vittle inns in trouble?
Transcription
vittle inns in trouble?
s(x)O CIRCULATION MAY1985 VITTLEINNSIN TROUBLE? Pub An articlein a recenteditionof the trademagazine Leadersuggeststhat Vittle Inns,a divisionof Allied Breweries(proprietorcof Benskinsand Ind Coope)is havingsome difficultywith its chainof American-style bar lounges.One of this groupsfive Exchangebars is in Rickmansworth, and although10 of these were programmedby 1982there are now no furtherplans for any more.There have apparentlybeen particular problemswith management andmenuselection. The other branch of Vittle'sactivitiesincludesthe Calendarschain,of which only one actuallyexists,in Watford.This cost more than81 millionto set up, but The second hasonly recentlystartedto be successful. Calendarshasnevermaterialised. Allied Breweries'new managingdirector,Richard Martin,is well knownfor havinga particularinterestin operation. the beerand brewingside of the company's While the future for Vittle Inns and their American fantasiesmight not thereforelook too bright,Vittle's John Lee is denyingall rumoursand is quoted as sayingof his boss Mr. Martin,"He is likely to have a The Newsletterwill offera prize retailedgestrategy'i of an imitationAmericancocktailstick to any reader who cantranslatethatquotationintoEnglish. . . and we will offera roundof applauseto AlliedBrewerieswhen they put Vittle lnns out to grassand concentrateon goodbeerandgoodpubs. NUMBER&I VWIATPRICECHOICE? courtrsthroughout As most Newsletterreadersknow,magistrated whetheror not to allow the countyhaverecentlybeendeliberating drinksto be servedin pubs up to l'lpm, ratherthan the present to Fridays. 10.30pm, Mondays CAMRAmemberswere presentat three of the hearings,and listenedto evidencefromsomepub licenseeswhofelt thatan extra 30 minuteswouldimprovetheirtrade,andto somewho thoughtthat it wouldcreatemoretroublethanit was worth.The evidencefrom the customergside was that a few were againstany change,many more could not reallycare what time the pub closed,but that a substantialnumberwould appreciatean extra 30 minutessocial drinking,dartsplayingor whatever. werethatsomeof the The results,as we havereportedelsewhere, local courts agreed to allow the change,but that rather more refusedto allowanyalterationto the statusquo. CAMRAis in supportof the increasedflexibilityof licensinghours, as proposed.lt is importantto realisethat the licensinghours agreedby the courtsare permittedhours,not obligatoryhours.We knowthat very manylandlordsdo not'opentheir pub doorsat the permittedhoursof 10.30am becausethey and 5.30pm,presumably do not feel thatthe tradewarrantsit, so thereis no apparentreason if shouldnot continueto closeat 10.30pm whypubsin Hertfordshire theywish,in spiteof anychangepermittedby the magistrates. and licensees CAMRAstandslor choice,and we saythat customers enoughto choosewhetheror not drinkingtill alikeare intelligent 11pmis appropriatefor their pub. We congratulatethose courts enoughto makethe changethisyear,and whichwereadventurous to the others,we say that we are sure that the matter will be debatedagainnextyear. To help us contributeto thatdebate,we wouldliketo hearfromour readers- drinkersand licenseesalike.Hasyour pub beengranted the extra half hour?Has it helpedyou, or the pub? lf your pub hasn'tbenefitedfrom the change,do you thinkit should? Pleasewrite to the Newsletternow (see editorialaddresson back Page)' PeterLemer Hertfordshire AreaOrganiser THEBARLEYMOW TY1TENHANGERGREEN WE HAVETHE LARGESTSELECTION OF REALALESIN HERTFORDS H IR E 'lleli.Sliks' are an all year tound lood, which can be easily prspared in a variotyol wayq eg. Frying, oiillino. bt micto-waveovon and iven iiiobr & outdoor B.B.O.'s. The minlmum cooking lime l.om frozonls only +5 mins. Cooking and serving tre drventn in our trc given FREEinlofmalion sheets. LTD., DELI-STIKS 