas first run. The best of is though is Dark Spartan fair and an Easter ry Stout, the brewer’s personal favourite, which at 5.0% reminds me pleasure with a local group to hospitable evening in the intimate egg hunt as theEaster Sunday On ay successful. of a certain national stout but with a distinct ‘wow’ factor. This beer garden opens for undertake bar/tasting created thea very hospitable will be a ‘Family Day’the withfirst ever brewery excellent range oflounge beers was enjoyedat over with there the season, visit to the Parker Brewery at, brewery. Visitors are welcome. evening in the intimate bar/tasting lounge created at the alesand on tap, a crafts fair barbeque air several brewery. Visitors are welcome. Banks, nr. Southport. Over the last andevening an Easter egg hunt asand theDemi beerat the Matt Cricketers he beer Matt and Demi at the Cricketers, Brinscall four months Rick Parker owner and entertainment. garden opens for the season, Matt and Demi at the Cricketers, Brinscall , They are also chief brewer has scaled up his barbeque and evening keen to encourage pubbrewing games including ‘FIFA home to operate an World entertainment. They are also andkeen a testing ‘Quiz’ on keen Cup’ nights on Thursdays, 800litre, 3 brews a week micro Sundays. brewery. Centurion PaleofAle First weofhave enjoyed the refurbishment theatDressers Arms with its 8 or furbishment the Dressers Arms with its 8 or First we have enjoyed the refurbishment of the 3.9%ABV is light and refreshing regular ales from alltoaround butthe now if you Dressers would like to dine out the battle y inbutso nd now if you dineales out battle Arms withwould its 8and orlike so regular from all around but sationfor is hots offsetup byalong Barbarian Bitter your hungry pound the A675 with the completion of the £1M if you with would likecompletion to dine out of thethe battle for your up the A675 the £1M butalong now amber bitterwith withthe a light refurbishment of(4.1%) the Hoghton Arms. hungry pound hots up an along the A675 nd n the Arms. caramel note. To compliment these ,000 completion of the £1M refurbishment of the Hoghton Arms. a new brew Viking Blonde was Modelled on Marstons ‘Milestone’ ee Modelled on Marstons ‘Milestone’ Modelled still in the fermentation tanks on on its brand this aims to provide a high cinity Marstons brand this aims to provide a high is first run. The best of is all though premium, ‘Milestone’ is full table service featuring premium, full table service featuring Dark Spartan Stout, the brewer’s brand this their allaims day ‘Rotisserie’. Heath, a their all day ‘Rotisserie’. Heath,toaprovide personal favourite, which at 5.0%a exile and Chorley his team also ofRural Members of Chorley 41 Club Members Chorley Ruralon 41the Club on the Chorley exile and his team alsohigh premium, first ever brewery visit to the first ever brewery visitParker to the Parker Brewery reminds me of a certain national maintain a selection of 4 ales from full table service maintain a selection of 4 ales from Brewery stout but with a distinct featuring ‘wow’ the Marstons list namely Jennings their ‘Irish’ John the Marstons list namely Jennings factor. This excellent range of all day Cumberland (4.0%), Pedigree and Cumberland (4.0%), Pedigree‘Rotisserie’ and . In the last issue a member of CAMRA’s Hobgoblin (both 4.5%) and Hobgoblin (both 4.5%) and Heath, a Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Branch Pedigree Chorley exile New World’ (3.8%) to Pedigree New World’ (3.8%) to wrote in to critisise OUR Branch mag ‘Irish’ John The former bar area remains so I’ve printed this letter to show that andstart. his team start. The former bar area remains Heath and Staff at the Hoghton Arms alsolargely maintain thea same but the restaurant not everyone shares that opinion Ed largely the same but the restaurant selection of 4 Heath and Staff at the Hoghton Arms is refreshingly Hiairy, Paul light and s is refreshingly light and ales from the Marstonsairy, list namely Jennings Cumberland Thank you for email. Yes we are holding our 3rd Beer and Sausage comfortable. An extensive outdoor (4.0%),comfortable. Pedigree and An Hobgoblin (both 4.5%) and Pedextensive outdoor Festival at the club on to the rear will be popular1st into 3rd May 2015. igree New World’ to start. The former bar area patio to the(3.8%) rear will be popular in patio remains largely the same but the restaurant is refreshingthe summer sun. We are aiming to make this even bigger and better than before with sun. ly airy,the lightsummer and comfortable. An extensive outdoor patio 60+ different cask beers and to cater for those thirsty people we to the rear will be popular in the summer sun. expect to have around 100 casks available over the weekend.
Letters
Between these two of course is the Golden Lion at Higher Wheelton with its extensive menu and selection of Thwaites ales, this too is the only pub in the district with Sky Sports.
There will also be good selection of Ciders. We have lined up 5 Bands which include a Queen tribute and the ever popular Rockits.
