Minutes of BSD Committee Meeting Sunday 20 October 2024

Attendees: JP GE JK MA RW EC

Apologies: AH SL UL RC

Minutes of last meeting accepted.

Chairman’s Report

Feedback from 50th event and GBG launch event at E Star. Proposed holding annual GBG launch events at a pub linked to that years publication e.g New Entry or next longest anniversary?

John K to stand down as treasurer. Agreed to seek relevant candidates from the membership via Chairman’s Newsletter.

Ale Trail update inc the contingency plan if prize costs increase beyond the budgeted amount.

Presentations to Flying Trunk and Kissingate.

BRAS quiz and feedback from their stall at Fresher’s event

Treasurer

Current balance is £5807.55

Membership

As of 19/10, branch membership stood at approximately 1,143, slightly down from the 1,155 reported for the last meeting of 15/9. However, the overall year to date figures show only a slightly larger number of lapses than of new members, as the net trend (in terms of gaining new members) has been upwards (albeit marginal) in previous months. It is hoped that direct (and indirect) recent membership recruitment activities may start to yield new members, for example, the Brighton Real Ale Society having CAMRA membership collateral available at their fresher's fair in September, and also the good publicity gained from the recent 50th anniversary event at the Evening Star event in Brighton, in late September.

Pubs Officer(s)

Planning and preservation issues - Montreal Arms appeal dropped – so the requirement to re-instate tiles stands.

No firm news on the development of building next to Prince Albert pub.

Local Heritage Inventory Plan Update – Graham and Marilyn working with RW. First cut planned for 1st November. Then expand to the wider areas of the Branch

What Pub Coordinator

The number of Whatpub updates since 1/12/2023 is 200.

Media and Comms

The number of followers on our branch 'X' account continues to grow well, and now stands at just under 400. In addition to regular posts containing interesting and relevant content, relating both to the local branch and wider, national issues, the number of those accounts we are following is increasing, with 'X' accounts being followed with the aim of increasing spread and reach of our 'X' feed.

Facebook Group members in excess of 500.

Cider Rep/Social Secretary

No report. Jason to chase Steve on his efforts to learn about the outstanding invoices for SDBF cider x2.

Tasting Panel

The Mid Sussex Tasting Panel met at the recent branch event at Kissingate Brewery, on 19 October. A tasting panel training session will be held at Brolly Brewery on 21/10, and it is hoped that members will become involved by joining a tasting panel local to them.

Ale Trail

Prize order to be placed this week.

AOB

GE is the BLO for a newish brewery called Pepperpot based a Woodingdean Farm. Small and from a member of the Lewes Home Brew Club.

Future meetings and dates for diary

Committee Meeting on Sunday 17th November at 10.30 currently on Zoom.

15 & 16 Nov Ale Trail Prize distribution at Brewer’s Arms

23 Nov Ale Trail Prize distribution at Duke of Wellington

AGM Sunday 8th December 2024 at 15:00 upstairs at Lewes Arms, Lewes.

Minutes of BSD Member’s Meeting Sunday 18 August 2024

Attendees: JP AH JK RC JJ EC GE

Apologies: Richard Williams, Jim Elsam, Marilyn Ashworth

Chairman’s Report

Working with GE and EC on 50th event (see later)

Staffing of Tripel Alliance event at Harvey’s – presentation for runner-up SDBF beer of festival made

New date for cider of SDBF presentation and Charity donation now Sat 14th Sept at 15:00 hrs Royal Oak, Barcombe.

SDBF Beer of Festival Trip now organised for 19 October to Kissingate. A full trip plus a reserve list is in place which should keep the cost as £12pp.

Treasurer

Current balance is £8829.55 including the Raystede charity chq yet to be handed over.

Deposit for SDBF 2025 town Hall not made yet. JP to email Town Hall to ask for an estimate of cost and to enquire if early payment will be cheaper.

