9

East Cheshire Pubs for WalkersFollowing a walk in Lyme Park we stopped for lunch at the Boar’s Head in Higher Poynton for lunch and foundgood food at a reasonable price with well kept ales to wash it down. We chose the soup and sandwich offer for£5.95 and thoroughly enjoyed the freshly made mushroom soup, sandwich, good size portion of chips and salad.There’s a choice of three cask ales. The Boar’s Head can be found by the Nelson Pit visitor centre by the formerHigher Poynton railway station. It is handily placed for the Macclesfield canal, hiking in the hills, cycling orwalking the Middlewood Way or following a visit to the nearby Anson Engine Museum.

In the Peak a couple of Cheshire pubs at Kettleshulme well worth a visit are the Swan, with a good reputation forits food and choice of ales from independent breweries and the Bull’s Head. They form a good base for a hike upto Windgather rocks and Shining Tor with an hourly bus daytime Monday to Saturday between Macclesfield andWhaley Bridge.

Dear Editor,In December, I walked the 35-mile Gritstone Trail walkin the western edge of Peak District. I stayed at the cosyHill Top Farm in Wincle, and ate out at the wonderfulRose and Crown, which is "just down the lane" fromWincle. Their home-cooked cottage pie was delicious andI sampled a pint each of Dizzy Blonde and Unicorn, bothtop-rate ales. They had a special 8% "winter warmer",which I had to avoid because of the walk back to thefarmhouse along the lane in the dark. Well down to the

Rose & Crown!AH

[The Rose & Crown is a Robinson’s houseand their web-site www.theroseandcrown.netis an excellent example of how a business canpromote itself.Unicorn is a regular Robinson’s best bitter,Dizzy Blonde is a seasonal speciality cask aleand the strong ale was Old Tom, a much-loved favourite of beer fans in the north West.Ed.]

GEORGE & DRAGONMiddlewich RoadHolmes ChapelCheshireCW4 7EAph: 01477 537785fax: 01477 537848

Warm friendly atmosphereFour Robinsons cask alesFresh home cooked foodavailable dailyLive music Saturday nights& the last Thursday of the monthLarge outdoor heated patio areaEarly Diners’ menuMonday to Friday

A few CAMRA members ventured out in the wind andcold to the Society Rooms in Macclesfield. FourHawkshead beers on the bar, all in superb conditionand temperature. Hawkshead Bitter (very tasty despitelow strength), Red, Lakeland Gold and Brodies Prime(dark and lovely) all at an amazing £1.29 a pint. I keptgetting out far too much money to pay. If you want anexample of a pub that caters to all ages in Macclesfield,the Society Rooms wins hands down. This is the placefor the younger clientele to be exposed to beer and atthis price they might even be tempted to try on pricealone. I had the curry meal with drink for £5.10. Thaigreen curry to be specific - very tasty. The staff werepleasant at all times, even chatty behind the bar.

10

Cold Comfort In CongletonI ventured out on Sunday evening to check out the goings on in some local hostelries. The bitterly cold weatherhad clearly kept less sturdy souls indoors and none of the pubs we visited was particularly busy.First port of call was the Antelope at the bottom of Lawton Street. This had been closed for some time and prior tothat, hadn't sold real ale in the twelve years I've lived in Congleton. But that was then...and now, they have two realales on offer; Marston's Pedigree and Jennings' Cumberland Ale. The latter was very acceptable. On the door was aposter advertising the fact that February was "Cask Ale Month" with a list of various Marston's & Jennings' beersthat will be on offer this month and also, at least one from Wychwood. Certainly worth popping in and showingyour support for our latest cask conversion.

I had arranged to meet a pal at the Music Box (formerly the Lion & Bell). However, there was no real ale available.The three hand pumps all had pump clips turned round. The main selling point of this venue was that it staged livemusic. In my experience, many people who like live pub music also enjoy a pint of real ale. We later learned that ithas closed with a sign in the window saying "closed due to repossession".

After a brief discussion, we decided to head across town and visit The Club in Canal Street. We were greeted by achoice Robinson's Unicorn, Thornbridge Jaipur IPA and - I hope you're sitting down - Greene King Abbot Ale.The Jaipur was in very good form, the Unicorn less so. To be honest, it was OK, and I'll admit I'm not much of afan, but I have had better. We got into a conversation with Steve & Michelle who are running the place and thereare some very encouraging signs. A fourth hand pump is to be installed imminently and alongside the Abbot andthe Unicorn will be a couple of guests, including LocAle. Steve is keen to set up a micro-brewery and is lookinginto this with some urgency. He's decided that he wants to go down the real ale route; he has a particular clientelein mind for the venue, and that includes real ale drinkers! It is a members’ club, but the indication is that CAMRAmembers would be welcome at any time. It's likely to be busy on Friday & Saturday, with music part of the week-end offering. I would encourage anyone in the area to support this venture.

Finally, across the canal and the railway to the Railway. The busiest pub of the evening, although the guy behindthe bar wasn't exactly rushed off his feet. Greene King IPA and the ubiquitous Abbot were on offer here, with twopump clips turned round, one of which was the also ubiquitous Pedigree. The IPA was pleasant enough and Johnhad no complaints re the Abbot.

The Queen's is advertising as the place to watch the Six Nations; with six nations themedbeers. Additionally, Tuesdays are now "Ale Nights", with cask ale a mere £2 per pint.CAMRA members are specifically welcomed!  There's certainly a commitment to real alejudging by this, and the quality was fine last Sunday.After the Antelope's decision to make February Real Ale Month, it seems that Congletonpublicans have realised that the best way to attract a regular and loyal clientele is to have aquality real ale offer.Also in the "Chronicle", there's an editorial piece about Congleton town centre being a safeplace to have a drink on a Saturday evening, and suggesting that readers should go outthere and support their local pubs. Seems like a good idea to me!

Congleton Beer FestivalCongleton Leisure Centre will be holding its 7thAnnual March Beer Mini-Festival between 4th and 7thMarch. A popular fixture in the Congleton calendar,this event will once again see 20 varied real ales onoffer throughout the 4 days whilst stocks last. It islikely that the vast majority of the ales on offer willbe new to the Leisure Centre, and probably the townitself.A Festival glass and programme will cost £2. It ishoped that there will be musical entertainment on theThursday and Saturday evenings.Outside of the Festival, the Leisure Centre continuesto sell a rotating Copper Dragon beer on one handpump as well as two further real ales, generally frommicros, although occasionally a more well-known beeris stocked. For anyone who can't make the Marchevent, it is planned to repeat last year's successfulOctober event later in the year.

The Davenport Arms at Marton has added a fourthhand pump and we hear that turnover is sufficient tomaintain quality. We also hear encouraging noisesabout the food here.

In our last issue, on page three, we ran an article onthe pub closures crisis, stressing the steps that werebeing taken by CAMRA and the government to helpthe position. We illustrated it, as you would expectwith an attractive picture of a community pub, just tolet you know what you need to protect.We were not to know however, that the pictured pub,the Crown in Goostrey had been the subject of localspeculation about closure. While we did not mentionthe Crown as being at risk, we apologise for addinginadvertently to any confusion or doubt in Goostrey.Licensees Cynthia and Gerry Bridgwood assure methat they have dropped any plans to sell up and retireand that they now plan to remain at the helm of theCrown for years to come. Excellent news.

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The Stag’s HeadMill Lane, Great Warford

Nr Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7TY

Traditional Country Pub

(Boddingtons, Tim Taylor’s Landlord,Black Sheep)

Large Beer GardenFood served Monday-Saturday 12-2 & 6.30-9.30

Sunday Lunch 12-2

Tel 01565-872350Fax 01565-889073

E-mail reservation@stagshead.com

GOODBEER

GUIDE

Marquee areaBarbecues

Private partiesOutside catering

WHAT’S IN A NAME - UNIQUE PUB NAMESThis series has concentrated until now on pub names appearing three times or more in the East Cheshire branch.By way of a change, and as multiple pub names are getting harder to find, this issue highlights three pubs withnames which are unusual and probably unique, though it is realised that making such a claim always runs the riskof somebody proving otherwise.

Certainly unique is the Bells of Peover. This pub, in a cluster ofbuildings variously described as Little Peover, Lower Peover orPeover Inferior, stands next to the old school and St Oswald’schurch, both of which have bells, and this often gives the falseimpression that the name comes from the sound of the bells.The pub stands on land originally occupied by a priest’s house anddates from 1569. It is thought to have been originally named theSwan’s Neck. In the mid 19th century, one George Bell became land-lord and with his wife ran the pub (and brewed beer there) for fiftyyears. They renamed the pub the Warren de Tabley Arms, after thelocal landowner, and that family’s crest is still displayed on the wallof the pub. George Bell and his wife died within five days of oneanother in 1898 and are buried in St Oswald’s churchyard. In theirhonour the pub name was changed again to Bell’s of Peover.It is now in the Chef & Brewer chain and was painted outside andredecorated inside late in 2008. Many of the artefacts insidecommemorate the fact that Generals Eisenhower and Patten met inthe pub in 1944 to plan the Normandy invasion, at the time whenPatten was billeted at nearby Peover Hall. The Union Flag and Starsand Stripes are still flown side by side outside the building.The pub has a tiny snug with real fire on the right as you enter, tworeal ales are usually on hand pump, and as is normal for a Chef &Brewer pub, food is available all day, every day.

The Fool’s Nook, about two miles out of Macclesfield on the Leek Road is another pub which has seen a change ofidentity since its opening. The hamlet in which it stands is Oakgrove, but a photograph inside is titled “The RoyalOak at Sutton”. The Macclesfield canal stands at the opposite side of the road from the pub and the swing bridgeon the side road to Gawsworth is known as Royal Oak Bridge. The name Fool’s Nook was officially adopted in

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Fresh Beer, Fresh Food, Traditional Ideas

Cask Ales Including Timothy Taylors Landlord, TetleysCask & Old Speckled Hen plus guest beers such as

Black Sheep Best and Hook Norton Old Hooky.

The Roebuck in Mobberley and The Windmill in Whiteley Green are country pubs servingfresh food, cask ales and decent wine. They source local fresh ingredients for their chefs toprepare classic British dishes, sometimes with a twist to suit many tastes. They also take the

same care with their beer and try, where possible, to keep them as local as they can. Theyserve food every lunch time and evening and all day at the weekends and they also have anextensive wine list, many of which are by the glass. Booking is always recommended and

why not take a look at their new websites.

www.theroebuck.comwww.thewindmill.info

01625 574 222

01565 873 322

GOODBEER

GUIDE

1962, though for years before it had been known locally as “The Nook”. The most likely explanation for the nameis that it was the drinking retreat (nook or corner) for the resident fool or jester from Gawsworth Hall, one Samuel(Maggoty) Johnson, the last professional jester to be retained by an English stately home. A less likely version isthat the severe corner on the road used to cause foolish motorists to run into the canal!The Fools Nook is now in the care of the McGrath family, who had previous long periods at the helm of the RedLion, Goostrey, Crown at Goostrey and the Hanging Gate at Sutton. As is customary with their pubs, there is abias towards the serving of good quality food, but the quality of beer can usually be relied upon to match. The pubconsists of a single large comfortable room with a central bar dispensing two real ales (Thwaites Original & LeesJohn Willie’s in early January). Opening times are 12 to 3 pm and 6.30 pm onwards except on Sundays when thepub is open all day.

