Branch Diary
- Great British Beer Festival Winter 2025 in Rotherham
Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 February 2025
1 For venue see event details below
We’re thrilled to reveal the incredible breweries joining us at Great British Beer Festival Winter 2025 with their own exclusive bars. Not only can you sample their exceptional brews, but you’ll also have the chance to meet the brewers and discover what makes their beers unique! This year’s line-up is overflowing with talent and flavour, including some debut appearances too.
Book here: https://winter.gbbf.org.uk/tickets
Our exclusive Brewery Bars pouring at Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham 12-15 February, 2025. Abbeydale Brewery
Brew York
Chantry
Radio City Beer Works
Theakston
Thornbridge Brewery
Wantsum Brewery
As well as our exclusive Brewery Bars we'll also have our CAMRA bars featuring a huge range of beers from the best breweries across the country. From rich winter ales to bold stouts and everything in between, there’s something for every palate.
Check out our Brewery Bars page at https://winter.gbbf.org.uk/brewery-bars to discover more about our exclusive Brewery Bars before your visit!
- February Branch Meeting 2025
Saturday 22 February 2025 12:00
Farmers Arms
Our February Meeting will be in the upstairs room at the Farmers Arms at Combe Florey on Saturday 22nd February 2025 starting at 12.00 until 16.00 hrs. Food will be available to order from menu until 15.00 hrs. Would suggest 24 maximum due to space available, but may have to overflow downstairs.
If attending by bus service 28 Taunton/Minehead every 30 minutes, alight at Combe Florey Turn, walk to telephone box, turn right on to country lane and stay on your right, lane becomes a footpath into pub car park....don't fall into stream!
If coming by car the postcode is TA4 3HZ. From the A358 turn into Coggins Lane by WSR bridge, the car park is on left. PLEASE be careful when leaving as vision on exit not good.
- The Duke of Wellington Minehead Spring Beer Festival.
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 16 March 2025
Duke of Wellington
The Duke of Wellington J. D. Wetherspoon Pub Spring Beer Festival.
Location on Wellington Square, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5NH
A range of 30 real ales, including five from international brewers, will be available during a 12-day beer festival this spring. The overseas brewers are from Australia, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and the USA. None of the festival beers has previously been available at Wetherspoon.
The festival will run from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 16th March 2025, inclusive.
See: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-duke-of-wellington-minehead
- The Perkin Warbeck Taunton Pub Spring Beer Festival
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 16 March 2025
Perkin Warbeck
The Perkin Warbeck J. D. Wetherspoon Pub Spring Beer Festival.
Location on 22–23 East Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3LP.
A range of 30 real ales, including five from international brewers, will be available during a 12-day beer festival this spring. The overseas brewers are from Australia, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and the USA. None of the festival beers has previously been available at Wetherspoon.
The festival will run from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 16th March 2025, inclusive. The management are asking if we as a branch would like plan a special event on Tuesday 4th March from 19.30 hrs. where we choose which of the festival beers we would like to have available and they will lay on a Buffet.
But they need to know do we accept and if so how many will attend, with a closing date of Friday 7th March.
See: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/news/spring-beer-festival/
- Maltingsfest 2025 in Newton Abbot
Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 April 2025
1 For venue see event details below
Following the successful Maltingsfest in 2024, I am pleased to say that the 2025 event will take place between Thursday 10th and Saturday 12th April. We are very aware that these dates clash with the National CAMRA AGM in Torquay. This was unavoidable but we are liaising with the organisers to make this mutually beneficial and with a view to ensuring that both events are a success.
As ever we are grateful for the support from members of the local CAMRA branches who swell the numbers behind the bar serving the thirsty customers. We are primarily looking for help to serve the ale on gravity from the stillage so please don’t be concerned if you’re not comfortable serving keg products. You may also be aware that we set aside a proportion of the profits from the festival and distribute these to the branches whose members come to help us. The amount paid to each branch depends on the hours worked by their members, which is why it is very important to sign in and out when starting and finishing a shift, and of course the festival being profitable. To that end I would be grateful if the Branch Treasurers would forward the relevant details for payment by BACS if they have changed since 2024.
I am happy for branch members to contact me directly ku.oc.slliksremmus@mron() to let me know when they would like to help out, or for someone in each branch to co-ordinate this, whichever works best for you. It is useful but not essential for us to have an idea in advance of when people are planning to come and offer their services.
Cheers, Norman at Summerskills Brewery.
- Members' Weekend, AGM & Conference Torquay April 2025
Friday 11 – Sunday 13 April 2025
1 For venue see event details below
Open to all members - and free to attend!
