Cornwall

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

News

  • 17/08/2024 Branch meeting agenda Friday 16 August 2024

    Something has gone wrong with our members page so the agenda for tomorrows branch meeting can be accessed below.

    17/08/2024 Branch Meeting Agenda

  • CAMRA Kernow Pub of the Season - Summer 2024 nominations Thursday 15 August 2024

    CAMRA Kernow Pub of the Season - Summer 2024 nominations are

    Rann Wartha (Wetherspoons) - St Austell, The Falcon Inn - St Mawgan, Tap Yard Riverside - Truro, The Crown - Penzance, Blisland Inn - Blisland, The Moth and Moon - Falmouth

  • Monday 12 August 2024

    Thank you to all the attendees from CAMRA Kernow who joined us for the Tap Takeover by Tintagel Brewery at the Rann Wartha in St Austell on Thursday, 8th August 2024. Your presence made the event truly special!

    Cheers to great beer and even better company!

    Congratulations to Tintagel Brewery for being awarded the Gold Medal Certificate for their beer, Caliburn, at the South West Regional CAMRA Beer Awards! This recognition is a testament to the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of their brew. Well done to the entire Tintagel Brewery team!

    https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1101094308138046&set=a.610426830538132&__cft__[0]=AZVo62RLBf9uWA7BHDdOmcYBPsuUG6CavZvcs9fNPtnGyHAx4pE3rS6t0nVxrUO_OBlAjWPIDN6y-aSba-0YVCfIg3z1lmNsPAYiMrrXd-TrrHBL-paY5mfyYCee_yF1z6wgCUFezl-pW3Uq_iQm-ul1A9B2f5U7tguLa3XMAUDQgXiCrclwQwcxSFKmsUekXU0-PgNeO5Ua05FrJ_u-NYUs&__tn__=EH-R

  • Sad news ofCAMRA Kernow founding member Andrew Rings passing Sunday 14 July 2024

    It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and founder member, Andrew Ring, affectionately known to many as 'Ringo'. Andrew passed away on Monday, 1st July. Andrew was a cornerstone of CAMRA Kernow, dedicating his time and passion to promoting real ale and supporting our local breweries and pubs. His enthusiasm, warmth, and commitment have left an indelible mark on our community, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Andrew's family and friends during this difficult time.

  • Cornwall CAMRA presentation for Pub of the Season - Spring 2024 to the Old Ale House, Truro Monday 8 July 2024

    The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is delighted to announce that the Old Ale House in Truro has been awarded the prestigious Pub of the Season title.

    The presentation ceremony took place on Saturday, 6th July, and saw a large turnout of CAMRA members who gathered to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

    The award recognises the Old Ale House for its outstanding dedication to serving top-quality real ale and creating a warm, welcoming environment for its patrons. This accolade underscores the pub’s commitment to traditional brewing methods and its role in fostering a vibrant community spirit.

    Jack and his team at the Old Ale House were honoured to receive the award, which was presented by CAMRA Chairman Paul Waller. The event was marked by cheers and applause, as the pub’s staff and loyal customers celebrated together.

    The photograph capturing the presentation to Jack and his team is included with this release, highlighting the joyous moment and the proud recipients.

    About CAMRA The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to promoting real ale, cider, and perry. CAMRA works tirelessly to support pubs and breweries, advocating for quality, choice, and community spirit within the beer and pub industry.

    Cheers, Paul Waller

  • Cornwall CAMRA social at the Driftwood Spars Beer Festival Wednesday 20 March 2024

    Every March, the Driftwood Spars in Trevaunance Cove - our current Summer Pub of the Season - holds a beer festival, themed in recent years as the Barrel of Laughs Beer Festival. This is so named due to the comedy and music acts in the evenings.

    Jan Curtis, our Social Secretary for west Cornwall, organised a social on Friday 15 March not for the entertainment but for the beers on offer. Mostly travelling by bus or electric bike, we avoided light rain going down Quay Road to see the seaside, the brewery and the pub.

    Entering the beer festival, we were met by the bar team led by new Head Brewer Tim Lawrence (on the left) at the festival bar.

    There were four casks on the stillage plus a variety of keg beers on tap and also four ciders in bag-in-boxes. A pleasant surprise was Cousin Jack from Mine Brewery at St Ives Consols which is a brewery that I have not seen on many bars yet. I had some Valley of Eden from the much-respected Bristol Beer Factory brewery which featured honey and bubblegum flavours in addition to those listed on the card.

    Down in the main bar there were several more beers on handpump, including Driftwood Spars Stippy Stappy, my first beer and a true IPA at 5.5% alcohol. In the New World IPA style, the citrus was gentle and not overpowering.

    Another Bristol Beer Factory beer on handpump was Fortitude with a pleasant toffee flavour.

    We settled ourselves down to try as many beers as possible. We were joined for a chat by Driftwood Spars owner, Lou Treseder.

    There was much discussion about some of the unusual beers on offer, but we all agreed that they were very tasty, not least the Driftwood Spars Mike Drop - a Belgian Quadrupel at 10.5% alcohol which was fantastic in spite of looking like mud! This was former Head Brewer Mike Mason's last brew at Driftwood before setting up his own brewery in Threemilestone called Mason Brewery.

    My last festival beer was Tim's Dry Irish Stout which was superb although I understand a little sweeter than he intended. Fine by me!

    Before the dash up to the bus I could not resist a quick half of one of my favourites - Alfie's Revenge, the former national Winter Beer of Britain!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA's Farewell to the Star Inn, Crowlas Wednesday 28 February 2024

    CAMRA members converged on one of our best real ale flagship pubs on Monday 26 February 2024 for a farewell social. Following the sad passing of landlord and brewer Pete Elvin (see News article on 11 January), the owners of the Star at Crowlas have decided to close the pub on 29 February and put both the pub and the brewery out the back up for sale. In the meantime the brewery will continue to operate and supply pubs with Pete's excellent Penzance Brewery beers.

    The Star has been a brilliant real ale drinkers' pub for many years, and the shining row of handpumps draw the attention to those walking in the door. They are not disappointed. Pete produced a wide range of all beer styles from the nutty Mild to the powerful Scilly Stout. He also stocked an ever-changing and interesting range of other brewers' beers, clocking up 2,454 beers as shown on the beer menu board by the bar.

    See the impressive collection of pumpclips from past beers decorating the walls.

    Pete won many awards from CAMRA both for the pub and for his beers, especially in the Beer of the Festival competition at the Falmouth Beer Festivals. The walls are decorated with many such certificates. The Star was Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2013.

    From my own perspective, the Star had established itself as the ideal pub to hold Tasting Panel training meetings. There was always a range of different styles and always in excellent condition which is what we need. I ran the last course in 2022. Pete provided a room (actually it was the former dining room) and whatever we needed.

    So, with all this as a background, we made the most of this last chance to get together and enjoy good company and good beer. I had several planned bus journeys to get home. I was one of the last to go home and had to fall back on Plan C!

    Let us hope that a new owner emerges and runs the pub as Pete left it so these memories are not the last ones. Here are some happy memories of the event, both cheerful and reflective.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Good Beer Guide and Pub of the Season Selection Meeting Tuesday 27 February 2024

    On Saturday 24 February 2024 members of Cornwall Branch gathered at the Royal Inn at Par for two important jobs. The first was to select the pubs for the next Good Beer Guide in 2025

    The weather was kind and the trains were running. We received a warm welcome at the Royal, and we were provided with a light lunch. Thanks very much! We tucked into the beers especially the Castle Cornish Best Bitter which was a pleasant surprise as we don't often see Castle beers on the bar. The Sharp's Doom Bar was good too.

    The first and bigger task was to assess the surveys carried out by members on pubs that had been nominated as candidates for the 2025 Good Beer Guide. Vigorous debate ensued but we eventually chose our 62 pubs plus seven reserves for the 2025 Good Beer Guide.

    The second task was to vote on the Branch Pub of the Season - Winter - from those pubs that had been nominated by the members. The winner is the Hole in the Wall, Bodmin! Because we started the scheme last summer, in this first year we have Pubs of the Season for Summer, Autumn and Winter. We are now embarking on clandestine visits to those pubs to score for the Pub of the Year which will have the highest overall scores.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Bude area visit Tuesday 16 January 2024

    On Saturday 13 January 2024 a group of CAMRA members made their way to the far north of the branch area. We travelled by a combination of bus, train and a coach which was arranged by Roger Webster, our Social Secretary East. The weather was dry and cold but clear.

    Our first port of call was the Buller's Arms in Marhamchurch where landlord Sam, or more precisely his mother, opened four hours earlier than normal to welcome us. There are six handpumps and on our visit we were treated to Tintagel Arthur's Ale, Tintagel Harbour Special and Tintagel General Buller Gold, a house beer which is Castle Gold.

    The Buller's Arms has a food van calling regularly. For our benefit, plates of sausages were provided gratis and very nice they were too. This is a really welcoming community pub with all sorts of events going on and if only it was not so far from where most of us live. Sam arrived to say Hello just as we headed for the coach for our second pub.

    Our second pub was the Preston Gate Inn at Poughill, a few miles to the north which we reached via Bude town centre and Flexbury. We were welcomed with a gleaming row of six handpumps offering four beers on all the time. Sharp's Sea Fury is always on and on our visit were Sharp's Atlantic, Firebrand Patchwork Rocket and a surprising new beer Bude Coastal Perfect Wave.

    The Preston Gate is a hive of activity; open all day every day with extensive food offering and music sessions. We were well settled in to the cosy corners when we were overtaken by time again and rejoined the coach for the short hop back into Bude town.

    Our last call was the unique Barrel at Bude micropub where we sampled beers on gravity under psychedelic blue and green lighting. Ian opened early for us due to our long travel times from west Cornwall. A more dynamic free house would be difficult to find with regular live music.

    I went for one of my favourites - Cloud Cuckoo from the distant Treen's Brewery - well it is from here! Also on were Firebrand West Coast Session IPA and Driftwood Spars Experimental Hop Pale and three others (I think - memory failing me by now). The tiny pub has various nooks and crannies including a little haven of peace upstairs.

    Finally the coach home beckoned and we reflected on a fantastic jolly day out, thanks to Roger for organising it.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Tribute to Pete Elvin Thursday 11 January 2024

    Pete in April 2007 in the Star

    It is with great sadness that we report the death after a long illness of one of our most respected brewers and licensees - Pete Elvin - of the Star at Crowlas and Penzance Brewery. Well-known to CAMRA members and recipient of numerous awards for his pub and his beer, Pete was a Scillonian of few words. Our good friend and fellow CAMRA member Darren Norbury has kindly offered his tribute to Pete that appears in Beer Today to be reproduced here on the Cornwall CAMRA website.

    "The world of beer and pubs has made me many great friends, but none have had quite the same impact upon me as Pete Elvin.

    Pete, owner of the Star Inn, Crowlas, with his partner, Tracey, and founder of the Penzance Brewing Co, situated at the rear of the pub, died on Christmas Eve, aged 65, after a battle with cancer. He continued to work until very recently, passing on his incredible brewing skills to nephew Rob Wilson, who has now taken the helm at the brewery.

    It was 22 years ago that I first set foot in the Star. The wife dropped me off while she visited mother-in-law, who lived in the village, as I’d heard the pub was serving James Vincent’s Ventonwyn beers (the framed pumpclip artwork still adorns the Star’s walls). It soon became my local — not geographically, as I lived five miles away in Hayle, but there was a good bus route, the stop being right opposite the pub.

    In those days, Pete wasn’t brewing. He’d moved to the Star after a period brewing with Cotleigh, and his ‘hall of fame’ Cotleigh pumpclips were hung at the end of the bar, where they remain. A mixed career had involved a spell in the Merchant Navy, and time as a firefighter. But he’d always been a brewer, on a home kit at first, then stepping into a career after getting a job at Cotleigh, at first as a delivery driver and barrel washer, but within three months he was brewing. There’s a great interview with Pete conducted by bloggers Boak and Bailey in 2015. This tells you much about Pete’s character and how he eventually ended up in Crowlas.

    Until 2008, Pete concentrated on bringing the Star up to date, undertaking most of the painstaking work himself, including the laying of a magnificent slate floor. Long-term friend Steve Bidwell was on the bar most of the time, but once a week, at least, Pete took a turn behind the handpumps. His dry wit wasn’t always appreciated, well, not fully understood, let’s say, indeed it’s fair to say, as a customer noted this weekend, that he didn’t suffer fools gladly. He’d be the first to admit that he was actually quite shy, though, but once you got to know him you got a very valued friend who would do anything to help you.

    He offered five regularly changing guest beers, with popular favourites including Harviestoun’s Bitter and Twisted, Oakham Ales’ JHB, Magic and Golden Lance from the then Andy White-owned Keltek Brewery, down in Lostwithiel.

    The Star quickly found fame as, in the words of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, “a Mecca for real ale lovers”. Then came the glorious day when brewing commenced in the outbuildings and Pete was able to show off his skills to a whole new audience. It will be his ninth creation, aptly named Potion No 9, for which he’ll probably be best remembered, but there’s a whole string of hit brews that folks will travel miles — sometimes literally hundreds of miles — for.

    My personal favourite has always been IPA, a benchmark English style IPA, in the vein of Marston’s Old Empire, while others prefer Citra-hopped, golden Trink. There is a consistently strong fan base for the Mild, a 3.6% easy drinker packed with malt and fruit flavours. But others, so many others, just consistently hit the spot. American Pale Ale, Lamorna Gold, Crows-an-Wra, West Coast Pale, the enigmatically-named WOB. It’s an impressive legacy, now being carried on by Rob. It was a seamless changeover. Rob has his uncle’s passion and skill, and we are assured for all the favourite brews well into the future.

    While he was undergoing cancer treatment, Pete would often text and suggest a coffee, picking me up in his Land Rover (he loved a Land Rover, well the older ones, anyway. “What do you think of those new Defenders?” I asked him a year or so ago. “Pile of shit,” he replied.) There was nothing important to discuss, generally. He just liked a good natter and always, always had a hot drink on the go. As he says in the Boak and Bailey interview, he was never one for drinking for the sake of it. He preferred a cuppa. If we did go out for the day to a beer festival, he’d be treated like a celeb, either by fans of his beers or by his fellow brewers, who held him in enormous regard. The late Roger Ryman, St Austell Brewery’s head brewer from 1999 to 2020, would make a point of stopping off in the Star if he was in west Cornwall, hoping to catch a chat with Pete.

    Facebook tributes tell you what a huge gap this man will leave in the lives of all who know him. If we were creating a wordcloud, ‘brewing legend’ would probably be at the centre of the image. By the time I met Pete, in 2000, I had an interest in beer, specifically real ale. It would be four years before I created Beer Today, and he played a major part in educating me about beer and brewing, and introducing me to some great characters along the way. In 2017, I told him to let me know if he needed a hand on the bar any time. I’ve been there more than five years now. It’s a magnificent pub. The pub that Pete built, serving the most incredible beer. I’ll be on the bar from 5pm today [26 December], and I know we’ll be reminiscing about the great man and raising a glass or two to him. Rest in peace, my friend."

