Swale CAMRA Pub Of The Year Results 2024. Steve Bury Swale Chairman received 19 returns from Members surveys the results of which are: Swale Pub Of The Year with the Gold Award goes to The Three Tuns at Lower Halstow. The Certificate will be presented at our branch meeting being held there on the 12th June. The Silver Award goes to The Shipwrights at Hollow Shore, Faversham. We will not only present them with the Silver award but also a Certificate recognising 25 continued years in the Good Beer Guide. These will be presented at our Branch meeting being held there on the 14th August. Bronze award goes to The Paper Mill Sittingbourne, Date of Presentation to be advised. Two other awards both Highly Commended go the Elephant and the Furlongs both in Faversham. We will present our Certificates to The Elephant at our AGM being held there on the 10Th July, and the Furlongs at 6.30pm on the 15th May prior to our Branch meeting which will be held in the Bull Faversham.

Welcome to the latest Shepherd Neame newsletter. I met with Mike Unsworth, Director of Brewing, towards the end of January. He informed me that last year’s Christmas Ale was very well received, outselling that for the previous 3 years. It had been brought forward to 24 th November to coincide with the switch on of the Faversham Christmas lights. The first on this years Cask Club selection is Cobnut, a ruby ale, malty and nutty at 3.4% abv, very drinkable. It should be out for the beginning of February until the end of March. Sheps are also brewing two beers for the J D Wetherspoon Spring Beer Festival, Wednesday 6 th to Sunday 17 th March 2024. Firstly, Disco Macaw a collaboration with international brewers Redpoint Brewing Co, Taiwan, plus Sheps own a strong ale Grizzly Bear at 6% abv. There are no plans for Early Bird this year. First Drop 4.3% abv is a keg unfiltered hazy IPA from the onsite small batch brewery. Don’t forget……Shepherd Neame are offering an exclusive 20% discount for card bearing CAMRA members on cask club beers at participating pubs.

Thanks very much, Cheers, John CAMRA Brewery Liaison Officer for Shepherd Neame

Downloadable Version Here- Shepher Neame BLO Report JK2402

MINUTES OF THE SWALE CAMRA BRANCH OPEN BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON 13TH DECEMBER 2023 AT 7.30PM AT THE PILOTS REST, SHEERNESS PRESENT: (10 MEMBERS): Les Bailey, Steve Bennion, Steve Bury (Chairman), Mary Cross, Howard Gates, Simon Ing, John Kent, Paul Kent, Nigel Mills and Andy. APOLOGIES: Lin Gates, Tony Hayes, John Sissons, and Doris.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 15th NOVEMBER 2023: Considered, noted, agreed as a factual record of proceedings and signed off by Steve Bury.

MATTERS ARISING: No matters arising.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Steve Bury reported that consideration needed to be given at the next meeting to compiling the short list of pubs to be surveyed for consideration for entry in the Good Beer Guide 2025. Members agreed that this should include What Pub, National Beer Scoring Scheme returns, and active members own direct input. Steve agreed to work with John Sissons to begin this process. Steve also reported that, due to the lack of a suitable affordable venue, the 2024 Great British Beer Festival would not be going ahead. Planning for its return in 2025 is in hand. The CAMRA AGM takes place in Dundee from 26 – 28th April. Steve said he would be attending and was drafting motions on declaration of dispense information regarding intentionally naturally cloudy beers to avoid erroneous comparisons with poor quality standard beers. Also a motion to require a pint to be 20 fluid ounces of beer excluding any head and the use of lined measures. The meeting indicated that the Branch was inclined to support both these motions. Both the National CAMRA Chair and Vice-Chair had indicated that they would be standing down at the AGM.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Nothing to report since the previous meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Howard reported that the current balance of the Branch Account stands at £1,268.18. The sum of £1,200.00 was remitted to CAMRA HQ. Howard was awaiting a receipt from CAMRA HQ.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT: Mary reported as follows with all figures correct as of 10 December 2023: CAMRA TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 151, 227 NEW MEMBERS - 822 LAPSED MEMBERS – 1,705 KENT TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 4,853 NEW MEMBERS - 18 LAPSED MEMBERS – 53 SWALE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP - 368 NEW MEMBERS - 2 LAPSED MEMBERS – 5

SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: John Kent reported that the Branch Xmas Social Trip to Gravesend on 2nd December had been very successful and enjoyable and well attended. The Iron Pier Brewery Tap Room in Gravesend was holding a tasting session on Saturday 20th January. Members were invited to book online directly if they wished to attend. Suggestions for future social events included a Broadstairs pub crawl and a visit to Wantsum Brewery and Tap Room at St Nicholas at Wade.

