MINUTES OF THE SWALE CAMRA BRANCH OPEN BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13 th SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 7.30PM AT THE PAPER MILL, SITTINGBOURNE PRESENT: (12 MEMBERS): Les Bailey, Steve Bennion, Steve Bury, Mary Cross, Howard Gates, Lin Gates, Gary Holness, John Kent, Martin Knight (Kent Regional Director and Acting Chairman), Lin Peters, Richard Peters, and John Sissons. APOLOGIES: Doris. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 16 AUGUST 2023: Considered and agreed with no matters arising. ACTING CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Nothing to report since the previous meeting. SECRETARY’S REPORT: Les reported that he had now received from HQ the Branch Certificate for presentation to the Shipwrights Arms to mark 25 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. It had not been possible to include a reference to Licensees to reflect the part played by the late Ruth Cole but several remedies were suggested and would be given further consideration. TREASURER’S REPORT: Howard reported that the £850.00 petty cash float provided by the Branch for the Hop Festival Beer Stall would be reimbursed. Gill Keay from Canterbury Branch would provide the final figures but it looks like there will be a surplus of approx £2,400. The Swale Branch share will be approx £1,200. The bulk of the surplus will be remitted to HQ after deducting anticipated expenditure. Gary Holness drew attention to the need to replace various items connected with the Beer Stall namely signage and general maintenance. Mention was made of potentially using some of this surplus to part fund campaigning activities (eg trips to more remote hard to reach pubs) or as a thank you to the volunteers who ran the Beer Stall. Martin Knight said that, depending on the particular circumstances this may be permissible but that in all case members would be expected to make a substantial contribution. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT: Mary reported the following with all figures correct as of 9 th September 2023: CAMRA TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 151, 584 NEW MEMBERS - 872 LAPSED – 1,692 KENT TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – 4,860 NEW MEMBERS - 41 LAPSED – 70 SWALE TOTAL MEMBERSIP - 380 NEW MEMBERS - 4 LAPSED 2 So, our area membership remains steady, whereas regional and national numbers are still in decline. I have sent a “New Members Greeting” email, despite needing further training on the COMMS tool. I have continued to distribute membership/promotional materials to our pubs. I took the opportunity of promoting membership at the CAMRA beer stall at the Faversham Hop Festival after we had run out of beer and cider, on the Sunday.

PUB OFFICER’S REPORT: No report. APPOINTMENT OF NEW SWALE CAMRA BRANCH CHAIRMAN: Martin advised the meeting that Steve Bury had agreed to fill the vacant post of Branch Chairman with immediate effect. The meeting endorsed this appointment, thanking Steve for volunteering for this important post. Steve took over as chair of the meeting. Martin would advise HQ about this appointment. PUB NEWS: The Pilots Rest (Sheerness) - formerly the Flying Sheep has now opened with new signage under the management of Neil Webb; has 2 handpump; a selection of Belgian beers and is currently open 6 days a week; Three Horseshoes (Staplestreet) - was closed for renovation but has now reopened; and The Yellow Stocks (Sittingbourne) - celebrates its 5 th Anniversary over the weekend of 15/16/17 September with 7 real ales on at all times with music and food EAST KENT DRINKER MAGIZINE UPDATE: John Sissons reported that copies of the first edition of the Magazine had been widely distributed to pubs and other locations within the Branch area by himself and Les Bailey and Tony Hayes. With regard to the timing of the second edition a meeting of the steering group is scheduled for 14 th September at the New Inn, Canterbury. In terms of the financing of the Magazine is concerned Martin indicated that Glyn Parry (East Kent Area Organiser) had obtained a £2,000 loan from HQ to get the publication up and running. Advertising revenue from the first edition should be sufficient to fund the second edition and so on going forward. In the event that there is a deficit this will be shared between the three Branches concerned. BREWERY NEWS: Shepherd Neame – BLO John Kent reported that the Branch Eve of Hop Festival visit to Shepherd Neame had been very successful and enjoyable with about 25 + members in attendance. John had emailed Mike Unsworth to say thank you for the highly informative tours undertaken by Scott and Danielle and for their hospitality. A donation of £200 had been made to Sheps charity of choice by Branch members. John is meeting them next in early October and will report back in due course. Mad Cat - BLO Les Bailey reported that there was no new beers to report. The Brewery had a successful time with their three bars at the Faversham Hop Festival. Les will speak to them about a possible Branch visit to the Brewery 2023 FAVERSHAM HOP FESTIVAL BRANCH BEER STALL UPDATE: Gary Holness reported that the Beer Stall had been very successful in terms of logistics, general organisation and sales. The only concern was a lack of volunteers to serve especially during the lunchtime peak periods. Also that we could have sold more beer and cider and that the ordering for next year should be kept under review. John Kent asked if he could approach Shepherd Neame to see if they can provide some free casks for sale at the Branch Beer Stall. This again could be considered by the joint Canterbury/Swale Branches organising committee.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Howard asked that copies of the agreed meeting minutes and other items of news be copied to him so that he can add them to the Branch website and social media. With regard to future Good Beer Guide Branch pub nominations Martin Knight said that the Swale quota had reduced from 17 previously to 13 now. There are however, 4 “floating nominations” covering the whole Kent Region which can be allocated based on NBSS scores. Martin also drew attention to the possible use of What Pub apps to select GBG pubs . HQ were also looking at the possible use of QR codes in pubs to link to NBSS scoring. DATES AND VENUES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS WEDNESDAY 11 th OCTOBER – 7.30PM - THE QUAY, QUAY LANE, FAVERSHAM (subject to confirmation by Lin and Richard Peters) WEDNESDAY 15 th NOVEMBER – 7.30PM - THE BLACK LION, LYNSTED (subject to confirmation by Les Bailey) WEDNESDAY 13 th DECEMBER – 7.30PM - THE PILOTS REST, SHEERNESS (subject to confirmation by John Sissons). The meeting close at 8.50pm.