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2014

Magazine of the Norfolk Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

The Kings Arms at Shouldham Thorpe re-opens! See page 11 for details

37th Norwich Beer Festival - we hear from their Spooksman

FREE

Chris and Glynis invite you to the Trafford Arms - 61 Grove Road, Norwich 01603 628466

www.traffordarms.co.uk traffordarms@btconnect.com

This years Charity is St. Martins Trust for the Homeless

CAMRA says that our Commu-nity Pubs matter and deserveto be protected and havelaunched a hard hittingcampaign: Pubs Matter – Sowhy can’t we have a say?”

Weak planning laws inEngland are failing to protectthem. This is contributing tothe closure of 31 pubs a weekin the UK: two pubs areconverted to supermarketsalone every single week.

Pubs currently fall within theA4 planning use class. Thismeans they can be convertedto any of use classes in thetable below, or even demol-ished, without planningpermission or any communityconsultation.

A1 – ShopsA2 – Financial and Professional ServicesA3 – Restaurants And CafesB1 – Business (Temporarily ForUp To Two Years).Or - Demolition

The current situation is ludi-crous and is encouraging the

loss of pubs, says CAMRA.“We therefore call on the

Government to realise thatPubs matter and to make asimple change to the PlanningLaws in England, so that aplanning application is alwaysrequired before a pub isdemolished or converted intoanother use.”

So how is this going towork? CAMRA is calling forthe changes to the Town andCountry Planning (Use Classes)Order 1987 (as amended) andthe Town and Country Planning(General Permitted Develop-ment) Order 1995 (GPDO) to remove public houses fromthe A4 Use Class and placethem in a class of their own(Sui Generis).In addition tothis the Town and CountryPlanning (General PermittedDevelopment) Order 1995(GPDO) allows the demolitionof buildings (including pubs)without planning permissionprovided that a simple ‘PriorNotification’ application ismade to the Local Authority.Pubs are currently demolishedwithout a requirement toconsider the material harm to

AUTUMN 2014 | 3

CAMRA launch new Campaign to protect Community Pubs

In this issue:

continued on page 9...

Pub & Brewery News 4-6

Stigs Words 8

The Ed’Lines 9

Ultimate Brewers Raffle Prize 11

Kings Arms Re-Opens 11

Barman 13

37th Norwich Beer Festival 14

CAMRA News 17

Good News from Feltwell 19

Flight of Angels 19

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs 21

Letter to the Editor 25

City of Ale Report 27

Top Ten Pub Gardens 29

Pub Preservation Officer 30-31

White Board 33

Cider Pub of the Year 35

CPOTY Nomination Form 37

Behind Bars 38

Caz Jones Interview 41

CAMRA Branch Diary 43

LocAle Update 45

Beer Festival Calendar 47

Beer in Store 49

From the Archives 53

Good Beer Guide 2015 55

CAMRA Discount Scheme 56

Entertainment 56

Last Orders 59

Contact Details 60

Champion Beers 62

4 | AUTUMN 2014

Ian Stamp’s News

Lots of great news this edition,including at last some fromGreat Yarmouth! But let’s getthe bad out of the way first,with three Norwich pubs underthreat: the Marlpit,Hellesdon, which is closed;the Gordon, Thorpe, for sale,possibly for alternative use; andthe Perseverance,Adelaide St, also for sale.None of these are what peopleoften call “CAMRA pubs” - aphrase I dislike, as we supportall pubs, even ones which don’tsell real ale - but all havecommunities who use them tosocialise, celebrate andcommiserate, and who will losethat facility for ever if they’reallowed to close and stopbeing pubs. Whole swathes ofsuburban Norwich alreadyhave no pub, or just one withineasy walking distance, and it ishard to imagine anybodygetting permission to open a‘street-corner’ local anytimesoon! So let’s hope that allthree can survive and hopefullythrive into the future.

Also closed in early August isthe Lord Nelson atReedham, a pub in a beautifulsetting - again, let’s hope newowners can be found to bringit back to life.

On to the good news! Lastwinter, I reported that fourpubs - the Crown, GreatEllingham; the Bull,Hellesdon; the Bell, atSalhouse; and the Black

Horse, Earlham Road,Norwich - had all closed. Wellthose of you who read thiscolumn avidly will know fromNIPS Spring and Summerissues that the last three havesince re-opened, and I’mhappy to report that the recentre-opening of the Crown atGreat Ellingham makes a fullhouse! Mark Cooper took onthe ACV-listed pub in June.

On to the seaside, and thegood news from Yarmouth.Firstly we hear that TheGallon Pot, on GreatYarmouth market-place, hasbeen extensively refurbishedand re-opened under the stew-ardship of Andrew Hall andDane Rees, having been closedsince January. And secondly,the Dukes Head Hotel hashad two handpumps put inand has been selling real ale,although it is not yet continu-ously available. The younglandlord has been there sinceDecember and intends to keepstocking Doom Bar or Abbot.

Back in Norwich, and theHog in Armour, on CharingCross, has been bought by theowners of the Norwich TapHouse and Redwell Breweryand re-opened as the MashTun, a craft beer bar. In acomplete refurb, the somewhat80’s pale wood decor hasdisappeared and been replacedby exposed brickwork, largewooden tables and a granitebar, in a much more open andminimalist style. There are 16keg beer taps (each topped

with a transparent cylinder,which the beer flows through,allowing you to see the colourof the beer before you buy)and 4 real ales. Redwell beersfeature heavily on the keg side,along with offers from brew-eries such as Redchurch, TinyRebel, Hoxton and Kernel,while the four real ales at ourvisit just after the openingincluded Blue Monkey, WeirdBeard and Firebrand. Theupstairs function room - namedthe Gin Palace - is a specialistgin bar with 150 different gins,served ‘Spanish-style’ in largeround glasses and a choice ofmixers. Great to see a ‘craft’beer bar which doesn’t excludereal ale!

A couple of ‘interesting’ namechanges to report, reflectingthe trend towards food servicein many pubs. The Langtry,on Unthank Road, Norwich,formerly the Lillie Langtry andthe Park Tavern, has closed andre-opened as a “beer andburgers” bar named Pickle &Relish; while the Dun Cow inSwainsthorpe has, following along period of closure, beencompletely refurbished and re-opened as The Sugar Beat

Pub and Brewery News

The beer taps at theMash Tun, Norwich

Eating House (and no, that’snot a spelling mistake).TwoGreene King ales as previouslyat the former, but the latterwas stocking three ales fromlocal brewers Green Jack,Lacons and Adnams at theopening. Also re-openingrecently is the RampantHorse, Freethorpe, whichclosed earlier this year - wehear it’s now stocking threereal ales and has a new modelrailway in the bar!

We also hear that the originalowners of the White Hart atRockland St Mary haveopened the pub again, afterfour years closed. Local resi-dents had campaigned for thepub to reopen, registered it asan Asset of Community Value,and attempted to raise themoney to buy it themselves,and their efforts convinced theowners to have another go.

In a similar vein, David andCarol Howard have returned tothe Hainford Chequers,having retired from runningthe pub in 2010, and re-opened it after it closed a fewmonths into this year - goodluck to both ventures. TheLynn Arms, Syderstone, inthe far west of the Norwich &Norfolk Branch area, has beenre-opened, following a signifi-cant renovation by Nathan andFlo Leftley-Gynn, and now hasa handpump dedicated to localmicro-breweries, alongside tworegular beers from Adnams andWoodforde’s.

Two pubs have begunbrewing since our last issue,The Taylor family have set up

Taylor’s of Attenboroughat their pub the LondonTavern, also supplying theirsecond pub, Ry’s Bar (previ-ously the Bear Hotel) and CliveStockton at the Hill House,Happisburgh, has installedthe equipment from BeesBrewery, which sadly closedafter owner Alec Brackenburywas injured in an industrialaccident. The Dancing Menbrewery, named in honour of aConan Doyle story written atthe pub, began brewing inJune.

The Ferry Boat, in KingStreet, Norwich, which hasbeen closed since 2006, hasbeen sold to a developer for£500,000. The pub wasbought following its closure bythe Borthwick family, who hadintended to convert it to abackpackers’ hostel, howeverthis fell through. A further plan-ning application for conversionto residences is expected,despite opposition from localresidents.

Diversification is the name ofthe game in and aroundNorwich this quarter, withthree pubs branching out intonew areas, serving breakfast;tea and scones; and Meals onWheels! The Golden Star inDuke St, Norwich has beenopening for breakfast from7.30am on weekdays, withweekends a possibility if it goeswell. Delia and Nick Perry atthe Royal Oak, Poringlandhave invested £4,000 in ‘AcornTea-rooms’ at the back of thepub, from 10am-4pm, alsoweekdays but possiblyextending in future, as some-

where for ‘ladies who lunch’,friends and family, and theolder generation to meet, andlast but not least, the landlordsof the Quebec in Quebec Rd,Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich aresupplying Meals on Wheels toa number of local residents!

The Albion at Cromer isnow offering a 10% discounton all draught and bottled realales - check page 56 for a list ofall pubs in the Branch whichoffer a discount to CAMRAmembers. (If you’re a pubwhich offers a discount, pleaseget in touch - pubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk is theaddress for anything pub-related).

I can’t finish this columnwithout mentioning the recentdeparture of Ben and Beckyfrom the White Lion, Oak St,Norwich, which they havehanded over to their long-timechef and deputy manager AlexWaters. In a whirlwind threeyears, since taking over thethen-closed pub in 2011, theynot only gave the Norwichcider scene a huge kick up thebackside, stocking a previouslyunheard of 20+ real ciders andperries, and winning EastAnglian Cider Pub of the Yearin their first year, but also madethe pub into a welcoming andcomfortable, if also somewhathiggledy-piggledy home-from-home for a dedicated andwonderfully eclectic bunch ofregulars. Our loss isCambridge’s gain, as they’ll berunning the Cambridge Blue,one of the best real ale pubs in

AUTUMN 2014 | 5

NORFOLK NIPS | Pub News

continued on page 6

6 | AUTUMN 2014

the city. Thanks for everythingguys and the best of luck!

