Hinckley & Bosworth Branch

Benefits for CAMRA Members
Join CAMRA today and receive some fantastic new membership benefits
CAMRA is delighted to announce a new Membership Package for all new and renewing members. More....

3 Sep
Pub News
The  former Turks Head In Donisthorpe just across the border from our area has reopened after 13 months of closure as The Halfway House. It is so named because it is halfway between the two other pubs in the village. The Engine and The Mason's Arms. There are five hand pumps and appear to have 4/5 real ales available which on my last visit were M&B Mild, Draught Bass, Pedigree, Everards Equinox and Timothy Taylor's  Bitter.  It is open lunchtime and evenings with bar snacks and full meals available.
Source David Drake

29 Aug
3rd Hinckley CAMRA Beer Festival
Beer & Cider list is now available - Click here

24 Aug
2011 Good Beer Guide will be published on 16th September 2010
Click here to pre-order yours - also available as a Mobile App for i-Phones

17 Aug
CAMRA Annual Raffle 2010

Don’t forget to send back your CAMRA annual raffle tickets!  All proceeds from the CAMRA raffle are being allocated to our 'Save the Pub' campaigning fund, so please help support us.

Raffle closing date: 17^th September, so please hurry!

1^st Prize £3,000 2^nd Prize £1,000, 3^rd Prize A year’s Beer Club Membership
PLUS... 20 smaller prizes
For more information on the raffle and to order more tickets visit www.camra.org.uk/raffle

16 Aug
Drink beer, lose weight?
How the GBBF was portrayed by news media from around the world:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/drink-beer-lose-weight/article1662945/ - complete with movie clip (after the advert!)
http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=154286391
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1073484/1/.html
http://www.france24.com/en/20100805-british-drink-good-health-beer-festival-0
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/afp/lifestylebritaindrinkfestivalhealthwomen
http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/08/03/the-miracle-beer-diet/
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/190828/-Swap-wine-for-beer-to-lose-weight-
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/147427

3 Aug
Champion Beer of Britain 2010 announced!

‘Nottingham brewer crowned king of the Castle!’

After a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is today proud to announce that Castle Rock (of Nottingham) brewery’s Harvest Pale has been crowned the ‘Best Beer’ in Britain at the Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, London.
Harvest Pale, which has an ABV of 3.8%, is described in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2010 as ‘blonde and refreshing with distinctive citrus hop.’
The Nottingham brewed real ale was judged the Supreme Champion over a host of other finalists in 7 different beer categories (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Winter Beers*, and the Speciality class), including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers. more

1 Aug
The new Half Pint will be appearing in our pubs over the next week or so - look out for Issue 26 - August/September.

This is of course the Hinckley Beer Festival edition containing:
Reports of the Shackerstone Rail Ale Weekend & The Great Welsh Beer Festival
+ Do Morris Men Like Real Ale? as well as Beer Festival information & much more.

31 July
Sponsor a Cask at the 3rd Hinckley Beer Festival
An opportunity to have your name or business associated with our annual festival for only £20!
Click here for more details

Three local pubs have changed hands recently:
The Greyhound, Hinckley welcomes George, the George & Dragon, Stoke Golding Marc, Jack & Sandy & the Gate at Ratcliffe Culey's new landlady is Emily Smith who has recently been working at the Black Horse at Sheepy Magna. We wish them all well for the future.

30 July
EDM: Gaining Momentum
Last month Emily Ryans, CAMRA's campaigns officer asked you to help get the support of MPs for an Early Day Motion (EDM 210) in Parliament, which calls on the Government to take action to support our community pubs.

Over 1,500 CAMRA members have emailed their MPs so far asking them to sign up, From this, more than 160 MPs have signed up, making this EDM one of the most popular in Parliament.
If you haven't emailed your MP yet you can still help, so please click here and take two minutes to email your MP.

Click here to check if your MP has signed up already.

16 July
Local Pub news
We have just heard that Ian & Geraldine are leaving the George & Dragon, Stoke Golding for the Man at Arms, Bitteswell. This will be our loss, but Leicester Branch's gain. Although only  in our area for a relatively short time, Ian has impressed us with his dedication to LocAles, the consistency of his beers & his support of CAMRA. So much so that the George & Dragon was one of our entries in the 2010 Good Beer Guide. It would also have featured in the 2011 edition, but we were able to get it replaced with our 1st reserve, the White Swan, conveniently also in Stoke Golding. I understand they will be leaving before the end of July and we wish Ian & Gerry well with their new venture - who knows, perhaps it will feature in a future minibus trip!
As a result of this sudden change, we have also had to re-arrange our August Meeting, which will now be at the Lime Kilns on Tuesday 7th August at 8pm.

The Greyhound in Hinckley is closed this week & when it re-opens there will be a new, permanent landlord. No further details yet known.

13 July
Help Save Highgate Brewery
Public Meeting at Walsall Town Hall (Leicester St entrance)
Wednesday 14 July 2010
19:30 - 21:30 More

2 July
All ready at Shackerstone
The beers & ciders are all racked and ready, they're even steaming Mayflower - it's all ready for tomorrow & Sunday.
Admission by Train Ticket or Platform Ticket (£1.00)
More. . .

24 June
The Landlord of the Crown in Appleby Magna, Tom Vandenheuvel, recently completed the Three Peaks Challenge Walk: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.
Tom, along with seven other regulars from the pub, assisted by two drivers, completed the arduous climb in under 24 hours. In doing so they raised a total of over £4000 for the charity "Living Angels" which is a charity set up when the lady living next door to the pub died from cancer last year. Over £1000 was raised  by customers in The Crown.
The ascent of Ben Nevis was commenced at 4.00pm on Saturday and the last members of  the party completed the descent of Snowdon at  3.20pm on Sunday.  Fortunately or unfortunately no real ale was consumed en route although Tom did reward himself with a can of Guinness on each of the three peaks.
Next target:- Kilimanjaro!!