    Cheers to that, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Twixmas social in Falmouth Sunday 31 December 2023

    Cornwall CAMRA celebrated the end of the calendar year with our now regular Twixmas social pub crawl in Falmouth on Friday 29th. A good crowd turned up by foot, bike, bus and train (a bit late due to cancellations). Dan got the prize for furthest travelled from Cardiff, no Plymouth really. Geoff came second from Trelawne near Pelynt. As usual, we started at the Seven Stars which had a good range of beers on gravity including Treen's Cloud Cuckoo, a yummy strong mild.

    It was quite strange to see the bar empty as we arrived at opening time. That was soon to change.

    We raised a glass to our good friend and expert brewer, Pete Elvin of the Star Inn at Crowlas, who passed away after a long illness on Christmas Eve. Cheers, Pete.

    After more beer and more chat, we moved on to the Moth and the Moon, run by Matt Reay formerly of the 'Front.

    Matt had a tempting range of beers on handpump including Firebrand Patchwork Rocket, Tintagel Castle Gold and Treen's Kelyn which is a stronger festive version of the scrumptious Krowsek brown ale.

    After much jollification and banter, it was onward to the Beerwolf Books up Bells Yard. Another super range of cask beers were offered to spoil us. I went for Penzance Scilly Stout at 7%ABV, rather silly on a long pub crawl but I could not resist it.

    Then it was along and up to the hillside Oddies, or Oddfellows Arms to be correct. This small pub was fairly packed, not least because the pool table takes up much of the back room.

    More lovely beers on offer, including Sharp's Special, sorry Sea Fury. More banter, more beer. Twixmas is probably our best event for talking to as many members as possible because people never get settled down for too long and can reform into new groups at the next pub.

    Fortunately a downhill stagger to the 'Front for our last pint or two of the crawl. Another, even bigger, range of lovely beers. My choice this time was Wye Valley Butty Bach, a sensible 4.5% bitter.

    Then we made our way home through the December gloom, full of memories and beer!

    Thanks to Jan and Vince for leading the trip.

    Blydhen Nowydh Da!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Social at the Hole in the Wall, Bodmin Saturday 30 December 2023

    Having recovered our waistlines from the previous week's Christmas lunch, the gallant CAMRA members of Cornwall resumed their build-up to Christmas with a social at the Hole in the Wall, Bodmin on Friday 15 December.

    The pub is approached via a hole in the wall, what else, in a line of stone buildings in Crockwell Street. As you pass through the iron gates you will see a sign explaining that it was a debtors' prison in the 18th century. Hmmm.

    As you pass through the buildings, you see a large handpump on one side and a CAMRA recommendation plaque on the wall opposite. Looking good...

    Looking for the pub, you follow the winding path through the tropical garden by a running stream, but watch out for the landlord's pet albino lion prowling in the garden.

    Assuming that you arrive unscathed at the pub door, your safari is rewarded by a warm welcome from landlord Steve and a choice of six beers. The Timothy Taylor Landlord Dark got a hammering.

    Here are a few pictures of us enjoying ourselves in the cosy surroundings and bewildering collection of memorabilia from sailing ships to swords. Being December, we didn't go into the beer garden out the back but took over the pub instead!

    For those worried about being eaten by the lion on the way out, there is an escape route into the cark park! Merry Christmas!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Christmas Lunch at the Royal Oak, Lostwithiel Friday 29 December 2023

    Lostwithiel is an exceptional place for several reasons. Founded not long after the Norman Conquest it was built by the lords of nearby Restormel Castle and became the capital of Cornwall in the 13th century. Today it still contains several historic buildings and the pack-horse bridge over the River Fowey at its tidal limit. It is one of the five Stannary Towns in Cornwall and was the scene of an important battle between the Roundheads and Cavaliers in 1644 (the Cavaliers won). An unusual fact of Lostwithiel is the coincidence of the St Michael and St Mary currents, or ley lines, at the church which itself contains some intriguing features. These currents course from near Land's End all the way to the Norfolk coast. St Michael runs along the road over the bridge and past the Globe Inn while St Mary goes right through the King's Arms and runs across the railway station.

    Members of Cornwall Branch converged on the Royal Oak in Duke Street on Friday 8 December 2023 by train and road, hoping that the ASLEF overtime ban and A30 road closure would not stop us. They didn't.

    Once there, we enjoyed an excellent three-course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.

    At our request, the landlord put on an extra beer of a festive winter nature - Tintagel Harbour Special, which is an Old Ale at 4.8% ABV. Lovely!

    Three cheers for the hard-working staff!

    After the meal, we retired to the bar for another pint and a chat.

    Thank you Roger for organising a jolly day out. We look forward to next year!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornish Brewing goes from Strength to Strength Tuesday 5 December 2023

    St Austell Brewing Director, Georgina Young, was crowned Brewer of the Year at the British Guild of Beer Writers Awards event in London on 29 November!

    The award, sponsored by SIBA, was decided by a member vote. The British Guild of Beer Writers was formed in 1988 to help spread the word about beers, brewing and pubs. This is truly a high accolade.

    What a month or so it's been for George, who was also awarded the Roger Ryman Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brewers Congress in October.

    We are very lucky to have a large brewery in our branch area with such a commitment to quality and innovation in cask beer.

    Congratulations George!

    Cheers

    Russ

    Join us, once again, in raising a glass to George’s outstanding contribution to the brewing industry. We're very proud!

    Words by Russ Durbridge. Photo courtesy of the British Guild of Beer Writers via LinkedIn

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  • Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Season - Autumn - Presentation to the Blisland Inn, Blisland Thursday 30 November 2023

    Regulars of the pub and members of Cornwall CAMRA recently gathered at this idyllic pub – reputedly the only one in Cornwall situated on a village green – for this much deserved award presentation on Wednesday 22 November.

    The pub has been in the safe hands of Gary and Margaret now for an amazing 29 years and thanks to them is thriving in spite of being in a “hard to get to” remote location. Under their stewardship it has been a regular entry in The Good Beer Guide and is even a former winner of the most prestigious award of all – National Pub of the Year!

    The Blisland is a permanent mini beer festival and this day was no exception with traditional classics Theakston Old Peculier and Fuller's London Pride available alongside house beers from Sharp's and Tintagel, the welcome return of Betty Stogs from the revived Skinner's Brewery, the spectacular Zennor Oatmeal Stout from St Ives and a pale ale all the way from Bowland in Lancashire.

    With lots of great beer and excellent food being consumed Chair of Cornwall CAMRA Vince Curtis still managed to find time to present Gary and Margaret with their award.

    Gary keeps a score of the number of different cask ales served at the pub and as you can see we are up to 4178 which is roughly an impressive 144 a year!

    We enjoyed a good social as always at the Blisland and look forward to more beers!

    Our next Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Season will be “Winter” and will be chosen going into 2024.

    I wonder who it will be? There are so many great ones to choose from.

    Words by Russ Durbridge. Photos by Steve Barber

  • Tribute to Norman Garlick Tuesday 28 November 2023

    It is with great sadness that we report the death after a long illness of one of our stalwart volunteers in Cornwall Branch - Norman Garlick.

    Norman was our Branch Treasurer from 2006 to 2009, our Branch Chairman from July 2011 to mid-2014, and a key figure in the organisation of our beer festivals. He was also the Finance Officer for South West Region from October 2014 to February 2022.

    A tribute by Jim Gordon, our current Branch Treasurer

    As a member of CAMRA, I used to attend the Falmouth beer festival every year from 2012. On these occasions I used to see a nice man who was obviously deeply interested and involved in the running of the festival and CAMRA. I was later to come to know and work with this man. He was Norman Garlick, or Norm as he was known.

    On the 24 March 2018 I took over as Treasurer of the Cornwall Branch of CAMRA knowing a few of the members of the committee but not really understanding what my role really involved. CAMRA had just started using an online branch accounting system which was only used by a few branches and not a lot was known about it at the time. Enter Norman Garlick.

    As soon as he found out I was the new Treasurer he contacted me and talked me through what was expected of me and got me onto the COBAS accounting system and delivered manuals, etc., to me. He contacted me regularly to make sure I was happy with what I was doing.

    When I was told I was the Treasurer for the festival I had not got a clue what was involved. Norm was there to help in many ways, and we formed a really good working relationship. He took care of the day-to-day financials for the festival and I did the overall bookwork, etc. I never once saw him stressed while we worked.

    I would see Norm regularly in the Front and we always shared an enjoyable pint and friendly chat and banter. Every time we saw each other in passing, he always stopped for a chat.

    Norman was a lovely man, and I will miss our beer together. Cheers Norm, and Rest in Peace.

    Jim Gordon

    Photo of Norm at Bodmin Beer Festival, February 2008 (Steve Barber)

  • Tribute to Tony Davis Tuesday 21 November 2023

    On November 12th 2023, news broke of the demise of Branch member Tony Davis at the age of 92 years.

    Tony was a real character, a born raconteur, staffing Branch beer festivals between 2004 and 2014 at the Bodmin, Falmouth and St Ives venues. Tony would be found on the beer token sales desk, he would enjoy banter with the customers ensuring they purchased the correct amount of tickets for their visit. A plumber by trade, he would regale his sales partners with tales of the events in the building trade and of course the impact he had on decisions made. His sales partners at the venue, such as Gray Sanders, Shane McLaughlin and Geoff Puddephatt amongst others would attest to this and enjoy.

    With his striking, white hair and beard, he was referred to by other staff members affectionately as Father Christmas.

    Those of us that had the good fortune of being accommodated with Tony and his late lamented son Rob were entertained at each breakfast with comical banter between the two of them. This would also happen at various times throughout the beer festival when their paths crossed.

    Industrious, efficient and totally reliable, Tony enjoyed the festival to the full. Tony leaves a widow Betty and their three surviving children. Tony and Betty enjoyed 67 years of marriage at their home at Lansallos.

    Tony’s funeral will be a family only one on 8th December; our thoughts will be with them.

    Tony will remain in the folk lore of Branch beer festivals for those lucky to have known him, I’m so glad I was one of them.

    Gerry Wills – Former Beer Festival Organiser

    Photo of Tony having a break at Bodmin Beer Festival, February 2008 (Steve Barber)

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Meeting and Halloween Beer Festival at the Driftwood Spars Sunday 5 November 2023

    Cornwall Branch had its regular two-monthly business meeting at the Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove on Saturday 28 October. The Driftwood is our Pub of the Season - Summer for 2023, see Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Season - Summer - Presentation to the Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove.

    The weather was wet and windy, although in the "calm" period between storms Babet and Ciarán. It was also full moon and high tide so there was no beach or harbour to be seen.

    Lou Treseder, owner of the Driftwood, kindly provided us with a room for the meeting and coffee. Downstairs in the main bar were a delectable range of Driftwood and guest beers. I enjoyed Blue Hills Bitter, Stippy Stappy IPA and the redoubtable Alfie's Revenge.

    The meeting went well, with announcements of future socials, recent pub news and reports on what the committee have been doing. The highlight was the voting on the next Branch Pub of the Season - Autumn 2023. Nine worthy pubs had been nominated and after six rounds of voting the Blisland Inn at Blisland emerged as the winner. There will be a presentation to Gary and Margaret Marshall in November.

    After the meeting, we decamped downstairs where there just happened to be a beer festival going on! It was the Driftwood's Halloween Beer Festival with a selection of four cask beers on gravity (in addition to the main bar range), plus nine keg beers and six bag-in-box ciders. We packed in and had a whale of a time until the march up the hill for buses. My last beer was Driftwood Ore - a superb 6% milk stout.

    Some members took advantage of the Driftwood Brewery Shop and stocked up with beer to take home (on their electric bikes)!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Presentation to the Seven Stars, Falmouth Tuesday 17 October 2023

    Saturday 14th October 2023 was a unique day in CAMRA Kernow’s history. Branch members from all over the County, locals and visitors gathered at the Seven Stars in Falmouth just after noon. Even Betty Stogs turned up during the proceedings!

    Not only was the pub’s second annual beer festival an attraction, but our Chairman, Vince Curtis, was also making a very special presentation to Amy, the current landlady. The Seven Stars in Falmouth has been listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide publication for 50 consecutive years!

    The first year the pub was mentioned in the publication was 1975 and you can read the description in the photo! See all the GBGs that the Seven Stars has been in.

    According to history, the reason why it was not listed in the 1974 publication was that there was no Cornwall CAMRA branch and our friends from Plymouth, who attempted to cover the pubs in Cornwall, were unaware of the pub’s existence! On accepting the certificate, Amy mentioned that she did not take the entry for granted and was delighted to receive this special accolade. As the first listing describes, this pub has been in the same family for five generations. Let’s hope that Amy’s children, George and Evelyn Rose, will want to continue this tradition when the time comes!

    After the presentation we all enjoyed choosing an ale or two from the beer festival selection from both Cornish and national breweries. The beer festival was organised to coincide with the Oyster Festival being held in the town. Chief barman, Ben, had selected, sourced, racked and tapped over twenty casks in the former Vicar’s Retreat at the back of the pub and ciders were also available in the Old Tobacconist shop next door. An enjoyable time was had by everyone that attended. The good weather also meant that the outside area was also very popular. A beer in the sunshine on an October afternoon. What’s not to like! A visit to this historic pub is highly recommended.

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Season - Summer - Presentation to the Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove Tuesday 19 September 2023

    On Friday 15th September a small group of Cornwall branch members gathered in the lower bar of the Driftwood Spars pub in Trevaunance Cove to award landlady Louise with CAMRA Kernow’s first ‘Pub of the Season – Summer’ award. This is a new initiative by the branch to actively involve members in the nomination and selection process; the four pubs voted ‘Pub of the Season’ will then form the entries for the ‘Pub of the Year’. To be awarded ‘Pub of the Season’ the pub must sell good quality real ale and/or cider. In addition, the following factors should be considered: the service and welcome received on visiting; the style, decor and cleanliness of the pub; its community focus and its alignment with CAMRA principles, such as displaying a price list. For the Summer pub of the Season it is also pertinent to consider outdoor spaces.

    The Driftwood Spars pub has a lovely traditional style, offers a warm welcome to both locals and visitors; holds numerous community events; serves good quality real ales and ciders from its own brewery across the road and other local/national breweries. It also has vast areas of outdoor space including its cliff side garden and seating area opposite the pub. I think you can see why this pub was nominated for this award and then selected by a process of elimination by branch members. On receiving the certificate, Louise thanked the branch members who had recognised the pub’s attributes.

    Currently nominations are open for ‘Pub of the Season – Autumn’. Cornwall CAMRA members please see recent mailouts from our Chairman, Vince Curtis, on how to nominate your favourite! If you want to to be involved but have not yet joined, then please do so and you will be welcome.

