Pub news

A fantastic summer of sunshine was finally broken with a wet and windy Friday in early September. A great day then to get out and about visiting pubs that have been put in the 2014 Good Beer Guide and hand them their letter of notification and marketing material. Putting on their raincoats and hats, together with shorts and flip-flops, were John Collinson (Durham Branch Secretary) and Julian Allison (Durham Pubs Officer).

The guide can be ordered from the CAMRA website at a cost of £12.99 for non-members and just £10 for members (plus P&P).

CAMRA Durham is delighted by the news that the 2013 CAMRA North East Regional Cider Pub of The Year title has been won by a Weardale pub.

The Black Lion in Wolsingham won the 2013 CAMRA Durham County Cider Pub of the Year award and was put forward for the regional award, where it faced stiff competition from pubs across North Yorkshire, Cleveland, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The pub carries up to eight real ciders at a time, and provides mulled cider in winter.

This March, CAMRA Durham are helping a pub with a beer festival for the first time. The New Inn in Durham will be holding their festival from March 14th to March 17th, with 13 different beers available. The festival's opening times are 11am until midnight on all four days.

Nominations are now open for the 2013 Durham Branch Pub of the Year, Club of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year. All branch members can take part.

If you would like to make nominations, please contact the Secretary, including your name and membership number and your preferred pub/club for one or more of the following:

• Pub of the Year 2013 (1st)
• Pub of the Year 2013 (2nd)
• Club of the Year 2013
• Cider Pub/Club of the Year 2013

Nominations will close on December 31st, 2012.

The CAMRA Durham POTY crown has passed from one former winner (the Surtees Arms, 2010-2011) to another former winner (the Victoria Inn, a winner of many years, most recently 2009). The Club of the Year crown remains with the excellent Chester le Street Cricket Club, now a winner for five years running.

Full results:

1. The Victoria Inn, Durham
2. The Surtees Arms, Ferryhill Station
3. The Tap & Spile, Framwellgate Moor

• Cider Pub of the Year – The Black Bull, Frosterley
• Club of the Year – Chester-le-Street Cricket Club