19 June
Ask your MP to sign EDM 210 and support community pubs
Next Tuesday, the 22 June, the Chancellor will announce the Budget. There is a risk that the Government will introduce a further tax rise which will hit pubs, even though tax on beer has already rocketed by 26% since the start of 2008.
We need to make sure that the Chancellor understands the value of well-run community pubs to consumers like you so he does not hit them with more tax rises - or even a double whammy with an increase in both excise duty and VAT which will increase the price of a pint in your local.
To highlight the social, economic and cultural importance of well-run community pubs, EDM 210 - an Early Day Motion or parliamentary petition has been tabled by Greg Mulholland MP which calls on the Government to implement a package of policies which will help secure the future of viable and well-run community pubs. Pubs are still closing at the rate of almost 6 every day - we need the Government to take action now to prevent more pub closures and preserve our culture and heritage.
CAMRA is asking members to take 2 minutes to email your MP and ask them to sign the EDM.

15 June
Highgate & Davenports Brewery calls in the Administrators
The Highgate & Davenports Brewery at Walsall has again gone into administration. All the employees have been made redundant and there is to be an administrators meeting on Thursday. more. . .

14 June
Loyalty Scheme Prize Draw Results
The draw took place at our June Branch Meeting at Ashby Road Sports Club - The Winners

Greg Mulholland MP re-elected Chair of All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group
The post election re-launch meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group was attended by over a dozen MPs and saw Greg Mulholland MP (for Leeds North West) elected as the Chair; and Brian Binley MP (for Northampton South) and Lord Bilston as joint Vice Chairs.
The meeting also appointed CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale to provide secretariat support to the Group and approved plans for the formation of a new Executive Committee of MPs and Peers. more. . .

4 June
Everards profits on the up
Leicester brewer and retailer Everards has reported an increase in operating profit for its most recent year despite an decrease in turnover. more. . .
 

Pubcos still face threat of government intervention
The coalition government has confirmed it will stick to Labour’s plan to force pubcos to “relax the beer tie” by June 2011 or face the threat of intervention. more. . .

1 June
The new Half Pint will be appearing in our pubs over the next week or so - look out for Issue 25 - June/July

Pub & Club of the Year presentations

Branch Diary, Pubs news & events

History of Parish Brewery

31 May
Our LocAle Loyalty Scheme has now closed - the prize Draw for those entering full cards will be at our next Monthly Meeting - Ashby Road Sports Club on Tuesday 8th June, commencing at 8:00pm. more. . .

30 May
Campaigns Report
Updates on Election Campaigning, GBBF promotion, Discount Scheme, Beer Tax and more
Click here

25 May
CAMRA's 2010 Raffle Launched
Pubs are closing at a rate of six a day. We need your help to stop this now!  more. . .

23 May
Government announces pub measures as part of coalition agreement
This morning the Government published their full programme for Government over the next five years. The programme encompasses many of the manifesto commitments of both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, particularly on issues where the two parties agreed. more. . .

19 May
CAMRA National Club of the Year 2010 - Northants club steams in to victory!

WINNER: Rushden Historical Transport Society
Station Approach, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 0AW
Tel: 01933 318988

An historic hidden gem situated in a converted railway station room has today been crowned as the best Club in Britain by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.
Previously a joint CAMRA National Club of the Year winner in 2000, the Rushden Historical Transport Society's Social Club has taken the title outright in 2010 after a panel of judges were impressed by the Club's outstanding commitment to quality real ale. The Club is a regular in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, with a choice of up to 7 real ales on at all times. more. . .
website

16 May
Today the villagers of Burbage came together in a 1940’s style street party !!!
The party was to mark the 65th Anniversary of the ending of World War II in Europe. The event was organised by the Burbage parish council following the success of the last event five years ago. The street was crowded with Military memorabilia, Stalls, Rides, Bands playing music and of course end to end party tables. The members of Burbage Britannia Scouts ran the main catering for the event with a menu including SPAM, Corned beef burgers and Jam Roly Poly with Custard…. Source: Harvey Brown, 1st Britannia (Burbage) Scout Group

Tory pub fan to push for scrapping of duty escalator
Beer Group vice chairman Nigel Evans argues hand pulled beers should be given preferential treatment  more. . .

12 May
CAMRA Welcomes 149 supportive MPs
Before last week's General Election, over 670 Parliamentary Candidates signed up to pledge their support for CAMRA's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter. This morning, the CAMRA Public Affairs Team announced that, '149 supportive candidates have become MPs'. more. . .

30 Apr
The Heathcote Arms at Croft started its four day beer festival on Thursday, with a meet the brewer evening and taste the beer.  With 10 real ales on tap in the skittle alley plus the ones in the bar you should not be disappointed - my favourite was the mild in the alley.  more...   website
Chris Davies

24 Apr
St. George's Day Beer Festival - Hollybush, Ashby Parva
Friday evening saw the beginning of the festival. With a marquee set up, a band organised and no less than 15 real ales to choose from (more inside the pub). All was set to be a really good weekend.  At the time of writing (Saturday AM) all beers were on form and the sun was still shining. I must admit that my favourite of those tried was the Abbeydale Corruption but my personal choice may change over the weekend.
Chris Davies

23 Apr
Over 500 PPCs support CAMRA's Election Charter
CAMRA has today announced that over 500 election candidates have signed up to show their support for CAMRA's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter - an amazing achievement and no small part due over 1500 CAMRA members, who contacted their candidates asking for their support.
View the supporting PPCs/MPs by constituency.
To e-mail your candidates, please click here

15 Apr
Marston's pubs available in our area:
Marston's website is currently listing the following pubs:
Blacksmiths Arms - Top Town, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8DD
Greyhound Inn - New Buildings, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 1HN
Prince of Wales - Coventry Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0JT
Queens Head - High Street, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8DR
Star Inn - New Road, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, LE9 4LQ
Tin Hat - Trent Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0YA

Try the Hobgoblin 'Mashtub Shootout' -
the more beer you save, the more you can win!        Click here

