Website last updated 29th July 2020

Welcome to the website for the West Suffolk and Borders branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which is financed by membership subscriptions, sales of books and merchandise and proceeds from national and local beer festivals. CAMRA is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee.
Our local branch has over 1000 members so why not join us at our monthyl branch meeting, see diary for details.

*** BRANCH PUB LATEST INFO *** *** BRANCH PUB LATEST INFO ***

Please support local beer, pubs and cider as we come out of lockdown
Pubs, clubs, breweries and taprooms have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown. Some pubs and clubs are reopening, some will stay closed for now, and some are still offering takeaway and delivery services
Information will appear here soon but in the meantime you can download an update on what pubs in our West Suffolk and Borders branch area are doing by clicking here

*** STOP PRESS 21st July 2020 ***

NEWS FROM CAMRA : NEWS FROM CAMRA : NEWS FROM CAMRA

LOCKDOWN PUB HEROS RECOGNISED

The local West Suffolk & Borders branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has rewarded local licensees, publicans and brewers this week with a special ‘Lock Down Champions’ award.

The awards are in recognition of those thirty-six pubs and brewers in West Suffolk who have continued to serve their local communities during the past four months of lock down by opening their businesses to deliver a host of new initiatives … beer off sales, takeaway meals, pop up shops and extra services for struggling communities, all of which have really proved that ‘The Pub is the Hub’ in many town and rural communities.

A small handful of publicans and brewers have also been recognised with an ‘Above and Beyond’ award in recognition of their extra efforts to support their communities. Ranging from local brewers Nethergate and Brewshed, who have provided essential services direct from the brewery door, to local pubs who have provided take away meal services, home delivery to the elderly and vulnerable and community shops. Amongst the latter are the Gardners Arms, Tostock and Stanningfield, Red House.

Martin Bate, CAMRA branch Vice Chairman said “ Our members felt it important that we recognise the efforts of so many local licensees who during the lock down, and whilst suffering an unprecedented loss of business and their own financial hardship, have gone beyond the normal call of duty to support their communities”

David Marjoram of Gustopronto Limited, owners of Ingham’s Brewshed, who personally served more than 25,000 pints of takeaway real ale from his pop up outlet at the brewery whilst his five pubs were closed by the lock down, said “Receiving this award at such a difficult time for our industry is kind, thoughtful and much appreciated. It is good to know that our efforts have been valued by so many and that CAMRA and its membership recognise this”

Martin Bate continued “Pubs are now re-opening but it will be several months before normality returns. The limits on numbers, social distancing and less trade will add further pressures, particularly for those in rural villages. We urge everyone to support their ‘local’ as a customer. Sadly, because of the pandemic, we have already seen pubs in this area close permanently. This really is the time of ‘Use it or lose it’.

Above - David Marjoram of Brewshed receives his Above and beyond Lockdown Champion award certificate from CAMRA branch officers Paul Cooper and Martin Bate

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POSTPONED>>> Postponement of the East Anglian Beer and Cider Festival
Regrettably, as a consequence of government advice on the Coronavirus, the Apex in Bury St Edmunds has made the decision today to suspend all events due to take place at the venue with immediate effect on Health and Safety grounds until further notice. This means that we will be unable to hold the East Anglian Beer and Cider Festival as planned on 22-25th April 2020 so we have postponed the event. It is hoped that we will be able to reschedule the festival for later in the year and should this be possible we will update the festival website https://www.burystedmundsbeerfestival.com

Also on this page Latest NEWS Branch TwitterPub WalksDisclaimers


****LATEST NEWS****
Want some nostalgia?
Some interesting recollections (well for us oldies anyway) just in about The Griffin from someone who used to manage the pub/restaurant back in the 1960s. Check it out on our Nostalgia page

PUB WALKS

Walk No. 1 Thurston-Pakenham-Thurston

This easy circular walk takes you through varied Suffolk countryside and villages and past three real ale pubs.
What more excuse do you need?
For more information see Pub Walks page or click here



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This is the website of the West Suffolk and Borders of CAMRA. Copyright © 2018 West Suffolk and Borders Branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).
The views expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date, no responsibility for errors and omissions can be accepted.

If you spot an error please please report it to ku.gro.armac.kloffustsew@retsambew
Disclaimer: Please be aware that any reviews or comments expressed in these web pages, be they good, bad or indifferent, are those of the reviewer only and their appearance on this website does not mean that they are endorsed by West Suffolk and Borders branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)