  • The #summerofpub Branch Social Tuesday 19 September 2023

    On Saturday 9th September members of CAMRA Kernow headed west to the mining village of Botallack for the Beer Festival at the Queen’s Arms. A few of us congregated at Penzance Bus station in order to catch the “Tin Coaster’ service to the village. After leaving St Just, the bus soon arrived in Botallack and conveniently the bus stop is opposite the pub! We purchased our beer tokens at the bar and proceeded to the back garden, where the beer festival was already in full swing! It was lovely to see local branch members already there and enjoying the ambience. Visiting members from Exeter and East Devon branch and Surrey Hants Borders branch also swelled the support from CAMRA. It was also lovely to meet a member of CAMRA who had only moved to the County the day before! Welcome Alan to Cornwall! There were 16 beers and 5 ciders to choose from – the beers all from Cornish breweries! What a showcase! A particular favourite with many being ‘Zennor’ from St Ives Brewery – a creamy, chocolatey oatmeal stout with a velvet mouthfeel. Doesn’t this go to show that dark beers are not just for winter? A lovely afternoon was had by all whom attended as the photos show! If fact, the first two days of the festival had proved so popular that the pub needed to replenish some stock for the Sunday session! Support a beer festival near you in the coming months. It’s a great way to meet new friends and to sample some different styles of beer.

  • Cornwall CAMRA Social at the Royal Oak, Perranwell, Beer Festival Sunday 3 September 2023

    Saturday 2 September 2023 was a busy day for enjoying beer and cider. The Royal Oak at Perranwell ran a beer festival in the garden. Treen's Brewery by the viaduct near Ponsanooth had a Birthday Bash to celebrate six years in production. Neighbouring Dynamite Valley Brewery's Beer Cafe was also open. Then there was the CAMRA South West Regional Cider Pub of the Year 2023 presentation to the Tom Cobley Tavern at Spreyton.

    So plenty going on and the need for transport around Cornwall and Devon. So the rail unions decide to have a strike which stopped a lot of our members getting to any of the events. Great.

    Those of us lucky enough to be able to get buses, ride a bike or have a dedicated driver in the Perranwell/Ponsanooth area went to one or other or both events there. I opted for the Royal Oak beer festival.

    The Royal Oak is an attractive traditional pub and restaurant in a picture postcard village.

    At any one time there were numerous members in the festival marquee, outside the pub in the sunshine or inside the pub. Apart from the usual suspects we had a visit from members that we have not seen for a long time. Welcome all.

    There were nine beers variously on gravity or handpump in the festival: Dark Star Hophead; Dartmoor Jail Ale; Sharp's Sea Fury; Skinner's Lushingtons; St Ives Zennor Oatmeal Stout (my favourite), Hella and Meor; Wadworth's Horizon and Blazing Hop. Indoors on the bar on handpump were Exeter Avocet and Ferrymans; Penzance Crows-an-Wra and Pale Ale. Talk about spoiled for choice! Then there were ciders!

    Words and photos by Steve Barber

  • Tuesday 29 August 2023

    St Austell Brewery has launched a campaign to fit defibrillators across its pub estate. The company, which has more than 180 sites across the South West, is hoping the campaign will ensure as many communities as possible have access to a lifesaving device. The Heart of the Community campaign was launched after the brewery identified 55 of its pubs in places which don’t currently have access to a defibrillator. The campaign aims to raise money through its Charitable Trust to buy and install them. To kick off the campaign, St Austell Brewery has already installed defibrillators on the wall outside the County Arms in Truro and the Borough Arms in Bodmin. Pub goers can help save lives by purchasing a portion of fish & chips (25p per portion will go towards the defibrillator campaign) or by scanning a QR code on posters. St Austell Brewery will match fund every £1 donated by the public. In the UK as many as 100,000 hospital admissions each year are due to heart attacks - that's 260 admissions each day or one every five minutes. It’s estimated that around 1.4 million people alive in the UK today have survived a heart attack - around one million men and 380,000 women. The brewery has partnered up with the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity (RRMC) to buy the vital equipment. Co-founders Paul and Liz Williams set up the charity in memory of Liz’s brother Ronnie who sadly died from sudden cardiac arrest whilst playing his beloved game of football at Penzance Leisure Centre. The charity has been fundraising for defibrillators to be installed in schools and public places all over the Duchy for many years and train young people how to use the devices. Piers Thompson, St Austell Brewery’s External Relations Director, visited the Borough Arms in Bodmin last week to mark the installation of one of the first defibrillators. He said: “We’re really excited to be working with the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity and launching this campaign to ensure public access defibrillators are available to many of our pub’s local communities. “We have sites in some of the most popular places in the South West and often in remote locations, whether that be in the countryside or on the coast. Installing lifesaving devices in over 50 of our sites is very important to us and more importantly it will increase the likelihood of lives being saved.” Paul Williams, from the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity added: “It is a privilege for the RRMC to work with St Austell Brewery on such an essential lifesaving campaign. One person dies every five minutes in the UK from sudden cardiac arrest which can be greatly improved by using a readily available public access defibrillator (PAD). “A defibrillator shock administered in the first minute has up to 90% chance of survival depreciating by at least 10% every passing minute without delivery. The RRMC targeted closely linked PADs in our towns and villages and a high intensity CPR & AED training program including our secondary schools, increasing the chance for lives to be saved. “RRMC supplied outdoor 24/7 Community PADs at St Ives’ Lifeboat Inn, which PC James Perkin used to help an eight-year-old girl. He was shortlisted for Lifesaver of the Year in the UK Heart Safe Awards. St Ives Pedn Olva Hotel staff Josh Bond was given the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Lifesaver Award for saving a man’s life after he collapsed at St Ives Railway Station. “It speaks volumes for St Austell Brewery’s commitment to protecting their staff, community, and visitors. Everybody working together can - and are - saving lives when every second counts in cardiac arrest.” For more information on the campaign, visit: staustellbrewery.co.uk/charitable-trust/heart-of-the-community

  • CAMRA KERNOW PUB OF THE YEAR 2024 Tuesday 29 August 2023

    The Cornwall Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA Kernow, has changed the way Pub of the Year will be selected From now on ( to give maximum publicity and campaigning opportunities) we will award a “Pub of the season” each quarter i.e. spring, summer, autumn and winter. Throughout each season Cornwall CAMRA members will be able to nominate candidates with the winner idecided by a vote at a branch meeting. We try to judge pubs based on scoring criteria including Quality of real ale/cider Style/décor/furnishings/cleanliness Service/welcome/offering Community focus and atmosphere Alignment with CAMRA principles At year end the 4 winners will go forward for judging as Cornwall pub of the year as recently won by the ‘front in Falmouth (many thanks for all the great coverage!) At this stage we are delighted to announce that our first seasonal winner for pub of the summer is THE DRIFTWOOD SPARS at Trevaunance Cove which won the vote at a recent branch meeting ahead of 12 other nominees. We will be presenting the Spars with its award at the pub on Friday 15th September and you are welcome to join us (1200 for 1230) Please let me know if you would like further information Cheers Russ

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Meeting at the Royal Inn, Par Sunday 20 August 2023

    On Saturday 19 August 2023 members of Cornwall Branch converged on Par in mid-Cornwall for a branch business meeting. Most came by train, which was somewhat fraught by cancellations due to industrial action. We all got there, eventually.

    The destination was the Royal Inn right next to the station. This pub, also known as the Par Royal, offers drinks, food and accommodation.

    There were three beers on handpump for our delectation; Doom Bar from Sharp's, County Best from Exeter Brewery and, when we arrived, Darkness from Exeter Brewery. Unfortunately for me the Darkness ran out before I had bought one but Treen's Classic came on as the third beer so panic over. All the beers were in great form. One little mystery was why the Exeter pump clip showed a Cornish flag (black and white) rather than a Devon flag (green and white).

    We had an enjoyable meeting which included voting on our Pub of the Season - Summer. Our Chair, Vince Curtis, will no doubt announce the winner after he has had a chance to inform the winning pub.

    We were sad to learn that the Royal Inn is likely to close as a pub in late September.

    Words and photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Summer of Pub - Dobwalls Charity Beer & Cider Festival Thursday 27 July 2023

    On Friday 21 July was the twelfth year the Highwayman at Dobwalls has hosted a beer and cider festival raising money this year for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

    The intention of members from the west was to catch the 10:58 train from Truro and 11:55 bus route 11 from Bodmin Parkway to Dobwalls. Members from the east could catch the 11 bus from Liskeard. Travelling from Crantock I arrived in Truro with plenty of time for either breakfast in Wetherspoons or catch the 10:30 train and have just under an hour to wait in Bodmin Parkway station café that is in the old signal box on the platform. Thinking that the 10:58 from Truro was going to Paddington and that there had been a strike the previous day, plus another strike on Saturday, it might be very busy. I caught the three-coach stopping train to Plymouth at 10:30 and had a very welcome bacon butty in the signal box café waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Only Roger Pearce got off a packed nine-coach train after managing to get a seat as he got on at Camborne. He said other passengers were standing from Truro and St Austell. It turned out that members from Falmouth had no branch line trains until later due to the knock-on effect of the previous day’s strike and could no longer come.

    The beer festival had been set up in a marquee on the lawn of the pub garden with tables and benches outside. There were 12 beers on the bar all served straight from the cask and all brewed in Cornwall. 2 beers from each of the following breweries were Castle, Driftwood, Firebrand, Penzance, Tintagel and Treen’s and ranged in strength from Driftwood Sea Shanty at 4% to Driftwood Alfie's Revenge at 6.5%. There were also 6 ciders from bag-in-box.

    Three or four other branch members joined the rest of the customers travelling by bus from Bodmin or, in Roger Webster’s case, by car from Callington. Roger, being restricted in his drinking capacity, made up for it by having two very nice cheeseburgers from the barbecue.

    Members living to the east, particularly the Liskeard area and able to get a bus to the festival, decided to take the train to Teignmouth on the Friday and would be attending Dobwalls on the Saturday.

    Teignmouth Sunshine Festival 20-22 July

    This was a CAMRA beer festival organised by the South Devon branch and also disrupted by the train strikes. Opening times on the Thursday evening were curtailed and attendance numbers on the Saturday were reduced. Five or more of our branch members took the train on Friday and were faced with a choice from 52 real ales. Valiant efforts were made to make a dent in the number before having to catch a train home before cancellations were to start.

    Report by Steve Willmott

  • Cornwall CAMRA Summer of Pub - Rame Peninsula Beer and Buses Day Saturday 8 July 2023

    On a glorious summer's day Saturday 1st July, CAMRA members from three branches: Cornwall, Plymouth and Exeter and East Devon alighted at St Germans station in South East Cornwall, or travelled across the Torpoint Ferry, for the Rame Beer & Buses day.

    This was the second year that this event has been organised. Historic buses operate a network of services across the Rame Peninsula for the day. The intention of these services is to provide a connection between the various pubs, bars and attractions available in South East Cornwall. Programmes were available at Torpoint for those arriving via the Torpoint Ferry and luckily some of our Plymouth Branch members were able to give us some pointers. However, for many of us arriving at St Germans station, we decide to travel in different directions; some catching the Red bus route clockwise; others catching the Red bus route anti-clockwise and a few of us deciding to walk to the Eliot Arms at St Germans itself!

    How you plan your day is entirely personal depending on the attractions or pubs you wish to visit. The event buses are free of charge, but purchasing a programme for £5.00 helps to support the cost of maintaining and fuelling the buses. All the vehicles are historic, privately owned and maintained by volunteers who give their time and money to keep them on the road. Photographs and information about the buses in service on the day are also provided in the programme along with route maps and timetables.

    The Red routes both pass the Halfway House at Polbathic at which a few got off to sample the delights before catching the next Red bus. Polbathic is at the head of Polbathic Lake, a tidal inlet off the St Germans River. Dark Star Hophead and Salcombe Pride of Polbathic were on offer.

    The anti-clockwise bus carried some strangely-clad passengers who looked remarkably like members of the Wreckers Border Morris side heading for St John, of which more later.

    Another pub on the Red route was the Copley Arms at the picturesque village of Hessenford in the deep valley of the River Seaton. The Copley Arms is named after Sir Joseph Copley, Bt, who owned the local village in the 18th century! St Austell Vista was on offer, a new St Austell Small Batch Brewery beer.

    From Hessenford, the B3247 winds its way down the wooded Seaton Valley, which is a Countryside Park, arriving at Seaton itself on the coast. Some of our party left the bus to visit the Smugglers Inn, a seaside pub/restaurant just right for a summer's day with Sharp's Solar Wave, a modern hazy IPA.

    Travelling slowly along the narrow coast road eastwards, the bus reached the village of Crafthole, where more of our party disembarked for the Finnygook Inn, offering St Austell Anthem, Tribute and Fuller's London Pride.

    Eventually after a long journey through coast and countryside we reached the bus hub at Antony, right outside the Carew Arms, formerly named the Ring O'Bells.

    A couple of miles away is Antony House, now National Trust owned, where the Carew family still live since 1724. The pub takes its name from this venerable family.

    St Austell Tribute, Dartmoor Best and Firebrand Beast of Bodmin were on offer and very nice too after a long bus journey, relaxing in the pub watching various tour buses come and go.

    Eventually it was time to find the Green route bus to St John.

    The Blue route bus was not what we wanted, neither was what looked like an ice cream sales trike! A confusion of buses came and went.

    At last, a green bus for a Green route! Bad luck struck as this bus was going the other way and the bus that we wanted passed by.

    So back in the Carew for a quick half before the next bus. More problems as the green Green bus did not materialise as expected and there was a rumour that it had broken down. Panic set in as we were two hours late getting to the St John Inn. So three of the Exeter and East Devon members and your author Steve decided to walk to St John.

    It was not that far and we had some lovely views across the fields to the Tamar and Plymouth beyond.

    We also had a view of the back end of the "broken down bus" which was nothing of the sort as it passed us on the way to the pub!

    Desperate for a pint in the hot weather, and some lunch, we arrived at the St John Inn. The Morris dancers were all there, having long finished their performance.

    Never mind, we made it. Although we all journeyed on different buses and routes, many of us met up again mid-afternoon at the St John Inn, St John. This former Cornwall Branch ‘Pub of the Year’ was extremely busy both inside and out, but many people chose to enjoy both the front and back gardens in the sunshine. The St John Inn was also a CAMRA 'Lockdown Hero' for opening a village shop in a shed which is still operating. We had the choice of Courage Best Bitter, Draught Bass, Firebrand Beast of Bodmin and Summerskills Bunker Hill - all very nice! Food could also be purchased and many of us chose an afternoon snack to keep us going! Two of our members were camping in the field at the back of the pub.

    Unfortunately the day passed rather too quickly and we were aware that we needed to return to St Germans station for services both east and west. Back at Antony, this time via the bus, we boarded an express bus back to St Germans via Polbathic.

    We split into the Devonians heading east and the Cornish heading west.

    A fantastic day was had by all of us that attended this unique event. I very much hope it will be organised again next year!