3 Apr
Pictures from the Easter Beer Festival at The New Plough, Hinckley.
Look out for local beer festivals near you -
Visit our Beer Festival page
Chris Davies

2 Apr
Urgent - Ask Your MP to Support Early Day Motion(EDM) 1078
EDM 1078 is a parliamentary petition which encourages support for the Planning Authorities (Protection of Local Services) Bill. The Bill makes provision for local planning authorities to require planning permission prior to the demolition or change of use of any or all premises or land used or most recently used as a local service. The Bill seeks to protect community amenities such as pubs and post offices, which are vital for social cohesion and truly sustainable communities. Click here for more info & to e-mail your MP

28 Mar
CAMRA holds first ever online beer tasting in a pub - with beer expert and Good Beer Guide editor, Roger Protz! Monday March 29th, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
On Monday March 29th, the beer and pub industry will once again be celebrating National Cask Ale Week, a week of action to champion Britain's national drink, real ale.
To kick-start the celebrations, CAMRA, with the expert guidance of beer writer Roger Protz, will host the first ever online beer tasting in a pub using the social media tool, Twitter.
More...

27 Mar
"Not so much royal but certainly civil!!
The Red Gate opened its doors again after an official opening with Civil dignitaries aplenty. The Mayor of Nuneaton was joined by the Mayor of Hinckley as well as the Mayor of Atherstone and Warwickshire was also represented.
THE RED GATE STEAK AND ALE HOUSE reopens this weekend with four real ales - Marston's Pedigree and Burton Bitter is joined by two changing guests, on my visit these were Wychwood Dirty Tackle and Brakspears Oxford Gold.
As the new name suggests, beef is the main theme of the menu which is complimented by the new decor; of note are the chairs covered with unshaven cow hide and the longhorn skull hanging on the wall.  Pictures of cattle adorn the walls.
With special offers I am sure this is a pub that will be visited often both for its beer and the food."
Chris Davies

The Steamin' Billy Brewing Co Ltd will be supporting National Cask Ale Week (Monday 29^th March to Monday 5^th April) by reducing the price of a pint of Steamin' Billy beers by 20p in their 4 pubs, The Cow and Plough Oadby, The Western Western Road Leicester, the newly opened Steam Trumpet Main Street Thornton and The Paget Oxford Street Loughborough. Please see website for details www.steamin-billy.co.uk

24 Mar
CAMRA slams 25% beer duty increase in last 2 years as threat to survival of community pubs
 ‘With nearly 6 pubs a day still closing, what community pubs and pub goers needed today was a lifeline, not a death knell.' (Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive)
more...

23 Mar
Marston's unveils cask revolution

A revolutionary new method of storing cask beer in pub cellars could see real ale reaching out to a new audience of drinkers. Marston’s will launch Fast Cask during Cask Ale Week (29 March-5 April) with the aim of attracting thousands of new pubs to real beer.
By Roger Protz    more...

20 Mar
Government's Pubs Package a major success for CAMRA
Yesterday Pubs Minister John Healey announced a major package of reforms to support pubs, including a 12 point action plan. The package promises a number of sweeping reforms, particularly of planning regulations and the beer tie, and reflects the many issues on which CAMRA has been campaigning hard on for many years.

To support community pubs, the Government has announced:

• Greater protection for pubs under threat of demolition
• A ban on restrictive covenants
• Government funding for Pub is The Hub of £1 million
• £3 million to support Community pub ownership

         more...

19 Mar
A group of us (6 walkers and 2 dogs) visited The Steam Trumpet, Thornton, LE671AJ today and were impressed with both beer and food. The pub has only been open a fortnight after being bought and refurbished by the Steaming Billy Brewery. Very handy for walks around Thornton Reservoir and it's dog friendly if needed. Until recently it was known as the Tipsy Fisherman.
5 beers on offer - 3 from Steaming Billy + 1 Kelham Island + 1 Thornbridge (Kipling). All in top condition. Food was excellent quality which can be eaten in the bar or in the restaurant part of the pub. Very friendly and keen to please.   website
Report from Bill Smith

14 Mar
Pub News
The Castle in Hinckley appears to have reopened.
The Horse & Jockey in Congerstone has been sold & is reported to be reopening as a pub.

12 Mar
Google Street Level now covers our branch area
enabling you to check out a pub before visiting.................
Drag the little man to the street you want to see

Click here

11 Mar
Leicester Beer Festival is underway!
Opening at 5pm yesterday with 233 beers listed including 17 Festival Specials, it runs until Saturday night.
The beers appear in fine form as usual & so do the curries, as usual!   website

9 Mar
Pub development plan halted after BBC investigation
Plans by the UK's biggest pub company to convert a community pub into a housing development have been halted following a BBC investigation. Programme makers uncovered a series of inaccuracies and misleading claims in Punch Taverns' planning application for the Cross Guns pub in Birmingham. more...

8 Mar
Hercules takes over Red Gate
The Redgate Steak and Alehouse opens its doors on Saturday March 27^th  Complementary main courses when you buy a starter or dessert during launch week. Please call in advance to book your table on 02476 320786
The pub formerly known as The Royal Redgate Inn, Fenny Drayton, CV10 0RY will be relaunched following extensive refurbishment as The Redgate Steak and Alehouse by Luke Finne, Chef Patron of The Hercules Inn. e-mail  Web: theredgate.co.uk-coming soon

3 Mar
H&B CAMRA Pub of the Year is the Elephant & Castle, Thurlaston, the Club of the Year is the Ashby Road Sports Club, Hangman's Lane, Hinckley.
Congratulations to both of them, details of presentations to follow.....

2 Mar
CAMRA condemns Tetley's cask transfer move
CAMRA has today expressed its discontent at the move by Carlsberg UK to ship its iconic Tetley's cask brand from its Yorkshire heartland to Marston's of Wolverhampton.
Since the announcement to shut the historic Hunslet site in Leeds was made in November 2008, CAMRA has attacked Carlsberg UK, owner of the Tetley's Leeds site, for failing to promote Tetley's beers at a time of increasing consumer interest for real ale.  more...