On Main Street in Langley, in a long terrace of cottages, stands theSt Dunstan. Perhaps surprisingly, this is thought to be the only pub inthe country carrying that name. Misconceptions abound that the nameis associated with the charity St Dunstan’s, which was founded in1915 by Sir Arthur Pearson, who also founded the Daily Express, butthis charity was in fact named after a clock in Regent’s Park London.There is documentary evidence in the St Dunstan that the pub carriedthat name in 1825, so it would seem to be named after the little knownsaint who was born in Somerset in 909 and became Archbishop ofCanterbury before his death in 988. The etched glass windowsillustrate St Dunstan, the pub sign proclaims St Dunstan, but the lampover the entrance announces St Dunstan’s Inn! No explanation hasbeen found to explain why a pub in Langley should be alone in takingits name from a Somerset-born saint.The pub is a typical country local, with bar and lounge areas, both withreal fires, and a pool room. Richard Maurice, a long time resident ofLangley, runs the pub, and invites his locals to choose his guest beer,which supplements the regular Banks Bitter. Food does not feature,but drinkers are encouraged to bring their own or order takeawaysto eat in the pub, crockery and cutlery provided. Note that, contraryto the information in the 2009 Good Beer Guide, the pub does notopen on weekdays until 5pm, but a visit in daylight is recommendedto enjoy the view from the bar of birds and squirrels at the foot ofTegg’s Nose.

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Three Award-Winning Ales from our range of Fourteen Cask Conditioned BeersBottle Conditioned Beers are now available; let us quote you for your own

labelled bottles for corporate promotions, birthdays, weddings, christenings etc.

SalesTelephone & Fax;01625 – 431234

Storm Brewing CoLtd

2, WatersideMacclesfield

Macclesfield Pub NewsWe’ve plenty of good news in Macclesfield. After some months being closed, the Bate Hall in the heart of theshopping area on Chestergate has reopened offering two Marston’s ales plus a guest. On Park Lane, close to town,the former Ivy House is thriving as the Last Orders with a couple of ever changing real ales at reasonable prices.On my visits a LocAle, Macclesfield’s Storm has been in cracking form.In the outskirts, two former deserts have beenoffering cask for the first time in a good while.At Broken Cross, the Pack Horse is serving one alefrom the Punch Finest list. Landlord Paul explainedhe has installed new lines and we found ShepherdNeame Canterbury Jack in good condition. We’vealso found Titanic, Mordue and an excellentNewman’s Red Castle Cream.The branch is due to visit the Pack Horse along withthe Bull’s Head (Boddingtons plus two guests) andCock at Henbury (Robinsons) in a wander in earlyMarch.On the Moss, the Golden Lion has been putting a toein the market with BombardierThe Crown on Bond St. has been under new manage-ment for a few months and is offering three casks ales,with cracking good Bass, regular Tetley mild and aguest. The landlord is very enthusiastic about his alesand the Crown is well worth a visit.A traditional back street local, the Crompton RoadTavern, has completed its internal renovation and is thriving with a couple of real ales. The Tavern has beenthoroughly redecorated and reupholstered, but keeps its traditional feel with four separate inside areas.During winter, a traditional local, the Dolphin up Windmill Street, has been serving Robinson's Old Tom inperfect condition. There’s also Unicorn, Hatters and the seasonal Robinson's brew. The Dolphin is a stalwart inthe Macclesfield bar skittles league.Another Robinson’s house, the Flower Pot at Congleton Road crossroads near the Learning Zone, has added aseasonal brew to the ever excellent Unicorn. This a popular pub with all ages, from students through to maturediners, and children welcome to eat early evening. Main meals cost £8-9 and the children’s menu has real food, not just the usual junk. As well as the lounge area, there’s a games room with darts and pool and a large garden.

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Your hosts,Brian & Tracy

96 Waters Green,Macclesfield

Opposite theRailway Station

Real Cider now sold!Ever changing guest beers

Including Enville, Taylors, Roosters,Phoenix, Whim & Caledonian

Good Beer Guide 2008CAMRA Pub of the Year 1999

Bar meals servedMonday to Saturday lunch

No plastic food!Real Chips!

This is not a free house.

THE WATERS GREEN TAVERN

GOODBEER

GUIDE

Wilmslow WanderingsThe Rifleman's ReloadsRecent visits to the Rifleman's have seen an abundance of customers. The quiz nightsare back on Thursdays and Sundays, while music nights are also on the agenda.Food is being introduced again too. And as for the real ale, they currently have SIX caskales, ie Boddington's, Theakston's, Ruddle’s County, Deuchars IPA, Black Sheep andOld Speckled Hen. Well worth checking out.

Good News at the Bollin FeeFollowing the Autumn Pub of the Season Award presented to the Bollin Fee inNovember, I am pleased to report the pub is continuing to develop its real ale pedigree (in more ways than one...).I popped in a couple of weeks ago to talk to Richard Cripps, the manager, and was encouraged by his positiveattitude. The 99p Greene King promotion had just started and had proved very popular, with them regularly sellingout of it. Whilst we do not condone long term drinking at this price, we do recognise that it can encourage peopleto visit the pub and over time hopefully lead them to experiment with other styles of ale. Richard indicated hewas willing to source locally, and although they are based in Staffordshire, he had built up a good relationshipwith Slater's and Titanic in particular who were reliable to do business with.We discussed the age old problem of how to persuade drinkers yet to try real ale to take the plunge. So watch outfor the possibility of free real ale 'shots' with a pint of John Smiths Smooth ...Finally, planned events for the future include a LocAle Beer Festival comprising breweries from around Cheshireand Greater Manchester. This will be run instead of their standard monthly beer festival during the first week ofthe month (the actual month is yet to be decided). Also, Richard is keen to host a Meet The Brewer evening - astandard Wetherspoon offering elsewhere and one that would be very welcome here.

….and at the UnicornThere was general dismay when the Unicorn on Adlington Road closed without warning just before Christmaswhen the owners, the Orchid Group, went into administration. The good news is that the pub was open forbusiness again by the middle of January having reverted to its previous owners, the Spirit Group, the managedhouse arm of Punch Taverns. Geraint arrived as an Orchid relief manger in December and had the unnervingexperience of having to close the pub two days later. However he and his staff were taken on by Spirit and the pubis now operating much as before except in one sad respect - no LocAle. The pub used to be a haven in Wilmslowof Cheshire brewed ale - from Storm and Northern Breweries; but sadly from now on we’ll only see beers fromSpirit’s standard list which includes none brewed closer than Liverpool. Those available on a recent visit wereBlack Sheep, Bombardier and Landlord.

REALALES...

.REAL FIRES.....REAL FRIENDLY...

BYRONS LANE01625 423657

REAL ALES SUN PATIO POOL CARDS DOMINOSDARTS SUNDAY NIGHT QUIZ JAM SESSIONS

MONDAY NIGHT FREE POOL & REAL ALES £1.90 PER PINT !

Brian & Zarawelcome all our regulars and new customers

Spring 2009BEER FESTIVAL 27th - 28th March

OPENINGHOURSMON-THURS

6PM - CLOSE

FRIDAY4PM - CLOSE

SAT - SUN12NOON - CLOSE

Macclesfield

16

The Dog InnWell Bank Lane

Peover Heath, near KnutsfordCask Ales from Weetwood,

Hydes and MoorhousesCopper Dragon

CAMRA Pub of the Season (Spring 2008)Traditional English Home-cooked food

Served 12-2.30, 7-9.30 (12-8.30 Sunday)Regular theme nights and music

Quiz nightsThursday & Sunday

Happy Hour 5-7

6 en-suite roomsTel 01625-861421

Fax 864800

GOODBEER

GUIDE

Focus On ....The Rectory No. 6 in our series of pubs in WilmslowThe Rectory has a reputation as one of the most trendy drinking houses in Wilmslow but that in no way should putyou off if all you’re looking for a is a decent pint. In common with the Bollin Fee, just across the road andpreviously featured in this series, it’s a lively place frequented by the young Wilmslow set on Friday and Saturdaynights and best avoided on those evenings unless you enjoy that sort of thing. However the rest of the week it’s aconvivial place to drop into for a pint, with or without a meal.

Once the grand home of the Rector of St Bartholomew’s Churchjust down the hill, it became a pub about 15 years ago. It is amanaged house within the Ember Inns group; the upmarket pubchain within the Michells and Butler stable. The pub is currentlymanaged by Mimi who hails from Bulgaria where she learned barmanagement before moving to the UK with her husband 14 yearsago. She moved to the Rectory in June last year from a similarestablishment in Holmes Chapel. Ember’s commitment to real aleis shared by Mimi. The pub is Cask Marque accredited andusually three hand pumps are in use although the good news is thatafter a refurbishment planned for the Spring five pumps on themain bar will provide five different ales. Recently the beers werethe old favourites of Bombardier, Landlord and Black Sheep, thelatter priced at a very reasonable £1.89. There are often moreesoteric guest beers. Mimi is keen to supply LocAle but as in most

managed pubs she is restricted to the beer range offered her by her pub company. She will however be keeping aneye open for any Cheshire brewed ales that appear on the list in the future.The pub has a large open plan layout on two levels with a sweeping staircase to an upper floor. The atmosphere isrelaxed with a good mix of easy chairs and sofas for relaxing and tables for dining. The comprehensive menu isreasonably priced, with food available all day until 9pm. Tuesday is grill night and Thursday curry night. On bothnights a meal and a pint can be obtained for only £5.99. There are two quiz nights; Sunday and Wednesday andMimi is soon to start monthly Jazz evenings. They hold regular charity nights and host the local MS Society lunchon the second Monday of each month. The pub has a large and pleasant outdoor drinking area, popular during thesummer months. It’s located on Station Road, handily placed across the road from the railway station.The Rectory isn’t a simple town centre boozer but it is an excellent example of its type: a modern, spacious,sophisticated watering hole which nevertheless serves a good value, good quality pint. Opening hours are 11.30-11 Sunday to Thursday and 11.30 – 1am Friday and Saturday.

17

The Crown Inn

Crown LaneLower Peover, Knutsford

GOODBEER

GUIDE

Come try our excellent freshly cookedfood and good range of fine cask ales.

Varied specials menuFood served every day

12 – 2 and 6.30 – 9.15 (12 – 7 Sundays)

Thursday Quiz (9 pm) tel. 01565 – 722074 Pub of the Season

Autumn 2005

76 Windmill Street, Macclesfieldoff the southern end of the Silk Road

A friendly traditional street-corner local.

“This is a true community local, with darts,dominoes and crib teams, and is popular with

several generations of local families.”Robinson’s Hatter’s Mild and

seasonal beers always available,plus the award winning Old Tomstrong ale in the Winter months.

Home cooked foodis available at lunchtime.CAMRA Pub of the Season,

Winter 2002

Open 12-2.30 & 5.30-11 (Sunday all day)GOOD-BEER

GUIDE

Langley and Sutton WanderThis is probably best started by taking the number 14 bus from Macclesfield to its terminus in Langley. It runshourly Monday to Saturday, but only occasionally on Sunday. On leaving the bus there’s a choice of routes to theLeathers Smithy: up the main road; round Bottoms reservoir; or set off up Cock Hall Lane towards MacclesfieldForest and then take one of the paths to where the pub overlooks the Ridgegate reservoir.

The Leathers Smithy is popular with diners and offers three well known regulars plus a guest that was anenjoyable Jennings Cross Buttock at our visit. On a sunny day it’s wonderful to sit at one of the benches at thefront of the pub enjoying the views up to the Forest and the hills beyond.

Returning to Langley you’ll find the St Dunstan (left) which is a welcoming village local.Beware, it is closed Monday to Friday lunchtimes contrary to some guides. Here you’llfind one or two Marston's ales and usually an interesting guest. The Ugly Sisters was ingood form. Not having the facilities to prepare food, the pub encourages customers to or-der in their own take away meals providing the crockery and cutlery. The pool table is free.Having visitors from Stourbridge CAMRA anxious to try our LocAle Storm beers, thelandlord kindly rang Dave at the brewery who confirmed we’d find some at the RailwayView.Heading back to Sutton, the Church House(pictured right) has had its lease for sale forsome time but remains open with a choiceof four cask ales. Goffs Jouster and Unicornwent down well with our sandwiches.From here we continued walking to theOld King’s Head that’s been under newmanagement for a while and welcomed uswith a selection of three casks. ThwaitesOriginal was good.