PUB OFFICERS REPORT: Nigel Mills reported as follows: The Long Hop, Sittingbourne is currently closed due to ongoing problems with repairs to gas mains; The Ship, Conyer is currently shut; The Anchor, Faversham has now re-opened and The Fox and Goose, Bapchild has been sold but it is unclear whether it will re-open as a pub or be converted to flats. WEBSITE OFFICERS REPORT: Howard said he had nothing significant to report. PUB NEWS: The new micropub in Chestfield and Swalecliffe, The Brickfield, has now opened.

EAST KENT DRINKER MAGAZINE UPDATE: Nothing significant to report since the previous meeting.

BREWERY REPORTS: Shepherd Neame: BLO John Kent said that he would arrange a meeting in the new year. The Brewery would be continuing with their Cask Club range and would be brewing two beers for the Spring Wetherspoons Beer Festival.

Mad Cat: BLO Les Bailey said there was nothing significant to report since the previous meeting.

GOOD BEER GUIDE 2025 – BRANCH SELECTION PROCEDURE: See Chairman’s Report.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Howard agreed to set up a Whats App Group for Committee Members to assist with communications. Paul Kent agreed to become Branch Cider Representative.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS: WEDNESDAY 17TH JANUARY 2024 – 7.30PM - THE YELLOW STOCKS, HIGH STREET, SITTINGBOURNE Note – change of date from the 10th. WEDNESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2024 – 7.30PM - THE MARKET INN, WHITSTABLE ROAD, FAVERSHAM (now confirmed by Les Bailey). Note – Steve Bury indicated that he was unlikely to be able to attend this meeting. The meeting closed at 8.52pm

Swale Branch are pleased to announce that at last nights Branch meeting Paul Kent agreed to be the Branches Cider Rep. We wish him well in his new Roll.

MINUTES OF THE SWALE CAMRA BRANCH OPEN BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON 15TH NOVEMBER 2023 AT 7.30PM AT THE BLACK LION, LYNSTED PRESENT: (9 MEMBERS): Les Bailey, Steve Bennion, Steve Bury (Chairman), Howard Gates, Lin Gates, Gary Holness, John Kent, John Sissons, and Andy. APOLOGIES: Doris, Mary Cross, Mick Drury, Tony Hayes, Simon Ing and Nigel Mills. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 11TH OCTOBER 2023: Considered, noted, agreed as a factual record of proceedings and signed off by Steve Bury. MATTERS ARISING: Howard again asked if he could be sent copies of the minutes of meetings and confirmation of dates and venues for future meetings so that he can add them to the Branch Website. Les to action accordingly.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Steve said that he had completed the CAMRA HQ Comms Tool online training course but that he still had some issues is using it to its full extent. He had attended the last Kent Regional Group meeting but the nature of the venue at the Ship Centurion in Whitstable had made it difficult to recall all the proceedings with complete clarity. A major issue was the proposed reduction in individual Branch Good Beer Guide (GBG) pub entries which could see Swale’s allocation fall to 11 by 2026. There seemed to be a policy from CAMRA HQ to gradually move away from a paper based GBG to an online version. This had both advantages in that the number of entries could perhaps be increased and pub information kept up to date in real time but also disadvantages if widely differing inclusion criteria were used. On this latter point several members drew attention to entries in the current GBG which included a pub which only sold keykeg and one which opens for functions and special events

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Les reported that, for a variety of logistical and seasonal reasons it would be advisable to schedule the presentation to the SHIPWRIGHTS ARMS, HOLLOWSHORE, of the Branch Certificate to mark 25 years of consecutive appearances in the Good Beer Guide for some time in early Spring 2024. Les will liase with the pub and Steve Bury and report back in due course.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Howard reported that the current balance of the Branch Account stands at £2,468.18 which is well above the maximum specified in CAMRA HQ guidance. The meeting agreed to remit £1,200.00 to CAMRA HQ to leave a balance of £1,268.18. Howard to action accordingly. Howard also advised that he had submitted the annual end of financial report to CAMRA HQ and would in due course move the Branch Accounts over to the CAMRA HQ COBAS system. The meeting agreed that this latter action should start by November 2024.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT: Les, on behalf of Mary, reported as follows with all figures correct as of 5 November 2023: CAMRA TOTAL MEMBERSHIP - 151, 209 NEW MEMBERS – 1,547 LAPSED MEMBERS – 1,536 KENT TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 4,801 NEW MEMBERS - 19 LAPSED MEMBERS – 53 SWALE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP - 374 NEW MEMBERS - 1 LAPSED MEMBERS – 5 I have been unable to send a new member greeting email to our new member, having no email contact details. I have continued to distribute membership/promotional materials to our pubs. By the time this report is presented I will have attended an online “Use of the Comms Tool” presentation organised by CAMRA (14th November), which I hope to find very useful.

SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: John Kent updated the meeting about the Xmas Social trip to Gravesend on December 2nd. For details see entry under DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS.

PUB OFFICERS REPORT: No report on this occasion in the absence of Tony Hayes and Nigel Mills.

WEBSITE OFFICER’S REPORT: In addition to comments made earlier under Matters Arising, Howard asked if he could also be sent information about Brewery News so that this too could be added to the Branch Website.

PUB NEWS: Noted that the Old House at Home, High Street, Sheerness has an outline planning application for conversion to residential but with a micropub option. However, there was some doubt as to whether this would be included in the final version. Further noted that the former micropub in Sheerness, A Wise Man, had closed and would revert to office accommodation. Mention was made of the fact that many pubs in the Branch area were altering their opening hours from summer to more restricted winter opening hours. Finally noted that, on behalf of CAMRA HQ, Andy Shaw is compiling a national list of permanently closed pubs.

EAST KENT DRINKER MAGAZINE: John Sissons reported that the first Edition had been well received and that arrangements were in hand to produce a second Edition early in 2024. Steve Bury reported that he had submitted three articles which had been edited. John Sissons would contribute a three-part article on beers and bars in Bruges and a crossword. Adverts had been confirmed from Shepherd Neame, Wantsum Brewery and The Elephant. John will ask Glyn Parry if there is any financial shortfall from the first Edition and advise Howard accordingly.

BREWERY REPORTS: Shepherd Neame: John Kent reported that he had visited the brewery on 17th October and met the new brewer (Rupert Hodgkins), provided the following update. The role out of Cask Club ales would continue with an Xmas Ale; although Cob Nut would be postponed. A keg conditioned ale called “First Drop IPA”, 4.3% abv has been produced with passionfruit, peach and mango additions. Spitfire Gold is now only is now only available in bottles.

John would raise with the brewery what support they might be able to offer when the Branch run a beer stall at the Faversham Hop Festival. Finally, CAMRA members are eligle for a 10% discount on online orders by using the code “SNTreat10”. Mad Cat: BLO Les Bailey reported that the Brewery was producing a christmas ale - “CHRISTMAS JUMPER”, 5.4% abv, which contains Scotch, Bourbon, Vanilla extract and Oak chips. It is available in bottles now and will be in cask in December. The Brewery is also now co-delivering Brogdale ciders. They will have a beer stall in the Market Place at the Faversham Christmas Lights Switch On.

GOOD BEER GUIDE – BRANCH SELECTION PROCEDURE: Steve Bury asked if the Branch had a written procedure for selecting pubs for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide (GBG). John Sissons responded by saying that various procedures had been adopted on an ad hoc basis in the past. In the immediate past few years selection for the longlist of pubs to be visited and surveyed had been based on information obtained from National Beer Scoring Scheme (NBSS) data, What Pub reports, members direct suggestions and past GBG entries. John offered to collate and present this information again to assist with next year's GBG nominations.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: No other business. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS: SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER – BRANCH XMAS SOCIAL OUTING TO GRAVESEND – depart Faversham Station 11.00am; depart Sittingbourne Station at 11.1-0am; arrive Gravesend at 11.45: 1. THREE PILLARS, Wrotham Street (Les to ask them to open at 11.45am); 2. RUM PUNCHEON, West Street with option to visit almost adjacent THREE DAWS; 3. JOLLY DRAYMAN, Love Lane/Wellington Street; 4. MOLE HOLE MICRO PUB, High Street; and 5. COMPASSES MICRO PUB, Manor Road It was decided that rather than trying to include The Iron Pier Brewery Tap that this should be left to a future occasion. WEDNESDAY 13TH DECEMBER – 7.30PM - THE PILOTS REST, HIGH STREET, SHEERNESS WEDNESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2024 – 7.30PM - THE YELLOW STOCKS, HIGH STREET, SITTINGBOURNE. WEDNESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2024 – 7.30PM - MARKET INN, WHITSTABLE ROAD, FAVERSHAM (to be confirmed by Les Bailey). The meeting closed at 9.30pm.