Information shared by members at meetings - accuracy cannot be guaranteed and opinions are those of individuals.
(But errors, once found, are quickly corrected!)

The Three Tuns, Cleator, which recently re-opened is selling Jennings Bitter.

It doesn't seem right that the best choice, apart from possibly one pub in Cockermouth, with definitely the cheapest prices, for Jennings beers is available in the Bransty Arch, Whitehaven.

The Boot Inn has been sold to Robinsons and new licensees are Francis and Lesley Dantinnes who had previously run the village shop in Eskdale Green.

The Lake Rd Vaults and the Packhorse in Keswick have also been sold to Robinson’s and will sell their beers. Where next?

Banks's beers are starting to appear in the area. When are we going to see the introduction of over-sized glasses for which Banks's are famous.

Jennings Bitter has disappeared from the New Victoria, Cleator Moor. It is believed that the discounts available from Jennings (Wolverhampton & Dudley) were not competative, and therefore Theakstons Bitter has now replaced the Jennings on the bar.

The Blackbeck Inn, near Calderbridge is installing a 5 barrel brewing plant. Once brewing starts the beer/s are likely to be available in a number of local outlets. More information on the brewery will be included in the next edition of What Ales.

Gosforth Hall Hotel has joined the exclusive ranks of the completely non-smoking.



Pub Crack: Winter 2005

• Our autumn 2004 Pub of the Season, the Ploughman at Dearham is temporarily closed due to flood damage. Refurbishment is expected to take several weeks.

• Belated congratulations to Dave, Ann and Darren at the Woolpack in Eskdale on achieving their Cask Marque award. They get beer regularly from Hesket Newmarket, Tirril, Derwent, Dent, Hawkshead, Coniston, Foxfield, Great Gable, Barngates, Yates, Moorhouses as well as Jennings. They normally have 4 real ales on at any one time plus one real cider or perry. At the time of writing they have Cumberland Ale, Whitehaven Wobbler, Hawkshead Red, Harvesters, and Cocker Hoop plus Bounds brand scrumpy. The restaurant is about to be re-opened, in time for Boot Winter Ales festival, having been transformed!

• The Bush at Tallentire finally re-opened at the beginning of November. Ray and Monica Severs had hoped to open at the end of August, but in the end the scale of work needed in the pub was greater than they anticipated. It sounds as though half the village attended their opening night, when the beers on sale were Jennings Bitter, which Ray thinks will probably be their regular beer, and two guests: Inveralmond Ossian’s Ale, and Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted. Expect to see some Cumbrian beers as well as some from further afield.

• Best wishes in their retirements to longstanding licensees Cliff Rushforth of the Commercial in Workington and Marion Wright of the Pheasant, Crosthwaite.

• The Green Dragon in Workington’s Portland Square is now selling Jennings Bitter.

• The Westlands Hotel near Workington is under new ownership and is being fully refurbished. David Sale, who owns a number of hotels around the country, is a real ale fan and the Westlands is selling real beer both on draught and in bottles: Black Sheep Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Thwaites’ Lancaster Bomber are regulars and there will also be a guest beer. The large function room should be ready in time for the run up to Christmas.

• The Bransty Arch, Whitehaven has 5 Jennings beers on permanently, alongside guest ales and their normal range of real ales. The Manor House, St. Bees has beers from Okells in the Isle of Man, alongside Theakstons and Robinsons.

• The road to Wasdale Head will be closed during weekdays from mid November to mid January. The hotel will be open at the weekends.



Pub Crack: Autumn 2005

•The Captain Nelson in Maryport has changed hands and after the Blues festival at the end of July ceased its blues sessions. These will be held at the Navy Club just around the corner in future.

•Also in Maryport, the Lifeboat Inn has been closed for some time and is up for sale or to let.

•The Miners’ Arms at Prospect, near Aspatria, is now selling real ale.

•The Whittington Cat in Whitehaven is selling draft Cumberland ale.