    Words and photos by Steve Barber and Jan Curtis

  • We are on the telly :) Thursday 22 June 2023

  • Cornwall CAMRA Summer of Pub - Midsummer "Tin Coaster" Experience Monday 19 June 2023

    Wednesday 14 June 2023 was a glorious sunny summer's day, just right for Cornwall CAMRA's Summer of Pub event in the extreme west of the Branch area. No, not the Isles of Scilly but the West Penwith peninsula.

    Jan Curtis, our Social Secretary West, had organised a pub crawl by bus - the Tin Coaster - from Penzance to the St Just tin mining area. Members gathered in anticipation at Penzance bus station and boarded the Tin Coaster which unfortunately was not the open-top variety.

    We passed through the lush Penwith countryside through Newbridge which would be visited on the way back. Leaving St Just bus station, we had to make a detour via a devious route due to a road closure at Truthwall south of Botallack because of a mine shaft opening up.

    Only slightly late, we arrived at the mining village of Trewellard, near Geevor Mine Museum and Levant Mine Museum.

    Our first pub was the Trewellard Arms, a granite free house that was formerly the home of the owner of nearby Geevor mine. Offering a large single bar with open beams, it also has a pleasant restaurant and a snug.

    Licensees Martin and Gill Hutchings had a range of real ales on handpump: Exeter Ferryman, St Austell Anthem, Tintagel Pendragon and Treen's Classic. The Trewellard was also our lunch stop. The crab was very nice!

    The large patio in the sunshine, or under an umbrella, was ideal for enjoying our beer in this traditional Cornish tin mining village. Cheers!

    Back on the bus to St Just, again via the detour. the most westerly town in Cornwall and England, through narrow, old streets where two buses cannot pass and pedestrians walk in single file!

    Walking from the bus station through the busy town centre, we arrived at our second goal, the historic Star Inn, the oldest pub in this tin mining town.

    A classic locals' traditional pub, comfortable and full of character and characters! The Star interior is of outstanding national historic interest on CAMRA's register of heritage pubs.

    In addition to the regular St Austell beers on the bar under the Celtic flags there was a Small Batch Brewery beer - Grisette. This is a saison (farmhouse ale) that is very tasty for 3.6% ABV and quite different to malty or citrus hoppy beers. The main flavours are spices of various sorts.

    We took over the suntrap patio out the back surround by the solid granite walls for another lazy pint. Happy days (or happy daze).

    The time came to drag ourselves away from the Star and head for the bus again. Through the Penwith mining district in the direction of Penzance, this time stopping in Newbridge, which is a small hamlet where the St Just to Penzance road crosses a stream.

    Here we found the Fountain Inn; a granite roadside cottage pub which has had a chequered history over the last 20 years or so. Closed as unviable by the owning brewery, CAMRA fought to save it as a pub. A respected real ale licensee from Stafford took it over and traded for a while but then turned it into a B&B with the bar open only to residents. He retired and we are pleased to welcome new licensees Tracey and Ian, I believe, who are providing good ale, food, accommodation and community events such as traditional acoustic music sessions and bingo.

    We were delighted to sample Penzance Potion No9 and Mild.

    Yet again we made good use of the patio for al fresco drinking in the afternoon sunshine or inside for those who wanted to cool off a bit.

    All good things come to an end, at least for the day, as buses and trains beckoned, although I believe that a few hardy souls visited a few pubs in Penzance.

    Photos and words by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2023 (Winner) - 'Front, Falmouth Tuesday 30 May 2023

    Saturday 27th May was the arranged date for our final presentation in the Pub of the Year awards 2023. This award was being presented to the ‘front, Falmouth as ‘Overall Winner’. The Pub of the Year (POTY) was a very closely run competition this year with all shortlisted pubs being extremely worthy and the top three coming within one mark of each other!

    It was another glorious day and many Cornwall CAMRA members, regulars of the pub, staff and friends assembled both inside the pub and on the outdoor, quayside drinking areas.

    Although this pub is easily accessible by both train and bus, Mrs Treen from Treen’s Brewery and family arrived by boat as other sea-faring visitors often do!

    The pub was extremely busy and the pub bell was briefly rung to announce the start of the award ceremony. Our Branch Chairman. Vince Curtis, asked us all to cast our minds back to March 2020 when all pubs had to close due to the pandemic. In June of the same year the lease was put up for sale and as Vince explained the future of this very popular pub was uncertain. However, despite the ongoing pandemic, by the end of 2020, the good news was that the lease had been purchased by a group of mainly local people and when restrictions were lifted the pub was to be reopened under new management and staff. In April 2021, this pub reopened with outdoor seating only and table service as regulations stated at the time. Over the last two years, with gradual lifting of restrictions, this pub is back to its former glory! Although consistently good beer quality and a range of beer styles are extremely important, Vince also mentioned other attributes of pubs such as community involvement and social spaces which the Pub of the Year competition involves. Vince awarded the ‘Overall Winner’ certificate to Max who received the certificate on behalf of the staff and current bar staff assembled for a quick photo before returning to their duties.

    There was a range of local and regional beers and styles available from Treen’s ‘Essential’, Altantic ‘Sea Salt Stout' to Oakham’s ‘Green Devil’. Unfortunately for me, but good for the pub, the bar was too busy to capture the full line up of this wonderful selection of real ales!

    Congratulations go to all at the ‘front who have worked hard to reopen and make this pub so successful.

    Words and photos by Jan Curtis

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2023 (Runner-up) - Bell Inn, Launceston Wednesday 24 May 2023

    Saturday 20 May was a beautiful summer's day in the ancient capital of Cornwall, Launceston, or colloquially Lanson. CAMRA members converged from west Cornwall, east Cornwall, Plymouth and even Hampshire through the old town centre to the 16th-century Bell Inn.

    Tucked away behind St Mary Magdalene's Church in Tower Street, this fascinating pub was originally built to house the stonemasons who erected the church, hence the ecclesiastical appearance. Its name relates to the eight bells in the nearby church tower.

    The Bell is a honeypot venue for real ale and cider lovers thanks to the efforts of licensee Ivor. In addition to the attraction of the ever-changing range of handpumped beers and ciders, we were there to present the certificate for Runner-up in the Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Year competition for 2023.

    After settling in for some beer and a chat, Branch Chairman Vince Curtis presented the certificate to Ivor explaining that to be rated second out of nearly 600 pubs in the county is no mean achievement and the Bell was only short of the winner's score by one mark in the judging. So near... so maybe next year! The Bell has been runner up in Pub of the Year before, showing the consistent high quality maintained.

    We eagerly tried to work our way through the beers and a good time was had by all, only saddened by the news that one of our active CAMRA members in past years, Larry Braithwaite, had recently passed away at the age of 92.

    Eventually it was time to disperse home. Some of us couldn't resist trying to lodge stones on Mary Magdalene's back. Val succeeded!

    Word by Steve Barber and Roger Webster

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2023 (3rd place) - Royal Oak, Perranwell Monday 22 May 2023

    Wednesday 17th May was CAMRA Kernow’s presentation to the Royal Oak, Perranwell for Bronze Award in the Pub of the Year 2023 (POTY) competition. This competition starts in the early part of the year with branch members being asked to nominate pubs in the county that in their opinion meet the compulsory requirements of the Pub of the Year Competition. A shortlist is then compiled and surveyed by branch members. Votes are then analysed to produce an overall winner of the competition and two runners up. This year, from over 580 pubs in Cornwall, the top three were very close!

    The competition guidelines clearly state that the pub ‘does not have to be picture postcard’, but our Bronze winner certainly is! The Royal Oak at Perranwell can be easily accessed by public transport either from Perranwell station on the Truro to Falmouth branch line, or by walking from the A39 at Perranarworthal. If you alight near the Norway Inn from either the U1 or U1A bus services it is easy to find the start of the walk from the right-hand side of the pub. Going up the hill you will pass the church of St Piran and St Piran’s Well, both worth a visit in their own right. The footpath is fairly well defined, on small roads, wooded pathways and over granite stiles until you descend into the village of Perranwell, close to the Post Office. From here the Royal Oak is almost opposite.

    Tim and Lizzie, the Landlord and Landlady, have recently celebrated 10 years of running this fine free house. The weather was so good that Vince Curtis, our Chairman, was able to present the third place certificate to Tim outside in the sunshine. The presentation was extremely well supported by both Cornwall CAMRA members and friends and also CAMRA members from two other branches. Tim was delighted to receive this commendation recognising the team of staff that support him and Lizzie in their roles.

    A very pleasant afternoon was had by all those who attended. If you have not visited this pub before I would highly recommend it. Food is available at lunchtimes and in the evening but booking is recommended as this pub has an excellent reputation for food too!

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA West First Friday Good Friday Social - Walkabout Truro Tuesday 9 May 2023

    Friday 7th April dawned a beautiful day and for CAMRA Kernow folk it was our ‘Multiple Hospitality Experience’ in the city of Truro.

    Our meeting venue was the City Inn in Pydar Street, just beneath the railway viaduct. Here we assembled in the L-shaped traditional bar and sampled St Austell Brewery’s ‘Tribute’ ale. This pub has a lovely sunny courtyard garden and a few of us decided it was good to enjoy the sunny day.

    From here we decided to try out the relatively new ‘Goodh’ craft beer bar. This venue in the Leats, tucked away behind Pydar Street, is worth seeking out. Here the selection of craft beers is vast and we all found a beer style to our tastes. The courtyard in front of the taproom was particularly sunny and we raised our glasses to Easter and the coming of Spring!

    From here we strolled around the cathedral and made our way up Mitchell Hill to the Rising Sun. This bar had three ales to choose from: two on hand pulls and one available on gravity from the cellar. Although the front bar area is lovely, the sun again drew us to the courtyard area at the back of the pub. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and it was good to see the Landlord, Tom and to engage in conversation.

    Back down the hill again we ventured to the Barley Sheaf in Old Bridge Street. This pub’s facade looked particularly stunning; the green tiled exterior was gleaming. Again this pub has a river garden area and conservatory and we choose to assemble in these fantastic spaces.

    A short stroll then brought us to the White Hart. This pub was busy with its regular clientele, but we were lucky enough to find space in the front bar area and sample from the three ales available on the bar.

    Finally we headed for the Old Ale House. A former drapers and milliners this imposing building was also looking impressive. This pub has been famous for its peanuts and ales for many years and did not disappoint us! Being very close to the city’s bus station this was an ideal last venue for those travelling home by bus.

    An impromptu visit to the William IV in Kenwyn Street was made by those of us heading home by train!

    Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Truro. The sunshine added to our enjoyment, but company, chat and a good selection of ales in a variety of venues made the day! This Good Friday outing was so well attended and enjoyed that it has been suggested that we make this a regular event in the diary!

    Word by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber and Jan Curtis

  • Have you never received branch emails from the Chairman? Monday 8 May 2023

    Have you never received branch emails from the Chairman?

    If not there are two explanations:-

    1. It could be in your spam/junk folder

    2. It has something to do with your marketing preferences as set up on the CAMRA HQ website

    If it's the second option we've put together the attached document that shows members how to edit their marketing preferences.

    How To Change Your Preferences On The CAMRA National Website

  • Regional Pub of the Year judging Monday 8 May 2023

    It is regional Pub of the Year judging time, if you would like to take part please contact Vince at ku.gro.armac.llawnroc@namriahc for judging forms. Please remember you will have to judge all four of the pubs in the running for your vote to qualify (we don’t judge our own entry). The four pubs in contention are:-

    Exeter and East Devon – Thatched House Inn, Exeter

    North Devon – The Exeter Inn, Chittlehamholt

    South Devon – The Queens Arms, Brixham

    Somerset – Halfway House, Pitney

    Forms will need to be sent back to me by Monday, 5th June 2023.

    Many Thanks

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch AGM - St Austell Brewery Thursday 27 April 2023

    On Saturday 15 April 2023 CAMRA members converged mostly by train on St Austell for the Branch Annual General Meeting. Thanks very much to St Austell Brewery for allowing us to use the Visitor Centre and for handling our request for pasties (big and delicious they were).

    The Hicks bar had Anthem, Proper Job, Tribute, Hicks, Big Job and Senara cask beers on handpump plus Mena Dhu stout on keg.

    As can be seen from the photos, we had a good turnout from all over the Branch area, from the far east to the far west, plus a few from over the Tamar in Devon. Our Deputy Regional Director Ray Dwan came from Exeter.

    After the AGM business there was time for some branch business before the formalities were over. We look forward to another year of campaigning for real ale and supporting the pubs in Cornwall.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA visits the Hole in the Wall in Bodmin Tuesday 25 April 2023

    Following on from the CAMRA Kernow visit to the Blisland Inn on Saturday 11 March, the group were conveyed in the luxury minibus to Bodmin and deposited outside the Hole in the Wall.

    The entrance to this pub is literally via a hole in the wall. You go through the gated entrance with its large sign and walk, via the garden to the pub door. As we perambulated the gardens we noticed on our right hand side the white lion in his glass fronted cave in the wall. After that we came upon the old shop style double bay windows standing guard of the front door with yet another pub sign, this time in iron proclaiming we had arrived at the right place.

    Entering the pub and walking past the table we were greeted with a very welcome sight of seven hand pulls proclaiming a delight full variety of real ales. Included in the range were Bass, Sharps Special, and Dartmoor Jail ale. Quickly served, in turn, we all gravitated to different areas of seating and imbibed our wonderful beverages and enjoyed some lively conversation.

    The minibus had left us at the pub to make our own way back to Bodmin Parkway. Some people took the early bus from Shire Hall and others stayed a while longer to partake of more refreshment and chat and catch the later bus to the station. All having spent an afternoon in the company of like minded enthusiasts of real ale and enjoyed the hospitality of two proponents of the style.

    Thanks to Branch Social Secretary (East), Roger Webster, for organising the coach.

    Words by Dugg Polman

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA presentation to the Blisland Inn at Blisland Monday 24 April 2023

    The ultimate presentation of the Good Beer Guide 50th anniversary certificates.

    It was a bit of a bleak and cold day on Saturday 11 March when CAMRA Kernow members ventured forth by train, from various Cornish stations, to Bodmin Parkway station. Here they were met by a luxury minibus that transported them to the Blisland Inn, Blisland.

    On arriving at the pub the first thing you notice is that it sits high on the edge of the village green and has an imposing white door with black detail and a beautiful sign.

    There was a very good reason why they made their way there. It was to present to Gary Marshall and his wife Margaret a Special Award certificate to celebrate the pub's inclusion in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide for over 40 of its 50 editions. To show what an achievement that is, there are nearly 600 pubs in Cornwall and the Blisland is one of only five Cornish pubs to have been in the guide for over 40 editions.

    The group arrived at half past 12 and the presentation took place just after 2pm, as Gary was busy serving behind the bar and wouldn't be relieved till 2pm. This left ample time to sample the beery delights on offer from the latest of the over 4,000 beers that have been served at the pub to date, which included Keltek Magik, St Ives Zennor and King Buddha, made by Sharp's brewery, the nickname of Gary who has a large tattoo on his expansive belly and also has a jovial nature.

