tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post6203775173656668688..comments2024-03-28T09:35:43.919+00:00Comments on Paul's Beer & Travel Blog: West Kent CAMRA AGM 2015 Paul Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-31111013308731654052015-12-10T07:42:35.126+00:002015-12-10T07:42:35.126+00:00Paul, I totally agree on dropping breweries sectio...Paul, I totally agree on dropping breweries sections, and most articles are also fluff, but I guess a minimalist production wouldn't look good on the shelves in Waterstones !<br /><br />One clarification on lead times. The 2016 Guide is out (got mine in August); the pubs I've put up for voting locally in the last month weeks could be in the 2017 Guide next August. I've visited micro-pubs in the new Guide (e.g. in Toddington)that opened less than a year ago. You're right about the state of flux, particularly around opening times.<br /><br />Having chaired and attended meetings for 30 odd years, I can well understand why many people would choose not to attend meetings about issues they have little interest in, and I suspect most of those 566 assume their £24 is a payment to enter beer festivals and get Wetherspoons vouchers !<br /><br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-91109818964789218862015-12-09T20:55:28.417+00:002015-12-09T20:55:28.417+00:00Martin, the fact that only 16 individuals out of a...Martin, the fact that only 16 individuals out of a total branch membership of 582, bothered turning up to our AGM illustrates the apathy and general malaise affecting the campaign today. One important item on the agenda was to take nominations for the 2017 Good Beer Guide, but whilst a number were received either by post or via email, very few advocates actually came along to spell out the case for their favourite pub(s).<br /><br />This doesn’t auger well for CAMRA’s flagship publication, as yet again the drawing up of a shortlist, plus the surveying of the pubs on this initial list, has been left to a handful of active members. Leaving aside my own views on the relevance of the GBG to today’s beer enthusiast, this does not constitute a healthy situation. The lengthy lead times between surveying the pubs, and the guide appearing in print (on average 20 months), means a significant amount of information will already be out of date. Given the continuing state of flux surrounding the licensed trade, I yet again have to question the validity of the guide, let alone its accuracy.<br /><br />I appreciate our views on the GBG are diametrically opposed, but regardless of these differences the guide will die on its feet unless some serious changes are made. Dropping the cumbersome Breweries Section at the rear of the guide (an increasing irrelevance given the number of new breweries which continue to open and, occasionally, close), might speed up the production process. Putting its ageing editor out to grass and bringing in some new blood might also help assuming, that is, the corpse is still at the stage where revival is possible! <br /><br />As for my local branch; several of the long-standing officers are now finding themselves tired, over-worked, under-appreciated and in desperate need of a change of scenery. Many have other interests they would rather be following. It’s time to face facts that without the injection of some new blood, the branch will literally whither away.<br /><br />BTW. I do fully applaud those who do the work, as I know from my own experience what it’s like and how much is involved.<br />Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-45002341146113774972015-12-08T18:39:41.932+00:002015-12-08T18:39:41.932+00:00I suppose the obvious question, and this comes bac...I suppose the obvious question, and this comes back to the purpose of CAMRA, is - if the branch closed what would actually happen ?<br /><br />You'd lose a beer festival or two, you wouldn't have the campaigns to promote locals, the newsletter would go. Would breweries and pubs stop producing and selling beer though ?<br /><br />The real problem would be no comprehensive Good Beer Guide, which would be a catastrophe for a few people like me who think it's essential.<br /><br />Best to applaud those who do the work I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com