issue 140€¦ · doncaster station to launch three new beers. now hilltop has expanded even...
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www.doncastercamra.org.uk
Winter 2018/19
Issue 140
The magazine of the Doncaster and District Branch of CAMRA
COMMUNITY OWNED PUBS
Donny DrinkerWINTER 2018/19
AdvertisingGeoff [email protected]
Editor & DesignSteve [email protected]
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IN THIS ISSUE
Pubs of the Season 6Branch Lines 8Pub News 10Community Rub Pubs 12Raisint Money for the MS Society 14The Draughtsman’s Big Brother 16Obituaries 17Check the Pub Car Park 17Brewery Returns to Cusworth Hall 18CAMRA’s Key Campaigns 23Rambles with Round 24Brewery and Cider News 28The Times are Changing 31Town Centre Pubs Map 34Membership update 36Branch Diary 38
Branch Chairman - Ian [email protected] Secretary - Ian [email protected] Secretary - Carole [email protected] - Dave [email protected]
Doncaster Trading Standards implementsnational policy to support fair and competitivemarkets, honest enterprise and good business.These are vital to the livelihoods and safety oflocal communities
Tel: 03454040506Email: citizensadvice.org.uk
Donny Drinker 141 Spring 2019
DeadlinesArticles & Adverts- February 8th 2019Issue comes out - March 11th 2019
5
EDITORIAL commentEDITORIAL comment
I recently watched a programme on the TV that featured the problems with local transportin rural communities. Getting to see a doctor, going to the shops or finding the nearestATM all become mountains to climb for those people without a car or who are unable todrive.It brought back thoughts I often have of the difficulties of getting to many pubs in theDoncaster area. We don’t just have branch meetings in the town centre, but we like to getto some of the pubs around the district. A pub like the Hilltop at Conisbrough is not too badbecause it is on the main bus route to Sheffield but others such as the Hickleton VillagePub, Jemmy Hirst at the Rose and Crown at Rawcliffe and many pubs in the Isle of Axholmereally become impossible to get to in the evening by public transport.There’s very little that can be done about it because there is not enough demand to makepublic transport viable. As a branch we try our best to find solutions, particularly for branchmeetings. We sometimes change the start and finish times to coincide with the buses orwe have special arrangements like with Hickleton Village Pub where the pub will arrangetransport if anyone can’t get a lift. In order to get to as many pubs as possible we organisea small bus for some of our socials so members can get to most of our pubs through theyear. Our social secretary takes great care to provide bus and/or train times for many ofour socials. Annually in October, there is the Axholme Running Day when the public canget free bus rides on heritage buses to the Isle of Axholme for an afternoon and manyCAMRA branch members take advantage of this arrangement to tour round some of thepubs. Some socials are arranged as far as Goole, Chinley and the Birmingham area andit is all done by public transport. Some members also get together and travel to beerfestivals and pubs around Sheffield or York.Lack of public transport is just another reason why some pubs are struggling but it issometimes surprising how far, with a little bit of research and effort, you can get to enjoya nice pub and make some new friends.
6
The Sun, still popularly known as the Sun Inn,stands in an imposing position on the junction ofthe old Great North Road and Barnsley Road. Ihave always had an affection for this pub but,since Ian & Lisa Leighton took over as licenseesin June 2015, it is now in my opinion the best ithas ever been. I am therefore delighted thatmembers of Doncaster & District CAMRA havevoted it Doncaster Pub of the Season for Winter2018/19.The quality of the beer here is always excellent.I regard Ian as one of the best cellarmen in ourarea. There are up to four real ales from theMarston's portfolio on offer here includingWychwood Hobgoblin Gold on a permanentbasis – a particular favourite of mine. TheMarston's range covers beers from a variety ofbreweries nowadays, not only Marston's butalso Wychwood ,Jennings, Ringwood, Banks'setc. and beers from these breweries have allbeen featured here. Ringwood Boondoggle isoften to be found in this pub – another favouriteof mine!Another great thing about the Sun is that Ian &Lisa have made this a real community pub. Pubsshouldn't just be about beer, important as thatmost certainly is, or about food. They shouldfunction as a proper social centre and there aremany ways in which the Sun fulfils that role.
Every Friday from 2pm there is a council-ledCup & a Chat meeting which enables peoplewho may otherwise lead lonely lives to gettogether for a chat and to organise outings andother events. Age U.K. have a meeting here onthe last Tuesday of every month. There aremany music events to suit a diversity of tasteson various Saturdays: Soul & Motown (1st.Saturday), Acoustic artists (mid Saturday) andTribute Night (last Saturday). The latter havingfeatured tributes to such as Tina Turner, DustySpringfield etc.The Sun also has an enviable reputation for thequality of the food on offer. I have dined heremany times and can testify to that quality. Thereare special deals available. Between 12 and3pm on every day but Sunday a three courselunch can be purchased for as little as £5.95 withthe option of an accompanying drink for an extra£1. There is a very popular curry evening everyWednesday (£6.45 including a free drink) andbargain deals on Thursdays, Fridays andSaturdays involving grills, fish & chips andburgers respectively.The location of the Sun makes it an ideal pub forwalkers given its close proximity to the RomanRidge and Trans Pennine Trail footpaths.Indeed, as a branch, we have availed ourselvesof its delights whilst doing sponsored charity
walks on more than one occasion.So, the Sun has much to offer. Thebeer, the food and the commitment tothe community and the hard work ofthe licensees and their staff, not tomention their efficiency and warmwelcoming attitude, all justify thedecision to give this award. All arewelcome to join us for thepresentation of this well-deservedPub of the Season Award on theevening of Monday 18th February,2019. The presentation should takeplace at approximately 9pm. Pleasecome along and enjoy the companyand the excellent beer!
Winter Pubs of the Season 2018DONCASTER - The Sun, York Road
Ian Round
7
Winter Pubs of the Season 2018
In 2005 John and Julie Bullcroft realised along-held ambition when they took over theirfirst pub , the Hilltop Hotel, Conisbrough. Flashforward 13 years and they’re the owners of twopubs and a micro-brewery. What’s more,they’ve just won their fourth CAMRA award asDoncaster District Pub of the Season for Winter2018-19.Situated at the very edge of Conisbrough on theA630 Doncaster to Sheffield road, the Hilltoptoday is very different from the slightlyneglected roadside pub the Bullcrofts first tookover. It has been refurbished throughout but stillmaintains its character as a pub for locals andvisitors alike. When you enter there’s a publicbar on the right while on the left there’s a loungewith a dining area.Of course, the reason for all those CAMRAawards is good beer and that’s something theHilltop has been renowned for ever since Johnand Julie took over. Even before the pubopened its own brewery, it was offering fourcask ales from a whole range of breweries,including local ones. The quality was invariablygood, hence all those CAMRA awards.But John always had ambitions to brew his ownales and in 2014 the Hilltop Brewery wasopened in a building behind the pub. Under thesupervision of Head Brewer David Sheriff, this
4.5 barrel plant brews 3-4 times a week. Thebrewery has a regular range of 15 beers andalso produces seasonal specials. The Hilltopnow features its own ales exclusively. Four areusually on offer with Classic Bitter and Blondebeing the most popular. I personallyrecommend the excellent HTP porter whichwas in very good order when I visited the pubto research this article. The brewery alsosupplies several other pubs including the WathTap, Wath RUFC and the Lion and Keys, Hull.One weekend last year Hilltop Brewery did a“tap takeover” at the Draughtsman onDoncaster Station to launch three new beers.Now Hilltop has expanded even further. When
Hamelsworde Brewery was forced to closerecently, Hilltop bought the HamelswordeTap in Hemsworth. It opened to the publicon October 26th as the Hilltop Brewery Tapand, along with Hilltop beers, it will featureguest ales from other breweries.The Hilltop is open every day exceptTuesday. Food is available Wednesday toSunday, there are three quiz nights onWednesday, Thursday and Sunday as wellas Bingo on Thursday and Sunday. It’s asuperb community pub which fully deservesthis latest accolade. Doncaster CAMRA willbe presenting John and Julie with their awardon Monday 25th February at 21:00. All arewelcome to come along. It should be a greatnight.
