BRANCH POTY 2025 NOMINATIONS

Members of the Brighton & South Downs branch of CAMRA are invited to submit nominations for our Pubs of the Year 2025 by 10th January.

There are four categories:

• Overall Pub of the Year
• Cider Pub of the Year
• Country Pub of the Year
• Club of the Year.

Members can make nominations for any or all of these awards.

Please send nominations to ku.gro.armac.nothgirb@reciffo.sbup quoting your CAMRA membership number and stating why you believe the nominated outlet deserves recognition.

Whilst beer quality is the prime consideration, you should also take account of cleanliness and hygiene including the toilets, quality of service, décor, and consistency with CAMRA's aims, such as full measures and a clearly displayed price list.

Please also state if you are willing to be part of the assessment panel. Assessors will be required to visit ALL of the shortlisted pubs (probably between 5 and 8) and then submit a review form for each pub. Anybody making nominations or undertaking assessments must not have any connection to a pub.

Following receipt of Nominations, a shortlist of Pubs to be surveyed will be compiled and details will then be transmitted to those Volunteer Assessors for completion of the next stage of the Competition together with Survey Forms to be completed by individuals.

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.