Volunteers from the Market Bosworth Rail Ale Festival were treated to a thank you visit to the Milestone Brewery and walkabout around Newark. The trip was undertaken on the 8th September, with volunteers travelling to Newark by vintage bus.

Duke of Rutland, Hinckley Owned by Admiral Taverns was due to reopen on18th September with the licensee being the son of the new landlady at the Lime Kilns. It is proposed that the format going forward will encourage new clients with live music, quiz nights and other events.

The Belper Arms, Newton Burgoland may reopen in next 4 weeks with new tenants. Reportedly the licensee is the mother of a family group runningtwo other pubs and a wedding venue.

The proposed auction sale of the Sharnford Arms in June were not completed. Now due to be auctioned on 12th September with a reduced guide price of £300,000.

The Tops, Barwell is being advertised for sale as a Public House with asking price of £300,000

David Bates is coordinating a Black Country Rail trip including a visit to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory – details will be available at the September Meeting

A message from Jackie, our BFO for the Rail Ale Festival:-

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU

To every single volunteer who contributed to the astounding success of the RailAle Beer Festival. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

By early afternoon Sunday we had remaining:

- NO Cider from 28

- 10 Beers from 67

- NO Pimms

- NO Prosecco

- Very little wine

Everyone who attended shared their joy of the Beer Festival, appreciating the broad variety and top-notch quality of beers and ciders. They all agreed it was a wonderful event.

Everyone would love to come back again!!!
Inside the Beer Hall
Inside the Marquee

As of Monday 15th April, the White Bear will no longer be operating as part of the Steamin’ Billy chain. However, it will continue to operate as normal.

The White Bear will now be open 7 days a week
Monday-Thursday 12:00-23:00
Friday and Saturday 12:00-01:00
Sunday 12:00-23:00

Pub Preservation Officer, Chris Merriman urges members to register their objections to the planning application, which involves the conversion of the Oddfellows Arms into two residential units and the construction of 5 new houses to the side and rear.

Members need to set out their objections clearly. The email does not need to be long, but it does need to explain the grounds on which they are objecting.

You have until Friday 19th April to submit your objections.

Reasons for objection may include: The fact that The Oddfellows Arms is the last community facility in the village and there are adopted Local Plan policies which protect such facilities from being lost or redeveloped.

There is a local community group who are willing to acquire the pub and operate it as a hub for the expanding village, which is entirely in line with the ideals of The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Localism Act.

The whole area of the pub buildings and car park are designated an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and the pub designated a community facility under DM25 of the HBBC planning policy and according to criteria in the HBBC Local Plan, should be preserved

Email your Objections: Make sure they identify planning application reference and address of the application in the subject box: Objections to Planning App. No: 24/00229/FUL, Oddfellows Arms, 25, Main Street, Higham On The Hill

Give your name and address at the end of the communication. You must give your name and address at the end of the communication, otherwise the objection will not be accepted.

Emails should be sent to ku.vog.htrowsob-yelkcnih@wenredlofgninnalp

Hopefully we can raise a storm of objections.

Chris Merriman
Email: ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@noitavreserpbup

The Ashby Tavern is due to reopen on Thursday 29th February. This is being launched as an Admiral Taverns mid market pub concept, within the Proper Pubs initiative. The reopening follows a £265,00 refurbishment including new fixtures and fittings and fairly extensive improvements to the beer garden.

Dog & Gun - Earl Shilton
A new steward has been appointed to the Stoke Golding Club. A couple have taken over as landlords of the Dog & Gun, Earl Shilton, although this may be a temporary move in advance of a new encumbant. One of Gary Buswell's final brews at the Lime Kilns will be on soon, called Bill’s Brown. On leaving the Lime Kilns, which may be the subject of an ACV, Gary is looking at a new brewery / tap premises in Melton Mowbray. New Buildings Brewery is brewing a winter special at 5.3%.

Dianne Bates     Colin Scott

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of two of the very valued Branch stalwarts in Dianne Bates and Colin Scott.

Dianne has been an active member almost since the creation of the Hinckley and Bosworth Branch of CAMRA in 2005. An ever present at the Hinckley Beer Festivals and the Market Bosworth Rail Ale Festivals, taking on many roles for the duration of these events.

In the past Dianne has acted as one of the accounts auditors as well as providing support to her husband David, in producing the Branch magazine.

Dianne has been the the face of the Branch in welcoming new members at their first meeting, and of relieving us all of money for monthly raffle tickets! A constant at all of the social events, Dianne will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are now with David and family.

