No GBBF for Paul this year. Meanwhile AI marches steadily on

Yesterday, Friday, I was supposed to be attending the Great British Beer Festival.  This was because I managed to obtain a Press Pass, in my capacity of a blog writer/owner, that entitled me to free admission to the event. I was therefore looking forward, believe it or not, to experiencing this iconic event, in its new home. The “new home” tag refers to the festival’s move from London Olympia to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC). This follows an 11-year run at Olympia (although the 2020 & 2021 events were cancelled, due to COVID) – alternating somewhat in the early days, between Olympia and the now demolished, Earl’s Court. Problems last year, affecting the availability of Olympia, led to cancellation of the 2024 festival, leaving CAMRA looking for a new site.

The move to the NEC made perfect sense, given its more central location, and associated ease of access, but having attended numerous, work-related trade-events at this venue, I had my doubts. These were related to the structure of the NEC, rather than the venue itself, as like most exhibition halls (and I’ve been to several overseas events, as well), the place is pretty soulless, consisting in the main, of a series of connected metal “sheds”. Despite these misgivings, I was determined to give the new venue a go, and if I’d got my a*se in gear sooner, I would definitely have gone. Distracted by other things, and taking my eye of the ball last weekend, meant that the £30 Advanced Return ticket I could (and should) have bought at the end of July, would now cost me more than double that price!

This put a whole different spin on things, and whilst I still could have afforded that price, I like to get value for money, and a 100% increase in the rail fare, didn’t tick that box. Instead, I shall put that £60+ quid towards a trip somewhere else in the British Isles, and somewhere I haven’t been to before, but have a serious longing to visit – Totnes/Topsham, Hebden Bridge, Newcastle, & Huddersfield are towns that look like favourites, at the moment.

Before signing off, here’s something to grab your attention, because when I started writing this piece, Artificial Intelligence (AI) popped up on my computer screen,  and asked me to describe what I’d like to write. The programme I use is Microsoft Word, I’m not sure which version it is, but as I pay a yearly subscription, I’m assuming it is the latest version. Somewhat “tongue in cheek” I typed in “Great British Festival” and in less than a minute, Mr Gates’s software came up with the piece in coloured text, below. Readable and accurate, apart from not mentioning the change in venue, from Olympia to the NEC.

Frightening too, as it stifles creativity, and the effort needed to research and write a blog piece in the first place. Is this the way the world is going? Because if so, it’s going to put a lot of people who write for a living, out of work. That doesn’t include me, as I write for pleasure, rather than to make a living, but I am concerned that stifling the thought processes involved with creative works, and the deeply personal input that writers and authors can give, we’re going to be turning out a whole generation of automatons. Ignore at your peril, and don’t say, I didn’t tell you so!

Great British Beer Festival

A Celebration of British Brewing Excellence

The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) is one of the UK's largest and most renowned beer festivals, organised annually by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Held in London, this iconic event brings together beer lovers from across Britain and beyond to celebrate the rich heritage and diversity of British brewing.

Event Highlights

·         Wide Selection of Beers: Featuring hundreds of real ales, ciders, and perries from traditional breweries and innovative newcomers.

·        International Flavours: Alongside British brews, the festival showcases beers from across Europe and further afield.

·        Live Entertainment: Attendees can enjoy live music, pub games, and a lively atmosphere throughout the event.

·        Expert Talks and Tastings: Masterclasses, guided tastings, and talks from brewers and industry experts offer insight into the world of beer.

·        Food Stalls: A range of classic British fare and international cuisine complements the extensive drinks selection.

Who Should Attend?

The GBBF is ideal for anyone with a passion for beer, whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious to explore new flavours. It is a fantastic way to experience British pub culture, meet fellow enthusiasts, and discover the latest trends in brewing.

When and Where?

The festival typically takes place in early August at Olympia London, easily accessible via public transport. For up-to-date information on dates, tickets, and featured brewers, visit the official CAMRA website.

Fun Fact

Since its inception in 1977, the Great British Beer Festival has grown to become a cornerstone event for beer lovers, often referred to as the "biggest pub in the world" during its run.

 

Which Swan should I go for?

