CAMRA, Herts & Essex Borders Branch

Pubwatch, January 2009

 

Foreword

 

Up until now, Pubwatch has been distributed only to “active members.” From this issue, it is being sent to all Herts & Essex branch members. I hope that you will find it interesting and informative.  Views and comments are individual offerings, published in good faith. Comments, updates and corrections will be appreciated. Note, you will only receive future editions if you remain a member; should you wish not to do so, please contact pubs@heb-camra.org.uk. 

 

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Latest Pub News

 

(Note, details on Hertfordshire pubs can be found at www.pubs.hertsale.org.uk. The Essex version will be available later this year).

 

 

 The Rainbow & Dove at Hastingwood has been bought from Punch by the sitting tenants who are keen to improve the real ale range. On a recent visit, I found their Everard’s Tiger in good form.

 

 

The Cottage Loaf, Debden has new lessees

 

 

The Fox & Hounds at Hunsdon, formerly a regular Good Beer Guide entry, was removed because members felt it was too much of a restaurant and not somewhere to go just for a drink.  On a recent visit, I found the drinking area somewhat limited; whilst fine for small numbers, it could get a little crowded.  The beer was good but a little expensive at £3.30 for a ping of Buntingford Highwayman.

The Lord Louis at Stanstead Abbots has been freshened up by the new host, Kevin Verrent who is keen to promote real ale.  There are four Fuller’s ales on pump which, apart from London Pride, rotate.  Kevin is no newcomer to the real ale scene as he also runs the successful North Star pub in Leytonstone which regularly has 7 ales on pump. 

 

 

On the outskirts of our area, the White Horse at High Cross (on the old A10 north of Wadesmill) is worth a visit.  Although food orientated (they do a very good “black rock” grill) there is a separate drinkers only bar and also room in front of the real fire to enjoy a warming pint.  Guest beers vary and whilst on an unlucky winter day there may be only one on offer whilst lines are being cleaned, there are normally two available and three during the summer.

The Red Cow in Bishops Stortford, one of our LocAle pubs was serves Buntingford beers alongside GK Abbot and IPA. Recent surveys have confirmed all beers are top quality

 

The Essex Skipper in Harlow is closed.

 

In Hatfield Broad Oak, the Cock has changed hands.  The new hosts are currently consulting the regulars on what changes and improvements can be made.

 

 

The Hoops at Perry Green, owned by the Henry Moore Foundation, is currently closed for refurbishment.  A Spring re-opening is forecast.

 

 

Surveys- as a branch, we regularly survey pubs in the area and as a member you can take part in this. A simple on-line survey form is available on the branch web-site (heb-camra.org.uk) and all comments are welcome.  Your information is vital in keeping track of what is happening in our area and in compiling the Good Beer Guide.

 

 

 

Branch Meetings

 

Monday 11th January 2010:  Queen’s Head, Churchgate Street

 

Monday8th February 2010: Rising Sun, High Wych (Annual General Meeting). (Will  Include voting for new officers, selection of 2011 GBG entrants and voting for branch Pub of the Year).

 

To book the mini-bus for these meetings, contact Gavin on mini-bus@heb-camra-org.uk

or call him on 0782 544 6586 

 

 

Good Beer Guide 2011

 

Just got your head round the 2010 edition?  As a branch we are now coming up to our busiest quarter of the year.  At our January meeting, we will be reviewing our short list of pubs for inclusion in the 2011 GBG.  Extensive surveying is already being carried out and a final decision made at the AGM in February.  As a cross-border branch, Herts & Essex Borders members are able to select pubs for both the Essex and Hertfordshire sections.

 

Our “allocation” is 8 for each county and the short-list is shown below.  We would like to encourage all members to take part in the selection process and surveys from these pubs will be welcomed.  And to cap it all, why don’t you get along to the selection meeting to vote in person. And forget about drinking and driving- mini-bus transport is provided to all meetings for a small charge.