53A ParkStreet Village,St. Albans, Herts. Telephone:(072n74fi3. -/ We also pride ourselvesthat they are all in the best of condition.Why not try our menu of hot and cold mealsat lunchtime? Indoorand outdoorbarbecues,weather p e r m i t t i n gn, o w i n f u l l s w i n g PLEASENOTENO COACHES M INIBUSES INCLUDING LETTERS BRANCHNEWS Jenny Greenhalgh,chairman of CAMRA's Pub PreservationGroup, repliesto the landlord of the Letchworth keg-only pub: DearCathy, Bill Jamieson's letter in your March edition in reply to 'Roundsman"s December article is thankfullynot typical of most licensees'attitudesto the work of CAMRA. In over ten years of workingfor this org.nisation(and be it known that this is a labour of love- we don'tget paid)thousandsof us have met thousandsof licensees.As in any industry they come in all shapesand sizes,and havea varietyof views about the Campaign. Some are faithful, dedicatedsoldiers who never seem to escape f rom the bar,are ever readyto talk'shop'with membersof the local C A M R Ab r a n c hw h o t h e y k n o wa r e i n f o r m e dm e m b e r so f t h e p u b l i c on the state of the licensedtrade,and gain our immediaterespect for their dedication.They have even encouragedsome membersof CAMRAto enter the trade themselves.Some successfullicensees find the opportunityto escapeand handover the day to day running to other staff- perhapsMr. Jamiesonis one of these.There is a f ine line to be drawn between the pub run just as a money-making concern.and that combined with service as a social centre where c o n t a c tw i t h t h e l i c e n s e ea n d h i s / h e rp u b l i ci s a n e s s e n t i ailn g r e d i e n to f t h e t r u e p u b l i ch o u s e . We recognisethat with mass-mediaadvertisingthere are goingto be many pub goers who think cold lizzy lager and bright beers are preferableto a local productthat only has point-of-saleadvertising and a reputationthat can only be appreciatedby tastingthe product. It is part of CAMRA'scampaignto ask licenseesto make available those brews that are not nationallyadvertised,and let the public h a v et h e o p p o r t u n i t yo f m a k i n gt h e i r c h o i c e . l ti s t h e l i c e n s e e ' d s uty . e t o p r e s e n lt h e p r o d u c ta s t h e b r e w e r yw o u l d l i k e i t p r e s e n t e dW w i l l t h e r e f o r em a k e o u r v i e w s k n o w ni f t h e b e e r sa r e w i t h d r a w no r s e r v e d i n p o o r c o n d i t i o n :i t i s n o t u n r e a s o n a b l teo a s k w h y s u c h c o n d i t i o no srevail. W e r e c o g n i s et h a t t h o s e i n t h e l i c e n s e dt r a d e a r e s e e i n g m o r e bankrupciesevery year. lt doesn'tseem to stop some members in the trade from ruiningtheir reputationby indifferentservice.And it d o e s n 'st e e mt o s t o pn e w p e o p l ee n t e r i n gt h e t r a d e . I m i g h t a d dt h a tI h a v en e v e r s e e n a " b e a u t i f uclr u m p e t " a : l u m po f g r e y c l a m m yd o u g h f u l l o f h o l e s t h a t o n l y b e c o m e sr e m o t e l ya p p e a l i n gw h e n l i g h t l yt o a s t e do n b o t hs i d e sa n d s m o t h e r e di n b u t t e r i s h a r d l ym y i d e ao f b e a u t ya, n d I ' v en e v e r s e e nt h i si n a p u b . . . Yours, J enny PUB OF THE MONTH RedLion,Stevenage May sees CAMRASNorth Herts branch back in StevenageOld Town lor their Pub ot the Month Award.The Red Lion is the third Old Town pub to win this award, and shows what an excellent drinkinghaven it is. One can trace the hisloryof a public house on the site back to 1648,then called the Holly Bush.The name was changed to the Redd Lyon some time later, with the current s p e l l i n gb e i n ga d o p t e da r o u n d1 8 0 0 . The adjoiningbuildingwas also a public house called the Falcon, now a sportsshop. Neil and Sue