Dave Bartley
DISTRICT - The Hilltop, Conisbrough
8
Branch LinesInnformation for Branch Members
This is the second issue of Donny Drinker thatwe’ve produced since the decision not to postcopies to the branch membership was taken.Unfortunately, rising costs left us with littlechoice. I would like to thank you all for yourunderstanding in this matter as it wasn’t an easycourse of action to take. For those of you whoaren’t aware, this publication will continue to beavailable to all the real ale pubs and clubsthroughout the branch area, and can also beread or downloaded from the website (seeaddress on the front cover). A few days beforepublication, a message will be sent out on thecomms tool and also via our Facebook page tolet you all know when it will be available.The branch AGM was held in November at theLeopard on West Street. The meeting was wellattended and the management and staff theredid a great job for us. I would like to thank Adrianand his team for their help and support. A fullrange of beers, from pale ales to porters, wereon offer and nothing was too much trouble. Ijust hope we didn’t leave the lounge in too muchof a state afterwards!This was my first AGM as Branch Chairman andit seemed a little strange at first standing in frontof everyone. I thanked the committee and ourvolunteers, and then went on to highlight someof the difficulties we’ve faced as a committeeover the past year. These included: the need fora new website, finding a suitable venue for afull-size beer festival, and of course, organisinga successful one.I then went on to describe what had been doneover the past year to overcome thesechallenges. We now have a new website, theresult of one of our members coming forwardwith the skills to set it up after an appeal for help.We were approached by the management of theDome and were able to negotiate an agreementwith them. A sub committee was formed tooversee the organisation of the beer festivalwhich, although being a little short of volunteersat first, put together a successful event.Reports were made by other members of thecommittee but space doesn’t permit me to
include them all. I will say however that allpresent at the meeting joined me to raise a glassin thanking our Social Secretary for thewonderful series of events and socials she’sorganised this year. To pinch a phrase from ourprevious chairman. “Doncaster CAMRA issurely the best social club in the area!”The Beer Festival Sub-Committee Chairmanannounced the venue and dates for our 28thBeer Festival. This will be held once moreat the Dome, where we hope to build on thesuccess of the 27th. It will again be athree-day event, from 6th to 8th June 2019.The committee indicated that they would bewilling to stand again in their existing roles and,as no other nominations had been received, theywere re-elected by those present. The posts ofPublicity Officer and Brewery Liaison Co-ordinator are unfilled however and an appealwas made for volunteers which I would like toextend beyond the meeting to all members ofthe branch. If you would like to help us andwould like to know more, please contact eithermyself or the Secretary : the e-mail address isat the front of this issue.Several existing Brewery Liaison Officersexpressed a desire to continue in their posts,which was approved by those present, and areplacement was proposed to liaise with theImperial Brewery, Mexborough, as the personin this role had indicated his wish to step down.Chris Harrison was proposed, seconded andvoted into that position at the meeting.After a vote, those present decided that thecharity we would like to support in 2019 will beC.A.L.M. which is an organisation supportedlocally by the Old Mill Brewery. To give it its fulltitle, the Campaign Against Living Miserably(C.A.L.M.) is a charity dedicated to preventingmale suicide, the single biggest killer of menunder the age of 45 in the UK. It a soberingstatistic but in 2015 75% of all UK suicides weremale. Further information on the workundertaken by C.A.L.M. will appear in the nextissue.
9
Ian Jones Branch Membership Secretary
Having concluded the business of the meeting,The AGM was closed and a fine Pie and Peasupper was enjoyed. To round off the eveningon a fun note, a pub quiz was then held whichhad one or two members scratching their headsover the identity of some of the pubs featured.As you’ve probably realised from mydescription of events, the AGM does have aserious side but, once everything has been
discussed and dealt with, it quickly becomes asocial occasion. Members have the chance tocatch up or meet with people who care aboutreal ale and CAMRA but who enjoy a pleasantsocial atmosphere afterwards. Why not give ita try next year and see for yourself?
Pub Awards
Autumn District Pub of the SeasonCarpenter’s Arms, Tickhill
Autumn Doncaster Pub of the SeasonThe Mason, Town Centre
Real cider is a long-established traditional drink which is produced naturally from apples and isneither carbonated or pasteurised. Real cider is in a similar situation to that which faced real alesome 30 years ago with the number of outlets diminishing even in the West Country. Perry(which is made from pears) is in a similar situation and is rarely available away from the farmgate. Many of the well-known ciders sold in the UK are not produced naturally from apples, butare cold, fizzy keg products which have been produced artificially.