    Feeling peckish we were also able to partake of comestibles from the substantial menu and enjoy our surroundings, especially the collection of mugs hanging from the ceiling.

    The presentation by Branch Chairman, Dugg Polman, went ahead and Gary and Margaret were pleased to accept the award, which they will find a home for on the walls among the many other certificates awarded by CAMRA including the National Pub of the Year 2000.

    There was some time to celebrate before the luxury minibus arrived to whistle the group to Bodmin for a visit to the Hole in the Wall.

    Thanks to Branch Social Secretary (East), Roger Webster, for organising the coach.

    Words by Dugg Polman

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • The Cornwall Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA Kernow, has announced its Pub of the Year for 2023. Tuesday 11 April 2023

    The Cornwall Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA Kernow, has announced its Pub of the Year for 2023.

    Nominated by the membership and inspected individually by a number of undercover inspectors, 5 different pubs out of a potential 580 or so real ale pubs in the county made it to the final shortlist. Apart from the condition of the real ale on offer, pubs were scored on several other criteria, such as the welcome received on entry, service offered to customers, cleanliness, décor, atmosphere, whether beer prices are clearly displayed, and involvement in the local community.

    At the end of the process and collation of the scores, it was found that the top three performers were very close in score totals, as might be expected in a survey of what CAMRA judges to be among the best pubs in the county. So it has been decided to recognise the two close runners-up as well as this year’s winner. The winning trio are:

    CAMRA Kernow Pub of the Year 2023: The ‘front, Falmouth Silver Award: Bell Inn, Launceston Bronze Award: Royal Oak Inn, Perranwell

    Presentation of the awards will take place at each pub on dates to be announced. Meanwhile, the winner now goes into the competition to find CAMRA’s Southwest Regional Pub of the Year, from which that winner is on the road towards gaining the national Pub of the Year title. Regardless of what happens from here, to finish in the top 3 of around 600 pubs (the second largest number for any CAMRA branch) is an exceptional achievement and we salute all three award winners.

  • Cornwall CAMRA Driftwood "Barrel of Laughs" Beer Festival Thursday 6 April 2023

    On Friday 10 March 2023 CAMRA members converged on the Driftwood Spars for the "Barrel of Laughs" beer festival. This year we were treated to the luxury of a minibus service to take us down Quay Road from the bus stops at Peterville to the Drifty and more importantly take us back up the hill later. Our buses converged from the north and south to wait for the minibus which appeared on time and was driven by none other than Lou Treseder herself - the owner of the Driftwood.

    We soon settled down to socialise with our friends and get down to the serious business of choosing our beers and enjoying them.

    We had up to 13 cask beers served straight from the cask in the festival, not forgetting the beers on handpump in the bar. There were nine keg beers including two brewed in collaboration with comedians, hence the laughs to go with the barrels. For the cider drinkers there were four fruit-flavoured ciders.

    One poignant beer was Pete's Mild to remind us of our good friend, CAMRA volunteer and Driftwood brewer, Pete Martin, who died in 2020. Pete would have been 60 this March. Pete could be quite a comedian on occasions. Many of Pete's beers are still brewed regularly by the current brewer Mike Mason.

    Usually only sold in bottles, we had the temptation of St Austell Bad Habit on cask. This is an 8.2% Belgian-style Abbey Tripel and had to be the beer to finish up with.

    Then it was time to avail ourselves of Lou's minibus up to Peterville again to wait for our buses. Thanks Lou and the Drifty team for a good day out.

    Keep an eye on the Diary page for the next beer festival at the Driftwood.

    Cheers,

    Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA West First Friday Social - A Penryn Wander Thursday 6 April 2023

    On Friday 3rd March our ‘West First Friday’ event was entitled ‘A Penryn Wander’. The idea was a stroll around Penryn visiting some different hospitality outlets. We met at the new Verdant Brewing Company’s modern taproom.

    This was a new experience for some of the group who attended, but it received very good comments. This modern venue is popular with all age groups and hosts a variety of community events.

    In addition to their 16 keg beers, Verdant are brewing cask ales and on the day we were able to sample Penpol (3.8%), Lamanva (4.0%), Argal (4.4%) and Burnthouse (4.6%). We all agreed that there was something that appealed to everyone’s taste in this line up!

    From the taproom it is easy to view the modern brewery through the glass wall. Pizzas are made to order if you feel like enjoying something to eat too!

    After enjoying our time in this relatively newly opened space, we strolled through the Tremough Campus where those of us with an interest in horticulture could admire the spring shrubs and flowers. This short walk brought us into the centre of Penryn town and to the Seven Stars. This pub was closed in recent times but has been fortunately reopened as a brew pub with accommodation.

    The brewery can be visited at the back of the pub where there is also a sunny courtyard. Brewer Tomasz Trzcinski is working to build the new brewery - the Hidden Brewery at the Seven Stars.

    During the time this pub was closed it was refurbished and is now a clean and fresh environment yet retains a traditional feel. Three ales from the brewery’s own range were available: Citrus Pale; Pale Ale and Winter Ale.

    We then headed down the hill, passing the famous Penryn Town Hall and Museum, to the Famous Barrel.

    This lovely traditional pub has a welcoming traditional vibe. We were particularly lucky on this day to find space to all sit together and I know the Dartmoor Jail Ale is a favourite for many! There is also a large beer garden that can be enjoyed during the warmer weather.

    Penryn is well served by local transport links and although we walked between our venues, this route could easily be followed using the local bus services. Many members and friends commented on how enjoyable the afternoon had been and particularly the fact that they had visited some unfamiliar and different settings. Keep an eye on the diary page of our website for future events.

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA presentation to the Star Inn at St Just Tuesday 7 March 2023

    On Tuesday 28 February 2023 Cornwall Branch travelled to the far west town of St Just in Penwith to the Star Inn, a St Austell Brewery tied house, for a presentation.

    The small town is built of granite and lies on the exposed granite headlands of the Tin Coast of the Penwith peninsula. There is an Anglican church and Methodist chapel both of substantial granite construction, a secondary school and a well-preserved Plain an Gwarry. The town still has four pubs: The Star, the King's Arms, the Commercial Hotel and the Wellington Hotel. There was a fifth pub, the Miner's Arms, which closed in 2009.

    The Star Inn has been in 44 out of the 50 Good Beer Guides, an achievement matched by only four other pubs out of over 550 in Cornwall that have had over 40 entries.

    St Austell Brewery was represented by senior staff including Kevin Georgel, Georgina Young, and Adam Luck. We enjoyed a chat and a pint waiting for landlord John to arrive from his farm.

    The certificate was presented by CAMRA Cornwall Branch Chairman, Dugg Polman to John McFadden the licensee. John said a few words in thanks for the recognition and in turn MD Kevin Georgel said a few words in support on behalf of the Brewery.

    Dugg, John and Kevin were joined by Brewing Director Georgina Young behind the bar for a group photo.

    After some beer and chat, it was time to head home which was quite a long way for most but a short walk for one!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA GBG Selection Meeting at Par Monday 6 March 2023

    On Saturday 18 February 2023 Cornwall CAMRA branch members converged on the Royal Inn at Par, also known as the Par Royal, for the serious task of selecting the 62 pubs for the 2024 Good Beer Guide which will be launched this autumn.

    A long list of likely contenders had been nominated in January and surveyed by members in the meantime. The content of the GBG is complied afresh every year, but quite a few excellent pubs appear in every edition but only because they have earned a place. No pubs are automatically included.

    To keep us going, The Royal Inn had tasty Exeter Ferryman and Sharp's Doom Bar and an enjoyable buffet half way through. A good day's work for CAMRA.

    Cheers, Steve

  • Cornwall CAMRA Falmouth Real Ale and Cider Trails – January 2023 Sunday 5 March 2023

    Tuesday 31st January was the planned date for the ‘Maritime Trail’ following on from the successful ‘Old Town Trail’ the previous weekend. Although the meeting venue was Beerwolf Books, some keen followers obviously couldn’t resist the new refurbished Wetherspoon Packet Station as the first photograph shows!

    In Beerwolf Books, however, we settled around one of the large tables and enjoyed sampling from the range of real ales available. I particularly enjoyed ‘Ale Conner’ from Penzance Brewery on this occasion. This bar and its bookshop attract a wide range of clientele and there is generally a very good vibe; I highly recommend a visit!

    After a short stroll along Market Street we arrived at the Grapes. This pub has fantastic views of the harbour and docks, and is popular with younger clients particularly in the evenings. Here we sampled St Austell Brewery's ‘Tribute’, which continues to be a popular choice amongst ale drinkers.

    Due to opening hours, we moved to the Quayside Inn in Arwenack Street. This historic pub also boasts wonderful views of the harbour and has an outdoor drinking area on Custom House Quay which is always popular with customers in the warmer months. We then visited the recently opened Verdant Seafood Bar. This cosy cellar bar serves up to eight Verdant beers on tap and has already become a popular choice for both its beer and freshly cooked seafood.

    Our next venue was the Chain Locker. This St Austell Brewery pub is always busy and serves up to six real ales, which often includes a limited edition St Austell Brewery 'Cask Club’ beer.

    Again this pub has a large outdoor seating area on the quay, but be wary of the seagulls as the sign warns!

    Also looking for scraps but definitely not a seagull.

    Also situated on Custom House Quay is the ever-popular ‘front bar. Again this bar serves a wide range of real ales from mainly Cornish breweries, but some national breweries are showcased too!

    Climbing Quay Hill we reached the Oddfellows Arms. This cosy and convivial free house is popular with locals and visitors. Three real ales from mostly Cornish breweries are usually available.

    A good afternoon was enjoyed by all those that attended this event. The intention of these organised ‘beer and cider trails' was to support pubs and bars during the quieter months of the year and I can certainly say that these followers fulfilled their mission! Keep an eye on our social diary for up and coming events and join us if you can!

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • To mark half a century of The Good Beer Guide Cornwall CAMRA honours pub with Special Achievement Award. Saturday 18 February 2023

    To mark half a century of The Good Beer Guide Cornwall CAMRA honours pub with Special Achievement Award. You are cordially invited to attend a presentation at The Star Inn , St.Just, arrive 1630 on Tuesday February 28th.

    We are delighted to announce that as CAMRA publishes the 50th Good Beer Guide Cornwall CAMRA is making some Achievement Awards to the Pubs who have made a great contribution to Cornish Real Ale scene for the last half century!

    Special Achievement Award – The Star Inn, St.Just

    .

    Not content with going globally viral when licensee for the past 17 years Johnny McFadden installed an electric sheep fence to ensure post lockdown social distancing, this atmospheric local is a hub of the St.Just community and has racked up 44 Good Beer Guide appearances including an unbroken run for the last 20 years! Prior to that that our hosts were Rose and Peter Angwin and many Good Beer Guide entries would have been down to the excellent condition of the St.Austell ales they used to dispense straight from wooden barrels!

  • Cornwall CAMRA post-Christmas Lunch at the Royal Oak at Lostwithiel Tuesday 17 January 2023

    Lostwithiel is an exceptional place for several reasons. Founded not long after the Norman Conquest it was built by the lords of nearby Restormel Castle and became the capital of Cornwall in the 13th century. Today it still contains several historic buildings and the pack-horse bridge over the River Fowey at its tidal limit. It is one of the five Stannary Towns in Cornwall and was the scene of an important battle between the Roundheads and Cavaliers in 1644 (the Cavaliers won). An unusual fact of Lostwithiel is the coincidence of the St Michael and St Mary currents, or ley lines, at the church which itself contains some intriguing features. These currents course from near Land's End all the way to the Norfolk coast. St Michael runs along the road over the bridge and past the Globe Inn while St Mary goes right through the King's Arms and runs across the railway station.

    So to this venerable town on Saturday 14 January 2023 fourteen jolly members of Cornwall CAMRA branch sat down to an excellent three-course post-Christmas lunch at the Royal Oak.

    Arriving at the railway station, we walked over the bridge and headed for the Royal Oak, passing the Globe which did not open until 5pm.

    After a period of heavy rain, the Fowey was looking quite menacing. Ironic that we still have a hosepipe ban.

    The Royal Oak was a warm and welcome retreat from the January weather. We soon settled into the dining room with pints in hand. Our hosts had Doom Bar, Proper Job and Tribute on handpump, all in great condition. Apparently the locals get through a lot of it!

    As you can see from the group photo, everyone is having a whale of a time; the beers went down, the meal courses came and went, once a little confusion was sorted out over who had ordered what. No names...

    Sadly, the time came to head back home. A few of us popped into the King's Arms on the way back to the station. On arrival at the station we waited for our train back west but it didn't come. We found that it had been cancelled. So we trudged back to the King's Arms again for liquid comfort. Another warm and comfortable refuge from the weather with a nice pint of Tribute.

    Lostwithiel level crossing is notorious for trapping would-be passengers on the wrong side of the line when their train is imminent. There is no footbridge so if the barriers are down you stand and watch your train come in and go out without you.

    Although we were in time, we found the barrier down! We waited and watched a down-train pass through ahead of ours but the barriers did not go up. Instead, an up-train came in and stopped with our train imminent. We were expecting another trip to the King's Arms but our train did not arrive and the barriers went up. So we nipped over to the platform and were pleased, for once, to see that our train was about 15 minutes late. It did turn up and we got home dreckly.

    Roll on next year's lunch! Thank you Roger for organising a jolly day out.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA presentations to St Austell Brewery and the New Inn at Tywardreath Thursday 12 January 2023

    On Thursday 5 January 2023 a good turnout of CAMRA members converged on St Austell Brewery by car and bus, some from considerable distances away, in spite of the train strike.

    The purpose was to present a certificate to the Brewery in recognition of continuously brewing real ale during the 50 years of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide in this anniversary year.

    We were welcomed by Kevin Georgel (CEO), Georgina Young (Brewing Director) and Rob Orton (Production Manager).

    The certificate was presented by CAMRA Cornwall Branch Chairman, Dugg Polman, and CAMRA's Brewery Liaison Officer for St Austell Brewery, Russ Durbridge.

    Good conversation accompanied by St Austell beer followed in the Small Batch Brewery bar. Before we left, a glass of black beer was produced for us to taste. It was Black Square, a 10.5% ABV strong stout (I should say so) which was about to be matured in wood for a year before being bottled. For those who have not tried Black Square, the CAMRA Tasting Note is "Powerful black stout with sherry aroma masking caramel malt. Strong smoky roast flavours with hints of toffee and stone fruits."

    We then moved on to the New Inn at Tywardreath, a St Austell Brewery tied house, for a second presentation.

    The New Inn has been in 44 out of the 50 Good Beer Guides, an achievement matched by only four other pubs out of over 550 in Cornwall that have had over 40 entries. The certificate was presented by CAMRA Cornwall Branch Chairman, Dugg Polman to the licensees. The Brewery was represented by Kevin Georgel, Georgina Young, Rob Orton and Adam Luck.