Colin has also been a long standing active member of the Branch and was the Membership Secretary up to this year's AGM. Notably, stepping in to help the previous Branch Chair during the Covid pandemic, taking on the role of Deputy Chair providing welcome assitance at a very difficult time.

Colin also has been a great supporter of the Branch beer festivals, not just as Membership Secretary (signing up the local MP and one of the Borough Councillors, amongst others), but assisting in all areas.

As part of the Three Brewers celebration within the branch, Colin typically volunteered to act out the role of William Butler, dressed accordingly for the occasion.

Again a fantastic supporter of the branch social events. Colin will also be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Michelle.

Briefing on Save the Oddies Campaign

Kate Phillips – Secretary to STOP & Higham Community Benefit Society
Martin Phillips – Chair of Higham Community Benefit Society

‘Save the Oddies Pub’ (STOP) community group are campaigning to save the last remaining pub in Higham on the Hill from being redeveloped into housing. The previous owner closed the pub in August 2018.

The Parish Council obtained an ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV) on the pub. Cartwright Homes of Nuneaton bought the pub and land in 2019 and sought planning permission from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council: 1st application – Demolish the pub and 20 to 25 houses on the whole site. 2nd application – Convert the pub into flats while retaining the façade. And build 20-25 houses behind 3rd application – most recent version was amended to build 9 houses and separate the pub and most of the car park from the area of the application. 1st and 2nd applications were rejected by the Planning Officers / Council 3rd application is still in progress and being considered by the Planning Officers / Council it’s a delegated determination so done by Planning Officer.

STOP has made several offers to buy the pub and car park – but has not received any reasonable response from Cartwrights, who refuse to set a sales price. We’ve had responses but nothing that we can negotiate further on. Since 2018 the Oddfellows Arms has been vacant / vandalised / flooded – leaving the building in a state requiring urgent repair.

‘Save the Oddies Pub’ (STOP) have worked with the Plunkett Foundation who provide practical advice, business support and training to help communities establish and run innovative and inclusive community businesses that make a positive impact for local people.

On advice STOP has now set up a Community Benefit Society known as Higham Community Benefit Society Limited. Higham Community Benefit Society Limited will be able to raise finance though public sale of shares to fund refurbishment of the pub buildings and establishment of a community hub. They are also able to apply for grants. The current business plan is:

• Higham Parish Council plan to obtain a loan from Public Works Loan Board (a statutory body of the UK Government that provided loans to public bodies) to buy the pub / carpark and lease back to Higham Community Benefit Society Limited.
  
• Higham Community Benefit Society Limited will manage and run the pub with a blend of paid staff and volunteers.
  
• Revenues raised will fund operating costs and repayment of the loan. The community have agreed that the Parish Council can raise the Parish Precept to cover the repayment of the loan, which means that Higham CBS will pay a peppercorn rent so that we can plough profits back into the community hub and business
  
• Government Community Ownership Fund and have been awarded a grant of £156,000 matched funding to put towards our refurbishment of the site.
  
• Public share sales will raise £250,000 at £50 each to match the refurbishment grant and provide working capital.
  Note: The business plan cannot be enacted, or the sale of shares begin until Cartwrights offer a sales price / agree to sell.

  HCBS will be doing the share offer soon - to ensure they can get going asap once the sale is agreed. The HBBC are reticent to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order. The frustrated dialogue between Higham Community Benefit Society Limited, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council / Planning Officers and Cartwrights is ongoing. HBBC have facilitated meetings between all parties to try to move dialogue on. HVBS are frustrated by lack of movement by Cartwrights! The Planning Report (available on the HBBC portal) recommends refusal. If this is the decision made by the H&B Council, it is likely to appealed by Cartwrights. It will be weeks or months before any clear resolution and the business plan put into action. More information can be found on the Save the Oddies Pub website:
  
  https://savetheoddiespub.wixsite.com/stop/about You may contact Kate Phillips on email at moc.liamg@seiddoeht.yraterces

The Elbow Cask & Craft report that they have finally had two new Awnings installed and equipped with heaters just in time for the change in weather.

The Public Spirit, Edwards Centre, Regent Street, is a new bar which has opened in premises that were formerly occupied by nightclub Out Out. It is unlikely to be offering real ale.

The Clarence kitchen has been revamped and is now offering a new food menu, and has agreed to serve beers from Church End.

The Railway is undergoing a £250k refurbishment and is due to reopen on the 10th November.

Wetherspoons has confirmed it is no longer looking for a site in Hinckley.

