The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Enjoying a drink in 2011 are Fenland CAMRA members (from left) Rodney Girdlestone (founder member), Nigel Woodburn (chairman), Ena Woodburn (secretary), and committee members Liz Roberts, Pat and Richard Mableson and David Mellor. Photo supplied.
The Fenland branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) has been supping pints for 40 years – and is planning to brew a beer called Fenland 40 to celebrate.
Back in 1974 the first informal meeting was held, at The Bull in Pinchbeck.
On June 21 that year Fenland branch was formed at The Bull Inn at Market Deeping, with the late Quadring resident Rodney Girdlestone as a founder member.
Branch chairman Nigel Woodburn said: “Our aim is to find the best pubs that sell the best cask-conditioned beers.
“Pubs are closing down left, right and centre but we’re doing our best to support local ones.”
Fenland branch has about 500 members and covers about 1,000 square miles of Lincolnshire including Spalding, Boston, Sleaford and Horncastle.
Once a month it holds a Sunday walk, taking in a couple of pubs.
The branch is also allocated 30 pubs to keep tabs on to help production of the annual and much coveted Good Pub Guide.
The next event to mark Fenland turning 40 is at The Bull in Market Deeping this Sunday, with members of the Peterborough branch of CAMRA (originally part of Fenland).
Then on the anniversary itself on Saturday, June 21, a couple of awards will be presented at Fenland’s annual meeting at Bateman’s Brewery Visitors’ Centre at Wainfleet.
