This is a tale of how a simple conversation in a pub can lead to a nice surprise. CAMRA’s Richmond & Hounslow branch has for the last year been trying different and new events to get more members involved. One of these was a German themed Christmas meal at the Northumberland Arms in Brentford. During this event I found out that on New Year’s Day some members were visiting the Admiral Nelson in Whitton, which is my local. I turned up and found about 30 people there, most of whom I had never met before. This was the surprise: I had met the Weekly Wind-Up.
The Weekly Wind-Up group was formed in 1981 and is largely made up of those who work or have worked in the transport industry or have an enthusiasm for it. Combined with their transport interest, they also share a love of real ale and meet every Thursday to sample it at ‘real’ pubs and clubs in and around London which are, naturally, close to public transport links.
Since that chance meeting I have been inspired to attend as many Wind-Ups as possible. I present for you a selection of the places we have been this year. I should add all the venues serve the highest quality ales and always include a dark ale, often specially added. For example, the Admiral Nelson had all four small batch Twickenham Fine Ales stouts on the bar. Sometimes, many venues open early to accommodate the Wind-Up, which usually kicks off at 4pm.
- 8 January: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge. This multiple award-winning pub a short walk from the station has ten hand pumps and sells real cider and a keg range too. On a miserable wet night it was a warm haven, lovingly restored in 2018 with a nautical theme and four cosy bar areas. I tried beers from Sheffield (bitter), Bath (mild) and Kent (stout).
- 29 January: Mitre, Richmond. This ex-Young’s pub, built in 1865 on church land, is now a free house. Up to 14 pumps serve ten real ales from mostly small independent breweries, plus up to four ciders. During our visit there was a dark mild from Burning Sky and a stout from Three Legs. The pub also has an excellent in-house pizza maker from Wednesday to Sunday.
- 19 February: Old Cross Tavern, Hertford. This friendly local is a conversion from an antiques shop in a grade II-listed building. There are no TVs and the pub serves up to six real ales. There was a nice warming real fire during our visit. A stout by Lacons and Maris the Otter from York brewery were among the beers.
- 26 March: Pocket, Islington. This newly reopened pub is a popular local with a small historical frontage. A trip to the toilets is an adventure down into the cellar that feels like you are going outside! Pub Ale Best by Blackjack and Life Coach stout by local brewer Howling Hops were available on two of the eight pumps.
- 2 April: Albion Brewery Bar, Northampton). Phipps brewery returned here in 2014. This brewery bar is in the restored building of the 1884 Ratliffe & Jeffrey’s Albion Brewery. All the fittings have been recovered from closed Phipps pubs. Eight pumps serve all the Phipps beer range plus a rotating guest. There is a clear modern interpretation of the Victorian industrial scene in the building with the brewery visible through a glass screen and lots of memorabilia to view.
- 9 April: Orpington Liberal Club. This local club in a converted house has won multiple CAMRA awards. It is run by a committee of real ale fans and serves up to five beers, as well as cider and perry. The club focuses on LocAle and microbreweries. Mr Grundy’s Blighty was the highlight, a dark, strong ‘Olde English’ mild bitter. Also on the bar were two stouts from Pig & Porter. Other lighter beers were available!
So, if you enjoy travelling to new places to visit different pubs to drink excellent beer (often dark) with friendly like-minded company (and a dog or two) and you are free on Thursdays, I would thoroughly recommend the Thursday Wind-Up group and its rationale. For more information email weeklywindup@outlook.com.
Damian Smeaton