18 Feb
New beer available at the Elephant & Castle, Thurlaston.
Tim Brotherhood, landlord of the E&C has recently attended an Everards course which involved the brewing process. As a result from tomorrow (Fri 19th) he will be selling Tim's Soar Head, a 4.7% dark bitter, brewed during the course to his own recipe at the Brunswick, a micro brewery in Derby owned by Everards. If you wish to try it, it is still available, but selling fast!!
 

17 Feb
The Castle (Tavern) in Hinckley is currently reported to be closed after a period of variable opening times. It has been through difficult times recently but is an old established town pub dating back to the 19th Century. Years ago it was renowned for the quality of its Draught Bass, perhaps it will get a new lease of life with some handpumps & quality real ales allowing it to compete with other pubs in the area...........

First pub to win CAMRA's National Pub of the Year twice in a row! more...

CAMRA appoints new National Chairman more...

15 Feb
The Next Monthly Meeting is at the Rising Sun at Shackerstone (Tues. 2nd March, 8pm) when voting will take place for the Pub of the Year & the Club of the Year for our branch area. The winners will go forward to represent our area in the national rounds. Please make every effort to attend, if, however, you are unable to, you can vote by e-mail to Richard our Secretary. The choices are between 10 pubs & 2 clubs. If you are in doubt which are eligible, contact Richard. Please put your name & membership number on any e-mails.

11 Feb
Pub News:
The Blue Lion at Witherley will be closed for refurbishment from 22^nd Feb for three weeks.
Robert Taylor has left The Gate at Ratcliffe Culey and at present a temporary manager is running it.

9 Feb
Beer boosts bones and fends off osteoporosis
Drinking beer especially pale ale strengthens your bones and could stop them becoming brittle, a study suggests. more...

8 Feb
CAMRA launches Election Charter
CAMRA launched its Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter last night at its Annual Parliamentary Reception attended by over 100 MPs, Peers and Special Advisors. Over the coming weeks the Charter will be sent out to Election Candidates for all of the main political parties.   more...

6 Feb
Consumers v OFT Donation Call on Hold
Following an agreement with the OFT, CAMRA has suspended its call for donations to fund its legal appeal against the OFT's initial rejection of CAMRA's pub market super-complaint.
CAMRA is delighted that the OFT has agreed to reopen consideration of its super-complaint before making a final decision. more...

2 Feb
H&B CAMRA Pub of the Month February 2010 - Louise & Darren, The  New Plough Inn, Hinckley  

Certificate presented at the branch Monthly Meeting  more

29 Jan
The new edition of the Half Pint newsletter
will be appearing in our pubs during the next two weeks - Don't miss your copy!

Featuring campaign updates, local pub news, branch diary, reports of trips & visits & a prize crossword.

'Introducing the Pub & Landlord' this month features The Globe at Snarestone.

25 Jan
CAMRA Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2010
National Winter Ales Festival, Manchester:  Elland 1872 Porter

1872 Porter from the Elland Brewery, West Yorkshire, has today been crowned the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2010 by a panel of judges at the National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.

The 6.5% abv porter is described in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide as a ‘creamy, full-flavoured porter, with rich liquorice flavours with a hint of chocolate from roast malt, and a soft but satisfying aftertaste of bittersweet roast and malt.’
Graham Donning, National Winter Ales Festival organiser, praised the Champion Winter beer for its quality. He said: 'A timeless classic well worthy of this accolade. It has won many awards at CAMRA beer festivals in the past, and it’s great to see this small brewer achieving such success. A perfect winter warming remedy to the snowy weather in recent weeks! ’
Winning today is especially sweet for the brewer after finishing in Silver place overall in the 2009 competition. Dave Sanders, Head Brewer at Elland, was elated to hear of the brewery’s success. He said: ‘It absolutely brilliant; we came second last year and I am thrilled to finish on top in 2010. We originally started brewing this beer at the West Yorkshire brewery, so there’s quite a history behind this Victorian recipe. ’

 Also in the Overall awards, Silver went to Breconshire’s Ramblers Ruin, whilst the Bronze medal went to Acorn’s Gorlovka Imperial Stout.
A panel of beer writers, members of the licensed trade and CAMRA members judged the competition at the Sheridan Suite, Manchester. The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition is sponsored by JD Wetherspoon.

20 Jan
Binge drink promotions to be banned
Pub and club promotions that encourage binge drinking will be banned within months in a government retreat from its policy of liberalising licensing laws.........more

14 Jan
Beer supplies to run dry amid Belgian brewery protests
Shops in Belgium running out of Stella, Leffe and Jupiler.........more

Cost of cheap alcohol will double to curb binge drinking
Minimum prices for alcoholic drinks would be set by the Government under radical plans being drawn up to cut our growing binge-drinking problem...more

13 Jan
Save the pub or let it die? It’s your shout
My favourite story of this cold winter is the one about the 60 guests who got snowed in over the new year at the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest pub..............more

7 Jan
The best pubs with rooms: the traditional winter warmer
During these cold and gloomy months, nothing beats a British pub for a snug weekend away....
more

1 Jan 2010
Perhaps this one came a bit too close!!

Don't be too alarmed it's only part of the decoration to one of our local pubs for the new year festivities.

Perhaps they should be offering Spitfire?

22 Dec
Office of Fair Trading Faces Legal Challenge From Consumers
CAMRA has today announced it will issue a legal challenge to the Office of Fair Trading’s decision to reject its super-complaint on anti-competitive practices in the UK pub market. CAMRA is pledging funds to the appeal, but is depending on consumers helping to raise further funds to ensure this vital legal challenge can stand the best chance of success. more...