Grundyhave been the licenseesfor five years,and the pub has changed during this time from a quiet local into a lively boozer,with the range of Greene King real ales increased,although regrettablythe Mild is no longeravailable.The good news for traditionalists is that no changesto the buildinghave been made, and it retainsits fine character.A regular in CAMRAs Good Beer Guide,lhe pub is well worth a visit,so come along and celebratewith us on Mav29th. Peter Clarke Peter & Lesley Reynolds wel@me you to -iG[ THESTARTNN,ffi FURNEUXPELHAM --@[ RaymentsBBA* GreeneKing KK & Abbot GOODHOME-COOKED FOOD MONOAYTO SATURDAY A Brcnt Pelham NewHeartforSouthHerts - their very success It's often the way with successful organisations holds the seeds of their own demise.CAMRA - the Campaignfor Real Ale - is no exception.For many people the battle for Real Ale hasbeen won.Certainlythe majorityof pubs in Hertfordshireofferat leastone,and sometimesseveraltraditionalbeers;a far cry from the early70'swhenCAMRAwas formed.In those daysa f ew tens of pubs in the countysold unpressurisedbeer.The f igure now is nearer800. Because of this many previouslykeen campaign members have drifted away,contentthat their local now sells the real thing at last. Attendancesat local branchmeetingshave fallento very low levels over the past year or so and the HertfordshireSouth Branch itself was in imminentdangerof folding.The matter evenattractedsome attention from the local press, especiallysince South Herts was v i r t u a l l yt h e f o u n d i n gb r a n c ho f t h e C a m p a i g n . Things are setto change however The recent call to local members,both old and new, to help revitalise the flagging fortunes of the branch appears to have worked. H e r t f o r d s h i r eS o u t h n o w h a s a n e w f u l l c o m m i t t e ed e d i c a t e dt o puttingthe "Fizz" back into the area'scampaign.A good sign is that severalnew faces haveappearedto take up positions.A full programme of eventsand meetingsfor the coming monthshas been put t o g e t h e r d, e t a i l so f w h i c hw i l l a p p e a ri n d u e c o u r s e . Much to be done lf there are now so manyoutletslor RealAle in the county,why do we needCAMRA?The Campaignhas,duringthe years,begunto realise t h a t t h e f i g h t t o p r e s e r v et r a d i t i o n abl e e r i s n o t e n o u g h .M e m b e r s n o t o n l yw a n tt o d r i n kr e a la l e , b u t w a n tt o d r i n ki t i n g o o d c o n d i t i o n , . onsequently, a t a r e a s o n a b l ep r i c e , i n p l e a s a n ts u r r o u n d i n g sC much of the Campaign'seffortsare now directed in these areas.We a l l k n o wo f t h e p u b ss e l l i n gi n fe r i o rq u a l i t yb e e ra t i n fl a t e dp r i c e s ;o f s u l l d o z e or r c o n v e r t e d t h e b e a u t iuf I o l d p u b sl o s tt o t h e d e v e l o p e r ' b t o p l a s t i cf u n p a l a c e sa t a w h i m .A s w e l l a s k e e p i n ga n e y e o n t h e f u t u r eo f o u r n a t i o n abl e v e r a g e- a n d d r i n k i n gi t t o o ! - C A M R Aa, n d the re.iuvenatedHertfordshire South branch, have much to keep t h e m s e l v e so c c u p i e dw i t h i n t h e B O ' s . For more informationcontact the Press Officer - Dave Burns. 25 W e l l i n g t o nS t r e e t , B e n g e o ,H e r t f o r d S G 1 4 3 A N . P h o n e 5 5 3 9 0 3 (home),016368333extn7342(work). QUICKONES Farewellto Cathy,hail Nadine This month'sNewsletter will be the last to be edited by Cathy Totman,who has been your Editor since issue No. 58 in February 1983. Readers will, I am sure, agree that Cathy has splendidly maintainedthe high editorial standardsof this premier amongst local newspapers,whilst introducinga number of popular CAMRA'S new featuresand columns.A particularachievementduring Oathy's term of office has been the substantialincrease