Membership

The branch membership as of 18/8 stands at 1157, similar to the previous few months. It is anticipated that future events, such as the 50th anniversary/GBG event will help to raise awareness and interest in the branch and ultimately, encourage people to join. We will also have membership collateral available at the University of Brighton's freshers' day later in September at the BRAS stand.

Pubs Officer(s)

Taproom list produced by AH was reviewed. RC will check against current WhatPub to update as necessary.

Planning and preservation issues - No new issues to discuss.

Local Heritage Inventory Plan Update – Richard, Marilyn and Graham had met recently to discuss the work which Richard had completed thus far, and also to agree and standardise our interpretation of the criteria we were applying. The process is to initially identify, and then if agreed that the pub should be included, to document relevant features of the pub for the local (BSD) inventory. Richard had already carried out research on a number of pubs in the Brighton area. Graham and Marilyn will do the same for pubs in Lewes and Seaford, using a variety of resources. It was also noted that a very useful output of this work is that we will be able to compile several local heritage trails, listing pubs we have identified (and why) including the features of interest. We also identified some branch members (pub buddies etc) who may be able to assist with identifying potential pubs for inclusion outwith Brighton, Lewes and Seaford. The aim is to complete the work in Brighton, Lewes and Seaford by the end of October.

JP asked that any pub visits for this work could be photographed and sent to RC to provide recent photos for WhatPub.

What Pub Coordinator

Updates still being regularly received. RC thanked those who have submitted updates.

Media and Comms

The branch now has over 340 followers on X, and as always, the aim is to post regularly and provide interesting and informative posts to encourage engagement.

Facebook Group now has 480 members.

Cider Rep/Social Secretary

No reports received. Steve Leyfield will undertake the presentation for SDBF Perry of the Festival.

50th Event

The intended special guest list will be circulated to the Committee for additions/comment by GE and to have the widest possible reach the event will be added to What Brewing (if deadline met) and CAMRA HQ Events listing.

Ale Trail

First passport returned.

Future meetings

Committee Meeting on Sunday 15th September at 10.30 currently on Zoom.

Come join us this August at Harvey's Brewery for the opportunity to taste a great range of beers from three award-winning breweries: Brasserie de la Senne (Brussels), Burning Sky (Sussex) and Harvey's (Sussex).

With over 20 beers to try from the three breweries across cask and Keg formats with a number of beers that are rarely seen, including the launch of a one-off collaboration brew from the three brewers!

‘Tripel Alliance’ will be mashed at the Bridge Wharf Brewery, Lewes, later this month with all three participating brewers in attendance. The grist will comprise Pale and Munich malts, together with Spelt and Oats. Four different German hops, encompassing a range of traditional and new varieties, will be introduced at five separate stages. It will be brewed with Harvey’s spring water and yeast.

In addition, South Downs Cider will bring a range of delicious ciders and excellent food options to keep everyone sustained.

Visit to purchase tickets: https://www.harveys.org.uk/news/tripel-alliance-beer-festival-harveys

Minutes of BSD Committee Meeting Sunday 23 June 2024

Attendees: MA, JP, GE Apologies: AH, PF, JK, RW, JE Chairman’s Report SDBF – Thank you to Paul and all the volunteers. I hosted a small delegation from BRAS and gave them a tour of the event on Thursday afternoon. Congrats to POTY Regional Winner Brickmaker’s Alehouse.

Sussex Pub of the Year – Brickmakers, Hastings Club of the Year – Albatross, Bexhill

Surrey Pub of the Year – Star, Godalming Club of the Year – Egham United Services Club

Regional Cider Pub of the Year – Robin Hood, Icklesham

Treasurer No report Membership Branch membership as of 23 June stands at approximately 1,156, similar to that reported at the last branch members meeting held on 20 April. There were 5 new memberships recruited at the recent South Downs Beer and Cider Festival in Lewes, with at least two of these being members of this branch. Jason in conjunction with Graham to order CAMRA promotional material for BRAs James to display on their stand at Fresher’s week. Pubs Officer(s) Planning and preservation issues – Montreal Arms planning approved Local Heritage Inventory Plan Update from RW I've started to survey pubs in Brighton and Hove, and written up reports on The Hole in the Wall, The Sussex, The Druids Head, The Pumphouse, The Great Eastern, and The Poets Ale and Smokehouse. I've managed to do some research in The Keep on The Great Eastern and found some old floor plans going back to the 1920s, and will look for records about the other pubs. I've also written up a report on The Gardeners Arms in Lewes.