19 Dec
PUB NEWS:
Its all change at Stoney Stanton.
The Bulls Head (Enterprise) is due to re-open (supposed to be yesterday) with new "host".
James has decided to leave The Bluebell (Everards) but the pub is still operating.
Karen is still manager at The Star (Marstons) after her "leaving do" last week and will be there at least 'till February.
The Black Horse at Walcote (Free house) as reported has re-opened and they do expect to have all handpumps operational and suitably supplied after a shaky re-opening period.
The "Connie Club" in Burbage is reported to having a possible change of LocAle supplier.
The fight goes up a gear as residents in Dadlington issue a press release to try to find out what is happening to their local The Dog and Hedgehog as it nears its second Christmas closed. More...
As we enter this busy period it is time to take stock of what is happening at your local.
Please share your news (and perhaps your views).
 
Seasons greetings,
Chris.
pubsofficer@hinckleyandbosworthcamra.org.uk

16 Dec
H&B CAMRA Pub of the Month - December 2009 - Elephant & Castle, Thurlaston
The presentation was made at the branch Christmas Party  more...

15 Dec
Barry, the landlord of the Pig in Muck at Claybrooke has taken over the ownership of the pub from the Rugby (Willey?) Brewing Co. He will continue to stock No. 8 & Victorious from the Willey Brewing Co. along with guest ales. He has also introduced a Sunday Carvery.

top

7 Dec
Correction!!!
A typo has crept into the Weavers Arms advert in the current Half Pint. The Christmas Day lunchtime opening hours should read 11.00 - 2.00 and not 11.00 - 4.00. Our apologies for any confusion this has caused.

29 Nov
If you are passing through Sheffield station after the 5th December, it might be worth breaking your journey, the listed Refreshment Rooms on Platform 1b have now been restored and will operate as a pub called the Sheffield Tap.  The ornate tiling and plasterwork has been either repaired or recreated and the original bar has been restored. There will be an impressive range of beers, with 4 real ales from Thornbridge Brewery always on the handpumps & with guest ales also to feature.
Sheffield Telegraph Article     Pivo Cafe Bar website

If you are visiting Nottingham, a very useful guide has been produced jointly by Nottingham City Council, Tram & CAMRA. It is called Beer by Bus & Tram and it lists 45 real ale pubs in & around Nottingham with maps & travel instructions by bus & tram. There is a photo of each pub along with opening hours & other details including beer offered. Copies can be obtained FOC from the Travel Centre in the Nottingham Market Square, the Tourist Board & from many pubs. Also by post: s.a.e.(size DL) to Beer by Bus, 15 Rockwood Crescent, Hucknall, NG15 6PW  Nottingham CAMRA website

27 Nov
Jennings Brewery update
Flood-damaged Jennings is set to resume brewing again by mid January.
Brewery staff have been working hard since last week’s floods left the Cockermouth site under five feet of water.
After assessing the damage, the brewers are confident the brewery can begin production again by mid January. The Jennings shop & brewery tours will start again shortly after that.
To make sure customers are still able to stock Jennings beers during the busy Christmas season, brewing will temporarily move to Jennings’ sister breweries in the Marston’s group.
In the meantime until the brewery reopens, Jennings will donate 10p from every pint of its beers sold in pubs across Britain to the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund to help the many people affected by the floods in Cumbria.
Source: West Cumbria CAMRA Branch website         more

25 Nov
CAMRA announces best four pubs in Britain National Pub of the Year 2009 Finals
The four CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2009 finalists are...............more

Ministers offer hope on beer tie
CAMRA meets with ministers to discuss reform of beer tie    more

24 Nov
S&N ditches beer ties in bid to draw in tenants
Scottish & Newcastle is offering to lease pubs without a beer tie to try to attract tenants to the troubled industry. more

New brewing museum to open in Burton
A new brewing visitor centre and museum is set to open in Burton next year on the site of the old Coors facility. The new complex – the National Brewery Centre – is due to open around the end of March and it is promised will be a "unique visitor attraction"  more

15 Nov
New Landlords for two more Marstons pubs
The Holywell, London Road, Hinckley has been taken over by Carol Cramphorn. The updated pub details can be found in our Pubs Section - click here
The Railway Hotel, Station Road, Hinckley re-opened last week, the new landlord is Daniel Richards. The updated pub details can be found in our Pubs Section - click here

12 Nov
The new edition (issue 22) of the Half Pint will start to appear in our pubs this weekend. This issue covers the 3 months of November & December 09, plus January 10, production will then revert to the usual 2 month coverage (i.e. Feb/Mar, Apr/May etc.).
Click here for a list of pubs where the HP is available

10 Nov
The Anchor Inn, Burbage (GBG 2008 & 2009) has changed hands after 19 years under the guidance of Kate & Keith. The new landlord is Bob Conley, a local businessman & very near neighbour. I understand there will still be at least one  familiar face behind the pumps as Erica will be managing the pub for Bob.

Marstons pubs available
The following pubs in our area are advertised on the Marstons website as 'available':
Greyhound, Hinckley; Queen's Head, Barwell, Bulls Head, Wolvey & Star Inn, Stoney Stanton

03 Nov
Brewery's Nanny State beer swipe
A brewery has launched a low alcohol beer called Nanny State after being branded irresponsible for creating the UK's "strongest beer". Scottish brewer BrewDog, of Fraserburgh, was criticised for Tokyo which has an alcohol content of 18.2%. Campaigners welcomed the 1.1% alcohol Nanny State but said the name showed a lack of appreciation of the problem.....................more

28 Oct
Cheque Presentation:
As you may remember, at the Beer Festival, the surplus Token collection raised £229.85 for Westfield Community Centre. The cheque was presented today by David Finn (Branch Chairman) to Dave Roberts (Head of Centre) at Westfield Community Centre.

Photo: Davis Finn (left) presents Dave Roberts (right) with the cheque, supervised by Geoff Targett our Treasurer (centre).

