News
- Chapter One - Application to Convert Pub
Monday 20 January 2025
London Road's Last Pub – A planning application threatens to permanently close Chapter One (formerly Britannia, Piccadilly Alehouse, The Hive). Losing Chapter One would leave the entire length of London Road and the surrounding residential area without a single traditional pub. A pub is a vital community amenity and we believe that under a good landlord and a fair and manageable rent, this pub can be operated as a successful business once more.
Please consider objecting to this planning application and help us save Chapter One. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=24%2F04619%2FFUL#details_Section
If you wish to comment please do so before 30 Jan 25
- Revised Social Calendar Jan 2025
Tuesday 14 January 2025
There are some errors in the Bath & Borders branch diary on Winter edition of Pints West (page 46) for example the Meet the Brewer event at the Royal Oak (Bath) is 21st Jan not 14th Jan - latest dates here https://bathandborders.camra.org.uk/diary
- 22 Dec 2024 Regional Review Update
Sunday 22 December 2024
An update dated 29 November 24 has today (22 Dec) been provided by Nick Bosley ( Regional Review Team Leader)
"Further to my post of 21 October, here is an update of progress of the Regional Directors and their progress towards the strategic aims of the Regions Review.
Lunesdale (Yorkshire part) – agreed between RDs and branch members to be given choice as to whether they wish to transfer to Keighley and Craven or stay with the remainder of Lunesdale. Ready to seek approval of NE.
High Peak (Cheshire part) – awaiting a proposal.*
High Peak (Derbyshire part) – progressing and awaiting a proposal after all affected RDs discuss. *
Herts – Essex borders – unfortunately we have heard nothing from the RD in progressing this which is a shame as the branch have been very constructive in their approach. **
South Gloucestershire – an exception with minor changes at the boundary of Bristol (Bristol postcodes will remain in the South West region with the rest of South Gloucestershire remaining in West Central. The six remaining pubs, which are in South Central region, will transfer to South West.
South West Essex (London part) – a service email has been sent out to each member with a view to setting up a new branch (or sub branch).
Further recommendations to the NE are expected for Shakespeare branch in early December.
The next stage we are looking at are;
1. Kingston and Leatherhead – Team member with oversight Gary Timmins
2. South Derbyshire – Team member with oversight Gary Timmins
3. Rugby – Team member with oversight Gary Timmins
4. West Lancs – Team member with oversight Kevin Keaveny
5. Peterborough – Team member with oversight Ruth Sloan
6. Dumfries and Stewartry – Team member with oversight Nick Bosley
We will be looking for final recommendations from the RDs no later than 15 January 2025. Work on the final phase will start early January 2025.
Nick Bosley, Kevin Keaveny, Ian Packham, Ruth Sloan, Gary Timmins
* proposal received
** RD has been to the branch"
Oct update here Regional Review 21 Oct update.
- Pints West Winter 2024 now available
Monday 9 December 2024
Multi award winning magazine now out and will soon be appearing in branch pubs
Page 36 mentions that the Dandy Lion in Bradford on Avon had closed. We are pleased to report that the pub re-opened shortly after Pints West went to press.
- Festival News
Sunday 1 December 2024
We have received a number of queries about a potential 2025 Bath Beer & Cider Festival. We can announce that there are currently no plans to hold a festival in 2025.
- Regional Review 21 Oct update
Friday 25 October 2024
Latest update from Regional Review Team "Progress has started on getting the new team up to speed. The members of the Team are; Nick Bosley (Chair), Kevin Keaveny, Ian Packham, Ruth Sloan and Gary Timmins (NE Representative).
At Penrith, in September, the NE decided to progress but with the removal of the term ‘no exceptions’. They also decided not to reverse changes that had already taken place.
As a start we are reviewing changes that were ready to go such as the Yorkshire part of Lunesdale transferring to Keighley and Craven and the Cheshire part of High Peak transferring to Macclesfield and East Cheshire.
We had identified an exception in South Gloucestershire which will be reviewed also following an objection from a Regional Director.