The CAMRA Definition of Real Cider
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The newest micro-brewery and pub has openedinside the grounds of Cusworth Hall. See the fullarticle on page 18. It is to be known as The OldBrewhouse. The Eagle and Child in Auckleyhas been showcasing some interesting beerslately: Ram Tam by Timothy Taylors, which wasenjoyed by our editor, and next on was to beBlack Sheep Milk Stout. The Cross Keys inWroot is now offering a food menu on Thursdaysand Fridays, as well as four excellent cask ales.Following on from the last edition’s feature ondogs in pubs, I recently found myself in such apub. It was the excellent Crown in Belton, wherenot only are the beers kept in tip-top condition,there are friendly locals with some lovely dogs.Well behaved dogs are welcome there, and it isa very popular place with dog-lovers. Beers onthe bar were – Bank’s Sunbeam, BrakspearBitter, Jennings Cocker Hoop, Cuckoo CrownJewel, Oakham Citra and Bradfield FarmersBlonde.On that same day a bunch of CAMRA memberstravelled for free around the Isle of Axholme,courtesy of the Doncaster Omnibus and LightRailway Society via the Tram Museum inSandtoft. My first port of call was The Red Lionin Epworth where they had Theakston’s Best,Old Speckled Hen and a guest beer called ThirdBlood, made with fruit and boasting USA Hopsfor an intensely citrus taste. From there it wasonwards to Owston Ferry on a veteran busdriven by a Mr Ian Jones! Here there are twopubs which are well worth a visit, The WhiteHart, right beside the river, had a great beer –Woodforde’s Reedlighter : their regular beer isMarston’s 61 Deep. The other pub in OwstonFerry is the Crooked Billet which had DoomBar, plus two beers from Milestone – Shine onand Black Pearl. The Carpenters Arms inWestwoodside had Black Sheep Bitter plusFarmers Blonde and Brown Cow, both fromBradfield Brewery, and Wadworth Treacle treat.We are pleased to report the Kings Arms inHaxey is open again.Our recent social to Thorne included a visit totwo of our most popular pubs – The Windmilland The Old Vault. The former now serves three
fine real ales. When we arrived we were directedtowards the Sheffield-brewed Kelham IslandBest Bitter on the recommendation of a localseated at the bar (he was on his third pint). It wasindeed a great pint, in perfect condition. Theregular beer at the Windmill is Abbeydale PaleRider. The third pump dispensed “Americana”from the Stancill Brewery, which is also inSheffield interestingly. This was an immediatesuccess with all the CAMRA members who triedit, although one refused to try it as it is USAhopped! It was onwards to The Old Vault wherewe were pleased to find another wide selectionof real ales. There was White Lightning fromWhite Rose Brewery, a raspberry wheat beerfrom Milestone, a beer called Hey Blackberryfrom Don Valley, another from White Rose calledRaven and one from Brentwood calledLumberjack. The Punchbowl had four ales onincluding Red Goose, Bullion, La Bolsa and theirTraditional Bitter, all from Old Mill Brewery. TheCanal Tavern is getting a reputation for goodquality real ale and did not disappoint withAdnams Southwold Best Bitter and TimothyTaylor’s past Champion Beer of Britain -Boltmaker.Even more recently, we paid a visit to the districtof Edenthorpe. There we called at theRidgewood a fine traditional pub owned by SamSmith and selling their Best Bitter at anunbelievable price. We also called in at TheEden Arms where there was AbbeydaleMoonshine, Ember Inns Pale (brewed by BlackSheep) and Tyne Bank Blonde.I am informed that the Goose in Hallgate ishaving a make-over and being changed to a“Slug and Lettuce”. Hopefully its real ales willremain.Latest information on the Jemmy Hirst atRawcliffe is that they are hopeful they have founda buyer. Watch this space.Doncaster Brewery & Tap celebrates their 5th
year at the Young Street address. Regularly onthe bar they have 6 real ales, 4 brewed on sitealong with two guest beers and 6 traditional stillciders.
Pub News
Geoff Bowley
The Old George
Broad Lane Sykehouse DN14 9AU
OpenMon Sat 12 - Midnight
Sunday 11.30 - Midnight
Food AvailableMon-Sat 12-2
&Tues-Sat 5-9 (Mon 5-8)Sunday Carvery 12 - 6
Mon - Pie Night £6.45 Tue - Steak Night £6.45Thu - Fish Night £6.45
Tetley Bitter + 2 Rotating Real AlesPub Garden
Family FriendlyTraditional Pub Games
Real Fire
We are in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 201901405 785635
Paul and Sandra welcome you to
12
Community Run PubsRecently we have had a pub in the area that isthreatened by closure and is looking to thecommunity to see if it can become a community-run pub.A community pub is one that is both owned andcontrolled by a significant number of peoplewithin the local community. It has advantagesin that the local people really feel the pub is acommunity asset and it can provide localfacilities over and above what a basic pub can.In other words, it can be tailored to the needsof the local community.Donny Drinker has, in the past, explained howa pub can be granted an Asset of CommunityValue status which can result in a 6-monthplanning moratorium to give the opportunity toestablish ways of keeping the building as a pub.These can be effective but sometimes they failand the pub is lost.The community buying the pub can be theultimate solution. It takes a lot of organising,may need large sums of money being raisedand needs to have a long-term viable plan.There needs to be very serious considerationgiven at the beginning as to whether it is aviable business proposition.There are several different communityownership models and these include:
Community Co-operatives – these pubs arerun as Community Benefit Societies. They areowned and controlled by a significant numberof local people (about 200) and they all buyshare holdings. Governance is donedemocratically on a one member, one votebasis, regardless of the investment stake. Thereare currently about 70 pubs operating in thisway.Community Interest Companies – this is atype of limited company which exists to benefitthe community rather than shareholders. Thereare about 20 pubs currently owned on this basis.Enterprise Investment Schemes – introducedin 1994, this Government-sponsored schemeprovides generous tax relief to investors whomake equity investments in small companiessuch as pubs. They are suitable where moneyis required quickly to make a purchase andmust have a minimum of four investors.Public Loans Fund Board Group – this optionis only available to Parish Councils and allowsthem to access a loan to buy a pub. The pubthen enters Council ownership and will begoverned by the local authority.Company Limited by Guarantee – thesecompanies have members who act asguarantors. They are non-profit organisations
and they protect people runningthe company from personalliability for company debts.One of Yorkshire’s best knowncommunity pubs is the multipleYorkshire Pub of the Yearwinner, the George and Dragonin Hudswell. It was alsoCAMRA’s national Pub of theYear in 2016. It’s the firstcommunity-owned pub to winthis prestigious prize. Villagersfounded the HudswellCommunity Pub Initiative in 2008when the pub was closed. Theyraised funds to buy it backthrough a variety of grants andaward schemes.
Steve Pynegar
BEER FESTIVAL 25th-28th May
13
WHEATSHEAF INN
Home cooked food every lunchtimeTry our family Sunday lunch
Evening meals Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday
Tel: 01757 270614
www.wheatsheafburn.co.uk
Good Beer Guide 2017York Pub of the Year 2014
BURN
Credit card and cashback facilities availableOn the A19 ‘twixt the M62 and Selby
OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY
All guest ales served in lined glassesBeer Garden & Covered Smoking Area
Bar Food served Fri & SatNoon ‘til 6pm
FUNCTIONS CATERED FORTRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST
Sunday 12.00 - 2.302.30 - 4pm Bookings ONLY
£5.95 adult,£5.50 OAP & CAMRA members
£4.95 Children under 14Under 5’s eat free
@ Corner_pin01302 340670
A Traditional & Friendly Pub forReal Drinkers
CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR2011, 2014, 2015, 2017
Five rotating guest ales fromLOCAL BREWERIES
Free WiFi
145 St Sepulchre Gate West, Doncaster, DN1
CAMRA Pub of the Season Spring 2010& Summer 2016
Children welcome until 5pmCAMRA discount on guest ales and
Sunday dinners
14
CAMRA members who completed the Go ApeChallenge. Rick Leslie, Gordon Wainwright, SteveJoyce, Steve Bend and Marion Bend.