Our Treasurer Rob Parker who doubles as our publicity manager is away on business until next week. I am sure he will be contacting on his return to place another advert in your excellent The Oak Tree, Brinscall continues to serve up its excel- you magazine. Could you let us have the publication dates and “copy lent Holts bitter along with further local guests, recently cut off ” dates please. selected from the Prospect range. A further hit has been Best regards Holt’s SIXEX, at 6.0% still more a mild than a stout but very quaffable. A mini beer festival may emerge at Easter. Pete Parkinson 13 Secretary 11 Whittingham Club
Radio times
Radio Lancashire rang me at seven in the morning (yes there is
such a time) to discuss the topic of pub closures. Being meticulous I made a list of important things to mention. As it happens (and has happened many times with me in the past) I only got to make one point in the time available. so here is my follow up email: Leanne Thanks for giving me the opportunity ( in the interview with Graham Liver ) to put CAMRAs viewpoint on pub closures and the couple from the Trawden Arms who were fighting to ‘buck the trend.’ The licensing trade – its problems, its opportunities and related human interest tales could keep you in stories for the rest of the year. Below are just some of the issues facing the pub industry which have an impact on the public and the leisure options available to them that you could develop stories around. I was able to use my much requoted comment from 42 years ago that the two most incompetent organisations in the country are the banks and breweries (pubcos) because both have a license to print money, so common sense and competence don’t come into the equation, There was no time available to mention e.g. the following issues: On the up side: a) Real Ale - the only growth market in the licensed trade: i) More choice of Real Ales than ever in the history of brewing ii) More young people turning to real ale because of: - its huge variety of tastes - its healthy organic nature and goodness iii) More females drinking real ale by the pint – ‘Real Ales’ are no longer a man only domain The evidence for ii) and iii) is there to see at over 160 beer festivals every year
b)
New micro- breweries springing up so fast it’s hard to keep up with them
c) As pubco’s shut down pubs, on the basis of them being unprofitable, more and more are being bought up as ‘free houses’ and proving that after all they are very profitable d) Leyland
Small micro-pubs springing up in vacant shop premises – we already have two in Chorley and one in
e) New legislation is in place recognising the social importance of a strong pub industry and the damage to it caused by the greed and incompetence of many pubco’s: i) Localisation Act - designed to protect ‘Assets of Community Value’ from demolition and change of use, enabling the community to plan and implement purchase by the community of these assets. One pub already going through this procedure is The Gillibrand Arms in Chorley, where the Save the Gillibrand Group supported by CAMRA has succeeded in getting the pub listed by Chorley Council. We hope to have the same success with the Shawes Arms in Preston. We can’t see those being the last. ii) Clause 48 of the ‘Small Business Enterprise and Employment ’ Bill is an attempt to free publicans from the chains – enabling them to buy their ale from wherever they want and with a fair rent option with a rent tribunal appeals system in place. Whilst many think the restrictions will debar many publicans, it is at least a start. f) CAMRA is probably the world’s largest and fastest growing consumer organisations as it gets nearer by the year to a staggering quarter of a million members. That is proof of how important the British public think the issues we are discussing are to the social life of our communities. On the downside a) The 40 years+ of lack of investment by pubcos and breweries in their pubs has left many almost beyond repair. Rather than developing their estate many pubcos would sooner sell for housing or supermarkets b) Rather than accepting the will of the people as expressed by changes to the law of the land, (see- e i)&ii) above) they are trying to get round the new law by e.g placing restrictive covenants on the sale of their properties to prevent them reopening as licensed premises. This is clearly in conflict with the law of the land which we believe must take precedence. We believe that the impact of the current state of affairs on the social fabric of our communities is unacceptable – drinking on the street and the loneliness of drinking alone at home is bad for the community as well as the individual and the benefits of socialising in pubs is VITAL to the community. I would love to debate these issues further with you and am certain there will be enough case studies for you to use. Thanks Mick Clark – Communications Officer Central Lancs CAMRA – clcamra@rocketmail.com 14
ened
nd
of ons
ry
t up
ge to
ling his ed. We
The Wheatsheaf Coppull Spendmore Lane Coppull Nr Chorley Lancashire PR7 4NY
Coppull’s Newest FREE House Ever changing selection of Cask Ales including the popular breweries Prospect, Abbeydale, Bank Top, to name a few John Smith - Carling - Peroni - Kronenbourg 1664 Great selection Bottled beers, Lagers and Ciders.
Outside Smoking Area and Beer Garden FREE Juke Box - Monday FREE Pool – Tuesday Quiz Night – Wednesday Start 9.30pm
FREE to enter - 3 Rounds Prize for each – Snow Ball
Thursday – Darts Dominos Pool Sky and BT Sports Saturday Night Music Opening Times Monday to Thursday from 3pm Friday from 2pm Saturday and Sunday from 12pm Follow us on face book
The Railway Inn
hains stem
by ues
nd
we
g on of
Steeley lane Chorley Lancs PR6 0RD 01257411449 emailrailwayinnchorley@yahoo.co.uk
Jennings Cumberland and 4 changing guest ales
A CAMRA pub of the Season
A Good Beer Guide and Cask Marque Pub Free pool every Monday Darts and dominoes - Thurdays Free Jukebox every Tuesday
Chorley’s Premier Music Venue Live Music Friday and Saturday Evenings 15
Seasonal music festivals with up to 8 bands
16
Unde CAM and 1 page
In the Autumn 2014 Ale Cry I looked at what was happening to interest real ale drinkers at the five pubs in Longton. In the article I said it was my intention to look further at this part of South Ribble, and this time round I had plans to visit an additional five pubs in the 'greater' Longton area. On a Saturday afternoon in February this is what I found when looking at these pubs all located along the old Liverpool Road from Much Hoole to Hutton.
