The Leicester Mercury, amongst other publications has reported that Wetherspoons are looking to develop a currently vacant retail unit in Hinckley's Crescent shopping complex.

Planning documents appear to have been lodged with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, indicating that Wetherspoons wish to turn the retail unit into a new pub.

It is anticipated that the 8,773 sq ft space would be able to hold a capacity of 840 customers, with the hope that 80 people will be employed, both full and part time.

Hinckley’s former Wetherspoons pub, The Baron of Hinckley, closed on September 22, 2019, which was then taken on by Nirad and Payal Solanki and renamed the "New Baron".

On Wednesday 13th April, the Pub of the Year 2022 award was presented to Louise Lavender by local MP Dr Luke Evans and our Chairperson Darren.

The New Plough is a double fronted building dating back to 1901 with wooden settles, and has a traditional town pub ambience.

Louise and husband Darren run a charity pub quiz on the last Thursday of the month and both were congratulated by Dr Evans on raising over £100,000 for a large number of deserving causes.

Previously, the New Plough Inn has been Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011, 2012 and Marston's Cask Ale Pub of the Year 2014 (South Region).

Jackie Wallis reported that Dawn and Phil Jackson have now retired but retain ownership of the Queens Head in Hinckley and handed over the management to new landlords – Sue and Dave.

Becky left the Flintlock in Hinckley on 27th February to manage a pub in Northamptonshire.

The developers planning application for the White Swan in Stoke Golding has been rejected by the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The Nags Head in Stapleton has the windows boarded up. Chris Merriman advised that developers might sometimes have “security” move into empty pub premises as a ploy to say the building has been occupied as a residence. If occupied as a residence or 4 years a pub may lose its planning status. Any evidence of occupation of a closed pub should be reported to the Local Planning Authority.

Chris James has provided confirmation that the Burbage and District Constitutional Club welcomes CAMRA members. For access, the advice is to ring the outside door bell and the door will be unlocked from behind the bar. If staff are busy there may be a short delay. Be prepared to show your CAMRA membership card at the bar. If you are intending to visit twice a week, every week, it would be appreciated if you would join as a member of the club! The new Steward, Thomas is concentrating on LocAles.

Steve Barker has advised that Darren Lavender of New Buildings Brewery has bought some equipment from the closed Bosworth Brewery and is looking to brew some of the old Bosworth recipes. Marmalade IPA will be produced but marketed under a different name.

New Buildings Windmill best bitter is being served at the New Plough Inn

Alban Fellows has advised that Sue and John Summerill of the Pestle & Mortar have made a trip to the south of England and returned with a van full on new real Ciders, to be on available over the next few weeks.

The Half Pint branch magazine has not been published since 2019 due to lockdown pub closures and financial restraints. However, it has now been agreed that Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA will join with the Leicester, Loughborough and Melton Branches to contribute to a new county wide magazine called the Leicestershire Drinker, due to be published in early May

"It is hoped that around 10,000 copies will be distributed around Leicestershire and Rutland every quarter as well as being available on line. "The Leicestershire Drinker will be an attractive, lively, and informative magazine, filled with news, views, and information about beer styles and types, festivals, campaigning, awards, breweries, pubs and bars, cider, and perry" states Clive Gamble of the Leicester Branch.

Contributors are being sought to provide news, articles and items of interest by accessing www.leicsdrinker.camra.org.uk or by contacting ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@rotidetnipflah

We are also looking for new advertisers, so if you work in a business that would be interested in supporting the new magazine and benefit from its wide distribution, please go to https://leicsdrinker.camra.org.uk/advertise/ for more information.

Jackie Wallis reported that The Black Horse at Market Bosworth is now serving real ales with Doom Bar and a Church End brewery offering.

The Flintlock is still offering a CAMRA discount while the Queens Head and Elbow Room no longer offer discount.

The White Swan in Stoke Golding is offering £2.50 a pint on Tiger, Wainwright and Sunchaser on Sundays.

Chris James reported that the Hinckley Rugby Club offers a wide range of beers including Green King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Milestone New World Bitter.

Steve Barker reported that Darren Lavender from the New Buildings Brewery has purchased brewing equipment from the Bosworth Brewery. New Buildings Windmill cask is being served at the Greyhound pub.

