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