On this occasion, we bypassed nearby Sutton Hall that’s has goodreviews since reopening and headed back to the Railway View,timing our arrival just as Macclesfield Town’s cup match against Everton started and thus avoided the crowds.The Railway is one of Macclesfield’s premier real ale pubs with four to eight beers in varying styles and strengths,all from independent breweries. There’s also real cider and they hold regular beer festivals.

From here it was 10-15 minutes walk back to town to complete an excellent afternoon out.

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NORTH CHESHIRECovers Warrington and Vale Royal, including Frodsham, Lymm and Northwich.Halton has its own active Branch, covering Runcorn and WidnesMeetings are usually held in the Warrington/Northwich area, with regular surveys of outlying areas.Beer Festivals are held every year, at Northwich

New members and formerly inactive members are especially welcome.

Branch contacts; Nick Bosley 01925 837538 or chairman@camranorthcheshire.org.ukGary Chester 07976 268353 or secretary@camranorthcheshire.org.uk

Out Inn Cheshire articles or adverts: Jeff Bouch, 01925 654905 or jeff_bouch@hotmail.comIf anything of remotest interest is happening in your local, let these guys know!

Visit our North Cheshire CAMRA web-site www.camranorthcheshire.org.uk

CAMRA DIARYFeel free to call us for more information.

Events start at 8 pm unless specified otherwise.

Tue 10 March; Pubs Survey of Lower Whitley & Little Leigh (Meet Chetwode Arms)Sun 29 March; Branch Meeting - Star, StathamTue 7 April; Branch Meeting - Ring o' Bells, WarringtonWed 29 April; Pubs Survey of Grappenhall (Meet Ram’s Head)Fri-Sat 1-2 May; Frodsham Beer Festival (Non-CAMRA)Tue 5 May; Branch AGM - Albion, WarringtonFri-Sat 15-16 May; Grappenhall Beer Festival (Non CAMRA)Wed 20 May; Committee Meeting - Hare & Hounds, CrowtonSat 30 May; Mild Minibus Crawl of Branch Area (all day event)1 to 7 June; Local Pubs Week. Watch for details on the web-site and in the next issue but will include;Tue 2 June; Pub of the Year PresentationSat 6 June; Community Pub of the Year Presentation

“Real food,Cask Alesand no bullshit….”Matthew Mooney

19

COMFORTABLE GILL INNGood, home cooked food served every day

from 12.00 to 7.30.Bed & Magnificent BreakfastBeer Garden and Pets Corner

Ample car parkingMarquee for special events

Victor & staff welcome you to458 Warrington Road, Glazebury

Cheshire WA3 5NX01942 677742 07811 456193

The Barn OwlAgden Wharf

Warrington LaneLymm, WA13 0SW

01925 752020

Wide Range of Beers6 hand pumps

Holder of Cask MarqueBeautiful Beer Award (Gold) 2008

Walkers, Riders, Sailors,Senior Citizens, in fact, everyone

who appreciates a Warm WelcomeWith Fine Food & Great Beers

will find them at this Country Pubalongside the Canal.

Featured over many years inCAMRA Good Beer Guide

See website www.barnowlinn.co.ukGOODBEER

GUIDE

Northwich NatteringsThings seem to be taking a bit of a turn for the worse in the bottom end of town recently. We have recently seenthe Old Crown closed, with those awful metal shutters blocking all the windows. About the same time, after aprolonged length of closure the Beehive re-opened selling cask beer once more, including a real mild. Alas, thisrenaissance seems to have proved short-lived as on a recent Saturday lunch visit there was no real-ale to be seen –just a couple of banks of abandoned and unloved hand-pumps.

There was good news toward the end of 2008 with the opening of the Bridge Inn in the building that was previouslythe Garage and before that JW’s. In a departure from recent guises, it had set itself out to be a traditional pub,complete with five hand-pumps dispensing real ale. Alas, this too seems to be a short-lived blip, as the pub wasclosed on a recent visit with a “business opportunity” board up outside.

Elsewhere in town, the Penny Black continues to provide the best choice of real stuff in the area, whilst theAnderton’s short-lived experiment with putting a real ale right at the far end of the bar was perhaps always doomedto failure, and has now been discontinued. The Witton Chimes remains resolutely keg which is a shame, as Ibelieve that this is one venue that could probably sell a lot of real ale if it tried. The Green Dragon seems to havefinished with the real stuff but some brighter news at the Roebuck with this long-time keg pub (despite being aPorters Ale House) now once more seeing the light and getting real ale back behind the bar. Gary Chester

TARPORLEY DEVELOPMENTWe read that the Swan Hotel in Tarporley has acquired new tenants.

Edward Barlow and Simon Kalton have made clear their intention to emphasisetraditional ales and traditional British food. The Swan, on Tarporley’s attractivemain street, is around 400 years old and reopened recently after a refurbishment.There are 16 bedrooms and the pair plan to offer Bed and Breakfast.We have yet to fit in a visit, but in the meantime, we can tell you that LocAleWeetwood Cheshire Cat graces the bar, alongside Taylor’s Landlord, Black Sheepand Director’s. Weetwood brewery is about a mile away, so this certainly qualifiesas a “green” arrangement. .The food formula is apparently based around hearty British food, locally sourcedwherever possible. We are trying to persuade Gary Chester to add the Swan to hisbusy dining schedule so that we can bring you a report in the next issue.

20

ROCK ONSometimes for a pub to be successful, it needs to do something a little different from the mainstream. That some-thing different doesn’t have to be a wacky new idea that nobody has thought of before, and neither does it have toinvolve a new name and an attempt to become yet another circuit bar with a focus on high prices and bottled pop.

Tried and tested can and does work, and living proof of this is in the re-invigoration of Porters Ale House inWarrington. This place was renowned as being a bikers’ pub, but in common with so many other pubs in recenttimes, the real ale came out and the pub chain upped the prices, customers left and the pub struggled to find its way.Well all this has now changed – the pub is now a once-more thriving rock venue – Saturday night featuring loudand fast music to a pub that is packed to a level that hasn’t been seen for years. Unique in the town, the customershave flocked back. Not the place for a quiet drink maybe, and some people may find the number of tattoos andpiercings of some of the customers a little off-putting, but this just adds to the character and “feel” of this pub.

Of course, real ale has made a big come-back here too. Being a free house now offers the chance of some bravechoices – the easy option would be to take some of the more common national brands like Tetley or Bombardier,but they have chosen to go for beers with a little more edge – Hook Norton Hookey Gold and Okell’s SmokedCeltic Porter were the offerings on a recent Saturday, and at sensible prices. And no-one even minded if the odddrop got spilled as the air-guitar was played to the tune of Smoke on the Water. Gary Chester

The 2009 CAMRA Members’ Weekend & AGM is in Eastbourne from 17 to 19 April. Open to all members it isan opportunity to discuss future CAMRA policy and socialize with friends and other members. You can:• Review what has been happening at branch, regional and national level over the past year• Have a say in reviewing campaigning themes and forming policy• Hear guest speakers on issues related to beer, brewing and key campaigns• Meet up with CAMRA members from around the country, National Executive and HQ staff members• Discuss ideas regarding future CAMRA campaigns in workshops, policy discussion groups and seminars• Enjoy a few beers at the Members' bar, as a members’ beer festival is put on in conjunction with the AGM• Visit pubs in Eastbourne and the surrounding areas and visit local breweries on organised tripsYou can pre-register to attend online at www.camra.org.uk , and following the link from the Members’ Weekendpages. All CAMRA members are welcome to attend, whether this is their first or fifteenth Members’ Weekend,for an enjoyable and informative few days. The Members Weekend is just one of the benefits of joining CAMRA,so if you are not a member, why not join today by completing the form in this magazine, or by going on-line towww.camra.org.uk and clicking on ‘Join Us’.

21

Warrington South by Warrington Borough TransportAgain, as in the north crawl, aiming for a 12-ish pub arrival, start at Warrington Interchange by catching the 11:45number 45 service to Northwich using a Day Rover at £3-50.. Take the first stop after crossing the M56 at Stretton

and visit the Ring o’ Bells (note not Monday).This classic pub features three beers with Tetley bitter andFullers London Pride as regulars.

After this you may wish to retrace your steps and crossover the motorway or wait for the bus back (20 past thehour for one stop) and visit the Stretton Fox. Guest beershave started here, generally from the larger regionals,but we welcome your feedback. Working back towardsWarrington, whether straight away or after another hour,depart at the London Bridge where you will find a rangeof guest beers in this Spirit house.

Less waiting now, at the bus stop outside the LondonBridge catch service 6 or 7 to Grappenhall (bus stop about

100 yds short of turning over the canal to the village). Two pubs in the village to try are the Ram’s Head where alarge amount of money has been spent to make this into a flagship pub (generally a good range of beer but for aflagship would expect a bit more… why not a local beer). Next door is the Parr Arms, a smaller cosier pub butquite food orientated.

Back to the bus stop and catch a 6 into Lymm village. Bestchoice here is the Spread Eagle (Lees), Bull’s Head(Hydes) and Saddlers (free). Be wary however the last busout of Lymm by WBT is about 19:25 (number 5) so makesure you catch it otherwise you will need another ticket.

On your way back, dependent on the time you have left,you may wish to try the Red Lion in Stockton Heath(Tetley’s bitter and Marston’s Pedigree) and the Saracen’sHead on the Causeway (Lees). Catch the 7 in the evening,from about 20 to the hour and leave outside the closedYates’s and finish in the Lower Angel for a choice of up to8 beers.

Ring o’ Bells, Lower Stretton

Spread Eagle, Lymm

Aside from our ales line-up (usually 4-strong)

we serve a Hand-pulled Cider or Erdinger wheat beers

Weissbrau & Dunkelweiss Liefmans Kriek (Cherry) &

Timmermans Strawberry beer

A different world beer on draught monthly; for when you fancy a change

September:Grolsch Blonde – Netherlands. New to the UK on draughtOctober: Erdinger Oktoberfest – Germany. Have you seen it on draught?November:Elken Artois – Belgium. New to the UK on draughtDecember:Anchor Steam beer – USA – The real thing, Imported all this way

We serve lunch and dinner from our main menuTuesdays to Thursday 12noon – 2pm & 5pm – 8pmFridays 12noon – 9pm

Saturday meals are served from 10am to 5pmFrom our brand new ‘Albion All Day’ menu(formerly the famous Baltic Breakfast and Brunch menu).

Sunday lunchtimes are set aside for our all-home cookedSunday lunches, prepared with fresh ingredients onsite.Good value and are known to run out.Our roasts are served from 12noon to 5:30pm

22

The Bulls HeadOverton, Frodsham, Freehouse

Hostelry for the astute

Six fine, constantly changing real ales

Top quality fresh food at pub food prices

Superb traditional Sunday lunches. Monthly changing menu. Specials Board

Food served Tues-Sat 12-2 & 5.30-7.30 Sun 12-5

Booking required. Tel: 01928 733761

WA6 6BS

Diversify or Die?In these straitened times I have noted that thoselandlords who “think (and act) outside the box” areusually rewarded by extra custom. The ice skating rinkat the Oddfellows in Davenham, the snowmakingmachine at the Dog & Partridge are examples of one-off events to draw in the drinkers.. It may take courageand perseverance from some landlords to persuade theirPubCo masters to try different beers but one of theprime motivators to real ale addicts is the LocAleinitiative which is already proving a success in manypubs and clubs throughout the county.