Join us on Tuesday 18th January, for a post Christmas Social and Meal event, starting at the Elbow Room for 19:00 . . . . . .



Then moving on to the Pestle & Mortar at 20:00 . . . . . .

Followed by dining at the Bangla Pride, New Buildings for 21:00

Following Darren Statham's very successful meeting with Dr Luke Evans MP on Tuesday 21st December, please find below the message sent to the Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA Branch:

From: Dr Luke Evans MP
Date: 21 Dec 2021 17:39
Subject: £1 billion support for Hospitality Businesses
To: darren.j.statham@xxxxx


Dear Darren

I apologies for the short message, but given the changing nature of COVID and the Omicron variant, I wanted to update you with new information I received today. As you are a strong supporter of our local hospitality sector, I thought it was pertinent to share with you the recent announcement by the Chancellor for an additional £1 billion in support for businesses most impacted by the new Omicron variant. My office have just been made aware of the announcement, and are awaiting further details, though you can find out more here: £1 billion in support for businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) I thought it was important to let you know that funding will be made available imminently as I recognise at what is often their most profitable time of year, many local pubs and restaurants have seen cancellations and reduced footfall as people have responded to the rise in cases ahead of Christmas. Around 200,000 businesses will be eligible for business grants which will be administered by local authorities and will be available in the coming weeks:

As the funding will be allocated and distributed by local authorities, please contact the council when applications open and if you have any queries: Contact us | Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk) You can find further help and support here: Help and advice for businesses | Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk) Please pass on to anyone who you believe this may be helpful to. As I have done throughout the pandemic, I will continue to make representations to the Government for support for businesses significantly affected by the pandemic, such as the night-time economy, hospitality sector, retail, travel and transport industry. As before, I hope to monitor the progress of the rollout and raise as appropriate. I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas.

All the best,

Luke

Dr Luke Evans MP | Member of Parliament for Bosworth House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA w: drlukeevans.org.uk t: constituency: 01455 635741 parliament: 0207 219 4250 office mobile: 07920 619812 twitter: @drlukeevans Instagram: drlukeevans

The Nuneaton and Bedworth branch are holding a social event on 26th March 2022 at the Rose Inn, celebrating the 50th anniversary of CAMRA's first AGM. All Hinckley and Bosworth branch members are invited.

From Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st November, the Elbow Room Ale & Cider House celebrates their 6th Anniversary of opening with a Brew York Tap Takeover, live music on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and Friday's Christmas lights switch on.

Please help the Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA Branch to continue successfully.

The following committee positions are vacant:

• Treasurer
• Minutes Secretary
• Social Media Coordinator
• Pubs Campaigning Co-ordinator
• Young Member Contact

The Treasurer’s role is constitutionally vital for us to continue as a CAMRA branch. Without a Treasurer the Hinckley & Bosworth Branch might be at risk of dissolution.

Previous Treasurers and committee members will offer advice and support. A description of the roles can be provided.

If you wish to meet and discuss any of these positions please contact:

- Interim Branch Chairman Darren Statham at ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@namriahc

or

- Interim Branch Secretary John Moyes at ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@yraterces

A pub walk is planned for Saturday 25th September, starting at The Railway at 11:15. See map below:-

Tim Martin, the boss of Wetherspoons has indicated that he is on the "look out" for new premises in Hinckley, following the closure of The Baron in 2019. This was subsequently replaced by the New Baron, run by Nirad Solanki of Elmesthorpe Brewery.

The Princes Feathers have re-opened after a 10k refurbishment.

The Golden Duck Tap at Appleby Magna is holding a mini beer festival tonight (27th August), with a range of ales and accompanying live music.

The Pestle & Mortar celebrates it's 6th birthday this weekend (26th - 30th August). There will be a large range of ciders and cask ales available throughout the weekend, along with food such as cobs and pork pies. the cider and ale list is:-

