CAMRA was, of course, formed to protect cask conditioned beer, or real ale as it came to be known. It wasn’t long however before it was realised that this could not be done without preserving pubs and, in due course, we came to fully appreciate our wonderful pubs in their own right and the part that they played in the nation’s heritage. Dr Geoff Brandwood, who passed away in November, was a leading light in that process. Here, Paul Ainsworth, the chair of CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group, pays tribute.
“Those of us who have been involved with the pub heritage movement were devastated to learn of the sudden, unexpected death on 18 November of Dr Geoff Brandwood.
Geoff first became involved with our Pub Heritage Group (PHG) when, in 1998, he was appointed as caseworker for a two year, part-time project, jointly funded by CAMRA and English Heritage, to carry out a detailed review of pubs on our National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. The aim was to make recommendations for statutory listing and to improve listing descriptions. As both an architectural historian and a lover of pubs (and good beer and cider), Geoff was ideally placed to make a roaring success of the role, which he duly did.
After this, he continued his involvement with PHG, in particular putting his immense writing skills to great use on numerous publications. These included two editions of our flagship book, Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs, plus regional guides for London (with Jane Jephcote), the South East and the North West (and he also assisted with many of the other guides). With Andrew Davison and Mick Slaughter, he wrote Licensed to Sell, a definitive volume on the history and heritage of the public house, published by English Heritage. Many CAMRA members will also recall the column on heritage pubs that he produced until recently for the CAMRA publications What’s Brewing and then Beer.
Geoff was a brilliant and learned man but he wore that knowledge lightly and was always a great drinking companion. Since his death, numerous people have told me that their interest in heritage pubs stems directly from Geoff, either through his books and articles, his talks or just being in his company. His illustrated talks on historic pubs were especially inspirational (Geoff took excellent pub interior photographs) and he had given a Zoom talk just a few days before his death.
Away from CAMRA, Geoff wrote widely on architectural topics, especially Victorian and Edwardian church architecture, on which he was a leading authority. He was also a past chairman of the Victorian Society.
Geoff was a lovely guy and an inspiration to many of us; to say that he’ll be greatly missed is a huge understatement.”
Geoff also made a number of contributions to London Drinker. I found him precise yet amiable and undemanding to work with. I can only echo Paul’s view that he will be greatly missed.
The London Pubs Group had a tour of Kilburn and Hampstead on 8 December and the notes included the following tribute, “This tour is dedicated to the memory of Dr Geoff Brandwood, pub history author and mentor extraordinaire who died suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2021. We shall raise several glasses to him along the way.”
Geoff’s funeral was held at Mortlake Crematorium on 20 December
An event to remember his life and work was held on Monday 11 April. It reflected Geoff’s principal specialist interests: historic pubs and Victorian and Edwardian churches. The event began with a visit to All Saints’ Church in Brudenell Road, Tooting, SW17 8DQ, which dates from 1904/1906. The architect was Temple L Moore, the subject of one of Geoff’s books. This was followed by a visit to the Kings Head in Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7PB (built by W M Brutton in 1896). The pub has a splendid interior, one of many celebrated by Geoff in his work on historic pubs.
With thanks to Jane Jephcote.