 

Essex Pubs                                                                                          Hertford Pubs

 

Axe & Compasses*       Aythorpe Roding          CM6 1PP

Cock*                           Hatfield Broad Oak                                           Castle*                         Bishop’s Stortford            CM23 3TG

Forest Gate*                 Epping                         CM16 4DZ                     Chequers*                    Wareside                      SG12 7QY

Forresters                    High Ongar                  CM5 9NH                      Fox & Hounds              Hunsdon                      SG12 8NH

Queen’s Head*             Churchgate Street        CM17 0JT                     Gate*                            Sawbridgeworth            CM21 9JJ

Queen’s Head*             Fyfield                          CM5 0RY                      Half Moon*                   Bishop’s Stortford            CM23 2LD

Moletrap*                     Tawney Common         CM16 7PU                    Jolly Brewers*              Bishop’s Stortford            CM23 3BQ

Victoria*                       Loughton                     IG10 4BP                      Lord Louis                   Stanstead Abbots            SG12 8AG

William Aylmer*           Harlow                         CM20 1DG                    Old Crown                    Hadham Cross             SG10 6DF                                                                                                                     Plume of Feathers            Pye Corner                   CM20 2RD       

                                                                                                            Prince of Wales*           Green Tye                    SG10 6JP

                                                                                                            Queen’s Head*             Allens Green                CM21 0LS

                                                                                                            Red Cow                      Bishop’s Stortford            CM23 5HL

                                                                                                            Rising Sun*                  High Wych                   CM21 0HZ

·         Indicates 2010 entry.

 

 

Forthcoming events

 

from 3rd January           start using your new allocation of vouchers     JD Wetherspoon          

 

21st January                  Hertfordshire Branches Liaison Meeting           Wenlock Arms

                                                                                                                                    Wenlock Rd, London, N1 7TA

                                                                                                                                               

 

21st to 23rd January       3rd Colchester Winter Ale Festival                     Colchester Arts Centre, CO1 1NF

                                                                                                                                    12 noon to 11.00 pm.                                       

 

26th January                 Essex Branches Liaison Meeting                      Eagle & Child, Shenfield, CM15 8RG

 

Supermarket Shopping

As the fore-runner in action against binge drinking the Borough of Oldham is proposing that all supermarkets adopt the following measures:

1-      The creation of an in-store designated alcohol zone (typically two aisles) with a clear ‘gateway’ to the zone

2-     A ban on running cheap drinks promotions outside that zone

3-     A ban on unaccompanied under 18’s inside the zone

4-     A  requirement for a security officer to be on duty during trading hours inside the zone

5-     A limit on the size of promotional material for cheap drinks promotions (maximum 20cm x 10cm)

I’m not sure what we sensible drinkers think but obviously the supermarket bosses don’t like it- a spokesperson said “We are looking in to this matter and seeking an urgent meeting with council officials to discuss what they are proposing…we do not believe minimum pricing will address the issue of alcohol misuse. As we are making clear in Scotland minimum pricing punishes the poor and is illegal under UK and European law."

The action follows Oldham’s recent purge on town centre pubs and clubs who faced similar license reviews and curbs on in-house drinks promotions including post office style queuing for drinks

We must be drinking more..

Marjoram Leisure Limited, which currently operates our Good Beer Guide listed pub, the Axe & Compasses at Aythorpe Roding, has bought the Angel & Harp in Dunmow and the King’s Arms in Broomfield.  Good luck to David and Sheila and it will be no bad thing if the beer in their two latest pubs comes up to the standard set at the Axe & Compasses.

 

 

And we wonder about safe streets

Picture this.  You are having a quiet drink in the local when a man walks in leading a woman with a yoke around her neck.  He orders himself a drink, finishes it and then goes outside where he auctions off the woman to the highest bidder.  Did someone call the police- you bet they did and the man was promptly arrested for selling goods without a license. This is a true story about the George & Dragon in Epping, albeit from 1830.  Strangely, no-one recorded what happened to the woman.

 

February issue date is 19th January 2010.  Comments and contributions welcome- Ivan Bullerwell - Branch Pubs Officer