The coach trip took place on Saturday 10th September and was organised as a Thankyou to volunteers at this year's Market Bosworth Rail Ale Festival. The locations for the visit included Hook Norton and Banbury.

The New Plough Inn
The New Plough Inn is continuing to provide a range of beers under the Marstons Flex scheme, with the latest selection originating from the Derby Brewing Company. Previously beers from Brewsters and Byatts have been on tap. This arrangement means that the pub can have up to nine cask ales on at any one time.

The Belper Arms
The Belper Arms is being run by new landlords and is open from 12:00 to 23:00 daily with food being served for lunch and dinner.

Ye Olde Red Lion
The new cellar is now operational at the Ye Olde red Lion following the flooding in July, with real ales back on tap. Additionally, after changes to the beer garden were made with the demolition of a wall and erection of a fence, a retrospective planning application has had to be raised.

The Oddfellows Arms - Higham on the Hill

Following the announcement that the Oddfellows Arms Community Benefit Society have been awarded £156,000 matched funding from the Government Community Ownership Fund, the following statement was posted on the The Oddfellows - Higham on the Hill facebook page:-

""Many of you have already heard but we are very pleased to announce that we succeeded in our bid for the Government Community Ownership Fund and have been awarded £156,000 matched funding. This is based on our current share pledges and other funding. This is really positive as it shows the faith that the funders have in the project. We still need your support though to see the project through! Here’s link to Luke Evans press release that he shared on the Higham Facebook page: https://www.drlukeevans.org.uk/.../oddfellows-arms... He and the borough councillors have been very supportive throughout. If you are in the parish you will be getting a leaflet from the Parish Council, inviting you to a consultation meeting on the 17th July and outlining the proposals for a Public Works Loan (PWL) to purchase the pub for the community. This approach is a tried and tested method for community groups. The Higham CBS and STOP team will also be there to help answer questions you might have about the project. The Community Benefit Society is a cooperative, so anyone who buys shares in the company can contribute to the planning and projects we develop. We are working on our shareholders pack and will be giving you more information very soon on how it works and how to buy shares but in the meantime keep pledging so we can show the community support we have. Join the 200 supporters already signed up to be part of the CBS! Find out more here https://savetheoddiespub.wixsite.com/stop/support""

Congratulations to all those involved in the campaign and fund raising to support this vital community asset.

The Pub of the Year 2023 Award being presented to Louise and Darren of the New Plough Inn

Award presented to Louise and Darren by the CAMRA National Chair - Nik Antona and Branch Chair - Darren Latham

For the second year in succession the award was presented to Louise and Darren Lavender last night. On this occasion, the CAMRA National Chair was available to present the certificate to Louise and Darren, congatulating them both and commending them for raising over £100,000 for charities in recent years.

The event was very well attended with CAMRA members and regular customers, whilst Louise thanked all those, including staff that helped to make The New Plough Inn, Pub of the Year 2023.

Apart from the regular Marston's beers, including Bass Mild and a selection of ciders there was also a range of Byatts ales provided under the "beer flex" trial, on offer.

Pestle&Mortar       Shilton Vaults

There is to be a joint Beer Fest between the Pestle & Mortar and the Shilton Vaults on the 4th to 8th May to coincide with the coronation of King Charles. Between the two micropubs, there are plans to include the following:-

• 15 guest ales
  
  
• 19 Ciders
  
  
• 10 Key Kegs

Sue and John have made the offer that anyone having purchased eight pints during this period will be able to claim the next pint free!

In addition, The Pestle & Mortar will be closed from Sunday 6pm 23rd to Tuesday 3pm 25th April for some "interesting" modifications. Watch this space!!

Having confirmed that the 2023 Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and the Club of the Year would automatically be submitted for the 2024 Good Beer Guide, three teams surveyed the remaining top nine pubs and clubs based on the branch beer scores. Each survey team then went to six establishments. The scoring was based on quality of the beer, cleanliness, welcome, décor, community involvement and adherence to CAMRA aims. The subsequent average scores were consistent between the three teams. This process has produced the following GBG submissions for 2024 based on the combined scores;-

• New Plough
  
• Pestle & Mortar
  
• Sapcote Club
  
• George and Dragon
  
• Shilton Vaults
  
• Queens Head (Hinckley)
  
• Gate Hangs Well
  
• Elbow Room
  

The reserves are Lime Kilns and Weavers. Additional reserves if required are Rising Sun and White Swan

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ENTRIES FOR THE 2024 GOOD BEER GUIDE

Cock Inn - Sibson

Following a local campaign, the owners of the Cock Inn at Sibson, Star Pubs and Bars, have confirmed that they will renovate, refurbish and reopen the pub. The Cock Inn was closed in 2019 and is one of the oldest pubs in the country, dating back 750 years. Dick Turpin is reputed to have sought refuge from the authorities here. It is no surprise that the building is listed, and requires extensive and sympathetic renovation work, prior to the refurbishment and eventual reopening.

