Branch Update – June 2021

Hello one and all. As we emerge from covid it seems appropriate to take stock of where we are. CAMRA HQ have banned all CAMRA activity in pubs until they are fully open, which is not going to be before 19th July. So I intend, if possible, to hold our first Branch Meeting at the Beehive/Honeypot, Peasehill on Thursday 29th July, and our postponed AGM on Thursday 26th August at the Old Oak, Horsley Woodhouse, both starting at 8pm. Please attend either or both of these if you can, there is plenty to discuss.

My personal view is that while is looks impossible for the Branch to hold a Beer Festival in 2021 there is plenty that we can do. Pub of the year and Cider Pub of the year should run later in the year. Beer scoring should resume and there should be a Beer Guide Selection Meeting early in 2022. Socials, but probably not bus trips, can resume both in the Branch Area and beyond. I’ll be talking to various people about what the Branch ought to aim to do once some kind of normality returns. If you have any views on this, please let me know.  Please see our Socials page for outings planned for July to Sept.

I’m afraid that we still do not have a Branch Secretary, and while that hasn’t been particularly serious during lockdown it is certainly going to become serious as Branch activity resumes. The role consists of taking minutes at Branch Meetings and liaison between CAMRA HQ, the Regional Director and our Branch, although I expect that Nora would tell you that there is a bit more to it than that! I am prepared to consider any options including splitting the job up if that could be done in a way that works. The Branch cannot continue in the long term without a Branch Secretary, so I urge everyone who reads this to consider it and contact me if you think you could help.

Finally, I look forward to meeting you in a pub in the not too distant future.

Chris Rogers

Amber Valley Branch Chairman

Branch Secretary Required

We are still seeking a new Branch Secretary following the 'retirement' of Nora who has done sterling work in the role.  If you are interested or know of anyone who would like to volunteer for this vital position please contact our Chairman.  The duties that come within the Secretary's remit are detailed in this profile.

Pub of the Year 2020

The results of the Amber Valley CAMRA Pub of the Year 2020 competition were announced at the AGM as follows -

First place - White Hart, Bargate

Second place - Dead Poets, Holbrook

Third place - Old Oak, Horsley

Congratulations to Sean and the team at the White Hart and thanks to all members who nominated pubs to go into the competition and all those who judged the eight finalists.

THE FIVE BRANCHES WINTER ALE TRAIL 2020

The Amber Valley CAMRA Winter Ale Trail top three placed pubs are -

1st Hunters Arms, Kilburn

2nd Codnor Inn,  Codnor

3rd George and Dragon,  Belper

Cider Pub of the Year 2020 

Winner Angels Bar, Belper

Runner-up Dead Poets Inn, Holbrook

Angels Bar, as Amber Valley Cider Pub of the Year 2020, will go forward to the East Midlands Cider Pub of the Year Competition, judged in March 2020.

Please see Awards for more information.

Member assistance requested

Could all members please help us to keep our area  information updated by entering any updates for their local pub into What Pub this will really assist our pubs member and enable you to have current info when you venture further afield.

Good Beer Guide 2020

Angels, Belper
Arkwrights, Belper
Beehive Inn, Ripley
Black Bulls Head, Openwoodgate
Holly Bush, Makeney
Old Oak, Horsley
Red Lion, Ripley
Steam packet Inn, Swanwick
Talbot, Ripley
White Hart, Bargate