Author: Dave Pickersgill

Dave has been a CAMRA member since the 1970s and has worked at almost 40 Sheffield CAMRA festivals, plus a fair number of others. He is Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) for Abbeydale, Blue Bee, Bradfield and Loxley. He was also the Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the 2023 national CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference. A member of the National Pub Heritage Group, he leads on planning and pub heritage issues. He also edited the Sheffield's Real Heritage Pubs book, for which downloads vastly exceeded expectations. The hard copy was available in October 2018 and again in 2021. On both occasions, it was a sell-out. The 5th edition (2023) is available as both a hard copy and a free download.

Fagan’s

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

The next CAMRA Sheffield & District Branch Meeting will take place at Fagan’s on Tuesday 6 December. During the evening, we will be presenting, the licensees, Tom and Barbara Boulding, with a Special Award in recognition of their contribution to the Sheffield Beer scene.

Originally known as the Barrel, Fagan’s dates from circa 1790 and is one of the oldest pubs in central Sheffield. Past owners include Thomas Rawson and Company, from 1946, Gilmour’s Windsor and from 1954, Joshua Tetley. It is currently managed by Star Bars and Inns. This traditional three-roomed pub retains much of an early 1950s refit. This merits inclusion on the national CAMRA Pub heritage listings: this is a pub with Special National Historic Interest. In August this year, this Good Beer Guide pub was included on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List.

In the past 100 years, there have been three long-standing licensees: locally-born and ex-Bomber Command, Michael Joseph (Joe) Fagan ran the pub from 6 July 1948 until 17 September 1985 becoming Tetley’s longest serving landlord. On his retirement, aged 64, the pub was renamed, and a new sign was erected. This was replaced, in 2008, with a sign which shows an image of Joe against an RAF bomber. Joe died only a few weeks after passing on the tenancy to ex-teacher, Thomas Patrick (Tom) Boulding and his wife, Barbara.

For over 37 years, Tom and Barbara have carefully managed Fagan’s. Décor-wise, every picture tells a story: visitors to the pub, local happenings, the story of Joe. Entertainment-wise, (probably) the most-stretching pub quiz in the city and (almost every evening) traditional live music. Atmospheric and welcoming, this is a traditional pub and proud of it: good solid pub-food and three well-kept cask beers (Landlord, Moonshine and Tetley’s). Outside, the pub was honoured when, in 2013, local artist, Pete McKee left The Snog on the gable end.

In late November 2022, Tom and Barbara overtook the length of tenure enjoyed by Joe (37 years, two months and 11 days). For their influential and unstinting contribution over many years, they fully deserve this award.

We wish them well in their future ventures.

Members’ Weekend in Sheffield 2023

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

CAMRA holds its Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference annually in April. While the primary purpose is to debate motions to steer the Campaign and to elect the Campaign’s new board of directors, the Members’ Weekend is also a chance for CAMRA members to socialise with like-minded individuals and to explore the beer scene of the host city. The 2023 event will be held at the Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield: April 21/23. It is expected that over 1000 CAMRA members will descend on Sheffield for the weekend, many extending their stay for a few days – most will explore our local pubs.

As part of the event, we (Sheffield & District CAMRA) are organising a Members’ Bar. This will be a beer festival only open to CAMRA members who register for the weekend that will be held in the Students’ Union, adjacent to the Conference venue. There will also be a series of organised trips and events. If you are a CAMRA member, please register, and attend the event. https://camra.org.uk/members-weekend-agm-conference/

Talks & Tastings @ SC46

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Following the successful tutored beer tasting led by Roger Protz at the previous Steel City Beer Festival back in 2019, the recent 2022 edition saw three tutored tastings plus a couple of talks.

Mike Pomranz, from the Cider Hole, led participants through four ciders. These included Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry, Flakey Bark S.V.P. 2020 (6.4%) and Sheffield brewed, Exemption Ciderhouse, Steel City Spontaneous Speed Run (5.8%). The latter involved apples which were on thru tree a few weeks earlier. Mike gave us the benefit of his experiences across the Atlantic, providing wide-ranging comments and opinions.

Julia Gray, the owner of Hop Hideout and the driving force behind Sheffield Beer Week, led two tutored beer tastings, each concentrating on a different set of five beers, a mix of cask and key-keg. Skilfully weaving her story and comments about beer history and production, Julia led us on an exploration of beer styles. A bonus was unscheduled inputs from Dan and Martha (Saint Mars of the Desert Brewery) who provided a potted history of their experiences in brewing and talked us through one of their beers. This was the music equivalent of attending a gig by the Rolling Stones and seeing Bob Dylan drop-in.