Most people would agree that a pub that does not serve good food has a hard job attracting customers. There are,of course, notable exceptions like the Tavern and Ring Of Bells at Lower Stretton which offers pork pies andpackaged snacks to accompany the excellently kept beers.The Smoker and Ram’s Head offer breakfasts, the General Elliott has a steady stream of people popping in forearly morning coffee and cakes before the thirsty ramblers arrive to down one of the best pints of Timothy TaylorLandlord in the district.The landlord of the Red Bull has taken this a step further. Having invested heavily in a new kitchen and capitalisingon the talents of his chef he now offers “early doors take-aways” during the week and a bespoke outside cateringservice. “Diversify or die” seems to be the motto and war cry of many pubs.One pub that does seem to be packed most evenings is the Saracen’s Head in Warrington - the standard J W LeesBitter is a particular enticement to visit this ex Brewery Tap. Jeff Bouch

www.outinncheshire.co.ukThe independent Cheshire-wide Web-site for all your pub information.

Unsullied by advertising. No pop-ups.Just honest opinions and hard facts, from Europe’s most successful Consumer Organisation.

Hot News, useful links to Public Transport,Micro-breweries and scores of good pubs.

Pub Food Reviews ......and if you want anything else, let us know…...

HERE

HERE

23

Holly Tree Farm

Huge range ofReal Ales in a Bottle

Free RangeGeese & Ducks

Ready to Eat MealsTender, Home-produced

LambLocal Beef & Pork

Fresh Turkey &Turkey Portions

Rare BreedsAccredited Butcher

Over 60 varieties ofHand-made Sausages

Home-baked Bread, Cakes& Hand-raised Pies

Traditional Dry-curedBacon & Hams

Fresh Game, Pates &smoked products

Fresh Eggs &Farmhouse Ice Cream

Deli Counter,Cheeses & Cooked Meats

Close to the M6 roundabout, onthe A556 toward Chester2 miles from Knutsford,4 miles from Northwich

Open 9.30-6 (Sunday 10-5)Closed Mondays

Gourmet Evenings

Tel: 01565-651835www.hollytreefarmshop.co.uk

ChesterRoad

Tabley,Knutsford

COACH HOUSEBREWING COMPANY Ltd.

Suppliers of prize-winningcask conditioned beers

Order your seasonal beers now!Not forgetting our standard range -

Coachman’s Best Bitter (3.7% ABV)Squire’s Gold Spring Ale (4.2%)

Innkeeper’s Special Reserve (4.5%)Ostler’s Summer Pale Ale (3.8%)Post Horn Premium Bitter (5.0%)Gunpowder Strong Mild (3.8%)

Dick Turpin (4.2%)Flintlock Pale Ale (4.4%)

Order direct; 01925-232800Fax; 01925-232700

A Beer Festival for People Who Don’t do Beer FestivalsTarporley Beer Festival is now in its third year and once again the event was soldout. Not organised by CAMRA, instead this event is run by the local school PTAwith monies raised used to fund both improvements in the school and gifted toother worthy charities.

What makes this festival so refreshing in many ways, is the fact that it doesn’tattract many of the people you usually see at other festivals – the “tickers”. Perhapsit is something to do with difficulties reaching Tarporley (it has no railway station,and although being in Vale Royal, if you want to get a bus from Northwich youneed to go via Chester!). That said, I happen to know some people had travelledfrom as far as Colwyn Bay to get there, so where there is a will, there is a way.

The beer list of 24 beers, one cider and a perry was thoughtful, focusedunashamedly on local produce with only a single beer coming from the southand even had a scoop for any tickers that did make the trip – a first showing of aLocAle; Move Over Darling, the new beer from local brewer Weetwood.

What I really liked about this festival though was that many of the people thereare genuinely new to the delights of real ale and festivals. There is a real senseof discovery when customers try the beers for the first time. Add to this the mostpleasant and engaging people I have ever seen serving at a beer festival, togetherwith the announcement that the bacon butties were “now on sale” at 9.30 pm and opening times from 5 pm tomidnight on the Friday and you have something a bit special.

Beers were all in excellent condition, looked after by local CAMRA member Alan Durbin. Beer of the Festival forme was another LocAle; the superb Lift a Buttercup from Chester-based WC Brewery, the name continuing thetheme of lavatorial humour in their beers. Of course we’ll have to wait for the announcement of the official beer ofthe festival – that may have been amongst the 12 or so that I didn’t manage to taste. I’m already looking forward tothe fourth festival. Gary Chester

24

Three Real AlesReal Chips

Real LandlordReal Pub

“Does life get any better than this?”– Out Inn CHESHIRE, March 2007

The Hanging Gate InnWeaverham

Tel: 01606 852146

The Freemasons ArmsChester Road

CastleNorthwich

The Freemasons might not be thelargest pub in Castle but if you want

any or all of the following :-

GREAT REAL ALE

CONVIVIAL ANDKNOWLEDGEABLE

HOST

GOOD COMPANYthis is the place to be seen.

Les has a frequent change of excellent guest ales andknows how to keep them in top condition.

TRY IT AND SEE.

GOODBEER

GUIDE

A QUESTION OF TASTENorth Cheshire and Halton CAMRA members gathered together in early January to discuss potential pub entriesfor the 2010 Good Beer Guide. This was based on the number of tastings received in 2008 in which we received arecord number of over 6000 covering the region.

For the first time in about 8 years theTavern failed to receive most tastings beingpipped at the post by the Albion (whichincreased its tastings between 2007 to 2008from 3 to 670!!). The Tavern tastings weremarginally down but was also pushed withmassive increases in visits by the LowerAngel and Appleton Thorn Village Hallwhich both received over 500 scores for thefirst time. As in previous years we can onlywonder how many scores the Village Hallwould receive if there were regular passingpublic transport and if it opened all week.

What is noticeable is the top 4 all offer awide range of choice of ever changing guest beers. Contrast that to the pubs in Warrington and Vale Royal thathave closed, where in general, limited or no choice in real ale have been provided.

It will be interesting to see if there are any newcomers pushing for the top 5 in the 2009 visits. Early scores suggestPorters Ale House, Warrington to be doing well but then how many extra will the Albion and Lower Angelreceive once their breweries are up and running?

Nominations from these tastings go forward into the branch Pub of the Year based on the beer quality scored in2008. So trying to succeed Steve at the Red Bull, Kingsley are – Hare and Hounds, Crowton; Plough, HoughtonGreen (both trying again after being runners up last year); Ring o’ Bells, Lower Stretton (the 2007 winner) and thePenny Black, Northwich. Good luck to them all.

The Good Beer Guide lists the best pubs in Britain, chosen by CAMRA members on the basis of tastings of thebeers sold. To ensure that this is as fair and representative as possible, we invite all CAMRA members, whereverthey may be, to submit their scores to either the local branch or to CAMRA centrally using the NBSS system.Full details are available on-line or from the Editor.

25

Staying Out Inn CHESHIRE; The Foresters Arms, TarporleySituated almost opposite the Community Centre and thus well placed for the annual Tarporley Beer Festival,this traditional community local is also within striking distance of the motor-racing circuit at Oulton Park.Featuring both a lounge and public bar, four real ales are offered including a real mild (Caledonian Deuchars IPA,Tetley Cask, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Tetley Mild at the time of the review).

The six bedrooms are upstairs, meaning that disabled access may be difficult for those wishing to stay.Single rooms are available at a very reasonable £35 per night, with twin or double rooms at £50 – both pricesincluding a full English breakfast.

In the corridor upstairs is a delightful (although unfortunately not working) grandfather clock, and there is alsoa residents balcony with tables and chairs for those wishing to smoke.

The small single room was warm, clean and comfortable, with tea/coffee making facilities, TV, and radio alarmclock. As the rooms are en-suite, the shower cubicle is actually built into the bedroom as is the wash-basin, with asmall toilet in a cupboard sized room. It may sound a little strange, but it works well. Beware the toilet though –it has one of these pumps that operates when you flush, making a loud noise similar to that you get with thevacuum toilets on a cruise ship. Makes you jump when you first hear it!

The bed was very comfortable with two good pillows and a duvet, and the electric shower was fine in the morning.Toiletries (soap, shower gel and shampoo) are thoughtfully provided.

Breakfast is downstairs in the dining area of the pub. A small choice of cereal and fruit is available for self servicetogether with orange juice. Tea or coffee is served to your table (a good sized pot for the tea – enough for aroundfour cups). The cooked breakfast consists of fried mushrooms, fried bread, tomato, egg (fried, scrambled orpoached), two rashers of bacon, a sausage and baked beans. Add to this some toast and preserves and you haveenough to fuel you up for the day ahead. Quality of the food was very acceptable.

Flicking through the comments book, there are many very happy guests of the Foresters. A pub I would certainlyhave no hesitation in recommending if people are looking for a low-cost place to stay in Tarporley. Gary Chester

Don’t settle for second best Ask for Real Cask Ale

SMALL ADSOut Inn Cheshire is very aware of the financial difficulties facing so many businesses,especially with the conflicting needs to save money and advertise.So, we are introducing a new concept as a trial. We are making Small Ads available.

The rules are simple;� you pick one of the box sizes on the right,� you supply the wording by e-mail,� you pay up-front,� and you reach between 30,000 and 40,000 readers

with your message.You can advertise anything at all, so long as it does notoffend our Campaigning sensibilities!You can specify the lettering size and whether you wantit to be bold, italic or underlined.

Contact the Editor at editor@outinncheshire.co.ukto discuss your requirements.

This is a very economical way to promote your business.With the minimum of fuss and cost, you can tell theworld about the pub you have taken over, your new chef,your new opening hours or just why they should cometo you rather than your rivals.

MINI SIZE£20 to reach thousands of potential customers.Your next Beer Festival needs as many customers as

possible; tell them about it here.You can provide as much detail as you like.

Use your creativity; you can promote all manner ofbusinesses events and products for a really small cost.

The targeting is incredible, with thousands ofdiscerning customers, reading this in Britain’s

second wealthiest county.

MICRO SIZE£10 to reach thousands of potential customers.

Just think of the benefits of mentioning yourmusic night or pub quiz in this space,

for such a modest outlay.

26

GOODBEER

GUIDE

Dining Out Inn CHESHIRE; Carriers, HatchmereNot long ago, I wrote a review of the Fox & Barrel at Cotebrook, and I mentioned thatI felt that they were the ones to beat. Well, no sooner had I made that statement, thanI came across the finest dining experience that I have had to date in Cheshire; theCarriers Inn, by the lakeside at Hatchmere. It has the additional accolade of beingawarded the Gastro Pub of the Year 2008 By its PubCo; Marston’s.

Booking is essential here; not surprising given the quality of the offer. The pub isintelligently laid out, although I have to say here that the main focus of the pub is dining.If you just want to call for a drink, you’ll be made to feel most welcome, but the area setaside for drinking is comparatively small.

For starter, I opted for the Pan Seared King Scallops served with warm bacon-wrappeddates on a bed of wilted spinach which at £7.95 was one of the most expensive starterson the menu. The starter was beautifully presented, with each individual scallop and bacon-wrapped date on anindividual dish contained within a larger outer one. The scallops were cooked to perfection, and the whole dishwas worth every penny of the price; simply one of the best starters I have had anywhere.

Main course had a lot to live up to, and I initially chose Fish & Chips, only available on a Friday, delivered in themorning straight from Fleetwood Docks and served with home made tartar sauce, mushy peas and hand-cut chipsat £10.95. As it was a Friday, this seemed too good to miss, but alas I was disappointed as by 8 pm, they had sim-ply run out! I had to choose another main course, but made a mental note to return as anything that sells out sofast must be a bit special. I settled on the Chicken and Herb Roulade described as a rolled chicken breast filledwith herb seasoning and served with winter root vegetables and a Madeira wine gravy at £13.95. Faultless; every-thing was cooked perfectly, the gravy was a superb accompaniment to the chicken as was the herb seasoning.