Sunday’s trip out, postponed from Friday, came down to a choice between two very different options. The simplest, and perhaps the easier of the two was a long overdue visit to the Swan-on-the-Green at West Peckham.  The second was a trip out along the Tonbridge-Redhill railway line, a route I was singing the praises of in my recent posts about a day out in Farnham. 

The train journey I had in mind, involved alighting (always a strange turn of phrase) at Nutfield – the penultimate stop before the end of the line at Redhill, visiting the pub nearest the station, and then heading two stops back, on the homeward journey towards, Tonbridge and again leaving the train in search of a nearby pub. That stop would have been Edenbridge, at what is known as the top station (there are two unconnected stations in the town), and then visiting the nearest of the town’s five pubs. For the record the pubs concerned were the Station, at South Nutfield (the pub that’s just a stone’s throw from the station) and the Swan, Edenbridge, again the nearest hostelry to the train stop.

I’ve been to the Swan a couple of times before, but Nutfield represents unknown territory.  I’ve never left the train there, and I’ve never visited any of the village’s three pubs. In the end, the nearest of the two Swans won the day, although I plan on reserving my mini Redhill line exploration for a day when the weather is far less clement than it’s been of late, and when I’m looking for a spot of pub exploration nearer to home. It’s amazing though, that sometimes you don’t realise what’s virtually on your own doorstep, but that triangle of territory, where three counties meet (Surrey, Sussex and Kent) is the south-east’s “Bermuda triangle.”

It’s a place where identities become blurred and where it’s easy to lose one’s bearings, but that’s all for another day, as my visit to the West Peckham, and its community-owned pub, was a chance to see how things were progressing since the pub was acquired by the village. 

It also provided an opportunity to see how my investment was progressing, because as you may remember, I purchased some shares in the pub, at the end of last year, being one of many local people determined to help save the Swan for the local community. Well, I’m pleased to report that the pub appears to be thriving, as I’m going to relate shortly, but first some information on how to get there using public transport (and Shank’s Pony), from either Tonbridge or Maidstone.

Arriva bus No. 7 operates a half-hourly service, in both directions, between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, and that 30-minute frequency amazingly applies on Sundays as well. Mereworth school is the stop you require, and from there it is roughly a 25-minute walk, to West Peckham. After leaving the bus, walk back for a short distance, towards the B2016 Seven Mile lane. Cross with care, making full use of the pedestrian refuge (traffic island) halfway across. Almost straight ahead is Mereworth Road which you need to follow for a mile or so, in order to take you to West Peckham. Like all country roads you need to have your wits about you, as whilst traffic is relatively light, drivers sometimes forget the pedestrians might also want to use the road, as well as themselves.

You will eventually see the sign, indicating you have reached the village, but make sure that you follow the left-hand fork, that is Church Road, into the village centre. On your right you will notice the attractive, little church of St Dunstan, which dates back to the 14^th century, although it is believed that a previous building of Saxon-Norman origin, predates this. The church looks out over the green, and on the left-hand side of this pleasant open space you will find the Swan-on-the-Green.

At the end of 2023, Gordon Milligan, the previous owner of the Swan, announced his intention to sell the pub, after 24 years in the trade. Instead of converting the pub into housing, Mr Milligan offered the opportunity for local residents to purchase it. The community formed a steering group with the goal of collectively buying the building. 

Interest in the project extended beyond West Peckham and into neighbouring areas of west Kent, which led to Mr Milligan granting the group six months’ exclusivity to come up with a plan.  After reaching a purchase agreement in principle, the group sought funding through the Community Ownership Grant scheme and solicited donations from villagers, other private individuals and local businesses. This was followed by the establishment of the Swan Community Project Ltd, a “not for profit” company with a mission to own and manage the Swan, for the benefit of the Community. Any profits generated are to be re-invested in the project. Last November, after expressing an interest in the project, I took the plunge and am now the proud owner of 250 shares in the Swan.

The weather last Sunday was dry and bright, but quite blustery, and with the buses operating mainly to time, it wasn’t long before I was deposited outside Mereworth Primary School. The conditions were ideal for a walk, and it wasn’t long before I reached West Peckham. The Sunday service at the church, was just finishing as I strolled by, and the vicar was shaking hands with his parishioners as they filed out through the front porch. Reaching the pub, I noticed quite a few customers sitting at tables, on the edge of the green, under the trees, opposite the pub.

