The Little World of Barnum T Jugbat

Reading the comments about the new CAMRA pub scoring system with interest.
Many of the comments mention temperature so it makes me wonder what temperature do landlords aim to serve their cask ales at? I’ve had several pints recently I could have made tea with. I know CAMRA recommends 12-14C but, even allowing a degree either side, it still isn’t being maintained as the weather warms. For now is the winter of our discontent, not made glorious by this summer of Murk.

Being retired, it’s hard to fit in many more activities. It’s a state to be recommended to all. The only other challenge is my bloody body is falling apart. Regular sleep is impossible due to the need for regular pee breaks. At least they ain’t so bad and usually fair warning is given, big jobs, however, are a different category. They sneak up urgently and persistently. If I’m in bed getting up, with arthritis in several joints, adds to the fun and I can get there in time. If I’m up it adds a whole different dimension. It’s impossible to run with clenched buttocks and climbing stairs is a new art form.

Said arthritis is another joy. It has curtailed my cycling to 10-15 mile jaunts with increasingly painful fingers due to the state of the roads. Walking up and down stairs or on and off pavements etc without a handrail is a delicate experience. Simply kneeling and standing up requires serious planning.

Getting up and going to bed is a series of checks. Eyes, ears teeth, medication all require sorting of some kind. There have, and will be, days when I’ve gone out wondering why the world is blurred, very quiet or my breakfast seemed very chewy. And don’t mention charging my phone and other devices, even supposing I can find them.

However, life is fun. I walk a lot, my allotment is a haven of peace. My bikes, for transport or pleasure, are a way of life, I’m a member of more interesting groups than I have teeth, admittedly that isn’t difficult. The Norwich and District branch of The Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, is flourishing with many social events. I have joined my old mate as a qualified GOGGOD (Grumpy Old Git Growing Old Disgracefully) and what his wife describes as COB (Curmudgeonly Old Bastard. Indeed it’s got to the stage she warns him behave himself when we are out together. What greater accolade can a man have.

Anyway, this post bears no relation to the title, I seem to have gotten sidetracked once again and I’ve forgotten what I was going to write about. Perhaps after an afternoon doing a Norwich City Of Ale Trail I will remember.

Fare ya well ”ol partners.

For many years my old mate Alan Edwards wanted to organise a festival of Norwich Pubs. It didn’t happen, mainly due to his time being spent in supporting said pubs. However 14 years ago a number of enlightened publicans came together and organised such an event. Now in its 14th year, the month long festival goes from strength to strength. The launch party, a great event in its own right, was held last Thursday and the festival continues until 21st June.

Supported by 26 local breweries the festival covers 51 Norwich Pubs split into 8 trails named after past and current local breweries. Complete a trail and you get a pin badge unique to that trail, and featuring the brewery logo.

Several other businesses support the trail, giving it a real community base. It encompasses cask, craft and keg beer although from my point of view cider, perry and mead should also feature. Events are organised by individual pubs and there is even an app to assist those who understand these things. The festival charity this year is Missoin Remission, which helps people move forward after cancer.

The way the trails are set out means that in between pubs, there is a chance to explore Norwich, its history, and present vibrancy. No doubt it boosts tourism too but to me the main plus is that it brings people together, supports local industries, and ensures that the many traditions associated with pubs and breweries will remain intact.

My thanks go out to the organisers and everyone involved in making this such a great event. It may have been copied but never equalled.

From a customer point of view, 51 pubs in a month is doable at a steady pace, long gone is the challenge to do it in one day as some try. As a sad old git I log beers on Untapped and score pubs on the CAMRA whatpub site. It’s amazing how many new beers I discover and realise I haven’t been in some pubs since the last festival. I see old friends and meet new ones.

What is needed now is for some suitably energised people to organise more local events and festivals. Perhaps a similar festival for coastal pubs lasting from Easter to Halloween? What about a Norwich Dog Friendly Pub Trail, or Children Friendly, or CAMRA approved Cider Trail? I, and I’m sure my old mate Alan Edwards, would be only too pleased to offer our help and experience. Only don’t tell Dee, his wife.