Such was the quality of the starter and main course, I just had to have a dessert. I couldn’t resist the Chocolate andRaspberry Torte, served with whipped cream and made especially for the Carriers. £5.25, and like the rest of themeal quite delicious, even if I was more than full by the time I had finished it.

Drinks are not overlooked here either. This being a Marston's pub, beers are restricted to their portfolio, althoughit has to be said that this is now quite extensive. On the night I had Marston's Burton Bitter, WychwoodHobgoblin and Marston's Wicked Wytch; all of which were good pints of beer.

In summary, if you are looking for gastronomic perfection in a pub, you could do a lot worse than visiting theCarriers. Dare I say that they are now the ones to beat? Gary Chester

27

Around Lymm and ThelwallThe Barn Owl at Agden Wharf continues to field agood and varied array of beers. On my latest visitin January, only two of the hand-pumps, insteadof three, were serving beers from the Marston’sportfolio (Bitter and Pedigree).The other four pumps had beers from Moorhouse’s,Wooden Hand, Wychwood and Salamander.Licensee Carl Warburton is still hoping to install aseventh pump.

After my comment on the good quality of theDeuchars in the Church Green in the last edition,both the hand-pumps had the clips turned round onthis occasion (Deuchars and Old Speckled Hen).There has been a change of licensee, so hopefullythis is just a temporary setback.The Golden Fleece in the village centre was serving a good pint of Bombardier, with Boddies and Courage Bestclips turned round.Sadlers was serving Lees John Willies alongside the standard Lees and Marston’s Bitters, the Spread Eagle alsohaving this on, with the Lees Bitter and Christmas Pudding. All three Hyde's pubs in the area have been servingguest ales alongside the standard Hyde's Bitter, and seasonal beers; Mumbo Jumbo was on in the Jolly Thresherwith Batemans XXXB, whilst Bombardier was on in the Wheatsheaf. The Bull’s Head had Allgates ShiningLight on offer.

Out at Heatley, the Green Dragon had its usual three beers on, while the Farmer’s Arms was serving Landlordand Cumberland.

In Thelwall, the Little Manor has undergone minor alterations following the lease being bought by GrahamDennett (subject to the PubCo repairing the roof!), who has the lease on the Ram’s Head in Grappenhall. Furtheralterations are to take place during February. Three cask beers were being served:- Cumberland, Spitfire andDeuchars. The aim is to offer a similar choice to the Ram’s Head, perhaps including more guest beers. The leaseon the Pickering Arms is also up for sale, licensee Austin Wolvine hoping to take retirement. Austin has been inseveral pubs in the Warrington area before the Pick, including the Ram’s Head, the Causeway and the Millstone inWhitley. He was serving two beers on my visit, the regular Theakston’s Best and Bombardier. NT Jan 2009

1 Hartford Rd, Davenham, NorthwichOffering the hand of hospitality,

serving traditional rustic menu from local produce."Homemade" meaning homemade!

The menu is changed seasonally.Food is served 12-2pm / 5.00-8pm Mon-Sat,

and 12-3pm on Sundays.

Real Village PubReal Cask Ales

Real Home Made FoodReal Hospitality

Real Personalities

www.theoddfellowsofdavenham.co.uk

Using our large beer garden,we provide event cateringand have entertained many,

from engagements & weddingsthrough to christenings.

We specialise inPrivate, intimate functions

Try our new boules pitch;fun for all the family!

28

Dining Out Inn CHESHIRE - Spinner and Bergamot, ComberbachThe Spinner and Bergamot in Comberbach owes its name to two racehorses owned by the first Lord de Tableywhich goes someway to explaining the strange sounding name of the pub. Little to do with racing these days,the reason for our visit was primarily to sample the food and also (of course) to try some of their real ale.

So beer first on this review; three beers were available, the ubiquitous Greene King IPA, and Black Sheep BestBitter which were both in good form, and also a beer seen less often these days, but which once held the title(by a considerable margin) of being the biggest selling cask beer in the UK – draught Bass. OK, this isn’t reallythe same beer as it was (in fact CAMRA coined the phrase “a pale shadow of its former self” for this beer) andit is no longer brewed using the famous Burton Union system – but I have to say this was the nicest drop of thisparticular beer I have had in many years.

For dining, we were shown into the dining room at the side of the pub – fairly empty at first, but it soon filled up.Very pleasantly laid out was the room – not too many covers, but enough to give it some atmosphere in what isessentially a rectangular room. Eventually we got hold of a menu (we had to ask, but this may be that we werea little early).

For starters I chose the Grilled Bury Black Pudding with caramelised apples, grain mustard and Irish whiskeycream, all set on a bed of green salad. £5.25 was the price for a really superb choice of starter. Pretty muchperfect, although if I was to be picky there was perhaps a little too much for a starter.

Looking to build on the excellence of the starter, I opted for the freshly Beer Battered Fish of the day served withhome made tartar sauce, petit pois and hand-cut chips. £10.95 is perhaps on the top side for fish and chips(haddock was the fish of the day in this instance), but I have to say that this was the best fish and chips I have evereaten in a pub. The batter melted in my mouth, the fish was flaky and bone free, the peas sweet and delicious andthe chips excellent. A superb dish and highly recommended.

Glutton that I am when a meal is particularly good,I decided to have a sweet, and opted for theWild Berry Mess with raspberry coulis at £5.50.Again, not particularly cheap, but wild berries (blackberry, raspberry and strawberry were all spotted) in acream mixed with broken meringue and served witha delicious raspberry coulis was the perfect way tofinish the meal.

Excellent food and highly recommended. If I had oneminor criticism, it would be that the menu couldperhaps do with being a little more extensive, but itreally is a minor point – I certainly found food to keepme more than happy. Gary Chester

Playing Out Inn CHESHIRE: PoolThe second most common game played in our pubs after darts, pool is a variant on billiards, and indeed is moreproperly called “pocket billiards”. The popularity of this game is easy to see when you compare a standard sizedpool table to a full-sized snooker or billiards table, which needed large dedicated rooms in which to site and playthem. There are a number of variants around the world, and one of the most common is the American Eight Ballpool, played with seven striped balls, seven spotted balls and a black ball with the number 8 printed on it. The UK(or Black Ball) variant typically involves red and yellow balls instead of stripes and spots, although the black balloften still carries the number 8.

The modern game was popularised around 1925, and simply involves trying to “pot” all the balls of your colourand finally the black ball before your opponent does so. If you fail to pot a ball during your turn, the table ishanded over to your opponent for him to try to pot a ball of his colour.

One of the beauties of pool is that even a relatively unskilled novice will at times during most games feel that he orshe has a chance of winning. The rules are relatively straightforward (although there are two different sets of rulesin use in the UK), but there are a number of contentious ones particularly surrounding play and fouls on the blackball, and carrying over of a second shot – it is always worthwhile agreeing the specifics with your opponent beforethe game begins.

Where to find pool – throughout the UK in many pubs, often in public bars or games rooms. Often these days thepool tables are coin operated, and some pubs operate a “winner stays on” approach. If you can’t find any cues orchalk, ask at the bar. Gary Chester

29

Award Winning Brewery and Shop

Lady Heyes Craft CentreKingsley RoadFRODSHAM

WA6 6SU01928 787917

enquire@stationhousebrewery.co.ukwww.stationhousebrewery.co.uk

Wots @ the shop?· Beer in bottles· Mini-casks· Personalised bottles· Brewery tours· T shirts and glasses· Dispensers and stillage hirefor parties, weddings, etc

· Chats with the brewer· And lots, lots more

Weetwood Shown SpiritFollowing a long will they, won’t they, Spirit have now shownflexibility (and common sense) and allowed the Weetwood brands into

some of their managed houses.

The Plough at Houghton Greenhas now stabilised its range ofpermanent beers as Weetwoodbest cask and Cheshire Cat as wellas Wells Bombardier. Invariablythe other Weetwood products stillregularly appear amongst theother three guest beers includingthe new Move over Darling whichdisappeared in under 24 hours ofstarting to sell!

In fact the Weetwood beers stillsell remarkably quickly that Ican’t honestly say I’ve seen anysign of the ‘credit crunch’ havinghit the Plough yet. It just goes toshow quality local produce sells. So come on Spirit houses – instead of anational bland try a LocAle.

Is manager Keith Anders resting on his laurels with these local beers? I don’tthink so, as I’ve seen a Beartown beer on the coming soon board!

Out Inn Cheshire is proud to support the independent brewersof traditional beers in Cheshire and the pubs that stock them.We encourage drinkers to seek out and drink LocAle brews andwe ask licensees to stock and promote them.Keep local jobs, reduce ‘beer miles’ and enjoy a fine pint of

beer into the bargain.

30

SOUTH CHESHIRE

The following Branch meetings have been confirmed:

Tuesday 17th March, 8 pm; Branch Meeting-Black Lion,Nantwich.Saturday April 4th 1 pm ; Borough Arms, Earle Street, Crewe (N.B. this is the Branch AGM).Thursday May 14th 8 pm ; Globe, 100 Audlem Road, Stapeley, Nantwich.1st to 7th June; Local Pubs Week See the next issue for details of special events.Wednesday June 10th 8 pm ; Travellers Rest, Chester Road, Alpraham. [ 84 Bus route ]

All our events are open to any CAMRA member, anyone who likes beer or pubs,and anyone who is just curious to see what is going on!

A mostly rural area, but including the towns of Crewe,Middlewich, Nantwich, Sandbach and Winsford.

Branch Contacts:

Mark Jeffries 01270 524549markgill@globalnet.co.uk

Derek Davey 01270 761039d.davey45@btinternet.com

Ian Bray 01270 252045maltosefalcon@tiscali.co.uk

Paul Hext 0784 6657833 (m)h3xtyp@hotmail.com

*** Contact Paul for details

New LocAle Brewery forMarket DraytonHot news from the Red Lion, Great Hales Street.Although the keen geographers among you will beaware that this is in North Shropshire, the news isgood for ale lovers in South Cheshire.Planning permission has been granted for a breweryon land [a brownfield site] adjacent to the pub. Thesite is about one acre in size, so this will be a large[micro]brewery, if that is not a contradiction in terms.It will carry the historic name of Joules. This willqualify as a LocAle source for pubs in the SouthCheshire area.More news will be provided in our next issue.

The Bhurtpore InnAston, Nantwich, Cheshire

South Cheshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year 2006

Featuring many REAL ALESfrom Britain’s small independent brewers

plus REAL CIDER & PERRY and150 Bottled Belgian, German & British Beers

Revised Pub Opening TimesMonday- Thursday: 12 noon-2.30 & 6.30-11 pm

Friday - Saturday: 12 noon –12 pmSunday: 12 noon-10.30 pm

12 minutes walk from Wrenbury Station01270 780917GOOD

BEERGUIDE

31

CREWEBorough Arms, Earle St. Bridge. The brewery continues tobrew very good beers, with the present German brewer incharge. 'Honey Porter' and the matured 'Befuggled' and 'Gold'being particularly noted. Opening hours are changed slightly;it opens each Monday-Thursday at 5pm.

Crown, Earle St. Soon after reading this, we will be saying asad goodbye to Derek and Maureen [Mo]. They will havebeen at the Crown for thirteen years on February 14th . Theyhave seen the pub transformed from four-rooms to open planand have managed to keep it as a proper locals’ pub wherelocal and stranger alike are guaranteed a friendly welcome.Prior to that they had the Bull in Stockport and the Horseshoeon North Street, Crewe, both Robinson's houses.

