Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2024. On behalf of the Durham Committee we would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
As always we would love to hear from our members including those within the hospitality sector promoting real ale, with news, suggestions and pub and beer information from our area. Please e-mail secretary@camradurham.org.uk
Regional Pub of the Year Presentation
You are invited to join us this Saturday (13th January) at the Grey Horse in Consett for the presentation of the 2023 Regional Pub of the Year award, starting at 1pm. The Grey Horse made it through to the last 16 of this prestigious competition, sadly losing out to the Trafalgar pub in Ramsey on the Isle of Man in the Super Region round. After the presentation we will be trying to visit a few other pubs in the area, so we'd recommend getting the £4 TNE County Durham day ticket which will cover you on any bus operator within County Durham. Full details of the route will be available on Saturday, but is likely to include the Sun Inn and the Pack Horse at Burnopfield.
To get to the Grey Horse from Durham Bus Station (which is now open!) stand F there is either an X5 at 1130 or an X15 at 1200 arriving into Consett Bus Station at 1211 or 1241 respectively. From Chester-le-Street there is the 78 from South Burns stand K at 1129 arriving into Consett at 1225. It's then a 10 minute walk to the Grey Horse, which is on Sherburn Terrace.
Pub and Club of the Year Voting
Voting is still open until 17:00 on Sunday 11th February 2024 for our 2024 Pubs and Clubs of the year. So far turnout stands at a very low 2% so we really encourage you to cast your votes. Full details on how to do this (either online or by post) can be found on our website at https://www.camradurham.org.uk/node/1152
Socials and Trips
Saturday 13th January - Regional Pub of the Year presentation at the Grey Horse, Consett at 1pm
Monday 15th January 7pm. Beer Festival committee meeting at the Holy Grale, Crossgate, Durham followed by branch meeting at 7:30pm
Wednesday 31st January Wander around Spennymoor starting at the Frog & Ferret, Could on Street, at 1pm
Wednesday 29th February Wander around Chester le Street starting at the Butcher's Arms, Middle Chare at 1 pm
Saturday 24th February Regional Meeting at the Victoria Comet in Newcastle from 1:30pm to 4pm
Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th March Station House Spring Beer Festival.
Pub News
- Bonny Moorhen, Stanhope closed and up for sale.
- Farrers, Crook and Burn Inn, Willington not serving real ale any more.
- Ales & Tales micropub in Peterlee was able to open from Boxing but with no cask ale at least initially.
- Informed via whatpub Timothy Hackworth pub in Shildon is now closed
- Seven Stars, Shincliffe closed as pub/restaurant, still open for accommodation.
- The Gate, Framwellgate Moor has reopened under new management, kitchen to reopen in February.
- Royal Oak in Byers Green has reopened after a long closure.
- King William in Shildon reopened as a pub on Christmas Day after long closure.
- Gilesgate Moor Hotel appears to have given up on real ale, pumps unused on recent visits.
- Top House, Stanley is boarded up and with the Imperial also shut there are no pubs in Stanley High Street.
- Numerous objections to change of use of Beehive, Fishburn to convenience store including town and parish councils and local school largely on road safety grounds.
- Brawns Den, Brandon and Station, Langley Moor became the first closures of 2024 on January 4th. Future of both unknown.
- The Ranch Meat House (formerly the Mill Inn) in Seaham has announced its closure. The separate function room will remain available for bookings but the main old pub building will be used for 'other purposes', as yet unspecified, by new owners.
- Hop Knocker, Gilesgate trialling cask beer in January. More info on their Facebook page.
- Planning application submitted DM/23/03405/FPA | Change of use of cafe (Use Class E) into micro pub (Sui Generis) (No external alterations) 10A Church Street Seaham SR7 7HQ