CIDERS

Fruity-4.0%

Rosie Pig Rhubarb

Rosie Pig Raspberry

Rosie Pig Strawberry

Farmer Jim Pineapple

Snails Bank Damson in a Dress

Medium 4.5% to 6%

Perbeck Pirate

Lilly the Pink

Pheasant Plucker

Welsh Warrior

Farmhouse Scrumpy

Dry 6%

Abrahalls AD 6%

Perry

7.5%-Perrylicous

CASK ALES

Purity pure Gold 3,8%

Abbeydale Absolution 5.3%

Church End Hop Gun 4.1%

Tydd steam Iron Brew 4.2%

Church End What the Foxs Hat 4.2%

Front Row 99 Willie John Call 4.4%

Limestone Foundation Stone 4.3%

Market Bosworth Rum Porter 5.3%

Beartown Creme Beatles 4.8%

Bass will be on all the time

Plus 24 Rums

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Branch walkabout will commence on Friday 6th August at 5pm, starting with The Queen's Head. The list of pubs to be visited in order will be:-

• Queen's Head *Cash only
  
• New Plough
  
• Greyhound
  
• Pestle & Mortar
  
• Elbow Room
  
• Railway
  

The planned route may have to be managed on the night, especially if there are large numbers attending. Some members could be asked to start at the Railway rather than the Queen's Head. If on arrival at a pub which is particularly full, then the group will move to the next location. The walkabout is not a formal event, but a way of supporting local pubs and for the branch members to start socialising again. Please feel free to join and leave at any stage.

Although no longer mandatory, it is recommended everyone bring masks with them. The Queens have asked if customers can wear masks and maintain distancing where possible.

    

The overdue 2020 Pub of the Year Award was presented to Sue Summerill of the Pestle & Mortar on 22nd June along with the 2020 Cider Pub of the Year Award. Darren as Branch Chair presented the Pub of the Year Award, whilst Alban as Cider Officer presented the Cider Pub of the Year Award. This is the second year running that Sue and the Pestle have received the Pub of the Year, and the fifth succesive year for the Cider Pub of the Year.

Photos courtesy of Ian May

Over 40 pubs in our area have signed up to the "Ask for Angela" scheme in the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough area following the branch suggesting it to the Council.

The following extract is taken from the Leicestershire County Council website:-

"Going out this weekend? Planning a date? As well as thinking about what to wear, make sure you also take some time to consider the venue.

It’s important that you feel safe when out and about, that’s why various pubs and bars across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are taking part in the "Ask for Angela" initiative, which provides assistance should you find yourself in a difficult or intimidating situation.

So, if you don’t feel safe, if your date isn’t who they said they were, or if things just don’t feel quite right, go to the bar and ask for Angela.

Staff at participating venues have been trained to recognise the discrete safe word, ‘Angela’, alerting them to a problem. The member of staff can then offer to call a taxi for you, provide a safe place for you to contact a friend, or help you to leave the venue if you are feeling unsafe due to someone else’s actions, words or behaviour."

Venues currently part of the initiative can be found listed by locality, below:

The https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-safety/ask-for-angela

Update from Darren Statham who has taken over as Chairman

Hope this email finds you well now that the restrictions have started to ease & we can at least get to a pub!

It's not perfect. Some pubs like the Pestle & Mortar, our Pub of the Year, cannot feasibly open due to having limited/no outside space. But it's a start.

There have been some changes to the branch over the past couple of weeks. I have somehow become the Chairperson (Dad's Army fans may be quoting Private Frasier's "We're doomed" at this point).

This means I will be vacating the position as Treasurer. I am pleased to report that we have had a volunteer step forward for this role.

That leaves us with the role of Branch Secretary as vacant. To date, we have not had anyone step forward to take this on.

To be clear, we need to fill this vacant committee position if we are to viably continue as a branch.

I appreciate that standing up & speaking in front of lots of people can also be daunting. However, no one would stand alone & the rest assured that anyone wishing to volunteer will receive support from the rest of the committee as well as the wider branch. Remember, without someone volunteering for this role - there is no branch.

Also, there is the possibility that the role could be shared if you are a couple, for example.

Thirdly, I would say that you also do not need to be a real ale 'connoisseur'. One or two of the committee (i.e. Me) know very little on the subject.

Please, if you are interested in the role, please contact myself by return email to ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@rerusaert (I am having some issues with the Chairman email at present & will notify everyone once this has been resolved).

A description of the role can be provided upon request. You will also receive a free pint of beer courtesy of myself.

On to some positive news, the Good Beer Guide 2022 is going ahead as usual (Despite the pubs being closed for most of last year). The consensus amongst CAMRA hq has been that branches run with their full allocation of previous entries.