Hops, Prince Albert Street. Congratulations are in order for Flick and Mike at Hops. George Arthur Oakes, was bornon the 29th of December last. A specially brewed beer, “George's Marvellous Medicine” was available shortly afterthe event. Real Cider drinkers are catered for now with the availability of draught “Cheddar Valley” from Thatcher's.Monday nights are discount nights for all CAMRA members, with all three real ales available for £2 per pint.

Angel, Victoria Centre, Crewe. [ Between Rymans and CheshireBuilding Society]. Still excellent value for money; the OakwellBarnsley Bitter is £1-65 pint. The food menu, apart from the sirloinsteak at £5-95, is all less than a fiver. Although not a lager drinker,your correspondent was impressed with the Oakwell lager at £2-05a pint- [abv 5.2%]. Unusual in that it is unpasteurized and has a verypleasant taste. Note changed opening hours: Closed Sundays; Mon-day-Thursday:10 am-7 pm; Friday/Saturday: 10am-10pm.

Victoria: reportedly the licensee from the Nag’s Head in MarketStreet will be taking over from the Victoria's present incumbentwho is moving back to Kent.

Cross Keys, Junction Remer St. and Stoneley Rd. Still closeddespite short re-opening over Christmas.

Earl of Chester, at the junction of Flag Lane and Wistaston Roadhas now re-opened.

Earl of Crewe: Nantwich Road. Supermarket chain Aldi has confirmed it wants to build a food store on the Earlof Crewe site with the creation of 15 jobs. The discount chain said it plans to redevelop the Nantwich Road pub intoa “sensitively designed new neighbourhood food store”. The company says it will consult with local residents overits plans and will shortly announce details for a public exhibition where the proposal will be displayed. The pub isstill trading, but at time of writing, early February, no further information was available.

Mid-Wales ForayA small contingent of CAMRA South Cheshire visitedLlanwrtyd Wells for the annual Roman Saturnalia,Winter Beer Festival and Mountain Bike Chariot racing.This year the Chariot [converted oil drum] teams were wellprepared., especially the winners, who had cleated pedals ontheir bikes and had no fancy dress; an unfair advantage!Next year, hopefully, all chariots will have the samecharacteristics, the bikes will have standard pedals and allteams in fancy dress.... The team that came in 3rd placeentered into the spirit of the race. [See Photo].The beer festival was centred on the three pubs in the town,with the Neuadd Arm Hotel Brewery having its full rangeon sale. A visit to Swansea ended up in the Eli Jenkins inOxford Road, a JDW type pub with good value food and real ales.

32

Storm Brewing;Beer of the Festival award

Hugh Thompson (left) and Dave Stebbings (right) ofMacclesfield craft brewer, Storm Brewing had a greatnight with Middlewich RoundTable including CAMRA’s'Big Marc' (centre!) whopresented them with an awardfor 'Best Beer of the Festival'for their LocAle , Ale Forcewhich had been first brewedalmost 10 years to the daypreviously!

Has your localbeen closed yet?

If you don't use it, it might!Keg Beer is so Seventies!

So uncool!Do people really still drink it?

The Badger Inn, Church Minshull.Nantwich company Carlton Holdings has applied toCrewe and Nantwich Borough Council for permissionto refurbish and extend the Badger Inn.

The pub has been closed for some years and has arather forlorn look to it. Carlton also wish to buildsix “2/3 enabling dwellings” on the large site. TheDevelopment and Control committee recommendedapproval, subject to full Council scrutiny.It would be nice if the Badger regained its formerreputation as a real ale pub with good food,worth visiting.

33

AstonThe Bhurtpore has new opening hours for Friday and Saturday: Friday 12-12; [Food 12-2; 6.45-9.30] and Saturday12-12; [Food 12-9.30].AlprahamThe Tollemache Arms on Chester Road [A51] is now owned by Robinson's.The interior has been transformed by Medlock Interiors and is now open plan.Additional outdoor seated areas have been placed at the sides and rear of pub,the latter overlooking fields. Some changes have been made to the entrance aswell and the overall impression inside is comfortable and spacious. The beer,Unicorn was in good form, but pricey.The Weetwood beer in the nearby Traveller’s Rest (pictured) was £2-05 a pintby comparison.

Around SandbachA winter trundle round the pubs in Sandbach revealed theIron Grey with the seasonal Robinsons beer, Mr. Scrooge,on the bar alongside the Unicorn and Hatters, and plans to addOld Tom for the Festive period, possibly with bottled ChocolateTom. Mr. Scrooge was also spotted in the Swan and Chequer(pictured).The Limes now boasts a Spitting Feathers beer in addition toBlack Sheep bitter, Farmhouse ale being followed by an Xmasale there. In the town centre, the Lower Chequer was quitebusy, and had Fullers London Pride, Wells Bombardier,Deuchars IPA and Greene King IPA, punters from the nearbybookies and postmen swelling the numbers. Nearby, the Crownat the head of the cobbled square changed hands in November.

Following rumours of hand pumps in the Wheatsheaf, a visit confirmed Banks's Bitter and a decent drop of JenningsCumberland to be on offer.Further afield, the Coachman in Elworth, closed for some time, is sadly up for auction for re-developmentwith planning permission for apartments. Better news from the Nag’s Head at Wheelock, however, wherea successful January mini beer festival featured two unique beers from Storm brewing.The Horseshoe at Lawton Heath Ends has undergone a massive extension in 2008, and features four beers fromthe major brewers, but may have some local beers on soon. DD

WrenburySports & Social ClubWrenbury Nantwich Cheshire

South Cheshire CAMRAClub of the Year 2008

7pm - 12pm Mon -Friall day Sat & Sun

5 min walk fromWrenbury station

01270 781026e-mail:

wrenburyclub@aol.comPrince Albert Street, Crewe CW1 2DF Tel; 01270 211100

(opposite Forge Street car park)

Large selection ofbottled Belgian,

British &Continental beers

Threeever-changing

BritishCask Ales

Home-cookedfood served daily

SpecialityCoffees & Teas

Wide rangeof draught

Belgianbeers

34

SUNDAY LUNCH NOWAVAILABLE

● 2 courses for £9.95● 3 courses for £10.95

with Live Jazz andTraditional Sunday Roasts 12 - 5pm

29 WELSH ROW, NANTWICH,CHESHIRE CW5 5ED

TEL: 01270 628711

Liz and Darren, formerly of theDysart Arms in Bunbury, are pleased

to be offering:● Fresh Food to be served Lunch 12 -

2.30pm & Evenings 6 - 9pm Tuesdayto Saturday

● Real Ales featuring local breweryWeetwood & Guest Ales

● Quiz with prizes every Monday8.30pm

MiddlewichUnder new tenancy

We have  3 traditional ales from Bombardier, Black Sheep, Spitfire

and Tetley's Open for food every day

Carvery; £3.95 Weekdays 12. to 2.30               £5.95 Sundays from 12 noon

We have a special of sizzling dishes on anOriental Theme 2 for £10.00

with a choice of meats and sauces.Our lunchtime menu has

a selection of meals for £3.95. Pub Quiz Mondays 9 pm Tel. 01606 833489

CHAMPION BEEROF CHESHIRE

Following its triumph in the extensive judging process at the Nantwich BeerFestival last year, Deep Dark Secret from Northern Brewing was presentedwith the award at a ceremony at the brewery premises in Blakemere inFebruary. A contented gathering of CAMRA members from various parts ofthe county braved the freezing weather and were treated to samples of threecask ales with which to wash down the excellent hot pot lunch.Pictured are Northern’s Mike Hill (left) and Col [Colin] Stubbs (right)receiving the certificate from Nantwich Beer Festival organiser, Mark Jeffries.

35

OK. it’s springtime now but a landlord of a local village pub (both shall remain nameless) postedthis heart-felt message up for his neighbours to read after Christmas.

A PUB'S NOT JUST FOR XMAS ... IT'S FOR ALL YEAR ROUND"The past few years have been very difficult for the pub trade: with a government hell-bent onremoving the few pleasures left in life - such as drinking in your village local. They have battereddrinkers with tax on beer, spirits, wine. increases well over the rate of inflation. Then they justifytheir actions by pointing the finger at you for the binge drinking culture, for NHS expenditure, andjust about every other ill of society. They have already prohibited smoking. If they have their way,very soon there won't be any where to drink.

"Because your pub is under threat.

"But it's not just the government that is threatening our traditional culture. many of you may notrealise, but the majority of pubs in this country are owned by pub companies - an offshoot of whenbreweries owned pubs and operated tenancies.The big brewers became too powerful, owning nearly every pub in a local area and were able tomonopolise their position. They were brought to heel in the form of the beer orders in the 80's.But that spawned the now all-powerful pub companies - some still a subsidiary of the brewery,but many just property developers.They don't see your local as a community asset - just bricks and mortar and a juicy earner for theirshare holders. They see nothing of the social side, the meeting place, the place for laughter and agood time. All they see is pound notes.

If you know our family, I hope you can see we've put everything into this pub. But expenses suchas licences, rent, rates, wages, fuel and energy costs have overtaken any rise in income, which iswhy we had to cost save by regrettably shutting on weekday lunchtimes. Without being dramatic,for your pub to stay open, and for that matter, to prevent every small pub in the country closingfor good, something needs to be done.

Yes we know many of you can't afford to come out more than once a week if at all. Granted ourbeer is expensive - but that is because we are forced (through our lease), to buy it through thepub company at double the market rate. This ' beer tie' is strangling our pubs, making beer moreexpensive for you, and limiting your choice. many pubs are over rented - but the lowly landlorddoesn't have the money to appeal against unjust rent increases in the courts. It's put up or shut up.

But there are campaigns being waged to cut the tie, and fight for landlord's rights - which willultimately benefit you, the customer, and your village local.The British pub and inn has existed for many centuries - don't let this year signify the death knell ofour heritage. Don't mourn its passing when it's too late. Write to your MP, sign the various petitionsby e-mail or here at the bar, write to the newspapers, shout as loud as you can.But most of all, and I'm not just talking of the [pub name removed], I mean all the pubs in thevillage and surrounds: use us or lose us

"...not me or my family, but your pub for which we are the latest custodians. Especially in the week,when we are quiet.Let us know if you want events or have ideas you'd like to see happen.This is your local - if it's viable and feasible (and clean!), we'll do it. Otherwise take a look at thecampaigns and do your bit. write, e-mail, shout from the rooftops if you want.

"The British culture will be devoid of soul without pubs."

POSITIVELY CHURCHILLIAN AND DAMN RIGHT!

36

THE ENTHUSIAST’S CHOICE16 Handpumps

10 Regularly Changing Guest Cask AlesOver 2000 Guest Beers per Year

plus Traditional CiderFeatured in the Good Beer Guide 1994-2008

Weekly Competition to win a week of Real AleLive Jazz Band on Mondays

Bar Food

125 En-Suite Bedrooms~ Restaurant Canaletto ~ Broad Beam Restaurant Cruise

~ Peppermill Restaurant~ Health Club & Beauty Spa

MILTON STREETCHESTERCH1 3NF

TEL; 01244 350035FAX; 01244 345635www.millhotel.com

CHESTER & SOUTH CLWYDCAMRA DIARY

For the latest events, please visit the branch web site at www.myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hardpeg

Thursday 19th March; Branch Meeting: Morris Dancer, Kelsall Start: 8.15pm.Friday 27th March; Visit to Facers Brewery

A tour round the microbrewery in Flint probably followed by a visit to Regional Pub of the Year winner, the Blue Bell in Halkyn.

Depart from Ship Victory: 7.00pm. Thursday 16th April; Branch Meeting & AGM: Mill Hotel, Chester

Start: 8.15pm.All May; Mild Month; drink some traditional mild and enjoy saving a part of British culture.14-16 May: We await confirmation, but this is our best bet of when the Chester Charity Beer Festival will be held. Organised by Round Table and Chester & South Clwyd CAMRA this is a major event in the local calendar. Last time they had 70+ Real Ales, Ciders + Perries. Live entertainment, pub games, hot + cold food. It is usually evenings only, with tickets available in advance. See the branch web site for details.Thursday 21st May; Branch Meeting: Cross Keys, Llanfynydd Start: 8.15pm.1 - 7 June; Local Pubs Week; details will be published in the next issue.