•CAMRA colleague and exiled West Cumbrian Alan Doggart, editor of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch newsletter, has contacted us with news of the new licensees of the Bush Inn, Tallentire. Ray and Monica Severs currently run the White Bull in Great Eccleston near Blackpool. ‘When they took over the "Bull", a Punch tavern owned pub, about five years ago this one time village coaching inn had become run down, underused and on the verge of closure. Ray and Monica who had no background in the licensed trade, began the hard work of restoring it to its original glory. The place was cleaned up and made more comfortable, but what began to bring in the crowds was the landlords’ commitment to real ale. Originally selling only Tetley Bitter, the handpumps went from one, two to eventually end up at six.

‘Ray has similar ideas for the Bush. When it reopens (at the end of August) there will be three handpumps on the bar. The first beers have already been selected, they include Hawkshead Bitter, and Tallentire Bitter which will be a new beer brewed especially for the pub by a Cumbrian brewery which Ray is keeping secret. You can be assured that the real ales won’t be served past their prime, but should there be the customers the beer range will be extended by adding more beer engines. The White Bull won a silver runners-up award in our 2005 local "Pub of the Year" competition, quite an achievement for a pub that isn’t a free house. Ray and Monica insist that whatever changes they make to the Bush, they still want it to be the village pub. So go on, let this enthusiastic and friendly couple prove to you that the village can again support a pub and let our loss be your gain.’



Pub Crack: Summer 2005

The Royal Standard on Whitehaven harbour has been renamed the Waterfront. It is being leased from Jennings by T & P Inns and has undergone a £200,000 makeover. It will be run by Craig Kirby, who previously ran the Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite, and partner Charlotte Dodds.

Terry Franks of T & P Inns has also taken on the lease of the Fox and Hounds in Ennerdale Bridge. The Fox and Hounds re-opened just before Easter after a major refurbishment. Manager is Barry Jones, who also owns the lease of the Crooked Billet at Owston Ferry on the River Trent in Lincolnshire. Barry was chef at the Coledale Inn for five years before moving south and is delighted to be back in the Lake District. The Fox and Hounds will be selling mainly Cumbrian beers, from Jennings, as well as smaller breweries like Coniston and Hawkshead.

The Castle at Distington is selling Theakstons Bitter.

Since becoming completely smoke-free, the Four in Hand in Keswick has reported record takings.

The Rampant Bull, a bar situated in the Cattle Mart on the A66 near Cockermouth, is selling real ale, and is open to the public. Food is also available.

Pub Crack: Spring 2005

The Bush in Cockermouth is taking advantage of new deals between Jennings and other regional breweries to expand the range of guest beers available; recent examples include beer from Copper Dragon in Skipton, Ward?s Bitter and Elsie Mo from Nottingham?s Castle Rock.

On May 2nd the Boot Inn will be offering a tasting night including beers from Jennings, Hawkshead, and Barngates and dishes using local produce.

The Grey Goat in Cockermouth is undergoing extensive refurbishment. The owner, local CAMRA member Hugh Price, is on the lookout for an enthusiastic tenant with a commitment to real beer and good food.

The Brown Cow at Waberthwaite is now selling Beckstones? beers on a regular basis.

The Wild Duck, Branthwaite is selling beers from the Scottish and Newcastle guest list.

The Brook in Cleator has reopened, and features 3 hand pumps. Owners Kirsty Bennett and Paul Bell, from St Bees, have not run a pub before but are committed to offering real ale in their pub. Taylor's Landlord looks set to be a regular beer, and guests will include Cumbrian beers. Live folk music from local musicians will also be a feature. We wish them well.

Pubs around Cumbria will be participating in this year's Cumbria and the Lake District Food and Drink Festival.

Pub Crack: Winter 2004

CAMRA members across Cumbria are busy visiting all our real ale pubs updating information to go into a new guide to all real ale pubs in the county. The guide is being co-ordinated by West Cumbria Pubs Officer Jim Chapple, and it is hoped it will be ready for distribution in Spring 2005.

We welcome new licensees to two Cockermouth pubs: Chris and Ghislain Smithson to Hunters, and Ian Wright to the Kingfisher.

Maureen Williamson has passed the licence and lease of the Bush, Cockermouth on to her daughter and son-in-law Sara and Ian Martin. We would like to wish Maureen all the best for the future and thank her for all she has done in promoting real ale in Cockermouth.

The Burnmoor Inn is changing its name to the Boot Inn.

Craig Lowery has taken over the Galloping Horse, High Harrington, and Nicola Carruthers now runs the Fox and Hounds, Aspatria.