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Pub business fronted by TV star goes bust after 18 months
The Yorkshire pub business fronted by former Men Behaving Badly TV star Neil Morrissey and operated by celebrity chef Richard Fox has gone bust...........more

26 Oct
Request from Leicester Branch
As the Leicester Beer Festival becomes bigger, more popular and more successful, planning has become more time consuming. We are looking for more volunteers to come on board and help with the planning by taking responsibility for a specific part of the festival. We all work as a team in planning our festival and would like to hear from you if you wish to be involved with the planning. There are new procedures we have to put in to place next year, which require responsible people to cover.
The first 2010 Beer Festival Planning Meeting is on Monday 2^nd November 2009 at The Pub, 12 New Walk Leicester LE1 6TF (almost opposite the rear entrance to Out Of The Vaults, just a little to the right as you come out) commencing at 8.00pm. We hope to see you there. (Keith Williams, Chairman)

22 Oct
This morning, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that it will be taking no action following CAMRA's super-complaint on the beer tie.
Following this inadequate response, CAMRA is demanding that the Government take immediate action to refer unfair tie arrangements in the pub sector to the Competition Commission for urgent investigation.....................more

12 Oct
Bees Brewery has stopped trading. Alec has moved to Bacton in Norfolk, he has packed up the brewery equipment in crates and intends to start brewing again when he has settled down.

7 Oct
The second Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA AGM, as a full branch, was held last night at the Ashby Road Sports Club.
The evening resulted in some new officers being elected. Full details can be found here

6 Oct
The Rugby Brewing Co has recently folded, I gather a beer called Willey Best Bitter 4.0% by the Willey Brewing Co is already appearing in one or two pubs. Willey is the name of the nearest village to the brewery.....
The RBC website is no longer available.

25 Sept
How it used to be - archive photos of the forerunner of the GBBF in London 1975

Click here to see more photos

23 Sept
As some of you will already know, Out of the Vaults, Leicester closed recently to relocate to new premises. It re-opens this Saturday 26th at 12b New Walk almost behind the old "Out of the Vaults or Vin IV". The new venture is called "The Pub" Opening hours will be pretty much the same as the old place & will probably start with 10 beers on.

21 Sept
Souvenir Beer Festival Aprons now available...... more

19 Sept
Hinckley bustling with ale drinkers at second successful beer festival
High Cross Ale was the champion beer......................more

New real ale outlet in our area
The Sports Bar, Kirkby Road, Barwell is now a family friendly Free House offering Tetley Bitter plus two guest ales. At present, guest ales tend to be from national breweries. more details
The Sports Bar is now available on the 'Submit Beer Scores' page

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11 Sept
The 2010 Good Beer Guide is now available
"The definitive rundown of the best places in the UK to get a pint of real ale, from cosy country inns to upmarket style bars." Time Out Magazine
Now in its 37th year, the Good Beer Guide is fully revised and updated, with details of more than 4,500 pubs across the country serving the best real ale. 
Click here to buy one
The 2010GBG is also available on the GBG Mobile Service   Click here for more info
The 2010 GBG is also available as a POI file for Sat-Nav.      Click here for more info

31 Aug
The Old Horse, London Road, Leicester is offering 20% off all Real Ales to card carrying CAMRA members.

27 Aug
Covenants ditched by pub companies
Restrictive covenants have been dumped by two major pub companies following campaigning by CAMRA members.  more

Peterborough Beer Festival 2009 winning beers
Overall Champion
Grafters, Moonlight, GOLD
Green, Jack Ripper, SILVER
Batemans, Dark Mild, BRONZE
more

25 Aug
Julian Saunders
from the Oak FM 107.9 Breakfast Show
will be opening the 2nd Hinckley Beer Festival
on Thursday 10th at 5:00pm

15 Aug
From now until the end of October, Hugh Kerr at The Globe, 43 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5EU is offering 15% discount on all "Real Ales" to CAMRA Members on production of a valid Membership Card.

14 Aug
East Midlands Pub of the Year 2009 is the Old Oak at Horsley Woodhouse, Derbys. DE7 6AW GBG09 p111.         map
For the beer lover there are two unique features of this rural free house. It is the brewery tap of two distinct breweries, namely Leadmill and Bottle Brook, both operated by Richard Creighton. Richard’s family also own and run the pub. The Rurad bar which operates only at week-ends in the covered-over courtyard, is a throwback to the former Stables Bar at the Leadmill Brewery. Rurad is an informal group of beer lovers who publish a local rural newsletter which is given wide distribution around local pubs. Many of the Rurad contributors are also active members of CAMRA. Rurad assist the pub in selecting guest beers and manning the Rurad bar. The pub was closed and due for redevelopment when purchased by the new owners in 2003. Since then the pub has been gradually refurbished, adding to its character and the building has also recently been enlarged. Cobs (i.e. bread rolls) are usually available but there is no other regular food offering. Real ales are all served in lined glasses and bar prices are very reasonable.

The runner-up was the Coach and Horses in Wellingborough, Northampton. Excellent beer quality and a fabulous display of breweriana, but drinkers do have to share the bar with diners.

East Midlands Club of the Year is once again the Rushden Historic Transport Society, Rushden Northamptonshire. GBG09 p379.

14 Aug
Enterprise Inns in danger of debt hangover    more

8 Aug
Which of the following is most important to village communities?
BBC survey    more

6 Aug
CAMRA calls for "People's Pint" to save pubs and help promote responsible drinking
55% of all drinkers support lower strength beer option in pubs   more....

4 Aug
CAMRA reaches 100,000th member milestone!
Members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, are today thrilled to announce a landmark moment in their 38 year history as their numbers swell to 100,000 members   more

Champion Beer of Britain - Rudgate, Ruby Mild (York, North Yorkshire)
Second - Oakham, Attila (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
Third - West Berkshire, Dr Hexter's Healer (Thatcham, Berkshire)
other categories click here
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30 July
Royal Red Gate, Fenny Drayton   Tel. 02476 320786 or 07943 195112
Geoff Jefferies is the new Manager here & would like to welcome customers old & new. He is offering Marstons Bitter (£2.60) & Pedigree (£2.90) plus one 'guest' from Marstons stable. Geoff is keen to point out that the website www.royalredgate.co.uk was created for the previous landlord & has nothing to do with him or any current offers at the Red Gate. As is often the case, he has, so far, been unable to get the website removed.