However, the number one priority is to find a home (be it a new branch , a sub branch or a merger) for the London based members of the former South West Essex branch. That is now with the RD for Greater London with oversight from Kevin Keaveny (as RRIT member but also Chair of Regions and Branches Committee).
Two more complex areas are also to be discussed
Herts Essex borders. Following a paper submitted from the branch the RD for East Anglia is travelling to them to discuss the various options and how each option is working towards the aim of the review. Nick Bosley will be the member of the RRIT working with the RD. North Derbyshire – this involves three regions so there will be an initial meeting of the RDs for East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire looking at the plan submitted by the RD for East Midlands. Following that meeting the branches will be involved (Chesterfield, High Peak and Sheffield). Gary Timmins will be the RRIT member responsible. We are also aware of RD elections being run (Merseyside and Cheshire plus South Central have been given the go ahead by the NE). Others will be following shortly. The timings of these will form our decision making as to the order we work through."
September update here Regional Review latest 27 Sep 2024.
- New venue for Kettlesmith OKTOBERFEST 26 Oct
Thursday 24 October 2024
Kettlesmith were planning a beer festival at Bradford Town Football Club on Saturday 26th October between 12-7pm with their usual great range of beers (including guests) as well as cider, wine, gin, soft drinks and food. WE HAVE JUST LEARNT THAT THE EVENT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE AT THE FOOTBALL CLUB BUT AT THE BREWERY NOON -5PM
- Regional Review latest 27 Sep 2024
Friday 27 September 2024
Regions Review Update from CAMRA HQ
"The Regions Review was discussed at length at the National Executive and Regional Directors weekend.
Following in–depth exploration following the recent pause and listening to feedback and concerns raised, it is now resuming for final changes to be made.
A range of options were put forward to the NE for consideration, with core areas of operations for a successful national campaign underpinning the discussion. The NE and Regions and Branches Committee agreed that the review's strategic aims remain sound, however there needs to be increased flexibility for implementation in some cases, with a focus on cross-border issues.
The role of Regional Directors is key to this work and their collaboration and engagement with branches, the Implementation Team and the NE is an essential part of the process.
There will not be a blanket approach, or a single solution applied, but where there are exceptional circumstances and evidenced justification for operating outside the initial scope, flexibility may be applied.
A new Chairman, Nick Bosley, will be appointed for the Regions Review Implementation team. Until recently, Nick was the Chair of Branches Committee and brings much experience and knowledge to the role. A member of the National Executive and a Regional Director will also join this group. Once these positions have been ratified, the group’s full membership will be shared.
Next steps for the Implementation Group are as follows:
Review and consider the feedback provided to date before taking the Regions Review forward. Set up priority areas for discussion and actions. Provide regular updates and share key milestones of the project. Engage directly with branches and members affected by proposals. Provide FAQs and ‘myth busting,’ giving updates and answering queries.
As previously stated, the pause does not mean that the approach to the Regions Review will change. The Review’s implementation will continue to aim to reduce the workload of Regional Directors and share with counties and branches by putting in place effective regional and area structures. The NE firmly believes these outcomes are vital to safeguarding and making the organisation fit for the future, while recognising the need for flexibility to address issues which have arisen during the project.
We are setting up a dedicated email address for the Implementation Group which will be shared. "
- Good Beer Guide 2025 now available
Thursday 26 September 2024
The 2025 edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide is now available. This edition is available in a choice of two different covers featuring two of the UK’s favourite locals: Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale’s Woolpack.
.Both versions will be available to purchase at the local launch : Bristol on Friday 27th September at Lime Kiln, 17 St George's Road, Bristol, BS1 5UU. The event will run from 12 noon until 6pm.
The cover price is £16.99 but for this day only it will be available at the bargain price of £15, or just £12 to card-carrying CAMRA members. The Good Beer Guide is the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide, which showcases 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK. It is the definitive source for those seeking top quality ale and cider, and the guide includes 33 pubs chosen by Bath & Borders branch ( branch area here Branch Area Map ).
- Autumn edition of Pints West now available Sunday 15 September 2024
- Swindon Beer festival tickets now available Monday 9 September 2024
- AGM minutes now available
Thursday 5 September 2024
Note of 2024 AGM are now available in the members area here
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