The White Horse, Scales, near Keswick has been bought by Cameron's brewery; licensee is Wayne Stephenson. Varying beers from the Camerons and Castle Eden ranges are on sale.

The Royal Standard, Whitehaven has closed. The licensees have moved the short distance to another Jennings house, the Anchor Vaults.

Pub Crack: Autumn 2004

•Welcome to Sharon and Mick Moore who have taken over the lease of the Greyhound in Bothel. They have moved to West Cumbria after living for six years in Ambleside; the Greyhound is their first pub. They will be selling Jennings beers and guests from the Jennings list; we wish them all the best.

•The Ship in Cockermouth’s Market Place is undergoing a major refurbishment. Janet and Tony Blades who also own the Cockatoo fish restaurant next door say that they want to turn the building back into an authentic 18th century pub and small hotel.

•Farewell to Suzanne and Alan Caldwell who have left the Swan at Westnewton so that they can spend more time on their day jobs! New owners are Alan and Julie Skivington who currently run the bakery in Seascale. Alan is from Keswick and Julie from West Cumbria. Alan trained as a chef at the Swiss Lodore and has worked at many local hotels and restaurants such as the Castle Inn at Bassenthwaite. He will be creating a restaurant in the Swan featuring freshly cooked food, but real beer will remain a priority. Yates’ beers will stay and Jennings will be installing a python system to help keep beer at the right temperature.

•The Royal Standard on Whitehaven’s harbour front is to become a restaurant.

•Welcome to new licensees of the George IV at Eskdale Green Stephen and Susan Bateman, who are selling Coniston, Moorhouses and Timothy Taylor beers. Moorhouses beer is also for sale in other pubs in the valley including the Woolpack and the Brook House Inn. •The Brown Cow at Waberthwaite is selling Beckstones beers on a regular basis.

•The Dovenby Ship was recently sold by Beeby and David Bell, who had owned it for nearly four years, for almost £1 million. It has been bought by pub chain Punch Pub company, and is being run by Angela Morris.

•Welcome to John and Carol Oliver, who have bought the Criffel Inn in Silloth. They will be selling Jennings Cumberland and a guest beer, either from Jennings or from local Derwent brewery. They previously ran a real ale pub in Shropshire.

Pub Crack: Summer 2004

• Shirley and Albert Charters, owners of the Punchbowl in Great Broughton, recently celebrated 30 years in the pub trade. They started off in 1974 as tenants in the Huntsman in Cockermouth. Albert is experimenting with guest beers, alternating between beers from other Cumbrian breweries and from further afield such as Archers in Swindon.

• Welcome to Wayne Meek and Lyndsey Farish who have taken over the licence at the Bush, Tallentire.

• Farewell to Geoff and Kay Steele and welcome to David and Erica Harwood who have taken over the licence of the Queen’s hotel in St Bees. Jennings have bought the pub, which unfortunately for regulars means that Yates Bitter is no longer available. Perhaps Jennings can be persuaded that allowing a Cumbrian guest beer will be good for trade?

• Welcome to Michael Evans who has bought the Lifeboat Inn and Harbour Restaurant in Maryport. The pub reopened just before Easter after being closed for a few months. Michael was previously chef and general manager at the Trout Hotel in Cockermouth; the Lifeboat continues to be the only year-round real ale outlet in Maryport currently with two Thwaites beers and a guest beer.

• The Candlestick in Whitehaven (formerly the Welsh Arms) has had a full and major refurbishment and is due to re open on the 3rd of June. Chris Corkhill is looking forward to welcoming his regulars back and hopes all the new work will bring new customers.

Pub Crack: Spring 2004

The lease of the Farmers Arms at Portinscale has been taken on by Terry Franks, who is licensee of the Royal Oak in Braithwaite and also has the lease for the Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite village. The pub has been extended and refurbished and is being run by Adrian and Lynn Rowe. It will continue to stock Jennings beers.

Welcome back to Thomas and Audrey Miller who have returned from retirement in Lanzarote to take over the Greyhound, Bothel which has also been extended to form a restaurant. The Millers previously ran the Galloping Horse in High Harrington.

Farewell to Tom and Pat Hazlewood who are due to retire from the Fox and Hounds in Aspatria in June.