25 July
CAMRA, has today exercised its 'super-complaint' power to require the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to fast-track consideration of anti-competitive practices in the UK pub market which are resulting in high prices in pubs, lower amenity, restricted choice and pub closures.
more & even more

24 July
New Real Ale Outlet & a New Brewery all on the same day!!!!

Following persistent nagging from at least two of his CAMRA regulars, Mark Headley, the new landlord of the Lord Nelson, Earl Shilton has been given permission by Punch Taverns to install a hand pump. Hopefully this will happen fairly soon, watch this space..............Also the Plough, Earl Shilton is reported to have re-opened.

A £2m micro-brewery is to be built for the University of Nottingham, at the school of bioscience in Sutton Bonington (just in Leicestershire!), to boost its teaching and research in brewing science, it has been announced.
more

22 July
Pubs closing at rate of 52 a week as hard-up drinkers shun their local
The rate of pub closures is accelerating.................more

16 July
Congratulations to Tim & Lisa at the Elephant & Castle
They are the East & West Midlands Best Kept Cellar Champions. This is a category in the Great British Pub Awards run by the Morning Advertiser. They now go forward to the National Finals against the other 7 regional winners.
More details to follow in due course................

16 July
Amend planning law to save pubs
CAMRA has called for planning law changes to stop pubs being demolished or converted to other uses without planning permission.  more...

13 July
Pig in Muck joins our LocAle Scheme
Situated in Claybrooke Magna, the Pig in Muck has now joined our Locale Scheme. They will be offering beers from the Rugby Brewing Co.
This brings the total number of pubs in our scheme to 22 - click here for the full list.

10 July
Red Lion, Pinwall is now open again, the new landlord is Dave Page.
Also the Gate at Ratcliffe Culey has recently changed hands & is now run by Robert Taylor.

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7 July
Bird in Hand, Austrey has recently changed hands. The new landlord is Gareth Griffiths, whose family live in the village. In addition to Pedigree he intends to keep two guest beers. Good news is that he has reduced the price of Pedigree from £3.00 to £2.85, and guest beers from £3.05 to £2.90. Opening hours have been extended and the pub is now open from 12-11 every day.

5 July
Marstons pubs available
The following pubs in our area are advertised on the Marstons website as 'available':
Greyhound, Holywell, Railway & Sportsman, all in Hinckley; Jolly Toper Barlestone, Nut & Squirrel, Nailstone, Queen's Head, Barwell & Star Inn, Stoney Stanton

29 June
Anchor Inn, Burbage
Keith & Kate have given notice to leave this GBG listed pub, they will go during the first week of December

Just off our patch - the Royal Red Gate on the A5 has re-opened after several months of closure. However, the Red Lion at Pinwall, the Dog & Hedgehog at Dadlington & the Horse & Jockey at Congerstone are all still believed to be closed.

15 June
CAMRA magazine wins industry award

‘BEER Magazine is best ‘New Publication’’, says British Association of Communicators in Business

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is proud to announce that its quarterly publication, BEER, has for the second time this year been hailed by the communications industry
Following on from being ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Magazine Charity/Membership category at the MemCom Awards 2009, BEER magazine has improved on this excellent start to the year by being declared ‘Winner’ in the ‘New Publication’ class at the 2009 British Association of Communicators in Business Awards (CiB), held in Birmingham on May 22^nd.
BEER Magazine won the award after beating entries from major organisations such as RBS, the Ministry of Defence, Orange UK and the Post Office ltd. The achievement was capped by high praise from the industry judges, who praised BEER for its informative writing style and ability to convey a specialist subject to a wider audience.

5 June
Pub News -
The Plough, Earl Shilton is reported to be closed.
Howard & Sue have left the Greyhound, Hinckley & have been replaced by James a temporary landlord, who hails from Devon. The bitter is £2.50 per pint & the changing guest ale is £2.80
The Horse & Jockey, Congerstone is reported  to be still closed.

2 June
New addition to website: Recommended Pubs outside our branch area. Click here or choose the Pubs elsewhere button on the left.

31 May
New Thornbridge Brewery
It is not only the flowers that are appearing in Derbyshire this Spring as Thornbridge brewery’s new site emerges in Bakewell.
more....

19 May
Everards rewards its top pubs
Leicestershire brewery Everards has rewarded the top 14 achieving licensees in its estate.      more....

4 May
H&B Local Pubs Week photos on the CAMRA national website
More.....

14 May
Pubcos poised for a fight over 'beer ties'
Gordon Brown has asked unions to produce "within days" a full briefing on the plight of British pub landlords after a parliamentary committee said the Government should call time on "beer ties."
More

9 May
The Bulls Head at Nailstone is the latest addition to our LocAle scheme.
Click here for the full list of pubs

7 May
H&B CAMRA Pub of the Month - May 2009 - Chequers Inn, Burbage presented to Lynda Blower to celebrate 21 years at the Chequers   more

6 May
Wetherspoons cheers investors as sales rise
J D Wetherspoon, the pub group, has cheered investors by reporting better-than-expected sales and a "slightly more positive" outlook on future trading. more...

30 Apr
Ramshead Beer Festival

24 Apr
Greene King plans £200m fund-raising to buy rivals' pubs
Pub owner and brewer Greene King plans to raise £207.5m in a rights issue to buy sites from debt-laden rivals more....

19 Apr
CAMRA AGM

Motion 16
'This Conference agrees that the ban on beers served from casks with cask breathers being listed in the Good Beer Guide is removed'.
Proposed by Wessex Region
This motion was defeated

15 Apr
Greyhound, Hinckley
I am saddened to report that Howard & Sue are leaving the Greyhound due to Howard's recent illness. I understand they will leave in June & that heir successors have yet to be found.

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31 Mar
Hollybush, Ashby Parva: Currently serving Church End - Fuggled Fudge.
Coming next (in the cellar) Steaming Billy - Silly Billy & Grainstore - Triple B
Also watch out for details of a beer festival probably in July

30 Mar
The Nags Head at Stapleton has recently changed hands and as a result drinkers old & new are now being actively encouraged; gone are the days when only diners were welcome. Food is still available, but more space has been given over to bar space. Marston's Burton Bitter & Pedigree are on offer with the possibility of a  guest ale in the future.