As reported by branch member Nick Robinson, the Stoke Golding Club will have Jaipur on tap as of Tuesday next week (24 January) for a limited period. Moreover, for CAMRA members on production of a members card, it will be at the special price of £3.50 a pint. Their regular real ale, Church End's 'Foxes Hat', will also be on at £3.20 a pint, again on production of a CAMRA members card

This is part of an initiative to encourage more real ale drinkers to attend the Club and they are hoping that in time that they will be able to offer three or even four real ales at any one time (apparently they do have four hand pumps rather than the three reported at the last meeting), and as implied in an earlier news item.

According to the Leicester Mercury, new plans have been lodged to renovate the former Bull's Head pub in Nailstone.

The pub, dating back to the 1830s has been closed for about two years, but a scheme has been lodged to undertake significant renovation and create a two-storey rear extension. Part of the refurbishment plan will cover replacing the current toilets including facilities for disabled customers.

The planning documents state that the renovated pub will be a “valuable community asset”for the village of Nailstone.

Tin Hat

The Tin Hat is promoting cask ales at a very special price on Mondays. This promotion applies to all cask ales provided on Mondays with the exception of Bank Holidays. Please be aware that the offer can be withdrawn by the licensee without notice.

The Nags Head, Stapleton is now open and serving one cask beer. Breakfasts are currently available but the food offering will be expanded when a chef joins the pub at the end of January 2023.

Emily took over as the new manager of the Stoke Golding Club from 14th November.

The Clarence

The Clarence opened on 3rd December with the hours 8am to 4pm for café and cakes and from 2pm serving one regular ale and two changing ales. A discount of 20p per pint is being offered on production of a CAMRA card.

David and Sue are leaving the Red Lion, Burbage after 7 years. A new team is scheduled to take over.

The Baron, Hinckley is no longer serving food

The Bird in Hand Austrey

The Bird in Hand, Austrey is one of Hinckley and Bosworth Branch’s most outlying pubs and is in fact in Warwickshire. The Tamworth CAMRA Branch have approached the Committee to request the pub be returned to their branch. The Bird in Hand was originally allocated from Tamworth Branch on the formation of the Hinckley and Bosworth sub-Branch. Tamworth Branch already have other pubs in Warwickshire and are allocated nominations in the Good Beer Guide for Warwickshire pubs. The Committee recommended that the Bird in Hand be transferred to Tamworth Branch. The Members present raised no objections.

The Earl Shilton Constitutional Club, has a new Steward, Mark and the club is currently serving three cask ales: Timothy Taylor Dark, Woodford Pure Gold and Bass. There are three other cask ales conditioning in the Cellar. Mark commented that he has few visits from Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA Members who are always welcome

The AGM will now be held at the Greyhound, Hinckley on Tuesday 6th December rather than at the Sapcote Club on the 1st November.

Planning permission has been granted for a new real ale bar and coffee shop in Hinckley town centre. The new bar is opening in the former Yorkshire Bank and will be called The Clarence, after the name of a former venue in an adjacent building. It is intended that The Clarence will be a coffee shop by day, and a real ale bar by night. During the day, from around 9am until 3pm, it will be a coffee shop, and then the bar will open from 4pm until close. There are also plans to add a rooftop bar next summer. The venue is due to open at the end of October.

Golden Duck at Appleby Magna have the bar open each Friday evening. They are also planning a beer festival in October.

Buswells Brewery, Burbage. There is no brewing this month. The Buswells Festival Special was the first to sell out at the RailAle Festival.

Pig Brewery, Claybrook Magna. Kev Featherstone, has reported that he has "solved" the craft keg issue, unfiltered, unpasteurised and clear. Carbonating takes place on site, producing a bright beer keg with 3/4 week shelf life. The current beers include Barn Owl nitro creamflow on hand pump. All the Pig beers are on pumps including Chinook, and next will be a pilsner. The Brewery now has a bottling plant in house (can do filtered or not by request) for Christmas. Kev also expressed his disappointment at not being invited to supply beers for The Rail Ale Festival, was this just an oversight ?