Dave Pickersgill twice delivered a talk about Sheffield, heritage and pubs. On each occasion, the slides were identical but different pubs were explored as comments from the audience influenced the verbal input. Several books were sold (and autographed) and the speaker was embarrassed when one attendee described the talk as ‘inspirational.’

One of the volunteer staff team who fetched and served the various beers and ciders described his Friday afternoon as different, eye-opening and to be repeated.

Thanks to all our speakers and the staff who made it happen. We intend to host similar events at SCBF47, and at the forthcoming national Members Weekend. We hope to see you at a future event.

September RambAle

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Our last RambAle of the year took place in late September: nine used the Huddersfield train from Sheffield, two took a double-bus route from Hoyland and one took the scenic route from Stocksbridge on the 3-times daily 23 Millhouse Green flyer.

The Untappd powered beer list at the Penistone Tap

After meeting on platform two, and admiring the 1912 Art Deco masterpiece which is the Penistone Paramount, our first stop was in the well-stocked Penistone Tap & Brewhouse. This was the original home of the Woodland Brewery (formally Whitefaced Brewery, named after a local breed of sheep). The brewery has recently moved to a larger local site.

In the Hunstsman, Thurlstone

We then utilised the Trans-Pennine Trail, originally part of the, Sheffield-Manchester, Woodhead Railway line, progressing to GBG-serial entry, the multiple award-winning and hardly-changed Huntsman in Thurlstone. The pub lived up to its billing, providing the usual six, well-kept, cask beers. The choice included Abbeydale, Acorn and Salamander.

A line up of Kibble Brewery beers at the Crystal Palace

Our next stop was the nearby Crystal Palace, since May 2021, the home, and only regular outlet, for Kibble Brewery. Four of their beers, all named after major coal seams, were available: Barnsley Bed Bitter (4.2%), Colliers Monday (5.8%), Kent Thin Pale (4.2%) and Kent Thin Pale: Strawberry (4.2%). In addition, Head Brewer, Alasdair Twist, provided a brewery tour and an entertaining series of anecdotes. The 2.5 Bbl. brewery is located in a former stable block in the car park. A kibble is a big bucket used in pit shafts: the owner felt that the mash tun (from the now-closed Hamelsworde brewery) looks like a kibble. There is also a smaller pilot plant which is used for one-off specials.

We then returned to Penistone via Stottercliffe Road, paying a return visit to the, now busy, Penistone Tap & Brewhouse before catching our return transport.

An excellent afternoon in the late September sunshine.

Steel City 46 beermats

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Limited edition Steel City 46 beermats – available on eBay.

Three limited edition sets of 12 mint condition beermats, advertising Steel City 46 – Sheffield Beer & Cider Festival 2022 (SC46) will be auctioned on e-bay. On one side of each mat is the SC46 logo, with the reverse printed for the sponsor. The logo-side, when arranged, gives a large image of the festival poster.

There are 60,000 beermats available, 5,000 for each sponsor. Over the next few months, these will be distributed over Sheffield, the surrounding area and wider afield. However, a full set is very unlikely to be seen in one place at any one time!

Thanks to our sponsors:  Abbeydale, Acorn, Blue Bee, Bradfield, Chantry, Little Critters, Neepsend, Peak, St Mars of the Desert, Save the Leadmill, Tapped, and Triple Point.

All profits from these eBay sales will go the official SC46 charity – Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The festival will be held at Kelham Island Industrial Museum from 19-22 October 2022.

Parkway Tavern

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Between 1957 and 1961, Sheffield Corporation City Architect’s Department built Park Hill Estate. Architecturally, this estate is of international importance. It is also the largest listed building in Europe (Grade II* listed 1998). The deck system is unique as the steeply sloping site allows all but the uppermost decks to reach ground level. The building ranges from four to 13 stories, and included shops, almost 1000 flats and four pubs.

The four pubs were each built to a common plan: four-bay ground floor units with clear storey windows, close to the shopping centre. They faced in two directions: a lounge and public bar, linked by a central bar and glazed screen.

The Parkway Tavern was originally managed by Hope and Anchor Brewery, advertising Carling Black Label and Jubilee Stout. The pub later became part of the Bass empire. It closed in 2006 and has a two-bay mosaic mural which is a remarkable survivor (architects: Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson & Partners).

The Parkway Tavern was used in the 2014 film ’71. Directed by Yann Demange, it follows a riot on the streets of Belfast as a young and disoriented British soldier is accidentally abandoned by his unit. The flats were used to recreate Divis Flats.

