RAISE A GLASS TO CHARITY!

Local breweries getinvolved to raise cash.

See pages 13 and 17Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

No.176 Spring 2016

Special Festival Sectio

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FREE

AN OFFALEY LANGWAY FOR A BEER A Tale of Haggis and

beer north of theborder. See page 18-19

LET THE BEER FESTIVALS COMMENCE!

Over 40 fantastic pubstaking partMore than 40 Norwich pubstake part in City of Ale, many ofthem historic beauties, all ofthem offering ales from localbreweries and running theirown events and promotions. As you delve your way throughthe picturesque streets of thecity, you’ll struggle to be muchmore than a stone’s throw awayfrom a participating pub - and aterrific beer that’s new to you.

40 amazing breweriesinvolvedCity of Ale is all about beersfrom Norfolk and closesurrounds. The fantastic array ofbreweries from within a 40-mileradius of Norwich provide richpickings in terms of beer choicefor the participating pubs.Different styles and flavoursabound. Many of the breweries

offer tours – so you might liketo build time into your trip for ajaunt out to see them.

AleIt’s not called City of Ale fornothing. After all, it’s a city. Andit has ale; lots of ale; lots andlots of ale. There’s a fabulousAle Trail awaiting your discrimi-nating palate…

It was unique when itstarted – and it remainsthe best city-wide celebra-tion of aleThis is not a festival tied to asingle venue, rather an experi-ence extending across a wholecity. Since 2011 when itstarted, other towns and citieshave followed suit and createterrific beer events of their own,but Norwich City of Ale remains

Eight reasons to visitNorwich City of Ale!

Norfolk Nips | City of Ale 2016

In this issue:Reasons to be Beer-ful! 3

Beer of the Year Awards 2016 5

Pub and Brewery News 6-8

The Ed’lines 10

Stig’s Words 11

Wolf Whiskers 13

Around Breweries 14-15

Tobi’s Tipple 17

Offaley lang way for a beer 18-19

Bird’s Eye View 21

Cider wells up for Spring 21

Pub is the Hub 23

Letter to the Editor 25

Beer Miles 26-27

From the Archives 29

First Friday Five 31

Health Issues 33

CAMRA AGM 2016 Liverpool 35

Whatpub? 37

CAMRA LocAle Update 41

CAMRA Discount Scheme 43

CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar 45

Beer Festival Listings 46-57

Join CAMRA 58

Warrens Word’s 59

Steve’s Words 59

CAMRA Branch Calendar 61

Contacts 62

Spring 2016 | 3

Continued Overleaf

the inspiration - and showpieceof ale celebration.

Grain to glass likenowhere elseThis region, with its light soils,low rainfall and sunny climategrows some of the best barleyin the world – and local malt-sters create exceptional maltfrom it. So, it’s hardly surprisingthat so many craft brewers inthe area source their mainingredients (barley and othercereal malts) locally.

The city is beautifulNorwich is a gorgeous cityfilled with historic architectureintertwined with chic modernbuildings. It is home to a fabu-lous castle, a lovely cathedral, atraditional market, art centres,theatres and - by the way, havewe mentioned - an array offantastic pubs? It’s a happeningplace – with more than everhappening during Norwich,City of Ale!

CAMRA Branch OutingsCity of Ale holds everything (oralmost everything!) yourbranch could possibly wantfrom an outing. To do it justiceyou’ll really want to stay overfor a night or two!

It Celebrates EntrepreneurshipThe beer and pub industry isfull of entrepreneurs – nowheremore so than Norwich and theregion that surrounds it. Andthere are also the two peoplewho created the concept andset up the whole event.

Norwich City of Ale is thebrainchild of Dawn Leeder,creator of PintPicker, which hasprofiled over 16,000 beers(look it up if you don’t believeit!) and Phil Cutter, licensee ofthe award-winning GardenersArms. If you’re lucky enough,you’ll meet them on your wayround the Ale Trail, and canhave a chat over a pint. But inany case be sure to raise your

glasses to them, and to two ofthe things that are best aboutBritain: our beer and our pubs.

So, City of Ale is a fantasticopportunity for CAMRAmembers, or CAMRA branches,to visit Norwich and take in thesights and ales. The fun startson the 26th of May and lastsuntil the 5th June, with a wholehost of events crammed inbetween. Why not get a grouptogether, make the trip down,and enjoy Britain’s City of Ale?There’s plenty to drink to.

Further info: www.cityofale.org.uk Facebook: Norwich City of AleTwitter @CityOfAle

Spring 2016 | 5

Norfolk Nips | City of Ale 2016 - continued

Norwich & Norfolk CAMRA are pleased toannounce that the first Norfolk Beer of the YearAwards will be held at the Hostry, NorwichCathedral, on Friday, February 26th at 7.30pm.

This is our version of the Oscars and theGolden Globes all rolled into one! We'll bepresenting all the awards for the Norfolk CaskBeer of the Year, Bottled Beer of the Year, and

Norwich Beer Festival Beers of the Festival, socome along, meet the brewers, and join thecelebrations.

We’ll have a selection of the prize-winning caskbeers available at £3 / pint, you'll get your firstpint FREE, along with a great buffet, all for just£15 per person! Visit www.norwichcamra.org.ukfor tickets. Limited availability - book early!

Norfolk CAMRA Beer of the Year Awards 2016

6 | Spring 2016

Ian Stamp’s News

The big news for this edition isthe closure of the Owl Sanc-tuary, and the unprecedentedresponse to it, includingnational newspaper coverage,visits from local MPs and overTWO THOUSAND peoplenominating it as an Asset ofCommunity Value!

Why such an outcry? Well firsta little history. There has been apub on what is now Cattle-market St, Norwich since atleast 1864, and possibly 1834,known until recently as theShirehall, or variations of,except for a five-year period asthe One & Only. It closed in2010, and was empty for overtwo years, finally re-opening in2012, after a lot of hard workand investment from twoyoung entrepreneurs, as amusic pub, the Marquee,promoting lesser-known andnew alternative, punk & metalbands. Closing again, it re-opened in 2014 as the OwlSanctuary, the name takenfrom an episode of I’m AlanPartridge, and continued as amusic venue, but alsoproviding a base for local chari-ties, such as the Norwich SoupMovement.

Unusually for this style of pub,and to my great surprise whenwe walked past a few weeksafter the opening, there werethree handpumps on the bar,with pump clips facingforwards! On investigation, we

found Adnams Ghost Ship andPanther Beast of the East (a5.5% IPA no less) and oneother, all in excellent condition.Several irregular visits, andreports from others, confirmedthat this was not a one-off, andthe pub was a welcome addi-tion to the real ale scene inNorwich as well as a greatmusic venue.

So I was very disappointed tosee, in the first week of January,a Facebook post from themanagement of the pub,stating that the building hadbeen sold to Richard Pratt, andthat they would be leaving atthe end of January. Mr Prattalso owns the building nextdoor, currently occupied byWarings furniture shop, andhad previously applied for, andobtained, planning permissionto develop seven flats on landbehind the building.

I immediately asked, via areply to the Facebook post, forsomeone to complete our ACVnomination form with details ofthe pub’s facilities and events,so we could pass that nomina-tion to Norwich City Council,expecting that maybe one ortwo people would respond.That was about 8pm. By 7amthe next morning 15 peoplehad already nominated thepub, and by the time I gothome from work, it had grownto 1,900, with a new nomina-tion coming in every 15 or 20seconds! Even a note on theform to thank people and saywe had sufficient information

didn’t stop them, and by theend of the day we had a totalof 2,347 nominations, a stag-gering figure.

Within 24 hours we hadobtained the Land Registrydocuments, and after makingsure we’d got the applicationright, we submitted it to theCouncil a couple of day later.

With over 5,000 peoplesharing the Owl Sanctaury’soriginal post, the media werenaturally involved, with frontpage stories in the EDP andEEN, a big article in the Inde-pendent, and visits andmessages of support from bothNorwich MPs. As I write, thefuture is uncertain - the Councilhave visited the pub, but stillhave to make their decision.And even then, the ACV doesnot prevent the owner fromclosing the pub, and applyingfor planning permission to dowhatever it is he wants to dowith it. But it will make itharder!

Of course, the Owl Sanctuaryisn’t the only pub we’ve ACV’d- in total, in the last 6 months,Norwich & Norfolk CAMRAhave submitted 41 ACV nomi-nations, of which 30 have beenlisted, 5 rejected, and 6 are stillin the pipeline. In addition, thepeople who nominated theOwl Sanctuary also nominateda dozen other pubs, whichwe’ll be following up on asap.And by the time you read this,we may well have been able tonominate even more pubs,

Pub and Brewery NewsPub and Brewery News | Norfolk Nips

following a very interestingmeeting which I’ll tell youabout in the next edition!

Remember, the best time tonominate a pub as an ACV isNOW, not when it has alreadyclosed and it may be too late!All you need to do is fill in aform here,norwichcamra.org.uk/msc/acv.htm, and we’ll do the rest(your name will not be used!).

We do have some good newsto report in Norwich though!In Union St the Coach &Horses, now owned by JasonBarker, has had a major refurb,with new wood flooring,leather sofas and big screens,and two handpumps, albeitcurrently serving nationalbrands. Mr Barker and newlandlord Martin Jared intend tospend more money on thepub, upgrading the gardenand the food offer as soon aspossible.

Also we hear that Number12, on Farmers Avenue, hasbeen taken over by RussellEvans and John Linford, to addto their three recent acquisi-tions in Norwich, the Buck, theYork and the Belle Vue. JamesWatkins, part of the teamcurrently running the York, willtake over as manager.

And - finally! - we believeBrewdog will be opening inlate March in the oldHogshead, Queen St, presum-ably still not selling any caskales, but no doubt with theirusual extensive range of keykeg(some possibly being real ale,for what it’s worth) and bottled

beers. They’re also bringingback what was once common-place in pubs, by having anoff-sales area (or a BottleDog,to use their terminology!).

In Great Yarmouth the DukesHead has had an upgrade andre-opened, with new carpetsand seating, and is still servingreal ale, and a recent corre-spondent tells me that Allen’sBar was serving three well-kept local ales when he visitedover Christmas. However theStar Hotel on Hall quay closedsuddenly just before Christmas,and is now for sale.

