Due to the impact of Covid-19, the Battlefield Line and Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA feel that they have no alternative, but to postpone the Rail Ale Festival until 2021. This is an extremely disappointing decision, but the Battlefield Line and the CAMRA branch believe this is right and responsible.

However, the Battlefield Line still has standing costs to service including those for the rail ale site at Market Bosworth. If you would like to assist them by making a donation and help ensure rail ale returns - please go to https://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/

A note from our Festival Organiser

This year’s Market Bosworth Rail Ale Festival has now been officially cancelled. This follows the guidance from the government, and also from CAMRA that all beer festivals nationwide are cancelled until at least August and probably beyond. Without other guidelines to follow, we have to assume that some form of social distancing will still be required for many months.

The festival depends on many people coming together, in close proximity to one another, in a social and enjoyable environment. It would be virtually impossible for the volunteer staff to observe the increased standards of hygiene and security that are essential to maintain a safe environment. We know how disappointed you will be at this decision, but the priority has to be to take the correct decision now to ensure that all of you will be fit and well and able to attend the 2021 Festival. Thanks to all of the Camra and Battlefield Line volunteers who helped with the planning, and to those intending to volunteer or visit the festival.

Jackie

News has reached the branch, that Market Bosworth Brewery has suspended production.

The Chequers in Burbage has been painted outside and its Sunday lunches are proving popular.

In November, Cliff Morgan left The Red Lion in Sapcote after many years in charge. The new landlords, Lewis and Wayne, took over on 9 December 2019. They are currently refurbishing the 3 letting rooms, the bars were refurbished around a year ago. There are three beers: Pedigree, Ringwood’s Boon Doggle and a guest from the Marston’s list.

The Black Horse on Bond Street, Hinckley re-opened on 12 January with a new landlady, who was previously at the Tin Hat in Hinckley. Pork & Stuffing cobs etc are available.

The front bar at Ashby Road Sports Club has been refurbished.

The Flintlock now does 10% off real ales on production of Camra card, and has 1 real cider.

The Wentworth Arms reopened on 11 October after extensive refurbishment by pub owners Greene King. They are now serving 5 real ales – Greene King IPA, Abbot and 3 guests.

At the Sycamores, there have been changes to the food provided. Restaurant Twenty-Six finished on 1 August, they were replaced by the Sycamores Kitchen and from 20 October two chefs who had previously worked for Restaurant Twenty-Six, have returned and there is now a new menu.

After repairs and refurbishment, the New Baron of Hinckley reopened 20 October. The New Baron is still a free house which serves Elmesthorpe beers, guest beers, and reasonably priced food.

Andy suddenly ended the temporary lease agreement at The Belper Arms and having decided not to take on the long-term lease, he left on 9 October.

As reported earlier, the Cock Inn at Sibson closed suddenly on 13 November. A note pinned to the door said that Lee, Trudi and David had ceased trading and left after 13 years.

The Holywell was closed for around a month and seems to have reopened Friday 22 November. The lease sign is still being displayed.

The Dog & Gun, Hinckley is still closed.

The Black Horse, Bond Street has a to let sign displayed.

The Red Lion in Sapcote has a to let sign displayed.

Many thanks to our acting pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

The Chairman; David Finn, the Secretary; Richard Lewin and the Treasurer; Bethan Moore are all retiring at the AGM on 12th November, after up to 15 years serving the Branch.

There are other officials stepping down at the same time after varying lengths of service.

During this 15 year era, the CAMRA Branch has operated around 20 beer festivals in Hinckley and Market Bosworth. Around 86 pubs and clubs and six local breweries have benefited from support and encouragement.

An Ada Lovelace beer brewed by Castle Brewery will be available at The Greyhound and Pestle and Mortar later this week. This is part of the celebration of the life of Ada Lovelace, daughter of English poet Lord Byron who spent her childhood years at Kirkby Mallory, Hinckley, where she was encouraged to develop a love of science and mathematics.

Ada is considered to be one of the first computer programmers, following her work with Charles Babbage's Difference Engine, which is a calculating machine requiring a written program to carry out complex calculations.

The Belper Arms, Newtown Burgoland, reopened on 1st July as a food led Heineken pub with a pizza oven. Heineken wanted them to have 6 beers; at the moment they have 3.

