CAMRA’s Summer of Pub continues until 29 August. Go here to find events near you or register your own. It is International Beer Day on 5 August which would be the perfect time to seek out some international beers at your local pubs and clubs.
CAMRA’s Bromley branch kicked off the Summer of Pub season on Saturday 11 June with a walk in pleasant sunshine to Chelsfield village. Our first visit was to the Five Bells (BR6 7RE), where a special award was presented to licensees, Kay and Ade Stone, by the branch’s local Pub/Club Contact, Norman Warner. Kay and Ade have been in charge for 17 years during which time they developed the Five Bells into an outstanding pub, with a total of 14 Good Beer Guide entries. It was also branch Pub of the Year in 2010. In late June they handed over to Sam, their former chef, while they take a well-earned ‘gap year’. Apparently, we should not use the ‘R word’, so I won’t mention retirement. However, whatever they do, we all wish them well. About a dozen members had gathered in the pub to wish them farewell and to enjoy some excellent food and a fine selection of four cask ales:
Butcombe Original, Skinner’s Betty Stoggs, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker and Doom Bar. The photo, courtesy of Barry Phillips, shows Ade and Kay with Norman (right).
Norman Warne