It will soon be time for us to choose which of the pubs and clubs in our branch area should hold the titles Pubs and Clubs for the year – our winners will then go forward to the North East Regional Pub and Club of the Year competitions.

Durham CAMRA has five categories for these awards: Town Pub of the Year, Country Pub of the Year, Club of the Year, Town Cider Pub of the Year and Country Cider Pub of the Year. Throughout 2015, the holders of these titles have been, respectively:-

CAMRA members have until 1 November to nominate regional beers that go forward to the North East & Yorkshire Champion Beer of Britain competition. The winners from this area competition are put forward as finalists to the national Champion Beer of Britain competition at the Great British Beer Festival and the National Winter Ales Festival.

Do that by going to http://www.cbobvoting.org.uk/ where you need to login in and are able to select beers from drop downs in 11 different categories

Below are the latest pub updates that the Branch is aware of since the publication of Durham Drinker Issue 117:

Real ale become available

Black Bull, Old Shotton Bistro 21, Aykley Heads, Durham Green Tree, Bishop Auckland Tanfield Lea Working Mens Club, Tanfield Lea Salutation, Framwellgate Moor but then closed Sambuca restaurant Durham Ye Olde Fleece, Bishop Middleham Whistle Blower, Consett (former Coach and horses)

Real ale removed

Old England, Great Lumley Quarry Burn, Hunwick Hamsteels Inn, Quebec Angel, Durham

Reopened

Merry Monk, Bishop Auckland - no real

If you're interested in seeing a pub listed as an Asset of Community Value, CAMRA are holding an online Q&A on Facebook and Twitter (handle @CAMRA_Official with hashtag #ThisPubMatters) on Wed 26th August from 2-3pm

WHEATSTOCK Beer & Cider Festival and much more! The Wheatsheaf Inn, Durham Road, Chester-le-Street DH3 2AB is holding this (with help from Durham CAMRA) starting Friday evening 22nd May and continuing throughout Saturday and from 1 to 7pm on Sunday. Sunday is WHEATSTOCK day with beer, cider, kids entertainment, barbecue, bouncy castle and 6 hours of live music. For more details check out www.wheatsheafinnpub.co.uk.