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1st Summer Ale
& Steam Weekend Reaches Toddington |
North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale |
The ever popular Ale and Steam Weekend run by North Cotswold CAMRA in conjunction
with the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, held on 16th and 17th August, was a great success and once again blessed
with fine weather.
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Normally held at Winchcombe Station with 24
beers (Photo below) it was extended to include Toddington
Station for the first time where 12 beers were also served from the No 2
Waiting Room on the North Platform. 8 ciders were also available split
between the two locations. |
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This encouraged train travel between
stations for customers to experience the full beer range and also avoided any
delays in serving the beers. The train journey time between stations was just
right to consume a pint and be ready for the next one. |
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Photo above shows the first train arriving
in Winchcombe on Saturday, and right are some of the bar staff that helped at
that station. Camping was arranged within walking distance
at Grete with seventeen tents partying on Sat night. The helpers were
provided with takeaways since Enterprise Inns Harvest Home had unexpectedly
closed again cutting off their food and beer supply. |
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<< The ciders in Winchcombe bar. Since the bar ‘Set Up’ was one day later
than normal on Thursday morning, racked and vented by 2pm, and tapped on
Thursday night we set new performance records. |
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Most of the beer was sold with Saturday the
busier of the two days and the full range was available through to early
Sunday. Photo right shows Jonathan, North Cotswold
CAMA Hon. Secretary welcoming the firsr customers
at Winchcombe. |
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The second bar at Toddington
proved very popular and was ideal for its new purpose with several picnic
tables fully utilised in the warm summer weather. (Photo left) |
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Photo right: Peter, North Cotswold
Webmaster, and Martin, Moreton Festival Director, running the Toddington Glass and Token Stand. North Cotswold staff supplemented mainly
from Cheltenham Branch were split between the two locations and easily coped
with the new set up. |
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Cheltenham helpers, Al and Caroline, on a
rest break in the photo left. |
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Photo right: Craven Arms Sam and
Barbara appreciate our new banner. |
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We were also delighted to welcome new North
Oxford Chairman and Vice Chairman with 11 members on Saturday who were
attending for the first time and promised to return with more members next
year. In the Photo left,Veronica welcomes N Oxford CAMRA team. (Chairman on
left without hat) |
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Veronica welcomes life long member
>> |
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Membership Secretary Garry Hayward
recruited 6 new members for CAMRA including North Cotswold Branches 200th
member welcomed by Roger Price Branch Chairman (Photo left), and a lifelong Member
for Cheltenham Branch who was welcomed by Cheltenham Branch Chairman Veronica Emary. (Photo above) |
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Gary looking after the CAMRA
recrutment stand at Winchcombe >> |
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Phillip, NCB Pubs Officer sports a new 2015 Polo shirt and discusses an
advert from the Crown and Trumpet |
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First Train from Cheltenham on
Sunday >> |
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The Winchcombe Station Master CAMRA members from Cambridge enjoying their
beer in the photo below |
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Congratulations to Festival Coordinator
John Stocks and Good Beer Co supplier Rob Brady who again provided a great range of beers including 6 locals
with the furthest from Stewart’s Pentland brewed in Scotland 274 miles away. Winner of the Festival, the first to run
out, was Hung Drawn and Portered from North Cotswold Brewery closely followed
by Cavemans Citra. Both located at Winchcombe
Station. |
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<< Staff welcome 200th Member and
discuss help at Moreton Photo below shows the bar and Picnic Tables
at Toddington |
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The Railway were delighted with the extra
custom and rail travel. Andrew Smith from GWR felt it had been a huge success
and hopes that we repeat this format for the Spring 2015 event. |
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Both Festival bars were emptied in record time
and reconverted to waiting rooms by 7pm on Sunday night and all empties and
racking removed offsite. We are most grateful to the whole team who put in
such a great effort across the two sites. Rob Brady is shown left recovering empties supervised by Trevor. |
We have ring fenced funding form 2013 added
to 2014 for helpers trip once we have decided venue following Moreton. Clearly
a visit to North Cotswold Brewery will not dent circa £800 accumulated in the
pot.
Report by Roger Price, North Cotswold CAMRA
branch Chairman.