I have been delivering election leaflets on behalf of my chosen party, yes, Labour since you ask. I have done this for a number of years with a growing conviction that it is a complete waste of time. I put them through the doors.# and walk away. on rare occasions someone will open the door and speak. This can take many forms. ‘

“Can’t you see the sticker saying no sales persons, advertising cold calling etc?’.” Yes, but this is about democracy and is one of your few chances to actually influence your future. I don’t consider it advertising.

I’ll put it straight in the bin”. Feel free to, it’s up to you.

The. only time I’ve received a positive response was when I delivered a leaflet with the words ‘LOCAL PUBS’ in big letters at the top. It was an update about three local pubs and what the Labour candidates were doing to keep them open. Apart from one person everyone who I met whilst delivering them was pleased to have it. The one who refused told me there were far too many pubs anyway!

What I wonder though is if anyone is actually swayed in their opinions by these flyers, or indeed posters, banners, broadcasts etc? Does anyone remember anything that is on or in them? I am more and more convinced that it is the media, newspapers and television that shape our political views. I don’t even think that discussion amongst friends and enemies ever changes the mind.

So what is the point? OK, I get exercise and meet people and, if there are leaflets over, get some paper to light the woodburner. But is it green, is it a waste of time and energy and a tradition blindly followed without question?

Anyway regardless of that urge everyone to join in and vote on Thursday. It is your chance to exert influence, if you don’t you have no right to complain.

CANZUK, a project to create a business hub for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and UK can only be a great idea. The more cooperation between everyone the better. We need more joint initiatives, understanding, and support. Bullying, aggression, and isolationism has no place in today’s society.
We have one world, which we seem hell bent on destroying, we are all equal, so let’s build on mutual trust and a willingness to enjoy life.
But enough moralising, the sun is shining and I have three pubs to do on the Guinness T shirt trail. Just need to visit Chambers, William & Florence, and the Trafford. The weekendis young, my bikes and bus pass are ready and despite being Billy No-Mates for the weekend I am minded to complete this arduous task. Anyone care to join me? I’m even prepared to revisit the other pubs if want to do the trail. It’s a time to chill, enjoy life, and be happy.
Come on down.

The other night I attended the AGM of my local branch of CAMRA ( The Campaign for Real Ale). After 10 years we have a change of leader and we have missed our 50th anniversary by 2 years, well it is CAMRA. So we will now have a 52nd anniversary celebration of somekind, a GoldenTriangle weekend for ourgolden anniversaryplus celebration?. It was memorable for another, decidedly unwelcome, event. I had to get off my bike and walk up Bracondale for the first time in my life. Bracondale is a long but not particularly steep hill and one which I have always managed. However, last night my knees decided enough is enough and for once I listened to them. Humbling for one who has a mild stubborn streak and bloody annoying too. I will not give up cycling, I will adapt and continue to enjoy one of the best experiences known to man.

However on my way back I mused over the pubs, past and present that I was passing. The first was the Pineapple, closed in 1985 and now part of Norwich Fire Station. I remember had a notable Sunday League football team. Notable for reasons other than football skills. Then the Rose, still going strong with the lovely Dawn and a fine eclectic mix of good ales. A well recommended watering hole. A freehouse and all the better for it.

Next up the Cricketers Rest, closed in 2010 and unused for many years. Would still make a great pub with a large courtyard at the back. It had a great sign, now sadly gone. Just around the corner the Freemasons, for a short time the Billy Bluelight, another local freehouse, welcoming and friendly with a good range of beers. Across the road, the King’s Arms, a Bateman’s tied house with a fine range of other brews as well. Warm and welcoming.

The Southwell Arms, a pub rebuilt in 1961 and closed in 1991. The breweries show a great part of our pub lineage. Young’s, Bullards, Grotneys, and finally Courage. Next on the list the Trafford Arms, rebuilt after the 2nd World War war due to bomb damage and now a thriving Free House with it’s annual Valentine’s Beer Festival.