This was obviously a good sign, and after popping inside I could see that quite a few tables were either occupied by diners or had signs indicating they were reserved.  Approaching the bar, I discovered there were two cask offering from Tonbridge Brewery, plus local, west-Kent favourite, Larkin's Traditional. I opted for Tonbridge Easy Street Pale which, as its name implies, is an easy drinking, mid-strength, pale ale. The beer fitted its description, and given the pleasant weather conditions, I took my pint outside, and parked myself at one of the bench tables, just outside the pub. I watched with interest, as a group, led by the vicar who I’d just seen, strolled over from the church and ordered themselves some drinks. They were sitting a few tables away from me, so I couldn’t really hear what they were saying – not that I wanted to, anyway!

The pub itself was ticking over nicely, which is good, regardless of any financial interest I might have, in the place. I asked one of the bar staff, how things were going, and he confirmed that the trade was good. For my second pint, I decided to go for something different, and having noticed a tap on the bar for Hawkstone Session – a beer associated with former Top Gear presenter, turned farmer, Jeremy Clarkson, I thought I’d give it a try. If nothing else, it would mean another tick on Untappd, but it was a bit more than that. The Session is 4.0%, whilst Hawkstone’s Premium weighs in at 4.8% abv. The company behind the brand, was formerly known as Cotswolds Brewing Company, before changing its name to Hawkstone.  

I timed my walk back to Mereworth just right, leaving sufficient time, if necessary, to nip behind a hedge, in order to siphon off any excess beer, but fortunately no such stop was necessary. Not quite so fortunate was the lack of buses up to Bailey Towers, from the Tonbridge High Street. Having just missed one and not wishing to wait 50 minutes for the next one, I trudged my way back up the hill. Once home, I found Mrs PBT’s taking much more of an interest than usual in my pub expedition.  It looks as if she wants to accompany me, next time although, as she doesn’t really do walking along country lanes,  I will need to drive us both there!

 

Surrey - Hants border. Pt. 2 - Farnham

Welcome back, as we continue the account of my recent visit to Alton and Farnham. After departing Alton by train, our party of pub and beer enthusiasts left Farnham station and walked down the hill, towards the town centre. Somewhat perversely, the A31 Farnham bypass runs through a natural valley at the bottom of the slope – I thought bypasses were meant to avoid town centres, rather than run straight through them, but this one seems to work. I remember coming upon this busy road, quite suddenly, three years ago, when I emerged from the trees and made my way towards the finishing marker for the North Downs Way.

It took the best part of five years to complete this long-distance footpath – five years marred by events at home, work and also globally – COVID! Although just 10 miles on paper, that final stretch between Guildford and Farnham, seemed to go on forever. Consequently, the pints I enjoyed in two of Farnham’s excellent pubs, were all the more rewarding. 

One of them (Nelson Arms), was on the afternoon’s itinerary, so I was looking forward to a more relaxing this time around. After crossing this busy “hybrid” bypass, we headed up into the town centre, and along South Street, before turning left into a road called The Borough. Judging by the shops and other commercial premises, this thoroughfare acts as the town’s High Street, and it was also the home of the first, as well as the last, of the alehouses on our walkabout.

That first pub was the Queen’s Head, a Fuller’s pub with two snug areas and large windows looking out over the bustling High Street. Comfortable and cosy inside, the pub started life as a coffee shop, around 1735, although the building is far older. Today, the Queen’s Head is a family run, town alehouse, offering good food, as well as live music, plus, of course, the full range of Fuller’s beers. I opted for a pint of HSB, a beer that the brewery inherited from Gale’s, and seemed to have improved on.

I also grabbed something to eat, an activity that Martin claimed he was duty-bound to ensure I partook of. This is something of a long-standing joke, that goes back to the first visit to Bath that I made, with the Beer & Pub’s Forum. On that occasion, lunch was inextricably missing from the agenda. I think I was the only person to comment on its absence, but “Paul’s need for solid sustenance” has been a source of amusement ever since, on subsequent Proper Days Out. The Queen’s turned out to be a good call, with a menu pitched at just the right level. There were dishes to suit all tastes and appetites, and looking for something to satisfy my hunger, without it being too filling I opted for a Club Ciabatta. With a filling of roast chicken, bacon plus lettuce and tomato, this sandwich and a half certainly assuaged my hunger for the rest of the day.