As well as Chester and its environs, this Branch covers an area stretching from Parkgate onthe Wirral to Tushingham in the South.Branch Contacts: (phone numbers, are 01244– unless otherwise noted)Chair (acting): Brian Vardy 373298 chairman@chestercamra.co.ukSocials: Craig Papworth 313182 socials@chestercamra.co.ukSecretary: Steve Carr secretary@chestercamra.co.ukMembership: Jim Shapton membership@chestercamra.co.ukWeb editor: John Silloth webmaster@chestercamra.co.uk

37

Full Chinese Menu availableTuesday Lunch to Sunday Evening

at The Letters InnCHINESE RESTAURANT

Tel. 07919 837572

Party Booking Welcome

The Letters InnHigh Street, Tattenhall, Nr Chester

Tel: 01829 770221www.thelettersinn.co.uk

Fine Hand Pulled Cask Ales

Families WelcomeChildren Dining until 9pm

CITY SNIPPETSA change of name for last orders on City Road. it’s now called the Chester Hangman. Cain's bitter has beenreplaced by Theakston ales. A new bar on City Road too. Number 29 is part of the Eaton Hotel but it’s keg.Construction work aplenty is taking place at the Ship in Handbridge. A radical transformation from its previousself is guaranteed but will there be cask? Up the road the tidy well-appointed Grosvenor Arms (aka Clubbes) sells,amongst other ales, a commendable pint of Tetley mild. The Spital Vaults in Boughton has re-opened but no signof proper beer. Meanwhile the Talbot in Newtown stays shut. Finally has the birth of the brewery tap impactedon the neighbouring Cross Keys? possibly so as the pub has closed. Surely there’s a future for this fine red-brickestablishment.

CHESTER NEWSWhat will surely be the first of many accolades, the Brewery Tap on Lower Bridge Street in Chester has beenvoted the branch's Winter Pub of the Season 2009. Despite only opening in November, the pub hasunderstandably won the immediate affection of many a local drinker who enjoy a choice of seven well-kept caskales as well as the cordial atmosphere generated within a former Jacobean hall. It was a bold move to open a pubin the current climes and it's wonderful to see the gamble so handsomely pay off. Bar manager John Thomas,head-hunted from the Corn Mill in Llangollen (where he won a similar award), and Matt Whalley from ownersSpitting Feathers are to be warmly congratulated.

Until now the vitalisation of St John Street in Chester had been of little concern to real ale drinkers. Cruise. Piano& Pitcher. Pizza Express. The Grill. The Room. Good for jobs, atmosphere and night life but none of them willhave titillated cask lovers. Well that was until the re-opening of the Marlborough Arms opposite the post office.New young owners are in and they’ve radically overhauled the beer range. And much for the better too. Where asbefore there used to be an occasional house brew (apparently trucked in all the way from Cornwall) and FlowersOriginal, there are now three hand pumps dispatching Stonehouse brewery beers including Station Bitter, King-ston Flyer KPA and the landlord’s favourite Cambrian Gold. As it says outside, this is no ordinary pub; this isM&S’s neighbouring pub.

Pub Beer FestivalThe Carlton Tavern will staging another of its highly popular beer festivals over the weekend commencingFriday 13th of March. Landlord Chris is hoping to stock about twenty different ales plus a couple of ciders.The event coincides with Red Nose Day but don't let that put you off.

38

THE BUNBURY ARMSSTOAK VILLAGE

CHESTERCH2 4HW

TRADITIONAL FREE HOUSE SERVING REAL ALE AND REAL FOODTEL 01244 301665 FAX 01244 203074A PROPER COUNTRY PUB SET IN PEACEFUL

IN A WOODED HAMLET ON THE SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL.LITERALLY 2 MINUTES FROM THE MAELSTROM OF THE M53/M56 INTERCHANGE,

1 MILE FROM CHESHIRE OAKS RETAIL VILLAGE AND THE COLISEUM.HANDYFOR THE BLUE PLANET AQUARIUM AND CHESTER ZOO!

Winner CAMRA Regional Pub of the SeasonA RANGE OF CHANGING GUEST ALES ALWAYS ON TAP.

EXCELLENT FOOD. TRADITIONAL PUB GAMES!."....The best pint we've had anywhere in 2005......"

Out Inn CHESHIRE, Autumn 2005WE ARE IN THE GOOD BEER GUIDE 2009 GOOD

BEERGUIDE

Chester’s Largest Selection ofSpecialist Beers and Lagers

Independent BeerRetailer of the Year 2008

Discover our range of 200 speciality beers and alesMany are Real Ale in a Bottle

As well as our extensiverange of beers in bottle,

we now also offerbeer on draught to take away!

A different local guest beer each week!19 Charles Street, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3AY

Tel/Fax: 01244 317094sam@scatchards.com

ScatchardsIndependent Wine & Spirit Merchants

Walkers, Riders & Cyclists welcome

Locally-sourced Home-made & Traditional Meals

We’ve had hundreds ofregularly changing Cask Ales,

Ciders and Perriesand keep our own

locally brewedBlue Bell Bitter (3.5% ABV)

Rhosesmor Road, Halkyn, CH8 8DL

www.bluebell.uk.eu.org Tel; 01352 780309

Family-runFree House

on Halkyn Mountain

Cider Pub of the Year 2007

Runner-up Pub of the Year2006/2007

GOODBEER

GUIDE

MAN WALKS INTO A PUB......looks at the hand pumps and looks flustered. He looks frantically around for a familiar brand and asks plaintively,

“Have you got any ...(insert name of high-advertising-budget fizzy beer substitute)?We have all seen them, the poor souls. They are afraid. Afraid to experiment, to take a risk, to be different fromtheir mates. We can help these unfortunates. We can offer them tasters (We know this works; we have done it.

“I don’t really like beer...Oooh that’s nice”We can encourage them to try a particular beer that we know is on fineform. Make a charitable contribution to education in the UK. Help those less fortunate than yourselves!

39

RURAL STUFFUnless you’re the landlord of the neighbouring Greyhound (who wants competition?), it’s good news fromFarndon where the Farndon Arms re-opened on Christmas Eve. The pub now has a more welcoming andmuch reduced restaurant feel with a simpler, less expensive menu. Future plans include expanding the bar area,restoring the real fire and experimenting with a 4.30 pm opening to attract passing trade. Cask ales include thepermanent Taylors Landlord plus two others from the Admiral Pub co range.

To coincide with National Cask Ale week which runs from the 6th-12th of April, the Bull at Shocklach has decidedto offer a cask ale and food menu that recommends ales for each dish. They also hope to be running a brewery tourfor pub regulars to Spitting Feathers and on to the Brewery Tap in Chester around about Good Friday. See in-house for updates. Even better news is that from Good Friday to Easter Monday they will be staging their secondbeer festival with some live music and a hog roast thrown in. You can expect the hog and music on the Sundaynight with eighteen ales over the weekend. The Bull incidentally has signed up to the branch’s LocAle campaign asit permanently stocks Stonehouse Station bitter from Oswestry alongside a healthy variety of other beers.

The Morris Dancer in Kelsall has undergone mixed fortunes over recent years. After being a highly regardedvenue (good Beer Guide no less) it gradually became more run down, the beer quality deteriorated, and franklysome rather undesirable elements crept in. Things are looking up now though under new landlord Paul Sweeneyas he's rejuvenated the place in the last twelve months or so and brought it back to its former glory. We paid a visiton a cold January day so the roaring fire in the bar was very welcome. Three Weetwood ales were on hand pumpand they were all very good indeed. The brewery is only a couple of miles down the hill at Oscroft so Paul wasvery keen to sign up to our LocAle campaign which promotes the sale of locally produced beers. If beer salescontinue to grow as they have then a fourth hand pump may be added. It's great to have an old favourite pub ofours back on good form, long may it continue.

The Grosvenor Arms in Aldford, by stocking a Weetwood beer, may well have signed up for LocAle but let’s notget too carried away about this initiative however laudable it may be. We still want to be trying out other unusualbeers from around the country don’t we? For instance, on a recent visit to this pub, part of the estimable Brunning& Price group, we sampled a stunning pint of Wincle Undertaker (all the way from East Cheshire) and was equallyimpressed by Blue Bear Roar Spirit (which obviously travelled well from Worcestershire). Both five out of five onthe National Beer Scoring System – CAMRA’s equivalent of the Richter scale.Similarly, during our January branch meetingat the Carden Arms in Tilston (pictured)we were able to savour some more top notchunusual ale including Tom Woods Shepherd’sDelight and Arundel Sussex Gold.

Two pub closures to mention. The RowtonPoplars on the A41 just south of Christletonhas ceased trading and the business is up forsale. Shame as the owners were verysupportive of local cask ale. Another placethat’s currently down-at-heel is the CopperMine at Broxton. Seeing as the pub is set inthe scenic surrounds of the Bickerton Hillsand must be a popular haunt of walkers, weexpect the closure to be temporary as some-body else is bound to try and make a go of it.Last time visited it served a good drop ofPurple Moose Snowdonia.

A few other bits and bobs. Those of you fedup with strong beers should head to the White Horse in Churton where they commendably sell Theakstons Mild.Another LocAle signee is the Cock at Barton which always has cask Spitting Feathers or Weetwood. A real aleresurgence continues at the Red Lion in Malpas. Weetwood Old Dog, Spitting Feathers Thirstquencher andMcgivern's Mild have been supped dry here in recent weeks. “All good ales and very drinkable”. LandlordRichard has also put Theakston's on hand pump as his standard bitter, getting rid of the keg Bass. So no keg exceptfor the resident mild.The Queen’s Head at Sarn remains a criminally under visited local (certainly by Cestrian folk). (A fabulous)Salopian Shropshire Gold, Taylors Golden Best and Marstons Bitter were on last time we had the pleasure of avisit. Finally a mention of two more LocAle candidates. Cheshire-brewed Weetwood beers still rule the roost atthe Grosvenor Arms in Pulford as they indeed do at their sister pub the Pheasant at Higher Burwardsley.

40

Thriving Community PubFaces DemolitionJust outside Cheshire, battle royal is ragingover the planned demolition of one of the mostunspoiled town pubs in the Potteries, theCoachmaker’s Arms in Lichfield Street,Hanley. It’s bad enough that current tradingconditions are forcing some excellent pubs intoclosure, but when one which is doing verynicely thank you is threatened with compulsorypurchase and annihilation, it’s nothing short ofcriminal.

The pub, nestling in a block of shops and hous-ing just down from Hanley Bus Station, isscheduled to make way for a Multi Story CarPark as part of a larger entertainment/retail parkplanned for the entire block. Surely a car parkis the last thing planners would want next to a bus station - so much for encouraging people onto public transport!

The Coachmaker’s, on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Heritage Pubs with unspoilt interiors, is one of a rare anddying breed of Potteries town pubs with four separate rooms and a tiled, central drinking corridor. Added to this, itsexcellent range of seven changing beers, plus a cider, in top quality condition, ensure that the pub is well used.

Bass is a regular, and a Mild and a Stout (from Titanic and Beowulf recently) are always included in the range.Naturally, it’s a regular entry in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and was CAMRA Staffordshire pub of the year in2007. The bar itself opens onto a small room in the front, plastered with beer mats from the many ales featured,which gets crowded with more than six people in. A second set of pump clips on the hand pumps are angled to facethe hatch into the corridor for extra serving. The other front lounge room has a welcoming coal fire, and one of theremaining two rooms has a marvellous ornate fireplace and surround.