in advertising revenue,reflectingthe Newslette/swide readershipamongstbeer drinkersand pub goers. Although she will be takinga much deservedrest from the strains of editing this Newsletter,Cathy will continue to be in CAMRAs service as ProductionEditor of its best-sellingnationalGood Beer Gurde.We wish Cathy well for the future, and, in thankingher for her services.extend a warm welcome to her successor,Nadine Fynn,also from CAMRASHertfordshireNorth Branch. Peter Lerner, Area Organiser BBA - Skye'sthe limit! We know that local brewers Rayments have been expanding their free trade recently, but Hertford local government oflicers Pete \,\tatsonand Andrew Whitaker must have caused a new entry to be written in the Pelham Book of Records. Real ale-drinkers Pete and Andrew recently led a party of friends over the water to the lsle of Skye and, aware of the fact that most bars in the remoter part of Scotland serve nothing other than gassy Tartan and lizy lage\ decided to equip themselves, before departing,with a polypin of RaymentsBBA. The two explorers report that the beer travelled well and add that the tourist trade on the island would be boosted were Rayments to make availableregular supplies. PUBOFTHEYEAR Restand \l\blcome,Haultwick The HertfordshireNorth Branchof CAMRAis pleasedto presentits covetedPub of the YearAward for the first time in eight years to a McMullens pub, and is especially pleased that the pub which topped its members poll is that old favourite, the Rest and \lGlcome at Haultwick. Many readers will have heard of the Rest and Vtblcome, but very few know how to find it. The easiestway to join in the celebrations on Wednesday22nd May is to aim for the hamletof DaneEnd, in the countrybetweenWattonat Stoneand Puckeridge,and to follow the villagestreet outwardsto the east,takinga clearlymarked left turn (signpostedHaultwick)after about a quarterof a mile.The Rest and \lrblcome is an unusual low building close to Haultwicks small green,with a car parkand prettygardenadjoining. Insidethis friendlylittle pub there is somethingfor everyone-a log fire for the winter,comfortableseats,a juke box and a piano,darts, and a separateand popularpool room. LicenseesRob and Marianne Silvester have worked hard to transform the Rest and l/\rblcome from a damp and down-at-heellittle pub to a centreof local life,and their award is a recognitionof their efforts.Not a little of the charm of the pub has to do, as you might expect,with the excellentlykept McMullensAK Best Mild and CountryBitter Come along on the 22nd and see for yourself why the Rest and \lGlcome has this year been voted the best of the 250 pubs in the North Herts Brancharea. PL The Pub of the Month Near award is limited to pubs in the Nofth Herts Drancnarea. I)\( ()llt \1 I r Is( Rl st R\t( l..sl\ \ss()( t\il()\ \ililt ( \\lR\ ,,ftr].11:.\ I :l AAtotherescue The folfowing article appeared in the Brighton and Hove Leader recently:"A thousandpeople are expectedto attendan Alcoholics Anonymousconferencein Brightonthis year - lessthan a month after the Great BritishBeer Festival.The Campaignfor RealAle reckons lhat 100,000pints of beer will be drunk at the Metropoleby 30,000 visitors between August 13 and l7. They will tum the hotel's conierencehallsinto'theworld'slargestpub'. \o wonderwe needorganisations likeAlcoholicsAnonymous, whose delegateswill be makingsobertalkalongthe seafrontat the Brighton Cenlref romSeptember20to22." It+, No extensionat Welwyn At the last of this yea/s licensing hearings, Vtilelwynmagistrates threw out a proposal, supported in court by the Licensed Victuallers Association and CAMRA, to extend pub hours till 11pm on Mondayto Thursdays. SituationsVacant Do you live in North Hertsand enjoy readingthe Newsletter?lf so, haveyou consideredbecominga Newsletterdistributor?lf you can sparea