CAMRA in GLOUCESTER was formed in 1991 as the first of what would become eight (now seven) sub-branches of CAMRA Gloucestershire. Its inaugural meeting was at the Old Crown, Westgate Street, Gloucester on 15 October 1991 (the pub sold cask ales in those days!), and nine members attended out of forty nine in GL1- 4 at the time. The latter figure has now grown to over 350, and meets are regularly attended by between twenty and thirty
Our objectives are: To encourage pubs and other social venues in GL1-4 to stock well-kept real ale and to encourage members to support those that do. To encourage pubs and other social venues in GL1-4 to support local brewers. To maintain a record of all pubs in GL1-4, and to ensure that the Real Ale in Gloucestershire database is accurately updated. To assess the quality of ales in GL1-4 pubs, and to make proposals for inclusion of the best pubs in the next edition of the Good Beer Guide. To campaign to increase CAMRA membership in GL1-4. We aim to recruit landlords of real ale pubs. To provide for members in GL1-4 a programme of interesting and enjoyable social activities.
We meet monthly in the City, usually on the second Wednesday. We usually spend an hour at the meeting venue and then walk on to other pubs.
In addition to the monthly meet, we travel away by public transport on most first Saturdays of the month, and evenings out by minibus take place on most third or fourth Wednesdays of the month. The minibus trips may be brewery visits or pub tours, often billed as mystery evenings. Newcomers are welcomed with a free pint at the first social meet that they attend.
We encourage members to report on their drinking experiences in Gloucestershire pubs. Such feed-back is essential if we are to ensure that we select the best ale houses annually for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide. Our Pub Assessment System is probably as good as any in the country. Members are encouraged to raise and submit Green Cards during or following visits to ale houses anywhere in the county: alternatively they may enter assessments at: www.gloucestershirecamra.co.uk/pubs. Additionally sub-branches complete Gold Assessments at least three times per year for all pubs worthy of Guide consideration: these assessments are based on the welcome and atmosphere encountered in each pub and on the condition and price of ALL ales then on sale.
We conduct an annual spring survey of all pubs and hotels within the City. The aim is to monitor the advance of real ale locally, to compare prices across the City, and to maintain a record of pub survival, management and ownership.
We produce a quarterly news-sheet, News, Views & Events, which is displayed in about 25 pubs with the CAMRA Gloucestershire magazine, the tippler. For the benefit of ale lovers visiting the City we provide up-to-date assessments of pubs within walking distance of The Cross.
We provide an email service which keeps members in touch with developments and activities and informs them when the tippler is available in pubs. Members wishing to receive regular updates (maximum twice monthly) should forward their email address to CAMRAinGLOSTER@aol.com. This website carries current and past News, Views & Events (Click on Newsletters).’
Our small volunteer committee, comprising Alan Stephens (Chairman/Secretary), Dave Winnington (Event Bookings/Treasurer), Mark Richards (Webmaster), Trevor Miles (Clubs Contact), Margaret Wilkins, Chris Swinnerton, and ‘Brigadier’ Bill Pike, plans future events and assists as necessary with their organisation. The committee meets quarterly.
January - Hosting CAMRA Gloucestershire’s January Meet in the City. - Making presentations to our ‘City’ and ‘Country’ Pubs of the Year.

February - Finalising pub assessments and selections for the next GOOD BEER GUIDE. - Attending Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival.

March - Publishing Spring News, Views & Events.

April - Conducting City Availability and Prices Survey.

May - Enjoying Mild Month.

June - Publishing Summer News, Views & Events. - Making Midsummer Brewery Visit.

July - Supporting CAMRA Gloucestershire’s Cotswold Beer Festival at Postlip Hall.

August - Attending the Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court.

September - Supporting Gloucestershire Craft Brewers’ Annual Beer Festival in the City. - Publishing Autumn News, Views & Events.

October - Hosting CAMRA Gloucestershire’s Annual General Meeting in the City.

November - Hosting CAMRA Gloucestershire’s November Meet in the City. - Enjoying Chairman’s Choice Mystery Evening.

December - Publishing Winter News,Views & Events. - Enjoying CAMRA in GLOUCESTER’s Christmas Party.

A detailed programme of activities appears in ‘News, Views & Events’, copies of which are displayed in many GL1-4 pubs and may be found on this website (click on Newsletters). If you are attracted to our activities you may email us at CAMRAinGLOSTER@aol.com or phone us on (01452) 410237. We’d love to hear from you!