Mixed news from Gorleston,where a planning applicationfor conversion to housing hasbeen approved for the FerryBoat Inn, which is still openbut up for sale. However, theBelle Vue, believed closedsince at least 2014, has re-opened as The Celt, after amajor refurb, with beers fromGreene King and HumptyDumpty. And the KingWilliam IV, on Quay Rd, isnow selling up to seven realales from local breweries suchas Green Jack, Lacons, Tomb-stone and Humpty Dumpty.

At the Artichoke, Broome,it’s the end of an era as JohnCraft has retired after elevenyears at the pub, having beeninvolved in the trade for manyyears before that, with partnerNikki, at the Rumsey Well’s(then known as the StAndrew’s Tavern) in the 90’s,and the King’s Arms until 2004when Bateman’s bought it. TheArtichoke has been sold, andthe new owners (mother &

daughter I’m told) should betaking over in late February /early March.

I hear the Lord Nelson atReedham, closed for over ayear now, has been bought bythe owner of both theWindham Arms and the RobinHood in Sheringham (and afew others!), and may reopenby Easter, following over ayear’s work to completely reno-vate the pub.

Punch have sold theLifeboat, at Wells, and theFalgate, Potter Heigham,which has re-opened and is nowselling two Greene King beers.

Unfortunately I also have acouple of closures to report, inFilby, where the King’s Headclosed at New Year, andColtishall, where the Rising Sunclosed suddenly in January.

ApologyI would like to take this oppor-tunity to apologise to RichardElkin, the previous owner ofNumber 12 in Norwich, forstating, in this column in theprevious edition of NorfolkNIPS, that he had purchasedKings in Kings St. I am happyto clarify that Richard has notpurchased Kings, and neverhad any intention of doing so.

News from the West

It seems that our pubsmanaged to survive the post-Christmas slump and they arenow looking forward to trade

Norfolk Nips | Pub and Brewery News

Spring 2016 | 7

Continued Overleaf

8 | Spring 2016

picking up as the weather improves howeverthere are still a few properties with the shuttersup facing an uncertain future. In Lynn, the land-mark Wenn’s Hotel on the corner of theSaturday Market place remains empty as I write.In December, the EDP reported that it had beensold to three local businessmen who hope torestore the 1730’s building back to its formerglory. The plan involves a pub on the groundfloor and 8 apartments on the upper floors. Asimilar scheme was granted planning permissionin January 2014, so there is a good chance thatthis plan will be approved.

The fate of other pubs is less certain, with theLord Kelvin, by Lynn’s bus station remainingidle, the Winch at West Winch shuttered upand the George and Dragon at Newton byCastle Acre still being advertised as for sale.

There is better news up in Hunstanton, wherethe Wash and Tope is now reopening after amajor refurbishment. The reports I have hadsuggest that the place has been transformedand is well worth a visit. Further along the coastat Brancaster Staithe, the White Horse has hada conservatory restaurant added, with breathtaking views over the tidal marshes. There is alsoa new drinks lounge and an enlarged bar area,developments which should enhance the pub’sreputation as one of the gems of the NorthNorfolk coast.

The Lattice House in Kings Lynn is one of the34 Wetherspoons outlets countrywide which ison the market. I have heard no end of rumoursof potential purchasers, some more crediblethan others, but as I write, the pub is trading asnormal and the Grots continue to agonise overthe future venue of their monthly steak and alemeeting. In Downham Wetherspoons are plan-ning to go ahead with their plans for the WhiteHart despite the opposition of other localtraders who are worried about the traffic andparking provisions for the new venture.

Although pubs continue to struggle, thenumber of breweries in Norfolk continues togrow, with Beermad listing 42 active breweries

in the county. These are almost exclusively overtowards the east, leaving Kings Lynn as one ofthe largest towns in the country without anactive brewery. For several years, the Anchorbrewery has seemed to be about to come intoproduction, but, if my information is accurate,they may be beaten to the punch as anotherenterprise comes on stream and at last the oncegreat brewing town will again produce beer.The challenge then, is to sell it, and it has beeninteresting that in January a couple of pubs held‘Meet the Brewer’ events, with Shackleton at theWillow House in Watton and the NorfolkBrewhouse at the Live and Let Live in KingsLynn. I managed to get along to the Live andLet Live event and was well impressed by Dave,the brewer of the Moongazer range of beersdispensing samples and wise words from behindhis trestle table in the bar. His charity special,Tobi’s Tipple was especially good and washeddown Rosie’s Sausage and black pudding pie atreat. Hopefully events like these raise the aware-ness of local brews and also attract extracustomers to the pub.

Jeff

Pub and Brewery News - continued | Norfolk Nips

Well, Spring is arriving or has it been around forsome time. What happened to our winter? Iremember being on our Christmas Crawl andsitting outside the Wig & Pen at gone 10pm asit was so warm. Hopefully this will continue andwe avoid the devastation that is occurring upnorth. I know some of the pubs under waterand it is hard enough to keep pubs openwithout this extra burden. The Winter is alwaysa dark time for our pubs as they recover fromthe Christmas period. Unfortunately some closeforever and it just shows how important yoursupport is for your local.

The recent issue with The Owl Sanctuary andover 2000 nominations for it to be listed as anACV is a record for any Pub in the UK. Howeverit is still closed. Hopefully with all that support itwe can see it open again shortly. It sold somereal ale but also the keg craft beers that arebecoming popular throughout the county.These beers have been attracting a youngerdrinker which can only assist in keeping openthe pubs.

In the next edition we hope to have an inter-esting and I suspect controversial article on thisdevelopment. I have even noted the CellarHouse on Eaton Street has added a post office

to the pub. I have yet to visit but I like the ideaof sitting in the pub and sending a post card tofriends telling them what beers I'm drinking. Iwould also ask you to note the Beer Festivalsthat are being held in the next few months.Please visit one or two as I know you will enjoythem. I would like to apologise to Richard Elkinformally of Number 12 as he has not boughtthe freehold to the Kings as we reported. I hopewe see him in trade again. However Number 12has new owners who have said they have plentyof ideas so we will keep an eye on them as wehave their number.

This year we will be having for the first time aBeer of the Year Awards Evening on 26thFebruary at the Weston Room, C of E Cathedral.I hope you can join us and have a great time.We will let you know who won what next time.And finally I have just seen that the IcelandicBrewery Skedji has brewed a beer with mincedwhale testicles and smoked in sheep dung.Hopefully our Norfolk Brewers will use moretraditional ingredients.

Graham

STOP PRESS: Tthe National Winter Ales BeerFestival will be coming to Norwich for the next3 years. WOW. More details next issue!

10 | Spring 2016

The Ed’lines

We have a growing number of postal subscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, and Iwould like to send my thanks for the kind comments and best wishes from those who

have renewed their subscriptions recently.

If you would like to join them in receiving the next 4 issues by post, send 10 first classstamps or £6.50 cheque payable to West Norfolk CAMRA, 91 Tennyson Road,

Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5NG.

Don’t miss out on an issue of Norfolk Nips

Welcome to the spring edition of Nips/Cask-force, I confess I won’t miss the winter whichwas mild temperature wise but a tad on thestormy side!

Thank goodness there are still pubs to shelterin, and dark strong winter ales to drink.

In many pubs this winter the fires have been litmore for ambiance than to heat the bar. Thisironically means that global warming will renderthem obsolete even quicker! Never mind themoney saved can always be spent on pumps todry out the cellars.

Personally I have just enjoyed a great visit tothe Elysian winter ales festival and was pleasedto see Three blind mice brewery going fromstrength to strength in the years since wereported its creation in this magazine.

As I write West Norfolk Branch are about todecide on both our branch pub of the year andput forward our entries for the next good beerguide, probably the most critical time of theyear for us. Remember if you don’t agree withthe outcome, it is a democratic process so if youare a branch member get involved, the moreinput we get the more representative the resultswill be next year.

Next an apology, when I asked members tohelp with Nips distribution I asked you tocontact Ros, forgetting that her details are not inthe magazine! If you want to help contact thebranch contact first (or Norwich branch if youwould like to help them), details in the panel atthe rear of this issue.

Thanks to those who responded to my craftbeer thoughts, I have included one of thereplies. Also thanks for the entries to the pumpclip competition, many of which originated fromoutside Norfolk, the winner will be selected indue course and contacted, good luck.

I hope we have an entertaining mix of articlesin this issue, with such new features as awoman’s perspective on real ale something weintend to make a regular feature, plus tales oflong distance ale hunting and some thoughts onissues such as the current government advice on“safe” dinking levels (there aren’t any safe levels)and a historical perspective on beer transport.

There is also some significant news on a majorCAMRA event which I will let Norwich tell youabout, but well done to all concerned!

Finally thanks to every one who contributes tothe production of this magazine and its distribu-tion, plus all those of you who pick it up andread it, see you out there!

Stig.

Stig’s Words

Spring 2016 | 11

Norfolk Nips | From the Editors

Norfolk Real Ale drinkerschoose Whiskers to supportMovemberThe Wolf Brewery wishes to thank real aledrinkers across Norfolk for choosing WolfWhiskers in November last year, to support alocal charity - the Norfolk & Waveney ProstateCancer Support Group.

Following a successful donation of over £300from sales in 2014, Wolf Brewery decided toagain offer Wolf Whiskers to publicans duringlast November’s Prostate Cancer ‘Movember’awareness campaign, on the understanding thata donation from every pint sold would be madeto a prostate cancer charity.

The beer and associated logo was well received

by publicans and their customers across Norfolkand over 2000 pints were supped, in support ofraising awareness about prostate cancer, whichis the 3rd most common cancer in the UK. Over1000 men are diagnosed in Norfolk each yearand the Support Group now run 6 meetings peryear in Norwich and Great Yarmouth just fornewly diagnosed men and their partners.

Noel Warner, Chairman of the Norfolk &Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group, visitedthe Wolf Brewery to receive a cheque for£223.20(3) from salesman, Simon Davey, onbehalf of owners Kay and John Edwards. Themoney will be added to their fund raising potwhich is used to support men with prostatecancer and their families in the Norfolk andWaveney area and by donating money for thepurchase of specialist equipment at the Norfolkand Norwich University Hospital.