    After the formalities, a good social ensued.

    On top of the panelled bar counter there is a slotted brass plate for tokens issued by the group of five local copper mines collectively known as Fowey Consols. The miners would often collect their pay in a local pub and be part paid in tokens which they could only spend in the pub. This was not uncommon in Cornwall.

    The miners who worked at Fowey Consols had a taste for draught Bass which is why it is still kept in the New Inn and covenanted to be sold there whoever owns it. So that is why this St Austell pub always sells Bass.

    The mines were operated from 1822 by Joseph Treffry who made a fortune. He built Place in Fowey out of it. Although the drawer is still under the counter, there are no tokens in it. Treffry did not take contactless...

    As dusk fell we dragged ourselves away from the New Inn to make our trainless ways home.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Falmouth Real Ale Trail 2023 leaflet goes live! Tuesday 10 January 2023

    There are two trails with 15 pubs and bars participating. We are expecting that the pubs will organise some events during the ale trail which we will publicise nearer the time.

    To download a pdf click the link Falmouth Real Ale Trail 2023.pdf

  • CAMRA Kernow's Twixmas Social 2022 Saturday 7 January 2023

    In 2022 Cornwall Kernow’s annual and popular ‘Twixmas’ event was held on Thursday 29th December. In advance of our scheduled meeting time, many members and friends chose to visit the newly refurbished Falmouth Wetherspoon pub the Packet Station.

    This pub was officially re-opened on Tuesday 20th December 2022, after extensive alterations to include a roof terrace and a lift to the first and second floors. Although members congregated on the ground floor, the roof terrace has been designed to include different seating areas, some with a Mediterranean feel and I am sure this space will be very popular once the warmer weather arrives!

    In contrast to this newly opened venue, members and friends walked down the road to the very traditional Seven Stars.

    Here we gathered around the table near the fireplace and sampled from a range of eight beers mainly from Cornish breweries all served on gravity. As you can see from the photos we certainly filled this bar!

    In smaller groups we walked into Market Street and Bells Court to visit the Beerwolf Books. We ascended the staircase to this real ale mecca and bookshop. Here the ping pong table was set up for those seeking a physical challenge and we sat in small groups as the venue was busy with groups of friends enjoying quality time between Christmas and New Year.

    Our next venue was the ‘Front. Although this pub was also busy, we managed to find seats at the top end of the bar. There is usually a good range of both local and regional beers available here and it did not disappoint on our visit. Many members were particularly pleased to see three dark beers available. Stout Brummie an Oatmeal Stout from Birmingham Brewing Company was certainly one of my favourites. It was also lovely to have members from Surrey Hants Borders Branch and the Cardiff Branch join us.

    From here we left the main thoroughfare and headed up the hill to the Oddfellows Arms. This compact pub is always very well decorated for the festive period with thousands of fairy lights. It certainly adds to the festive cheer!

    With the light fading we climbed further to the Seaview Inn. The views from this large pub overlooking the town are fantastic and this pub usually serves up to three real ales.

    Leaving the Seaview Inn, we walked along the terrace to the famous ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. Reported to be 111 steps, these are well lit at night by down lights beneath the hand rail. All members agreed that they were able to descend to The Moor via this route. Other routes are available of course!

    Our final destination was the Moth & Moon on Killigrew Street. This venue always serves its beer in top quality and up to four real ales are available.

    Our circular route had brought us back to The Moor and the bus terminal as many of the group had travelled by bus.

    Those travelling by train returned to Penmere Station for the branch line services to Truro.

    We all agreed that Falmouth has a fantastic range of pubs: big and small; modern and traditional. If you missed this event and would like to join us look out for the ‘Falmouth Real Ale, Beer and Cider Trails’ happening in various venues between Wednesday 25th January to Tuesday 31st January 2023. Leaflets will be in the participating venue shortly before the event and it will also be available as a PDF to download from our website. See you at the end of the month!

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • CAMRA Kernow Lunch at Royal Oak, Lostwithiel Wednesday 28 December 2022

    Saturday 14 January 2023 2 courses £19.95, 3 courses £24.95; payable on the day

    Please let us know if attending - rogerwebster @ hotmail.com

  • Cornwall CAMRA presentations to the Blue Anchor, Helston, pub and brewery Sunday 11 December 2022

    On Saturday 3 December some CAMRA members from the length of Cornwall converged on the Blue Anchor in Helston to celebrate achievements in this 50th anniversary year of the Good Beer Guide.

    The Blue Anchor is a flagship among pub breweries, and a survivor whose great claim to fame is that it is the only one of four home-brew pubs left at the time CAMRA was formed in 1971 that has had a continuous brewing history since. It is a rambling, unspoilt 15th-century granite building with thatched roof, slate floors and its own brewery above. There are no distracting jukebox or bandits, only lively conversation in the two small bars. There are two snugs on the other side of the central corridor. There is also a rare indoor skittle alley out the back with its own bar, which can be activated during group functions, and the garden also has a separate bar and barbeque for special events such as beer festivals. Dogs on leads are welcome in all areas and accommodation is in adjoining premises. The occasional seasonal beer may be a winter warmer as on our visit or some other commemorative brew - a 'bragget' or honey- and herb-based beer may appear to commemorate the 800-plus years of Helston's town charter.

    Branch Chairman Dugg Polman presented certificates to Ben Stone and his girlfriend Jenine Williams who run the pub and brewery.

    The first presentation was to the Blue Anchor pub for being selected for the Good Beer Guide for over 40 out of 50 years, 47 to be exact. Only five out of over 550 pubs in Cornwall have managed over 40 years.

    The second presentation was to the Blue Anchor Brewery for being one of only two breweries to be continuously brewing beer in Cornwall over the first 50 years of the Good Beer Guide. The brewery is quaint, quite unique and famous for its Spingo beers.

    The Christmas Special was superb. Three members of CAMRA Cornwall Tasting Panel did tastings of this Strong Ale and also of some of the other unique Spingo beers.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Meeting at the Star Inn, Crowlas Friday 2 December 2022

    On Saturday 26 November, Cornwall Branch held a business meeting at one of our flagship pubs, the Star Inn at Crowlas.

    The weather was absolutely 'trocious and there was a train strike (drivers this time) but we had a reasonable turnout nonetheless with members making long bus journeys or driving.

    Anyway, we had a good time as always in the Star.

    We covered a lot of agenda business (thanks Dugg) and I carried out three tastings of Penzance beers. In fact I was so busy with the meeting and tastings (no actually chatting and drinking afterwards) that I forgot to take any pictures inside the pub before I realised that most people had gone to brave the weather homeward! Doh!

    Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA Social at Bodmin, Edmonton and Wadebridge Friday 2 December 2022

    Our Social Secretary East, Roger Webster, organised a jolly day out for 23 of us on Saturday 12 November visiting three excellent pubs in Bodmin, Edmonton and Wadebridge by using the No11 bus route.

    The first pub was the Hole in the Wall at Bodmin where Steve the landlord had agreed to open early at 10.30 and had put on some extra beers for us. Yummy! The idea was that, apart from those few lucky souls who lived with walking distance, members could arrive by train at Bodmin Parkway station and get the 10.15 bus up to town, arriving at opening time.

    For those coming from the east, including Liskeard and Plymouth, this went to plan. For us poor souls coming from the west, we had a problem. The railway west of St Austell was closed for the day for engineering work. So we had to get to St Austell by rail replacement bus before getting a train to Bodmin Parkway. The double-decker from Penzance to St Austell was packed and when we got to Parkway we knew that we would miss the 10.15 bus but the next one didn't turn up at all! So we westerners waited an hour for the next bus and arrived at the Hole at 11.50. The pub's Gate Guardian (lion) was not amused.

    The latecomers did manage a pint and had the choice of Wadworth Swordfish, Dartmoor Jail Ale, Marston's Draught Bass, Sharp's Atlantic, Ossett Silver King and Old Mill Red Goose on handpump, plus Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley cider in box.

    The record for determination to get to the social goes to Dave who took about five hours to get to Bodmin from St Just via three buses, a train and a 1-hour wait admiring Bodmin Road station!.

    6

    After an enjoyable period of conviviality, it was time to get the bus to Edmonton, or at least to the Royal County Show Ground before a brisk walk to Edmonton.

    At the Quarryman, we had the choice of Firebrand Bootleg Billy, Padstow Padstow May Day and Otter Bitter on handpump.

    Here we enjoyed an excellent lunch and plenty of time to socialise with good beer.

    The time came to make our way back to the bus stop on the A39 and take the No11 into the ancient port of Wadebridge.

    Then it was over the bridge on wool up the hill to the Ship.

    Formerly a pub tied to Devenish Brewery of Redruth (which closed in 2004), the Ship is now a Free House. For our delectation on the day were Sharp's Sea Fury (yes, I know, Special), Sharp's Atlantic and Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold on handpump.

    So, some more conviviality and beer!

    Eventually, as dusk fell, it was time to leave Wadebridge and get the No11 bus back to Bodmin Parkway for the journey home. At least we got a proper coach west from St Austell!

    Thanks to Roger for a most enjoyable day out getting to some of the excellent Cornish pubs in the area. We could have tried to visit more, but experience has shown that packing too many in spoils the enjoyment of socialising. Perhaps we can get to others on another jolly day out. We were made most welcome by all the licensees and staff. A win-win situation I think.

    Steve Barber

  • Devon Regional Social at the Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres Thursday 1 December 2022

    Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Newton St Cyres!

    On Saturday 29 October our CAMRA colleagues in Exeter & East Devon Branch organised a super day out at the Beer Engine brewpub at the village of Newton St Cyres in the Creedy valley between Exeter and Crediton.

    They kindly invited Cornwall Branch members to join members from all four Devon branches. Right next door to the pub happens to be the railway station which is a request stop on the Tarka Line from Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple. The line also serves Okehampton via the branch now reopened to passengers.

    Inside the pub was a good selection of Beer Engine beers. We did our best to get through them, honest.

    The event took place in the garden and patio area. Fortunately, the weather was kind.

    Cornwall members came from as far as Falmouth, Liskeard, Threemilestone and Cardiff via Plymouth! Somerset Branch was also represented, so we had a full South West South region turn out.

    Steve Murray, Chairman of Exeter and East Devon CAMRA Branch made two presentations. The first was the launch of the 50th anniversary 2023 Good Beer Guide in Devon, ably assisted by Deputy Regional Director Ray Dwan.

    Steve also presented an award to the Beer Engine pub landlord as the winner in the Exeter and East Devon CAMRA Branch Rural Pub of the Year 2022.

    An excellent buffet was consumed and many conversations and pints followed before it was time to head back to catch our train to Exeter. The tiny platform cannot be so busy most days.

    We made sure that the driver did not have any doubt that we wanted to get on!

    Steve Barber

  • CAMRA Kernow Launches 50th Anniversary Good Beer Guide Wednesday 2 November 2022

    Saturday 27th October saw a contingent of CAMRA members visit the Seven Stars pub in Falmouth to launch the 50th Anniversary Good Beer Guide (2023 edition) and present a certificate to the pub.

    The Seven Stars is a timeless and unspoilt town-centre local that is recognised by CAMRA as having a nationally important historic interior.

    The off-licence, "bottle and jug" hatch still exists and carries the 1976 GBG window sticker!

    We met in a room upstairs that can be used for meetings or further drinking space.

    The main bar is a narrow taproom with beers served on gravity with two quieter rooms at the rear.

    Some regulars and the CAMRA members gathered in the main bar to see CAMRA Kernow chairman Dugg launch the Guide and explain that the Good Beer Guide is a publication of the Campaign for Real Ale and is totally independent of any commercial beer publication organisation.

    It is entirely researched by volunteers, who also inspect a large number of pubs, with only a few making it into the publication every year. For those lucky enough to make it into the Guide, it is a great accolade. Unlike other beer publications no money is paid by any of the pubs to be entered in it. The Guide is available to buy from CAMRA at a price of £16 plus postage.

    The Guide launched, it was on to the second part of the proceedings, the presentation of a Certificate of Excellence to the Seven Stars for being in 49 of 50 editions of the Good Beer Guide. Only 5 pubs in the country have made it into all 50 editions, so to manage 49 is a big accomplishment, even more poignant as it was the only one of our pubs in Cornwall to manage this.

    The certificate mounted in a gold frame was presented to Amy Bennetts, the latest member of the Bennetts family to hold the licence for the pub. It has been in the same family for 170 years. Amy was very pleased to accept the certificate and thanked Cornwall CAMRA and her son even got in on the photos.

    The presentations over, there was a little imbibing of the excellent real ale along with some comestibles, provided by Amy and her staff.

    Thank you Amy and your crew for your hospitality.

    Dugg Polman and Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA social at the Driftwood Spars beer festival Monday 24 October 2022

    Despite a bus strike by one of the local bus companies, many CAMRA Kernow branch members and friends used various Transport for Cornwall bus services to attend the first day of the Driftwood Spars’ ‘The Dark, the Light and the Saison’ October beer festival on 21 October.

    We were greeted by Landlady Louise and her team including Head Brewer Mike. As the name of the festival suggests, there was a beer menu with the choice of fifteen beers including pale ales, stouts and saisons. To sample as many of the beers as possible many branch members chose to select the ‘beer flight’ option (three third pint glasses on a wooden paddle). One of the beers available from Driftwood Spars Brewery just a few steps away from the pub across the road in Trevaunance Cove was a pale ale called ‘Green Hop’. This was a light and citrus beer brewed with fresh wild hops picked on the same day as brewing in St Agnes. Also of particular interest to lovers of Driftwood’s ‘Alfie’s Revenge’ were two brews called ‘Alfie’s Return’. One had been oak aged with French Oak; the other with American Oak. Tasters were encouraged to give their preference. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all those that attended. I would encourage any reader to visit this beautiful old pub by the sea at any time but their beer festivals usually held in the spring and autumn are a must!

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • To mark half a century of The Good Beer Guide, Cornwall CAMRA honours local Breweries and Pubs with Achievement Awards Thursday 13 October 2022

    The Campaign for Real Ale publishes its 50th Good Beer Guide

    We are delighted to announce that as CAMRA publishes the 50th Good Beer Guide Cornwall CAMRA is making some Achievement Awards to the Breweries and Pubs who have made the greatest contribution to Cornish Real Ale scene for the last half century!

    Exceptional Achievement Award – St.Austell Brewery

    As one of only two breweries to have supplied Cornwall with Cornish made real ale for all of the last 50 years this award is much deserved. In particular the arrival in 1999 of the late Roger Ryman as Head Brewer energised St Austell to become one of the exceptional family brewers of Great Britain. His legacy is continued by Georgina Young and the company remains dedicated to the creation and production of quality real ales.

    Exceptional Achievement Award – The Blue Anchor, Helston

    Our second brewing award goes to a much smaller but just as iconic brewery. Blue Anchor is the oldest continuously brewing brew-pub in Britain and is well known throughout the nation, and indeed the world, for its Spingo Ales. The brewery and beer have much improved since the Stone family took charge over 25 years ago. It is now in the steady hands of Ben Stone.

