The Pollards Inn, Bishop Auckland, now has its very own beer- a 4.3% brown ale from Camerons. The beer is named after the local legend of Sir Richard Pollard, who killed a boar that had been terrorising the area, much like the Lambton Worm a few miles down the Wear. In recognition of his feat, the Bishop of Durham gave him lands around Bishop Auckland, which are still known as Pollards lands.

Simon Miller, a CAMRA member from The High Peak,Tameside and North East Cheshire branch has contacted us to inform us of a beer swap he's organised with Alan from The Yard of Ale brewery (the Surtees, Ferryhill Station) with the Greenfield brewery near his home, http://www.greenfieldbrewery.co.uk He's taking some of Alans beers back to a new micropub in Droylsden, Manchester called the Silly Country. @silly_country (on twitter).

Wednesday April 19th to Sunday April 23rd.
Please note that the dates in Durham Drinker 124 diary dates are incorrect.
April 19th to 23rd are the correct dates

Just to confirm the Good News that former Good Beer Guide favourite The Frog & Ferret in Spennymoor has reopened. Five handpumps in use when I called in.

A FOOTBALL club’s plan to reopen a disused pub as a clubhouse and community hub by Christmas has been put back until the New Year.

Spennymoor Town FC wants to take over the Salvin Arms pub, on King Street, which went into liquidation earlier this year, and rename it Moors Bar.

Full story:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14138135.Spennymoor_Town_FC_s_club...

The Colliery at High Jobs Hill near Crook has reopened and is now called the Copper Mine with three handpulls, two usually in use.

Durham City's first micropub, the Station House has opened at the foot of Station Bank.

The Woodman Inn, Durham has had a refurbishment and is now a serving light bite menu as well

Rather belatedly we have discovered the Durham Amateur Rowing Clubhouse serves real ale and similarly Masonic Hall in Chester -le-Street, Details being collected for Whatpub.

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.