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 2024 we had 1422 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 was part of the West Pennines Region, which covered Cumbria, Isle of Man and Lancashire, until early 2024 when after a Regional Review it merged with the Greater Manchester Region becoming part of the newly created North West Region.

When are the branch meetings?

It was agreed at the Branch AGM 2024 that we would no longer hold branch meetings due to a lack of interest. In 2023 the committee replaced branch meetings with more informal social meet up's, in each of the 6 local authority areas, to try to increase the number of people turning up however sadly this did not happen.

It was agreed going forward socials would be organised when events happening such as presentations, beer festivals and brewery events. Minutes of meetings will be circulated and also available on website.

Committee meetings are held in March, May, July, September and November. These normally take place on weekend afternoons and are usually followed by a mini social after. These are 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.

The Branch hold it's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February/March.

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 or 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 150,000 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 Beer magazine which incorporates What's Brewing newspaper, delivered to your door 4 times a year or digitally if you prefer. All new members receive the Member's Handbook as soon as they are registered.

Click the link to the left to visit the National CAMRA website.