News from the West

At last the waiting is almostover. The Kings Arms atShouldham closed in June2012, and now, over two yearslater it is about to reopen as acommunity owned pub. Thevillagers have raised £150,000which has been doubled by theSocial Investment BusinessFund. They have organizedquizzes, beer festivals, cakesales, photo shoots and thelike. Since the pub waspurchased a large number ofpeople have helped in therefurbishment and from Augustwe should be able to call in fora pint and see the results.Congratulations to everyoneinvolved and let’s hope that itshows the way for futurethreatened pubs.

One such is the RampantHorse at Gaywood. It hasbeen purchased by the Free-bridge Community Housinggroup and planning permissionhas been applied for to changethe use to residential. The latestsubmissions to the planningcommittee which are availableto inspect on line indicate thatgaining this permission maynot be straightforward. Itseems that there is somedispute as to whether it wasadvertised for long enough at afair price to enable it to betaken over as a going concernand also that the viability testdid not take into accountincome from products bought

outside the tie and from func-tions. This, of course does notmean that the application willbe rejected, but it does give abit of hope to the locals whowould like to save the pub.

Another pub which may soonbe lost to housing is the Wool-pack at Walpole CrossKeys, which is in a sad stateafter lying empty since it wasclosed in January 2009 after anenvironmental health inspec-tion revealed serious problems.More fortunate is the HosteArms at Burnham Market,it has once again received topmarks in its recent foodhygiene inspection after arather worrying recent blip.

In Feltwell though, it lookslike curtains for the West End.Again a change of use isplanned, and with theWellington recently openednearby it seems like any objec-tions will fail. One pub thathas been saved after a fewyears of repeated closure andchanges of ownership is theThree Horseshoes atRoydon. This is now in thesame ownership as ConghamHall with affordable food anddecent beer at competitiveprices.

At last, the Woolpack onTennyson Avenue in KingsLynn is delivering what itpromises on the signs outsideand selling real ale, with TimTaylors being reported as beingvery good. Just up the road inGaywood, the White Horsehas had a makeover and islooking resplendent. I have not

had the chance to visit yet, butagain, real ale is available.

What was Antonio’s wine barin Kings Lynn is now theCosmopolitan café and theformer Hogshead which disfig-ured the High Street for severalyears is now the Eros Café Barand Restaurant. Althoughneither are pubs it has to bebetter than empty buildings inthe town centre.

There are a couple of newpubs signed up to our Localescheme, which aim to serve atleast one local beer at all times.These are the Peddars Inn atSporle and the Chalk andCheese at Shouldham. Andydown at the Angel in Larlingis now selling cider on a regularbasis.

Finally, I received a letterabout my lack of recognition ofthe Bentinck in Kings Lynn.I did compose a reply butwhen I checked again M. C.neither signed his name norput on his address. Get intouch with your full details andI will send you my letter.

Jeff

News Snippets

• Old White Bell, Southeryhas now been taken over by aformer barman there.• Lattice House, Lynn, Heidihas moved on to The Limes,Fakenham which seems tobe seeing the benefit of herpresence.• Red Lion, Hockwold nowpredominantly stocks Beestonbeers.

Pub and Brewery Bews continued | NORFOLK NIPS

8 | AUTUMN 2014

Stig’s WordsI’ve been little involved in CAMRA affairs recently asmy free time has been much reduced, but theworld rolls on and things still happen.

Sometimes life throws you what the Americanswould term a “curve ball” and makes what used toseem important seem, frankly hardly worth thebother. I know that hobbies and interests make lifeworth living to a great extent for many people, butthey are really pretty trivial in the great scheme ofthings. Speaking personally life is not too bad, butfriends of mine within CAMRA are currently facinga great challenge, with which I can only offer myhopes and support along with the rest of thebranch. A bit of a heavy start to my editorial, Iconcede, but some things need saying. The newson the beer and pubs front is not bad at all.

The King’s Arms in Shouldham has risen from thedead and is open for business. The excellent andpopular Larling Angel beer festival has been asuccess. The Norwich beer fest looms on thehorizon. More pub rescues are in the pipe line.

The Old Bell at Saham Toney has raised more than£3000 for charities and the local community in thelast year, well done.

Our tireless politico Jeff has enlisted the supportyet again of his local MP Henry Bellingham for anearly day motion to fill some of the legal loopholeswhich allow far too easy “changes of use” to pubsto happen, particularly when large supermarketchains are involved!

My MP Elizabeth Truss has developed an interestin pubs as well, and got herself a cabinet post. Seewhat happens when you hold up a pint glass (formore on that one see Jeffs article)!

So having managed to make the GBBF and verylittle else, I look forward with optimism to thefuture and hope for the best for all our readers andsupporters, whoever they may be. See you at thebar!

Stig

CAMRA Members Discoun t20p off a Pint / 10p off a half pint of real ale with valid membership cardSky and BT Sports shown here

Fish and Chip Friday - Eat in or take awaySunday roast served 12 - 4pm

Black Boys, e Green, Aldborough For further details call 01263 761649

Welcome to our traditional pub servingup to 5 real ales and great pub food.

AUTUMN 2014 | 9

NORFOLK NIPS | Chairman’s Letter

A warm welcome to this Autumn issue which, asin previous years, looks forward to The NorwichBeer Festival in October. Beer Festival OrganiserMartin Ward says that this will be the final onethat he does. Is this so? Or will he have morefinal appearances than Stephan Grapelli? Onlytime will tell.

Martin deserves to be applauded (NOT NOW –not while you are reading this!) and will be hardact to follow. But all things change, more onthat later.

One aspect of the Beer Festival which does notget enough attention is that of the chosenCharity. Last year it was the Norfolk andNorwich Association for the Blind. I did wonderhow the change from Beer Tokens to Beer Cardswould affect donations; would festival goerskeep part completed cards as souvenirs insteadof donating them? I needn’t have worried, asNNAB broke the record for the largest amountraised by a Charity at the Beer Festival, a whop-ping £5,000!

How did they do it? I caught up with EventFundraiser Jeremy Goss and Fundraiser DonnaMinto recently and asked them. They made surethat they had a presence at every session with afull roster and took the collecting bucketsaround the Halls, following the tombola! Theywere also there to welcome and say goodbye tocustomers at the doors, with a sweet smile and acharity bucket at the ready. And there was also

the pink elephants, mounted on the collectiontins on the bars. If you saw pink elephants, hadyou had enough? If so, then why not donatebefore you go home?

A feature will appear in the next issue, whichwill show how that £5000 helped Norfolk Blindpeople with a range of accommodation, supportand activities that you just wouldn’t believe!

This year, our chosen charity is The HamletCentre Trust, please show them your support.All things change, and as many already know, I

will be stepping down as Editor next year. If youfancy the challenge and want to know more,then please get in touch.

The Ed’lines

Campaign to protect Community Pubs - continued.

the wider community or the established builtform. CAMRA is seeking to change the legis-lation to ensure that planning permission isrequired for the demolition of pubs.

CAMRA says that the proposed changes areconsidered vital to secure the future of pubs.

Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s Head of Communi-cations said: “Popular and profitable pubsare being left vulnerable by gaps in Englishplanning legislation as pubs are increasinglybeing targeted by those wishing to takeadvantage of the absence of proper plan-ning control.

“It is wrong that communities are leftpowerless when a popular local pub isthreatened with demolition or conversioninto a Tesco store.To support the campaign please go to

www.pubsmattter.org.uk. If you are worriedthat your local may be affected then contactyour Branch Pubs Preservation Officer imme-diately.

The day has finally come for SOKA (Save OurKing’s Arms) and the residents of Shouldhamafter several years of campaigning and effort theyhave a village pub again! On the 11th of Augustthe King’s Arms opened its doors. At first thehours were limited but the response was unlim-ited with a large number of customers.

The staff were delighted with the enthusiasmshown by local folk even though they were onlyopen evenings for the first week. These hourshave now expanded and food continues to beserved from a limited menu. The beers are servedon gravity and guest beers will rotate regularly.

The first beer festival will be held on 12th –14th September. Many congratulations to theteam and villagers at Shouldham on a greatachievement. For more details of developmentsas the pub gets up to full speed go towww.kingsarmsshouldham.co.uk

I shall visit myself soon and bring you a moredetailed report in the next edition of NIPs.

Stig

The King’s Arms at Shouldham Thorpe re-opens

As one of the sponsors for this year’s NorwichCity of Ale, Crisp Maltings provided a mostunusual raffle prize for the launch event. A tonneof Maris Otter malt may not be top of every-body’s list when they dream of winning a raffle,but it was certainly highly desirable for thebrewers attending the party. There was cause forcelebration by the Panther Brewery of Reepham,who won the treasured haul. They werepresented with their prize on a recent visit to themaltings in Great Ryburgh.

Panther’s Martin James said: “It was great tomeet some of the Crisp team and have a tour ofthe maltings. We were really impressed withhow they work to support their customers andwith the quality of the malting operations. It’sgood to know how much of the barley they usecomes from local farms.”Crisp’s craft brewing salesmanager Nigel Gibbons said: “Congratulations toMartin and Alex of the PantherBrewery. We’relooking forward to tasting the brews they

produce with our legendary Maris Otter malt. If they’re as good as the selection of beers theybrought for us to sample on the day, they’ll bedefinitely be winners.”

Panther Brewery raises a glassto the ultimate raffle prize

AUTUMN 2014 | 11

NORFOLK NIPS | Ultimate raffle prize for a brewer

Photo © Red Flame CommunicationsAlex Simpson and Martin James from Panther Brewery,with Nigel Gibbons, Craft Brewing Sales Manager, CrispMalting Group.

