Past issues can be found here in our archive. https://sst-arch.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=65188
Branch Update
The headline news is that Alan Harrison has taken on the role of Branch Chair. We welcome him to this vital role. There will be an EGM to ratify his position on March 18th at 1930 in The Avenue, 26 Zetland Street, Sunderland, SR6 0EQ. This will be followed by a branch meeting. An agenda will be issued in due course.
The Branch have some more important vacancies to fill so if you feel you wish to contribute more to the running of the branch please consider these positions below. Details of each role are available Here
Membership Secretary
The role of the Membership Secretary is to recruit, welcome and retain CAMRA members, encouraging their participation in CAMRA activities, especially soon after they have joined.
Pubs Protection Officer
The purpose of this essential role is to protect pubs and significant pub heritage within the branch area in line with CAMRA’s national aims and policies and , lead campaigns to save or protect threatened pubs. Although not essential, ideally this should be two positions, covering South Tyneside and Sunderland Council areas.
Social Secretary
The purpose of this important role is to organise social activities for the engagement and enjoyment of branch members, and to help promote and increase member participation.
Magazine Advertising and Beer Festival Sponsorship Officer
Would you be interested in volunteering for the above position in the branch ? The CAMRA Angle Magazine is published four times a year and securing advertising is essential to cover the costs of production. Equally, the sponsoring of beer and cider is important for the successful running of a beer festival. Although we have regular advertisers the challenge with this role is seeking out new opportunities for the branch, so ideally we will need someone who is of a sociable and affable nature. The role works closely with the magazine editor and the beer festival organiser. Role guidance will be given.
Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) Wear Beer, Sunderland
Would you like to improve your knowledge of brewing and beers while doing an important job for CAMRA? As a Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) you’d be the main contact between a brewery and CAMRA, visiting regularly to find out about the brewery and update CAMRA on plans for the brewery and the beers they produce. The position is a regional appointment, not a branch appointment, working closely with the local branch. Reporting is to the Regional Brewery Liaison Co-ordinator (BLC), who has responsibility for all breweries within a region.
If you are interested in any of these positions, or need more information of the above please email contact@sst.camra.org.uk
Club News
It has just been announced that The Billingham Catholic Club has been crowned the CAMRA Club of the Year. This is the first national win for the region since The Beamish Mary in No Place, County Durham won Pub of The Year in 1994. The club fought off competition from Appleton Thorn Village Hall in Cheshire, Orpington Liberal Club in London and Cheltenham Motor Club, Gloucestershire. This article on What’s Brewing was issued today ( 30th January 2026).
Catholic club clinches top title – What’s Brewing
The presentation of the award took place at the club on Saturday 31st January at 1pm. Members and non members were welcomed to attend and celebrate this event. BBC Look North were also there.
From left to right ;- Tony Hill ( Cellarman); Sean Rowbottom ( Bar Manager) , Shelly Bentley (CAMRA Awards) and Phil Gregg ( National Clubs Coordinator).
There will be more on this and other club news in the Spring Edition of CAMRA Angle.
Business rates
On Tuesday 27th January the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that pubs and music venues in England will be given a 15% discount on their business rates bills from April and will not see increases for two years, the government has announced. The CAMRA Chair, Ash Corbett-Collins responded as below:-
“This short-term announcement is not the ‘permanently lower business rates’ that pubs were promised. While it is positive that the Chancellor has listened and announced extra discounts for pubs facing the threat of closure, it is short-sighted to think that today’s statement will give publicans the certainty they need. The plan to review the unfair way pubs are assessed for business rates is welcome, but this leaves pubs in the same situation as they have been for years – still facing a long wait for promised, and fundamental, reforms to make the system fairer. CAMRA will keep campaigning to get the Government to support great pubs and independent breweries so they can compete against online businesses and cheap supermarket booze.”
Local Branch News
The Pier ( above) on Ocean Road in South Shields is often passed on the way to and from The Marine. It no longer sells real ale, in fact the handpulls were removed before Xmas 2025. There is more to the pub than that as it has some history. It features on the local council Local List. This is a list of buildings, important to the area, but do not meet the criteria for national listing by Historic England Local List A to Z – South Tyneside Council Note in the 1920’s there were two entrances.
The Wheatsheaf in West Boldon has suffered a similar fate. After a brief appearance, real ale has been discontinued and the handpulls are to be removed.
In the last issue we reported The Marsden Grotto in South Shields had closed for safety reasons. The steps down the cliff were in a dangerous state and the Fire Brigade had expressed serious concerns should there be a fire in the pub and there was no escape access to the beach ( ie the tide was in ).
Although the steps still remain an issue the pub reopened on 17th January 2026. The manager explains:- (20+) Video | Facebook
The Biddick Inn in Washington closed before Xmas. There is a sign outside saying that Stonegate are looking for a new tenant.
Brewery Update
It was reported in the local press before Xmas that Maxim Brewery and it’s brands have been acquired by the Powder Monkey Group. This Gosport based group already has nearby Castle Eden Brewery in Seaham as part of its portfolio. This acquisition took place in 2025 and during this process Maxim were approached if they too would wish to join the group.
With costs increasing all the time, beer duty, staff costs, energy and a general uncertainty in the market place in general, it seemed logical for Maxim to go down this route. Castle Eden’s business is mainly in contract work , such as bottling and kegging. They don’t have any trade or marketing as part of their business, whereas Maxim do. Castle Eden own their premises whereas the Maxim Brewery is rented from Sunderland City Council. By merging the two, this would mean moving the Rainton Bridge operation to Seaham over the next 12 months. Staff will be kept on, moving to the Seaham site, although Mark & Susan Anderson, along with head brewer Glen Whale are being retained for an appropriate period by the new group to ensure a smooth integration of the beers, sales and history into Castle Eden
The Powder Monkey Group, have five breweries and brands in the UK, along with more in Australia. The UK breweries include Powder Monkey Brewery in Gosport, Goddard’s of the Isle of Wight, beer supplier Empress Ale, and now Castle Eden and Maxim. There is more about the group on their website :-
Powder Monkey Group – International Brewing & Hospitality
If you are wondering about the name, the brewery is located in a former gunpowder magazine. The name relates to the boys who carried the gunpowder to the guns on board ships.
Some Diary Dates :-
| Maxim Brewery Night | Friday 6th February from 5pm – cash only |
| CAMRA Ramble – From Durham Station | Saturday 7th February 1130 am. Contact Dave Haddon for details :- dhaddon@hotmail.com |
| North East Regional Meeting – Darlington | Saturday 28th February 1pm . The Quakerhouse, DL3 7QF |
| Darlington Beer Festival ( see ad above) | Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March Hopetown Darlington DL3 6SW |
| Newcastle Beer Festival (see ad above) | Wednesday 15th – Saturday 18th April. Northumbrian University nclbcf-tynland.camra.org.uk |
National News
CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year 2025 title has been won by the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire. This is the third time it has won this prestigious award, unprecedented since the first competition in 1988. The photograph above was taken in 2023 after it’s first win. Two of us called in after the Great British Beer Festival Winter in nearby Burton on Trent. Being February, it was dark so we didn’t get to see its outside area being overlooked by Tamworth Castle. Highly recommended.
CAMRA issued a press release on January 23th, this can be accessed through the link below :- Press Release
Unless where credited images taken by Branch Members Compiled by Ken Paul – January 2026