The Coldstream Tavern, formerly the Jolly Gardeners, closed in about 1965 and is now a private residence. Frequented on occasions by both my father and grandfather. Just off the route I looked at the York Tavern, now shut but soon to reopen under new management. How can this fail, in the middle of both student bedsit land and the GoldenTriangle? The last was the darkened Unthank Arms, a Free House with varying closing times during the week. Sensible I suppose, if there’s no customers in the pub why stay open? However at weekends and when there’s a function on upstairs the joint is really rocking.

That’s it then, a brief trawl which just about mirrors the pub scene everywhere. Closed and forgotten, closed and future unknown, closed between landlords, open and tied, open and free. The open ones with their own individual character character. What is common though is the need to maintain them all, this unique part of Britain’s culture. They mean so much to so many.

Drink up.

Greene King IPA, when well kept, it is a good beer. Unfortunately, as it sits as a token real ale on many bars, most pubs don’t look after it properly.
It isn’t an IPA by any definition but then when we’re breweries compelled to name beers within defined styles. Others are equally guilty.
There is no such traditional style as a Black IPA. It is a nonsense and despite several attempts I have yet to have one that I found satisfactory. The style needs defining and renaming or the beers fitting into an existing style. Most of the ones I’ve had seem to be a poor attempt at a Porter.
I don’t want to be draconian about beer styles, common sense and goodwill should be applied to slotting beers in the existing styles. The CAMRA beer style definitions are a good start to begin a common industry wide guide to styles. I would hate to see the American system which seems to work on the basis of ‘brew a beer, invent a style ‘.
Anyway, I seem to have progressed from my original intention to defend Greene King IPA from those who see no good in anything from that brewery. There is, like Wetherspoons, both good and bad in the company. The good is that the brewers, if left to their own devices, brew some great beers. The bad is quality control at point of sale and the awful practice of naming their beers after breweries they have taken over and closed. Mind you, the last two are industry wide issues.

One of my interests is Cask Ale. A wonderful liquid with so many different sides and facets. Every so often something happens which gets me on my High Horse. And now something has. The imminent closure of Sharp’s Cornish Brewery by Molson Coors Beverage Company ,a well known asset stripping company run by accountants in my humble opinion. At least they don’t have the brass neck to call themselves brewers. The brewery opened in Cornwall over 30 years ago and brewed a fine range of quality ales. It grew and was sold but brewing remained in Cornwall. Unfortunately the brewery was then bought by Molson Coors Beverage Company. They kept the brewery open and, despite rumours that only Cornwall was supplied from the brewery, I still drink the beer, a discussion about the quality is for another day.. If the brewery is closed I will not drink the cask version, in fact, as of today I will stop, Breweries are part of our history and heritage, they provide employment, advertise the town, and are a focal point of the community. You can’t morally advertise Sharp’s Cornish Ales if they ain’t brewed in Cornwall.

Another point, in my limited experience, is that beer is a very flighty product with so many variables. Yeast is is one of the main ingredients and one of the most variable. You have to look after it or it will come back and bite you. Anything can upset yeast, a change of recipe with different malt or hops, changed brewing equipment or, god forbid, a change of brewery. If the brewery moves, so be it, they will try to replicate the beer. If you close a brewery, even if you try and replicate their beers, at least be honest and state on the pump clip where the beer is brewed. Oris the asset stripper afraid, very afraid?

And another thing, don’t worry, I was told never to make more than three points in a discussion, what about purists like me? I like to support independent breweries or beers brewed at their original brewery. Is it taking the Michael for a brewery to brew an ersatz version of say, Hobgoblin, 49’er, Pedigree, Bombardier etc and intimate it is still brewed as originally? I submit it is, if you are so proud of your brewing skills, use the recipe by all means but change the name. By all means acknowledge the heritage, but be brave and stand on your own two feet. Do you agree and are you with me?