So the dust has settled on the elections that noone cares about and the political map hasturned East Anglia UKIP purple. I would hazard aguess that you do not know the name of oursuccessful MEPs and have no idea when the nextelection will take place. That is quite worrying.The incinerator debacle showed what politicianscan get up to without constant scrutiny andquestioning, and the voters to whom they areaccountable sometimes seem low on the list oftheir priorities. Consequently in the run up tothe European poll I wrote to all of the candidateson behalf of CAMRA to see if they wouldsupport our aims, which can be summarised asencouraging the diversity of beer, clear labellingof beer including the point of origin and ensuringthat the price of a pint remains affordable.

Because we use a form of proportional repre-sentation, we vote for parties rather than peopleso each party puts forward a list of seven candi-dates making a total of 70 on the ballot paper. I received replies from the following candidates.Andrew Duff of the Liberal Democrats explainedtheir eight point plan and directed me to theirpolicy documents for more detail. MargaretSimons of the Conservatives sent me a shortnote expressing support for our aims. Jo Hayesof the Liberals sent me a long reply covering thepoints raised in detail, which was clearly wellthought out and not just a cut and paste partyresponse, otherwise it would have been similarto that of Andrew Duff. On behalf of the LabourParty I had a joint reply from Sandy Martin andAlex Mayor which again went into some detailon ways in which they would support our aims(though with typical politician’s exaggerationsuggested that Suffolk beers were the best in theworld!).

So what of the rest? I hope that the BritishNational Party, English Democrats and other

fringe independence groups were too busydrinking good old English bitter, and rejectingthe foreign lager stuff to reply. The PeoplesChristian Alliance’s manifesto states that ‘A reval-uation of subsidiarity based on the relationalparadigm is necessary.’ Unsurprisingly there isno mention of beer or pubs, as the documentcontinues to explore the outer reaches of theEnglish Language.

This leaves me with a bit of a puzzle. UKIP’sappeal seems to be based on one person, NigelFarage. Be honest, can you name another whohas made the news for anything other thanperhaps inappropriate comments? His sellingpoint seems to be that he is a good old boy wholikes a pint. I assume that he wants his party tobe taken seriously, so why not reply? Were theiroffices and candidates so overwhelmed withdemands on their time from an apathetic publicthat they could not reply when a voter is actuallytaking an interest in a topic that is dear to theirleader’s heart?

According to Churchill ‘’democracy is theworst form of government, except for all theothers”, and the people that could be botheredto vote have spoken, so Nigel is our leader.However what I want is for him and his party torepay our faith by getting in amongst them. Goto the debates and sit on the committees andbat for Britain and her pubs and beer. It is up tous to be vigilant and make sure their partysymbol represents the Pound we want to keep,and not the pounds that line the wallets ofpoliticians that pocket the expenses withoutdoing the job.

bar.man@btinternet.comRead the Barman every Friday in the Lynn News,

or check out the columns on line.

Something you shouldnever talk about in pubs

AUTUMN 2014 | 13

NORFOLK NIPS | Barman

14 | AUTUMN 2014

The waiting is almost over. The Festival is almostupon us. What can Festival goers expect this year?Beer Festival Organiser Martin Ward highlightssome important changes for this year, which, hesays, will be his last in charge.

It’s sunny and drinking light golden ales is theorder of the day, the branch has just finishedour annual pub and beer survey for 2014 andthe advance tickets for the festival go on salefrom midnight.

The changes we made to the entry procedures,in streamlining the admission process by cuttingout some confusion options on glasses sales andintroducing beer cards went down very wellwith you, our customer. This year’s option willproceed in a similar manner, with a slightly lessshiny card, so the marker pen ink adheres better.When we first talked about the idea of replacingour time honoured tokens, I was a bit worriedthat such a big change would generate a lot ofcontroversy, but every one accepted the ideaand it definitely speeded up getting served.

This brings me round to another feature withbrought in last year, a bay in St Andrews Halldedicated to one brewery. We managed to finda brewer from out of East Anglia who had awide range of excellent beer in all styles, feed-back was very positive on the Arbor beers, someeven making it to the Beer of the Festivalcompetition. This year with a bit of luck we willhave a range of Marble beers from Manchesterfor your drinking enjoyment. The idea of this isto focus on a brewery that you don't see often inthe Norwich area.

One of the newer options we are going to trythis year is electronic payment of advancetickets. Many of our younger customers appar-ently don't have cheque books and are used toelectronic payments, so we are going into thedigital age, at last. In conjunction with this weare also going to trial lunchtime tickets, as wehave had a few comments from prospectivecustomers who would like to have a workinglunch, but can’t make it down owing to timeconstrictions, hopefully this will make it easier.

We will also be making some changes to thecatering at the festival,and I would like towelcome Expresso Catering to the festival andlook forward to working alongside Roland andhis crew. Roland runs the Expresso Cafe in StGeorges St. and has had extensive experiencein catering for events in the Norwich area, aswell as running a thriving café.

As usual this is the bit where I plead with youguys for support, because the festival doesn’trun itself, and relies on the contributions ofmany people throughout the year. So thanks toall of the organising committee for theirsupport, especially over the last 11 years that Ihave been in charge. Time to hand over thereins. But never fear, you just might see mehanging around or lurking in some othercapacity.

Martin WardNorwich Beer Festival Organiser 2003-2014

37th Norwich Beer Festival

A new report launched recently by CAMRA andthe Local Government Information Unit (LGiU)encourages councils in England* to become thelast line of defence for pubs, whilst highlightingthat more power needs to be transferred tocouncils from central Government.

With 28 pubs a week closing across the UK thereport could save hundreds more from closingforever by empowering local councils to blockpub conversions from would-be developers.

CAMRA’s Head of Communications TomStainer said: “CAMRA is grateful to the trailblazing councils who are leading the way inpub protection but, it is still too few, we want allcouncils to follow suit and we hope the ideas inthis report provide a useful starting point.

“Pub closures are not as simple as a badly runbusiness or a changing marketplace, there aremany external factors and pressures which havea bearing on pub survival.”

The report calls on councils to value the rolepubs play in communities by adopting strongpub protection policies in locals plans, listingpubs as Assets of Community Value and using‘Article 4 Directions’ which ensure that planningpermission is always required for change of useof a pub.

But CAMRA is not letting Central Governmentoff the hook. CAMRA wants Government tobolster local councils’ toolkit of powers byreforming national planning law so communitiesand councils always have a say before a pub isdemolished or converted into another use.

“Weak planning laws are a major contributingfactor to pubs closing and Central Governmentneed to give councils greater powers so they cando more to protect pubs from developers. At the

moment Ministers are letting down communi-ties by allowing pubs to be demolished orconverted to a whole range of retail useswithout any planning permission beingrequired," Tom Stainer added.

It is clear that there is support from councils forgreater protection for valued community pubs,with 45 out of 49 councils, which took part in arecent survey, considering pubs as valuedcommunity amenities worthy of protection.Despite this, 33 out of 49 councils felt thatexisting planning regulations failed to give sufficient protection to pubs from change of useor demolition.**

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGiU,said: “Pubs play a vital role in many communities.But across the country this precious resource isbeing lost at an alarming rate. Councils play acrucial part in protecting pubs and we hope thatlocal authorities will draw inspiration from theexamples featured in this report and act now toprevent our pubs from disappearing forever.”

The Report’s Key Calls to Action for Councils:• Research, value and be aware of the role pubscan play in communities.

• Adopt strong pub planning protection policiesin local plans.

• List pubs as Assets of Community Value: 450pubs are currently listed.

The report’s recommendations apply toEngland only as planning matters are devolvedto Scotland and Wales.

**In light of planning law which enables pubs tobe demolished or converted into other uses withoutplanning permission be aware of and considerArticle 4 Directions - so planning permission isalways required.

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA News

Local Council is last line of defence for pubs

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18 | AUTUMN 2014

As reported here theWellington in Feltwellis going fromstrength to strengthand there are devel-opments in the beer

range which is now featuring some beerscreated to suit the themes of the new pub, I’ll letChris Samuels explain in his own words:

“In the past months the Wellington in Feltwellhave successfully launched FeltwellingtonGolden Ale, an exclusive beer brewed in collabo-ration with Two Rivers Brewery in Denver. Afterhigh sales a second batch was brewed andwhilst stronger (by 0.3%) than FeltwellingtonMk.I, the second batch of Feltwellington GoldenAle has once again been very well received.

Following on from our success with our firstattempt at brewing; we have reunited with TwoRivers for ‘Feltwellington Almost Home’. It willbe a ruby ale containing a New Zealand Hop, anEnglish Hop, German malt and smoked malt.This combination will aim to create a flavoursymbolising a New Zealand Crew in a British

Bomber burning due to German bullets. It is astoryline in beer for our Victoria Cross winnerJames Ward. The New Zealander won a VC forhis efforts to save his burning Wellington overoccupied Europe after an attack by a Germannight-fighter. The new ruby ale should belaunched late October.

The Wellington is also in the early stages ofdevelopment of ‘Feltwellington Over Here’ (asnamed by our illustrious editor, Stig, playing on'Over paid, over sexed and over here!'). Onceagain in collaboration with John at Two RiversDenver we will be using a combination of twoAmerican Hops. This beer will be a move awayfrom the New Zealand theme to focus on thecurrent occupiers of RAF Feltwell. The pump clipwill feature a P-47 Thunderbolt flying over theDomes at RAF Feltwell as a homage to the 48thOperations Group who became the 48th FighterWing. It is unlikely this IPA will be releasedbefore February or March next year but keepyour eyes peeled for more updates.”

Good news I think you’ll agree!Stig

AUTUMN 2014 | 19

NORFOLK NIPS | Wellington, Feltwell

Good news from Feltwell

The Annual festival at Larling has become a tradi-tional event for many people, including thefestivals long time glass seller Derrick from Mans-field who unfortunately passed away in May.Derrick was very popular with all at the Angel.As a tribute funds were raised for the MacmillanCancer Appeal to the tune of £500.

The usual blend of musical entertainment andover a hundred superb beers lead to a happycrowd of revellers each day without the inter-vention of violent thunderstorms as in theprevious year!