It wasn’t far to the next pub, a cosy and pleasant, retreat called the Hop Blossom. Tucked away in the quaintly named, Long Garden Walk, I was convinced this charming corner pub was a free house, but instead it turned out to be another Fuller’s pub. I should, perhaps have realised from the beer range, but the guest ale, in the form of St Austell Anthem, threw me. My previous encounter with this beer had been at the Salamander, a Bath Ales’s pub, which the group visited last November on, what for me, was the second pub forum trip to Bath.

The Hop Blossom is named after the hop gardens which were adjacent to the pub until the early part of the last century. The pub itself was built in 1864 and with its neighbours, forms part of a conservation area. Externally, a number of floral displays and some well-stocked, hanging baskets, added to the charm, and given the fine weather we were experiencing, it was no surprise to witness a couple of groups, siting outside. Internally, there was one long bar, with some smart green tiling, on the wall behind. I’m a real fan of this type of coloured tiling, as not only does it look smart, but also imparts a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. It reminds me of the Nelson Arms, back home in Tonbridge, which has a similarly tiled back wall, in the corner of the saloon bar.

The Hop Blossom’s website describes itself as a “pub for all seasons,” that offers a warm welcome year-round. In winter it's a cosy retreat, perfect for enjoying a refreshing pint of beer while roasting chestnuts on the open fire. During summer, the pub is a place to sit at one of the outside tables whilst soaking up the Surrey sunshine in style. Whatever the season, the Hop Blossom had a really nice feel to it and was the sort of pub that I’d be happy to make as my local, is I lived in the town.

Farnham’s own Nelson Arms was the next pub on the itinerary, and this was my second, and as rather more relaxed visit to this attractive looking pub, as explained at the beginning of this piece. Situated a short distance up the aptly named Castle Street, (the town’s castle is situated towards the top of this hillside street), the Nelson is a half-timbered building, dating from the 14^th century. 

It’s had a coat of paint since my previous visit (see photo above), which in my view enhances the pub, but apart from that, little has changed, certainly externally. Before entering the Nelson, I couldn’t help noticing the blackboard sign outside, advertising home made pies. Had I known this, and had the timings been right, I would have gone for the pie option, rather than the Club Ciabatta at the Queen’s Head, although that would have meant a very late lunch! 

The beer range at the Nelson was as follows: Hogs Back TEA, plus two similar beers from Timothy Taylor – Golden Best, plus Landlord, of course, although you knew that! I went for the TEA, which I think I had last time around, and with everyone’s glass suitably charged, we decamped, en masse to the large double room, the other side of the fireplace. Looking back over the photos, most of the party seemed engrossed in their phones – perhaps some urgent Discourse matter had come up. Speaking of which, I discovered that one Discourse member present, lives a short train ride away from me, in the village of Marden. Once again, I can’t recall his name, although Martin might remember who he was.

A few final words on the Nelson, regarding the rather solid and very traditional feel to the part of the pub where we were sitting. There are many original dark beams and some exposed brickwork with a log fire in between the two main seating areas. The furniture is varied and comfortable with some settee. According to the pub’s website, the Nelson can be very busy serving food early evenings, although that wasn’t my experience three years ago. Full marks though to a lovely old pub that manages to infuse its obvious history, with a more modern twist.

Moving on to the penultimate pub of the day, saw us walking back towards the town centre and to the mind-boggling, Teller’s Arms. This conversion by Young’s of a former Lloyd's bank, into a modern gastro-pub, is somewhere that has to be seen. Think spacious and high ceiling, lots of upholstered seating, rugs, dark wood, chandeliers and old portraits adorning the walls, and you are transported back in time to an old London pub, that is obviously at the smart end of the spectrum.

This was the obvious intention of the pub company, but it does seem to work. There is a strong focus on food, which is served all day, although plenty of non-dinning spaces are provided. Young’s London Original (so original that it’s brewed in Wolverhampton), plus a Hog’s Back beer complete the lineup on the bar, but quite frankly, Young’s beers are a pale shadow of what we enjoyed 20-30 years ago, when they were still brewed in Wandsworth.   

A stunning pub though, which must have cost the Pubco a fortune to kit out. It’s large enough to get lost in, and there seem plenty of places to hide, for those who don’t want be seen. I haven’t got a huge amount to say regarding the Borough Beer House, which was the final Farnham pub of the day. I haven’t got any photos, either, but to complete the record the pub opened in December 2023, in a building that dates from 1674. 