South Ribble Scene
I started my surveying at the SMITHY INN at Much Hoole, and unfortunately things did not begin well. This is a pub that has been a bit hit and miss in recent years, and this time it was definitely a 'miss' with no real ale being available on the day. Perhaps I will have better luck next time, as with three handpumps, the pub has previously been found to sell Black Sheep Bitter plus one changing guest ale.
What news from the other parts of South Ribble? Just too late to mention in the last Ale Cry was the welcome news that the SWAN at Higher Walton had re-opened after being closed for two years. The pub was not selling real ale in 2012, and at the time of writing in 2015 it is still not selling any real ale. However the good news is that this may not be the situation for too long, with the landlord looking at getting one or two handpumps installed. Elsewhere in this Ale Cry you will read of the branch's latest Ale Cry Distribution Crawl which called in at Higher Walton - I have to say that there was great disappointment on the day that we were not able to call in at the refurbished Swan.
In the last issue of Ale Cry I reported on the decline of the PEAR TREE on Leyland Road in Penwortham. The situation there is now much improved, with the pub now coming under the same management as the nearby Black Bull. A major refurbishment is planned for May, after which the pub will once again be providing the good quality 'pub grub' that it became famed for a few years ago. Currently the pub is only opening at 4pm on weekdays, and is So a little sooner than planned I was off on a 15 minute walk to selling one or two changing guest beers, although this is expected the FOX CUB, a purpose built pub located on the roundabout to be raised to four real ales after the refurbishment. at Little Hoole which opened exactly 10 years ago. No problems regarding beer choice here, with Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, Meanwhile the BLACK BULL on Pope Lane has now settled down after its own refurbishment late last year. A popular sideline has Thwaites Wainwright, and Hook Norton Lion being the three beers available. I went for the latter, but was a little alarmed at been the commencement of cellar tours, with over 200 customers now having taken the opportunity to have a look at the pub cellar being charged £3.60 for a pint. Does this make the Fox Cub a candidate for being the most expensive pub in the branch area? since the refurbishment. The Black Bull continues to provide a good range of real ales, with Greene King IPA and Theakstons Lightfoot being the regulars alongside up to three changing guest My next port of call ales. was the WALMER BRIDGE INN in the Other pub news from Penwortham is that centre of Walmer the FLEECE on Liverpool Road is now Bridge village. A charging motorists a £1 fee for using their current Good Beer car park. This has apparently become Guide entry, and a necessary because owners Spirit have lost pub that many years patience with the number of motorists ago was host to the who are not visiting the pub yet are taking occasional CAMRA up valuable parking spaces (I must admit committee meeting. that I have been guilty of this myself when As at the Fox Cub visiting the nearby dentists). However there were three beers available, these being Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Tetley's Gold Cask, plus my choice Weetwood Cheshire people who use the car park and who then go into the pub can reclaim the £1 back when they pay for their drinks. The Fleece has Cat. been selling some interesting beers this year, with two beers from Hart of Preston and two beers from Blakemere being available on Continuing along Liverpool Old Road and I reached the a recent visit. LONGTON ARMS, also in Walmer Bridge. On the face of it there were two beers available, Old School Brewery Detention and Robinsons Dizzy Blonde. I went for the OSB beer but was In Leyland there have informed that it was still settling and would not be available un- been a couple of til later in the day. A little disappointed I settled for the slightly temporary pub closures in recent months. The less exotic Robinsons Dizzy Blonde. BLACK BULL at Moss Side was the subject of Having missed out on a pint in Much Hoole, I next took the opportunity to call in at the GOLDEN BALL, a pub that I had a refurbishment in 2014, visited on my previous look at the Longton area in August. As and there were great last time the beers available were Robinsons Dizzy Blonde and plans for a Beer Festival Sharps Doom Bar. It would appear that Robinsons Dizzy Blonde and various other events. However in Autumn it is a popular beer in these parts. closed, then re-opened only to close again just As originally planned my final destination was to be the ANCHOR at Hutton. Like the Smithy Inn this is a pub that has before Christmas, and it remains closed at the been somewhat hit and miss for the real ale drinker in recent time of writing. years. On my previous two visits there had been no real ale Hopefully it will be back available, but on this occasion all looked well with a Copper up and running before Dragon Emmerdale clip being present on one of the handpumps. Unfortunately it was to prove third time again unlucky, too long. Another Leyland pub closed for a time early in 2015 was BARRISTERS on with the beer not yet being available for sale. Towngate. This has now re-opened, and will be subject to further investigation before the next Ale Cry is produced. Gordon Small Overall it had turned out to be a mixed day. Of the five pubs originally planned to visit, two had no real ale available. Of the four pubs actually visited, there was a choice of seven different beers, with Robinsons Dizzy Blonde being available in three of the pubs all within a mile of each other. However if you think this beer choice is a little limited, then it is worth considering the situation 100 years ago, when of the five pubs then in existence, they would all have been selling beers from Longton's Wilkins Brewery.