The bands performing, over the three nightswere, Killer Tomatoes, Jack Pout and the Dirt

Level, Charlie Law, Crosstown Trio and Lick anda Promise.

The Landlord Andrew Stammers is alwayshappy to see a good crowd but as in previousyears feels that the festival has reached an idealsize to remain a human experience and keep itsatmosphere. The Beer of the festival was Lincoln“Imperial Bitter” and the farthest travelled beerwas Highland Brewery “Island Hopping” all theway from Orkney!

My only regret is I didn’t make it myself, sothey probably sold quite a few less burgers andhot dogs…

Stig

Flights of Angels

As I drove up to Scarborough for the AGM, onequestion was uppermost in my mind. “Would thefog ever lift?” No, not that one. In any case theSatNav was doing a wonderful job because it couldsee what I couldn’t. No, the burning questionconcerned Craft Beers. Having discussed it atlength in Norwich the year before, would it comeup again, and would we actually get somewhere?Would CAMRA like to borrow my SatNav? CAMRAhas decreed that all Real Ale is Craft, but not allCraft is Real Ale. Is that it then, and why does itworry me so?

Put it this way, if I enjoy a pint of Fullers LondonPride straight from the cask in The Dog and Duck,then I am enjoying real ale and a craft beer at thesame time, in the same glass. But if I buy a bottle ofLondon Pride from the supermarket on the wayhome, then, not being bottled conditioned it is notreal ale, but is it craft? Think about it. Greene KingIPA, Shepherd Neame’s Spitfire, Sharp’s Doombaralong with offerings from Flowers, Tetley, et al., areall Craft Beers in cask conditioned form. CAMRAsays so. Is it something to do with their pedigree?(Oh, add that one to the list).

So why does it matter? There has been an explo-sion in the craft beer scene recently, with new beersreaching these shores from far and wide. It wouldappear that the world is embracing this newphenomenon, whilst we promote the virtues of realale in all its glory – and so we should. Regularreaders of this column will be anticipating a “but”here, and they will not be disappointed. Here it is.

Recently, I visited two well-known pubs in thearea and ordered pints of two well-known real ales.To put it bluntly, they were awful. One I took back,the other was drunk with resentment, as they say.The service was not that good either, if I am beinghonest. Thank heavens for the CAMRA Beer ScoringGuide. I scored them both accordingly, not goodnews for the pubs, especially as one is in the Good

Beer Guide. A few days later, I had a pint in anotherpub which was in tip top condition, and that wasscored accordingly as well.

The point is this. The battle for real ale has beenwon, they say. But is the trade easing off a tad – issome laziness creeping in? We talk about theglorious old days, completely forgetting to mentionthat in many pubs the beer was not drinkable. TheNation was ripe for the keg revolution. Brewersinvested heavily in the product and used the finestingredients – at first.

What won that particular battle was consistencyand quality. Eventually, the key word became“bland” and in the ensuing search for somethingbetter, something drinkable, CAMRA was born.

If we are not careful, history will repeat itself. Only this time it will be the Craft Brewers who willemerge as the victors. Their offerings will not becask conditioned, and they will be gassy. Some willbe bland, but others will be flavoursome, like theGoose Island IPA that I have just enjoyed. Licenseeswill love them, because they are easier to manageand last longer. Adnams has jumped on the band-wagon with their Yardbird IPA and Dry HoppedLager, available in bottles – at the moment.

In ten years’ time, hand pumps could have disappeared completely from your local to bereplaced by shiny chrome offerings of Craft Beers.Is this what we want?

The battle may have been won, but this is warand the enemy is priming ever more CO2 cylindersfor the next onslaught. We have been warned.

AUTUMN 2014 | 21

NORFOLK NIPS | The Rant

ready?at theCO2

22 | AUTUMN 2014

Chequers,ThompsonLong low-slung 17th centurythatched pub with four roomsof character. On the right is asmall room with low beamedceiling, half timbered walls anda timber upright supportingthe ceiling. It has a rare featureof a bar counter of woodencasks - half casks in this casewith a wooden top - this styleof counter was added to pubs

around 1960 but few examplessurvive. The largish brick fire-place is old (now with a logburner) - note the old fire(insurance) plaque on the wall.

The front door leads into avery small low beamed publicbar with a red tiled floor. Thebar counter here looks like it

was added in the early 1960sand is of brick with threewooden supports and woodentop, and the bar back shelvingis also post-war. The small brickfireplace looks like a 1960sreplacement with a copperhood and signs of an old ovenon the left.

Left of the main bar is a tinysnug with just one small tableand a beamed ceiling. On thefar left is an open rafterceilinged dining room with afine old brick inglenook fire-place with a chimney thatreaches to the roof. The smallbar counter with a renderedfront and wooden top wasadded in recent times and thebar back shelves are of no greatdate.

Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs

20

This series of articles highlight the pubs whose interiors havebeen little altered in the past 40 years or so. Here we have acouple of multi-roomed pubs – one in the country and anotherin the town of Dereham.

Left: Right hand room at theChequers, Thompson

Cherry Tree,DerehamSaved from conversion into aChinese Restaurant or Takewayin 2011, this pub has retainedsome 100 year old bar fittings.The public bar has a bare woodfloor and unusual panelleddado with a smaller strip above

the standard height. The barcounter could date fromEdwardian times with panelledfront, some pilasters and aband at the top of diamondshapes. The part mirrored five-bay bar back fitting is old withgood pilasters holding up thetop section and a doorway inthe centre for staff. Note thefridge in the servery whichcovers up an old fireplace. Thisroom has a good plasterworkceiling but a modern brick fire-place. The rear bar wasprobably refitted in the 1960s

as there is a plain counter witha copper top and the smallback fitting with copper on themain shelf - the top sectioncould be more modern. Tablesin this room have copper tops.

Cherry Tree, 1 Theatre Street,Dereham NR19 2EW. No land-line. Open 11 to 12 midnight(1am Fri, Sat); Sun 12 to 11.Bus: X1 Norwich to Kings Lynn;konectexpress 8 from Norwich.Two real ales are on sale usuallyfrom Greene King.

If you require photographs ofyour pub you can contact Mickon 01733 390598 or emailm.slaughter7@btinternet.comto discuss your requirements.

Chequers, Briston Road,Thompson near Thetford IP241PX. Phone 01953 483360Website: http://thompsonche-quers.co.uk - Open Mon to Sat11.30 to 3; 6.30 to 11; Sun 12to 10.30. Meals 12 to 2; 6.30to 9; Sun 12 to 9. Real ales onsale are Greene King IPA, OldSpeckled Hen, WoodfordesWherry and a guest beer froma local brewery. Accommoda-tion available in 3 en-suiterooms.

AUTUMN 2014 | 23

NORFOLK NIPS | Norfolk’s True Heritage Pubs

Right: Right hand bar of casks atthe Chequers, Thompson

Public bar of the Cherry Tree, DerehamRight: Rear bar at the Cherry Tree, Dereham

Alfred Charles Stowers was born in 1883, hebecame the licensee on April 5th 1907 at theage of 24, and married Ivy Lofty at the age of18 and became a special constable in 1915 ,hiswife Ivy took over the pub till Alfred returned onOct 7th 1919.

At one time Alfred was head cellaman at Backson The Walk, at the back there was a barn thatwas always kept locked, he apparently bredcanaries, he also kept in the barn one of the firstearly Vauxhall cars, solid wheels with the engineon a wooden floor and an open top.

To celebrate the arrival of the car he loadedbarrels of beer on the back of the platform andtook his mates in the pub’s “fishermen’s Club”to Great Yarmouth, they were not seen again for2 days, they were eventually found by thepolice in a ditch, they were all drunk and the carwas a write-off.

Alfred & Ivy had 7 children, the youngest wasLeslie and one of Leslie’s sons was John Stowers.One day in 1944 Leslie who was a maintenanceengineer at the USA base at Rackheath, rode tothe Cricketers Rest with John who was about 4years old on the crossbar, dropping John off andproceeding to do some maintenance at thepylons at Stoke Holy Cross and then picked himup and cycled back to Rackheath.

Alfred was also a generous and kindly man, atone time during the great war he lent money tolocal people to help them out, in most cases henever got reimbursed.

Ivy and Alfred retired toa dwelling in FoulgersOpening at the end of BerStreet, close to the Crick-eters Rest on November6th 1945 , they had aretirement celebration at apub in Chedgrave.

Alfred passed away inthe Vale Hospital in Swain-sthorpe on December27th 1956 aged 73.

Alfred Stowers, landlord of the

The Cricketers Rest 1907 - 1945

AUTUMN 2014 | 25

NORFOLK NIPS | Letter to the editor

In the last issue of Norfolk Nips ans Cask Force we published a small peice on the Cricketers Rest,(Rain stopped play? - Page 31, NN169), along with a plea for any further information about this lostsoul of a pub. The below is a short history of one of the pub’s landlords Alfred Charles Stowers.Thank you to his both Mike Wooldridge for getting in touch and his brother in law John Stowers fordictating the story.

Alfred Charles Stowers and his wife Ivy May Valentine Lofty

Alfred Charles Stowersserving at the bar

We were promised even bigger and better, andjudging by the results of the surveys carried outby Inside Track, City of Ale certainly delivered:Their findings revealed:

Pubs and Breweries: • Pubs sold more beer (an extra 4 firkins onaverage). • Footfall in pubs increased by 80% • Over 75% greeted new customers.• 98% found participation in the festival enjoyable• 92% thought that the festival was both wellorganised and well publicised • 79% of publicans stocked more beer• 86% of publicans stocked more varieties of beer

Festival goers:• Visitors from outside Norfolk were nearlydouble those surveyed in 2013• Awareness of City of Ale was very high.

• Three-quarters rated their experience positively. Key positives were variety of real ales, promotionof local pubs and the promotion of Norwichitself.• Wolf Brewery beers were their favourite newbeers and Norfolk Brewhouse Tidal Gold was thesingle best new beer.