Taking place at the Riviera Centre (https://www.rivieracentre.co.uk/) in Torquay from 11-13 April, Members' Weekend, AGM & Conference is a chance for members from across the UK to socialise in the on-site Members' Bar, take part in discussions and activities and experience the local beer (and cider) scene. You can check the sample schedule on the site to help you plan your travel and accommodation.
Details to register attendance is on the members web site, it is very easy to travel to/from with many trains direct from Highbridge, Bridgwater & Taunton Rail Station's, and also Yeovil Junction & Crewkerne changing at Exeter St David’s.
You may arrive without registering, although it is preferred you do, you must have your Membership Card with you at all times.
If it’s just the members bar you are interested then, no problem, after check in the bar, which this year will offer a large range of Ciders, as this is the 50-year CAMRA has supported them, from Friday 16.00 to 23.00 hrs. Saturday 12.45 to 13.45 hrs. and 15.00 to 23.00 hrs., Sunday 12.00 to 16.00 hrs.
It is a good event worth attending, so let’s hope you are able to do so.
In addition to the formal AGM and Conference, there will be organised trips, activities, talks and tastings over the weekend. By registering to attend Members' Weekend, you'll receive an email by late January, with details on what's happening and how to book your place/s. Register to attend here: https://camra.org.uk/members-weekend.
All registered attendees will receive key information about where to register on site, and reminders about activities via email at the beginning of April.
You can also register in person over the weekend and come for a drink in the Members' Bar. The area has several pubs featured in the Good Beer Guide 2025, and local volunteers will have recommendations for pubs and brewery bars to visit over the weekend.
CAMRA Conference 2025
Will be held at Rivera Centre Torquay Friday to Saturday 11th to 13th April 2025, (the weekend before Easter) same venue as last time in 2012. The conference before that was held at Exeter University in 2003.
As you can see it doesn't come around too often so if any one is interested in serving on the organising committee, many various positions to cover, then please let Phil Emond know.
if any one interested in joining Committee arraigning next years conference in Torquay. SW Region responsible for this. Next monthly committee meeting Sat 28th September
If not on Somerset Branch CAMRA Committee you might still like to volunteer at any time from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th April 2025 from the 7th to 11th setting up to 11th to 13th for the actual conference. The event can have as many as 8-900 members from all over the UK. Please let Phil know.
The weekend will need many Staff Volunteers for all weekend or just a few hours. The venue is with in 10min walking from Torquay Rail Station, which has through and connecting services from Higbridge, Bridgwater, Taunton, Crewkerne and Yeovil Junction.
You may like to attend as a member and join the tours on both Fri/Sat to various Pubs, Breweries and Cider Producers. Full Conference details will be available to all members later in the year from H/Q. 2025 celebrates 50 years since Real Cider/Perry was taken on by CAMRA they are hoping to have a strong presents at the Conference.
Members Bar will also be open with access through main reception by producing your Membership Card if not attending Conference.
Any member interested in volunteering for the conference please contact.
Phil Emond moc.yks@tm7tm4.ejp Conference 2025 Committee.
Come and join Team Torquay - Applications being taken now!
Volunteers are also needed to help in all areas over the weekend - including set up, behind the scenes, behind the bar, counting votes and general assistance.
Sign up to volunteer here: https://camra.org.uk/members-weekend/volunteer.
We look forward to welcoming you to Torquay next April.
Neil Leeson, National Organiser, Members' Weekend, AGM & Conference.
- Taunton Fake Festival & Pub Crawl 2025
Saturday 26 July 2025
1 For venue see event details below
Have a day out in Taunton visiting the great real ale pubs and dart in and out of the Fake Festival for some cracking tribute bands. Start off with breakfast in the Perkin Warbeck J D Wetherspoon pub for breakfast.
Taunton Fake Festival 2024 is on Saturday 26th July 2025, 11:45AM-11:00PM. at Longrun Meadow, Longrun Lane, Taunton, TA1 5AU.
Bring your friends and party with us inside our famous giant marquee with large fast-serve licensed bar and outside entertainment, food traders and stalls!
Oasish, Fore Fighters (Fake Foo Fighters), Really Hot Chili Peppers, Stereotonics, Alanish (Fake Alanis Morissette), ALADDINSANE (Fake David Bowie).
FAST SERVE LICENSED BAR - we run our own licensed bar inside the marquee, well-stocked with lager, cider, bitter, spirits, wines and soft drinks. The bar is large and fast-serving, we really take care of your drinks as we know how important they are to the experience.
DRINK TOKENS - tokens are available from the token desk to the side of the bar. Exchange tokens at the bar for 1 bar (alcoholic) drink or 2 soft drinks.
More info available on the Taunton 2024 website page: https://www.fakefestivals.co.uk/events/2024/Taunton.html
Not long now, it’s gonna be awesome.