Latest News
Here is the latest news about pubs and breweries in the region.
- Kent CAMRA County Pub of the Year 2025 Results
Wednesday 18 June 2025
The results of the Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year Competition 2025 are out:
Winner: The Royston, Broadstairs.
Runner-up: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge.
Congratulations to both pubs on getting through to the Kent County final, and we wish Andy at The Royston all the best in the Regional stage of CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2025 competition.
The date of the presentation of the winner's certificate will be announced shortly.
Regional Stage
The other candidates in the Regional stage of the Pub of the Year competition are:
Competition Details
Click here if you'd like more information about the competition.
- Martyn Nicholls - Obituary
Wednesday 11 June 2025
For those who don’t already know, I pass on the sad news that Martyn Nicholls died recently. I’ve got very little further information at present but hope to be able to let you know the funeral arrangements in due course.
For those who don’t know, Martyn was a founder member of Camra Bexley branch, taking the role of treasurer at its inauguration 50 years ago. He was a longstanding chairman, and on relinquishing that position was voted in as president.
His closest living relative is his brother Mike, who lives in New Zealand.
Best wishes,
Rob, Bexley CAMRA
The following article was written by Peter Trout, Bexley CAMRA.
CAMRA Bexley Branch were saddened to hear of the death of our former longest-serving Branch Chairman and only Branch President: Martyn Nicholls.
For a few months in 1975, Bexley & Bromley CAMRA were one branch but Bexley thought there was enough interest to start its own branch. And so, on a Monday evening on 21st July 1975, at “The Blue Anchor” pub in Bridgen (now just “The Anchor”), Bexley CAMRA was born. Martyn took the minutes and was elected on to the first committee (but not as Secretary). Jeff Tucker (now of Maidstone & Mid-Kent CAMRA ) was elected Chairman and everyone contributed 10p so that a bank account could be opened.
Martyn, in his long association with Bexley CAMRA, managed to take on all jobs just to keep the Branch active, particularly through the lean years in the 1990’s and had a spell as Chairman for 20 years.
Working in the Planning Department of Bexley Council, he put as many pubs as possible into Conservation Areas. This helped, when pubs were keen to promote a pseudo-Australian lager with large illuminated outdoor signs that were far larger than the other signs but had to settle for signs the same size as the existing ones. Working with other local Bexley groups, Toby Carvery had to re-instate the original name of the modified public house they had taken over, to “The Crook Log”.
The local Kent guides benefitted from his line drawings of pubs from the 1988 edition onwards.
He supplied Kent, Gravesend and Bexley Beer Festival with logo’s to be used on their glasses, t-shirts and advertising.
He assisted Terry Whitta with the posters for the early CAMRA “Make May a Mild Month” campaign. He took great pleasure in doing this as he was a big fan of Mild.
Each Christmas meeting, attendees were sent a Christmas card depicting a line drawing of a Bexley Pub, his favourite being our award-winning Robin Hood & Little John.
Martyn worked at many Festivals over the years, including the 1975 Covent Garden event, and the two SE London events held in Woolwich Polytechnic, plus of course Kent and Bexley.
He began his working career with the old GLC, until it was abolished in 1986, when he joined Bexley Council as Senior Planning Officer.
Apart from drinking Real Ale, and a love of folk music, he had a huge interest in transport, having articles published in Model Railway magazines, helping in the restoration of old buses and being a marshal at motor rallies. A lot of his time was spent within local Bexley organisations as, being a resident, he considered it important to contribute to all aspects of the local community.
Without Martyn’s enthusiasm and determination, Bexley CAMRA would have folded. A much-missed member.
Rest In Peace.
- CAMRA's Pub Heritage Bulletin 267 - May 2025
Sunday 1 June 2025
In their latest bulletin, CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country.
With news on:
Station Buffet, Bridlington; Bell, Walton-on-the-Hill; Prestoungrange Gothenburg, Prestonpans; Travellers Rest, Alpraham; Dewdrop Inn, Peacehaven; Royal Oak, Halifax; Quiet Woman, Earl Sterndale; Highland Laddie, Leeds. - Kent CAMRA Area Pub of the Year 2025 Winners
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Were pleased to announce the winners of the The Kent CAMRA Area Pub of the Year (POTY) Competition. The winners are:
East Kent Area: Royston, Broadstairs.
West Kent Area: Nelson Arms, Tonbridge.Congratulations to the winners! It’s great to see their hard work and dedication recognised. And to the other finalists, you should be proud of your achievements in reaching the Area stage of the Kent competition.
We wish the Nelson Arms & The Royston the very best as they progress to the Kent County Stage of CAMRA's POTY competition.
Full details of the competition can be found on the Competition webpage.
- PETITION: Recognise the production and serving of cask ale as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Monday 19 May 2025
Following the UK’s ratification of UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, we call on the Government to recognise production and serving of traditional British cask ale as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Click here to go to the related webpage.
- Westerham Brewery Newsletter - May 2025 #2
Saturday 10 May 2025
Contents: Blind Tiger & Birra Canzio; 21st Anniversary Beer Festival; Upcoming Events.
For more information: • Click here to download the newsletter. - Northdown Brewery Newsletter - May 2025 Tuesday 6 May 2025
- Time & Tide Brewery Newsletter - May 2025
Tuesday 6 May 2025
Contents: Fresh off the canning line; Rising Tide Festival tickets; Taproom News
Click here to download the newsletter.
- CAMRA Launches its Monthly Raffle
Tuesday 29 April 2025
Welcome to the CAMRA monthly raffle!
Win amazing prizes and support CAMRA
Every £1 you play gives you a chance to win and helps support great pubs & beer lovers!