Under 26 or over You’ d be mad not to join CAMRA From £160 6.5 0 to and 15 months me ers join: £20 real ale vouchers, hip for the ice of 12 (se page 27) + Real Almb e e Discounts at hupr ndreds of pubs:
o n Girl s ’ e l n A l a a Power m e a R ! r n e i g is a n dom o l here only 17
WHITTINGHAM BEER & SAUSAGE FESTIVAL 1st - 3rd May 2015 WHITTINGHAM CLUB
Jus of
7-11PM Fri / 1-11PM Sat & Sun Old Whittingham Hospital Grounds Whittingham, Preston PR3 2JE
Live music every day www.whittinghamclub.com/beerfest A joint Preston North Rotary & Whittingham Club fundraising event
18
PARKERS ARMS Park Road Chorley 01257 261999
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am - 12pm Friday - Saturday: 11am - 1pm Sunday: 11am - 12pm Real Ales from £2. per pint: Jennings’ Cumberland + guest
Just some of the benefits of joining CAMRA........
£20
J D Wetherspoons
Free - Monthly
Real
Ale
Quarterly
Vouchers Pubs and Clubs all over the country offer real
19
ale dicounts to CAMRA members
View from the Mountain
Breaking the Law!!!
Strawberry Gardens Poulton Road, Fleetwood, FY7 6TF Tel 01253 771991
12 Real Ales, 6 Ciders & Continental Beers
Food Served Daily in The Little Restaurant Breaking the law................. What I mean by that is taking steps to ensure that a law becomes unworkable. In the last issue I dealt with: a) the localisation legislation which is designed to protect buildings which have a value to the community from change of use or demolition and b) new legislation which will protect licensees from exploitation by unfair rent increases and give them the right to source their products from wherever they choose. For a number of reasons which I will go into in depth in a later issue this second law will unfortunately exclude about 2/3 of the licensed trade. It is the first piece of legislation which I intend to deal with today. 50+ Real Ales, Real Ciders and No one has ever accused big business of high morals so one should not be surprised when they seek to plumb the depths to Continental Beers thwart the intention of this recent law. Live Entertainment from A new trick has become part of their armoury. Blue Pig Orchestra Restrictive covenants are placed on the sale of pubs to protect other nearby pubs of theirs from competition which may occur Ramblin Riversiders and others. if the property is bought by someone in the same trade. In other words fear of a new owner doing a better job than they managed to do might result in a loss of trade for other nearby Thur 21st to Mon 25th May pubs in their ownership. Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Runner up Pub of the Year 2014 So they place what is known as a restrictive covenant on the property before sale which prevents the building from ever Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013 becoming a pub again. In other words not only have they no Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2012 faith in their organisation’s ability to compete, it is tantamount to saying we know we are hopeless but we need to protect our www.strawberrygardensfleetwood.co.uk virtual monopoly. It is our branch’s view that what they are doing is not just waving fingers at the communities that have given their business profits over many years but is saying to British and European Parliaments - pass what laws you want to protect communities we will find ways to circumvent them. I believe that the laws of the land must take precedence I say to big pub companies -
4th Beer & Cider Festival
you have exploited the British public for far too long. You have failed to maintain your properties to a decent standard, leaving them in a condition that leaves many of them almost uninhabitable and it’s about time you handed over the reins to someone capable of doing a proper job of entertaining the communities you have treated with such scant regard for decades’ Our branch is obviously of the same opinion and has placed the following resolution on CAMRA’s AGM agenda for this April. We haven’t has much success before at the AGM so here’s hoping. We’ll keep you updated. Lord Mountain
TEXT OF MOTION (Please write clearly in block capitals) THIS CONFERENCE / ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RECOGNISES THAT THE LOCALISATION ACT 2011 AND ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE REGULATIONS 2012 NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED TO PREVENT ANY VENDOR OF AN ASSET OF COMMUNITY VALUE FROM IMPOSING ANY RESTRICTIVE COVENANT OR OTHER RESTRICTION ON A SALE WHICH WOULD PREVENT OR RESTRICT THE OPERATION OF THE ASSET BY A POTENTIAL COMMUNITY GROUP PURCHASER. 20
A Sa
Whit thing whils fame Drac main
It was in the guest at the We ar heade Titan Rhata 4.3% malt, Brew
Head night ourse Hors pub w bar. B Timo Land Brew were Dog R both decid the fu turne citrus fruity The b surna
Timo Land night and P
By no Whit the o us. Ti Whit Stron a pin wond have back be let select do wi
s
s
d
2014
12
A Sally round………….Whitby Whitby, situated on the North Yorkshire coast, is famous for many things. It was here that a young James Cook lived on the harbour side whilst serving his apprenticeship as a mariner, later going on to find fame as Captain Cook. Whitby is also famous for Bram Stoker's Dracula and Whitby Jet, a black Gemstone produced from the remains of fossilised, ancient Monkey-puzzle trees.
We started Saturday morning with a great Yorkshire Breakfast at the Dolphin whilst watching the commotion outside. The Swing Bridge was stuck and could not be closed properly. Hmm, I thought, last night's two minute walk to the Station Inn was now a forty-five minute walk around to another bridge or a ten minute taxi ride. We decided to trek up Whitby's famous 199 steps to Whitby Abbey.