The Welsh Arms in Whitehaven is undergoing major refurbishment; Chris and Glenys Corkhill are due to re-open the pub as the Candlestick at about the end of April. They will continue to sell Robinson’s beers.

Avril and Philip Cable have taken over the Riverside at Branthwaite; real ale is Jennings Bitter.

We were sorry to learn that the Maltsters Arms on Caldewgate in Carlisle (Solway CAMRA’s branch Pub of the Year) has been sold and closed at short notice.

Sal Madge’s in Whitehaven, formerly the Dolphin, has also been refurbished as part of the Jennings prog ramme and renamed the North.

We understand that the George IV at Eskdale Green has recently changed hands.

The Shepherds Arms at Ennerdale Bridge has beaten 45 other real ale pubs in the north west to be nominated North West Real Ale Pub of the Year by les Routiers. They tell us that they consider a number of points to reach their Real Ale Award Winner, such as the range and quality of beers and how many of the ales are local. The inn is described as welcoming and homely; regular beers are Coniston Bluebird, Jennings Bitter and Taylor’s Landlord; there are also two guest beers from local or more distant breweries. Congratulations to Steve, Val and their staff!

Pub Crack: Winter 2003

Farewell to Jackie Hodgson and Tony Jewell who ran the Wheatsheaf in Embleton for the last two years. They kept up this village pub's reputation for friendliness but unfortunately found that they couldn't make enough to pay Jennings rents. John and Veronica Bright, previously of the Greyhound Bothel, which is being extended, have taken over the tenancy.

Farewell to James and Betty Bonner who have left the Farmers Arms in Portinscale, which is being refurbished.

CAMRA members also said good bye to Sandra Burdis who had run the Grey Goat in St Helen¹s Street Cockermouth for a number of years. Rawdon Lillie has taken over the tenancy. He is originally from Newcastle and has worked in pubs in London, Teesside and Manchester. Just round the corner from the Kirkgate Centre, the pub is one of the best preserved in Cockermouth. In addition to Jennings Bitter, a Yates beer is now always available.

A belated welcome to Alan and Bev Allison who have taken over the licence at the Lowther Arms Hensingham.

Welcome to Wendy and David MacDonald who took over the White Horse Scales, near Threlkeld, in July. Beer drinkers are welcome and ales are all from Cumbrian breweries ­ Hesket Newmarket and Coniston when your editor called in.

The Woolpack in Boot has been sold; the new owner is Dave Bailey. The Woolpack is his first pub.

Welcome to Tessa, Tosh and Steve, new joint tenants of the Wheatsheaf in Gosforth.

The Old Crown at Hesket Newmarket officially opened as a co-operative venture in September. New tenants are Lou and Linda Hogg, from the North East by way of Scotland. Neither has run a pub before but they spent many holidays in the area and already know the village and the Old Crown well.

The Blackbeck Bridge Inn, Beckermet, is selling Jennings and Tirril beers.

The Gosforth Hall Hotel in Gosforth is selling a varying range of Cumbrian real ales.

The Brewery House in Great Broughton has been refurbished and is now a free house selling Jennings and Theakston's beers.

A visit to Maryport Blues Festival revealed that blues venue Captain Nelson Tavern is now selling Marston¹s Pedigree after an absence of real ale for some years.

We welcome Brad and Amanda Leader, new licensees at the Lion, Ireby. They hail from Kent, and the Lion is their first pub. They are maintaining the beer policy of the previous landlady, with regular beers from Derwent and Hesket Newmarket breweries. The house beer from Derwent is 'Irebeer' (4.0%) and guests have included beers from breweries like Kelham Island.

Denis Shaw and Dianne Coaker are taking over the Globe in Dearham and hope to be stocking a rotating selection of real ales.

The Mawdsley family of the Coledale Inn have taken over the Middle Ruddings hotel at Braithwaite and will be selling real ale later in the year.

