Sorry for the problems when this edition of the bulletin was posted earlier. This is the new look bulletin, with photos and links to the HeritagePubs web site, but we had initial teething problems.

At CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group meeting on 7 November the following changes were agreed:

ADDITION TO PART ONE

LONDON, CORRIB BAR, 181 Camberwell Road, Camberwell SE5 0HB. 020 7703 4007

Formerly the Duke of Clarence (hence the name in the large tiled panel outside. Almost entirely intact 1930s pub with three rooms ranged along the side street. Generally low-key fittings but note the attractive band of terrazzo in front of the snug bar counter. No real ale unfortunately. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

ADDITION TO PART TWO

LONDON, LORD NELSON, 386 Old Kent Road, Bermondsey, SE1 5AA. 020 7701 8510

Added for its truly stunning fittings with some of the most spectacular Victorian mirrorwork in the country dating from around 1888. Also what is probably a unique feature in a pub -an impressive timber arcade striding across the servery with two bays sitting on top of the counter and a third spanning a walkway between two counters. The partitions in the main bar have gone but you can work out how this space would have been split up. No real ale. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

MOVED FROM PART ONE TO PART TWO

SUFFOLK, COCK, Lavenham Road, Brent Eleigh, C010 9PB. 01787 247371

Transferred to reflect the fact that the left-hand of the two bars had changes to the bar in 1976. The right-hand bar, however, remains as an unspoilt, rural delight. Good Beer Guide listed. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

‘TOP REGIONAL’ PUBS* UNDER CONSIDERATION

Pub Heritage group has the following pubs under consideration for inclusion on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. It is expected they will be added next spring unless evidence is forthcoming which raises doubts about the historic credentials of their interiors:

STAFFORDSHIRE, Coopers Arms, Burton-on-Trent: Possibly Part Two for its tap room and servery. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

STAFFORDSHIRE, Butchers Arms, Audley: Appears to be intact enough for Part One. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

*CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group currently refers to pubs that fall just short of the criteria to be included in the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors as 'Top Regional Inventory' pubs. For details of more of these pubs see the 'Almost Perfect' article / Heritage Pubs feature on pages 58-59 in the current issue of CAMRA's 'Beer' magazine, which can be read ‘online’.

UPDATES TO BRITAIN’S REAL HERITAGE PUBS ‘UNDER THREAT’

FIRSTLY, THE GOOD NEWS

HEREFORDSHIRE, SUN INN, LEINTWARDINE. Mark Haslam has kindly sent this full update:

The new owners are Gary Seymour (long-term local and owner of the neighbouring chip shop) and Nick Davis of Cleobury Mortimer-based Hobson's Brewery. Formal legal formalities were concluded on 6 November. This great event was covered heavily in the media, with coverage on BBC Midlands Today on Monday the 9th, and a piece on BBC Breakfast Time News on the morning on the 11 November.

Herefordshire CAMRA attended a meeting organised by the new owners, at which they explained their plans for setting the pub on a sustainable footing, whilst ensuring the preservation of the front two rooms. The meeting was attended by a small, but enthusiastic gathering of regulars and locals, and their response was universally positive.

Plans involve adding a separate room to the rear, which will have a small conventional bar. Its purpose is community use and acoustic music events. There are no plans to start a dining operation - any food will be minimal and appropriate.

The only plans for the front two rooms involves a bit of tidying up, and it is hoped to be able to replace the battered (1950s?) fireplace surround in Flossie's parlour with one more appropriate. The one non-standard window at the front of the building (extreme left-hand corner) will be replaced by a sash window, consistent with the remainder of the pub's frontage.

It is planned to increase the size of the stillage in the kitchen to provide more beers. Despite Nick Davis's connection with Hobson's, the Sun will not be part of the Hobson's empire. It will be a free house.

Earlier this week the new owners had a very positive and constructive site meeting with the senior conservation officer from Herefordshire Council, who, we understand, is quite reassured by the plans that are afoot for the pub. Herefordshire CAMRA is also very re-assured by the plans, and we have been asked to maintain our active involvement. This we are only too glad to do.

In the interim, the pub remains open staffed mainly by village volunteers. Hours: 8.30(ish) to 11.00 seven days a week + 12noon to 2.30pm Sat and Suns.

For more information, go on-line at: www.savethesun.org.uk The owners are creating a website: the address will appear on the Save the Sun website. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, BERKELEY ARMS, PURTON. Should now have reopened. Mike Jackson has kindly advised us of an expected reopening date of 6 Nov. Trading hours are from 7pm Weds – Sun, and 12 - 2pm lunchtimes on a weekend. It will be run by the late Ted Lord's wife. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

NOW, THE BAD NEWS

SOMERSET, BATH, LONG ACRE TAVERN. Russ Durbridge reports that he drove past recently and having been open but ‘for sale’ for a few months it is now closed, boarded up and ‘to let’. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

OTHER GOOD NEWS

TYNE & WEAR, GATESHEAD, CENTRAL. John Holland & Eric Larkham report that the Central, Gateshead has been bought by Tony Brookes’ Head of Steam company and it reopened on Friday 20th November (although it’s still shrouded in scaffolding and sheeting as works will continue until July 2011, but you’ll be able to find your way in!). This previously keg-only pub features on Part Two for its untouched Buffet Bar and the big change is that the bar counter now sports 6 handpumps – selling Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, High House Farm Matfen Magic, Mordue Five Bridge, Wylam Dognobbler and Wylam Gold Tankard, and real cider. See the entry on the Heritage Pubs web site.

Geoff Brandwood