It was here, that Carole and I decided to come for a weekend away in the run up to Christmas just gone. Avoiding the many hotels and guest houses that Whitby has to offer, we booked a room upstairs at the Dolphin, a decent real ale pub right next to the Swing Bridge. We arrived early evening on Friday and after unpacking our bags we headed downstairs to sample some ale. Three casks were available, Titanic Night to Remember, Jennings Cumberland and Black Dog Rhatas. Night to Remember, Titanic's seasonal ale for November at 4.3% was my first selection, refreshing with a balance of hops and malt, it went down a lot faster than the ship which inspired the Brewery's name. Heading out into the night we soon found ourselves in the Black Horse, a warm, cosy pub with a tiny front bar. Black Dog Rhatas, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Jarrow Brewery Rivet Catcher were on sale. Black Dog Rhatas was on in both pubs so far, so I decided to see what the fuss was about. It turned out to be a great choice. Despite my usual preference for pale, citrusy beers both Carole and I loved this beer. Dark, creamy and fruity it was a cracking pint and at 4.6% it didn't take many prisoners. The beer's unusual name "Rhatas" turned out to be an anagram of the surname of the original owner of Black Dog Brewery, Mr Hartas.
It proved to be worth the effort and we spent a couple of hours looking around the ruins of the Abbey and the museum. Up and down the steps seemed to have worked up a thirst and so around lunchtime we found ourselves back in the Black Horse. The night before, I had spotted that a Yorkshire Cheese Board was available. Having ordered one, we settled in the front bar with more Black Dog Rhatas. The cheeseboard arrived containing three large wedges of cheese, Wensleydale & Cranberry, Tickton Log and Yorkshire Fettle accompanied by homemade Fruit Chutney and several hunks of bread. Delicious and great value at £5.75. The Black Dog Rhatas washed it down perfectly.
Set for the afternoon we made our way to our next stop, the Angel. On offer at this Wetherspoons pub was Ruddles Best, Adnams Broadside, Rooster's Union Gap and Maxim Brew Next stop was the Board Inn. After the first two pubs, ery "Wanted the Simcoe Kid". Never having seen "Wanted the Simcoe Kid" anywhere before, that was our choice. It I was slightly disappointed turned out to have been brewed specially for Wetherspoon's to discover the rather Real Ale Festival and was golden and hoppy at 4.5%. A good uninteresting selection choice. Having been in the Angel, our next pub was called consisted of Theakston XB, The Little Angel. In here we found Black Sheep, Cameron's Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Strongarm, Sharps Doombar, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Theakston Old Peculiar Brass Castle Hazelnut Mild, Pennine Grim Reepa and Son and Theakston Masham Four & Twenty. On the basis net 43 IPA. I had a pint of Hazelnut Mild whilst Carole tried the Sonnet 43 IPA. The Hazelnut Mild at 4.2% was nutty that Theakston Masham Four & Twenty was the most and malty with a hint of coffee while Carole's Sonnet 43 IPA turned out to be a hoppy and fruity 4.4%. The name of unusual beer on offer, that the Brewery comes from Sonnet 43 ‘How do I Love Thee?’ was our choice. It turned which is the best-known work of poet Elizabeth Barrett out to be more to Carole's Browning. liking than mine, quite sweet, with a honey and Next stop was the Fleece where alongside Golden Sheep and fruity taste at 4.2%. Not keen to stay long, we slipped Shepherd Neame was Whitby Brewery Saltwick Nab. This into the pub next door, The seemed the obvious choice and it wasn't a bad one, Saltwick Duke of York. Greeted with Nab was a fruity, ruby ale at 4.2%. Only two pump clips were on view at the next pub, The Endeavour. John Smiths Cask Greene King Abbot Ale, and Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, so Bitter and Twisted it Timothy Taylor Landlord and Black Sheep, I decided on a pint of was, hoppy and citrusy and a good session ale at 3.8%. Landlord, always a reliable 4.3% old friend. I have had many great nights out with Timothy over the years, several of them in the Dog Getting hungry, we decided to go into a Fish and Chip cafe and Partridge on Friargate, Preston. of which there are plenty to choose from. We both ordered Whitby cod and chips, bread and butter and a pot of tea. By now it was nearly time to find some food for our first meal in The food was fantastic and the cod were so big that neither Whitby, but before that we still had time to call at the Station Inn on the other side of the bridge. The widest selection of the night awaited of us could finish it all. Stuffed to the gills, we had just room for a last pint back at the Dolphin, where Everards Brief us. Timothy Taylor Golden Best, Saltaire Blonde, Osset Silver King, Whitby Brewery Platform 3, Hopback Summer Lightning, Cameron's Encounter had been added to the available beers. This was Strongarm and Copper Dragon Best Bitter were all on offer. I ordered my choice and it was a golden, fruity beer at 4%. a pint of Ossett Silver King, one of my favourites at 4.3%, whilst Sunday morning saw us set off for home. We had a great wondering if I could persuade Carole to delay our meal so we could have another here. Mission accomplished, next up was a pint of Hop- weekend in Whitby, there is plenty to see and do as well as some great pubs. I even found time to buy a Whitby Jet ring back Summer Lightning, another old friend which can occasionally for Carole and some Whitby Jet earrings for my sister. be lethal at 5%. Rather reluctantly, we made our way outside to the selected Italian restaurant, despite my suggestion that we could make 21 Dave Bell do with a pickled egg and a couple more pints at the Station Inn.
