BROMLEY PUB OF THE YEAR
CAMRA’s Bromley branch have voted the Cockpit in Chislehurst (4 Royal Parade BR7 6NR) their Pub of the Year for 2023. It is the first micropub in the area, having opened in December 2020, and was up against thirteen other pubs on the final selection list, as nominated by branch members. The Star & Garter in Bromley, a previous multiple winner, was runner up. The branch’s Club of the Year is the Orpington Liberal Club.
SOUTH EAST LONDON PUB OF THE YEAR
CAMRA’s South East London branch have also finished their Pub of the Year judging and the winner is the Royal Oak, the Harvey’s tied house at the Borough (44 Tabard Street SE1 4JU). The winner was selected from four area winners. The other three pubs in contention were the Ivy House in Nunhead (SE15 3BE), the Plum Tree in Plumstead (SE18 2UL) and the Dog & Bell in Deptford (SE8 3JD). The River Ale House in East Greenwich (SE10 0RJ) has been voted the branch’s Cider Pub of the Year.
KINGSTON & LEATHERHEAD WINTER PUB OF THE SEASON
The Prince of Wales in East Molesey (KT8 9EU) is CAMRA’s Kingston & Leatherhead branch’s Winter Pub of the Season. The award recognises that branch members consider that both the quality and range of ales on offer has improved over the last year. Branch members gathered at this Greene King house on a Wednesday night in January to see the branch chairman, Richard Russell (right), make the presentation of a framed certificate to the manager, Ionnis.
Originally from Volos in Greece, Ionnis has been at the Prince of Wales for two months, having moved there from the Kew Gardens Hotel in Kew. That evening, the pub was serving beers from breweries not usually seen in the branch area, Andwell from Hook, Hampshire and Crafty from Loxhill in Surrey.
Clive Taylor
NORTH LONDON WINTER PUB OF THE SEASON
The Black Lion in Kilburn is one of London’s most stunning pubs. It dates from 1898 and is listed by CAMRA as having an historic pub interior of national importance as well as being Grade II*-listed by Historic England. It’s probably worthy of being called a gin palace and now it has been recognised not for its gin but for its beer. CAMRA’s North London branch has awarded the Black Lion their Winter Pub of the Season award, selecting it from hundreds of real ale pubs in the Branch area. Branch chair Colin Coyne, said, “London Village Inns took over the pub last year and it’s a real pleasure to see what they have done for the pub. They have spruced up its fantastic interior with its rich ceiling, etched and cut glass and four splendid copper relief panels; it’s a real treat for the eyes. They also have installed new handpumps, selling cask beer from breweries in London and the South East, making it a treat for the palate as well.
We are delighted to make this award to the Black Lion team for running such a great pub and bringing life to the north part of the High Road.” Investment in the Black Lion has also included the kitchen and dining room, plus an outside seating area and continues with twelve boutique bedrooms due to open in 2023. David, the general manager for London Village Inns said, “We feel so honoured to have won the North London CAMRA’s award for Pub of the Season. When we reopened the Black Lion, it was our mission to make sure not only did we create a beautiful pub that serves amazing food and beers. But we wanted to also create a welcoming atmosphere for all of our customers. We really hope you all enjoy the pub as much as we do. Thanks again North London CAMRA.”
The full address of the Black Lion is 274 Kilburn High Road, NW6 2BY.
John Cryne
BEER FESTIVAL NEWS
The Great British Beer Festival 2023 will be held, as usual, at Olympia (W14 8UX) from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 August. Tickets are already available at https://gbbf.org.uk/. There are discounts for CAMRA members. More information to follow in due course. Staffing forms will be available after the CAMRA Members’ Weekend at the end of April.
In the meantime, there will be a one-day cider festival on Saturday 29 April (midday to 10pm) followed by three CAMRA beer festivals in London in May: Bexley (4 to 6 May), Kingston (18 to 20 May) and Kidbrooke (25 to 27). There are adverts for all four events elsewhere in this edition.
Kidbrooke will be open from midday to 10.30pm each day and the organisers hope to have a selection of up to 60 cask ales, ciders and perries. The venue is, as usual, Charlton Park RFC, 60A Broad Walk, SE3 8NB, which is ten minutes’ walk from Kidbrooke Station.
Looking further ahead, Thurrock beer festival will take place on Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 June and the Beckenham Beer & Cider Festival will take place on 27 to 29 July, at the Beckenham Rugby Football Club, Balmoral Avenue, BR3 3RD.
Further afield, there will be a Cambridge Beer Festival this year, from 22 to 27 May. Anyone who wishes to volunteer should sign up at https://www.cambridgebeerfestival.com/volunteering/. Sadly, however, the Reading Beer Festival has been cancelled.
BROMLEY PUB WALKS
The longer days are a reminder that spring and summer are now (hopefully) on the way, so it’s a good time to remind everyone about the Bromley Pub Walks guides. These are free to view or download from the CAMRA Bromley branch website https://bromley.camra.org.uk/pub-walks/. The walking routes link more than 30 pubs and clubs in Bromley, including the Cockpit as mentioned above. Six new routes have been added for 2023, all of which start at Bromley pubs but finish just over the borders in Kent, Surrey, or in Selsdon (Croydon).
Bob Keaveney
SPBW WOODFEST
The Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW) will be holding their fourth WoodFest on 11 to 13 May at the Egham United Services Club in Surrey (TW20 9PE). Details are available on their website https://www.spbw.beer/woodfest-2023/.
CAMRA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
An interesting recent addition to CAMRA’s membership benefits is a 50% discount off an annual subscription to Debrett’s, who are the record keepers and chroniclers of British society and an authority on modern manners. They also have an exhaustive etiquette library. For more information, go to https://camra.org.uk/join/membership-benefits/partner-benefits/.