J D Wetherspoon?s Bransty Arch has obviously proved a hit with drinkers in Whitehaven. Existing licensees are not so happy, claiming that their trade has dropped by 50% since the new pub opened. Some licensees fear that traditional pubs will be forced to close down because of competition from the national pub chain which announced six monthly profits of £25m in March this year.
Pubs in Workington are also reporting similar losses after the Henry Bessemer opened in December 2001. Wetherspoon?s low prices are blamed for the defection of customers, and there is much debate in CAMRA about the ethics of undercutting traditional pubs whose licensees are tied to the products and pricing policies of their proprietors. On the other hand it could also be that Wetherspoon?s is offering its customers a service they want?

Helen and John Glover of the Belle Vue Papcastle have had their pub kitchen declared the cleanest Jennings kitchen in the North of England.

The Appletree in Brigham really has closed this time ? we reported last summer that the pub was to close and change of use had been granted but a last minute change of heart kept it open for another year. But now the building has been sold as a private house after some 400 years as a pub. Landlord Bill Birkett blamed a lack of interest in village life on the part of Brigham?s residents for the pub?s decline. The Lime Kiln has also been closed since the Hewitts parted company with Robinson?s leaving the Wheatsheaf the only pub open in the village.

The Parkside Hotel in Cleator Moor is selling Jennings beers (assorted!) after an absence of real ale for some years. The landlord is very keen and the branch is meeting there in September.

The Beeches at Gilcrux has Greene King IPA on all the time now. Silloth Golf Club now does Derwent Beers.

Since the article in our beer festival edition about Minnie Thexton of the George IV Workington , Minnie has been in the national press, the News and Star, Radio Cumbria, Radio Five Live and Border TV.

Best wishes to Ronnie Heydon, licensee of the Stork, Rowrah, who is retiring on health grounds. The pub has been bought by local couple Paul and Joan Kerswell. Their daughter Joanne is a trained chef so expect some changes to the menu. Ronnie will show them the ropes as far as the bar and cellar are concerned and we are assured that locals who want to drop in for a pint or two will remain as welcome as ever.

The Fox and Hounds in Aspatria has sadly stopped selling Jennings Mild

The Lowther Arms, Hensingham has replaced Robinsons Mild with a seasonal beer.

Stuart Feasey former bar manager at the John Paul Jones has taken over the licence at Sal Madge?s in Whitehaven. He was selling Jennings Bitter and Cocker Hoop when members of the branch visited recently.

Chris and Glenys Corkhill of the Welsh Arms, Whitehaven are now stocking 4 real ales from the Robinsons and Hartleys range at the weekend. Chris says he used to be lager drinker but is now a real ale convert, and has become an active CAMRA member!

The Whitehaven Wetherspoon?s, next to the bus station, is due to open on St Patrick?s Day, 17th March and will be called the Bransty Arch.

Farewell to Graham Davies who has left the Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite village. Terry Franks, licensee of the Royal Oak in Braithwaite has taken on the Sun (in addition to the Royal Oak) which is being managed by John Berry. John has previous experience in hotel management but this is his first pub.

The Pubwatch scheme in Cockermouth has resulted in a man being banned for life from all the town?s pubs following a second offence. Two other people were each banned for five years. A similar scheme has been set up in Workington and Whitehaven, in a bid to reduce incidents of abusive behaviour, assault and drug supply. And the most recent scheme is in Great Broughton.

The Queen's Head at Tirril, a favourite with West Cumbria branch members, has been awarded the Good Pub Guide's Pub of the Year. This is not a CAMRA award but nevertheless we are delighted that Chris Tomlinson and staff have received such well deserved national recognition.

The Punchbowl in Great Broughton is selling guest beers alongside Jennings Bitter; Tirril's Old Faithful and Coniston Bluebird for example.

Welcome to Mick Peat and Michael van Greunen who have taken over the Old Posting House at Deanscales . They have run a pub in Bradford for many years and will continue to sell Jennings beer alongside a varied restaurant menu.

Welcome to Edward and Julie Fearon of Ponsonby who have bought the Royal Yew in Dean, following the retirement of Alistair Chambers.

Welcome to new owners of the Shepherd's Arms in Ennerdale Bridge: Steven and Val Madden.

The George Hotel in Keswick and the Sportsman at Troutbeck have been taken over by a pub group, Cumberland Taverns, run by Ian and Patricia Dixon who with son Stephen already own the Bank Tavern and the Four in Hand in Keswick. The Sportsman is managed by Garry and Carol Kirkpatrick who previously ran the Belle Vue, Papcastle.

