Minutes of open branch meeting held at the George Eliot on 1st October 2025

1. Welcome: John Hesketh, visiting member from Coventry & District CAMRA. 8 members were present.

2. Apologies: Steve Evans

3. Feedback from WM Regional meeting held 6th Sept. at the Tamworth Beer Festival.

GBBF: As communicated by CAMRA HQ, both the GBBF and GBBF-W reported a £320k shortfall, and as a result both 2026 events have been cancelled.
CAMRA are implementing cost savings where possible, across the Campaign.
Beer Magazine: As part of the cost savings, the Winter edition of Beer Magazine will be on-line only.
Membership: As part of the current membership deals, entry to all CAMRA beer festivals is to be free to all members.
Membership Cards: A digital membership card is now downloadable from the national website. This is not intended to replace the physical membership card.
Regional Director: Following Shelley Bentleys election to the national Executive, a new RD has been elected – Adrian Zawierka, who will serve for a period of 3 years.
Good Beer Guide: the 2026 GBG was launched on 25th September and contains 7 entries from the N&B Branch: Church End Brewery Tap, Felix Holt, Horseshoes, Lord Hop, Lord Nelson, Olde Chequers Inn and the Weavers Arms in Bulkington. Of those only the Horseshoes publicised their inclusion.

4. Branch News & Feedback:
Absent Friends: Roger Brown (2024) Steve Ward (2024) Ray Williams (2025) – R.I.P.
Membership: Currently 381, averaging (YTD) 386
Finance: The branch has had no financial activity since the closure of the HSBC account in 2022
Awards: The Miners Arms in Whittleford has been inducted into CAMRA’s LocAle scheme. Landlord Tim Healy was knocked back to receive the award.
PoTY: The search is on for the 2026 Pub of the Year, so beer scores really matter.

Beer scoring: Why it's important:
It is used by the CAMRA Experience (website) as an indication as to which pubs sell, and keep good quality beer.
No scores, No confidence in the beer or landlord. The more visits, scorers & scores, the greater the level of confidence.
Note: This is seen Nationally, so it really matters!
GBG – Beer scores needed to help identify potential GBG entries. We have 7 entries again next year.
CAMRA Experience – Gives pubs a beer rating – No Scores = No rating! – We need scores for as many pubs as possible. (Its our way of telling drinkers where they can find good beer in our area)
Pubs Updates:
White Lion (Bulkington) – work to convert to HMO in progress.
White Lion (Stockingford) – new licensees, Samantha & Paul.
Cottage Inn – work is underway to clear up the site after the 2024 fire. It is hoped that they will be able to reopen in 2026.
Crown Inn – work to convert to HMO is nearly complete and a guided tour of the building has been planned (8 Nov.).
Plough Inn (Bedworth) – under new management, real ale to be reintroduced.
Oddfellows Arms (Higham on the Hill) – developers appeal dismissed. Plans to reopen the village pub are set to proceed.

5. Questions & A.O.B.
GBBF (John Hesketh) – Has contacted Ash Corbet-Collins (CAMRA Chairman) for a full explanation behind the losses incurred at GBBF & GBBF-W. AGM Venue – We are open to suggestions for the location of our AGM in March 2026.

Branch Diary:
10-12 Oct. Nuneaton Round Table Beer Festival, Heritage Centre, Coton Rd.
15-18 Oct. Stoke Beer & Cider Festival, Kings Hall, Kingsway, Stoke on Trent.
28 Oct. Nuneaton Town Centre Social
15 Nov. Atherstone Social
27 Nov. Dudley Winter Ales Festival
10 Dec. Lord Hop 10th Birthday & Christmas Social
27-29 Mar 2026. Coventry Beer Festival, Butts Park Arena

6. Date of Next Meeting.? Not agreed

NB: The licensee, Naomi, and the staff of the George Eliot were thanked for the opportunity for us to hold our meeting there, and their exceptional hospitality (free nibbles) was unexpected.