couple of hours oncea monthto deliverthe Newsletterto a couple of pubs in your area I would like to hear f rom you. Give me a ring on Slevenage65957and let me know the pubsyou could visit. Peter Clarke FIVEYEARSAGO In May 1980 the Newslette/s Editor was leeling pretty sick, as were many drinkers in Hertfordshire,as McMullens had just announced the impending closure of the superb Goose at Moor Green, near Ardeley. Meanwhile,Greene King had iust issued a rulebook to their pub managers,includingthe advice that they should change their socks d a i l y . .. Hornto keepblowing St Albans' controversial music pub, the Horn of Plenty, has been allowedto retainits late musiclicencecourtesyof the localCouncil, who over-ruledlocal objections.The local newspaperreportedthat one localCouncilloradmittedthat he had nevervisitedthe oub until after the hearing- such faith we have in those who make decisions on our behalf! 30thMAY- lst.IUNE PAVILION, HEMEL H EMPIiTEAD. TEL:64{51 .THURSDA}' 7pmto llpm n }RIDA\ & SAI'T RI)AY lpmtospm-Tpmtotlpm 'l ( l KI: l S I N AI )VA N ( 1..! 1.50 c ( )i\ I I l l: l )( )( ) R f).50 11-tl VA f t...tR Lt PLANNINGNEWS The Three Harts at Stonyhills,near Ware, is under new ownership, a n d i s t h e s u b j e c to l a p l a n n i n g a p p l i c a t i o lno r g r o u n da n d f i r s tf l o o r extensions.Nearbyin Hertford,McMullensplan to convertthe Lord Haig into a single-barpub. Over in Baldock,an applicationhas been submittedto convertGreene King'sclosed Black Eagle into offices - anotherlost local. COMPETITION There were no all-correct entries for the March 'Whitbread Breweries'competition.The correct answerswere: 1. The Maltings, a s h o p p i n g p r e c i n c t ,i n C h e q u e r S t r e e t . 2 . J o h n W i l l i a m . 3 . Fordham's. PUBNEWS A warm welcome to Duncanand Mary Campbell,new landlordsof the Hoops at Perry Green. This pretty little village pub has been closedfor some time for extensiverestorationwork, but is now back in businessfollowinga grandre-openingat the end of April.We wish them everysuccess. Rayments'long-awaitednew pub in Thorley is due to open very shortly. Following a competition in the local press, this fine old farmhouse conversionnow has a name - the Harvest Moon. Watch this Newsletterfor futherdetails! A new real ale outlet is the Bakers Arms in Bayford,near Hertford, with MacsAKand Countryon handpump. Greene King Abbot Ale is no longer availableat the Woodman in Norton Green, near Stevenage,but IPA is still on sale on electric pump. The BlakemoreHotel,LittleWymondleyhas Adnams bitter and Gibbs Mew BishopTipple on handpumpin the KnightsBar, the latter at e1.20a pint. The PearTree in Stevenagehas finally removed Wethereds bitter' - no real its notice advertising'cask-conditioned ales havebeenavailableat the pub over a year now, althoughthey at the pub. are plannedfor the summertollowingmodernisation The Fox and Hounds in Rickmansworthis being converted into a 'lounge' and 'public' areas will be reone-bar pub, but separate tained.The Green Dragon in Flaundenis also due to undergo alterations,with an extensionlo the public bar. The pub is also rumouredto havehad a hotel licensegranted. BRANCHDIARY NORTHBRANCH HERTFORDSHIRE Wednesday 1st May Socialatthe Old George,lckleford,Spm WednesdaySth May BranchMeetingat the Eagleand Child,Whitwell,8pm Wednesday22ndMay Pub of theYearsocialat the Rest&Welcome,Haultwick,Spm Wednesday29th May Pub of the Monthsocialat the Red Lion,Stevenage,Spm Wednesday sth June Socialat the Squirrel,Stevenage,8pm Wednesday 12th June Spm BranchMeetingat the Bull,Watton-at-Stone, Contact Peter Clarke c Stevenage 65957 HERTFORDSHIRE SOUTHBRANCH TuesdayTth May Bpm CommitteeMeetingatthe BarleyMow,TyttenhangerGreen, Wednesday 15th May basedat the C ricketers,Redbourn,8pm Social/anti-social, Tuesday 21st May Branch Meeting at the DimsdaleArms, Hertford,8pm (to be conf irmed) Contact Adrian Jolliffe c St Albans 69675 WHAT'SONATYOURPUB .l May St Albans:White Lion.Evening.Morrisdancing:Cottonmill C l o gM o r r i s . 