Bath & Borders

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

News

  • Pints West Winter 2024 now available Monday 9 December 2024

    Multi award winning magazine now out and will soon be appearing in branch pubs

    Pints West.

    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.

    no 2025 Beer & Cider festival
  • 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."

  • 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.

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    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 ).

    GBG25 out now !
  • 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

    https://bathandborders.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=183511

  • Help Save Bath & Borders Sunday 4 August 2024

    Many thanks to those who responded to our recent Survey Monkey survey about potential break-up of the Bath & Borders branch. As expected that demonstrated that the proposed West Wiltshire branch was not viable and that he proposed Bath/Somerset branch is only viable if those indicating a willingness to serve on the committee each took on multiple roles (as those standing down all have multiple roles).

    It is the unanimous view of the Bath & Borders committee that the breakup has no meaningful benefit – only transport disadvantages – but sadly the Regional Review team has dismissed all our concerns and intend to break up the Bath & Borders branch (and up to sixteen other branches with similar concerns) by the end of the year.

    In desperation one of the impacted branches has started a petition to be submitted to CAMRA's National Executive seeking a pause in implementation (see link below). We urge you to sign – just need your name and membership no.

    Petition.

    Save Bath & Borders

    Petition to stop breakup of branch
  • Sheep & Penguin wins CAMRA Design Award Friday 12 July 2024

    Congratulations Sheep & Penguin , in Wells who were 'Commended' in the refurbishment category of CAMRA's Pub Design Awards. The presentation took place in Vines , Liverpool on 19 Jun, congratulations. We will no doubt see it for ourselves during our Wells social on Sat 3 Aug 2024 !

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    Laura Emson (left) - CAMRA Awards Director presents certificate to Sam and Jayne James from the Sheep & Penguin