A CAMRA Pub of the Season
‘We
are proud to be a Free House with 5 hand pulled Real Ales usually including a mild which are generally locally sourced from micro brewers’
THE MALT AND
Free HOPS House
One of horley’s most popular
real ale hostelries - a long time Good Beer Guide entry - a stopping off point for train and bus commuters, serving a wide and changing range of ‘locales’.
Fancy a game of Draughts come along (alternate Tuesdays). Quiz night is Wednesday with free hot pot. There’s live entertainment on Fridays and Poker on Saturdays The Malt and Hops offers free wifi, sports t.v.and much more. The Malt and Hops is on twitter and facebook.
Beer Garden Well worth a visit or two or three or more
22
Publ
Mick Pub of the Season
We have chosen The Moorbrook on North Road in Preston as our Spring pub of the season. It is not yet a year since the pub reopened after being saved from demolition, but is already a firm favourite, not only in the local community but with real ale drinkers looking for a beer that is out of the ordinary. Although owned by Sue Woods and Gary Culshaw, the man in charge of running the pub is General Manager Richard Fischer Godwin and what a good job he is doing. With its recent addition of an extra handpump, it means that he can now offer seven different real ales from all over, all of which are always in excellent condition. Another addition is a 3.9% house beer specially brewed for them at only ÂŁ2.60 a pint. For sustenance, a range of gourmet and traditional pies with peas, a range of salads and sharing platters are available Obviously the beer is paramount, but the ambiance of the pub, with its wood panelled bar and two separate rooms, and friendly
atmosphere engendered by the staff and customers alike make it a pub not to miss. There is also an outside garden area which is a sun trap in the warmer months. Live music is featured including open mic. nights on the middle Thursdays, with Irish night the last Wednesday of the month, and a quiz night on the first Thursday. The pub is open from noon to 11.45 pm except Friday and Saturday when it is 12.45 am. The Moorbrook was the birthplace of Camra in Lancashire and it holds a special place in the hearts of the founder members. To see the pub alive and well and positively thriving is truly wonderful, especially with the variety of beers on sale, which could only have been dreamed about in 1973. To commemorate this event, on the night of the award to Richard, we will also be presenting the pub with a brass plaque as a permanent reminder. The presentations will take place on the evening of Monday 27th of April when the branch will also be holding one of its meetings there. All are welcome. Paul Riley Branch Meetings
Pubs all over our area are offering real ale discounts to CAMRA Members
including:
Adelphi, Preston. Anderton Arms, Fulwood. Black Bull, Preston, Black Bull, Fulwood. Black Bull, Penwortham.Boatyard, Riley Green. Crown, Croston. Fishers, Preston.Fleece, Penwortham.Hartwood Hall, Chorley. Horns, Goosnargh.Lane Ends, Ashton.Malthouse Farm, Whittle-le-Woods. Nabs Head, Samlesbury. Old Leyland Gates, Leyland.Phantom Winger, Broughton. Poachers, Bamber Bridge.Woodsman, Clayton-le-Woods. Yarrow Bridge, Chorley. Bob Inn, Chorley, Prince of Wales(Market) Chorley
18 pubs closing every day. The impact on our society is extremely serious. We need your support.... Join us......
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in Ale Cry are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Central Lancashire Branch of CAMRA, or of the Campaign for Real Ale
Published by: The Central Lancashire Branch Of The Campaign for Real Ale
23
Young Members... Desperately needed to replace us codgers.22 Please contact ed........
THE MARKET 33 Hough Lane, ALE HOUSE Leyland,
*
A CAMRA Pub of the Season *
*
THE BOB INN
24 MARKET PLACE, CHORLEY
* Quality cask ales, cider and wine * Constantly changing selection of cask ales from microbreweries in Lancashire and the North of England * Bar snacks inc pork pies and cheese platter * No tv's, music or mobile phones - just good old conversation (or peace and quiet)
Opening Hours - Mon: closed, Tue, Wed, Thu: 2 - 10, Fri, Sat: noon to 11pm, Sun: 2 to 8pm
Tel: 01772 623363
CENTRAL LANCS CAMRA CIDER PUB OF TH E YEAR 2015
PROBABLY THE SMALLEST PUB IN LANCASHIRE PROBABLY THE SMALLEST PUB IN LANCASHIRE
e.mail-themarketalehouse@hotmail.co.uk
2 CHANGING CASK ALES + REAL CIDER CASKCASK ALESALES £2.60+PINT 2 CHANGING REAL CIDER,
IMPORTED CZECH LAGER & BOTTLED BEERS
OPEN 10-6 MON-TUES, THUR-SAT OPEN 10-6, MONDAY – SATURDAY
20p A PINT DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS
The Red Herring
Does Your Local Serve Locale?
