Welcome to Witch Ale, the newsletter of East Lancs CAMRA

Your newsletter with details of meetings and events, pub/club and brewery news and anything else we have to share.

It’s Awards season

Join us over the next few weeks as we present Pub and Club of the Year 2026 awards to all these worthy winners

Blackburn with Darwen Area Pub of the Year 2026
Friday 1 May 2026 19:00
Loom & Shuttle Darwen

East Lancs Branch Pub of the Year 2026 & Pendle Area Pub of the Year 2026
Sunday 3 May 2026 18:00
Boyce's Barrel Colne

Ribble Valley Area Pub & Club of the Year 2026
Thursday 14 May 2026 18:00
(Pub) Swan with Two Necks Pendleton
(Club) Old School Rooms Clitheroe
(Presentation will take place at Clitheroe Beer Festival)

Other Branch Events

May 2026 Social
Wednesday 6 May 2026
For the next informal outing we're visiting Wigan.
Train times are: Burnley Manchester Road 12-03, Accrington 12-11, Blackburn 12-20, change at Preston arriving Wigan 13.11. Meet at Wigan Central under the station.

Clitheroe Beer Festival 2026
Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 May 2026
St. Michael & St. John's Club, Clitheroe

It's almost time, are you ready to join us?

Visit https://clitheroebeerfestival.co.uk/ for all information.

Volunteers still needed, please complete this Google form https://forms.gle/9B9B1cSpZ7ojgzGa6 if you can help, or alternatively email Harvey Baldwin (Staffing Organiser 2026) via ku.oc.bvrah@fbc who will pop your details down. Please remember to include your preferred size for a polo shirt along with the usual contact info.

Other CAMRA events

Mild Month Friday 1 – Sunday 31 May 2026
Take a photo of you drinking a Mild in May and post it on social media tagging us in #camraeastlancs

Skipton Beer Festival 2026 Thursday 21 – Saturday 23 May 2026
Run by neighbouring Keighley and Craven CAMRA branch held at Skipton Town Hall https://skiptonbeerfestival.camra.org.uk/ for details

Non CAMRA Events

Whitworth Valley Brewing May Taproom Pop Up
Friday 1 – Sunday 3 May 2026
Blackburn Beer & Gin Festival 2026
Friday 1 – Sunday 3 May 2026
Royal Arms Ale & Cider Festival
Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 May 2026
Unbound Brewery May pop up event @ Jim's Cafe
Saturday 2 May 2026
Meet the Brewer @ Chuffin’ Ale: Pomona Island
Wednesday 6 May 2026 19:00
Tap Takeover @ 1B Tap House: Wishbone Brewery
Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May 2026

For more information see the Branch & Events Diary page.

Let us know about (beery) events not listed, please email ku.gro.armac.scnaltsae@swenelahctiw or tag us on social media

Pub, Club and Brewery news

We need your input so that everyone knows what’s going in and around the East Lancs Region, and to create an archive on our website of the changing times of the area.

Please email:- ku.gro.armac.scnaltsae@swenelahctiw

I look forward to receiving news from you

Cheers!

Alan Leach Witch Ale newsletter editor

(This is a copy of an email sent to all members who have opted in. If you are not getting emails, check you account setting on the National CAMRA website).