The Black Horse, Appleby Magna, closed again on 15 th July, but reopened after 5 days with only one beer.

The Crafty Elbow, 83-103 Church Street, Burbage, change of use – planning had been deferred, with 52 letters of support and 12 objections received by 12th July. Subsequently, planning permission has been refused.

34 Windsor Street, Burbage, closed on 15th June 2017. Partial demolition proposed, with change of use to 2 dwellings plus 4 more dwellings to the rear, with 12 parking spaces..

The lease of the Red Lion, Sapcote is currently being advertised on Marston’s web site.

The Elbow Room have a Tiny Rebel Tap take over on 14/15 September

The Black Horse, Bond Street has a sign up saying it is to let and may be closed as the licensees may have already left.

The Wentworth closes for refurbishment on the 30th September and reopens on 10th October.

The Baron will be closed by Wetherspoons on 22 September. Elmesthorpe Brewery get the keys and expect to reopen it soon after. They have brewed 2 new beers: Baron Best Bitter & Hinca Ale.

Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

The George and Dragon, Stoke Golding has been awarded the Country Pub of the Year - 2019 following a ballot by members of the Branch. The George and Dragon is a village local serving eight real ales from the Church End Brewery range and a real cider. Home cooked lunches using local produce and bar snacks made on the premises are always available.

The presentation date will be announced in due course.

The Thyme Bar and Kitchen in Market Bosworth now features a windowed beer cellar on the shop floor, and a bar with three cask lines and four keg lines. Regarded as the only true Free House in Market Bosworth, the Thyme Bar and Kitchen features a constantly changing line up of craft cask and keg beers on offer. There will always be a Church End beer available amongst the line up.

Voting for our Country Pub of the Year 2019 is now open, with details shown on the downloadable form below. There are 10 country pubs to choose from with all six guidelines, as indicated, being important but Beer/Cider Quality and Community Focus carry most weight.

Country Pub of the Year 2019 - Voting Form

Sue Summerill of the Pestle & Mortar receiving both the Pub of the Year Award and the Cider Pub of the Year Award for 2019. The presentations were made by David Finn, Chairman and Alban Fellows, Cider Officer at the Pestle & Mortar on 2nd May.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Pestle & Mortar has been awarded Cider Pub of the Year and the first time it has been given the Pub of the Year award. It is also the first time that a pub within this branch has held both awards for the same year. Congratulations.

Photos courtesy of Alan Cooke

There is to be a LOCALE Beer Festival at the Greyhound, Botcheston on 3rd to 6th May. Although this pub is not in the Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA area, however the beers are being supplied by Market Bosworth Brewery and Buswells Brewery which are in our branch.

The Leicestershire Mild in May event will be running from 27th April to 4 June with a number of our pubs within the branch taking part. They include The Greyhound, The Pestle & Mortar, the Lime Kilns and the Shilton Vaults.

The Spring National Young Members Forum is due to take place on 25 May in Cambridge.

The event is open to all CAMRA members, particularly those who are young or young at heart. This year it will be hosted at Cambridge Summer Beer Festival. It is the longest running CAMRA beer festival and attracts 40,000 beer, cider and perry lovers from all over the world.

The festival always carries a strong theme, and this year is no different. 2019 marks fifty years since mankind first landed on the Moon. With the theme in mind the National Young Members Forum promises to be out of this world!

The forum is a timely but informal meeting where young members and the young at heart come together to discuss topics and issues in CAMRA. The event is also a fantastic chance to meet like-minded people and experience first-hand the benefits of being a CAMRA member. After the forum is over there will be a pub tour of Cambridge led by a local guide.

The forum itself will start at 12:30 on Saturday 25 May in the Garden Room at the Cambridge Beer Festival. The festival is located on Jesus Green just outside of the city centre and the number one bus runs there directly from Cambridge railway station. Walking from the railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. Once through the main entrance head towards the marquee and to the right into the Garden Room, where glasses will be supplied.

The Branch Young Member Contact is Jodie Smith. Email: ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@idoj

The Annual pub games trophy match between Hinckley & Bosworth and Nuneaton & Bedworth CAMRA was held at The Rose Inn, Nuneaton on 22nd January. The games consisted of pool, darts, dominoes etc. After being on the losing side for the last two years Hinckley & Bosworth won the cup back. The photo is of Ray Buckler, Nuneaton CAMRA, handing the trophy over to Norman Hall.