20P A PINT DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS
MILL LANE, COPPULL, CHORLEY, LANCS. Tel: (01257) 470130 Ste & Mary welcome you to Coppull’s top freehouse: An oasis in a beer desert. Guest Ales include: Reedley Hallows, Prospect, Bank Top Good Beer and many more
Licens started great v was al the ot featur appea there manu applau first ev tion – watch
Guide --
Sat night entertainment, we’re in it. Sun night quiz Ring Mill function room for hire
There branc outlet total n misse we wi
Monday to Thursday open from 3pm Friday to Sunday open from 12pm
Bamb Withy Hops, Tate, Rest, H Sirloin Longr Conti on).
Any p campa appea
24
Looki in the lot of not up to sell wond more
Real Cider & Perry
When CAMRA started in the 1970's
Lets Try Something Different
there weren't too many 'styles' of beer being brewed. Most of the breweries out there had bitter and maybe a best bitter. If you lived in the midland or the north you might be lucky and find a mild. Bitters came in shades of brown – one of the few exceptions being the straw coloured (and much missed) Boddington's from Manchester. Cask conditioned stout, porter, winter ale etc. had all but disappeared. Fast forward 40 years and you'll find a wide variety of beers being brewed by the ever growing number of micro breweries around the country. Many of these breweries have a passion for producing pale and straw coloured beers and these have become firm favourites on the bar in many of our pubs. Licensees often remark that they can't sell dark beers and consequently the availability of For the first time within the branches 40+ year history we have them is somewhat limited. selected a cider Pub of the Year. The Bob Inn in Chorley only opened in November, but despite being the smallest pub in the You only have to flick through the pages of the Good Beer Guide to see that there is a far wider range of real ale available than the branch area, they have served real cider from the outset. The demand has been staggering – especially considering the size of pale/golden bitter – however good these are. CAMRA held a the pub and the limited opening hours and they have been sell- Winter Ales festival in Derby earlier this month – and while all ing in excess of 2 boxes a week. Not content with this they have tastes were catered for there was a great range of the more unusunow found room for a fourth handpump which will be selling al types – stout, porter, barley wine, old ale and strong mild. The perry – making it the only regular outlet for draught perry in Champion Beer of the Festival was Elland 1872 Porter which is occasionally available in pubs in our area – so one to watch out the branch. for. Over recent months I have had some wonderful and different beers. One awful wet October afternoon found me in the Shepherd's Hall Ale House in Chorley where virtually everybody in was drinking a dark beer. On investiga tion this turned out to be Elland Diablo. This is a seasonal beer – described on the brewery website as a rich, smooth, dark devil of a brew. At 5.6% this is well bit above my normal strength, but it was wonderful. Licensee Steve Cooney had a very simple philosophy when he Last weekend, we were in the started the pub. Given the limited space, there could not be a Wheatsheaf in Croston great variety of products at any one time. However, the intention was always to feature products that were not readily available in and my wife had the the other pubs in Chorley. On the cider front they have recently Titanic Plum Porter (it hadn't made the bar featured Abrahalls, Broadoak and Hecks, while the first perry to at that point and appear is Broadoak Premium. Most pubs that do a real cider (and licensee Jon kindly there are precious few) settle for something from one of the major drew one direct from manufacturers – so this approach from a brand new pub is to be the barrel). It was applauded. Congratulations to Steve and his team for being our fabulously rich and first ever Cider POTY. We have not fixed a date for the presenta- powerfully fruity – a tion – and given the size of the pub it will have to be 'low key', but truly great drink, so I watch the branch website and Facebook page for details. had to have one as well! There are not many real cider outlets in the May is traditionally Mild Month for branch. Below is a list showing the 21 known CAMRA, where we try to encourage outlets – which is almost exactly 10% of the licensees to stock a mild throughout the total number of real ale pubs. If we have month. It's still a way off yet, but we will missed anybody off, please let us know and add a Mild Month page to our website we will update the list. which will list the pubs in our area who will be stocking a mild during the month. Bamber Bridge: Olde Original Withy Trees, There are plenty of 'different' beers out Withy Arms, Chorley: Bob Inn, Malt 'n' there to be tried. Mainly these will be Hops, Shepherd's Hall Ale House, Sir Henry found in the true free houses where the Tate, Croston: Crown, Euxton: Traveller's licensee has the scope to be a bit more Rest, Heapey: Top Lock, Hoghton: Boatyard, Sirloin, Leyland: Leyland Lion, Market Ale House, Withy Arms, adventurous. Most pubs will allow a taste Longridge: Corporation Arms, Preston: Black Horse, Bears Paw, or if you're not sure so why not cast Continental, Ferret, Grey Friar, Twelve Tellers, Wellington (Asht- caution to the wind and try something different next time you are out – you never know what you might on). discover. Adrian Smith Any pub selling real cider is entitled to display the CAMRA campaign sticker 'Real Cider Sold Here' – so watch out for these appearing in these pubs in the near future. It's not often you hear anything about cider or perry in this magazine, but it is an important part of the overall campaign. There are two real difficulties for this branch – not a great number of cider pubs and none of our regular contributors regularly drinks cider. However we hope to have a feature on cider and perry from time to time as news dictates. If any of our readers is a keen cider drinker and would like to contribute to these pages, then please contact me – your help would be appreciated.