2May St Albans: Rose and Crown. Evening.Traditionalmusic session. StansteadAbbofts: Crown. Bpm. HoddesdonFolk Club. 3May Guests:Galadreel. 4 May Stevenage:Marquisof Lorne.8pm. StevenageFolk Club. G u e s t :D o u gH u d s o n . ParkStreet:Red Cow. Evening.Morrisdancing:Cottonmill 8 May C l o gM o r r i s . gMay St Albans: Rose and Crown. Evening.TraditionalMusic Session. 10May StansteadAbbots: Crown. Spm. Hoddesdon Folk Club. G u e s t :M a r t i n C a r t h y . I1 May Stevenage:Marquisof Lorne.Bpm. StevenageFolk Club. Come-all-ye. 1 2M a y S t A l b a n s :G a r i b a l d i L l u s i cs e s . r a d i t i o n am . u n c h t i m eT sion. St Albans: Beehive.Bpm. Concert:John Lyons,John Gar r r c ka n d B i l lD a l y . l usic . r a d i t i o n am 1 6M a y S t A l b a n s : R o s e a n d C r o w n .E v e n i n g T s esston. 17May StansteadAbbotts: Crown. Bpm. HoddesdonFolk Club. Singaround. 1BMay Stevenage:Marquisof Lorne.Bpm.StevenageFolk Club. G u e s t :D o u g i eM a c l e a n . Stevenage:BowesLyonHouse.7.30pm.Barndance:Cook and Bu ll Band,Morrisand Sword display,RaymentsBBA. 22May Tewin: Rose and Crown.Evening.Morrisdancing:Cottonm i l l C l o gM o r r i s . 23May St Albans: Rose and Crown. Evening.Traditionalmusic session. 25 May Stevenage:Marquisof Lorne.8pm. StevenageFolk Club. Come-all-ye. l u s i cs e s . u n c h t i m eT. r a d i t i o n am 2 6 M a y S t A l b a n s :G a r i b a l d i L si o n . 30 May St Albans: Rose and Crown. Evening.Traditionalmusic s ession. 31 May StansteadAbbotts: Crown. 8pm. HoddesdonFolk Club. G u e s t :G o r d o nT y r e l l . P l e a s es e n dd e t a i l so f e v e n t si,n n o t m o r et h a n1 5 w o r d s ,b y t h e 1 o t h o f t h e p r e v i o u sm o n t ht o P e t e r L e r n e r ,7 S h e p p a r d sC l o s e ,S t A l b a n sH . e r t s .( N o t en e wa d d r e s s l ) WATFORD& DISTRICTBRANCH Saturday11th May Minibus trip to Oxfordshire.Very few places left - phone contact now! Wednesday1SthMay Games eveningat the Unicorn,GallowsHill, Abbots Langley,8pm. Come andjoin in! Wednesday22ndMay BranchMeetingat the Sportsman,CroxleyGreen (back room)Bpm. Allwelcome. Wednesday5th June BusheyHeathpub crawl.StartKingsHead,LittleBusheyLane,Bpm. , i n d m i l l S t r e e t , 8 . 3.0. . t h e nB l a c k b o yW Contact Tony King cGarston 672587 MID-CHILTERNS BRANCH TuesdayTthMay Northchurchpub crawl.Meetat the Cow Roast,B.30pm Tuesday 14th May Bovingdonpub crawl. Meet at the Royal Oak, BovingdonGreen, B.30om Tuesday28th May K i n g sL a n g l e yp u b c r a w l .M e e t a tt h e B e l l ,P r i m r o s eH i l l , 8 . 3 0 p m . 30th May - 1st June CHILTERN BEER FESTIVAL at the Pavilion, H e m e lH e m o s t e a d . Contact Pete Freemanc Hemel Hempstead69773 THE ROYALOAK,BUSHEY FreeHouse cReat u e s tAtes B e eor Foqd s f tt *- - fO Restaurantand carverynow oPen Reservationspreterablea 01-95O2865 HERNE* ONTHEA41l SPARROWS The Hertlordshire Ne$/sletteris produced by the HerttordshireNorth,FlertfordshireSouth,Watford & Disnict and Mkl-Chilternsbranchesot the Carnpaiyt tor Fleal Ale Lrd The vrewsexpresd are not necessarilythoseot the Edito( CAMM Ltd or ils branch€s.The Edibr gratefullyreceivesartiCesor lettersfor publbatron. Sendto NadineFynn,78 Old North Road,Royston,Hertfordshire. payableto CAMRA|l€rts CampatgnirpFund. Snbscriptinns t2 25 tor 12rssues.Sendto addressabove Cfreques/POs can be made up at extracost.contractEr|c sin a Hdfrdd 6(Dtl7 tor details. Advertisirg: f7 per 2.funcr/lumn Artr,rrcrk COPY DATE FOR JUNE EDITION MAY 1Oth.FOR JULY EDITION JUNE 14th. Pnnteda J frlmsetby ti & S Graphcs,61/43HlghStreet,Ware,Herttordshtre.