Having said all this, I now need an list of ersatz brews. Cheers everyone.

I like browsing in Charity Shops. What I don’t like is books in random order. I am less likely to check and buy on a randomly disorganised bookshelf. It doesn’t have to be pristine. Fiction in rough A‐Z order by author. Non Fiction in roughly same subject groups.
And another thing. CD’s are small and therefore the writing is tiny. Why put them in unlit corners, often on the bottom shelf. At my age bending, yet alone kneeling and getting up, requires planning.

If your goods aren’t user friendly you won’t attract customers.
You know it makes sense.

Norwich has always, rightly, been proud if its pubs and breweries.  There are many, even now, and a lot of time and research has gone into recording their history.  However, after much research I have discovered a gap in this information.  I refer to the now hidden history of ‘St Noota’s Loop. 

Not much is known about St Noota other than she is the patron saint of ‘Confused Souls’.   It is thought that a chapel in her honour stood outside the city walls on or near the site of our beloved Champion PH.

St Noota’s Loop, as far as records exist, has its roots in the mid-19^th century.  Norwich was growing and settlements were being built outside the said walls.  One of these, roughly conforming to the area now known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ and covering a lot of the NR2 postcode, grew out from the walls in a south westerly direction.  Much of the land was owned by local benefactor Colonel Unthank.  He sold off plots of land to local builders, issuing strict instructions as to the style of building but ensuring that many streets had a pub on the corner.  Good man.  As now local rivalry between pubs was common and there emerged a weekend of frivolity known as St Noota’s Weekend.  St Noota’s Day is officially the 3^rd Sunday in July, so the weekend included the preceding Friday and Saturday. 

The highlight of the weekend was the Sunday race ‘St Noota’s Loop.  For the previous two days the pubs involved held various entertainments.  I have been able to discover the events peculiar to the five pubs on the trail, but I am sure further research will uncover similar activities in other pubs.

But to ‘The Loop’.  The race consisted of teams of four people transporting a pin, 36 pints of ale, from the designated starting pub to the designated finishing pub after visiting all participating pubs on the way. Only human effort was allowed.  No horsepower or barrows, although stretchers and slings were permitted. The starting pub was drawn out of a hat, but the last pub would always be the previous year’s winners.  Presumably, as a reward for winning the previous year, the finishing pub would enjoy extra custom as everyone wanted to see the finish.

There were a few rules. Each pub had to provide their own pin if beer, in those days a heavy wooden cask, for the inspection of the other contestants.  After all, you wouldn’t want the cask to be filled with water, thus making it lighter.  Traditionally the ale would be a barrel of the previous winter’s strong ale.  There was no set route, the teams being given a leather belt that would be stamped by each pub with their own insignia.  Each team member had to have a drink at each pub.  The winning team would be given the title of ‘Mightily Nooted’ and all other teams finishing would be considered ‘Well Leathered’. 

The weekend, as can be expected, saw much frivolity, betting was rampant, as was the resulting disputes and the Norwich City Police cancelled all leave for that weekend.  However, due to pressure from these custodians of peace and good order, and the emergence of the highly misguided Temperance Movement, the event was gradually supressed with the last recorded weekend being held in 1915.  Possibly due to the war effort.

Almost all records of this event were destroyed by the above organisations in a useless attempt to hide a glorious, truly Norvician, event.  Little did they know that we aren’t daft in Norfolk.  An underground movement of both publicans and customers swore blind to keep the event going.  Known as ‘The Noota’d Again’, it exists and one day, when we feel confident, the weekend will be reborn.

Membership is by invitation although a deep pocket when in local licensed premises will help.  It took me many years of frequenting local hostelries before I was even acknowledged. You also need to be able to answer correctly the question ‘Hev yor Fa’a got a dickie bor’.

Fare ya well ol’ partners.

P.S. any more information about St Noota, the Loop, the pubs or anything related to this fascinating subject would be gratefully received.