March 2009 Archives

The landlord of Ledbury's historic Prince of Wales pub has a colourful problem - artistic vandals have painted the exterior of his premises a striking pink.

Les Smith has no idea who perpetrated the prank, although locals did spot a couple of men in overalls active in the early hours. Speaking to BBC1 this morning, he joked that the pub might have been targeted by the Lavender Hill Mob.

Still, makes a change from painting the town red.

The Campaign for Real Ale is supporting moves by the Scots Parliament to ban below-cost alcohol sales.

The organisation's support for such an initiative was announced back in January 2007, in the wake of reserach revealing some supermarkets were selling alcohol cheaper than the equivalent amount of bottled water.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said: "It is irresponsible and reckless for the major supermarkets to sell alcohol at below cost. A person who is addicted to alcohol is completely free to buy an enormous amount of alcohol at ridiculously low cost and then consume it, either at home or on the streets.

"It is well documented that irresponsible price promotions in the off trade are a major cause of binge drinking and alcohol related disorder."

Supermarket undercutting has been blamed in part for the closure of nearly six British pubs early day.

"Well-run community pubs are being undermined as a result of unfair competition from the major supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost," he added. "Supermarkets are subsidising alcohol loss leaders by higher prices elsewhere in their stores which is not something a pub can do.

"Well-run community pubs abide by high standards which help encourage the sensible and responsible consumption of alcohol. These pubs are also at the heart of their communities providing an irreplaceable venue for socializing, sporting, community and charity activity."

Solihull CAMRA has unveiled its spring schedule (for further information on local activities, check out the branch's award-winning website):

• 20 March: Beer and balti at the Anchor, Bristol Road, Birmingham, 8:00pm.


• 19 April: Earlswood ramble and pub crawl, starting at The Reservoir, 12:00 noon.


• 2 May: Long Itchington Beer Festival (details to be confirmed).

Real ale campaigners in Farnah Green, Belper, are celebrating a planning victory against the owners of the village's Bluebell Inn.

Planning officials have upheld Amber Valley Council's refusal to allow the pub to be switched to residential use.

CAMRA's East Midlands Regional Director, Julian Tubbs, said the Bluebell Inn was "undoubtedly a community facility.

"There is insufficient evidence that the pub has been properly marketed and its recent failure is more evidence of the failure of choices made by the owners rather than that the pub is inherently unviable."

• Is your pub under threat? Check out this CAMRA resource for advice.

5-7 March: Walsall Beer Festival, Walsall Town Hall, Leicester Street, Walsall.
5-7 March: 33rd Loughborough Beer Festival, Polish Club, True Lovers Walk, Loughborough.
11-14 March: Leicester Beer Festival, Charotar Patidar Samaj, Bay Street / South Churchgate, off St Margarets Way, Leicester.
12-16 March: The Trent Navigation Inn's 1st Annual Spring Beer Festival, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.
13-14 March: 2nd Burton Spring Beer Festival, Burton Town Hall.
27-28 March: Coventry Beer Festival, Coventry Rugby Football Ground, Butts Park Arena, Butts Road.
7-9 May: 9th Banbury Beer Festival, TA Centre, Oxford Road.
21-23 May: Lincoln Beer Festival, Drill Hall, Free School Lane, Lincoln.
22-24 May: 14th Newark Beer Festival, Riverside Park, Newark.

The Campaign for Real Ale will be relaunching its annual National Mild Month on 1 May, promoting a British brewing staple which has sadly fallen out of favour over the past few decades.

Local branches are being encouraged to persuade at least one pub in their area which doesn't currently stock mile to do so during May, so why not reward their efforts by ordering a pint if your own local joins in the campaign?