Wolf Whiskers raise cashfor Local Cancer Charity

Spring 2016 | 13

Norfolk Nips | Brewery News

Thank you to all the people who came forwardand volunteered to cover some positions asBrewery Liaison Officers. There are still threeavailable: The Shackleton, Oakwood (new)and Fox. If anyone is interested in becoming aBLO, or would like to know more about the role,please email me on eastanglia.blc@camra.org.uk.

December was busy and interesting. OnSaturday 5th of December I went (as formerBLO) to Humpty Dumpty brewery inReedham for their open day. The weather wasn’tbrilliant, quite windy but the visit was excellent.There was an excellent selection of beers tochoose from including the Christmas brews,Christmas Crack and Christmas Crackling. Allthe money donated was given to thebrewery’s designated charity, the local FirstResponders.

At the end of December I went to visitPoppyland brewery in Cromer, as I am theBLO for the brewery. It is a small brewery butcreating and brewing great and interestingbrews. The latest one is a very interestingbeer, Norwegian Farmhouse (7.4%) and asall their other beers it is gluten free. Martinwent expressly to Norway to get the yeast

(“kveik”) and learn all about the NorwegianFarmer home brew tradition.

The brew also includes junipers, but as Martindidn’t have any, he substituted it for someSerbian spruce growing in his garden, whichgives it a herbal bitterness. Before we drank it,

we headed to Martin’s garden to offer it tothe Scandinavian Gods, which involvedthrowing some of the “vossaoel” into anoffering stone and telling Odin to moveaway! Afterwards, we sampled it, the resultis a red-brown ale with a gorgeous caramelaroma, notes of raisins and malt remindingyou of a rich and fruity Christmas Pudding.It has a silky and creamy mouthfeel with arich caramel malty taste combined with apowerful herbal bitterness which ends in asubtle smooth and sweet aftertaste. It’savailable in bottles from Poppylandbrewery, Hellesdon Barns, the Real Ale

Shop in Wells, Beers of Europe and other outlets.For more information go to their websitewww.poppylandbeer.com

Also in December I learned that Fakir breweryhas stopped brewing, which is a shame and wewill miss the hoppy beers. I wish Moses the bestand lots of luck in the future.

Around Breweries

14 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

News from the Brewery Liaison Coordinator

Norfolk Brewhouse has been very busydoing new brews. Their Christmas brew, WinterPorter (4.5%), is a collaboration with Jon fromthe Ramsgate brewery, it is a complex portercontaining five malts, one of them is a smokedoat wheat, which adds the delicate smokiness ofthe beer, plus some orange and coriander.

The second brew can be sampled in lots ofpubs around Norfolk at the moment, Tobi’sTipple (4%) is a nice balanced amber bitter, veryquaffable, which has been brewed to raisemoney for the charity It’s On the Ball, raisingawareness about testicular cancer.

Tombstone have moved the brewery site,and also opened a Tap, their Saloon Bar in GreatYarmouth, where everyone can sample theirbeers and several others from Norfolk. For moreinformation you can visit their websitewww.tombstonebrewery.co.uk

Also in December I came across Martin fromPanther Brewery at the Assembly HouseChristmas market, selling and promoting theirnew brew, Hopster, which is alcohol free andwith plenty of flavour.

And big Congratulations! to four Norfolk brew-eries who won awards at the recent judging ofthe East Anglian round of the Champion Beer ofBritain. Both Golden Triangle, with MosaicCity in the Golden Ales category, and Wood-forde’s, with Wherry in the Bitters, won gold.Woodforde’s also won two silvers, with NorfolkNog, in the Old Ales, and Headcracker in theBarley Wines & Strong Ales. And Jo C’s andElmtree scored bronzes for, respectively,Norfolk Kiwi in the Bitters category, and DarkHorse in the Stouts.

Oli Fernandez

Spring 2016 | 15

Norfolk Nips | Brewery News

Open from Midday EverydayFresh home cooked food

to be found on our bar and specials menus

Ever changing selection oflocal ales and fifty whiskies

to be sampled

Upcoming Events

Real Ale, Cider, and Music Festivals during the Spring (May 27th-30th) and Summer (August 26th-29th) Bank Holiday weekends, with acts including:

The Lovin’ Handfull, Starbuck, James Summerhill, Those Darned Mouldy Figs, The A13 All Stars, and Misserable Man!

Pub quizzes every Thursday night, DragonFest open mic nights, and much more!

Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated through the summer

A huge heartfelt thanks go out from the team atNorfolk Brewhouse to all of the pubs and clubsin Norfolk who have helped raise awareness ofthe It’s On The Ball testicular cancer charityduring January. A big thanks also to all of youwho drank and enjoyed a pint or two.

We embarked on this project with two keyobjectives; to get men chatting about the diffi-cult topic of testicular cancer, and also to givepubs a new product to offer during what istraditionally a tough month of trading for them.

To say we were bowled over by the responsewould be an understatement – just short of 80pubs took part.

The month included a mini pub tour by localband The Naked Lights – who gave up theirtime for free to pump out some tunes andspread the word about It’s On The Ball. So,cheers to The Kings Head, Holt; The Murderers,The Rose Inn and The Plasterers in Norwich forhosting the events. Judging by the reaction Ithink this is a band who we will be hearing a lotmore of in the future.

Pubs also did their bit off their own back, it’sreally hard to name them all but activitiesranged from a 3-day Tobi’s Tipple weekend atThe Chequers Inn, Binham, where a quiz, indoorfete and bingo night raised over £400 and thegood folk of The King’s Head, Magdalen Street,in Norwich chipping in 50p a pint, along withcountless other pubs completing the Tobi’s raffle

cards and donating money. Apologies for notbeing able to mention all of the pubs but wehave done so on social media and will do so inperson as we catch up with you.

The biggest benefit however, has simply beenthe posters in the toilets about testicular cancer,displaying the pump clip and pubs spreadingimages on social media. Beyond that, theimmeasurable bit is how many conversationshave been sparked as well as plenty of ratheramusing tales shared with us about how coupleshave joined in the fun! But that’s the seriouspoint – thanks to all of the pubs’ efforts morepeople in Norfolk now know about It’s On TheBall and the importance of gents checkingthemselves regularly.

However, the journey and our support for thecharity doesn’t stop here – Tobi’s Tipple will beback in cask later in the year and also look outfor bottles of Tobi’s Tipple in shops duringMarch. The bottle version is different to theSpecial Edition cask version which was a brandnew, unique brew. With the bottles we willsimply be relabelling our Moon Gazer Amber Aleas a way of getting the message on shop shelves.

So, please spread the word, keep checking andalso check out the work of the small, dedicated,and very deserving charity team atitsontheball.org. Thanks again from all the teamat Norfolk Brewhouse

David, Rachel, Shane and Cathy

Local ale hopes toprove a life saver

Spring 2016 | 17

Norfolk Nips | Tobi’s Tipple Charity Beer

Local brewery Norfolk Brewhouse joined forces withNorwich based charity It’s On The Ball in a to raise aware-ness of testicular cancer. The specially brewed beer, Tobi’sTipple Special Edition Ale, was sold with support from manypubs and clubs. Below is a message from the Norfolk Brew-house team:-

For thirty two years the Angel Inn at Larling hasstaged its Burns event. Landlord Andrew’s uncleDudley celebrates his birthday on the same dayand Dudley’s mother is Scottish, so began a pubtradition.

The first event on25th January 1984needed a piper, Raycame forward, anex army piper, Rayhas been officiatingever since, the onlything better thanhis address of thehaggis is the later(ruder) haggisesreply, not I suspect,by the bardhimself. To theaccompaniment ofpipe music the

haggis is distributed and this year Dudley’sshooting party friend, a genuine Scot, gave hisown impromptu speech which was really funny!

Andrew told me that the first year of the eventit was planned (as has become the norm) to hold

18 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

An offaley (or tale of haggis and a

the celebration in the public bar, inthose days the crowd attracted wasrelatively small, which turned out tobe lucky. In the morning a bus loadof Millwall supporters turned upenroute to Norwich for football(being a Saturday), it was a verycold day, in the eighties we still hadwinters.

Despite the fact that the Millwallfaithful had phoned Carrow Roadand been ensured the game wason, it was in fact cancelled due toa frozen pitch. Andrew now had abar full of Milwall supporters going nowhereand an event in the afternoon! All worked outfine with the Burns event moving to the otherbar, something you could not do with presentnumbers, and the Millwall party staying all after-noon. By any standards, a start to remember.

At this years event the featured beers werefrom the island of Orkney, Andrew has alwaystried to get appropriate beer for the Scottishevent and made plans to visit Orkney in hisfriends light aircraft, a long way in a Cessna.Eventually the weather and other circumstancesmade this impossible. However the link with theislands and their breweries meant that the desireto visit still remained.

This year everything came together andAndrew, Liz and a group of friends finally made

it to Orkney and were treated to aone off brewery visit to Highland Breweryguided by Rob Hill (visits are not normallypossible). He revealed that the name of thebrewery is about to revert to Swannay Breweryas the Highland name had led to some confu-sion over the location; of course “Orkney” isalready taken.

Andrew negotiated the purchase of over apallet of beers which were still available at thetime of writing; many are named to reflect theproximity of Scapa Flow Naval base the wartimemooring of the Grand fleet in the First WorldWar and the Atlantic fleet in the second. I sampled the Scapa Special, Island Hopping andMunro Mild all were excellent and in tip topcondition.

On a lighter note a very interestingly namedvillage was encountered, I’ll let the photos dothe talking! Anyway a long way for a pint maybenot so bad for a pallet of beer or two, maybeanother tradition has started?

Finally congratulations to Liz, who is nowbrand sales manager for Lacons.

Stig

lang way for a beer

Spring 2016 | 19

Norfolk Nips | North of the Border

pallet of beer North of the [Suffolk] border)

Norfolk Nips

20 | Spring 2016

My dad liked his beer; he was an ale man. My mum liked beer; her favourite tipple was aMakeson. My first husband was a lager drinker;clearly that marriage wasn’t destined to go thedistance. Husband number two (the Chap), I can safely say, appreciates real beer.

I love my beer. To those who say that it is fullof carbs and calories I say “It’s not a beer bellydarling, it’s the fuel tank for this love machine!”I once read somewhere that certain vitamins inbeer can regenerate the skin and have a positiveimpact on pigmentation. Your skin becomessmoother and suppler. I’m not sure if that is truebut after my third pint I want to believe!