That left us with a dilemma of how do we survey the pubs to check that last year's information is still relevant & correct?

I am pleased to report that our minutes secretary, Michelle Tyrtania, volunteered for the task of ringing round all our GBG candidates & conducted a telephone survey. As a result, our 8 entries & 2 reserves, have been checked & submitted to the GBG team at CAMRA hq.

Now on to another negative...

You'll probably have seen the update on the website that the beer festival has once again been postponed. Due to the timetable for easing of restrictions, we felt that it was not viable to schedule a beer festival within such a short time period. What we didn't want to happen was to order a load of beer only for it to be disposed of if the government's roadmap changed. Also, we felt that taking trade away from pubs at this critical time was counter productive. I can only apologise to you all. I am sure that everyone is keen to resume some sort of normality after a year's worth of restrictions & enjoy a long awaited beer festival.

On that note, we have some stock left over from the 2019 Rail Ale of Tynt Meadow, a 7.4% English Trappist Ale, brewed at Mount At Bernard's abbey, just outside of Whitwick. Details on the beer can be found on the website:

http://www.mountsaintbernard.org/tynt-meadow-ale

2 dozen or so bottles are available (330ml). They are £2.75 each & all money will go to the branch.

Unfortunately, the best before date on them is 7 May, on/after this they will have to be disposed of.

If you are interested, please email our beer festival organiser, Jackie Wallis at ku.gro.armac.htrowsobdnayelkcnih@ofb

On that note, I'll end on a positive. Hopefully there will be more to follow in the coming weeks.

Stay safe

Cheers & Kind Regards Darren Statham

Gwilym Smith is stepping down as Chairman and called for nominations so that a successor can be elected in accordance with the rules of our Branch Constitution.

One nomination for Chairman has been recieved which means that the Branch can proceed with the election. With respect to the nomination, the current Treasurer Darren Statham is willing to stand for the position of Branch Chairman.

Darren's nomination has been formally proposed by Richard Lewin and seconded by David Finn

In view of the pandemic rules, the Branch is unable to hold a conventional Annual General Meeting where this election would normally take place. An online meeting could be called, but as the nominee is unopposed, Darren Statham will quite simply be appointed as the new Chairman.

To give time for the changeover, Darren will therefore take over in two week's time.

Sadly, the branch has learned that Chris Davies passed away on 16th February. Chris was a founder member of the Hinckley & Bosworth Branch and contributed a good deal to it's early success and growth. Chris was a former Pubs Officer and at the early beer festivals he served as a bar manager. Always willing to help set up and serve at both Hinckley and Market Bosworth beer festivals, Chris is going to be greatly missed by his CAMRA colleagues.

The Appeal against the Borough Council's decision to refuse the planning application at the Prince of Wales has just been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Although the principle issues considered by the Inspector mainly relate to the historic aspects of the building he did take into account local representations made regarding the importance of the pub in the community and its ACV designation, which our branch was instrumental in having placed on it.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to thank all our members who objected to the application in the first place and made representations on the appeal, which clearly had some influence on this excellent outcome. A bit of good news in these dark days. The battle now shifts to The Oddfellows Arms (Website Coordinator: which is subject to an undecided planning application)

Chris Merriman - Pubs Protection Officer

We have been advised that Les Codrington, a long serving, much loved stalwart of the branch and Market Bosworth Brewery BLO, passed away on 3rd December. Les will be fondly remembered by fellow branch members, and our thoughts are with his wife Pam.

The Old Crown Inn at Bosworth Road Snarestone DE12 7DQ is holding a mini beer festival on 31st October which will be open from 12 to 8 pm. There will be 6 or 7 local beers from the Golden Duck, Leatherbritches and Elliswood breweries. Jacqui of the Odd House advises that there will be full compliance with Covid rules and social distancing.

The beers are ;

Two beers from Leatherbritches;

• Hairy helmet golden 4.7
  
• Spitting feathers brown 4.8
  

One from New Buildings brewery in Hinckley

• Manor House 4.8%
  

And three (plus one if needed) from Golden Duck our very local brewery based in our neighbouring village of Appleby Magna.

• Tinners tipple light golden 4.1
  
• Extra pale 4.2
  
• Rev green 5.5 IPA
  

And the Taylor made 5.4 chestnut as a reserve.