Raising Money for the MS Society
Steve Pynegar
Every year the branch supports a charity that isconnected in some way with a member orsomeone in their family. This year we havechosen to support the local MS Society becausewe have a member and the sister of a memberwho both have the disease.The fund raising started, in a small way, with araffle at a branch dinner in late January,appropriately called the ‘Late, Late ChristmasDinner’. It was held at the Corner Pin andeverybody re-lived Christmas all over again.We also supported a raffle held by the localMS Society and provided some of theprizes, as well as sold some raffletickets. The first prize, which wasdonated by the branch, was wonwith one of the tickets we sold andby co-incidence the wife of the winner also hasMS.The 27th Beer Festival at the Dome gave us agreat opportunity to raise further money. With thesupport of the MS Society we were able toprovide information on the work they do and howtheir members could be supported. On each ofthe days a MS Society member sat by theirdisplay area and enjoyed talking to some of ourmembers. To raise money, we had 3 contributionboxes placed around the venue and Helen, one
of our members also found other waysof raising money at the event. Visitorswere also given the option of placingtheir payment cards with remainingmoney on them into a box as they leftand the value on all these cards wasthen added to contribution to the MS
Society. In all, several hundreds ofpounds were raised at the festival andwe thank all the members and visitors
who gave us their support.Our final fund-raising activity was proposed
by three members who suggested that we helda sponsored event at the Go Ape Challenge atSherwood Pines. This led to a lot of discussionbecause the challenge seemed quite daunting.It involved over 2 hours of zip wires, rope ladders,other rope challenges and all done at aconsiderable height. In the end we decided to goahead with it and volunteers were given theoption of doing either of the 2 challenges thatwere available. Branch members and a few oftheir friends completed the challenge on whatturned out to be a nice sunny day. Before theevent they worked hard on getting sponsors. Onebranch member raised a considerable amount ofmoney and he only signed up to the challenge48hrs before the event. Everyone met the
challenge and their bravery was photographedto prove what they had done. The branchthanks everyone who raised money at thisevent no matter how large or small it was.Thankfully no-one was injured and everyonewas smiling as we finished off the day at theRoyal Oak in Edwinstowe where we treatedourselves to some very nice food and a pint ofreal ale which were all in good condition.The total money raised over the year isamazingly just under £2,000. The branchthanks everyone that was involved and themoney will be handed over during a ChristmasParty the local MS Society is having at theGlasshouse on December 13th. Luckily, thebranch has a social evening that includes avisit to the Glasshouse at Kirk Sandall on thatday. Whilst their party is a private one, at about9.30pm the 2 groups will meet for apresentation ceremony.
15
Adventures of Captain Sprotbro’www.frazzledcat.com
A cask is a beer vessel that holds beer that meets the definition of real ale. It contains beer that isnot pasteurised and is therefore considered to be ‘alive’. That is why real ale is often referred toas cask ale. Beer that is ‘not alive’ and requires the addition of carbon dioxide gas to deliver it tothe glass comes in a vessel known as a keg and is therefore referred to as Keg Beer.Historically beer barrels were given strange names like tun, pipe, puncheon, hogshead, tierce,barrel and rundlet. The names used now are very different and the most common barrels are akilderkin, firkin or pin. Below is a table of the amount of beer in each vessel.
Barrel Pints Gallons
Pin 36 4.5
Firkin 72 9
Kilderkin 144 18
Barrel 288 36
Know Your Cask Sizes
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The Draughtsman’s Big BrotherReaders of Donny Drinker will be familiar withhow the Draughtsman pub on platform 3b atDoncaster station was developed from aformer small buffet room into what it is today.Recently, while on a coach holiday, I foundmyself in Newcastle on a rainy day. With a bitof time before I needed to catch the bus backto the hotel I looked around for a pub to spendsome time in. I didn’t know Newcastle but I hada hunch that the station may well have followedthe current trend to develop pubs in railwaystations.On approaching the station, I could see a signfor The Centurion on the side of the building.It was a rather nondescript wall with a rathersmall ordinary looking door built into it. Still,with nothing to lose, I opened the door into amodest sized hallway with another door in frontof me. Going through that door took me into a
giant, ornate room with a splendid looking barat one end. Even better, the bar had about 4or 5 real ale pumps on display. This room wasfull of Victorian splendour and a good- sizedfootball crowd would have had a job to fill it.Thinking it must have some history to thebuilding, I looked around for evidence of itspast and on one of the walls was a sign with abrief history of how it was developed.The room was originally a first class waitingroom built in 1893. It had a chequered pastand in the 1960s it reached a low point whenthe British Transport Police used it for cells forpeople they had arrested. To add insult toinjury, British Rail also decided to cover themagnificent Victorian tiles with red paint.Like the Draughtsman, in 2000 the buildingwas privately taken over and the owners setabout bringing it back to its former glory. Again,
similar to the Draughtsman, they removedthe paint from the tiles to discover what awork of craftsmanship they were. In 2001they decided, out of curiosity, to have thetiles valued and the figure came out to anunbelievable £3.8 million.The bar provided a vast array of drinks butthe real ales were my target although I onlyhad one. There was a varied and goodchoice of ales but I played safe I stuck tomy favourite Black Sheep bitter.If you’re passing through the station andyou have the time to spare, this pub-cum-palace is well worth a visit.
MarketplaceAlehouse & Deli
21, Market Place Doncaster07887854986
NEW OWNERS SINCE AUGUST 20184 Real Ales (changing weekly)
One Hand Pulled CiderMainstream Beers & Lagers on offer
Food served dailyClosed Thursdays
Steve Pynegar
17
Richard WhiteWe are very sorry to announce the death of Richard White on the 20th October2018. Although he was not from Doncaster, he bcame a friend of the branchand many of you will have been served by him at many of our beer festivalswhere he was a regular volunteer.He will be sadly missed.
RIP Richard
Obituaries
Doreen WaltonWe regret to announce the passing of Doreen Walton, former licensee of the Corner Pin for nearlythirty years up to 1993. Doreen, with husband Des, ran a tight ship at the 'Pin’. Swearing was notallowed for example. Under Doreen's leadership the Corner Pin was the last pub in Doncaster toserve cask John Smith's when it was withdrawn and the first to re-introduce it a few years later.Cask Magnet followed as soon as that became available and she became an early convert to guestbeers once those were offered. Doreen and Des's daughter, Kate, with her husband, Karl ran, theLeopard for a short while but very sadly Kate passed away. After leaving the 'Pin Des and Doreenretired to live in Sprotbrough.
Our condolences go to Des and their son, Nigel.
Check the Pub Car Park
A number of pubs have had problems over the years withthe public using their car parks but not going into the pubfor refreshments. The Cumberland in Wheatley Hills is aclassic example : people visiting the hospital would leavetheir cars in the pub car park. They solved the problemby introducing a parking charge which could be refundedif you bought a drink.Other pubs, in a similar situation, have started to introduceparking schemes. We know of 2 members who havevisited pubs and have been caught out because theydidn’t realise that parking charges had been introducedsince they last went, even though there were signswarning them.We advise all members to be wary of assuming that pubcar parking arrangements are still the same as the lasttime they went there. Look around when parking andfollow the guidance on the signs. It could cost you theequivalent of more than 20 pints if you have a fine to pay.As well as the Cumberland we know of two more : theBoat Inn at Sprotbrough and the Beefeater at Lakeside,where the nearby hotel is operating a scheme. Both areareas where you need to be careful when you park.
