An enthusiastic group of CAMRA members from across the branch area gathered in the pub to mark the retirement of Adrian and Annabelle who had been running the pub for ten years until the time came for them to retire. They took over at a time when one of the our once Good Beer Guide regular pubs had declined after the previous successful licensees had left, with a succession of temporary landlords leaving it as a pub with often just one ale on the bar. Adrian was determined to get it back to its former glory, making an immediate improvement which led to its reappearing in the GBG in his third year, holding its place for eight years until he finished. He used the Real Ale Finder app and, as a CAMRA member, the branch Facebook group to advertise his real ale offer. This advertised his talent for sourcing seasonal beers out of season, thus having an impressive and unusual range on his bar to attract customers. In recent times he managed to offer seven real ales and has been one of a few pubs in our area regularly achieving an NBSS average of or close to 4 (Very Good). Vice Chair Roger presented an award to Adrian and Annabelle following a tribute by Pubs Officer Peter, to which Adrian replied thanking CAMRA members for their support and encouragement. The pictures show the presentation, Adrian and Annabelle behind some of their handpumps and the CAMRA group with them in front of the pub.

Beerarama in Eastbourne, has been admitted to the Good Beer Guide for the first time. Pictured is Branch Campaigns Officer, Richard Scullion, presenting the licensee pack and a copy of the guide to bar owners, Jamie Mooney (left) and John Spriggs (centre).

The George Inn in Robertsbridge made its first ever appearance in the Good Beer Guide in the recently published 2025 edition. Branch member Peter Page-Mitchell took the licensee’s notification and a copy of the book to licensee Alison.

Rother Valley Brewery’s beer Level Best won the Branch Beer of the Year for 2023. Branch vice chair Roger presents head brewer at Rother Valley Brewery, Colin, (an ex branch chair) with the Branch Beer of the Year 2023 award. This is determined from the results from compiling members’ beer scores throughout the year.

The New Beach Club does not have a steward; rather it is run day to day by its committee members. It is very active and of particular interest to CAMRA members it serves four real ales to a very good standard with an emphasis on local breweries. Card carrying CAMRA members can be signed in up to three times per year. A group of members travelled to Pett Level for the presentation of our Branch Club of the Year Runner Up, the first time this award has been made and the first CAMRA award for the Club.