But the organisers are not standing still, thesurvey also highlighted areas which could beenhanced or improved and these will bediscussed when the planning gets under way forCity of Ale 2015.

City of Ale report

AUTUMN 2014 | 27

NORFOLK NIPS | City of Ale 2014

Perfect to escape to on a sunny autumn dayand relax with a real ale, cider or perry! Didyou know four of these pub gardens are on ariver?

The Bush, Costessey

The Banningham Crown, Banningham

The Duke of Wellington, Norwich

The Gatehouse, Dereham Road

The Green Dragon, Wymondham

The Jubilee, St Leonards Road, Norwich

The Geldeston Locks Inn, Geldeston

The Plough, St Benedict’s Street, Norwich

Red Lion, Bishopgate, Norwich

The Royal Oak, Poringland

Miss Terri Drinker

AUTUMN 2014 | 29

Above: Garden ofThe Duke of

Wellington andRight: The Gelde-

ston Locks Inn, Geldeston

FOUR REAL ALESWednesday Irish Folk Music

Thursday Folk & Singing MusicFriday & Saturday Live Music

Sunday Folk Music

Large garden overlooking the River Wensum

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

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

30 | AUTUMN 2014

Another week another troll through the various‘Weekly Lists of Planning Applications’ in eachCouncil District in our ‘patch’ plus the BroadsAuthority, looking for applications affectingpubs in our area. I try to do this during themorning so as not to fall asleep in the process!Sometimes it’s obvious, like an application toconvert one into flats or worse still to demolish itand replace it with whatever the developerthinks will make them the most money. Othertimes things can be less obvious.

Until very recently indeed no planning permis-sion was required to convert a pub into a shop.Dwellings yes, shop no! The only way Ihappened to discover that one pub was underthreat of this was that the owners (A well-knownlarge pub-owning chain) wanted to extend thecar park. Fine..that looks like a harmless enoughapplication. One might even think that it was apositive sign. But at the foot of the applicationwhere it was stated who was making the appli-cation, was the fact that this large, pub-owningchain were making it on behalf of Tescos! Thiscould have been missed easily! Quite why theychose to disclose this and whether it was inten-tional or inadvertent we shall never know.Naturally that was referred to our committee forthem to decide if we were going to object. Wellof course we did! The village in question wenton to organise a protest, which continues,without any request for our help...But I keep myeye on it and help will be given if requested!

Sometimes the applicants are crafty and onlygive the pub’s address without mentioning itsname, so it helps if you already know the basicpostal address of any pub under threat or thathas been empty for a while. You need to readthe nature of the application. The obvious andpossibly most serious one will be an applicationfor a Change of Use, but one asking for permis-sion to extend the premises or to build in thepub’s grounds could also be important, espe-cially if it is an old building, already has

restricted parking or it is felt that the newbuilding/buildings may cause a problem sometime later. For example there was last year anapplication for the construction of a number ofhouses at the rear of a small country pub. Thatmay not seem much of a problem. Howeverfrom the experience of other areas it has beenshown that this has caused the pub problems inlater years, especially where the new propertiesonly vehicular access is to be via the pub’s carparkas was the case here. There is also the possi-bility of future complaints about noise, or, if thepublican is sensitive to this possibility, a perma-nent restriction upon what activities can becarried on in the pub and its remaining garden.In the case in question it also meant that the CarPark would be smaller and worse still, so wouldthe pub’s garden. Surely the latter is a majorasset for any country pub? We objected.

Opposing some applications can of coursemake CAMRA unpopular with the publican orpub’s owners. If that is one of the Big PubCompanies...I can live with that! If it’s a free-house and the publican is the owner, well that’sunfortunate but as I've said, the experience ofother branches has shown that some kinds ofdevelopments have been found to cause thepub problems at a later date. We don’t mean torestrict the owner’s right to raise capital by thismeans, but they may well be unaware of theproblems other pubs elsewhere have hadfollowing similar developments taking place.

Here in Norfolk we are blessed with numerousarchitectural gems as pubs. Sadly two of thesehave been lost in recent times (The Earl ofBeaconsfield and The Woodman). The problemhere is that unless the building has some form ofprotection such as listing as a Community Assetor simply because of its historical and or archi-tectural importance, the owner can dowhatever they like with it, including leaving itempty and letting it fall down of its own accord.There's absolutely nothing anyone can do about

A Pub Preservation Officer’s LifeWith 28 pubs closing every week, the Pubs Preservation Officer’s role is a crucial one for anyCAMRA Branch. Norwich and Norfolk Branch PPO Mike Spivey tells us what is involved.

AUTUMN 2014 | 31

it without some form of formal protection beingin place! Owners of any unprotected propertyhave an absolute right to let it fall down, if that'swhat they want.

Another part of my role is to try to preventunsympathetic alterations being made. I’m veryglad to say that so far I’ve not had to doanything about this, but such is the size of ‘my’patch that I cannot keep tabs on every pub andcannot know each and every architectural gem.There is a current trend for old pubs to be‘brightened up’ with pastel shaded walls andlight washes on the woodwork and panelling.Whether that's a good or bad thing dependsupon individual tastes and the pub in question,the state of the woodwork and the colour used.However, if you prefer to see the wood’s grainrather than the paint, it's hopefully not toomuch of a problem to restore it at some laterdate when fashions and tastes change. In the18th Century there was a time when olderpanelling was painted in pastel shades. It waswhat they liked and it brightened up the inte-riors. It doesn't seem to have caused thepanelling any harm in most cases I know of,indeed it may have even helped preserve it.Current tastes appear to be much the same,dark wood furniture is out of fashion and so isdark panelling. What would concern me is ifwindows, partitions, doors and panelling wereto be removed.

Carrying out the boring task of ploughingthrough seven different Weekly Lists every weekcan be the only way I know what’s happening. A few of you out there have e-mailed me aboutpubs that concern you. Please, please keep thisup, especially those of you from the outerreaches of our area. I need your input and espe

cially I need to know of pubs that becomeempty and remain so for any period of time so Ican keep an eagle eye out for any applications.Similarly if you know of an old pub or even amore recent one with interesting architecturalfeatures, tell me about it please, particularly ifit’s standing empty or looks as if is about to be‘refurbished’. Please keep me informed, especially if you see fittings being removed!

It doesn’t really matter what I find out andwhat your committee decide to do about thesematters if the locals don't care. CAMRA standingup and objecting is all very fine, but if the localsdon’t care and don’t use a pub or cannot seethat one poor landlord or sadder still severalpoor ones, does not mean that the pub can’t beturned around by a good one! Lack of localsupport totally undermines any effort we mayput in.

I can be contacted via the Branch Secretary ordirectly on: mykspivey@talktalk.net

Keep using your local wherever it may be. It needs you and you might just need it morethan you realise!

Mike SpiveyP.P.O. Norwich &Norfolk branch

NORFOLK NIPS | A PPO’s Life

32 | AUTUMN 2014

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Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

34 | AUTUMN 2014

I’m sure most readers will know about CAMRA’snational Pub of the Year (POTY) award, butfewer will know about our national cider equiva-lent. However, you may be surprised that thiscompetition is now 10 years old. The latestwinner, the Railway Arms in Downham Market,Norfolk received unprecedented mediacoverage, with TV crews from both local BBCand ITV featuring the presentation. The popu-larity, interest and availability of real cider andperry has greatly increased during these 10years. Over 1500 pubs have signed up to the‘Real Cider Sold Here’ initiative and CAMRAcurrently gets around 200 nominations for theCider POTY award.

So what makes a great real cider pub? The mostimportant factor is obviously quality real ciderand perry in top condition, which is on sale allyear round. The other top priority is given topubs that have knowledgeable licensees andstaffs that care passionately about the productare committed to explaining its virtues and whomake every effort to promote it. In addition, theother criteria are those used in the national Pubof the Year, for example community focus,atmosphere style and décor, service andwelcome, sympathy with CAMRA’s aims, andoverall value. Currently, pubs (or clubs) can beself-nominated, nominated by a branch, an indi-vidual member, or even a non member; but, asmore and more branches run their own compe-titions, the intention is to move towards aposition of every branch putting forward their

branch Cider POTY winner for judging in aregional round. Until most branches are doingthis, ‘public’ nominations, and those from nonmembers, will continue.

Public nominations, either from individualmembers or non-members are invited duringOctober and November. This is done using theform either printed in What’s Brewing, on theCAMRA website or in the branch mail out. Afterthis deadline, branches are sent details of anyentries in their area. They consider these and canadd further nominations if wished. The branchselects its winner and these are then notified tothe Regional Cider Co-ordinator by about theend of March. Regional judging then takesplace, to come up with the 16 regional winnersby mid May. The Cider POTY Organiserrandomly arranges these into 4 groups of 4regional winners to form a super-regional round,with these results in by about mid July. The 4winners from this stage then form the finalistsand the overall national winner is chosen byearly September. Details of these final 4 are keptconfidential so as to maximise publicity for theultimate winner, which usually receives its acco-lade on 1st October, to coincide with the start ofCAMRA’s Cider and Perry Month promotion.

So far, there have been winners from CAMRA’sSouth West, Wessex, Central Southern, EastAnglia, Yorkshire, East Midlands and WestPennines regions. Perhaps we can add otherregions to this list soon.

Let’s see if we can all encourage pubs to stockthis fantastic traditional product which is trulyenjoying a great resurgence and hopefully theycan benefit from this with increased sales to everdiscerning real cider drinkers. It also helps preservethe existence of so many of our wonderful orchards,small producers and many of the fascinating char-acters who enrich many a visit!

Sarah Newson Cider Pub of the Year Organiser

Cider Pub of the Year Competition

AUTUMN 2014 | 35

Turn over the page for a cider pub nomination form

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

36 | AUTUMN 2014

Running out of beer?

DON’TPANIC!

Rampant Horse country alehouse & restaurant.

Tel: 01493 700103 www.rampanthorse.net

Get on down to the...