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In 1952, following the death of Robert CecilBattie-Wrightson, his sister Barbara, the lastremaining heir to Cusworth Hall, instructed that theentire contents of the hall be put up for sale bymeans of public auction, in order to pay deathduties.From furniture to silverware, books and paintingsto wine from the cellar, some 2,451 individual itemswere sold over a period of 9 days, including thevery last remnants of the hall’s bygone brewery.But that was then!Now, some 66 years on, the brilliant news (if youhaven’t already heard) is that the originalBrewhouse has been restored to life by theintroduction of a new nano-brewery – TEN EIGHTYSIX – the name of which comes from the dateCusworth was first mentioned in the DomesdayBook. And that’s not all! The other equally greatnews is that the new brewery comes complete withits own micro pub, the door of which was openedto the general public on the 19th October.At the Old Brewhouse (as the brewery tap is to beknown), three real ales are on offer: ‘Sir Roger ofBully Bitter’ (3.9% ABV) named after one of theearliest known owners of the estate. ‘CuzeuuordePale Ale’ (4.3% ABV). Cuzeuuorde being theearliest known name for Cusworth in theDomesday Book. And lastly, ‘Lady Isabella IPA’(4.5% ABV) is named after Lady IsabellaGeorgiana Katherine Battie-Wrightson, probablythe most widely-known person in relation to thehall and estate and the mother of Robert andBarbara.It is understood that all future beers will have a‘Cusworth’ connection.
Although the main focus will continue to be on thereal ales produced by the brewery, guest beers arelikely to appear from time to time and, possibly, areal cider.In addition to the cask beers there are also 6 kegbeers available including the Belgian beer ‘LaTrappe’. Other alcoholic drinks include a smallselection of bottled beers and ciders, wines, ginsand various other spirits. One that catches the eyeis “Centurion’s Ghost Elysian Spirit” from YorkBrewery – a whisky by any other name. Distilledfrom the award-winning Centurion’s Ghost Ale, itcomes in at a whopping 42% ABV.Customers who feel a little peckish can choosefrom a variety of snacks, sandwiches, pizzas andflat-breads.Inside the ‘Old Brewhouse’ around 25 people canbe seated at any one time but if you can’t get aseat straight away, don’t worry : a large heatedmarquee is in place directly outside in thecourtyard to take up any overspill.In the first few weeks since opening, such hasbeen the demand the brewery has had to workflat-out to keep up. Long may it last!In terms of the interior design and the layout, itmust be said that the team have done aremarkable job in transforming a completely emptybuilding into the very unique and characterfulbrewery tap we see today. To quote an old saying– seeing is believing!Many people already considered Cusworth Hallwith its many attraction to be Doncaster Council’sjewel in the crown but with the addition of the ‘OldBrewhouse’ things have just got a whole lot betterstill!
BREWING RETURNS TO CUSWORTH HALL
Cusworth Kid
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Donna, Colin & StaffWould like to invite you to The Wheatsheaf. Come along for real
ales, fantastic food and a warm welcome for everyone.
COLIN’S £25 CHALLENGEIf you can eat all of the £25 mixed grill by yourself in 1 hour.
Colin will pay2 Rumpsteaks and 2 pints of Real Ale £15.00
QUIZ NIGHTSEvery Sunday
Guaranteed a laugh with Quizmaster ‘Preacher Dave’
The Wheatsheaf
2 Rotating Guest Ales(Discount for CAMRA members - proof required)
FUNCTION ROOMAvailable to hire for Weddings, Christenings, Birthdays etc.
Church Street Armthorpe DN3 3AE 01302 835868
DONCASTER SUMMER PUB OF THE SEASON 2013
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Dome/LakesideBeefeater LakesideCheswoldEdenthorpeEden Arms DThe Ridge WoodEpworthOld School InnQueen’s HeadRed LionWhite BearFenwickBaxter Arms WFinningleyHarvey Arms WFishlakeOld Anchor InnHare & HoundsGooleCity & County LDGoole Town Cricket Club*Macintosh CNorth Star Marina ClubThe DrakeThe VikingTom PuddingVictoria HotelGreat HeckBay Horse LHatfieldBay HorseHatfieldsHatfield ChaceIngram ArmsJack Hawley at theGrangeHatfield WoodhouseGreen TreeHaxeyThe Duke WilliamKings ArmsHensallRailway Tavern
Bentley Town EndThree Horseshoes LBessacarrFlying ChildersToby CarveryBlaxtonBlue Bell WBraithwellButchers ArmsBrantonThree Horse ShoesBurghwallisBurghwallisCadebyCadeby Pub & Restaurant LClaytonClayton with Frickley Club LConisbroughHilltop LDoncasterBallers Sports BarBlack Bull LCorner Pin LDWDoncaster Brewery Tap LCGatehouse LWGooseHorse & GroomLeopard DLMarketplace Alehouse &Deli LCHallcrossLittle Plough LMasons’ ArmsQueen Crafthouse CRailway DRed Lion W LRum and RockSalutation LCSocialThe Angel and RoyalThe CourtyardThe Draughtsman AlehouseThe LockwoodThe MallardTown Field Sports ClubTut ‘n’ Shive DWhite Swan LYatesYorkshire Grey C
Adwick-le-StreetForesters ArmsAdwick upon DearneManvers ArmsAirmynPercy ArmsArkseyPlough LArmthorpeAcorn WCastle Park *Horse & GroomThe SportsmanWheatsheaf LDCWAuckleyEagle & Child WAusterfieldMayflowerBalbyThe SpinneyBalby Carr BankWoodfield farmBalby (Woodfield Pltn)Maple TreeBarnburghBarnburgh WM Club LThe Crown InnBarnby DunBarnby Dun Social ClubThe Olive TreeBawtryShip WTurnpikeWhite HartBar and Brasserie CDLBealJenny WrenBeltonCrownWheatsheafBelle VueTown Moor Golf Club LBentleyBay Horse
Real Ale in the Doncaster and District Branch AreaL Locale Pubs D Card-carrying members discount C Real Cider
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HickletonHickleton Village HallClub*HookBlacksmith’s ArmsHooton PagnallThe Hostel LKellingtonKellington Manor HotelRed LionKirk SandallGlasshouseKirk SmeatonShoulder of MuttonMarrMarr Lodge DMexboroughConcertina Band Club LImperial LOld Market Hall LWPastures LodgeThe FalconMicklebringThe Grazing HartNortonThe SchoolboyOwstonOwston Hall & Golf ClubThe OwstonOwston FerryCrooked BilletWhite HartPollingtonKing’s Head LRawcliffeJemmy Hirst at the Rose&Crown LCRawcliffe BridgeRawcliffe Bridge Club*ReednessHalf Moon InnRossingtonStyrrup
WadworthWhite HartWest CowickShip WWestwoodsideCarpenter’s ArmsWheatleyStrawberry Island Boat*Club (Private Club)The House MartinUkrainian Club * LWheatley HillsCumberlandWhitley BridgeGeorge & DragonWoodlandsHighwaymanWoodlands Snooker ClubWrootCross Keys
Wheelchair access may be possible
Pain
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Mic
hael
Lic
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Pubs/Clubs marked with asterisk may haverestricted hours or only sell real aleoccasionally or may require membership.
IF IN DOUBT - please phone before startingyour journey.