27 Mar
Okells Spring Ram to be had at the Cherry Tree, Catthorpe along with three other real ales - always one at £2.00.

25 Mar
Marilyn & Michael Horwell of The Black Horse Inn, Upper Bond Street, Hinckley are now accredited members of the Cask Marque Scheme.

24 Mar
The Queen Victoria, Southampton Street, Leicester
Following a brief spell as the Bell's Brewery Tap, this pub is again closed.

23 Mar
The Railway Inn, Hinckley has another temporary licensee, Tracy from Rotherham has taken over recently. She is open 12 'til late & Saturday is 'Open Mike' night.

17 Mar
Everards to hold prices until 2010
I understand that Everards have written to licensees promising that the prices of their own brand real ales will not be reviewed until March 2010

Earl Shilton pubs News:

14 Mar
Leicester Beer Festival 2009 Champion Beer is Old Spot Brewery, Spot O'Bother, a 5.5% Porter       Full list of winners...

Report on Festival

13 Mar
The Sharnford Arms have added a fourth handpump due to be commissioned next Wednesday (18th March) with a barrel of Abbeydale going on. It is guesting alongside regular G.K.IPA, Abbot and now Adnams Broadside.

11 Mar
Guest Beers:

The Countryman, Sharnford is reported to have Single Speed and Pusty Hrad - both from Church End - on tap.

The Cherry Tree at Catthorpe will be having some Bathams Bitter on this coming weekend

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3 Mar
H&B CAMRA Pub of the Month - February 2009 - Cross Keys, Burbage
More

20 Feb
Yorkshire pub voted best in Britain

The Kelham Island Tavern (62 Russell Street, Sheffield S3 8RW) is crowned National Pub of the Year 2008.  More

12 Feb
Bells Brewery will also be taking over The Gateway, Gateway St, Leicester from Thurs 19th Feb  Map

Due to the lack of a buyer, Quench, Bells' bottled beer shop in Broughton Astley, will close on 21st February. All bottled beers will be £1.50 - all home brew prices will be halved.

5 Feb
Queen Victoria, Southampton Street, Leicester is to re-open on Friday 13th as the Bells Brewery Tap
Beers for the opening night: Bells Rat Pack 4.5, Steelers 4.3, Bells Scotch Ale 4.8
Idle Brewery Idle Sod 4.2  Dowbridge Ratae'd 4.3 & Good Drop 4.3
Opening hours initially will be:- Mon - Thurs 5pm - 11pm, Fri / Sat 11 - 11, Sun 12 - 10.30
Food will be available in due course          Map
We wish Jon well with his new venture.
There will be regular beer fests - (the first will be 26 - 28 Feb - will feature 20 beers. - more details will follow). Regular beer fests will be a feature of this pub.

28 Jan
Bells Brewery News: Beer Festival this weekend has been CANCELLED due to the hall being double booked.
Bells have secured their first pub - details will be released next week - watch this space.
The Quench shop is being soild to a new owner who wants to continue running it as it is.

Quaffale
Those of you who were missing the Quaffale website - a directory of UK breweries past, present & future! - will be glad to hear it has returned, see http://www.quaffale.org.uk/

26 Jan
Oakham Brewery's Attila wins Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009

Runners up included Elland's 1872 Porter (silver) and Sarah Hughes' Dark Ruby Mild (bronze).
Full Results

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19 Jan
CAMRA Responds to Pub SOS Calls

Consumers combine to help save Britain’s pubs- www.saveourpubs.org.uk
CAMRA has followed up its warning that one in eight pubs in the UK could close by 2012, by forming a new advice and support initiative.

Pub industry in a froth over Government's costly policies.
More.......

18 Jan
It is reported that 'Quench', Bells' Offie and home brew shop in Broughton Astley is for sale.

The following pubs are all currently advertising 'Lease for Sale' on Marston's website:
Blacksmiths Arms, Barwell; Holywell, Hinckley; Jolly Toper, Barlestone; Queen's Head, Barwell; Railway Hotel, Hinckley; Sportsman Inn, Hinckley.

15 Jan
The Curzon Arms, Twycross is again reported to be closed.

14 Jan
There is a new landlord at The Bird in Hand, Austrey - Steve Roberts, was previously at The Swan, Whittington. He moved into The Bird in early December and is working to improve the pub's beer reputation

The New Plough, Hinckley is introducing a guest beer from the Marston's list. The first one, Hobgoblin, should be available from this Friday(16th).

The Railway, Hinckley has reopened, albeit with a temporary landlord until a permanent one is found.

9 Jan
Good news! - The Blue Lion at Witherley has reopened. The Oddfellows at Higham is rumoured to have reopened - further info on either would be appreciated.

6 Jan
Oz & James Drink to Britain - New Series, starts tonight 8pm BBC2.
Tonight's episode includes the visit to Thornbridge Brewery.
Poor scheduling here as obviously everyone will be at our monthly meeting thus vastly reducing the viewing figures - one to record................
For those who forgot (or can't work out how) to record the 1st episode, click here

5 Jan
More bad news.............
As of the 1st January the Black Horse at Walcote is reported to be closed. This is a great shame for an award winning GBG pub. It has been for sale for many months, so lets hope there will be good news soon!

3 Jan 2009
The Beer Scoring database is now closed to 2008 entries - any submissions will now count towards the 2011 Good Beer Guide (GBG).
Thank you all for your submissions during the year; we have received an amazing 804 including a record 116 for December 2008. These scores will now be used over the next two months to help decide our entries for the 2010 GBG. The final Beer Score positions will be announced at the next meeting on Tuesday 6th January at the George & Dragon, Stoke Golding (8pm). Although the Beer Scores help us to establish where the best beer is to be had, we realise it is not foolproof & is therefore open to discussion & further sampling.
Once again, thank you all for your efforts & keep it up for 2009!

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