CAMRA in BAE CEREDIGION – SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER
NEW COMMITTEE
This summer’s Annual General Meeting resulted in one or two changes to the branch committee. Chair and Treasurer are unchanged as Rhys Jones and Chris Giles respectively; Llinos Griffith continues to organize our social events, Mark Dyer undertakes our lobbying activities, and Adam Watkin-Jones keeps our website running. Mary Galliers has taken over as Membership Secretary. Owing to time pressures, Sara Dyer has stepped down as Branch Secretary, creating a vacancy – if you think this is something you might like to have a go at, please speak to Rhys by email, phone or at a meeting. Sara continues to play an important role in undertaking the bulk of the input to our website – take a look at www.ceredigioncamra.org.uk
NEW NAME
The observant will have noticed that the branch has a new name: Bae Ceredigion. This was decided on at the Annual General Meeting to reflect the fact that we do not cover the entire county of Ceredigion, but do cover some areas outside it, ie Machynlleth and district.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday 17th September we have our regular branch meeting, this time at the Black Lion in Llanbadarn, starting as soon as possible after 2.30pm (we’ll be in the back room, and they might be serving lunches till about then).Among other things we’ll be looking at a repeat of this spring’s successful Aberystwyth Ale Trail promotion. We will probably be setting up a small working party to do the detailed work on this, so if you’d like to get involved in some constructive and enjoyable Camra activity, this is your chance. Also, we’re repeating our “blind raffle” that was successfully tried out at the AGM: bring an item (can be beer-related, but doesn’t have to be), wrapped up (newspaper is ideal) to conceal its identity, and they’ll all go into a raffle
On Wednesday 28th September we’re back at the Black Lion for one of our popular quizzes. Turn up any time after 7 for an 8pm start.
Over the weekend of 8th October we’re hoping to visit Brecon and/or South Wales, probably with an overnight stay, to visit a brewery and Gwynt y Ddraig cider. The arrangements for this are still being worked on – Llinos our Social Secretary should have more details soon.
BEER FESTIVALS
Carmarthen Beer Festival takes place once again this year at St Peter’s Civic Hall on Nott Square; it’s open from 5pm to 11pm on Thursday 29th September, and from noon till 11pm on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October. There’ll be around 40 real ales, together with a range of cider and perry.There’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights, fromBacktrax and the Mark Pontin Group respectively. Simple food (sandwiches and rolls) is available in the venue, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
PUB NEWS
The Penrhiwgaled Arms at Cross Inn near New Quay has been selling some vfery good beer over the summer. There are usually two real ales on, generally from established regional brewers such as Black Sheep, Thwaites, and the Marstons-owned Wychwood Brewery; some newer names have also been seen such as Kite Brewery from Gors-las in Carmarthenshire, which was set up this year by the Glamorgan Beer Company wholesaling firm.
The Talbot in Tregaron also continues to impress. Felinfoel beers here are now served in genuine cask form, and are usually joined by a couple of interesting beers from Wales or the Marches – a recent visit saw Wye Valley Bitter and Evan Evans Cwrw Haf, both in excellent form. Gwynt y Ddraig cider is also served.
Well, that’s about it for this time. But if you have any news, ideas, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to ring me on 01974-241255, drop me a note at Gwynedd, Llanilar, SY23 4NR or e-mail rhys.gwynedd@btopenworld.com .Iechyd da!
Rhys Jones, Chair, Ceredigion Branch.
If you do not wish to receive further contact from your local branch, please inform CAMRA HQ so that your membership can be amended accordingly. Write to: Membership Services, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4LW. Alternatively contact CAMRA HQ on 01727-798437 or email CAMRA at membership@camra.org.uk . Please specify that you no longer wish to receive communication from your local branch. If you are currently getting this newsletter through the post but would prefer to receive it by email, just email me at the address above – saves CAMRA money, saves me time stuffing envelopes!