Who are East Lancs CAMRA?

East Lancs CAMRA is the local organisation of the Campaign for Real Ale. The branch was set up in 1974 to pursue CAMRA's objectives at local level. This involves the promotion of real ale, real cider & perry and publicising where it may be enjoyed. We are also interested in preserving the character of the traditional British pub with all of its cultural, historical and architectural aspects. At the time of the Branch AGM in February 2022 we have almost 1500 members.

The branch covers quite a large region encompassing all of the local authority areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, the Ribble Valley and Rossendale, although there is a degree of overlap on the western side of the Blackburn and Ribble Valley areas with the Central Lancs CAMRA branch.

The branch is part of the West Pennines Region which covers the Cumbria, Isle of Man and Lancashire. (Click here to visit the WP website)

Where and when are the meetings?

Branch meetings are held on alternate “even” months (April, June, August, October, December) on Saturdays at 1:30pm in each of the 6 areas with a social afterwards.

The Branch AGM takes place in February on a Sunday afternoon in the Canine Club in Accrington or the KSC 110 Club in Burnley starting at 2:30pm.

Committee meetings are held on the “odd” months (March, May, July, September, October) on Sunday afternoons and are more formal events where CAMRA business is addressed. Non committee members are welcome to attend but may be asked vacate the room if there is any "sensitive" discussions or voting taking place.

Branch meetings have been moved to weekends to try and get more people to them and get more involved with the branch and volunteering roles/events.

Do you hold a beer festival?

Yes! However, we hold not one but two beer festivals a year.

Pendle Beer Festival is held late January/early February at the Muni Theatre in Colne.

Clitheroe Beer Festival takes place the 2nd/3rd weekend in May, at the Assembly Hall of St. Michael & St. John's in Clitheroe.

See the Beer Festival page for more information

Who are CAMRA?

The Campaign for Real Ale is a voluntary organisation consisting of over 192,000 ordinary people, run by an unpaid, elected national executive and backed by a small core of professional executives. It speaks for people everywhere by fighting to save pubs and breweries from closure, attempting to improve quality and choice, and trying to ensure pub standards are raised.

As a member you can have your say about the issues which affect you. You can stand for election to office, attend the annual conference to speak and vote, and help organise local campaigns. You can help select pubs for the Good Beer Guide, help out at beer festivals and, above all, enjoy many excellent regular social activities.

You can receive big discounts on the Good Beer Guide and other CAMRA books and products, free or reduced price admission to CAMRA beer festivals, plus the What's Brewing newspaper, delivered to your door each month. All new members receive the Member's Handbook as soon as they are registered.

Click here to visit the National CAMRA website.