I guess a lot of us started on cider, beforemoving on to maybe a shandy or a lager-top. I was no exception but it didn’t take me long toget a taste of beer, with Ruddles being an earlyfavourite.

These days I’m particularly partial to goldenales but I’ll try pretty much anything (within

reason!). But dark beers? I don’t know why butthey never really appealed. I always imaginedthose dark intimidating brews being very bitter,and they looked so heavy and hard to drink.Then a few months back Chappie suggested I try Titanic Plum Porter. Yes, there was a bitterfinish, but a calm, gentle bitterness. And thatsweet plumy fruitiness and aroma….I washooked. Another instant hit was Damson Stoutfrom Burton Bridge, and on recent trip to TheChap’s home county of Sussex I tasted what issurely nectar of the gods; Dark Star’s CrèmeBrulee.

So to all those girls out there who are afraid ofwhat is lurking in the dark, I say be bold. If youenjoy dark fruits, and rich and intense coffee andchocolate (don’t we all?), then I’m sure you canfind a beer that you’ll adore.

I’m off now for a pint of Plum Porter and acheese roll in the Fat Cat. Heaven. See youthere.

The Beer Bird

Bird’s Eye View:Turned to the Dark Side

Spring 2016 | 21

Norfolk Nips | Bird’s eye view

Cider wells upfor the springWhen I moved to England in the late 80’s I was takento my first beer festival. At the time I didn't drink beerso I found myself at the cider bar and it was a revela-tion. Having spent years drinking the standard fizzycider that was available in pubs I discovered a drinkthat tasted of apples and you could taste the flavourscoming through from the fruit. I also discovered thevariety of drinks that were available.

I quickly learnt that very few pubs sold real cider andthat the only place that I could guarantee being ableto find it was at the larger CAMRA beer festivals so Ijoined to find out where the festivals were and startedtravelling to those which were easy to get to.

Thankfully we now live in a very different world. Wehave seen the number of cider producers increase inrecent years so many areas now have a cider producersomewhere nearby. Most beer festivals now sell realcider and Perry, with even the smaller ones having asmall selection. There are also a lot more pubs with atleast one available and many stocking a good range.

If you search for pubs that sell real cider in Norfolkon our Whatpub website you are given a choice ofover 60 pubs spread throughout the whole county. Itis even possible to arrange cider crawls of largerplaces.

May is one of CAMRA’s cider campaigning monthsso, now that it is easier to find in pubs and at beerfestivals, why not take the opportunity to try some realcider or perry and discover the variety of flavours thatyou can find in these drinks.

Andrea Briers

22 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

The Real Ale Shop is a unique off-licence offering over 60 bottle conditioned ales

from 15 Norfolk brewers.

We are located on a beautiful arable farmclose-by Wells-next-the-Sea, which provides

much of the malt used in brewing the ales we sell.

The Real Ale Shop, Branthill Farm, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1SB.

Tel: 01328 710810www.therealaleshop.co.uk

A popular pub with locals and holidaymakersalike, the Crown Inn is perched right on theclifftop overlooking the beautiful sandy beachesof Sheringham in Norfolk.

Enjoy a meal or snackfrom our extensive and

popular menu.

Tel: 01263 823213crownsheringham@hotmail.co.ukwww.crownsheringham.co.uk

Lifeboat Plain, East Cliff Sheringham NR26 8BQ

Five Real Ales always availableEvery Saturday - Live Local Bands

Monday nights - Pub Quiz with prizes, refreshments and free entry

Ongoing legislative changes and, in more recentyears, the economic downturn, have resulted ina noticeable and steady decline in UK Pubnumbers since 1980. Alcohol consumptiontends to rise and fall with economic prosperity,but the shockwaves felt from the 2008 globalfinancial crisis have affected much more thanjust the nation’s thirst. It has been hard to ignorepub closures, ever present the length andbreadth of the country during the last decade -with the British Beer and Pub Associationquoting a peak closure rate of 52 a week in thefirst half of 2009. When you couple this withland and house price increases, changing tastes,increased competition from leisure pursuits andcut throat prices for supermarket drinks, pubshave had their work cut out to keep their headsabove water.

The King’s Arms, Shouldham, was for a briefmoment in time, one of those very statistics,another historic watering hole destined for thedevelopers. This is a scene all too common inrural communities, places that can find them-selves isolated and secluded during times ofmacro-economic calamity. The people ofShouldham, however, were not quite ready towave their white flag. In a bid to save theirredundant relic, the idea of co-operative owner-

ship of their pub was put forward. A positiveresponse to a negative situation, the co-opera-tive was to give Shouldham control of the King’sArms at a time when economic stagnation hadleft them feeling powerless.

Reviving not only the pub, but the communityspirit, the King’s Arms co-operative has madeShouldham a social village of envy tosurrounding areas. With a summer fete, classiccar weekends and a hugely successful beerfestival, the re-opening of the King’s Arms hasput Shouldham on the map.

So much so, that the narrative has formed thebasis for a University dissertation. As a third yearGeography student, I was intrigued by the storyof the King’s Arms and many like it. Last summerI was lucky enough to visit several of these newco-operative pubs, speaking to regulars,committee members and barmen alike, experi-encing the resounding enthusiasm and delightat which this new breed of social hub hasimpacted the community in the surroundingareas.

France has its cafés, America its diners, and weBrits have our pubs – the need for public socialspace is undeniable. With beer the oil to oursocial machine, the example set by the peopleof Shouldham and places like The King’s Armsindicates a rise of community resistance and atime of togetherness in this country. In an age ofglobalisation and increased online social media,pubs offer us tradition, authenticity and identity.With the advent of co-operatives we can add tothat list a new ideology of will power and deter-mination. These new social strongholds are paidfor by the people, for the people - a co-operativelike the King’s Arms is a pub in its purist form.

Ben CharltonThird Year Human Geography Student at The

University of Sheffield.

The Pub is the HubNorfolk Nips | Pubs’ are for the people

Spring 2016 | 23

I found Stig’s piece about Craft Beers in theWinter issue of ‘Norfolk Nips’ very much to thepoint. I distinctly remember the time in the1970’s when real ale first appeared on thepub scene, and I’m also old enough toremember the first appearance of Keg Bitter.CAMRA’s fight to make sure that real alesurvived in British pubs was a battle againsthuge vested interests in the production andmarketing of pasteurised beers and its victorywas a victory for consumers which has noequal. CAMRA has always been adamant thata real ale has to be a properly cask condi-tioned beer, and has always emphasized thatthis beer must be properly stored anddispensed. Pubs, their cellars, their storage,and the dispensing of their beers have alwaysbeen carefully inspected to ensure that theconsumer is served with a product whichmeets the now firmly established criteriawhich determine whether the beer is a prop-erly defined and properly served real ale.

However, the food and drinks industry iseven more dominated by big players than itwas, and these huge commercial concernshave always been keen to create the largestpossible markets for their produce, and theyhave always spent very large sums of moneyon sophisticated advertising. Their basicinterest is in products which make the mostmoney, irrespective of consumer tastes.Indeed, one of their primary aims is to manip-ulate consumer tastes to suit their owncommercial programmes.

The demand for real ale, through CAMRA’Sbrilliantly imaginative publicity, doggedpersistence, and uncompromising defence ofa threatened product, turned the tastes of a

minority into something much larger andmore powerful. In the end, the big brewershad to face up to the fact that they werelosing an important sector of the market.They were also having to face the fact that the definition of what was a true beer hadchanged, and the demand for real ale had tobe satisfied.

The advent of so-called Craft Beer has, Ithink, given the food and drinks industry thechance to weaken the demand for real aleand, in the process, boost the demand for keg beer. This is what they have alwayswanted. As the image of Craft Beer becomesmore widespread, the very exact definition ofa real ale will weaken. The general publicdoesn’t have the same attitude to their beeras members and supporters of CAMRA. Infact, one of the purposes of CAMRA is toeducate beer drinkers into what a genuinereal ale tastes like, and to emphasize its specialquality.

This primary interest is now becomingblurred. If the market for so-called Craft Beer(and it’s definition is not as clear as it shouldbe) increases, then the definition and mainte-nance of real ale, which is CAMRA’S mainconcern, will be weakened. This should not be allowed to happen, and it should be theprimary concern of CAMRA to see that itdoesn’t. The current, and increasing fashion,for so-called Craft Beers is no concern ofCAMRA and CAMRA should concentrate onpreserving the availability and quality of properly cask conditioned real ale.

Mike Cullup

Spring 2016 | 25

Norfolk Nips | Letter

Think of a famous diary and it might beSamuel Pepys or perhaps Bridget Jones, but thechances are that you have not heard of Mary

Hardy. That’s a shame as she is a Norfolkgirl who wrote a daily record of her life

every day for 34 years until herdeath in 1809, a total output of over

half a million words. These have beenpublished in 4 volumes edited by Margaret

Bird, and an article based on them is in theOctober 2015 issue of The Local Historian.Mary was married to William who managed afarm, maltings and brewery near Coltishall,before purchasing a similar enterprise at Lether-ingsett in north Norfolk. He would be in controlof the whole process from growing the barley,malting the grain, brewing the beer and delivering it to around 50 pubs, many of whichwere tied to the brewery. The diaries provide aunique insight into their everyday life, especially when combined with the diaries ofher nephew, Henry Raven who kept a journalfor four years whilst a brewing apprentice, theonly one of its type in existence. One of themost difficult tasks was delivering the beer.Whilst the roads were considered to be some ofthe better ones in the country, navigating a

26 | Spring 2016

COAST ROAD, WALCOTT,NORFOLK NR12 OPE

Telephone(01692) 650371

Proprietor since 1989: STEVE BULLIMOREFREE HOUSE

OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, 11am - 11pmFood available all day until 10.30pm10% off food and drink on production of CAMRA membership card

www.lighthouseinn.co.uk

FOUR REAL ALES & CIDER

horse drawn dray loaded with up to two tons ofbarrels down narrow country lanes was no easytask. The horses were the same ones used forploughing the fields rather than the huge drayhorses we sometimes see today. The beer camein 36 gallon barrels and, unless the weather wasvery poor, the men would work alone. Most ofthe pubs were within about 15 miles, but forover a year William had to deliver to theColtishall pubs as no one could be found to takeover. One of his men was recorded as havingtravelled 555 miles delivering beer in a month.At an average speed of between 2-3 miles perhour this took a great deal of time, but he wouldbe expected to do other tasks on the farm ontop of this, often working from 5.30 tomidnight. Indeed the working hours have beencalculated at around 3,700 per year comparedwith 1677 for full time UK workers in 2007.

