With the publication of the 2025 Good Beer Guide a couple of weeks ago, three of our pubs achieved significant milestones in their consecutive appearances. The Branch has been out and about presenting Certificates for these achievements.

Firstly we visited Fuggles Beer Cafe in Tunbridge Wells who have achieved 10 consecutive years in the Guide. It only seems a couple of years ago we were attending the opening. Congratulations to Alex Greig and all of his staff who have maintained the beer quality throughout the ten years. The photo below shows Branch Chair, Tony Shea, presenting Alex with his Certificate.

Fuggles Certificate Presentation

We next visited the Halfway House in Brenchley who have managed 20 consecutive years in the Guide. We had arranged to present the Certificate to Sam Allen but on the day he was unable to be there, so his main cellar man, Tom, stepped up to receive the Certificate from Branch Chair Tony Shea. Congratulations to Sam, his father Richard and all of their staff for achieving this milestone. Not only do they keep at least six real ales on in the pub, they also have their twice yearly Beer Festivals with 60 real ales. The photos show Tom receiving the Certificate and Branch members helping Tom hold the banner outside the pub.

Halfway House Certificate Presentation

Halfway House Banner

Finally we visited the Rose & Crown in Halstead where we able to present at Certificate to Tony, the outgoing landlord for 10 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. The photo shows Tony (right) and Jonny, who wil be taking over the pub (left) with Branch Chair, Tony Shea.

Rose & Crown Certificate Presentation

These three awards join the other two Branch pubs who now have a few more than 20 consecutive years in the Guide. These are the Anchor in Sevenoaks and the Grove Tavern in Tunbridge Wells. The photos below show them with their banners at earlier presentations.

Anchor Banner

Grove Tavern Banner

Message from Rachel (staffing officer):

Spa Valley Railway in Association with West Kent CAMRA - Real Ale and Cider Festival

The Festival is open from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20 th October 2024 at Tunbridge Wells West Station.

West Kent CAMRA annual call out for Volunteers! It’s time for ‘expressions of interest’ in helping out behind the bar at this year’s festival – or with set up and pull down (on days before or after the opening times).

Everyone who helped last year will be contacted directly by mid-August (if I hold your email address) but I’m particularly keen to hear from members who have never been involved before – and from those who didn’t make it last year. No experience is necessary, only enthusiasm!

If you think you might be interested in joining in, please email me, Rachel Blythe, at ku.oc.daehgnirpsehtylb@lehcar.

Spa Valley Railway Real Ale & Cider Festival

Thanks

The Nelson Arms has won CAMRA Kent (West) Pub of the Year 2024 and will now be judged against the Kent (East) Pub of the Year 2024, The Royston in Broadstairs for overall Kent Pub of the Year 2024. There will be a presentation to Emma and Matt in the Nelson on 17 July 2024. We will be gathering from 7.30pm.

Nelson Arms Tonbridge

Kent (West) POTY 2024