It’s the sort of friendly place where everyone talks to each other, with no machines or music to intrude, and everytime I’ve visited I’ve ended up chatting to people I’ve not met before. The main topic of conversation is, of course,the threatened closure, and a petition to save the pub is on the bar for signing. You can also do this online atwww.thecoachmakers.co.uk. A Planning Committee visit to the pub took place in February, which will probablydecide the pub’s fate. A visit before it’s too late is a must if you’re near the Potteries!Bus 20 from Crewe, or take the train to Stoke on Trent station and walk up the hill towards Hanley. DD

YOUR RIGHTSYou should receive a full pint, not 90%.After all, the licenseeexpects to be paid in full!We suggest that you politelyask them to

“squeeze a drop more in”,or top it up, please”.

If you are given a chipped glass,dirty cutlery, bad food orsour beer, don’t hesitate;let the staff know, politely.It is easy for things to be missed in a busy session:a little courtesy and understanding on both sidesshould resolve matters.It is a legal requirement for representative price liststo be readily visible.

If the licensee is unwilling to put things right,feel free to contact your localTrading Standards on 01244 602500or Environmental Health Officers.(See your phone book, public library or town hall.)

41

TRAFFORD & HULMECAMRA Diary

We cover the Borough of Trafford - that's places like Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston- plus Hulme in Manchester (west of Princess Road) and some bits of north east Cheshire.

All members, old and new are warmly welcomed. See our new web-site at www.thcamra.org.uk

Thurs 5th March; 8pm, Branch meeting at the Orange Tree, Market Square, Altrincham.Sat 7th March; Train trip to Chester. From Navigation Road 10.44 or Altrincham 10.46. Arrive Chester 11.45am.Friday 13th March; Manchester city centre survey. City Arms 5.30, Ape and Apple 7, Athenaeum 8, Corbieres 8.45, Moon Under the Water 9.30.Thurs 16th April; Altrincham survey. Meet 8pm King George, Moss Lane, 9pm the Bridge, Moss Lane, 9.30pm the Station, Stamford New Road.

WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET SOME OF OUR LESS ACTIVE MEMBERSYOU ARE WELCOME AT SOCIAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS

THERE ABOUT 400 MEMBERS IN THE BRANCH NOW— WHERE ARE YOU ? ?

Please contact Bev with any ideas that you may have that you wish to be arranged. Remember we now havean account with the Manchester Community transport for minibus hire, with a driver.

chair@thcamra.org.uk (bevalitabev@yahoo.co.uk) or 07730550428Branch Contact – John Ison 0161 962 7976. Or E-mail Brian Taylor at membership@thcamra.org.uk

Seasonal AwardsTrafford CAMRA Spring Pub of the Season is theKnott. This pub is situated in the Castlefield area, onDeansgate in Manchester. The pub provides a rangeof Marble Brewery beers and guest ales.The bar is built into the railway arch with the trainsrunning above. There is an upstairs, open air areawhich provides additional seating and an area forsmokers. Furthermore, the Knott bar has an extensivefood menu.The presentation will be made on Tuesday 7th April.

As reported in our last issue, the Winter Pub of the Seasonaward was presented to Joseph Holt’s historic Railway atBroadheath close to the retail park in Altrincham.

The photograph on the left shows Trafford & HulmeCAMRA chairman Bev Gobbett presenting delightedlandlady Pam Turton with the certificate in front of a tiledfireplace in this Heritage Pub.

If you appreciate pub architecture to accompany goodbeer, a visit to the Railway is a must. It is one of the bestunspoilt pubs in and around Cheshire.

Trafford & Hulme CAMRA group was a major contributor of organisation and staff to the Campaign’s recenthighly successful National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester. With such a profusion of beers, including lots ofold ales, stouts and porters, there was something for everyone. Your editor, standing next to a bar with 21 stoutsand porters was heard to mutter “This is like being in heaven but without all that tedious harp music!”.

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Acton, Nantwich Star 01270 627296 Wednesday 8.30 pm Acton Bridge Hazel Pear 01606 853195 St Luke’s Hospice charity quiz. 1st Wednesdays .Altrincham Old Market Tavern 0161 927 7062 Wednesday 9.30 pm

Bollington Poachers 01625 572086 Last Sunday of the month for charityBuglawton Robin Hood 01260 273616 Tuesday eveningChelford Egerton Arms 01625 831366 Alternate Thursdays (Lord Ted) 8.30Chester Spital Vaults 01244 324480 Wednesday eveningComberbach Spinner & Bergamot 01606 891307 Wednesday 8 pmCongleton Castle Inn 01260 277505 Tuesday eveningCrewe Woodside 01270 569513 Tuesday 9 pmDavenham Bull’s Head 01606 43725 Sunday & Tuesday eveningsHandbridge Carlton 01244 671070 Tuesday eveningHandforth Railway 01625 523472 Thursday 8.30 pm (in aid of Mencap)Hoole Bromfield 01244 345037 Tuesday eveningHolt, Wrexham Peal o’Bells 01829 270411 Monday 9 pmHoughton Green The Plough 01925 815409 Thursday 9 pmKelsall Farmer’s Arms 01829 751784 Friday & Sunday eveningKingsley Red Bull 01928 788097 Tuesday eveningKnutsford Lord Eldon 01565 652261 Monday 8.30 pmMacclesfield Hollins 07983 335501 Tuesday eveningMacclesfield Railway View 01625 423657 Sunday eveningMarton Davenport Arms 01260 224269 Thursday 9 pmMiddlewich Boar’s Head 01606 833191 Sunday eveningMobberley Bull’s Head 01565 880105 Thursday eveningMobberley Church Inn 01565 872651 Alternate Thursdays (Lord Ted) 8.30Nantwich Black Lion 01270 628711 Monday 8.30 pmPenketh Ferry Tavern 01925 791117 Sunday 9.30 pmPeover Heath Dog Inn 01625 861421 Thursdays & SundaysPickmere Elms 01565 733395 Thursday eveningRainow Rising Sun 01625 424235 Thursday eveningStyal Ship Inn 01625 523818 Wednesday eveningWarrington Dog & Partridge 01925 813915 Tuesday evening Warrington Ring o’Bells 01925 634035 Wednesday 9.30 pmWilmslow Coach & Four 01625 525046 Every Sunday eveningWilmslow King William 01625 524022 Every Sunday eveningWilmslow Rifleman’s Arms 01625 537235 Thursdays & Sundays

? ? ? LISTINGS; PUB QUIZ (The Inquisition) ? ? ?

FREE listings;tell us your music

or quiz details.

Please phonethe pub

for confirmationbefore travelling.

The Editor acceptsno responsibility

for changingcircumstances

and lives ina state ofperpetualignorance.

AS IF YOU NEEDED AN EXCUSE!These listings give the details we have on some of the reasons why are night out in your local can involve morethan good beer, good food and good conversation. The British pub has a lot to offer; why do you think they havebeen part of our way of life for so long?The pub quiz has become a fun part of our culture and many of them involve a charitable cause.The pubs that offer live music are keeping a part of our culture going. Where would our music scene be if it werenot for the grounding some of our finest musicians received in their formative years on the pub circuit? Give yourears a treat an go and listen to some real live musicians and enjoy a decent beer while you are at it. You deserve it!

We invite all publicans to tell us about the attractions you provide. Pubs are having a hard time, and we see manyinventive ways of increasing trade. Please notify us of your beer festivals, your quiz nights and music, your ac-commodation and meals, the local attraction, your charitable events and your involvement with the community.Tell our readers why they should visit you. Send us high-resolution photographs of your pubs, Help us to help you.We also welcome direct advertising’ the details are on the right. Just contact the editor to discuss yourrequirements.

WHEN YOU HAVE LOST YOUR INNS,DROWN YOUR EMPTY SELVES,

FOR YOU WILL HAVE LOST THE LAST OF ENGLAND.

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Music Room Acton, Nantwich Star 01270 627296 ad hoc folk music, Thursday evening.Allostock Drovers 01565 723535 Country Music Mon, Rock, Pop & Blues ThursdayAllostock Three Greyhounds 01565 722234 Jam Night, Wednesday; call for detailsAlsager Mere 01270 882019 Live music every Tuesday evening in term time.Altrincham Old Market Tavern 0161 927 7062 Rock music Saturday & Sunday evenings.Audlem Shroppie Fly 01270 811772 Acoustic folk music every Monday 8:45 pmBroken Cross Ridgegate 01625 439932 Irish and Folk with Sully every Friday, 8.30 pmChester Spital Vaults 01244 324480 Live music Friday and Saturday eveningsCotebrook Fox & Barrel 01829 760529 Monday evening 8.45 pm Trad New Orleans JazzGawsworth Harrington Arms 01260 223325 Folk Session, Friday EveningHalkyn Blue Bell 01352 780309 Old time sing-a-long every Friday evening..Folk in traditional style Monthly, every 2nd Thursday .Handbridge Carlton 01244 671070 Live acoustic Jam session second FridayKnutsford Lord Eldon 01565 652261 Thursday; open mike night, Saturday; live bandsLach Dennis Duke of Portland 01606 46264 Jazz on SundaysMacclesfield Hollins 07983 335501 Friday and Saturday

Macclesfield Sun Inn 01625 610436 Irish/Folk Session, Friday eveningMiddlewich Boar’s Head 01606 833191 Saturdays, with Folk Jam 2nd Sat of the month ‘Open Mic’ night, third Wednesday of the monthMobberley Bull’s Head 01565 873134 Folk. 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights. All welcome.Nantwich Railway Hotel 01270 623482 Live music Friday and SaturdayNantwich Black Lion 01270 628711 Live music Fri and Sat, ad hoc Tues & ThursPoynton Royal British Legion 01625 873120 R&B 2nd Thursday, Jazz, 3rd Thurs of the monthSmallwood Bluebell 01477 500262 Folk Music, last Monday of the month, 8.30 pmStyal Ship Inn 01625 523818 Irish/folk every Saturday eveningSwettenham Swettenham Arms 01477 571284 Live music most Wednesdays

Warrington Ring o’Bells 01925 634035 Live acoustic music most Sundays 8.30 pm - 50p entry Wilmslow King William 01625 524022 Last Saturday of each monthWrenbury Dusty Miller 01270 780537 Acoustic folk night every last Friday in the month

.....and space for more! Surely there must be more live music than this? Bands, fans and licensees are encouragedto tell us about new entries for this listing. It is replicated on the web-site too, at www.outinncheshire.co.uk

Free listing; just let us have your details! See our Website www.outinncheshire.co.uk

LISTINGS; LIVE MUSIC

Advertise with us -let our readersbe your customers!Out Inn Cheshire welcomes new advertisers,no matter what your business.Reach over 30,000 discerning readers!We publish quarterly, with a print run of 11,000being distributed free to over 400 pubs, off-licencesand other outlets across the county.

We are happy to design your ad for you!

New advertisers are always welcome.

ADVERTISING RATESColour Black & White

Small £65 £40Medium £130 £80Full page £260 £160

advertising@outinncheshire.co.ukSubstantial discounts for regular slotsNext Issue; Press Deadline 30 AprilPublishing Date 1 June (approx)

EDITORIAL ADDRESS2 Garden Cottages, Tabley House, Chester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0EZ Tel: 01565-653096 (H)

E-mail: editor@outinncheshire.co.uk Website: www.outinncheshire.co.ukEdited by George Symes with Production and Technical Wizardry by Martin Baxter

Views expressed in Out Inn Cheshire are those of the individual authors and not necessarily supported by the editor or CAMRAPrinted by Delmar Press (Colour Printers) Ltd of Wall Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5LS : 01270 624122 Fax: 01270 626841Email: info@delmarpress.co.uk

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People with taste are drinking Real Ale