    Exceptional Achievment Award – The Seven Stars, Falmouth

    Out of 50 Good Beer Guides this unspoilt local has appeared in 49; every one except the very first. This is a truly remarkable achievement as only five pubs in Britain have made more appearances. For 50 years until his death in 2012 it was run by ordained Anglican clergyman Barrington Bennetts (one of only a handful of real people to ever feature in the comic Beano). The licensee is now his granddaughter Amy.

    Special Achievement Award – The Blue Anchor, Helston

    Having already been recognized as a brewery this award is for its 47 appearances in the good beer guide. It is recognisable in the town as it has an anchor woven into its thatched roof.

    Special Achievement Award – The Star Inn, St.Just

    This atmospheric local is a hub of the St. Just community and has racked up 44 Good Beer Guide appearances including an unbroken run for the last 20 years!

    Special Achievement Award – The New Inn, Tywardreath

    44 appearances for this village local built by mine owners in the mid 19th century. Alongside St.Austell ales it is covenanted to Sell draught Bass in perpetuity.

    Special Achievement Award – The Blisland Inn, Blisland

    This is our final pub with over 40 Good Beer Guide listings and has made it 42 times. Set on a village green on the edge of Bodmin Moor this pub has served over 3000 different Real Ales and was CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 2001.

    We are delighted to announce that as CAMRA publishes the 50th Good Beer Guide Cornwall CAMRA is making some Achievement Awards to the Breweries and Pubs who have made the greatest contribution to Cornish Real Ale scene for the last half century!
  • Cornwall CAMRA presentation to 2022 Pub of the Year the St John Inn, St John Saturday 1 October 2022

    A group of CAMRA members from Cornwall and Plymouth branches gathered at the St John Inn on Saturday 24 September to celebrate the pub winning the 2022 Pub of the Year award from Cornwall Branch which covers the whole county and nearly 600 pubs.

    The picture-postcard 16C cottage is set in a beautiful area if a little difficult to find (my satnav Minnie got a bit confused in the lanes). There is a large garden with a marquee and adjoining campsite. You can see from the photos how attractive the pub is both inside and out. There is also the Village Shop shed in the car park built for the COVID restrictions which resulted in the St John Inn being awarded Lockdown Hero by CAMRA for services to the community.

    We enjoyed Teignworthy Gun Dog, Crafty Blind Side and Bass, which ran out and Dartmoor Legend came on. All beers on handpump and in excellent condition as you would expect from a Pub of the Year. There was Westons Old Rosie on handpump for cider drinkers.

    With other customers also in attendance, Branch Chairman Dugg Polman presented a certificate to owners Rob and Gill Berry. The Mayor of Torpoint, Rachael Evans BEM, joined us to recognise the accolade to a pub in her patch, and Caroline Butler from BBC Radio Cornwall also came along to record the presentation and interviews plus a few photos.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwalls Pub of the Year, St John Inn Tuesday 13 September 2022

    Congratulations to the St John Inn, St John, Torpoint for having the distinction of being the best pub in Cornwall. The pub was voted for by CAMRA members, who are all volunteers, and is crowned CAMRA Kernow Pub of the Year 2022. A great achievement for Rob and Gill Berry, the licensees.

    There will be a presentation to the St John Inn, St John, for a belated pub of the year, on Saturday 24th September at 2pm. All are welcome.

  • Cornwall CAMRA branch meeting at Launceston Sunday 4 September 2022

    As our last branch meeting was in the west at Perranwell, this time we went east to the ancient capital of Cornwall, Launceston. Where else but the wonderful Bell Inn.

    We were welcomed by landlord Ivor who offered five beers and two ciders on handpump - Exeter Darkness, Ferryman and 'Fraid Not, Tintagel Harbour Special and the house beer brewed for Ivor by Holsworthy Ales, Bell Inn Best Bitter Ale. The ciders were Countryman Medium and Sandford Orchards Devon Red. Pasties and pies were available for lunch.

    Members arrived from near (Launceston) and far (Exeter and Cardiff) by various modes of transport, Launceston having been cut off from the main line railway thanks to Beeching in the 1960s. Thanks for making the effort.

    We worked our way quite quickly through the agenda, the last minutes and committee reports being on the branch website for members to read. Committee and BLO vacancies were discussed and interest was shown although there were not many members present, but altogether a successful meeting. After the meeting, there were convivial conversations and more beer drunk.

    Thanks to Dan for coming from Cardiff Branch (via Plymouth) and Tim from Exeter & East Devon Branch, who promoted the Devon and Cornwall regional social that his branch is organising at the Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres on 29 October. Should be a good do.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA campaigners demand for help with energy bills to save local pubs draws Ministerial response! Wednesday 31 August 2022

    The Campaign for Real Ale asks for MP’s support to stop community pubs from closing for good

    Chairman of Cornwall CAMRA Doug Polman recently wrote to all 6 Cornwall MPs, namely George Eustice, Scott Mann, Derek Thomas, Cherilyn Mackrory, Sheryll Murray and Steve Double asking them to lobby for a support package for pubs. 
The plea was in response to and in support of publicans’ fears that soaring energy prices could make it unaffordable for their vital community assets to turn a profit.

    Cherilyn Mackrory (MP for Truro and Falmouth) passed the letter on to the Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change whose response is attached.

    Doug was grateful to receive this but said “ Many heartfelt thanks go to Ms. Mackrory for passing on our concerns and campaigning message to the Minister. That said I am disappointed with the response which seems to me to say not much at all, or offer any immediate respite to hard pressed pubs and clubs as their energy costs spiral into the forthcoming winter heating season. These traditional British establishments are, particularly in rural areas, cornerstones of their communities combatting loneliness and having a positive effect on collective well-being. The impact of rising energy costs will hit them hard now and positive government action is needed now! “

  • Cornwall CAMRA social at Perranwell Tuesday 30 August 2022

    Initially planned for Saturday 20th August this Cornwall CAMRA social event was rescheduled for Friday 19th August due to a national rail strike. We were then in the position of the day between two national rail strikes and being warned by the rail companies to expect travel disruption! Expectation of a good attendance at the Royal Oak, Perranwell, beer festival was therefore not high! However, branch members from both the east and west of Cornwall arrived by various modes of transport including Transport for Cornwall bus services which serve the village directly and in total about twenty branch members and friends attended!

    We assembled in the pub’s covered courtyard garden where Tim the Landlord was serving the beer festival ales from hand pulls at the garden bar. I was particularly pleased to see Padstow Brewery’s Pilot available as it is a favourite of mine! Tim also had a good range of ciders to choose from at the garden bar. Inside the pub itself four additional ales were available so there was a range of beer styles and strengths from which to choose.

    With the sun shining a very pleasant afternoon was had by all as we sampled the beers and socialised. The branch was thanked by both Tim and Jonathan, a member of the bar staff, for our support on the first day of their three day festival. Later in the day live music was provided by a vocal trio called the ‘Ritzy Belles’. Their first set was music from the 1940s; their second set from the 1950s & 1960s. The group was extremely well supported by many local residents who attended the beer festival later in the day.

    For any readers unfamiliar with this lovely traditional country pub, it can usually be easily accessed from Perranwell station on the Truro to Falmouth branch line. A fifteen minute walk down to the pub at the bottom of the hill. There is also a very pleasant twenty minute footpath walk from the right hand side of the Norway Inn at Perranarworthal on the main Truro to Falmouth road (A39) which is served by the U1 and U1A bus services which stop outside the Norway going north and near Perran Foundry going south. A visit is thoroughly recommended!

    Words by Jan Curtis

    Photos by Steve Barber

  • Proposed coach to The Bell Inn, Launceston. Saturday 3 September 2022 Wednesday 24 August 2022

    We have sourced a 29 seater coach from Camborne and it is £400 picking up at set stops on the way up and return.

    So, I have booked the coach pending up take.  

    I have included the itinerary below. It is not set in stone but may change slightly depending on all pick ups being needed.

    If you would like a place on the coach, please send an email and payment of £13.80 to the treasurer, Jim Gordon, ku.gro.armac.llawnroc@rerusaert and add the subject Bodmin.

    Account details: Cornwall Camra  Barclays  Number: 73951421  Sort: 20-74-20 

    As this is so late, I need to know if you are coming by 8pm on Monday 28th August, please.

    Proposed coach to The Bell Inn, Launceston. Saturday 3 September 2022

    Pick ups Camborne Station 10.15, To meet 9.50 From Pz 10.02 from Hayle train – Roundabout bus stop Threemilestone 10.31 Threemilestone 10.31 – Rail Station Truro 10.37 Truro 10.37 – Victoria coach park Truro 10.41 Truro 10.41 – Opp. Wheel Inn Tresillian 10.51 Tresillian 10.51 – Bus station St Austell 11.09 St Austell 11. 09 – Bodmin Parkway 11.34 To meet 10.08 – 10.58 from Looe train Bodmin Parkway 11.34 – Bodmin Shires 11.44 Bodmin Shires 11.44 – Launceston Square 12.09

    Return Launceston square 16.15 – Bodmin Shires 16.45 Bodmin Shires 16.45 – Bodmin Parkway 16.55 to meet 17.35 – 18.27 to Looe Bodmin Parkway 16.55 – St Austell Bus Station 17.20 St Austell Bus Station 17.20 – Tresillian Wheel Inn 17.38 Tresillian Wheel Inn 17.38 – Truro Victoria Coach Park 17.48 Truro Victoria Coach Park 17.48 – Truro Station 17.52 Truro Station 17.52 – Truro Threemilestone 17.58 Truro Threemilestone 17.58 – Camborne Station 18.15 To meet 18.20 – 18.27 train to Hayle, PZ

  • Cornwall CAMRA "West First Friday" social at Porthleven and Helston Tuesday 19 July 2022

    Friday 1st July saw a small group of CAMRA Kernow branch members meet in the Ship Inn in Porthleven.

    Some of the group had walked from Helston, via the Penrose Estate, the edge of Loe Pool and the coastal path to the beautiful harbour of Porthleven; other members arrived via the frequent bus services that serve the village from Helston and Penzance.

    On meeting in the Ship, we were greeted by friendly bar staff and a choice of five real ales including Avocet from Exeter Brewery. While sampling the ales available we decided that our next ‘port of call’ would be the Atlantic Inn high above the village. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and as we made our way up to the Atlantic we looked down on some fantastic views of the harbour. At the Atlantic Inn there was a choice of three real ales including Tintagel Brewery’s Harbour Special and Sharp’s Atlantic. We sat outside at the front of the pub and enjoyed the spectacular vista.

    Descending back down to the village we visited St Austell Brewery’s Harbour Inn. Here we found a relatively new brew from this brewery called Anthem available. At only 3.8% this is a very tasty addition to Tribute, Proper Job and Hick’s. Again, as the weather was so good, we sat outside on the harbourside and enjoyed watching the world go by.

    For those of us heading home in an eastwards direction we caught the bus from Porthleven Square back to Helston. A visit was then made to the Blue Anchor pub were Spingo Middle and Spingo Special were available on the bar including other brews from this pub’s own brewery. This 15th Century pub with a thatched roof and corridor style layout is worth a visit at any time. Again as the weather was so good we gravitated to the large beer garden at the back of the pub. A good afternoon was enjoyed by all!

    Report and photos by Jan Curtis

  • Cornwall CAMRA Branch Meeting at the Royal Oak, Perranwell Tuesday 28 June 2022

    Since the freedom to hold meetings after the COVID restrictions, Cornwall Branch has held a variety of socials and presentations at pubs plus online committee meetings and an AGM. At last we have been able to have a branch business meeting.

    Some of us took the local 36 bus while others started at Perranarworthal down in the River Kennal valley and walked along footpaths following the same route as our event on 1 October 2021, Lockdown Heroes Presentation - Norway Inn, Perranarworthal and walk to Royal Oak, Perranwell.

    The venue was the pretty village of Perranwell and its pub the Royal Oak.

    The pub features a plaque explaining how a messenger from Falmouth was in such a rush to report the victory of the Battle of Trafalgar to the Admiralty that he rode past the Royal Oak without stopping. We did not make that mistake.

    Being COVID-responsible, we met in the marquee in the garden and fetched our beer from the bar.

    We covered a range of topics and welcomed members taking on tasks and responsibilities to help us campaigning going forward. A pasty lunch halfway through was most welcome.

    After the business we relaxed for while enjoying the Padstow Windjammer, Penzance Mild, St Ives Alba and Skinner's Lushingtons. Thanks Tim and Lizzie.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentation - the Victoria Inn, Victoria, Roche Friday 10 June 2022

    On Wednesday 8th June Cornwall CAMRA branch members assembled at St Austell station for the short bus journey to Roche to present the Victoria Inn with their ‘Lockdown Hero’ certificate.

    We were warmly greeted at the pub by Manager Kelly Burgess and her team. Three ales were on offer: St Austell Tribute and Proper Job, together with Dartmoor brewery’s Jail Ale which is always a firm favourite with those that prefer a more malty beer. Numbers swelled as others arrived from the nearby railway station on the Par to Newquay branch line including members from Plymouth. We were also joined by Tina and Nigel from Roche itself for whom the Victoria Inn is their ‘local’ and are customers who had actually supported the pub during the various lockdowns by ordering food for home delivery.

    Having purchased our ales, our new Chairman, Dugg Polman, presented Kelly with the certificate in recognition of the Victoria Inn’s initiative to deliver hot food to the local area. Of course, the electric car used for the delivery service received a mention too! The presentation was followed by a relaxed social event where members ordered food and sampled the ales in a very friendly and convivial atmosphere.

    If Cornwall CAMRA is visiting your local please join us and say hello! Keep an eye on our website diary for all events.

    Words, Jan Curtis

    Photos, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA "West First Friday" social at the Trewellard Arms beer festival Tuesday 7 June 2022

    Our ‘West First Friday’ social on 3 June coincided with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the long bank holiday weekend. Fortunately we were blessed with many pub based beer festivals to attend. However, the Trewellard Arms Beer Festival was chosen for our social to show our support for rural pubs in the far west of the county. The sun shone as a good number of CAMRA Cornwall branch members met up at Penzance bus station having travelled by both train and buses from various parts of the county. We made our way across the beautiful Penwith peninsula via St Just and Botallack to Trewellard on the Tin Coast.

    Arriving at the Trewellard Arms the outside area of the pub looked delightful. Companion seats and colourful parasols had been placed in groups and six beers were available on stillage in the tent in addition to the four on hand pulls in the pub itself. We received a warm welcome from Martin and Gill as always.

    The new St Austell beer called Anthem was one of the festival beers, along with Salcombe Seahorse and St Ives Hazy Meor. Beast of Bodmin by Firebrand brewery was also available outside. On handpump in the bar were Keltek Magik, Skinner's Lushingtons, Tintagel Merlin's Muddle and another new St Austell cask club beer Ros an Bucca, so there was a good variety of beer styles on offer.