It was formerly the Bailiff's Hall in Farnham’s historic Town Hall, the one that seems to have been replaced by a more modern version – see photo, opposite. The downstairs seating area is quite small although there is a larger upstairs room, which is where most of us gravitated to. With six hand-pumps serving a variety of cask ale styles from around the UK, normally including a dark beer, a best bitter and something “new wave”, plus eighteen keg lines, providing a range of changing beers from UK, Belgium and beyond. My beer choice to finish on, was Siren Multiverse Dark Mild, a mid-strength cask ale.

I left around the same time as Martin, although with a train back to Alton to catch, he went on ahead. My train wasn’t due to depart until later, and when it did come it was on time. Connections at Guildford and Redhill all went to plan, and I was back in Tonbridge in time for the last bus of the day, which saved a hike up to Bailey Towers. Verdict – another excellent day out, and one in a part of the country that is often overlooked.

 

 

Pubs of the Suffolk Coast

We will take a brief pause before continuing our exploration of the Surrey-Hampshire border area, whilst I tell you about a real gem of a booklet that I discovered during a spot of de-cluttering at home. This is a gradual process of parting with items I no longer need or require, but of course the odd piece of treasure sometimes comes to light. Tucked away, amongst a pile of maps, I came across an absorbing little booklet published in 1978 by the East Anglian Tourist Board, bearing the title, “Pubs of the Suffolk Coast". Researched and written by Michael Watkins, a respected local journalist and broadcaster. At the time, Watkins contributed to a number of publications including The Times, Sunday Telegraph, Evening Standard, and Homes & Gardens. He also produced content for the BBC. His other works included the restaurant guide, "A Taste of East Anglia.”

In this booklet, Mr. Watkins presents 26 of his favourite pubs. As he explains in his introduction, the coastal pubs of Suffolk are generally authentic and unpretentious establishments. The landlords he met were largely indifferent to their inclusion in the guide, as they were not focused on publicity, but rather on fulfilling their demanding role of serving the community by providing them with hospitality, warmth, and sustenance from early morning until late at night. Watkins concludes his introduction by assuring readers that while he cannot promise an idealised version of Suffolk, they will undoubtedly experience its true character and, he believes, they will appreciate it.

The pubs in the guide were selected due to them being traditional, ale houses, although 50 years ago, most pubs would have fitted this description, and whilst there are a few independent "free houses," the majority of the pubs featured are owned by local breweries, such as Tolly Cobbold or Adnams.  

The heritage of these two breweries is as longstanding, as many of the pubs. For example, the Tollemach family can trace its roots in the area back to 1080, and the Cobbold family began brewing locally in 1723. These two families joined forces as Tolly Cobbold in 1957. In Southwold, records refer to Sole Bay Brewery as early as 1641, and the present company, Adnams & Co, dates back to 1872. Sadly, Tolly Cobbold are no more, but Adnams certainly are, and these days, the company is known all over the country, rather than just in Southwold and the surrounding area.

My paternal grandparents retired to a small village near Saxmundham, so I have fond personal memories of this region, from both childhood visits, and trips to the area, in later years. I am therefore familiar with many of the places mentioned in the guide, and have also become acquainted with some of the pubs. The description, "nothing fancy" applies to the pubs like the Old Cross Keys, Aldeburgh, the Jolly Sailor at Orford, the Oyster Inn at Butley, the Old Bell and Steelyard at Woodbridge an unusual one this being a free house, the  White Hart Wickham Market,  the Bell at Walberswick, the Sole Bay Inn and the Lord Nelson in Southwold itself and finally, the Golden Key at Snape - a small Suffolk village on the the River Alde, and not a character in the Harry Potter series!

What I like about this book is that it describes what is now a lost world. A simple world where pubs concentrated on looking after their customers, serving good beer and, in many cases, good food. It provides a fascinating retrospective on the pub scene in a distinct and close-knit region of the UK, and although out of print, this lovely little book offers valuable insight into a bygone era and provides a fascinating perspective on the pub culture of fifty years ago. If I had more free time, I would be interested in revisiting some of these pubs, to determine how many are still operating today, and how much they have changed.