Ever changing local and regional ales, imported lagers and great eshly prepared food.

Rampant Horse

Winter Ale

Beer Festival

28th-30th

November

The search is now on for National Cider Pub ofthe Year 2015 and we are looking for nomina-tions for the competition. This award is for thebest pub in Britain that promotes/encouragessales of quality real cider/perry.

If you know of a pub or club that fits the abovedescription (anywhere in the country) you can

nominate it for this competition by eithercompleting the online form athttp://form.jotform.co/form/32015619839862or http://tinyurl.com/pwcm2uf or by filling inand returning the form below. Thank you.

Closing date for Nominations is the 30thNovember 2014

National Cider Pub of theYear 2015 Nomination Form

AUTUMN 2014 | 37

NORFOLK NIPS | Cider Pub Form

Your Name:

Contact Number:

Are you a CAMRA Member: Yes No

Pub or Club Name:

Pub or Club Address:

Pub or Club Telephone Number:

Name the REAL ciders sold :

Name the REAL perries sold :

Your Comments:

Return to:- National Cider Pub of the Year, c/o CAMRA HQ, 230 Hatfield Rd., St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4LW by the 30th November 2014

I know it seems a long whileago, but we DID have somevery hot days this summer.And with them came requestsfor glasses of tap water frompassers by (usually followed upwith ‘it’s my right, you know’).I would never refuse a requestfor water, but I’m a littleconfused as to whether it is alsoa ‘right’ to then use the loo andread the pub papers (often atthe same time), use the wifiand watch the football?

Is this just a pub thing or doesit happen in restaurants andshops too? Do people walkinto Pedros, demand their rightto water and a sombrero andwatch people eat for an houror so? Are there tap waterdrinkers in Jarrolds roaming the

staircases and hogging thelifts? Maybe.

Times are hard, that I doknow, but are things really thatbad that folks can no longerafford a half whilst they readthe paper, check on the halftime scores and/or nip to theloo, as a matter of courtesy?

A few months back we wereshowing Norwich City on ourbig screen, the pub was packedwith plenty of drinkers. I spotteda young bloke watching from acorner with no drink in his hand,or anywhere near him. Ipolitely informed him that if hewanted to stay and watch thefootball he needed to buy adrink. He gave me a dirty look(almost a bar-able offence but

hey, the pub was busy so I wasin a good mood) and then hereluctantly bought half a cokeand made it last for the entiretyof the game.

It wasn’t until the match hadfinished and the pub hadcleared that I was informedwho he was – an injuredprofessional football player, aman who probably earns morein 10 minutes than I took overthe bar all day!

So is it austerity or attitudethat makes some people thinkthey can use a pub’s facilitieswithout a thought of the costto the landlord or lady? I fear itis the latter but sincerely hope Iam wrong.

Dawn Hopkins

Behind Bars | NORFOLK NIPS

A pub is for life, not just for football

Food served from Tues to Sun, made with locally sourced ingredients. We cater for all dietary

requirements including Coeliac, Vegan and Vegetarian.

Victory InnClenchwarton Tel: 01553 775668

Fresh fish

& chips every fri

day

(alongside main

menu)

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

Traditional

Roast every Su

nday

(12 - 4pm)Pub Quiz first Wednesday of every month

All proceeds going to local charities

Halloween Beer Festival

Thurs 30th Oct to Sun 2nd Nov

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

Enjoy meals or snacks fromour extensive and popularmenu with a spectacularview of the seafront.

Tel: 01263 823213crownsheringham@hotmail.co.ukwww.crown-sheringham.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

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

40 | AUTUMN 2014

“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

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

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

Pump Clips play an important part in promotingreal ale, but are they just another marketing tool orworks of art. We talk to Graphic Designer CazJones.

If you are a devotee of a particular mega brandof alcoholic fizz, you can scan the shiny chrometaps for the logo you want to see. Reassured,you will get exactly what you expect, and want.

With real ale, and some ciders and perries, it isdifferent. The major national brands are easilyidentified, but how about that guest ale in themiddle? What is it? Who brewed it? Is it goldenor dark? And what is going to persuade you tobuy a pint, or at least ask for a taster?

Sometimes, it’s the name, one that might justtickle your fancy, or match your mood, but moreoften than not, it’s the design - just ask a graphicdesigner!

We did. I met Caz Jones in The Fat Cat recently.An appropriate place since she has just produceda new range of designs for the Fat Cat Brewery.You may have seen them. There is a look of realquality about them, incorporating the face of acat with a mischievous wink. For each beer, theface is the same, but the fur changes accordingto the style. Clever stuff.

Caz, originally from Kent, studied GraphicDesign at the Art College in Norwich. Sheworked for Citywise Magazine and FarrowsGraphic Design before going freelance in 2006.

It was Bill Thomas who commissioned her firstpump clip design for The Reindeer. The Beer wasRed Nose. Looking for a different take, Cazspurned Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer as theobvious choice and went for Mr Punch instead.

Chalk Hill Brewery followed in 1993, withsome designs that were hand painted ingouache. Caz laughs when she remembersthem. She admits that they are among herfavourites, but shudders at the thought of the

blood, sweat and tears that went into them.

Blue Moon, Winters and the Waveney Brew-eries have all gone for Caz’s designs. But it’s notjust pump clips. At the Norwich Beer Festival lastyear, Caz met Dawn Leeder and she was askedto freshen up the City of Ale logo. A cornucopiaof hops and barley now adorns the logo and Cazsays that she is already thinking about thedesign for next year.

If you are a collector of Norwich Beer Festivalglasses, it is quite possible that you have asample of Caz’s work in your possession, as shedesigned the Festival Logo for the 13th NorwichBeer Festival.

So what next, I asked? Caz reckons that TheFat Cat designs are the pinnacle, but onedoesn’t stop there! If you would like to discussdesigns for your products, then give her a callon 07951 762 368.

Pump Clips - Marketing tool or work of art?

NORFOLK NIPS | Pump Clips

42 | AUTUMN 2014

Live &Let Live

Free House

18 Windsor Road, Kings Lynn

Traditional town pub with afriendly welcoming atmosphere.

For further details ring 01553 764990

LIVE MUSIC

most

weekends

Large selection of quality Real Ales

and Ciders.

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”

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

AUTUMN 2014 | 43

Norwich and NorthNorfolk Branch

Tuesday 16th September 8pmBranch Meeting Held at the Humpty Dumpty Brewery

Friday 3rd October 8.30amTrip to Ascot Races and Beer FestivalTravel by train to this event. Returns toNorwich at 10.30pm

Friday 3rd October 8pmFirst Friday Five

Monday 27th October 5.30pm37th Norwich Beer Festival opens (runs untilSaturday 1st November).

Friday 7th November 8pmFirst Friday Five

Tuesday 18th November 8pmBranch Meeting

Friday 5th December 8pmFirst Friday Five

You do not have to be a Member to attendthese events. The formal side of the BranchMeetings are kept to a minimum to ensureefficiency and plenty of time to socialise. TheFirst Friday Fives are walking tours of fivepubs in Norwich. You may visit all five ordrop in and out as you wish. A coach isprovided for trips outside Norwich.

Full details will be posted on the BranchWebsite, and also facebook and twitter whenconfirmed.

Contact Michael Phillips atsocialsecretary@norwichcamra.org,uk or callhim on 07851 923 554 for further informa-tion or to book a place on the coach.

Come and join us!

West Norfolk Branch

Branch meetings (All include social)All Branch Meetings start at 8pm.

Tuesday 14th OctoberWindmill Inn, Great Cressingham AGM

Tuesday 11th November White Horse, Brancaster Staithe

Tuesday 9th December Red Lion, Hockwold

Saturday 20th DecemberNorwich Tour starting 11am, Beehive,Leopold Road

Tuesday 13th January Kings Arms, Shouldham, meeting + postChristmas meal

CAMRA Branch CalendarNORFOLK NIPS | Dates for your diary

44 | AUTUMN 2014

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

Large walled garden - Fresh home cooked food50+ malt whiskeys - Bar & specials menu’sFine wines & beer - Local and national ales

What’s Happening..?Beer Festivals May and August Bank Holidays,

DragonFest Open Mic nights, Weekly quiz and more...

Check out our website and Facebook for events through into winter.

Christmas bookings now being taken.

Alby, Horseshoes Aldborough, Black Boys Attleborough, London Tavern Banningham, Crown InnBarford, Cock InnBinham, Chequers Inn Brooke, Kings HeadBroome, Artichoke Caister-on-Sea, Green GateCantley, Reedcutter Catfield, Crown Inn Cley-next-the-Sea, George HotelCley-next-the-Sea, Three Swal-lowsClenchwarton, VictoryClippesby, Muskett Arms Coltishall, Red LionColton, Ugly Bug InnCromer, AlbionCromer, Cottage Cromer, Red Lion HotelDrayton, Bob Carter LeisureCentre Downham Market, White HartDownham Market, Railway Earsham, Queens Head East Dereham, Royal StandardEmneth, Queens HeadErpingham, Erpingham ArmsFakenham, BullFeltwell, WellingtonFilby, Kings Head Geldeston, Locks Inn Geldeston, WherryGorleston, Dock Tavern Gorleston, Mariners Compass Great Massingham, DabblingDuckGreat Yarmouth, Barking Smack Great Yarmouth, Mariners Great Yarmouth, Oliver TwistGreat Yarmouth, Red Herring Great Yarmouth, St Johns Head

