MINUTES OF THE SWALE CAMRA BRANCH OPEN BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON 10 TH JANUARY 2024 AT 7.30PM AT THE YELLOW STOCKS, SITTINGBOURNE PRESENT: (13 MEMBERS): Les Bailey, Steve Bennion, Steve Bury (Chairman), Andrew Cowan, Mary Cross, Howard Gates, Paul Kent, John Kent, Martin Knight (Kent Regional Director), Nigel Mills, Sara Seabridge, John Sissons and Andy. APOLOGIES: Chris Collier, Rachel Collier, Lin Gates, Tony Hayes, Gary Holness, Simon Ing and Doris. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 13 TH DECEMBER 2023: Considered, noted and agreed as a factual record of proceedings and signed off by Steve Bury. MATTERS ARISING: No matters arising. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Steve said he had been working away for a considerable period of time and so had nothing significant to report in terms of Branch business. He did say that the issue of HQ reforms and how this would affect the Branch, Kent Region and wider would be reported under any other business in conjunction with Martin Knight. SECRETARY’S REPORT: Les had nothing significant to report. The presentation to the Shipwrights Arms (Hollowshore, Faversham) to mark 25 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide would be arranged in the early Spring. TREASURER’S REPORT: Howard reported that the current balance of the Branch Account stands at £1,268.18. He continues to make progress towards adopting COBAS procedures. Mary reported as follows with all figures correct as of 13 January 2024: CAMRA TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 149,566 NEW MEMBERS – 1,460 LAPSED MEMBERS – 2,053 KENT TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 4,191 NEW MEMBERS - 39 LAPSED MEMBERS - 49 SWALE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP - 366 NEW MEMBERS - 2 LAPSED MEMBERS - 7 Mary has sent a “New Members Greeting” email and continues to distribute membership/promotional materials to our pubs, trying to ensure that membership leaflets are topped up. SOCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: John reported that Gadds, Northdown, Shivering Sands and Wantsum Breweries were organising a joint beer festival with free mini bus transfers between the breweries on 29th and 30th March. Notional times are 12 noon - 8.00pm. It may be possible to arrange transfers from and to Broadstairs by negotiation. If Branch members are interested then the 29th (Good Friday) may be the best date. John will liase with Martin Knight on this. With regard to the use by the Branch of minibuses to visit difficult to reach pubs or breweries for campaigning purposes Martin Knight advised that, if members made some contribution, theres is scope to use Branch funds for this purpose. Finally John reported that Iron Pier brewery are holdingf a beer festival at their Gravesend Taproom from 3rd - 5th May.

WEBSITE OFFICERS REPORT: Howard said he had nothing to report. He was setting up a Whats App Group for Committee Members to assist with communications. PUB OFFICERS REPORT/PUB NEWS: Nigel Mills reported as follows: The Ship (Conyer) is up for sale at £600,000; The Aviator (Queenborough) is closed and up for sale; The George (Newnham) is currently closed; The Park Tavern (Sittingbourne) has new Licensees; The Beauty of Bath (Sittingbourne) currently has no real ale: The Ypres Tavern (Sittingbourne) currently has no real ale and restricted opening; The Paper Mill (Sittingbourne) is currently closed on Thursdays; The Anchor (Faversham) the current Licensees are reported to be leaving in February. The Dover Castle (Teynham) is reported to have temporary managers. Also, The Three Sisters (Upchurch/Lower Rainham) is reported to appear in Kent On-Lines Top 10 Pubs for food and drink. EAST KENT DRINKER MAGAZINE UPDATE: John Sissons reported that the 2nd Edition had now been finalised and printed and is now available for distibution to apprpriate pubs within the Branch area. Distribution will be handled by John Sissons, (Sheppey), John Kent (Siitingbourne) and Les (Faversham and the villages). The 3rd Edition is planned for May/June 2024 BREWERY REPORTS Shepherd Neame: BLO John Kent reported the a beer is being brewed for the Wetherspoons Spring beer festival with assistance from an American brewer. The next Cask Club beer will be a stronger pale ale with a malty edge. First Drop has been brewed and is unfiltered and unpasteurised. Mad Cat: BLO Les Bailey reported that a lager (4.5%abv) will be brewed as a key keg product. A further beer, a Golden IPA, is also planned for production. GOOD BEER GUIDE 2025 – SELECTION OF BRANCH PUB ENTRIES: The meeting agreed that a small sub-committe comprising Steve Bury, Les Bailey, Mary Cross, Howard Gates and John Kent, with assistance from John Sissons should meet to scope out the pubs for nomination to appear in the Good Beer Guide 2025. This meeting would take place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 23rd January at the Golden Hope, Sittingbourne. 14 Pubs would be selected for the GBG and the top 6 will be selected for judging as the Branch Pub of The Year 2024. This selection process would involve a combination of NBSS, What Pub scores and members own input. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Steve and Martin Knight explained the current situation with regard to the CAMRA HQ review of the Regional CAMRA structure. The consultation process was now effectively complete and despite opposition from Kent members it is almost certain that the Kent Region will be merged with Surrey and Sussex to form a new South Esat Region with effect from April 24th this year. It is understood that none of the exisiting Kent Regional officers, Martin Knight, Glynn Parry, Ian Clenent or Ian Fielder will stand for positions in the new larger Regional structure.

The meeting expressed its thank to Martin and his colleagues for all their help and support over many years. Steve Bury indicated that he would be submitting two motions for debate at the CAMRA AGM in April. These were both supported, accepted a nd endorsed by the Branch. DATE OF NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY 21 st FEBRUARY – 7.30PM - THE MARKET INN, WHITSTABLE ROAD, FAVERSHAM. (Steve Bury indicated that he may not be able to make this meeting). WEDNESDAY 13th MARCH - 7.30PM - ADMIRALS ARM, QUEENBOROUGH (to be confirmed by John Sissons). WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL - 7.30PM - THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS, WORMSHILL (to be confirmed by Mary Cross). WEDNESDAY 15th MAY - 7.30PM - THE BULL INN, FAVERSHAM (to be confirmed by Les Bailey). The meeting closed at 9.05pm.