WIGAN BRANCH
CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
www.camrawigan.org.uk
March 2006
We ‘kicked off ’ at Robin Park !!!
Apologies for the brevity of this bulletin – as many of you will be aware this weekend has been
th
the 19 Wigan Beer Festival and our first at the new venue of Robin Park Sports Centre (with a
special theme of Premiership Football to celebrate Wigan Latics recent success in this
competition) so not only have recent branch meetings been dominated by festival matters but
the committee have also themselves been a tad busy of late !
Thanks to those members who volunteered to assist in the Festival and those members from
our neighbouring CAMRA branches for their help – our new bigger venue requires much more
staffing and we are very grateful for the help we have had … it is hard work but great fun so
why not think about doing a session for us next year ?
Whilst we cannot accurately measure how successful the event has been for a couple of
months when we have paid out all our overheads the initial indications are that our decision to
stage the festival, albeit with a more remote location and considerably higher costs were
justified. But we are viewing this only from our side of the bar and would welcome feedback
(good or bad) from you, the ‘punters’. Despite all the planning we have just gone through setting
this festival up if we want to stage a successful Festival next year we need to get back on the
treadmill again in the next few weeks as the venue is often booked well in advance for events.
So for those of you who were on the public side of the Festival I have a simple question – How
was it for you ? We need your feedback – good or bad - on whether you enjoyed the Festival,
whether there were any problems, and suggestions for how it could be improved.
Local Pubs Info
Good news for our members who live in the Gathurst area :
Navigation.
The Navigation has re-opened and has been redecorated. The new landlord Mark Darbyshire is a keen real
ale drinker. Unfortunately since closure a lot of the regular custom went elsewhere and Mark has had to
start again from scratch. At the present time there is one ever changing guest cask ale, however Mark says
he hopes to put on two ales in the summer months when he hopes tourists will take a well earned rest
whilst walking the canal. Reasonably priced food is available and Mark is in the process of setting up a
website which will not only contain up to date information about the pub but will also look back in time
and let you discover the history of the pub. For further information ring the Navigation on 01257252856.
Bird I’th Hand.
The manager tells us that he is to run his first beer festival in April (probably around Easter) with a
marquee to the rear of the premises. There will be a wide selection of beers. More details will be available
form the pub nearer the date
www.camrawigan.org.uk
If you live near Garswood the Railway is looking at running a cheese and beer festival in June sometime.
Plans are at their early stages as yet. As soon as we have further information we’ll let you know.
Don’t forget if you have any new information about Wigan & district pubs (or real ale clubs) then
please let us know – either in person at a branch meeting (details as shown below) or by return
email to me, address is shown at the end of this bulletin.
Outside our area - Liverpool
Another Fine Mess ! …………………………….
Fans of Laurel and Hardy might want to visit the Good Beer Guide listed Baltic Fleet in Liverpool as the
pub runs a Laurel and Hardy night the last Tuesday of every month. You can watch your favourite Stan
and Ollie movies whilst enjoying up to seven cask ales or having a few bottles of continental beers.
Films begin around 08:30pm so why not take along your bowler or fez. For more information contact the
Baltic Fleet on 0151 709 3116.
Forthcoming Branch Events
26th April - Branch Meeting –The Orwell, 8pm start – all welcome
6th May – afternoon (or early evening if you are a slow walker and drinker) pub crawl celebrating Mild
Week. The branch is hoping to get some of our pubs to feature a guest mild this week … more details
nearer the time
24th May – Branch AGM – the Brocket Arms function room 8pm start. All members welcome -
membership cards must be shown. Nominations sought for branch positions to reach the current chair
(Ken Worthington) at ken.worthington@virgin.net by Friday 19th May.
Forthcoming Local(ish) Events
As you will be aware the 2006 CAMRA members’ weekend takes place from 7th to 9th April 2006. The
Shovels, 260 Common Edge Road, Blackpool, FY4 5DH 25 will be holding a beer festival with around 25
real ales from 6th to 9th April. For more information phone 01253 762702 - Map
Thu 6 - Sun 9 - Warrington Sports Club, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton WA4 6SJ. Call 01925 263210
for further details.
9th to 12th April the Pump & Truncheon, 13 Bonny Street, Blackpool, FY1 5AR will be holding their 2nd
annual beer festival. There will be around 50 ales contact 01253 751176 for further details - Map
The 2nd Burnley Beer Festival is to take place at the Foundation Bar, Turf Moor, Burnley, BB10 4BX.
There will be over 30 real ales. For more information Email events@claretstrust.co.uk - Map
28th April to 1st May The Eagle & Child Malt Kiln Green, Bispham Green, L40 3SG is to hold their annual
beer festival. There will be around 60 real ales. - Map
The Royal Hotel, Station Road, Great Harwood is to host it’s 6th annual beer festival. The Royal is home
to the Red Rose Brewery. The festival runs from Thursday 27th April to Monday 1st May. Thursday to
www.camrawigan.org.uk
Saturday the festival opens at 12:00 and runs until midnight and on Sunday the opening times are 12:00
to 11:30pm and Monday 12:00 to 11:00pm. There will be 45 real ales from national craft brewers and
English and continental bottle beers. There will be live music Friday evening and admission is free to all.
www.rocknroyal.co.uk/
Carol Worthington
CAMRA Wigan Branch
Membership Secretary
Email: carolworthington.pcs@virgin.net
www.camrawigan.org.uk
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Disclaimer;
The views in this bulletin are not necessarily those of CAMRA nationally nor may they be the views of Wigan
CAMRA Branch. The majority content is supplied by individuals and is correct at the time of publication. No
responsibility is taken if you go somewhere recommended and the beer or service is crap rubbish or if the
information supplied is wrong.
www.camrawigan.org.uk