South East Sussex

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Pub News

  • Royal Oak Pett Thursday 2 November 2023

    Since landlord Robin has been at the Royal Oak, branch members’ have been impressed with the quality and range of the ales at the pub, an impressive variety from Sussex and beyond. Branch Chair Matt visited Robin to congratulate him on being a new entry in the 2024 Good Beer Guide and present him with the notification of pub’s inclusion.



  • Welcome St Leonards Thursday 28 September 2023

    Under the guidance of landlady Heidi the Welcome has been rewarded for the quality of its Real Ale with a place in the Good Beer Guide for 2024. This is the first time ever the pub has been in the Guide. Our picture shows branch member Peter Page-Mitchell presenting trainee manager Alex with the notification of the pub’s inclusion, holding a copy of the 2024 Guide.

  • Albatross Club Bexhill Tuesday 29 August 2023

    At a branch meeting at the Club, Branch Chair, Matt, took the opportunity to start proceedings after Dorothy, the Chairman of the Club, had welcomed members and had provided us with an excellent buffet, to present her with the Branch Club of the Year Award. Matt is seen with Dorothy and Paul, the latter leaving the Club’s employ that day.

  • The Halt Salehurst Tuesday 22 August 2023

    In the absence of both Branch Chair and his Deputy, it fell to ex Chair and Area Organiser, Peter to make the presentation to the pub of which he has been a regular visitor since the beginning of the current proprietors taking over. We were welcomed by Karen who was delighted with the award and is seen in the picture with Peter.

  • Tower St. Leonards Tuesday 8 August 2023

    Another two awards for the Tower, this time Branch Deputy Chair, Roger, was presenting the Community Pub of the Year and Pub of the Year Runner Up to Louisa and her staff. Our pictures show the presentation behind the bar, as has become the tradition and various branch members and pub regulars.



  • Tunbridge Wells Tour Saturday 1 July 2023

    A total of 33 CAMRA members from both South East and North East Sussex Branches as well as a number from other branches met up at midday at the Bedford by the Central station as the pub opened. The long orderly queue which formed at the bar keeping the then sole server busy was an impressive and memorable sight. Once all were settled with drinks, Howard, Branch Contact and Social Media Coordinator, outlined the programme for the day. Thus it was the group visited the Grove Tavern, followed by the Pantiles Tap, where we were delighted to find in good form, proprietor Geoff, once head steward in the multiple award winning Albatross Club in Bexhill, who had set it off on its successful path before leaving for Tunbridge Wells. After that it was on to the Sussex from where, following branch tradition on these occasions, the group split into different factions. Many chose to remain in the Pantiles area, even returning to the previously visited pubs, while a small group, who had already slipped into the Compasses, chose to make for Mount Edgcumbe up the hill and then on to the Opera House. A successful day ended as the various factions made for home.











  • Brickmaker's Alehouse Bexhill Tuesday 27 June 2023

    The Brickmaker’s was judged both Branch Pub of the Year and Runner Up to the Branch Cider Pub of the Year for a second consecutive year in 2023. Seeing the number of pub regulars and CAMRA branch members, a number of whom were both, turning out to celebrate the awards, these were most popular judgements. New Branch Chair, Matt Billing, making his first branch awardpraised the pub’s offering of both beer and cider, proprietors Martin and Robin and their staff, noting the excellent range of drinks and the enthusiasm of the customers present. This enthusiasm was very evident as he made the award and as Martin and Robin replied, thanking those present, CAMRA and the pub’s excellent staff.







  • Beer and Cider by the Sea Saturday 20 May 2023

    Following the success of the local brewery Route 21’s first KeyKeg beer at an Eastbourne Beer Festival in October 2022, the decision was taken to replace a quarter of the 60 cask beers with KeyKeg. Branch member Mark Potter of Route 21 managed the KeyKeg bar, which all but sold out by the end of Saturday evening, as did many of the cask beers. Further supplies of each were ordered, arriving in time for the start of the Sunday session. Attendance and therefore sales at Beer & Cider, (being in marquees and also relying on outside space), vary with the weather and in recent years had tailed off. However, a particularly hot sunny Saturday day session brought out many people deciding to buy tickets on the door which left us glad that we had not reduced beer and cider orders, as stocks ran low. Well done and thanks to all of our team of volunteers, particular mention should be made of festival organiser Robert, who had worked at North Sussex Branch’s festival to gain a different experience to bring to bear and along with Roger attended all sessions, set up and take down included. Also to Mark mentioned above, to Peter who selected the beers and to Phil selecting the ciders. The pictures show the three sections of the beer bar, KeyKeg, National and Sussex.



  • Sussex Pub of the Year Tour Saturday 13 May 2023

    Ten branch members set off on a sunny spring morning, we were running early but the A27 soon put a stop to that as we encountered a queue for roadworks at Drusillas which left us crawling along to Charleston, after which we made a stop to pick up John from the Sub Branch. Not too late we arrived at our first pub, the Brewery Shades in Crawley where there was an interesting variety of beers on the bar, some of us were impressed to see more dark beers than pale. Back on the bus, we arrived at the Five Bells, West Chilltington for what we thought was lunch, but the proprietors were away and as a result the kitchen was closed. However the beer selection soon cheered us up and the bright sunshine enticed most outside. So then it was on to the Wilkes Head in Eastergate where phoning ahead they had agreed to keep their kitchen open for us until we arrived. The pub was obviously popular judging by the crowds inside and out, we enjoyed our food and beer under the sunshades in the garden. The next stop was another town pub, the only micropub on our tour, the Watchmakers in Hove. This turned out to be the pub highest rated by our group, with a good selection of beers and an eclectic mix of posters and artefacts to enjoy with them. After that we travelled to Crowborough where John left the bus and then a short distance on to our final pub, the spacious King’s Arms in Rotherfield. The bus set off back for the coast, the Eastbourne contingent leaving at the Hurst Arms, as has become the tradition, landlord Adrian having pint glasses ready was a little surprised when we only wanted halves. Well it was after a day’s drinking, but these were excellent as usual. Meanwhile the bus was crossing the levels to take the Bexhill and St. Leonards contingents home. The pictures show members in various pubs along the way.









  • Waterworks Rye Tuesday 9 May 2023

    A gathering of branch members and pub regulars and fans gathered in the pub for the presentation of Branch Cider Pub of the Year. Landlord David was his usual effusive self, although he was a little disappointed that the certificate frame did not match the others he had accumulated from the CAMRA branch, but he was still delighted to accept the award with plenty of his trademark remarks generating enthusiastic audience participation. We enjoyed the range and quality of the beer and cider offerings as ever. The pictures show the presentation, those among us celebrating with cider, including landlord David, and a table with items in the foreground which Neil, (out of shot), either purchased or seemed to wish to purchase.