We try to provide correct information. If it is inaccurate or there is something youcan add please contact [email protected]
W
SandtoftReindeer WScawsbyMallardScawsby MillSun (Inn)SnaithBell & CrownBlack LionBrewer’s Arms LDowne ArmsPloughYorkshire AlesSprotboroughBoat Inn WIvanhoeNewtonStainforthNew InnSuttonAnne ArmsSwinefleetThe Ship InnSykehouseOld George InnThorneBarge InnCanal TavernPunch Bowl LThe King’s ChamberThe Old Vault DWindmill LThorne High LevelsBlack BullTickhillCarpenter’s ArmsRoyal Oak LScarbrough Arms L
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CAMRA’s Key CampaignsCAMRA has 4 key campaigns which aresupported throughout the year.Stop Tax Killing Beer and PubsTaxes, rents and other overheads are havinga dramatic impact on beer and pubs throughoutthe country. Locally, many pubs and clubs havebeen closed or replaced by supermarkets andother developments. The branch continues tohighlight the problem throughout the brancharea.Secure an Effective GovernmentSupport Package for Pubs.Members of the branch have recently joined amass lobby of Parliament which involvedmeeting our local MPs.Thanks to tireless lobbying, the governmenthave now changed the law to protect all pubsin the planning system. Locally the branch hassupported pubs in acquiring Assets ofCommunity Value (ACV) status and alsoattended public meetings involving the
proposed closures of local pubs. We constantlymonitor what is happening to pubs and wherenecessary raise issues with the local authorityand/or our local MPs.Encourage People to try a Range ofReal Ales, Ciders & PerriesThrough the Donny Drinker, our website,Facebook and Twitter sites we promote realales, ciders and perries while also recognisingthat drinking should be done within safe limitsto health. The branch organises the successfulDoncaster Beer Festival to give local peoplethe opportunity to try a wide variety of thesetypes of drink.Promote Pubs and Pub-GoingA pub is more than just a place to drink. Itshould be a centre of community activity and asocial hub. Through our social media outletsand the Donny Drinker we promote all theadvantages of pubs and clubs.
Doncaster Central MP, RosieWinterton with Doncaster CAMRAmembers Carole Leonard, Lynn andNigel Atack at the recent CAMRAorganised lobby of Parliament.
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RAMBLES WITH ROUND
Ludlow and the Bread Walk This is another of my “further afield” walkingarticles. Ludlow in Shropshire is one of myfavourite places. It is a town steeped in historyand is known as one of the best “slow food”towns. There is an excellent market, awonderful cheese shop, butchers shops,bakeries etc. And guess what- there are somebrilliant pubs selling a wealth of mainly localales! So here is a walk on which you cansample as many of these pubs as you canmanage.Begin the walk at the Market Place, walking leftpast Ludlow Castle. The castle dates from the11th Century. Roger Mortimer, Earl ofShrewsbury & Arundel, arrived here in 1085and had the massive castle built. Roger deLacy, one of Montgomery's chief henchmen, isthought by many authorities to have beenresponsible for its building. Having passed thecastle walk down a road named Dinham andtake the steep walk downhill to Dinham Bridge.If you fancy a coffee or tea, refreshment can beenjoyed at a teashop by the River Teme calledMill on the Green.After crossing the bridge, turn left on theriverside path. This is part of WhitcliffeCommon. The walk between Dinham Bridgeand Ludford Bridge is known as the BreadWalk. This was laid out in 1850 and is known bythis name because the workmen of the daywere paid in bread. Folklore says that this wasto prevent them from squandering their wagesin the pubs on their way home! The walk had tobe restored in 1886 and 2008 after great floodshad devastated the riverside path. The walk ison the lower path but, immediately after passingthe weir, climb some stone steps. The pathcontinues to climb and, when it levels out, thereare some magnificent views of the town acrossthe River Teme.The path then descends. Go down more stepsto the road and turn left to the Charlton Armsnext to Ludford Bridge. The pub sign depicts SirJohn Charlton B.A. (1614 – 1697), M.P. ForLudlow, and Judge and Speaker of the Houseof Commons. I thoroughly recommend a drink
on the roof terrace from which there are superbviews of the river, town and the Clee Hills in thedistance. Several local beers are on offer but Ialways make sure I have a pint of Wye ValleyButty Bach.Suitably refreshed, cross the bridge and walkup the street directly opposite. You will soonreach the Wheatsheaf Inn which features beersfrom the Marston's portfolio. Pass through thearchway of Broad Gate, the only survivor ofLudlow's seven medieval gateways. The 13thCentury drum towers and portcullis arch stillsurvive. Continue up Broad Street and turn rightalong Brand Lane to reach Old Street. Turn leftup Old Street. At the traffic lights turn right alongTower Street and reach the “Queens” at thejunction with Lower Galdeford.Named after Queen Victoria, the Queen's isregularly featured in CAMRA'S Good BeerGuide and features a good range of ales fromlocal breweries such as Hobsons, LudlowBrewing Company and Wye Valley. There is alarge enclosed patio garden in which to enjoysome alfresco drinking.Leave the pub and turn right into UpperGaldeford and, almost immediately turn leftdown a walkway past the library and car parksheading downhill . Go through Tesco car parkand Aldi is over the road and Ludlow Brewery ison the right ahead of you. This is featured in theGood Beer Guide as the Railway Shed but the
Charlton Arms
signage is for the Ludlow Brewing Co. Thebrewery, tap and visitor centre is housed inthe building which was once a transit depot forrailway goods. A full range of the excellentLudlow Brewery beers is available here.Leave the pub and turn right going past thesupermarkets down Station Drive. At thetraffic lights turn left up Corve Street and theBull Ring to reach the Feathers Hotel on theleft. The hotel has a traditional Tudor styleblack and white frontage, one of the bestexamples of 17th century half-timbered workin the country. It became an inn about 1670and was much altered in the mid-19th centurywhen the balcony was added forelectioneering. It has been called a “treasureof a house, inside and out”. A cafe` bar hasbeen added (adjoining and internallyconnected) which offers a range of localbeers. Enter here, and I particularlyrecommend a pint of Hobson's Old Pricklywhich is in support of hedgehogs and is onlyavailable in this pub.Continue up the hill and turn right onto KingStreet. At the Buttercross head right alongChurch Street to the Church Inn a 14th century
Free House, situated near the Parish Churchof St Laurence (one of the largest ParishChurches in England). The pub offers up tosix local beers. Leave the Church Inn, turnright and continue along Church Street.Tucked away in a courtyard is the “Rose andCrown”. The deeds of this inn date from 1102and recorded as the Rose and Crown from13th Century making this one of the ancientpublic houses in theEngland. Beers fromJoule's Brewery ofMarket Drayton,Shropshire, can beenjoyed here. Leavingthe pub, return to theMarket Place (the startof our walk).Many more pubs can besampled in Ludlow whenyou visit the town madefamous by A. E.Housman in hisanthology A ShropshireLad. Enjoy!
Ian Round
Church Inn
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Old Mill BreweryIn December 2017 Old Mill Brewery got a newbrewer, Ryan Truswell, who replaced Simon.His pet charity was “ Opening up Cricket”, linkedto CALM ( Campaign Against LivingMiserably). It is a charity that works throughsport with young men who become suicidal.Ryan brewed a beer called 12th man. 5p fromeach pint was donated to the charity. In sixmonths they have raised £1,403.Old Mill Brewery are releasing a new beer calledBullion IPA 3.7%. It is a mix of old school andnew school brewing to create a “hop-tastic” IPA.For Christmas they are brewing “SantasMidnight Moonshine”.