There is also a Meet the Head Brewer (Harry Lunn Golden Duck Brewery) session between 1 and 3 pm (exact timings to be confirmed) for people to ask questions about the beers/the process etc.

Whitney Wright and Alexander L. Carpenter have taken on The Red Lion as of 18th June, and are looking forward to serving customers as soon as possible.

The following breweries and pubs in our area are providing takeaway beers, and in some cases deliveries. The up to date list can be found under "Pulling Together" on the Home page. Refer to the individual Facebook pages for the latest information on each brewery or pub as details may change.

• Golden Duck Brewery Orders taken for ‘Safe' home deliveries, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Delivery within 15 mile radius of brewery, but will include CAMRA members in the H&B area.
  
• George & Dragon Operating an 'Off Licence' real ale service. All their beers are £3 a pint and payment is contactless if possible.
  
• Church End Brewery Off-sales only. Every day except Tuesday. You can order 4 pint beer bags, 18 or 36 pint polypins, and bottles for local delivery.
  
• Framework Brewery Hopefully starting Monday 1st June will start brewing again and will soon have bottles and mini kegs available. Located within Leicester CAMRA branch.
  
• Shilton Vaults/Pestle & Mortar Delivery in Earl Shilton from 4pm to 7pm each day and delivery in HInckley from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday. A range of beers and ciders available.
  
• Poacher's Brasserie Takeaway and delivery food menu available from Wednesday to Saturday from 6pm to 8:30pm and on Sunday Lunch from 12 to 3:30 pm.
  
• Elbow Room Ale & Cider Pub Takeaway service for Ales and Cider. Available Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  
• Pig Pub Brewing Bottled beers are on sale at Ullesthorpe Post Office & General Store.
  
• Market Bosworth Brewery Local Ales direct. Open Friday & Saturday 10:00 – 13:00. Local delivery may be available.
  
• Elephant & Castle POP UP BEER SHOP available on Saturday between 1pm - 3pm at the wooden gates at the side of the pub.

The Oddfellows Arms at Higham on the Hill was sold to a developer, despite locals wanting to buy the pub. However on 3rd April, the planning application from this developer was withdrawn.

The planning application for redevelopment of the Prince of Wales, Coventry Road was refused in 2019. The pub does have ACV status, but the subsequent moratorium finished on 25th February.

The planning application for land behind the White Swan, Stoke Golding has been withdrawn following a major archaelogical and historical objection. The development may well have impinged on the Bosworth battlefield site.

The following Branch Awards for 2020 have been made, following voting by Branch members in February and March:-

Pub of the Year 2020


1st: The Pestle and Mortar

2nd: The Queens Head
3rd: (jointly): The Shilton Vaults and The George & Dragon

Cider Pub of the Year 2020


1st: Pestle and Mortar

2nd: Lime Kilns
3rd: The Shilton Vaults

Club of the Year 2020


1st: Citizens Club, Hinckley

2nd: Earl Shilton Conservative Club
3rd: Burbage Constitutional Club

After expressing interest in Hinckley's association with the three brewers, William Bass, William Butler and William Worthington, the esteemed beer writer Roger Protz was invited to see for himself some of the related local history . Roger's visit took place on 11th February with members of the Three Brewers team present along with a number of committee members.

With a principle interest in Bass, Roger was taken to Upper Castle Street, the area of the town where William Bass lived and worked during his 60 years in Hinckley. It is here that a particular building (marked by a blue plaque), may have been his home, workplace and old brewery where he would have learnt to brew beer. This was followed by a trip to the Pestle & Mortar, holder of the 2019 Pub of the Year award, where Bass is always available.

The party then moved to The Greyhound in New Buildings where another blue plaque commemorating the birth of William Butler, is located. It is believed that the Butler family lived in a now demolished cottage on the opposite side of the road.

The Roger Protz article from his website can be viewed here Roger Protz visit. This article may well feature in a future copy of the CAMRA "Beer" magazine. Also see The Three Brewers for details of the Branch activities celebrating the links with these famous brewers.

The Cock Inn, Sibson

It appears that the Cock at Sibson has ceased trading. There is a notice of regret on the door from former licensees Lee and Trudi. Only 3 years ago it was refurbished by Punch at just under £500,000 and re-opened by the local MP.