    During the afternoon we were joined by members of Exeter and East Devon Branch and several of us sampled food from the special menu chosen specifically for the beer festival. The Chilli Beef Nachos were delicious! Later in the afternoon, we caught the open top ‘Tin Coaster’ bus service back to Penzance. A fantastic finish to a lovely afternoon.

    "Proper ansom" some would say!

    Words, Jan Curtis

    Photos, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall Tasting Panel training meeting Tuesday 7 June 2022

    After several delays over two years caused by the COVID pandemic, the Cornwall Tasting Panel of CAMRA was able to carry out two stages of training in May for recruits and established tasting panel members, who are all volunteer CAMRA members.

    The course took place at the Star at Crowlas which is renowned for the consistently high quality of its beer and range of beer styles on offer. Our thanks go to Pete Elvin the owner and Darren Norbury the barman.

    The first stage of training consists of assessing the tasting abilities of the trainees and familiarising them with a range of flavours found in beer. The second stage trains them in the CAMRA system of beer styles, carrying out a tasting and recording tastings followed by profiling several beers from the bar and comparing the taste attributes found.

    These tasters provide standardised, consistent and impartial tastings to nominate beers for CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain competition and to provide tasting notes for beers in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

    The preparation and training was carried out by me as Tasting Panel Chair. Here they are having a wonderful time!

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentation - Caradon Inn, Upton Cross Tuesday 7 June 2022

    Cornwall CAMRA had intended to present a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate to licensees Alan and Sarah Collings of the Caradon Inn, Upton Cross, on 24 November but unfortunately the pub was temporarily closed due to the consequences of a flood in the kitchen.

    So on 28th April 2022 a return trip took place with Chris Ham and Roger Webster presenting the certificate for going the extra mile during the COVID restrictions. The only village shop had closed a couple of years previously and the only alternatives were at least five miles distant so an extremely well stocked shop was built to the rear of the pub which was much appreciated and is well used by the local community.

    Photos by Chris Ham.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentations - the White Hart, Chilsworthy, the Manor House, Rilla Mill and a social at the Cornish Ancestor, Callington and the Crows Nest Inn at Crows Nest Tuesday 7 June 2022

    On Wednesday 24 November 2021 a group of CAMRA Kernow members converged on Liskeard Station and travelled by two taxis, arranged by Roger Webster, our Social Secretary East, to the White Hart at Chilsworthy.

    Our purpose was to present a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate to licensee Ian Durnall for the work done by Ian and his partner Amy Newland for opening a village shop in the pub and doing local food and drink deliveries to serve their local community throughout the COVID crisis.

    On the bar, we had the choice of Uley Bitter, always on, Teignworthy Gun Dog and Salcombe Gold on handpump.

    After a few pints, a few chats and a good view over the Tamar gorge below, we had to drag ourselves away to board the taxis to head to Callington town to find the new micro pub the Cornish Ancestor, opened in December 2020.

    The Cornish Ancestor is a quiet, convivial pub serving varying four real ales by gravity dispense, and up to eight real ciders, also varying, depending on availability and demand. On our visit, there was Exmoor Ale, Pitchfork Hewish Gold (which was available last November but no longer apparently), Skinner's Pennycomequick and South Hams Pandemonium, the last of which I found very welcome on an autumn afternoon.

    Then on through the narrow lanes to Rilla Mill in the Lynher valley.

    At Rilla Mill is the 17C Manor House Inn with a strong focus on dining but also a welcoming pub for beer drinkers. There is a shop within the pub and Kim the landlady gave us a tour of the pub bar, dining areas and a meeting room for 40 people.

    Our purpose at the Manor House Inn was to present a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate to licensees Kim and Joss for delivering meals to those shielding from COVID in the local area.

    On the bar were Dartmoor Legend, Dartmoor, Jail Ale and Firebrand Patchwork Rocket on handpump.

    Finally, we left the welcome of the Manor House to our last port of call as dusk fell, the Crows Nest Inn at Crow's Nest near Darite. This is the thirteenth highest pub in Cornwall at 620 feet AOD and lies in the shadow of Caradon Hill and its transmitter mast. The Crows Nest is a solid Cornish pub with a mining history and an unexpected handpump in the garden!

    Inside it is very cosy and warm indeed with St Austell Hicks and three other beers on handpump. A fitting end to a wonderful day out.

    And so back to Liskeard Station.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentations - Victoria Inn, Threemilestone and County Arms, Truro Monday 6 June 2022

    On Friday 5th November a small group of CAMRA Kernow members met at the Victoria Inn at Threemilestone to present the team there with a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate.

    We assembled in the bar area of this busy pub which is popular with both locals and visitors for its food service and particularly its carvery. To begin with, Dev the Manager was out delivering food, the reason the certificate was being presented, but he soon returned having fulfilled his duty and he invited his Head Chef to join him to receive the certificate on behalf of the staff. Vince Curtis, our Chairman gave a short speech to recognise the service the pub had provided to locals during the lockdowns. Dev explained that the initiative had been so successful that the delivery service was now an integral part of the business. We enjoyed some real ales in a very convivial atmosphere both before and after the presentation.

    Leaving the Victoria Inn we caught a bus along the road to Highertown, Truro. The County Arms, a large St Austell Brewery pub, was our next ‘port of call'. Here the pub accommodation had been let to NHS staff at RCH Treliske during lockdowns to assist the hospital and allow critical care staff somewhere to stay without the risk of further infection to families and house mates. Dan Marks the General Manager and his Head Chef received the certificate on behalf of the team at the County Arms. We enjoyed sampling the St Austell ales available; Proper Job was on particularly good form!

    After the presentations, some members gathered in the Old Ale House in Truro. An early cask of Skinner’s Pennycomequick was available which for some members was ‘the icing on the cake' at the end of a very pleasant afternoon!

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentations - the St John Inn, St John, the Bullers Arms, Landrake and a social at the Cockleshell and the Two Bridges, Saltash Sunday 5 June 2022

    On Saturday 9 October 2021 a group of CAMRA Kernow members travelled by coach, arranged by Roger Webster, our Social Secretary East, to the St John Inn. The pub is located in the picturesque village of the same name on an inlet of the River Tamar in the Forgotten Corner of Cornwall.

    Our purpose was to present a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate to licensees Rob and Gill Berry for the accelerated development of a new build village shop in the pub car park. The shop takes form of an attractive wooden summerhouse. St John is fairly isolated with no other facilities. In Lockdown 3 they offered printing facilities for all to use, including a colour laser printer, a laptop (for designing), and a laminator.

    On the bar, we had the choice of Bays Topsail, Marston's Draught Bass, Dartmoor Legend, Teignworthy Reel Ale plus Sandford Orchards Devon Scrumpy cider, all on handpump. But there are only four pumps you may say. If I remember rightly, we drank all the Legend (very nice it was) and Reel Ale came on. After a few pints and excellent buffet, we had to drag ourselves away to board the coach to Landrake.

    The CAMRA Kernow coach party navigated its way out of the Forgotten Corner to the ancient village of Landrake, now fortunately bypassed by the busy A38. Our destination was the Bullers Arms which lies in the shadow of the towering St Michael's Church and was a former coaching inn on the main road.

    Our purpose was to present a ‘Lockdown Heroes' certificate for making home deliveries of meals in the local Saltash/Landrake area to isolating people during lockdown.

    On the bar, we had the choice of St Austell Tribute and Dartmoor Jail Ale plus Westons Old Rosie cider on handpump. We enjoyed our beers while wandering around the surprisingly extensive space in the pub.

    Having delivered two 'Lockdown Hero" certificates, the CAMRA Kernow coach party finished the day in Saltash for a social at the Cockleshell and the Two Bridges.

    The Cockleshell is a micro pub in the middle of the town centre which opened in a former shop in 2020 and stocks a changing range of cask beers from Cornish and Devonian breweries. The Summerskills Porter went down very well! It is a convivial pub without entertainment distractions and conversation is king.

    The Two Bridges is an old pub right next to the railway station on a road running down the steep hill to the quayside. As the name suggests, there are excellent views of Brunel's 1859 Royal Albert railway bridge and the 1961 road bridge joining Cornwall to England. Our beer from the busy ground floor bar was carried up staircases to the pleasant garden behind and above the pub. I managed to avoid spilling much of my St Austell Tribute! Watching the trains crossing the bridge reminded us to make our way to the station and home after a long and enjoyable campaigning day.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Lockdown Heroes Presentation - Norway Inn, Perranarworthal and walk to Royal Oak, Perranwell Saturday 4 June 2022

    On Friday 1st October the sun shone on a small group of branch members as they ventured out to present a ‘Lockdown Hero’ certificate. The certificate was presented to Steven Hawke and his team at the Norway Inn, Perranarworthal, in recognition of the delivery service the pub provided during the national lockdowns. The delivery service which was instigated shortly before the first lockdown has now become an established sector of the pub’s business. Hot meals and beverages are delivered to local residents providing a much needed link between the pub and the community. The Norway Inn is also focusing on the local community by sponsoring a local football team. Branch members enjoyed Tribute, Proper Job and Hicks served in a convivial environment by friendly and attentive staff.

    After the presentation, the group made their way by footpath over the hill to the Royal Oak at Perranwell. En route we stopped to visit the 15th century St Piran’s Well. We admired the crystal clear water used for baptisms in St Piran’s Church further up the hill.

    A warm welcome greeted us at the Royal Oak. Tim and his team tempted us with four real ales from Penzance Brewery including Ale Conner and West Coast Pale. After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon many of the group walked via the ‘Millennium Path’ up the hill to Perranwell station on the Truro to Falmouth branch line to catch the train home.

  • Cornwall CAMRA First "West First Friday" Social in St Ives Friday 6 May 2022

    Friday 6 May saw the initial West First Friday pub crawl arranged in the west of Cornwall Branch area by Jan Curtis who is the Social Secretary for this half of the county. Sixteen branch members, friends and members from Exeter and East Devon Branch descended on St Ives by train and bus. The weather was kind to us. Even the seagulls behaved themselves when we walked along bomb alley by the harbour.

    Some of us went in the Hain Line (Wetherspoon) for a pint and brunch while most of us met up at the Golden Lion where I had a nice pint of Skinner's Betty Stogs (yes I know my glass says Atlantic).

    Then along the narrow and bustling Fore Street to the Castle Inn for a pint of Skinner's Cornish Knocker this time.

    Next was the Lifeboat Inn on Wharf Road facing the harbour, where some of our party had difficulty finding the entrance (it is not that obvious, being in a neighbouring building). A pint of St Austell Hicks was my reward for finding the way in.

    Lastly, as it was past 4 o'clock opening time, a visit to the tiny Pilchard Press was called for. This is Cornwall’s first micro pub, which opened in 2016, slightly further along Wharf Road and genuinely difficult to find up a narrow alley. A range of beers was available directly from the cask. I enjoyed some Atlantic Sea Salt Stout.

    Eventually trains and buses beckoned so we ran the gauntlet of the seagulls again to make our way home. Thanks to Jan for organising such a pleasant day out. Check the Branch Diary page for the next West First Friday social. Hint: they are usually on the first Friday of the month...

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Cornwall CAMRA 2022 AGM at St Austell Brewery Saturday 2 April 2022

    Cornwall Branch of CAMRA was grateful to St Austell Brewery for hosting our 2022 AGM on Saturday 2 April in their grand Visitor Centre, which was our first AGM since 2019 thanks to COVID pandemic restrictions. Members turned out from all over Cornwall and we welcomed our Regional Director for the South West Region, Pete Bridle.

    After the AGM business, a hearty pasty lunch and the opportunity for members to raise branch business, we presented a certificate to the Brewery for achieving a finalist position in the 2020 CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain competition for their superb hoppy ale Proper Job.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • Driftwood Spars Beer Festival social Tuesday 8 March 2022

    There was a good turnout of CAMRA members from Cornwall and beyond for "The Light, The Dark, The Saison" Beer Festival at the Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove near St Agnes on 4 March. The weather was good but most people resisted the temptation to run down to the sea but huddled around the festival bar to sample twelve special beers on the menu brewed by Driftwood and half a dozen other breweries. The styles ranged from zesty pale ales at 3.8% alcohol up to mind-blowing Imperial Stouts at 11%. There were milds, including Pete's Mild, a rare light mild in memory of our late friend and former brewer Pete Martin, saisons, fruity amber ale, IPA and a Burton Ale. As if that wasn't enough, there were further beers in the main bar. Excellent food was available from the Driftwood kitchen. Conversation and laughter ruled supreme and the only sad bit was staggering up the hill to get the bus home.

    Cheers, Steve Barber

  • CAMRA Kernow's Twixmas 2021 Thursday 30 December 2021

    Thursday 30th December saw the return of Cornwall CAMRA’S annual Twixmas event. The meeting point this year was the Packet Station, the Wetherspoon pub in Falmouth. Here, Thornbridge ‘Jaipur’ was one of several ales available and it was lovely to see CAMRA membership leaflets prominently displayed just inside the door.

    Our second venue was the traditional Seven Stars. Here, expecting the event to be well attended, we had reserved the recently refurbished upstairs ‘old bottle store’. It was a great space for us like-minded ale drinkers to get together and sample beers served on gravity. The atmosphere was very convivial and numbers swelled as more folk headed up the stairs to join the group. It was particularly good to welcome some members who we have not seen since pre-Covid times!

    In smaller sub-groups we then made our way around the corner to Beerwolf Books. The ping-pong table was set up on the day and some members took the opportunity to enjoy a game or two! As is often the case in Beerwolf Books, a range of ales styles was available. Several members took the opportunity to sample Penzance Brewery ‘Scilly Stout’ which had been aged in a port barrel especially for the festive season!

    For some members the next venue was the Oddfellows Arms. This back street pub with a good local following had been popular on our Falmouth Ale Trails event. Due to the compact size of this pub, we had pre-booked the back room with the landlady, Vicky. Here Treen’s Essential was one of the three ales available and members enjoyed good conversation around the pool table. It was nice to find out that we had been joined by members from Plymouth, Cardiff and Surrey/Hants Borders branches.

    Our final venue was the ‘front bar on Custom House Quay Although under new management, this bar is being run very much as it always was with a great selection of ales available. For those of us that enjoy dark beers, we were lucky to find two stouts available! Dividing ourselves between tables we all managed to find seats and enjoy the well served ales in the friendly environment. With the ‘front being a short easy stroll to Falmouth Town station it was easy for members to make their way home on the Truro to Falmouth branch line. A good day was enjoyed by all.

  • Mine week at The Pilchard Press, St. Ives Monday 6 December 2021

    The Pilchard Press in St Ives is this week showcasing beers from Cornwall's newest and probably smallest brewery. They are Mine Brewery from St Ives Casks of Best Bitter, Consols Bitter, Cousin Jack APA and IN Vein Stout should all be available at some point and maybe even some bottles of Imperiel Stout