Doncaster BreweryA bid has been put in by Doncaster Council,Business Doncaster and Club Doncaster forDoncaster to be a host town for the 2021 RugbyLeague World Cup. To support this bid, Ian atDoncaster Brewery has made a SMaSH beer(single malt, single hop) with Vienna Malt andAmarillo hops. The Back the Bid beer is a 4.5%pale hoppy beer and is currently available on thebar.Other brews since the last report include CharterPorter and several brews of Sand House Blonde3.8%. We also see the return of the AD71Pumpkin Porter. A sweepstake was run for theABV of this year’s brew and the winner wasKaren with her guess of 4.9% ABV.Following a holiday to Barcelona, Ian has nowmade a sour beer which is available in a limitedrun of 330ml bottled Blackberry Sour Mash at3.6% ABV.The brewery has seen the purchase of somenew shiny equipment which Ian is lookingforward to experimenting with soon … … watchthis space.
We have started toraise the profile ofCider within DoncasterCAMRA. The CAMRABeer Festival saw 22different perries/ciderswith the most popularones being the dry,oak barrelled and fruit.Doncaster Brewery &Tap were nominated for and voted as theDoncaster CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year. Asthe winner, Doncaster Brewery & Tap then wentthrough to CAMRA Regional where it was votedYorkshire CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2018,putting Doncaster CAMRA on the map for cider.In October (cider month) Doncaster Breweryheld a Cider and Cheese Festival which wasvery well-attended and is already on thecalendar for next year.Local cider pubs and the ciders they currentlyoffer are :
�� The Wheatsheaf at Armthorpe –Westons - Old Rosie
�� Doncaster Brewery & Tap – Orchard Pig– Hogfather, Tiny Rebel – Protanopia,Kentish Pip – Vintage Pip, Green ValleyCyder – Vintage Cider, Down Side – Perry,Newtons – Perry, Pure North – PremiumCider, Westons – Capel Road
�� The Marketplace Alehouse and Deli –Lilleys Merry Monkey Scrumpy
�� The Queens – Pure North – Medium, Lil-leys Rhubarb
�� Salutation – Westons - Old Rosie�� Yorkshire Grey – Westons - Rosies Pig�� Macintosh – Westons – Old Rosie
A recommendation to add to the list:
�� The Draughtsmans Alehouse – Celt-ic Marches - Ruby Tuesday and Cuck-oo Penny
Brewery News
Margaret Bartley-
Alison Blaylock
InnCider News
Ian Blaylock
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Simon and Jane welcome you to thisgenuine Free House on the Riverside in Rawcliffe
Timothy Taylor Landlord always available plus four ever changingguest beers from independent breweries, with one dark beer
always availableFor current beers please check our website
www.jemmyhirst.freeservers.comOpen: Monday to Thursday from 6pm
Fridays from 5pmSaturday and Sunday all day from noon
CAMRA Doncaster District Pub of the Year 2018(8 times previous winners)
Yorkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011
CAMRA Doncaster District Pub of the Season Summer 2014
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In Scawthorpe the Adam and Eve is lookingforlorn. The last pints have been pulled andconversion into other uses is planned. For somepubs the demolition crews have already beenat work. Not long ago another huge pub, theTadcaster Arms in Armthorpe was razed to theground. A fate shared by The Drum at Bentley,the Benbow, Intake, the Golden Fleece,Wheatley and ...well, quite a few others in thearea. If they are not demolished, change of useto flats or private housing may be the result. It issaid that over 10,500 pubs have closednationwide since the year 2000.The times are changing and it may seem thatthe days of the large pub may well be over.Changing tastes, high taxes on beer and highbusiness rates along with cheap supermarketdrinks, smoking bans have all make these pubsseem like dinosaurs, cut adrift and unable toadapt to a new era.For those who mourn the demise of theselocals, some much loved, some not, does theanswer lie in the new phenomena of the micropub? The concept of the micro is said to havestarted in 2005 in Herne, Kent with theestablishment of a micro called The Butcher’sArms. In 2009 the Rat Race Ale House atHartlepool railway station opened and then JustBeer in Newark-upon-Trent followed in 2010.The availability of shops and other smallpremises which can be easily converted, lowstart up costs, low running costs and beers fromthe many new micro breweries have contributedto a nationwide rollout of these outlets. It isbelieved that there are now over 300 micropubsestablished and that figure is set to rise. Theymay not be to every one’s taste, but for the realale enthusiast, they often provide an answer tothe loss of another much-loved outlet.
According to the Micropub Association, “A mi-cropub is a small free house which listens to itscustomers, mainly serves cask ales, promotesconversation, shuns all forms of electronic en-tertainment and dabbles in traditional pubsnacks". They are often just one room, no pipedmusic and sometimes just run by the owner andfamily members, and usually with an emphasison locally sourced real ales and ciders.In our area we have being fortunate in severalmicro start-ups serving real ale, with theDoncaster Brewery Tap also brewing its ownbeer on the premises. It has also just wonCAMRA’s Yorkshire Cider Pub of the Year aswell. In the market place there is the Alehouseand Deli which has recently changed hands.In Thorne town centre The Vaults opened in anold post office and has also started its ownbrewery. Last year the Draughtsman onDoncaster Railway Station opened and isproving very popular. Further afield inBessacarr there is the Counting House and inHatfield the Jack Hawley at the Grange openedrecently in the village centre. Further afield, inGoole there is the Tom Pudding, only 10minutes from the railway station. Most of theseserving beers from local micro breweries.Last but not least, only a few weeks ago, wasthe launch of the brewery and micropub atCusworth Hall. Located in the Hall’s originalbrewery, a small bar and simple tap room makethis an ideal micropub for the village ofCusworth.Is the large pub becoming an endangeredspecies? Like the dinosaurs their time coming toan end, facing extinction, only to be supersededby a more nimble and fleet footed type ofbusiness, the micro pub.