In the area which Hardy delivered to in NorthNorfolk, calculations show that there was onepub for every 187 people in 1797, and some ofthe orders were large. On 21st December 1793the Falgate at Hindringham spoke for fourbarrels of Nog, a strong beer and eighteenbarrels of small beer. Even given that it was close

to Christmas and trade may have been brisk, atotal of 6336 pints is quite a task for even themost committed revellers.

The Hardys were forward thinking, andinstalled water power on the farm in 1784 topower the brewery, maltings, and a new cornmill, some of which we later converted tohousing and can still be seen today. They alsodeveloped new brews such as porter andexported their beer by sea to Yorkshire,Lancashire and Tyneside. The business passeddown through the generations, who moved upthe social scale, with one of the descendantsbecoming the first Lord Cozens-Hardy, one timeMaster of the Rolls, whilst his brother took upresidence at Cley Hall. The brewery, whichstarted production before 1721 under the stewardship of John, was, like so many inNorfolk, sold to Morgans and production finallyceased in around 1897, though soft drinksproduction continued until 1936, when thepremises were damaged by fire.

bar.man@btinternet.com This article first appeared in the Lynn News

Spring 2016 | 27

28 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

The Farmer’s Arms

‘The pub on the hill’

The Ancient Mariner Inn

‘The pub by the sea’

BEST WESTERN PLUS Knights Hill Hotel & Spa, South Wootton, King’s Lynn PE30 3HQ

email: reception@knightshill.co.uk tel: 01553 675566

BEST WESTERN Le Strange Arms Hotel, Golf Course Road, Hunstanton PE36 6JJ

email: reception@lestrangearms.co.uk tel: 01485 534411

All food purchased when you spend £30 or more

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Terms and Conditions - Coupon valid only when £30 or more is spent on food, cannot be exchanged for cash, does not apply to spend on drinks cannot be used in conjuction with any other promotion, not valid for parties in excess of 8 people. Valid until 26th May 2016. Excluding 6th March 2016.

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www.traditionalinns.co.ukOpen for meals 12 noon – 9.00pm daily - Real food, Real ales, Real pub

08/02/2016 11:47

At the Norwich & Norfolk Branch Meeting of 19thJanuary 1976 which was held at ‘Jaquard Club’ MagdalenStreet in Norwich there was an attendance of 38 people.The Branch funds at that time stood at £49.11 whicheven taking account of inflation seems a low figure but itmust be remembered that the Branch had only beenformed the previous autumn and the first Norwich BeerFestival was still over a year and a half away.

It was reported at the meeting that Courage areshortly to make a ‘draught beer’. A number of tenantswere willing to supply this new real ale but unfortu-nately they had no hand pumps. The minutes state“The tenants are willing to put draught on, but haveno hand pumps. A call put out for hand pumps”.

It was also noted that Watneys were brewing a realale in Norwich called ‘Fined Bitter’ but it was only tobe available in London’s Watney pubs. It was queriedthat if it were to be made available in London thenwhy is it not available in any of the Watney pubs inNorwich? The Committee was asked to look into this.

It had also been requested that could Watneys replacetheir Watney signs with Bullards and Steward &Patteson signs. They were however informed in nouncertain manner that it was Watneys policy of makingall their pub signs look alike or as the Branch Secretaryof the time put it “all cheap plastic and stainless steel”.The Committee had also approached Watneys aboutthe loss of public bars in their pubs but again thatrequest appeared to be ignored by Watneys.

The next Branch Meeting was held on 24th February1976 at The Beehive in Norwich and was attended by22 people, 20 of whom were members. At thatmeeting it was decided the The Branch was toproduce its first local real ale guide. The guide was tobe “20 - 24 pages litho’ print with two colour glossy

cover. Line drawings of pubs. Quote of £108 for 2,000copies with ability of another 1,000 on reprint. To sellat 20 – 25p and have brewery adverts. Outlets were tobe Jarrolds and East Anglian Tourist Board”.

Also at this meeting a motion was put from the floorto produce a branch newsletter by April but wasrejected. Later a second motion put forward “that anewsletter be produced when required”, and this timeit was carried.

The Branch social with Ipswich Branch mentioned inthe last meeting had now been scheduled for 12thMarch and the coach would leave from Hotel Nelsonat 7pm, cost 75p per head.

Following from the last meeting the Committee hadfollowed up the request regarding whether Watneyswould supply ‘Fined Bitter’ to pubs in Norwich. Theofficial reply had been that they had no plans to sell‘Fined Bitter’ in Norfolk. Their priority at that time wasto promote their new ‘Anglian Strong Bitter’. For thoseof you too young or not familiar with the Norfolk pubscene in the mid 70s ‘Anglian Strong Bitter’ was astrong heavy malty keg beer that had recently beenmade available in Norfolk’s Watney pubs in addition toNorwich Bitter.

The March Branch Meeting was held on 23rd March1976 also at The Beehive and was attended by over 30people. Items discussed at this meeting included asection about hand pumps being supplied to Couragepubs. Cambridge Branch had offered some but theoffer had met “with a chilly response from Courageunder their new area manager”.

Also advertised was a beer festival at The Scole Innnear Diss in Norfolk on 8th April. Tickets were to be £1each with beer priced at 10p per pint!

A look back through some of TheBranch minutes of 40 years ago

Norfolk Nips | From the Archives

Norfolk Nips

30 | Spring 2016

The January First Friday Five started at The SurreyTavern and even though it was just after the holidayperiod we had a large crowd of nearly 50. It seemedwe all wanted to start the new year with a grandnight out. The Pub has a welcoming atmosphereand it is close to the local offices which are theirmain customers. The Grain Best was the only beeron offer. It was of reasonable quality and wasquickly running out. We moved on at various timesto the next Pub The Pig & Whistle as some peoplejust do not stop talking. That is why these eventsare fun. This Pub is your typical country pub but inthe heart of the city. It has an old fashioned look butalso caters for sports events and has many dartboards upstairs. Meals are good and varied but theFlaming Galah’s Pies are extra special. The beerswere Winters Golden, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde andTrooper. All were in fine condition and with the10% CAMRA discount this Pub is well worth a visitwhen you are in town.

Onwards to The Lamb where our group swelledeven more. Was it the food or the beer? This Pubhas a large secluded beer garden, local live musicand Beer Festivals. It has been part of Norwich lifefor hundreds of years and is steeped in a fascinatinghistory. Wolf Golden Jackal and Granny Wouldn'tLike it were fine but I tried the Hobgoblin whichwent down well. Sometimes I do feel the beers areserved a little too cold.

Next stop was The Bell which is a WetherspoonsPub near the Norwich castle which is popular andcan get quite crowded. It is said it dates back to1480 and was home of the Hellfire club amongstothers. Stories of watching hangings whilst having abeer are legend. Well our club were able to sampleWolf Lupus Lupus, Woodfordes Nelsons Revengeand Wherry, Oakleaf Poppy Royal, Burton Bridge XLBitter, Doombar and Abbot just upstairs. OurCAMRA 50p off Real Ale & Cider vouchers were inabundance and some of our group didn’t realisemembers can also get 20% off food. I expect they

will be back there shortly. The final stop was TheMurderers but is also known as the The GardenersArms if you look at the dual signs.

Doesn’t help much when you have been drinking.Dating back to 1696 it is one of my favourite Pubsin the city. Please read the history on their websiteand guess in which seat did the murder take place.Hopefully it wasn't mine as I drank the ThornbridgeJaipur IPA. The other beers were London Pride, WolfEdith Cavell and Timber Wolf, Bullards No2, GoldenTraingle Black Hops, Wherry, Panther Golden andDoombar. They were in excellent form which befitsa cellar team of Phil Cutter who has something todo with the Norwich City of Ale. Overall a goodstart to the year. We have the First Friday Fives atthe beginning of each month which concentrateson Pubs in the city. Anyone is welcome. You do nothave to be a CAMRA member but after you find outhow enjoyable and varied are our events I’m sureyou will want to join. I did.

Graham

January First Friday Five

Spring 2016 | 31

Norfolk Nips | Out and about

Norfolk Nips

32 | Spring 2016

The King’s Arms • MarthamThe Green, Martham, Norfolk NR29 4PL

5 real ales • Real food • Real friendly • Real cider Lovely stunning garden seating

For further information please call: 01493 749156

When I first started to write my newspapercolumn, I was concerned that I might influencepeople to increase their alcohol consumption toa level that was detrimental to their health. I wasconsoled by the government guidelines andstories that alcohol in small doses was beneficial.There was also the feeling that the recom-mended limits were somehow plucked from theair, rather than being the result of scientificresearch. That, however, is history. Since Friday8th January, the Department of Health has ruledthat all consumption of alcohol is bad for you.The new limits which have been published aredesigned to lower the risk, not eliminate it. So finally we can say farewell to the days whenthe factory workers knocked off or the minerscame up to the surface and downed a dozenpints of weak beer to replace the lost fluid. Wewill never see the likes of Winston Churchillagain, who was reported to have drunk 42,000bottles of champagne during his lifetime, eventhough he was equally partial to brandy.

I look back at my childhood and fondlyremember the days of roaming the Penninemoors and collecting used bullet cases from thearmy firing range to sell at the scrapyard. Imourn the loss of the mill on the River Irwell,washed away in the recent floods, which meand my mate visited by climbing over the backwall up from the river bank when we wereteenagers. I marvel at the way that I along withmy twelve year old schoolmates was allowed tocatch the train from Bury to go trainspotting forthe day in places such as York, Birmingham,Derby, Crewe and London.

We now live in an age of seat belts, breathtests, speed cameras, red warning dots on foodpackets, fire certificates, wired in plugs, squashyrubber mats under swings and advice on cups of

coffee that the contents might be hot. You mustwear your helmet when you ride a bike or playcricket, and stick to the path when you go for awalk. We are advised not to consume too muchfat, salt, sugar or alcohol. Children go to footballcoaching and have to be told to ‘Close himdown’ or ‘Push it wide’ rather than be given aball and sent off to the back alley. We deter rightwing politicians such as Trump by organising anon line petition rather than driving them fromthe streets, a� la Oswald Mosely in the East End.