Bob Inn - Cider Pub of the Year 2015
Real Cider outlets
Looking at the list above it is noticeable that the three micro pubs in the branch area are managing to sell real cider – and selling a lot of it. If they can do it, why can't more of the bigger pubs? It's not up to CAMRA to tell pubs how to run their business or what to sell, but it's clear that there is a demand for real cider. One wonders how much more of a demand there would be if it were 25 more regularly available. Adrian Smith
Stopping conglomerates turning pubs into supermarkets - just one of many fightsCAMRA must fight.Join us in that fight....see page 23 >>>
by over 60,000 drinkers all over the uk and even abroad We have a dozen or so distributors the list below covers just SOME of the places just 3 distributors have dropped mags off at. A more comprehensive list in the next issue
Including:
Lytham, Garstang,Southport Skipton, Fleetwood, Cumbria, Manchester, Merseyside, Yorkshire (inc. Whitby, Pickering, Scarborough)Lancaster, Liverpool, Stockport, Blackpool, St.Anne’s, Hull, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Girvan, Newcastleton, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bristol, Feltham, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Louth, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, Holmfirth, Otley, Leeds Huddersfield, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Harrogate, Scarborough, Pickering, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Torquay, Bromyard, Aston U Lyne, Stalybridge, Poulton, Canterbury, Whitstable, USA -mid west, Chicago, Seattle, various European countries.
It’s directed advertising so it reaches where you want it to reach
You’re welcome to attend any of our meetings / trips
Mar 12 # Prince of Wales (Cowling Chorley) 23 * Withy Arms (Bamber Bridge) Apr 9 # Malt ‘n’ Hops (Chorley) 27 * Moorbrook (Preston inc. Pub of Season and plaque Presentation) May 7 # Twelve Tellers (Preston) 18 * Withy Arms (Leyland) Jun 4 # The Crown (Chorley) 22 * Black Horse (Preston) Officers and Contacts:
Branch Contact/Chairman Adrian Smith 01257 273931 Secretary / Web site Gordon Small 01772 746118 14 Bank Parade Penwortham Preston Treasurer Paul Riley 01772 709272 Vice-Chairman John Singleton 07449 453854 Pubs Officer Adrian Smith 01257 273931 Womens contact: Sue Riley 01772 709272 Social Secretary Wes Truran 07766 881252 Young Members Vacant Communications (inc. editor) Mick Clark 07984 840486 Membership John Singleton 07449 453854
Attention!!!!!!!! Pubs, Clubs, Suppliers and anyone else interested in contacting people who like to socialise: O ur advertisers benefit from our 7,000 copies being read
Branch Meetings (8pm): Branch / Socials* Committee #
email address: clcamra@rocketmail.com
website- http://www.centrallancscamra.org.uk www.facebook.com CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch
Socials / Trips / Visits / Ale Trails: The branch would welcome more members and potential members joining us on our trips and visits. Our next one is: Sat 28th Mar - Trip to Bury and Ramsbottom Minibuses leave from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station)11a.m., Chorley Railway Station - 11.30a.m Fri 24th April - Macclesfield By Rail - Time to be confirmed Sat 6th June – Wirral Minibuses leave from Old Vicarage, Preston (near bus station)11a.m., Chorley Railway Station - 11.30a.m To book places or check on times for Macclesfield contact: Wes Truran. o7766 881252
Prices: Double page £300 / Ale Trails etc Back page £195 IfTrips you’d like us to arrange any trips Full page £175 give us your ideas - contact Wes. Half Page £ 95 Quarter Page £ 55
26
Deadline for Adverts and Articles 8/5/15 for the Summer Edition:: Expected Publication Date: 25/5/15
One of the world’s largest and fastest growing consumer organisations.... Be a partof it ...................... Why not Join NOW...........
Accordingly, in association with CAMRA, we are pleased to announce these AMAZING offers:
£20 of JD Wetherspoon Real Ale tokens
15 months membership for the price of 12 if you agree to pay by direct debit
then once you’ve joined : Chance to win 24 pints to enjoy in the Leyland Lion Proud supporter of traditional, healthy, onHough Ln., Leyland for British made, real ales & CAMRA in its fight to helping keep the branch bring this healthy, organically produced example informed about what’s of British culture to more people’s attention. happening in one or two of your local pubs and perhaps dropping a few Ale Crys off for us
--------------------------
Single Membership (uk & eu) £24 £26 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £16.50 £18.50 Joint Membership (Partner at the same address) £29.50 £31.50 Concessionary (under 26 or over 60) £19.50 £21.50 I wish to Join the Campaign for Real Ale and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of the Association I enclose a cheque for: (or complete dd >>) Signed: Date: (If Joint membership - Partners name and signature):
.
Date:
.
27
Outside Dining Area at Leyland
Bar Area Bamber Bridge
Great Beer & Great Food Food Served Monday to Saturday Lunchtime 12:00 ‐ 2pm Evening Service 6pm ‐ 9pm Sunday All Day 12:00 ‐ 9pm
www.withyarms.com Bamber Bridge ☎ 01772 697706
Leyland Old Town ☎ 01772 301969
6 Hand Pulls In Each Pub