Branch future ensured
As you may have already heard, or worked out for yourself, the Walsall CAMRA EGM in December successfully appointed a full committee to run the branch for the coming year. This
now means that the branch can focus on continuing the important work of promoting of real ale in the area, starting with the Beer Festival in April and a Walsall Mild Trail in May. 

 

Gary Timmins stepped forward to fill the key position of Branch Chairman, and Alan Harrison was appointed as Treasurer. Ian Hughes is now the Branch Contact and Ray Arrowsmith moved from the position of Treasurer to become the Branch Secretary.  Also new to the committee is Steve Orford as Social Secretary, the first time this position has been filled for a few years so branch members are looking forward to enjoying a few trips being organised this year. 

 

Other members of the committee are:

• Ernie Hill, Vice Chair
• Liz Read, Membership Secretary
• Dave Higgins and Phil Hawley, Pubs
Officers
• Keith Watkins, Pub Preservation
Officer
• Mick McDevitt, Press Officer
All members of the branch committee can be contacted via the Walsall CAMRA web-site at www.walsallcamra.co.uk.

 

 

Kils 'n' Kins is looking for a new editor following as I am standing down after five and a half years in the job. The job entails the full scope of design layout, production of articles from various sources, arranging printing and organisating distribution via branch members. As with all CAMRA positions the role is unpaid, but expenses can be claimed from the branch. It offers good experience for anyone interested in putting their desktop publishing skills to good use,
and can be very rewarding in its own right.  Anyone interested in filling this highly important role should contact the Editor or the Branch Secretary for further information.

Rob Bentley, Editor

 

 

CAMRA has called for a 1p cut in excise duty on beer to save the British pub. For every pint of 4% ABV beer the Chancellor currently gets 31p in duty, the highest rate of beer duty in the EU, plus 35-45p in VAT, so one third or more of the price of every pint you buy goes straight to
the Government. Revenues from beer have fallen short of Government targets as low price supermarket beer generates far less VAT than beer bought in the pub, driving down its revenues. A 1p cut in excise duty would start to help reduce the imbalance between drinking in the pub and the supermarket, which now accounts for some 45% of all beer drunk, making pubs more economically viable and encourage people to come back to the pub and drink beer in a more socially responsible environment.

 

 

22nd - 24th May. Stourbridge Beer Festival is at the Town Hall in Market Street. Opening times and further details of beers available, etc. were not available at time of going to press.
Tel: John Midwood on 07816 888278 Email: j.midwood@blueyonder.co.uk
Web: www.stourbridge-camra.co.uk

30th - 31st May. Wolverhampton Beer Festival will be held in Wulfrun Hall, Mitre Fold. Opening times and further details of beers available, etc. were not available at time of going to press.
Tel: Chris Colley 01902 427371
Web: www.wolverhamptoncamra.org.uk