The Times are Changing
Steve Last
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DONCASTER TOWN CENTRE PUBS & CLUBS
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A warm welcome to those who have joined CAMRA since the last edition or have recentlymoved to the area. I hope you will enjoy your membership and association with the Doncasterand District Branch and will be able to come along to one of our events in the near future.Recent new members include: David Boutelle & Christopher Reynolds, Paul Creamer, David Dennett,Adrian & Suzanne Glenville, Barry Hames, Gary Jones, Zanna Matthews, Ken Melton, Dennis Neal,Norman Pearson, Alan Smith, Graham Smith, Eddie Tarleton-Hodgson, Ken Unwin, Emma Walkerand Gary Wilmott.Thank you all for joining and thank you also to those who have recently renewed their membership.You should have received a membership pack from St Albans by now, along with an edition ofCAMRA’s monthly newspaper ‘What’s Brewing’, which contains details of national and branchactivities, together with news and campaigning issues. Further information about the DoncasterBranch can be found on our website : simply log on at www.doncastercamra.org.uk or turn to the‘Branch Diary’ section of this edition of ‘Donny Drinker’.On behalf of the Branch I should like to invite those that have recently joined to come alongto a branch event and have a pint on us. Yes, that’s right!! The first pint of guest ale is freeto all new members attending their first meeting or social event. Simply show your proof ofjoining (membership card or paperwork) to the Membership Secretary (that’s me) and I’ll getyou one in as if it was ‘on the house’.The branch held its Annual General Meeting in November so I thought I'd mention a few facts andfigures just for the record. The Branch itself now has 1,116 members, and has maintained its positionas the fifth largest branch in the region (membership wise). Not a bad achievement considering thebranches we’re ‘competing’ with are major Yorkshire cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, York and Hull(who occupy positions 1 to 4 in that order). All of these have universities and other institutions thatgenerate an interest in real ale. They also have more ‘attractions’ than we have in Doncaster, suchas the many micros of Leeds, the so called ‘Valley of Beer’ in Sheffield, the historic pubs of York andnot forgetting the ‘Land of Green Ginger’ in Hull.We’re not a branch that will let this go to our heads, however, and we can only be successful, andtherefore effective, if members get involved. Why not come along to one of our local events and seewhat we get up to. I look forward to meeting you.If you would like to find out more about CAMRA membership and its benefits, please e-mail:[email protected]
Branch membership update
Ian Jones, Branch Membership Secretary
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JOIN CAMRA TODAYAs a member you will receive:
● Free entry to the Doncaster Beer Festival.● Special offers on entry to over 200 beer festivals.● The exclusive monthly newspaper ‘What’s Brewing’ and the quarterly ‘Beer’ magazine.● Discounts on CAMRA’s books including the best-selling ‘Good Beer Guide.● Discounts on pints from participating pubs both locally and nationally.● £20 of J.D. Wetherspoons vouchers.● The opportunity to participate in branch events including socials, minibus outings and brewery visit.
So why not help support us and join today! Just fill in the CAMRA application form oppositeor join online at www.camra.org.uk.Membership costs £27 (£32 Joint at the same address) a year or just £25 (£30 Joint) ifpaying by direct debit. Concessionary membership (aged under 26) is just £19(£24 Joint) or £17 (£22 Joint) by direct debit.
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DECEMBER
Monday 10 Branch Meeting at The Hallcross. Meeting starts at 20:00.Thursday 13 Social to The Olive Tree, Barnby Dun & The Glasshouse, Kirk Sandall. The MSsociety will be at The Glasshouse tonight so it will be an ideal opportunity to present them with acheque for the amount raised for them as our charity of the year. Catch bus 84 at 19:35 to BarnbyDun first then at 20:57 to Kirk Sandall. Bus for return is 22:03 or 23:03 or the train at 22:51.Friday 14 Camra Xmas buffet at The Jemmy Hirst at The Rose & Crown, Rawcliffe. Coach fromWest Street at 18:30 return 23:00. Cost of coach is £7 buffet £6. Waiting list only.Sunday 16 Our Xmas social this year is back to Sheffield. Meet outside the booking office atDoncaster station at 14:10 to catch the 14:20 train. Keep in touch by mobile if you intend catchinga different train & want to meet up! Recommended train back is 22:25.Thursday 20 Xmas Shoppers social. Meet at The Little Plough from 19:30, move to The Leopard& The Corner Pin later.Thursday 27 Social to The Corner Pin Beer Festival. Meet from 19:30. The Corner Pin 's ThirdFestive Festival runs from 26/12/18-30/12/18.
JANUARY
Thursday 3 Town pub crawl. Meet at The Draughtsman from 19:30.Monday 14 Branch Meeting at The Social. Meeting starts at 20:00.Wednesday 16 Following on from last year's success, once again we are celebrating by havinga late, late Christmas meal at The Corner Pin. All the work & family parties are over so now wecan celebrate with our Camra friends & hosts Dave & Ruth. Please book in advance & give meat& pudding choices to Carole:Main chicken, pork, beef or gammon with all the trimmings, plus mince pie, tea or coffee £10.Add a pudding: Black Forest Gateau with cream or Xmas Pudding with brandy sauce for an extra£5. Xmas Pudding needs to be ordered by 23 December. Meet from 19:00 to eat at 19:30.Saturday 19 Social to Mexborough. Catch train at 14:20 with a view to visiting Don Valley Breweryfirst. This social could be affected by industrial action by Northern Rail. If affected, this train willhopefully still run. There should be a train to Sheffield at 17:45 which we could catch & visit a fewpubs there before returning home.Sunday 27 Social to The Doncaster Brewery Tap where a traditional Sunday buffet will beavailable. Please bring a contribution. Meet from 12:30.
FEBRUARY
Saturday 2 Social to The Hallcross Beer Festival. Meet from 19:30. The festival runs from 31/01/1- 03/02/19.Saturday 9 Social to Carlton-in-Lindrick to present a beer festival award to Welbeck Brewery.Award is for the Best Blonde Beer category which their best Jess Canadian Summer won. Thepresentation is to take place at their brewery tap The Grey Horses at 19:30. Catch bus 22 at16:45. This will give us chance to either stop off in Tickhill first or explore other pubs inCarlton-in-Lindrick of maybe both. Last bus back is 21:21.Monday 11 Branch Meeting at The Corner Pin, starts at 20:00.Monday 18 Social for the Town Pub of the Season presentation to The Sun Inn, York Road.Catch bus 50 at 19:20 or any other suitable. Presentation to take place at 21:00.Wednesday 20 Take part in The Little Plough general knowledge quiz night. Meet from 20:00.Quiz starts at approximately 21:00.
BRANCH DIARY WINTER 2019
Pub Awards
Yorkshire and Doncaster Cider Pub of the YearDoncaster Brewery & Tap, Town Centre
District Pub of the Year 2018Jemmy Hirst at the Rose & Crown, Rawcliffe
Monday 25 Social for the District Pub of the Season presentation to The Hilltop at Conisbrough.We will also be presenting the Beer Festival Award for Best Speciality Beer, the Cherry WheatBeer by Hilltop Brewery. Catch bus X78 at 19:10, last bus back is 22:48. Presentation to takeplace at 21:00.
MARCH
Saturday 9 Social to Newark. Catch train at 10:57, or whenever convenient. Trains run frequently.Cost £17.50 day return (buy ticket to Hykeham for this cheaper price). Keep in touch by mobile.Monday 11 Branch Meeting at The Railway (downstairs) starts at 20:00.Thursday 14 Town Social. Meet at The Corner Pin from 19:30.Saturday 16 Social to The Little Plough Tardis Beer Festival. Meet from 19:30. The festival runsfrom 14 - 17 March.Saturday 30 Bawtry social. Catch bus 21 at 18:20. Starting pub is Bawtry's Bar & Brasserie.Last bus back is at 22:18.
Bus/train times can be confirmed at TRAVELINE on 01709 515151 or atwww.travelsouthyorkshire.com
Visitors and members are always made welcomeOther socials or events may be arranged at branch meetings. Alterations to the above events
will be announced at branch meetings or posted on the website.www.doncastercamra.org.uk
For more event information or to book coaches and meals please contact Carole Leonard.Phone 07973 969046