And do you know what? Taken individually, I would be strongly in favour of most of theseinitiatives, but taken together don’t theysomehow squeeze all the joy from life? Look ofthe old pictures of a past age and they are blackand white, but my memories of the time are inglorious vibrant colour, and it is today thatseems increasingly sepia toned. Perhaps to betruly alive you need to take a few risks, and ifone of them is to go down the pub now andagain and have a few pints with my mates, Imight take that chance.

But don’t let me encourage you to ignore theadvice. Children of today, get your excitementfrom watching the Kardashians on TV and thrillto playing Fifa16 on the computer. You canfollow the guidelines and live on spring waterand kale smoothies and build into your scheduletime for your recommended 150 minutes ofmoderate aerobic activity per week. You canavoid alcohol, tobacco, drugs, caffeine, salt,sugar, legal highs, and loud music. And after allthat, do you know what? – Spoiler Alert- you willstill one day die.

bar.man@btinternet.com A version of this article appeared in the Lynn News.

Health issues?

Spring 2016 | 33

Norfolk Nips

34 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

38 | Spring 2016

“The Country Pub On The Edge of Town”Bacton Road, North Walsham NR28 0RA

OPEN ALL DAYFIVE REAL ALES

Meals Served 12noon to 2.30pm

and in the evening 6.30 to 9.30pm

Bookings 01692 404800

FREE

ACCESS

THE RED LIONOPENING TIMES

Mon-Thurs12noon-3pm, 5.30pm-11pm

Fri & Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10pmOpen all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday

from 12noon.Sunday brunch continues to beserved weekly from 10am-3pm alongwith Sunday roasts from 12-3pm.

We Also Have Free Wifi AvailableTo Customers.

Telephone for further details of anyof our events, or come in and have alook for yourself, everyone welcome.

A traditional country pub with real ales and excellenthome-cooked food.

Restaurant open lunch and evening.Open for Bed & Breakfast every night of the week.

EVERY FRIDAY IS FRESH FISH FRIDAYDelivered that morning, available Lunch & Dinner! Crispy, Beer-battered Fish, Chips & Peas-£9.95

Regular Monthly Events:Jam Sessions (second Sunday of the month)

Quiz NightsOpen Mic Nights (last Tuesday of the month)

East Church Street, Kenninghall, Norfolk, NR16 2EP01953 887849 Email: theredlionltd@aol.com

www.redlionkenninghall.co.uk

The pub with no bar, ales direct from cask.

Watch www.nelsonslocal.co.uk for forthcoming events.

Tongue twizzling food, and great value.Huge garden and children’s play area.

Shooting parties, lunch & dinnermenus available

Victory Barn Function Roomfor Weddings and Parties

Come & visit Nelson’s local.Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk PE31 8HN

01328 738241

Spring 2016 | 39

Norfolk Nips

The Heart of NorfolkWinter Opening HoursFriday 6pm - Midnight

Saturday 2pm - MidnightSunday 2pm - Midnight

Regular Monthly EventsAfter The Rain 2.30pm - 1st SundayDefibrillator Fundraising Quiz 7.30pm

- 2nd Sunday

Numerous other events including:-Thomas Bainbridge

Lee Vasey

Bradenham 01362 822111

40 | Spring 2016

EATON COTTAGE UNTHANK RD, NORWICH Tel: 01603 453048

Fine Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits

All Sky & BT Sports • A traditional pub

Good covered outside areas

Doggies welcome

“A festival of beers every day”

Traditional Country Puband Restaurant

•5 Real Ales•Great Food••Sheltered Gardens•

Colby Road, Banningham, Aylsham, NR11 7DY

01263 733534www.banninghamcrown.co.uk

THE BANNINGHAMCROWN FREE HOUSE

We are in it!

Horseshoes, AlbyBlack Boys, AldboroughCrown Inn, BanninghamChequers Inn, BinhamCock Inn, BarfordKings Head, BrookeArtichoke, BroomeGreen Gate, Caister-on-SeaReedcutter, CantleyCrown Inn, CatfieldGeorge Hotel, Cley-next-the-SeaThree Swallows, Cley-next-the-SeaVictory, ClenchwartonMuskett Arms, ClippesbyRed Lion, ColtishallUgly Bug Inn, ColtonAlbion, CromerCottage, CromerRed Lion Hotel, CromerRoyal Standard, DerehamBob Carter Centre, DraytonWhite Hart, Downham MarketRailway, Downham MarketRoyal Standard, East DerehamQueens Head, EmnethErpingham Arms, ErpinghamBull, FakenhamWellington, FeltwellRampant Horse, FreethorpeLocks Inn, GeldestonWherry, GeldestonDock Tavern, GorlestonMariners Compass, GorlestonDabbling Duck, Great MassinghamBarking Smack, Great YarmouthMariners, Great YarmouthOliver Twist, Great YarmouthRed Herring, Great YarmouthSt. Johns Head, Great YarmouthFox & Hounds, HeachamKings Head, Hethersett

Greyhound Inn, HicklingPleasure Boat Inn, HicklingSwan, HilboroughEagle, Hockham Victoria, HockeringBuck, HoninghamWhite Hart, HoptonBrickmakers, HorsfordElm Farm Country House,Horsham St. FaithLive and Let Live, Kings LynnStar Inn, LessinghamSwan Inn, LoddonDog Inn, LudhamFox and Hounds, LyngAnchor Inn, MorstonWhite Horse, NeatisheadRelish Restaurant & Bar, NewtonFlotmanRailway Hotel, North ElmhamOrchard Gardens, North WalshamAdam and Eve, NorwichAngel Gardens, NorwichBeehive (Leopold Rd), NorwichBell Hotel, NorwichCellar House, NorwichChampion, NorwichCottage (Silver Road), NorwichDuke of Wellington, NorwichEarlham Arms, NorwichEaton Cottage, NorwichFat Cat and Canary, NorwichFat Cat Tap, NorwichFat Cat, NorwichGarden House, NorwichJubilee, NorwichKings Head, NorwichLeopard, NorwichLollards Pit, NorwichLord Rosebery, NorwichMaids Head Hotel, Norwich

Murderers, NorwichPlasterers Arms, NorwichRed Lion (Bishopgate), NorwichReindeer, NorwichRosbery, NorwichRibs of Beef, NorwichSir Garnet, NorwichTake 5, NorwichTemple Bar, NorwichTrafford Arms, NorwichVine, NorwichWig and Pen, NorwichYork Tavern, NorwichRoyal Oak, PoringlandFerry Inn, ReedhamShip, ReedhamKings Arms, ReephamSwan, RinglandThree Horseshoes, RoydonLobster, SheringhamKings Arms, ShouldhamGoat, SkeytonPeddars Inn, SporleSprowston Manor Hotel &Country Club, SprowstonFerry House, SurlinghamRed Lion, SwaffhamLynn Arms, SyderstonePelican Inn, TacolnestonRed Lion, ThetfordBlack Horse, ThetfordGunton Arms, Thorpe MarketQueens Head, ThurltonWhite Horse, UptonCherry Tree, WicklewoodWillow House, WattonStag, West AcreBell, WivetonWhite Lady, WorsteadGreen Dragon, Wymondham

Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolk which are part of the CAMRA LocAlescheme. New entries are in Bold.

Spring 2016 | 41

Norfolk Nips

42 | Spring 2016

Privately owned freehouse and restaurant with awide selection of real ales, lagers and ciders.

Freshly cooked locally sourced food.

Child friendly, large beer garden, pool table, easyaccess from A47, ample parking and on 23A bus

route from the city centre.

Visit www.thehartenorwich.co.uk tocheck out the menu and opening times

Old Costessey, Norwich, NR8 5BS Tel: 01603 742755

FREE

ACCESS

The Harte

Serving a good selection of changing local real ales

Also serving home cooked food.Sunday roast 2 courses for £9.50.

Two main meals for £10.00 from our set menu.

(Monday and Tuesday lunch times only.)

The Street, Catfield, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 5AATelephone: 01692 580128

www.catfieldcrown.co.uk

Various events and theme nights throughou

t the

year including Easter Egg Hunt. See our we

bsite

for all upcoming events

Beer Festival 16th and 17th July

BBQ and live music

Albion, Cromer: 10% offreal ales, draught and bottled

The Bell, Norwich: 20% offall food. 50p off a pint (withyour CAMRA vouchers).

Brickmakers, Horsford:10p off a half, 20p off a pint ofreal ale.

Compleat Angler,Norwich: 10% off all real ales

Grange Hotel, Ormesby St.Margaret, Norwich: 10%off all real ales

Green Gate, Caister-on-Sea: 20p off apint of real ale

London Tavern, Attleborough:20p off a pint of real ale

Leopard, Norwich: 10% offall real ales

Lollards Pit, Norwich: 10% off

Red Lion, Drayton: 10% off

Oliver Twist, GreatYarmouth: 10% off acrossthe board - please show cardbefore ordering

Railway, North Elmham:10% off B&B and camping

Glasshouse, Norwich: 20%off all food. 50p off a pint(with your CAMRA vouchers).

Plasterers, Cowgate,Norwich: 10% off all real ales(available to all customers onMondays)

Pig & Whistle, Westle-gate, Norwich: 10% off allreal ales

The Rose, Queen’s Rd,Norwich: 15p off pintsLighthouse Inn, Walcott:10% off all real ales

Cherry Tree, Wicklewood:30p off a pint of Buffy’s

The Ugly Bug Inn, Colton:£1 off per full pint

The Whiffler, Norwich:50p off a pint (with yourCAMRA vouchers)

The Woolpack, Norwich:10% off

The St Andrews Brew-house, Norwich: 10% oftheir own real ales

If your pub or business offers adiscount to CAMRA, but isn'ton this list, please contactpubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk and let us know the details(including any restrictions).

Please note: We believe thediscounts listed are offered atthe time of going to press,however pubs may of coursewithdraw or change offers atany time!

Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local!The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually on presentation of aMembership Card):

Live Bands, Quiz and Poker Nights Open Mon - Thurs 11-11, Fri -Sat 11-11:30 Sun 12-10:30.