Hinckley Rugby Club Summer Festival 20 August at 12:30 with 40 ciders, 20 summer ales and rare gins. Sausages, live music, DJ and 2 rugby matches provide entertainment. The rugby club run a free vintage bus transport from and to Hinckley town centre

The Sapcote Club Joint COTY presentation will be on Thursday 25th August at 20:00 – all members are invited. The club has also been booked for Branch Meeting and AGM on 1st November.

The Stoke Golding Club is booked for the Branch Meeting on Thursday 6th October.

The 2022 Cider Pub of the Year Award was presented by our Cider Officer Alban Fellows, to Sue Summerill of the Pestle & Mortar on Monday 17th May. This is the 6th year in succession that the award has been presented to Sue at the "Pestle", since it was inaugurated in 2016. The Pestle & Mortar was also the East Midlands Cider Pub of the Year in 2016 and the Pub of the Year in 2019.

This extremely popular micro pub regularly features over 15 ciders along with a large selection of cask ales and craft lagers.

images courtesy of Mike Broadhurst

The White Swan, Stoke Golding is now also open on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Cask ale night is on Wednesday and is £2.90/pint.

The Queens Head, Upper Bond Street has a new licencee called Sam who used to work at the Dog & Hedgehog in Daddlington. It is intended that the Queen's Head will be accepting card payments in the near future.

The Dog & Gun, Earl Shilton has new tenants and on Wednesdays beer is £2.50 a pint.



The Dixie Arms, Market Bosworth featured in an episode of Channel 4's "Four in a bed". A show that features four B&B owners who stay at each other’s premises through the week, with the best host chosen by the contestants after all stays have been completed. Licencee Alex McDonald wowed the other competitors with her passion for her pub, where she has worked for more than 15 years, becoming the manager and eventually buying the venture from the previous owners in 2012. The Dixie Arms went on to win the competition. The episode can be watched by clicking the link below:
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/four-in-a-bed/on-demand/69775-072

The Shilton Vaults held an inaugural charity pub quiz, supported by CAMRA members. The event was a success, with plenty of banter between the teams whilst raising over £100 in the process, which is to be donated in support of the victims of the war in Ukraine. It is hoped that Sue will be able to host a similar event in future!

The Red Lion, Barwell had a new temporary landlord at the beginning of March.

The Red Lion, Barlestone is still closed. The car park is now coned off and it has a "To Let" sign outside.

The Bulls Head, Nailstone has been closed since lockdown in March 2020, however fresh plans have been submitted to renovate it by replacing the front entrance, front windows and roof rafters, and to create a two-storey extension to the rear with a new private entrance and stairwell for the upstairs accommodation.

The following Branch Awards for 2022 have been made, following voting by Branch members in February and March:- The New Plough Inn The Pestle & Mortar Hinckley Rugby Football Club Sapcote Club

Pub of the Year 2022

The New Plough Inn

Cider Pub of the Year 2022

Pestle and Mortar

Club of the Year 2022

Joint Winners: Hinckley Rugby Club & Sapcote Club

All CAMRA members are invited to The Rose Inn in Nuneaton to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organisation’s very first national Annual General Meeting of the Nuneaton CAMRA Branch. Barry Everitt, Chair of the Nuneaton and Bedworth CAMRA branch said, “We hope local CAMRA members will be able to join us and celebrate this historic anniversary at one of our branch’s local pubs. To boast such a historic connection to the founding of CAMRA is quite an achievement with so many pubs under threat of closure. We hope the Rose Inn can continue to host CAMRA meetings for another 50 years to come.” The event will be held: on Saturday 26th March starting at around 12:00 noon at the Rose Inn, Coton Road, Nuneaton. The pub crawl afterwards, will include the Lord Hop, Wetherspoons, Blue Bear, Silk Mill and Black Swan in Hand. To celebrate, CAMRA members from across the West Midlands will descend onto the pub 50 years to the day for a social event on 26 March 2022, raising a glass to CAMRA’s four founders and the pub which helped make history happen. The Rose Inn hosted founding members including Bill Mellor, Graham Lees, Michael Hardman and Jim Makin on 26 March 1972, when a historic meeting cemented the future of the Campaigning organisation. The pub was previously presented with a bronze plaque to commemorate its role in hosting CAMRA’s first ever AGM. It was also nominated by the community as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in 2017 and was tastefully refurbished in 2021, retaining most of its original character.

The Belper Arms at Newton Burgoland, regarded as the oldest pub in Leicestershire, circa 1290 is reopening this Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th February.

The pub is opening for drinks only 4pm -10pm. The Restaurant will be opening at the weekend, and the Landlord is very keen to reintroduce the village pub as it should be, serving Cask Ale & Good Pub Food