At the start of this year's AGM, Volunteer of the Year awards were made to two individuals, following nominations from branch members; Robin Janishiwskyj for his prolific beer scoring at various venues, and John Moyes our Secretary for putting in long hours behind the scenes as well as up front. also in providing extensive support at the Rail Ale Festival.

Robin Janishiwskyj receiving his award from the Chair - Tracy     John Moyes receiving his award from the Chair - Tracy

The chair, Tracy Ellis addressed those in attendance, with a summary of the year:-

I think since Covid 19, this is the first year where all our committee / officers have stood again which gives our branch stability and experience - thank you all.

As last year my gratitude goes out to Michelle, Deputy Chair for keeping an eager eye on my safety issues and the branch, making sure no one is in anyway harmed while volunteering for branch / CAMRA - thank you. John our Secretary with his calming influence and communicating skills which as the branch gets busier so does he.

Allan another good year on pub beer scores up by a substantial 25 %, may it increase, and trying to collate for the good beer guide, with that many variables and views from people you are bound to upset someone but you don’t seem to get stressed or flustered thank you.

Steve, a hard year for yourself to organise trips without a mini bus but you did:

• We had bus trip to Earl Shilton for a walkabout
• You teamed up with David Bates for Black Country ale rail trip
• Rail trip to Tamworth
• Another to Rutland beer festival
• A walk to Church End Brewery from Stoke
• Another rail trip to Friendly Inn at Frankton then on to Rugby
• Also to Tamworth beer festival
• Then finally on to Lichfield by rail to celebrate Peter Scott’s youthfulness

Thank you Steve

On to our membership, secretary Gary sustaining our membership around 417 members, not only getting us new members, 13 at Market Bosworth RailAle, but also helping Leicester branch and Scotland, very far reaching - Top marks.

On to David keeping his eye on the Leicestershire Drinker, keeping it afloat and trying to promote our area. Also for organising the now renowned black country and pie trip culminating at Mad O’Rourke’s pie factory. I do believe it is on all 2025 calendars as a bank holiday. Lych Gate - Wolverhampton 1 Lych Gate - Wolverhampton 2 Posada - Wolverhampton 1 Posada - Wolverhampton 2 Posada - Wolverhampton 3 Posada - Wolverhampton 4

Stuart Leavitt keeping our web page up to date and constantly telling us what its on there, thank you for your patience from us troglodytes. Katerina for helping Jackie with accounts without you we would have to go to COBAS - a total nightmare. Our BLOs Steve and Rob for trying to keep in touch with the elusive brewers and help promoting their beers. I better say thank you to my wife Sue for helping us out of a pickle with food and giving us pickle with our food I deliberately left Jackie to last, our RailAle Beer Festival organise. This year was a formidable success and as a branch with our size and demographics. I am sure per size we contribute more to CAMRA than any other branch in our region. As usual in her calm casual manner even under pressure saw sales up by 8% on 2023 and just under £19,000. The hours you put in behind the scenes as well as in front is unsurpassed and is heartily appreciated, a real big thank you from me and branch – a round of applause. Page 7 of 14 But it was not just Jackie - her team such as Rob and Stuart for getting sponsorship - Michelle on her H&S keeping us safe, John on his staffing organising and also treasurer, and Tony Smith who volunteered for all the shifts over the weekend and all the rest that volunteered approximately 30 of you in all. Not forgetting the few who helped in drinking the 417 gallons of beer well-done. So lets put 25th to 27 July in our diary for next year event so we could do it all over again. If I have missed any body’s contribution to the branch my profound apologies, come and see me. A summary of year: − Apart from already mentioned social trips − Our regular meeting on average was 28 the same as last year which with different days we had them on and present climate is good but it also included 6 different venues that we had not been to at all or for a while ,some worked some didn’t . But if you look at from the pubs side, 30 people on a Tuesday or Wednesday night having 2 pints perhaps 3, some of us more, would pay for their staff for the next 6 or 8 Tuesdays keeping them open, more than the 3 people they may get in. − Also this year we sent 4 members down to St. Albans to complete the cellarman’s course so that increases our experience in branch and shares out work load more − On to branch finance - same as last year I would like to say thank you to Darren and Louise for keeping our beer festival equipment stored which keeps our running cost low, − Our membership is stable and because of the rail ale festival success it leaves us in a good viable condition. − We have kept a steady ship regards our committee members / membership but on last year we have added Michelle as BLO of Pig in Muck and from no cider representatives to 3 sharing the role Gary, Karen, and Gwilym. The future: We still have Vacant Committee po