Mini Beer Festival Every Day!with over 24 real ales, ciders and continental beers

Fresh rolls served daily or bring in your favourite take-away

Free Wi-Fi • Dog friendly • Check our website and Facebook page to stay updated

We’rein it!

CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar

Norfolk Nips | CAMRA Beer Festivals

Spring 2016 | 45

MAR 17 - 19St Neots Beer & Cider FestivalPriory Centre, Priory Lane, St Neots, Cambs, PE192BH. www.hunts.camra.org.uk

MAR 17 - 19Leeds Beer & Cider FestivalPudsey Civic Hall, Dawson’s Corner LS28 5TAOver 150 Real Ales from Yorkshire and beyond.www.leeds-camra.com/leeds-beer-festival/4567790940

APRIL 6 - 9Maldon Beer Festival5 minute walk from town centre, if driving, use SatNav postcode CM9 6AF, ample parking. Up to 60 Real Ales. Contact Robert Longley on racllon-gley49@btinternet.com for more info

APRIL 20 - 23East Anglian Beer FestivalApex 1 Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FDOpen 12noon-11pm each day. Good variety of beers +ciders all from independent breweries + cideries.

MAY 23 - 2843rd Cambridge Beer FestivalJesus Green, CambridgeCambridge & District branch: www.cambridgebeerfestival.com/cbf

MAY 26 - 28Lincoln Beer Festival 2016at the Drill Hall, Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EYwww.lincolncamra.org.uk/beer-festival/

MAY 27 - 2921st Newark Beer Festivalnewarkcamra.org.uk/festival/

New Menunow

available

Main Road, Clenchwarton, King’s Lynn PE34 4AQ

Traditional

Roast

every Sunday (12 - 4pm)

2 Course

senior citizen

Meal £8.90

Tuesdays(afternoon)

As the winter months disappear and the sunstarts to shine its time to start planning yourbeer-based excursions for the spring andsummer of 2016.

Norfolk is a hive of fantastic beer festivals fromthose held in the humble village hall, commu-nity centre or Rugby Club like Ranworth,Walsham, and Crusaders to the massive city-wide event that is the Norwich ‘City of Ale’.

The locations are as varied as the sizes, fancyseeing out the summer solstice at a 16th centurypub by the sea? Check out the Hill HouseHappisburgh. For steam enthusiasts the NorthNorfolk Railway hosts it’s beer festival in July.

Norfolk has some amazing walks such as thePeddars Way, which stretches from KnettishallHeath Country Park and follows the route of aRoman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on thenorth Norfolk coast, and the Norfolk Coast Pathwhich runs from Hunstanton to Cromer. Alongthe routes are a wealth of country pubs, some of

which are offering beer festivals, other eventsand accommodation. Why not plan a trip andinclude a visit to some of these venues.Combining a healthy dose of exercise with asociable beer or two, the best of both worlds!

In the following pages is a selection of pubs andother venues which have advertised their beerfestivals with us. We have also included a diarywhich lists all of these events and any others wehave been made aware of. To get an idea oflocation, there is also a map included. Thenumbers on the map correspond to the numbersnext to the diary listings.

A well-run pub can cater for all ages, offering aplace where friendships can be formed andprovides a convenient stopping point for afamily enjoying a bike ride on a sunny day. So whether you want a quick pint after work, a night out with your friends or a family day outwith the kids; check out Norfolk, you won’tregret it.

Something foreveryone at a Norfolk beer festival

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Spring 2016 | 47

Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals

Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips

48 | Spring 2016

Geldeston Locks InnLocks Lane, GeldestonNR34 0HW Tel: 01508 518414

Locks Inn Beltane Beer Festival & May Fayre

Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May open from 11am every day

Come and join our celebration ofan ancient festival to welcomesummer. It includes a night fromHuns Records, Murphy’s Lore,crowning the may queen andburning of the wicker man.

Introducing launching a fantastic summer of events at historic historic Broad’s freehouse on

www.geldestonlocks.co.uk

Spring 2016 | 49

Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals

Norfolk is well served by train and bus servicesbetween all the major towns, villages and out ofNorfolk via Kings Lynn and Norwich. There arealso many cycle and walking routes available forthe more adventerous beer hunter or those withfamilies looking for a full day out with someexcercise thrown in.

Abellio Greater AngliaServices run everyday into Norfolk from Ely,Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich.

All services pass through Norwich where youcan then go on to the coastal Norfolk towns ofGreat Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and Sheringham.

Go to www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk to check times.

Heritage Train servicesMid Norfolk RailwayTravelling between Dereham - Yaxham -Thuxton - Kimberley Park - Wymondham Abbey

This volunteer run railway has a variety of locomotives including a fleet of heritage diesels.Go to www.mnr.org.uk to check times.

The North Norfolk RailwayTravelling between Sheringham - Weybourne -Kelling Heath Park - Holt

The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mileround trip by steam train (vintage diesel trainson some journeys) through a delightful area ofNorth Norfolk designated as being ofoutstanding natural beauty. Go to www.nnrailway.co.uk/timetable.php tocheck times.

Bus ServicesNorfolk Green run a number of Bus services intoand around Norfolk. The Coasthopper route sets

off from Kings Lynn and covers Hunstanton -Wells - Weybourne - Sheringham - Cromer andmany of the smaller villages in between. Otherservices include X8 covering Kings Lynn toFakenham and Heacham.

X5 and X6 services from Fakenham to Norwichcovering many villages including Little Snoring,Erpingham. Aylsham and Mile Cross.

There is a large map of the routes available for download at: www.stagecoachbus.com

The X1 First group service runs into Norfolkfrom Peterborough passing through Kings Lynn,Narborough, Swaffham and several othervillages to Norwich. The service then runs onthrough Acle and Great Yarmouth. Check outwww.firstgroup.com for more details.

Cycling and WalkingNorfolk has hundreds of miles of quiet countrylanes and roads to explore and is a brilliantcounty for cycling, whether you’re after arelaxing Sunday pedal or something a bit longer.

Information on routes such as Marriotts Way andPeddars Way are available from the NorfolkCounty council web site at www.norfolk.gov.uk.

The Sustrans National Cycle Network passesthrough Norfolk and is designed to makecycling fun, safe and simple as you cover hugestretches of the UK.www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/national-cycle-network

One third of the Network is completely freefrom motor traffic, using old railway paths,forest tracks, country parks and bridleways, andthe rest uses quiet minor roads and traffic-calmed streets in towns and cities. so ifyour having a drink - get out of the car and onyer bike!

Travelling around Norfolk

Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips

50 | Spring 2016

Freehouse listed in The CAMRA Good Beer Guide

Pub food 7 days a weekserved lunchtimes and evenings.

Function Room for parties or meetings.

Large Car ParkA warm welcome awaits you!

FeatherfestSaturday 2nd July

Town Green, WymondhamTelephone: (01953) 605675

Spring 2016 | 51

Beer Festival Listings

18 - 20 MarchFakenham 5th Beer Festival Fakenham Community CentreTel: 01328 855172

24 - 28 MarchRampant Horse Easter Beer Festival Freethorpe NR13 3LYTel: 01493 700103

24 - 28 MarchGladstone Arms Easter Beer Festival Stowmarket IP14 2APTel: 01449 771608

25 - 29 MarchRoyal Oak Easter BeerFestivalPoringland NR14 7JTTel: 01508 493734

8 - 10 AprilAylsham Round Table Beer FestivalAylsham Old Cinema, Cawston Rdwww.aylshamroundtable.co.uk

8 - 9 AprilCrown’s 1st Beer, Cider and Gin FestivalGreat Ellingham NR17 1LETel: 01953 797070

22 - 24 AprilBlack Horse St George’sWeekend Beer FestivalThetford IP24 2BP

29 April - 1 MayWymondam Ex-ServicesSocial Club Beer FestivalFriarscroft Lane, WymondhamNR18 0AT

29 April - 2 MayLocks Inn Beltane BeerFestival & May Fayre Beccles NR34 OHSwww.geldestonlocks.co.uk

29 - 30 AprilDereham Round Table Beer Festivalderehambeerfestival.co.uk

19 - 22 MayGreat Yarmouth Beer &Cider FestivalSt Georges Theatre, YarmouthTel: 01493 331484

19 - 26 MayWhite Horse Beer PartyNeatishead NR12 8AD

25 - 30 MayDove Street Inn Food and Drink FestivalIpswich IP4 2LATel: 01473 21127026 - 30 MayRoyal Oak Beer, Cider and Music FestivalBintree NR20 5AHTel: 01362 680221

26 May - 5 JuneNorwich City of Alecityofale.org.uk/2016/Tel: 07949 588 20727 - 30 MayGreen Dragon Summer Beer Fest WymondhamWymondham NR18 0PHTel: 01953 607907

28 - 29 MayGrain Festival at Geldeston Locks Beccles NR34 OHSwww.geldestonlocks.co.uk

29 MayNorth Walsham RugbySevens and Beer FestivalNorth Walsham NR10 5BUpitchero.com/clubs/northwalsham

30 MayBlues in the GardenCrown, BanninghamTel: 01263 733534

3 - 5 JuneMorley Beer FestivalAles, ciders,food and live music.morley-village.co.uk

16 - 20 JuneHill House Summer SolsticeBeer Festival120 beers plus ciders and perriesTel: 01692 650 004

17 - 19 JuneJolly Sailors 7th Ale and Music FestivalBrancaster Staithe PE31 8BJTel: 01485 210314

30 June - 3 JulyKings Arms Beer FestivalNorwich NR1 3HQTel: 01603 477888

30 June - 3 JulyBeehive Summer Beer FestivalNorwich NR4 7PJ

2 JulyFeatherfestFeathers Public HouseTown Green, WymondhamTel: 01953 605675

12 - 17 JulyHeathlands Beer Festival16 ales and 2 cidersBlofield Heath NR13 4QH

15 - 17 JulyCrusaders RUFC 8th Beer Festival30 ales and cidersCamping availableLittle Melton NR9 3NP

16 - 17 JulyThe Pleasure Boat InnWW1 Themed Beer Festival Hickling NR12 0YWTel: 01692 598870

16 - 17 JulyCrown Beer Festival, BBQ and Live MusicCrown, Catfield NR29 5AATel: 01692 580128

4 - 6 AugustAngel Inn Beer FestivalAngel Inn, Larling NR16 2QUTel: 01953 717963

5 - 6 AugustNorth Walsham Beer FestScout Hut, North Walshamnorthwalshambeerfestival.com

12 - 14 August7th Ranworth Beer & Cider FestivalVillage Hall, Broad Rd NR13 6HS

26 - 28 AugustPanther Beer FestivalStimpson’s Piece, ReephamTel: 01603 871163

26 August - 5 SeptemberDuke of Wellington Beer FestWaterloo Rd, NorwichTel: 01603 441182

26 - 29 AugustGreen Dragon Beer Fest Wymondham NR18 0PHTel: 01953 607907

2 - 4 SeptNeslon Head Beer FestivalNelson Head, Horsey, NR29 4EETel: 01493 393378

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A beer festival is near you!