Big thanks to Nuneaton & Bedworth CAMRA for hosting this year's Challenge Cup.

Steve Mustin, the Chairman of the Ashby Road Sports Club has requested a revision to the club listing (see below) along with some minor changes to the opening hours. The new Steward is Sheralee Kenney, has been appointed and CAMRA members are very welcome, as are accompanied non-CAMRA members on payment of a pound signing-in fee. The large bar area has a pool table, dart board and dominos available. There is also weekly entertainment on a Friday night within the bar area and Bingo is played every Saturday from 9pm. The Club also has a large function room which is available for hire and sits on six acres of land where our football and cricket teams play. Cask Marque beers include Doom Bar which is served all week and at least one guest beer available. The Club is easily accessible with a large car park. It is situated close to three bus routes which are 158, 48 and 10.

Revised opening hours:
Monday - 7pm to 10pm
Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - 5pm to 11pm
Thursday - 5pm to 11 pm
Friday - 5pm to 11:30pm
Saturday - 12 to 11:30pm
Sunday - 12 to 11pm

The Ashby Road Sports Club has been both a previous branch Club of the Year and a Good Beer Guide featured club.

At our AGM on Tuesday 13th November, the Regional Director Carl Brett presented the CAMRA EM Club of the Year Award to Claire Jones on behalf of the Burbage & District Constitutional Club. This was the third annual award in a row for the Club.

Photo courtesy of Alan Cooke

The Odfellows Arms at Higham on the Hill remains closed following the departure of the landlord

The Shilton Vaults - Earl Shilton's first micropub opened it's doors on 29th September

The Red Lion in Earl Shilton is currently operating with a caretaker manager

The Holywell is still open, but the pub being advertised as "To Let"

The Black Horse at Sheepy Magna is now free of tie


Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

Following voting by the branch membership, the Rising Sun at Shackerstone has been declared the winner of the inaugural "Country Pub of the Year" for 2018. The Rising Sun is a traditional pub, located in the centre of Shackerstone village near the Ashby Canal and the preserved Battlefield Railway. It has a wood panelled bar serving traditional ales and a restaurant serving good pub food. In 2012 the landlord was presented with an award by the local CAMRA branch to mark 25 years service. The "Country Pub of the Year" award will be presented on the evening of 20th November and there will be a mini bus running from Hinckley. Contact Robin via ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@pihsrebmem or 07454 217315 to book seats on the mini bus.

Black Horse, Hinckley The pub has a new deal with Marston's.
It includes a partial renovation and cheaper beer.
Some beers will sell at £2.60 a pint.

Nags Head, Stapleton It reopened on 19th August.
The new tenant's name is Jane Elton.
Jane is from Hinckley and this is her first time running a pub.
Both the Saddle Tank and Pedigree are £3.20 a pint.
At the moment, they are the only ales on sale
Basic food menu at sensible prices - new large kitchen
Still settling in. They haven't got their ‘phone line sorted yet so no WiFi, card machines etc.

The White Swan, Stoke Golding Has a change of landlord from Monday 3rd September.
The new tenants are Andy and Deb.

The Red lion, Earl Shilton Is displaying a 'To Let' sign.
The lease appears to have been sold and the pub could be under new management late next month.

The Ashby Tavern is still displaying a "To Let" sign.

The Holywell is still displaying a “To Let” sign

The Prince of Wales Planning permission for demolition and rebuilding as flats, has been refused.

The Cross Keys in Burbage is due to reopen this week providing Marston’s have completed the planned work. Eoin will be the new manager.

The Shilton Vaults is due to open this month.

Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

The Cross Keys, Burbage has advertised for a new manager and it is still closed at the moment

There is a new landlady at Holywell, Charlotte Ellis, she has 2 regular cask ales Doombar and Jennings Cumberland, with 1 guest ale every week

The Pestle and Mortar , Hinckley, is to celebrate its 3rd anniversary at the Bank Holiday weekend

The Shilton Vaults is to open at the end of August or early September

The Chequers Inn, Burbage, has a new chef

The Landlady at the Belper Arms is to leave by October. Heineken fixed the flood in the cellar, but the cause is still a mystery. It re-opened in early June

The Nags Head in Stapleton will be re-opening soon

Jim at the Bulls Head, Nailstone retired on 31 July so there is a new Landlady there now

The Elbow Room in Hinckley, the Needle and Pin in Loughborough and the Classroom in Leicester have got together to organise a tour round the respective micropubs on 22 October at £20 per head with 2.5 hours in each pub with food included. This will include a free first drink in each pub too!

Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

Chairman David presented this award in recognition of the New Inn at Peggs Green being in the McKeefrey/ Kell family for 40 years, with daughter Tina the current landlady. The New Inn is a three roomed pub and a real gem, with draught Bass in the jug available from the cellar.

Photo courtesy of Alan Cooke

The long-term tenant at The Blacksmiths , Barwell has left. There's a temp in at the moment and it is expected that someone is to take the place over shortly, on a permanent basis

Angie at The Weavers is now free of tie with Marston’s and is apparently the only pub in Hinckley to be in this situation. This means that they now just rent the building from Marston’s and can source beer etc from elsewhere

The Nags Head, Stapleton is still closed. Both directors, Jason Sealey and Mark John Horner of the company running the pub resigned in March 2018

There are plans to demolish The Prince of Wales, Hinckley and build 12 apartments. The council Conservation officer (Paul Grundy) along with CAMRA are objecting to this. The landlady, Jackie, believes that the pub is a viable business

The Red Lion, Earl Shilton is still closed

Golden Duck Brewery are opening a cellar bar at The Sir John Moore Foundation school next door

The Ashby Tavern has a “to let” sign. The lease is for sale for £35,000, if it is not let then a manager will be put in

The Black Horse at Sheepy Magna is also trying to become free of tie.

The Bulls Head, Nailstone is due to get a new landlady at the end of July

John and Sue from the Pestle & Mortar are taking on The Bank in Earl Shilton and will open it as a micropub called Shilton Vaults in August. The Bank has been closed for about a month.

Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

The award for branch Pub of the Year 2018 was presented by the Chairman David Finn to Tim Arnold of The Elbow Room Ale & Cider House. Congratulations!

Photo courtesy of Alan Cooke

The Prince of Wales has a new licensee, Jackie who was previously at the Chequers, with the pub no longer being tied to XT

The Belper Arms, which was a Punch Tavern has now been transferred to Heineken, with the food menu changing at the same time

The Union is being painted outside

Just outside our area, the Black Horse at Walcote is having a beer festival from 4th to 7th May, with beers, ciders, food and live music on the Friday

The Red Lion in Earl Shilton is still closed, and the landlord is reported to have left

The King William in Earl Shilton is unlikely to ever re-open as a pub and is probably going to disappear

The Star in Stoney Stanton had a new licensee 2 weeks ago

The Stoneycroft Club has been redecorated

Many thanks to our pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

The Harvester has been rebranded as a Miller & Carter House and opened on the 9th March

The Black Horse at Walcote has a beer festival from 4-7 May, with beer, cider, food and live music

The White Bear won the Steaming Billy "Team of the Year" award

Steve Thatcher has left Broood at the Prince of Wales and it has opened with a new landlady

The Red Lion in Earl Shilton is temporarily closed

The licencees of the Wharf are celebrating being there for 12 years

The Bulls Head at Nailstone is to become a community pub

The February - April version of the Half Pint is now available in a pub/club near you. This quarter's edition includes an update on the visit to the Manchester Beer Festival, details of the Rising Sun's 30th anniversary along with a history of the family's ownership of this Shackerstone pub. There is also an excellent article written by the Branch Chairman David Finn, on the Kentish home of the micro-pub. Within the pages, you will also find both the latest Local and National news.

As alway, thanks go to David & Dianne Bates who have edited this edition.

• Ashby Road Sports Club is no longer offering a CAMRA discount
  
  
• The Hollybush, Hinckley is subject to a change of use to offices and a flat
  
  
• An application has been made to convert the Red Lion Pinwall into a new home and four other dwellings
  
  
• The Union Inn, Hinckley has a refurbished beer garden, new plants, benches and a covered seating area. An all day pup grub and a carvery is also planned
  
  
• Praha in Hinckley has now become the Inferno restaurant
  
  
• The Clarendon Club, Hinckley has now been demolished after the fire they had in February
  
  
• The Harvester is still the Harvester and yet to be rebranded as a Miller & Carter steakhouse
  
  
• The Cross Keys, Burbage has closed. The landlord thanked everyone for their support but says unfortunately they have to close. Marston’s are looking for a new tenant
  
  
  

Many thanks to our newly appointed pubs officer Adrian for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Adrian on:-
ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

Jackie Wallis has agreed to take on the role of Hinckley Beer Festival Organiser with Adrian Wallis then accepting the position of Pubs Officer. Very best wishes to both, in their new roles within the branch.