Heacham, Fox & HoundsHethersett, Kings HeadHickling, Greyhound InnHickling, Pleasure Boat Hilborough, Swan Hockham, Eagle Holt, Kings HeadHoningham, BuckHopton, White Hart Horsey, Nelson HeadHorsford, Brickmakers Horsham St. Faith, Elm FarmCountry HouseKenninghall, Red Lion Kings Lynn, Live and Let LiveLessingham, Star InnLoddon, Swan Inn Ludham, Dog Morston, Anchor InnNeatishead, White HorseNewton Flotman, Relish BarNewton by Castle Acre, George& DragonNorth Elmham, Railway HotelN. Walsham, Orchard Gardens Norwich, Adam and EveNorwich, Angel GardensNorwich, Beehive (LeopoldRoad)Norwich, Bell Hotel Norwich, Cellar HouseNorwich, Champion Norwich, Cottage (Silver Road)Norwich, Duke of Wellington Norwich, Earlham ArmsNorwich, Fat Cat Norwich, Fat Cat & Canary Norwich, Fat Cat Tap Norwich, Garden HouseNorwich, Jubilee Norwich, Ketts Tavern Norwich, Kings Head

Norwich, Lollards PitNorwich, Lord Rosebery Norwich, Maids Head HotelNorwich, MurderersNorwich, Plasterers ArmsNorwich, Red Lion Norwich, Reindeer Norwich, Ribs of Beef Norwich, Rose Norwich, Sir GarnetNorwich, Take 5 Norwich, Temple BarNorwich, Trafford Arms Norwich, Vine Norwich, Wig and Pen Norwich, York Tavern Poringland, Royal OakReedham, Ferry Reedham, Ship Reepham, Kings Arms Ringland, SwanSaxlingham Thorpe, Mill InnRockland St Mary, New Inn Sheringham, Lobster Sheringham, Windham Arms Shouldham, Chalk & CheeseSkeyton, GoatSporle, Peddars InnSurlingham, Ferry House Syderstone, Lynn Arms Swardeston, Lakenham/HewittRugby Club Tacolneston, Pelican Thetford Red LionThorpe Market, Gunton ArmsThurlton, Queens Head Upton, White HorseWicklewood, Cherry TreeWatton, Willow HouseWest Acre, StagWiveton, Bell Worstead, White LadyWymondham, Green Dragon

Update Here is a current list of all the pubs in Norfolkwhich are part of the CAMRA LocAle scheme.New entries are in Bold.

AUTUMN 2014 | 45

46 | AUTUMN 2014

The Ugly Bug Inn High House Farm Lane, Colton, Norwich NR9 5DG

Tel: 01603 880794 www.uglybuginn.co.uk The Ugly Bug Inn is located in a peaceful rurallocation on the edge of the village of Colton,close to the A47 with links to Norwich and theNorfolk coast.

Real ales from Beeston & Humpty Dumpty Breweries

Great dinner music nights every month (see website for details)

En suite bedrooms with four star AA status

View regular & CHRISTMAS MENUS on our websiteUgly Bug Inn

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

St. Albans Beer Festival Alban Arena AL 3LDWednesday 24th September - Friday 26thSeptember 11.00am - 11.00pm£3.00 (CAMRA members free)Saturday 27th September 11.00am - 11.00pm£4.50 (CAMRA members free)Seven bars with up to 350 real ales plus cidersand perries. Beer Tasting with Roger Protz at7.30pm on Friday.Contact www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk

37th Bedford Beer and Cider Festival Corn Exchange MK40 1SLWednesday 8th October – Saturday 11thOctober. Open: Wednesday 4 – 11pm, Thursday– Saturday12 – 11pm. Over 100 power cooledreal ales plus 40 ciders and perriesContact: www.northbedscamra.org.uk or call01234 303221

St. Ives(Cambs)'Booze On The Ouse' BeerFestival Burgess Hall PE27 6WUThursday 9th October 5 – 11pm 12am Friday10th October noon – 11pm, Sturday 11thOctober noon – 10pmAround 70 cask beers over the three days, plusreal cider and perryContact:Andy Shaw 01480 355893 orfestival@huntscamra.org.uk

37th Norwich Beer Festival St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls(See page 14-15 for details).

3rd South Woodham Ferrers Beer andCider Festival Champions Manor Hall CM3 5LJThursday 30th October 4 – 11pm Friday andSaturday 11 – 11pm. 35 beers and 10 ciders.Contact: Robert Longley at raclongley49@btinternet.com

CAMRA Beer Festivals Calendar

NORFOLK NIPS | CAMRA Beer Festivals

Pub and Club Beer Festivals Calendar12th - 14th SeptemberKings Arms, Shouldham.

25th - 27th September Elgood’s, Wisbech.

26th - 28th September Wherry Hotel, Lowestoft. Oulton Broad Beer Festival.

1st - 5th OctoberWhite Lion, Norwich. Annual Beer and Cider Festival.

3rd - 5th OctoberStag, Westacre. October Beer Fest.

Thursday 9th - Saturday 11th OctoberNorwich Sound and Vision. Craft Beer Festival.

Friday 10th - Sunday 12th OctoberBlack Boys, Aldborough, Beer festival and live music fromRicci on the 10th.

17th - 19th OctoberCoach and Horses, Dersingham. Beer and Cider Festival20+ real ales and Ciders plus live music

23rd October - 2nd NovemberMurderers, Norwich. 10th Beer Festival. 60+ beers.

30th October - 2nd NovemberVictory Inn, Clenchwarton. Halloween Beer Festival.

14th - 16th NovemberBeccles Public Hall. 3rd Beccles Beer Festival.

Friday 28th - 30th NovemberRose Inn, Norwich. ‘Big Smoke’ Beer Festival.

28th - 30th NovemberRampant Horse, Freethorpe. Winter Ale Festival.

26th - 31st January 2015The Vine, Norwich. Winter Beer Festival.

48 | AUTUMN 2014

Angel Gardens

Free House

96 Angel Rd, Norwich NR3 3HT

01603 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 Alesand SIX real ciders

Live Music on Saturdays

Sunday roasts from 12-8pm

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

No time to spend in the Pub, but want a beer?Rupert Eris offers some suggestions.

Of course we all like to drink in pubs, but some-times I just want to drink a beer at home. I liketo drink beer from a local brewery wheneverpossible and think that ‘Real Ale in a Bottle’(RAIB) generally tastes better. Living, as I do, in Cromer, what is available?

Cromer SupermarketsBudgens - Adnams (4 different beers), St Peters(4), Wolf (3)Co-op - Adnams (7), St Peters (7), Wolf (1), ownbrand (2, not local but RAIB)Morrisons - Adnams (5), Batemans (2), StPeters (3)

As perhaps you would expect, a fair choicefrom regional brewers, but nothing from smallerand more local brewers and little choice of RAIB.So I count myself extremely lucky that we alsohave:-

Cromer Farm Shop - This is on Tucker Street,hidden away behind the church. It has a farbetter range, Beeston (8), Brancaster (5),Elmtree (6), Grain (9), Jo C's (2), Lacons (1),Norfolk Brewhouse (6), Norfolk Square andMaverik (12), Ole Slewfoot (5), Poppyland (9),Why Not (6), Winters (7). They also have Cronesand Norfolk Square ciders.

Andrew and Lisa have had a farm shop inCromer for the last 9 years and always hoped tohave beer and cider as part of their range oflocally produced food and drink. But it was onlywith the move to their latest premises aboutthree and a half years ago that they were able to

do so. They firmly believe that ‘small is beautiful’and that the quality of local brewers is extemelyhigh. Andrew also points out that within theirrange you have examples of most styles of beer.They are fortunate that as well as customers wholive locally, they also have the many tourists whovisit the area and who are looking for Norfolkproduce, something they can't buy at home.They regard the brewers they admire most asartists and were inspired to team up with themost local of their suppliers, Poppyland Brewery,to create Sir Humphrey The Sea Dog.

This is a summer beer brewed exclusively forthe shop by Martin Warren at the PoppylandBrewery just a few hundred yards away, so localit is delivered by hand. Named after their dogwho also appears on the label looking suitablypiratical. When thinking about a summer beerAndrew said it should be blonde, Lisa that itshould be a wheat beer. Lisa then joined Martinto help with the brewing process which tookLemongrass, Japanese hops and Barvarian yeastto create something quite unique.

So what's next? Lisa says ‘What about AdmiralHumphrey?’, Andrew ‘I think we should changethe name to Cromer Farm and Beer Shop.’

Cromer Farm Shop, 15 Tucker Street, Cromer.(01263) 513677 Open 8-5 Monday - Saturday,10-4 Sunday.

Poppyland Brewery, 46 West Street, Cromer.(01263) 513992

Do you have a local shop which sells real aleand ciders and perries? Let the Editor know sothat we can compile a list of them.

Beer in Store

AUTUMN 2014 | 49

50 | AUTUMN 2014

Food Served: Monday- Friday 11am - 5pm Saturdays 11am - 3pm Sundays 11am - 3pm

Evening meals on requestRoast Dinners Sundays 12-3pm

Chilled bar rolls made daily only £1

CAMRA Discounts available & part of the LocAle Scheme

Parking, Disabled facilities, Baby changing,Smokers sheltered garden, and Beer garden.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

The London TavernFree House

Find Us

in the CAMRA

Good Beer

Guide

Now Open!

Great real ales, fine winesand spirits.

Church St, Attleborough Tel :01953 457415

AUTUMN 2014 | 51

NORFOLK NIPS | Please support our advertisers

52 | AUTUMN 2014

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!

Please support our advertisers | NORFOLK NIPS

Issue No.142 August – October 2007

A5 40 pages, printed in black and red onwhite coated stock.

Editor – Adrian Hennessey

“Win a case of beer!” screamed the front cover,which promoted the 30th Norwich BeerFestival.

The beer in question was the prize offered inthe competition and was supplied by The LittleBeer Shop in Blofield. In order to be in with achance of winning, you had to state on whichdate the 30th Norwich Beer Festival started. Incase you were stumped for an answer, it didappear on the front cover.

CAMRA was fearing the “domino effect” afterthe purchase in June of Ringwood Brewery byMarston’s. CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Bennersaid that the practice of larger breweriesacquiring smaller competitors is “a race wherethe only loser is the consumer who is oftendenied a locally brewed beer.”