I have it in mind to do a more systematic survey of pubs in North Laine, and in the boundary area between Brighton and Hove (Le Pub and The Bow Street Runner seem to me to be possible candidates in this area, and there may be others). I'll also be moving into West Hove and Portslade soon.

I do need help in identifying pubs in the outlying areas of the city, which I expect to cover in the first phase. Hangleton, Moulscombe, Patcham, and Falmer are areas I don't know at all well.

Similarly, the area between Brighton and Newhaven/Seaford is an area I don't know well, and I would welcome thoughts from anybody who lives there or visits them more frequently than I do.

Lewes is another area for early investigation. I think I have a better feel for it than some other areas, but any suggestions from others would be welcome.

I'll circulate a sample page of what I think the local inventory might look like soon. One issue is whether we try to include photos of the pubs (which would need to be pictures of the pub interiors in most cases). Ideally, we should do that, but I'm not a skilled photographer. Do you know if anybody in the branch has experience in this area.

As you know, it's my intention to put a piece on the website, directly inviting input from members generally. Thanks to those who have nominated possible pubs. Richard Williams., What Pub Coordinator No report Media and Comms Discussed opportunities to create media coverage of Branch’s 50th. Settled on using the upcoming GBG anniversary of a prominent Brighton pub coupled with our anniversary as the event. JP and GE to take forward for October. The number of followers on the BSD X (formerly, Twitter) feed, is growing steadily, and now stands at 286. Posts are regularly being added on a variety of branch and wider, national topics, and are being well-received. The beer and cider list was once again made available online for this year's beer festival. There will be future publicity opportunities for presentations for best beer, cider and perry from the beer festival, as well as other member engagement opportunities being planned for later this year. Cider Rep/Social Secretary Cider of the SDBF was SouthDowns Vintage to celebrate Branch 50th anniversary. JP to liaise with Paul Slot for presentation combined with Raystede in Ringmer. 26th SOUTH DOWNS BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL REPORT I would like to start this report by thanking everybody who played a part in making this festival the success I believe it was. Special thanks to members of the festival sub-committee, I would also like to highlight my thanks to the cooling team of Steve & Angela. I have received the email addresses for our staff, and on my return from Antwerp they will each be sent a thank you email, with the explanation that although I shall be stepping down as Organiser, our Chairman has asserted that there will be a festival in 2025. 80.63% of the available cask beer was consumed, or if you prefer 4122 pints. 273 votes were cast for 63 different beers in the Beer of Festival voting; the winner was Kissingate Undertakes Varnish, and the joint runners up were Flying Trunk Big Daddy and Harvey’s Pilsner. 76 votes were cast for 15 different Ciders/Perries with the winners being, Cider: Southdowns 50 Years of CAMRA, Perry: Beechwood 2023 Perry. To confirm although I will be giving up my position on the festival sub-committee, I wish the festival success in the future. Charity Raystede reported 11 sign-ups at £5pm and token raised £719.20 Feedback on the food was positive and they wish to do the event again next year. GE to contact Beechwood re a presentation copying in SL Ale Trail Several late requests for stamps received and new stamps provided. JP set out that the primary purpose of this campaign was to generate revenue for the participating venues not to send the maximum amount of money to CAMRA HQ. To grow public participation levels the quality of the prizes needed to improve. This will involve an increase in costs but still attainable within the budget for 2024 Ale Trail. Agreement was reached for JP to prioritise quality and future design over cost to restore confidence in the Ale Trail prize. JP to take forward the design and production of the prizes this year. Many thanks noted to JK for his contribution in this area over previous years. Future meetings Committee on July 21st Member’s on August 18th SDBF Presentation to Kissingate 19 October