The Black Horse in Sheepy Magna has new leaseholders, Paul Harris & Dean Painter, who were formerly at the Crows Nest in Nuneaton. The current beers are Pedigree, Hobgoblin and one guest. Food is served daily. New pumps and cooling were installed in October and they plan to have a more varied range of guest beers including from Burton Bridge. They also have plans to extend the patio area and convert an outbuilding next spring.

The Red Lion, Barwell has had several temporary managers over the last year, but finally a permanent replacement arrived in 11 September. Paul Casey is originally from this area and has previously run pubs in Hinckley and most recently in Dorset. Food is served Tuesday to Saturday, and a roast on Sunday lunchtimes. The regular beers are Pedigree and Marston’s Saddle Tank plus a guest beer, and a real cider (currently Rosie Pig).

The Railway closed for a week in October for refurbishment of both bars and the kitchen area. The entrance lobby has been opened up and a new fireplace installed in the bar.<

The Lime Kilns has renovated and restored the downstairs room with a wood burner stove and country style armchairs and 3 piece suite. The new room will be dog friendly and will have food service.

Wood Farm Brewery in Willey reopened on 4 November as The Barn Pub and Restaurant. Owned by brothers Mark and Thomas O'Neill. Thomas also owns the Blue Bear in Nuneaton. They will also have a 5 barrel brewing plant set up by Kevin from the Pig in Muck.

The Cross Keys, Burbage closed suddenly Sunday 6 August and the lease was put up for sale by Marston’s. It was reopened on 13 September by Daniel Keicher and David Leith, who also run several pubs in the south west, and the pub manager Darren Ryn. The pub had been freshened up with a change of decor and the sports TV in the back room. Food is being served every day. The 6 hand pumps are all in use with 1 real cider, 1 guest beer and 4 regular beers (Pedigree, Saddle Tank, Hobgoblin and Wainwright). They plan to hold beer festivals in February and August.

Many thanks to pubs officer Jackie for the update. Note: If anyone has pub or club news that may be of interest to the Branch, please contact Jackie on:- ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@reciffosbup or 01455 610932

Another successful festival supported by residents of the town and tourists from as far as Surrey, West Sussex, London and Yorkshire. This included the champion “ ticker” of Great Britain, Brian Moore of Sheffield, who had travelled to Hinckley to sample 20 beers that he had not tasted before to add to his collection of over 63000 beers! He doesn’t drink them, he takes them home. After visiting our festival he was intending to follow our new, revised, Hinckley Ale Trail when I advised him of more new beers on offer in the town’s pubs.

Our claim to be a small, friendly CAMRA festival certainly seems to have been upheld, thanks to our branch volunteers. In total we had over 1600 visitors who consumed over 4000 pints of beer and 1000 pints of cider along with traditional beer festival food.

Everyone I spoke to was captivated by their visit to the museum to view the “All Hail the Ale” tribute to the Three Brewers exhibition and enjoyed splendid hospitality from the staff.

The Bass Pubs Trail that ran for 6 weeks between Market Bosworth Rail Ale festival and Hinckley Beer festival was well supported and a number of entrants had enjoyed travelling to most of the 15 participating pubs in the area, which, in their words, “ Gave us a an opportunity to visit some of the villages around the area.”

The entertainment in the marquee was well received and the opening ceremony with distinguished guests was especially well attended.

Our judging of East Midlands Champion Beer of Britain – Strong Bitters category was won by Blue Monkey Ape Ale a 5.4% strong bitter.

Personally, I received several favourable comments about the organisation of the festival and the varied selection of beers and ciders.

It now seems a long time to wait until Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA’s next festival, the Market Bosworth Rail Ale festival in July 2018.

Chris James, Hinckley Beer Festival Organiser

For more information on the 2017 Hinckley Beer Festival, see Hinckley Beer Festival