Sixteen branch members attended a lively branch meeting at the Bridge, Santon Bridge, in July. This is a delightful rural inn, host to the annual 'World's Biggest Liar' competition, which sells a range of Jennings beers plus a guest ale - Badger Champion when we visited. John Morrow, proprietor of the Bridge, has now taken over the licence of the Globe in Gosforth. He and partner Lesley Rhodes have recently won the regional finals of the British Innkeeping Institute licensee of the year award.

•Two Whitehaven pubs, the Shipwright's Arms next to the bus station, and the Royal Oak on King Street have just started to take real ale. The Shipwright's has been cautious with its choice so far – Boddington's and Tetley's – but the move has reportedly been going down well with customers. The Royal Oak has tried Courage Directors and Wadsworths 6X.

•The Fletcher Christian Tavern in Cockermouth has been bought by John Risman, who previously owned what was Rizzo's bar, now Mickey Finn's. Daughter Josie is running the pub; real beers available are Jennings Bitter and Theakston's.

•The Calder House Hotel in Seascale is selling real ale.

The Golden Fleece in Calderbridge is under new management.

•We welcome Douglas Barnes who has bought the Ship in Cockermouth's Market Place. The Ship had been closed for some months and there were fears that a change of use would be applied for. Douglas plans to open a family room and beer garden, and will be selling real ale.

•The Ship at Allonby has extended its opening hours, and is now open every lunchtime except Monday and from 6pm. No food Monday nights.

The Stanfields have retired from the Shepherd's Arms in Ennerdale. The Shepherd's was awarded pub of the season for Winter 2001 and was nominated several times for branch pub of the year. A warm welcome and 5-6 varieties of well-kept real ale were the order of the day, and for those who chose to partake, the food was pretty good, too! The Stanfields were planning some time in a tent in Cornwall before deciding what to do next. A farewell party on their final weekend was well attended, the pub being packed, and many enjoyed free beer and sandwiches whilst wishing Norman and his wife the very best for their future.

The Wansfell Hotel in Seascale seems to be selling real ale again, after a long break, with reports of Jennings Bitter.

Calder House in Seascale had Shepherd Neame beers (Goldings and Spitfire) on, at the last visit by members.

Holly House at Ravenglass is selling Hesket Newmarket beers as guests.

The Old Posting House at Deanscales has a new owner and is selling excellent beer.

Ship Launch in Egremont has real ale again (Jennings)

Dovenby Ship selling two Jennings and other guest beer. Extension with another bar and seating area - now more inviting to non-diners. Such a large pub, it is a shame an area cannot be designated no-smoking - for drinkers and/or diners!

As part of the Jennings disposal of managed pubs, the Victoria at Drigg has been bought by Gordon Wilson, licensee of the Ratty Arms, and is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Danny Burrough has moved to the Brewery House in Great Broughton from the Vic. Jennings have now also sold the Brewery House and we are waiting to find out the new owner's plans.

The Beeches at Gilcrux is putting on a guest real ale at weekends.

The Albion in Silloth is stocking Marston's Pedigree at weekends and bank holidays.

The Cumberland in Silloth also now has a real ale, Hartley's Cumbria Way, brewed by Robinson's of Stockport.

National pub chain J D Wetherspoon have obtained planning permission to convert both the Whitehaven bus station and the old public baths (more recently council offices) in Allhallows Lane in Kendal into pubs, as part of their planned expansion programme.

Keswick's Theatre by the Lake is selling real ale - Jennings Bitter and a guest beer. Bar manager David Worthington is keen to promote real ale.

The Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth is also putting on real ale for Live2Night events; the draught Cumberland quickly sold out at a recent concert by local band Tryckster!

Royal Oak, Whitehaven, doing Courage Directors

Shipwrights Arms Whitehaven now selling Boddingtons

Lowther Arms, Hensingham, doing Robinson's Best

Yates in the Dog & Gun Keswick has gone down in price

Black Bull in Cockermouth has had all the Boggett Hole beers.

Black Sheep on at the Bush, Tallentire

Fletcher Christians in Cockermouth selling Jennings / Theakstons

Calder House Hotel, Seascale, doing real ale

Bitter End, Cockermouth ? all tables had 'reserved' signs on.