Click here to go to the related webpage.
- South East Regional Director Monthly Update May 2025 Tuesday 29 April 2025
- Westerham Brewery Newsletter - May 2025 #1
Monday 28 April 2025
Contents: Bohemian Rhapsody returns; Bank Holiday Monday; 21st Anniversary Beer Festival; Upcoming Events.
For more information: • Click here to download the newsletter. - Northdown Brewery Newsletter - March 2025 (.pdf)
Wednesday 26 March 2025
- Margate Town Tap Takeover 4th-6th April.
- EASTER Beer Fest Good Friday 18th April.
- CANS, CANS, CANS!.
- East Kent Drinker - Spring 2025 is out now!
Sunday 23 March 2025
The latest edition of the East Kent Drinker is out now.
A collaboration between the three East Kent Branches of CAMRA (Canterbury, Swale & Thanet), which aims to showcase the very best beeriness in our area.
- Shepherd Neame Newsletter - March 2025 Thursday 13 March 2025
- PUBlic Affairs round up - February 2025
Sunday 23 February 2025
The regular PUBlic Affairs round-up returns with the Campaigns and Communications team’s latest campaigning for pubs, pints and people across Westminster, devolved parliaments and local government.
Here's their latest update.
https://wb.camra.org.uk/2025/02/13/public-affairs-round-up-february-2
- CAMRA's Pub Heritage Bulletin 263 - January 2025
Sunday 2 February 2025
CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country.
January 2025's Pub Heritage Bulletin is out now
The bulletin has news on:
Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton; Kings Head, Bristol; Britons Protection, Manchester; Vine, Pittshill; Duke William, Stoke-on-Trent; Black Horse, Preston; Olde Tavern, Kington; New Inn, Hadlow Down; Central Bar, Irvinestown; New Beehive, Bradford; Wellington, York; King’s Arms, Eastbourne; Slaters Arms, Corris.Read the Bulletin here: https://camra.org.uk/heritage-pubs/bulletins/pub-heritage-bulletin-263-jan-2025.
- Westerham Brewery Newsletter - February 2025
Sunday 2 February 2025
Latest Westerham Brewery newsletter.
Including Dungeons & Flagons tabletop gaming; BFR - It's Back; 6 Nations Rugby; Street Food Line-up; Winter Opening Hours.
Click here to download the newsletter.
- Shepherd Neame Newsletter - January 2025 Monday 27 January 2025
- PUBlic Affairs round up - January
Saturday 25 January 2025
The PUBlic Affairs roundup is kicking off the new year with an update on what the Campaigns and Communications Team has been doing to fight for pubs, pints and people across Westminster, devolved parliaments and local government.
Here's their latest update.
https://wb.camra.org.uk/2025/01/17/public-affairs-round-up-january
- Westerham Brewery Newsletter - You're Awesome Saturday 25 January 2025
- Ramsgate Brewery Newsletter - Beat the January Blues Saturday 18 January 2025
- Time & Tide Brewery Newsletters - January 2025
Saturday 18 January 2025
Latest Time & Tide Brewery newsletters
Time & Tide Brewery Newsletter - January #1 (.pdf)
Time & Tide Brewery Newsletter - January #2 (.pdf) - Bailey Head, Oswestry wins National Competition
Friday 17 January 2025
The Bailey Head, Oswestry has been crowned CAMRA's National Pub of the Year 2025.
https://camra.org.uk/pubs/bailey-head-oswestry-144795.
Runners up were Black Horse, Preston; Three B’s, Bridlington and Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill, London.
- New Year Newsletter from Westerham Brewery Saturday 4 January 2025
- CAMRA's Pub Heritage Bulletin 262 - December 2024
Tuesday 31 December 2024
CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country.
December 2024's Pub Heritage Bulletin is out now
The bulletin has news on:
Crown & Anchor, Llanidloes; Tipperary, Temple; Springfield Hotel, Wigan; Dewdrop, Peacehaven; Mitre, Stourbridge; Jenny Lind, Hastings; Lord Southampton, Kentish Town; Highland, Leeds.Read the Bulletin here: https://camra.org.uk/heritage-pubs/bulletins/pub-heritage-bulletin-262-december-2024
- Draught Copy 210 - Winter 2024/2025
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Draught Copy is the free newsletter of the Maidstone and Mid Kent, Gravesend and Darent Valley, Bexley, Medway and West Kent branches of CAMRA.
- Latest Newsletters from Northdown & Ramsgate Thursday 19 December 2024
- Latest Brewery Newsletters
Tuesday 3 December 2024
Latest brewery newsletters from Northdown and Shepherd Neame.
- CAMRA's Pub Heritage Bulletin 261 - November 2024
Saturday 30 November 2024
CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country.
November's Pub Heritage Bulletin is out now
The bulletin has news on:
Fort Bar, Belfast; Travellers Rest, Alpraham; Waggon & Horses, Ibstock; Nova Scotia, Bristol; Swan & Railway, Wigan; Pot Still, Glasgow; Olde Leathern Bottel, Wednesbury; Agricultural Inn, Penrith; Bell, Bloxwich; Sir Charles Napier, Leicester.Read the Bulletin here: https://pubheritage.camra.org.uk/bulletins/pub-heritage-bulletin-261-nov-2024
- PUBlic Affairs round up - November
Friday 15 November 2024
CAMRA's Campaigns and Communications Team campaigns across Westminster, the devolved parliaments and local government on behalf of consumers, pubs, clubs, beer, cider and Perry.
Here's their latest update.
https://wb.camra.org.uk/2024/11/13/public-affairs-round-up-november
