Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members. 2023 was an exciting year for Chesterfield CAMRA with a wide range of projects and events delivered. There is no doubt that under the leadership of new Chesterfield CAMRA Chair Steve Monaghan that the Branch is moving forward at pace and 2024 looks to be another year of progress.
There are always opportunities for members to participate by coming to Branch meetings, nominating/voting for pubs in our yearly and quarterly awards, volunteering or just getting out and about. It goes without saying that our local pubs, clubs and breweries need our support now more than ever so please visit them running up to Christmas and into the New Year.
Also, please become an active member of your CAMRA Branch. A list of committee members can be found here and all our team our welcomes feedback and new volunteers getting involved. Thank you to everyone that has volunteered and to all our InnSpire magazine advertisers. Here’s to a great 2024!
Since our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2023 our Branch has put on the follow events and introduced a number of new initiatives…
InnSpire Magazine
We delivered a new InnSpire magazine, self-funded for three issues this year. In 2024 the magazine will be quarterly and back issues can be read here. If you would like to advertise in InnSpire please check out our advertising guidelines. If you would like to submit an article, interview or feature please contact our Editor Chris Fox at innspireeditor@chesterfield.camra.org.uk. InnSpire is always looking for new writers and voices, so please get in touch if you’d like to get involved. The next issue will be out 1st March 2024.
We also need volunteers to distribute InnSpire. Each edition is deposited at a named location and put into batches. Batches, of which there are 24, consist of a set amount of copies per pub in a given area. Eg. (South 5) 80 copies for 3 pubs. As a volunteer you would collect from location and distribute as per list attached to batch. Please email secretary@chesterfield.camra.org.uk for more details.
Branch Meetings
We delivered seven Branch Meetings, including shortened business section and new social aspects, in four District pubs and three Chesterfield pubs. Please see our Branch Diary for future branch meetings. (Branch Meetings usually on 1st Thursday of the month).
The first Branch meeting of 2024 will be on Thursday 4th January at the Albert Inn (6 Woodthorpe Road, Woodthorpe, Mastin Moor, Chesterfield S43 3BZ)
Facebook: Albert Inn
New start time: 7.30pm with a meet and greet from 7.00pm. Please organise car sharing if possible and buses run from the Town Centre (Please check out local timetables).
Agenda includes: Update on POTY presentation and Winding Wheel Beer Festival preparation. The Committee are interested in your ideas for discussion topics for future Branch Meetings. Please make suggestions by email to secretary@chesterfield.camra.org.uk
Festivals & Social Trips
Delivered the third self-financed Walkabout Beer Festival with 29 pubs involved and spread over three different areas (Chesterfield Town Centre, Whittingham Moor and Brampton/Chatsworth Road).
Delivered a profitable CAMRA Beer Festival at the Winding Wheel, bucking the trend, which was the ONLY festival in East Midlands to judge SIBA/CBOB beers. Information, dates and tickets for the 2024 Chesterfield CAMRA Beer Festival can be found here.
Delivered a Festival helpers trip and a recent trip to Titanic Brewery. Future social trips will be published in InnSpire, on our social media and on this website. There will be a social trip to a brewery in the New Year (Contact secretary@chesterfield.camra.org.uk for further details)
Pub of the Season and Year Awards
Delivered Three Pub of the Season (POTS) Awards:
Chesterfield CAMRA Autumn Pub Of The Season 2023:
Lamb Inn Holymoorside (16 Loads Road, Holymoorside, Chesterfield S42 7EU).
Facebook: The Lamb Inn.
Chesterfield CAMRA Summer Pub Of The Season 2023:
Arkwright Arms (Chesterfield Road, Duckmanton, Chesterfield S44 5JG).
Facebook: Arkwright Arms.
Chesterfield CAMRA Spring Seasonal Pub Of The Season 2023:
The Tap House, Brampton (318 Chatsworth Rd, Chesterfield S40 2BY).
Facebook: The Tap House.
Announced Pub of the Year 2024:
The Rose & Crown – Brampton (104 Old Road, Chesterfield S40 2QT).
The presentation will be in January 2024, with more details to be released at the next Branch Meeting.
Facebook: The Rose & Crown.
Thanks to everyone who nominated and made the effort to judge. A positive note is that more pubs were nominated in 2023 than in previous years.
The finalists for Pub of the Year were:
Arkwright Arms (Chesterfield Road, Duckmanton, Chesterfield S44 5JG).
Facebook: Arkwright Arms.
Chesterfield Arms ( Newbold Road, Chesterfield S41 7PH).
Facebook: Chesterfield Arms.
The Neptune Beer Emporium (46 St Helen’s Street, Chesterfield S41 7QD).
Facebook: The Neptune Beer Emporium.
Rose and Crown (104 Old Road, Chesterfield S40 2QT).
Facebook: The Rose & Crown.
The Glassworks (388 Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 8LF).
Facebook: The Glassworks.
Tramway Tavern (192 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 2AT).
Facebook: Tramway Tavern.
New Website & Social Media
Delivered this new Website. Feedback on future content is always welcome. Please email our Web Master, Chris Fox at webmaster@chesterfield.camra.org.uk
Created a new official Chesterfield CAMRA Facebook page.
This is to compliment our existing Chesterfield CAMRA Facebook Group.
Other Updates from 2023
Our Chair used Volunteers Week, first week of June, to visit pubs throughout our Branch area and meet members.
Held first meeting of new Pub History group.
Participated in North Derbyshire POTY judging.
Supported and recruited at Rail Ale Beer Festival
Future Events in 2024
Please note dates and locations are submit to change. Please check our Branch Diary closer to each event, for the most up to date information.
Branch Meetings (Thursdays 7.30pm start)
4th January 2024: Albert Inn, Woodthorpe.
1st February 2024: Nags Head Inn (TBC)
7th March 2024: Chesterfield Arms (TBC)
4th April 2024: Hasland Club (TBC)
2nd May 2024: Rose and Crown (TBC)
Chesterfield CAMRA Beer Festival
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th January 2024 at the Winding Wheel.
If you want to volunteer for Set-up on the Wednesday or Bar work, Tombola desk or Membership Recruitment then email Rob Taylor: festivals@chesterfield.camra.org.uk If you are able to help deliver publicity during December and/or January please contact secretary@chesterfield,camra.org.uk
County Meeting
CAMRA is divided into Regions. But as part of a review of structure Regions will be trialling County Meetings. The First Derbyshire County Meeting will be in March 2024.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This will take place in MAY. Please start thinking about whether you wish to take a role. The more roles we fill the more we will achieve!!
North Derbyshire POTY
The judging for North Derby’s POTY will take place in early May, possibly before. If you are interested in visiting pubs in Dronfield, Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Matlock, Chesterfield and High Peak please contact chair@chesterfield.camra.org.uk