Great Ellingham

Brancaster Staithe

52 | Spring 2016

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GeldestonPoringland

Reedham

Spring 2016 | 53

Norfolk Nips | Beer FestivalsThe numbers on the map match the numbers next tothe events described on page 51. This map is to showyou the general area and is not to scale!

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Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips

54 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips | Beer Festivals

Spring 2016 | 55

RAMPANT HORSE Country Alehouse & Restaurant

2 Chapelfield, Freethorpe NR13 3LY Tel: 01493 700103 Bus 730 from Reedham & Acle www.rampanthorse.net

Rampant Horse

EASTER BEER FESTIVAL24th - 28th March

Quiz Nights & Entertainment

Local and Regional Ales

Malt whisky Selection

Freshly made, locally-supplied, home cooked food

FREE HALF OF CASK ALE

on production of this voucherValid until 30th April. One voucher per person. Cannot be exchanged for

any other offer. This voucher has no monetary value.

Royal Oak • BintreeBEER, CIDER & MUSIC FESTIVAL

MAY 26th - 30thRaising funds for East Anglian Air Ambulance

Over 30 Ales and CidersLive Music and Entertainment

Fri, Sat and Sun nightBBQ and Hog Roast availableFree Camping & Parking

For more details please ring Graham on

01362 680221

56 | Spring 2016

Beer Festivals | Norfolk Nips

Norfolk Nips

As I write this article, we are still very much in winterbut spring is coming soon and we may look forwardto the long warm summer evenings when we maysit outdoors with a pint or two of real ale and whileaway the time.

It seems that we hear nearly every day that a pubsomewhere in the County is either at risk of, orclosing down. The loss of these pubs is alwayslamented but unfortunately in many cases notenough is done by the locals to attempt to keepthem open apart from probably a letter of opposi-tion from our Pubs Protection Officer to the localDistrict Council.

However, a recent exception to this has been inthe case of The Owl Sanctuary in Norwich. As manyreaders will probably already know that in Januarythis year the manager was informed by his ownersthat the pub is to close on 31st January so it couldbe demolished and the site used for ‘investment’purposes. Ian Stamp of our Committee immediatelyput out a request to help raise an ACV (Asset ofCommunity Value) to save this popular city centrepub and music venue. Please read the full story onpage 6.

As this article goes to press the outcome ofwhether we can save The Owl Sanctuary frompermanent closure is unknown but it is extremelyheartening to know that so many people care aboutprotecting this popular venue. On behalf of Norwich& Norfolk CAMRA I would like to thank all those2,400 people who answered our plea for support!

This edition of ‘NIPS’ contains details of many localfestivals in Norwich and around the county. I hopethat readers will support as many of these events aspossible as a great deal of work and planning goesinto beer festivals by their organisers.

And finally a reminder that it is only a short timebefore CAMRA’s National AGM which this year is inLiverpool. If you are going ensure that you registerand book accommodation.

Warren WordsworthNorwich and Norfolk Branch Chair

Warren’sWords

Spring 2016 | 59

Norfolk Nips | Last orders

It hardly seems three months ago I was writingthe last contribution to Nips. It is very heartwarming to listen to comments as I deliver themagazine. The majority of pubs are really pleasedto receive them.

In the magazine, there is an article by BenCharlton from Sheffield University. I hope youenjoy this, it is interesting to have a range of arti-cles, covering different areas related to real ale,pubs and brewing. Once again, CAMRA arecalling for the Chancellor to reduce the beer dutyby another 1p this year. Please contact your MP toencourage them to lobby the Chancellor for thereduction.

Reading an article in What’s Brewing, ProfessorRobin Dunbar of Oxford University said thatfriendship and community are probably the twomost important factors influencing our health andwellbeing. In this increasingly digital age, whatcan be better than to keep friendships alive andwell by meeting down the pub enjoying a pint ofreal ale? CAMRA have started a webpage to telleveryone why you love your pub,www.camra.org.uk/pubs-wellbeing.

By the time you read this our Pub of the Year2016 will have been decided. The competitionwas as exciting this year as any other year withthe combination of new entrants and establishedcontenders. Whoever has won, we wish them wellin the Norfolk competition.

The National AGM is at Liverpool this year, formembers attending have a really good time. Forthose who cannot attend, for the first time there isonline voting a first for CAMRA.

With Easter being early this year, the beer festivalseason has an early start. Several in the area areplanned for Easter. This normally heralds somelighter coloured beers, which are often easier totempt people to try real ale. Both of my niece andnephew have at last found real ale.

Finally, on behalf of West Norfolk Branch, may Iwish you all an enjoyable Easter.

CheersSteve Barkern W.N. Chairman

Steve’s Words

60 | Spring 2016

Norfolk Nips

FOUR REAL ALESWednesday Irish Folk Music

ursday Folk & Singing MusicFriday & Saturday Live Music

Sunday Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum

OPEN: Mon - urs 12-11Fri & Sat 12-12 • Sunday 12-11

The Gatehouse Pub 391 Dereham Road, Norwich NR5 8QJ Tel: 01603 620340

Angel Gardens

Free House

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT01603 427490

www.norwichinns.comemail: ikwarren-angel@tiscali.co.uk

This independently run freehouse has been under theownership of Ian Warren since 1988 and is situated on

the north of the city near to Waterloo Park.

Homecooked and speciality meals Prepared by Ian - a qualified chef

with years of experience.

Up to NINE reasonably priced Real Alesincluding THREE guest ales and SIX

real ciders available.

Live Music on Saturdays • Beer Garden

Sunday roasts from 12-8pm • Ample Car Parking

Monthly Quiz and Darts • Two Bars (one for private hire)

Norwich and North Norfolk Branch

Friday 26th FebruaryBeer of the Year Awards 2016 – 7.30pm,Weston Room, C of E Cathedral.

Friday 4th MarchFirst Friday Five – 8.00pm start Garden House,Mad Moose, Unthank Arms, York Tavern,Eagle.

Tuesday 15th MarchBranch AGM - 8.00pm Take 5, Tombland.

Wednesday 16th MarchAfternoon Stroll – Noon Glasshouse, Ribs ofBeef, Kings Head, Plasterers, Leopard.

Friday 25th MarchCampaign Trip – Good Friday trip with earlierstart time -details tba

Friday 1st AprilFirst Friday Five – 8pm Marlborough Arms,Artichoke, Leopard, Blueberry, Plasterers.

Wednesday 13th AprilAfternoon Stroll – Noon Coachmakers Arms,Champion, Lamb, Bell, Murderers.

Tuesday 19th April Branch Meeting – 8pm Lighthouse, Walcott.

Friday 29th AprilCampaign Trip – 7.15pm New pick up outsideentrance to the Mall on Castle Meadow.

Friday 6th MayFirst Friday Five – 8pm Cinema City, Wildman,Walnut Tree Shades, Birdcage, Vine.

Wednesday 11th MayAfternoon Stroll – Noon Duke of Wellington,Angel Gardens, Rosebery, Whalebone, Fat CatBrewery Tap.

Tuesday 17th MayBranch Meeting – 8.00pm Compleat Angler

Friday 27th MayCampaign Trip – 7.15pm new pick up nearChenery Travel, Castle Mall.

Friday 3rd JuneFirst Friday Five – 8.00pm Coach & Horses(Bethel), Coach & Horses (Trinity), GeorgianTownhouse, Temple Bar, Reindeer.

West Norfolk Branch

Tuesday 8th March, Horse & Groom, Swaffham

Tuesday 12th April, Hare Arms, Stow Bardolph

Tuesday 10th May, Swan, Hilborough

Note: All Tuesday meetings start 8pm andnormally include a social.

Norfolk Nips | Dates for your Diary

CAMRA BranchCalendar

Norwich & Norfolk BranchChairman: Warren WordsworthTel: 01603 665557Email: chairman@norwichcamra.org.uk

Secretary: Rob WhitmoreEmail: secretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

Social Secretary: Michael PhilipsEmail: socialsecretary@norwichcamra.org.uk

Pubs Officer: Ian StampEmail: pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk BranchChairman: Steve Barkeremail: steve.barker495@btinternet.com

Secretary: Ian Bailey

Contact: Ian BaileyTel: 01553 766904

Branch websites:www.norwichcamra.org.ukwww.camra.org.uk/wnorfolk

Branch mailing list web page:groups.yahoo.com/group/CAMRA_Norwich

Published every 3 months by the Norwichand Norfolk & West Norfolk branches ofthe Campaign for Real Ale © N&N CAMRA 2016 Norfolk Nips is producedand distributed by members of the branch in their own time. Views expressed in Norfolk Nips are not necessarily those of the editor or ofCAMRA.

Edited by:Graham FreemanEmail: norfolknips@norwichcamra.org.ukChris LucasEmail: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk

Design & Production:Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media01778 382758Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Advertising:For advertising enquiries please contactJane Michelson on: 01778 382718jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Distribution:12,000 copies / four times a year

Norwich and Norfolk District: Adam Gannaway07720 512453 nipsdistribution@norwichcamra.org.uk

West Norfolk District: Ros Harre r.harre@btinternet.com

Branch contacts | Norfolk Nips

Contact Details

62 | Spring 2016

“Not just a Pub!”

REAL ALE • REAL WELCOME • REAL FOOD....Serving Main Meals, Bar Meals and Sandwiches

Food is available 7 days a weekCheck out our website for opening times and menu

FOR BOOKINGS Tel 01508 493734. Visit us online at www.poringlandroyaloak.com

44 The Street, Poringland NR14 7JT

Easter BeerFestival Friday 25th March (Good Friday) until Tuesday 29th March