Tipples had done very well in the Norfolk Beerof the year competition. Jack’s Revenge, a 5.8%Strong Bitter from Tipples Brewery won theaccolade. Norwich Branch Chair Des O’Briensaid that owner Jason Tipple was “at the fore-front of the new wave of craft brewers.” TipplesLongshore, Redhead, and Lady Evelyn were allcategory winners.

Social Secretary Tim MacDonald had organiseda “Royal Tour” for the Mystery Coach Trip. One

or two were perplexed at the start as theCAMRA SatNav was locked onto Amsterdam.First stop was the Hill House in Happisburgh.(The Royal connection was explained by the factthat Happisburgh is a medieval word for castle!)Then came The Duke of Edinburgh, Bacton andThe Crown in Trunch. Finally, there was anotherCrown, this time in Smallburgh.

The summer outing took to the water with atrip down the River Yare. Three polypins ofWoodeforde’s Wherry, Sundew and Nelson’sRevenge were on board. Colin Emms from theWhy Not Brewery had brought along somebottles of Cavalier Red, Roundhead Porter,Chocolate Nutter, and a honey beer which ourcorrespondent couldn’t quite remember!Bramerton Woods End, Coldham Hall, TheBeauchamp Arms and The Reedcutter atCantley were all visited.

NORFOLK NIPS | From the Archives

We have a growing number of postalsubscribers to Norfolk Nips and Cask Force,and I would like to send my thanks for thekind comments and best wishes from thosewho have renewed their subscriptions recently.

If you would like to join them in receiving thenext 4 issues by post, send 12 first class stampsto Norfolk Nips and Cask Force, 91 Tennyson Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk,PE30 5NG.

Subscriptions

54 | AUTUMN 2014

Grab a CAMRA Discount at your local!

Albion, Cromer:10% off real leas, draught and bottledBrickmakers, Horsford:10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale Bridge Tavern, Riverside, Norwich:10% off all real alesCherry Tree, Wicklewood:30p off a pint of Buffy’sCompleat Angler, Norwich:10% off all real alesGreen Gate, Caister-on-Sea: 20p off a pint of real ale Lighthouse Inn, Walcott:10% off all real alesLondon Tavern, Attleborough: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale

Plasterers, Cowgate, Norwich: 10% off all real ales (available to all customerson Mondays)Pig & Whistle, Westlegate, Norwich:10% off all real alesRailway, North Elmham:10% offRed Lion, Drayton: 10p off a half, 20p off a pint of real ale

If your pub or business offers a discount toCAMRA, but isn't on this list, please contactpubsofficer@norwichcamra.org.uk and let usknow the details (including any restrictions).Please note: We believe the discounts listed are offeredat the time of going to press, however pubs may ofcourse withdraw or change offers at any time!

CAMRA Discount Scheme | NORFOLK NIPS

56 | AUTUMN 2014

EntertainmentDave Thomas is well known to the Norwich BeerFestival having played there for the last threeconsecutive years. This year he's back onThursday 30th October with his band - TheDave Thomas Blues Band.

Dave is also organising the first new BluesFestival of its kind in Norwich: a real BluesFestival with real Blues music. Think Real Ale vKeg! Dave was blooded in the 60’s British BluesBoom and still carries the torch! He has drawnfrom his experience working as a Blues musicianand bandleader in the UK and in the USA. TheFINE CITY BLUES EXPLOSION 2014 will takeplace at Norwich Arts Centre on the 24th &25th October. There's a fantastic lineup of trueBlues talent from the UK and the USA:Wallace Coleman The greatest living expo-nent of traditional Chicago style Bluesharmonica.

Paul Lamb & The King Snakes The UK'smost successful and multi-award winningharmonica genius and his entertaining highenergy band.

Sean Taylor Internationally acclaimedsinger/songwriter/guitarist

Dave & Dana Dixon superb Blues guitarist andleading lady harmonica player from Scotland

Dove & Boweevil Band Local heroes goingglobal

Dave Thomas...in various guises!

More events will be happening as part of thefirst Fine City Blues Explosion at The BicycleShop, the Plasterers Arms and at the Walnut TreeShades. In October and into November the Citywill be buzzing with Blues...REAL BLUES!

The following local businesses offer a discount for CAMRA members (usually onpresentation of a Membership Card):

AUTUMN 2014 | 57

NORFOLK NIPS | Please support our advertisers

CAMRA Discount Scheme | NORFOLK NIPS

58 | AUTUMN 2014

Here in Norfolk we have been lucky to have hadyet another enjoyable warm sunny summer evenif there have been a few torrential downpours attimes. Meanwhile Norwich & Norfolk Branchmembers have been busy participating insummer social activities. In addition to our usual‘First Friday Fives’ and County coach trips, wehave visited breweries and maltings but our highlight was a train journey to Central Londonwhere we visited eight of London’s fine heritagepubs on both sides of the River Thames.

I hope that NIPS readers have made the most ofthe sun and fine weather to get out and aboutthe County and visit rural pubs in remoter parts.There have been many local beer festivals andopportunities to sample new beers. You mayrecall from a previous article in this magazine, Iasked readers to note any rural gems that theymay have visited for nomination for the ‘GoodBeer Guide’ (GBG). If you have any suggestionscontact our Pubs Officer, Ian Stamp on - iancstamp@gmail.com and he will be pleased tohear from you.

Now that the summer season is ending andautumn nights are drawing in, our thoughts turnto our 37th annual Beer Festival. It is a busy timefor our organising committee. Orders are givenfor a large selection of cask ales, ciders and perrystogether with draught and bottled beers fromContinental Europe. There are programmes,tickets and publicity to be organised. Not leastare the arrangements for our many volunteerhelpers who give of their time and without whomthere would be no festival. I am looking forwardto seeing and meeting as many NIPS readers aspossible during Beer Festival week.

Warren WordsworthNorwich and Norfolk Branch Chair

Warren’sWords

AUTUMN 2014 | 59

NORFOLK NIPS | Last Orders

Summer feels that it is over. The weather thelast few days has been more like Winter, culminating in one of the worst Bank Holidayfor a long time. Thank goodness for a local pubto shelter in !

What I find pleasing is that the range of realale on offer now seems to be growing everymonth, form the light golden ales, through tothe dark milds and porters. Something foreveryone is available.

Nationally, it seems the trend for pub closurescontinues unabated, but in our area, it ispleasing that the Kings Arms at Shouldham hasnow reopened. This is really good news for thearea. They currently have three real ales,including one local ale. This new local is wellworth a visit and a friendly welcome awaits.

The Railway Arms at Downham Market is onceagain in the running for National Cider Pub ofthe year, having been successful in the Regionalcompetiton.We all wish them good luck.

Shortly, we will be inviting nominations for ourPub of the Year. Every member can nominate apub of their choice. The nominations will thenbe reduced to a shortlist, following which anymember can visit all the pubs and score themusing the sheet available. Further details will beavailable in the next issue.

Various items of clothing with the Branch Logoare still available at a subsidised cost , pleasecontact Bruce Ward for further details.

CheersSteve BarkerW.N. Chairman

Steve’s Words

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 2014 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:Mike BaldwinEmail: michaelbaldwin8@gmail.comChris LucasEmail: chris-stig@tiscali.co.uk

Design & Production:Daniel Speed - Orchard House Media01733 211933Email: info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Advertising:For advertising enquiries please contactJane Michelson on: 07732 393 62101733 211410jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Distribution:12,000 copies / four times a year

Norwich and Norfolk District: Adrian Simpson

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

60 | AUTUMN 2014

Branch contacts | NORFOLK NIPS

Contact Details

NORFOLK NIPS | Awards

CAMRA are pleased to announce this year'sChampion Beers of Britain as follows:

Supreme ChampionsGold Timothy Taylor, BoltmakerSilver Oakham, CitraBronze Salopian, Darwin's Origin

Champion Bottled BeerGold Marble, Chocolate MarbleSilver St Austell, Proper Job Bronze Spire, Prince Igor Imperial Russian Stout

MildGold Bank Top, Dark MildSilver Branscombe Vale, MildBronze Castle Rock, Black Gold

Best BitterGold Salopian, Darwin’s OriginSilver Redwillow, DirectionlessJoint Bronze Langton, Inclined Plane BitterPurity, Mad Goose

SpecialityGold Saltaire, Triple ChocoholicSilver Offbeat, Way Out WheatBronze Peak Ales, Chatsworth Gold

BitterGold Timothy Taylor, BoltmakerSilver Mighty Oak, Captain BobJoint Bronze Flowerpots, Flowerpots BitterSambrooks, Wandle Ale

GoldenGold Oakham, CitraSilver Hawkshead, Cumbrian Five HopBronze Salopian, Hop Twister

Strong BitterGold Church End, Fallen AngelSilver Blue Monkey, Ape AleBronze Loch Ness, HoppyNESS

Champion Beer of Britain 2014

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Instruction to your Bank orBuilding Society to pay by Direct Debit

Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to:Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW

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If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request

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You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

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

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.

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

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Campaigning for Pub Goers& Beer Drinkers

Enjoying Real Ale& Pubs

A Campaign of Two Halves

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

We have 17 handpumps, with Real Ale from far and wide, 2 Real Ciders and 2 Real Ales from gravity, a large car park, large beer

garden with heated smoking shelter, darts, pool, quizzes and crib.

The Royal Oak lies at the heart of the community and new customers are always welcome. Come along and get a real

welcome from a real pub selling real ale!Nick, Delia And The Team would love to see you soon.

Norwich And Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

Norfolk Pub Of The Year 2007

14 years in the Good Beer Guide!

44 The Street, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JTwww.poringlandroyaloak.co.uk Tel: 01508 493734

poringlandroyaloak�

A dream of a pub situated in the village of Poringland on the B1332 road to Bungay.

The main bus route from Norwich stops right outside.

AutumnBeer Festival

31st Oct to 3rd NovMusic with Tosh and Friends all weekend

Now in partnership with the AcornTearooms we serve sandwiches, cakes,

scones and afternoon teas daily.OO

@poringlandoak�

AutumnBeer Festival

31st Oct to 3rd Nov