Initially, these ‘streets in the sky’ enjoyed popularity and success; tenants had the luxury of private bathrooms and efficient heating. However, by the 1980s, Park Hill had become dilapidated and was no longer popular. It had both poor noise insulation and badly lit walkways, passages and alleys.

The estate is currently being redeveloped as part of a joint venture between Urban Splash and Places for People, work commencing in 2007. The structural frame is retained while architectural and internal features are replaced. The Parkway space re-opened in 2021 as Park Hill Provisions, the first convenience store on the new development.

Pub Heritage Walks

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

As part of Heritage Open Days 2022, I’m leading two Pub Heritage Walks: on Friday 9 and Thursday 15 September. These will take in some of the entries in the CAMRA Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs book.

On Friday 9 we will commence at the Fat Cat and proceed to Neepsend via a short stop in the Wellington. Along the way, we will take a circuitous route through aspects of the brewing and industrial history of Sheffield before completing the walk at the cooperatively-owned Gardeners Rest close to the long derelict, Stones Brewery.

The following week, we will commence at the University Arms and proceed to the Grapes/Dog & Partridge via a short stop at the Bath Hotel. After refreshment breaks, we will complete the walk at Fagans. En route we will pass the ex-Hendos factory, the ex-Jessop Hospital, the then home of the company whose claim to fame is that the owner was the first man to climb Nelson’s Column, Glossop Road Baths, the building with three different date stones, ‘Stanch’, and much more.

In both walks there will also be Victorian tilework, terrazzo flooring, art deco glasswork, a mention of long-gone Sheffield breweries and much more…

  • The 9 September walk will start at the Fat Cat at 16:00. Places are limited and may be booked via
    Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/3aavve56
  • The 15 September walk will start at the University Arms at 17:00. Places may also be booked via
    Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/ys3z846j
  • If you can’t wait until September, you could try the Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs book:
    sheffield.camra.org.uk/rhp. A limited number of paper copies of the book will be available to purchase.

brewSocial

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Located in a railway arch in Attercliffe, brewSocial is the newest Sheffield brewery. Head Brewer, Richard Hough estimates that the two 4.5 Bbl. fermenting vessels will produce around 30 (nine gallon) firkins/week. With assistance, Richard is currently organising the space, testing the kit and ensuring the legal requirements are in place. The planned first commercial beer is an unfined, vegan 4.0% pale.

Their distinctive red and yellow casks were sourced from Eccles-based First Chop, their colour suggesting the branding which utilises a similar red/yellow palette. The brew kit was previously used by Port Mahon Brewery, then Little Ale Cart in the ‘Brick Shed’ located behind the Wellington (Shalesmoor). It has recently been restored by Gary Sheriff (White Rose Brewery).

Richard Is a very experienced brewer. His CV includes Abbeydale at the time when Moonshine became the top-selling cask ale in Sheffield. He was also co-founder of Blue Bee Brewery before stints at Acorn, Lenton Lane and Shiny. He is looking forward to the challenges of working as part of the wider Yes2Ventures (Y2V) umbrella.

brewSocial are linked to Y2V, a locally-based social firm development agency who aim to create employment and training opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.

brewSocial has the same community ethos, providing a variety of local employment opportunities: brewery work, cleaning, delivery, logistics, marketing and many others. Dan Carter, Manager of the associated Travel Service put it neatly – ‘Lots of different people do lots of different things.’

Y2V originated 23 years ago as The Anthony Davison Trust, providing accommodation for adults with learning disabilities. The name change came in 2002. Successful projects include Buster’s Coffee Company (cafés in Doncaster, Leeds, and Sheffield); a Travel Support service; Viewpoint Research, a telephone-based research service and Yes2Work, a New Deal for Disabled People job broker.

Y2V also manage theSocial (24-26 Snig Hill). Opened in August 2021: in addition to the bar, the complex also encompasses an art gallery and performance space. Licensee Juliet Portchmouth, is looking forward to hosting the launch of the first casks from beerSocial – ‘I am excited to have our new beer on the pumps at theSocial! It will compliment our varied range.’

As Y2V Founder Director, Mark Powell states: ‘Having a job and feeling good about it – that’s an experience the people we work with have rarely had. They don’t fit conventional job descriptions, but I bet they’ll brew good beer.’

Heritage walks and talks

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

CAMRA Sheffield & District have recently provided both an hour long pub heritage talk and a guided pub heritage walk for Sheffield U3A. The talk took place in the Showroom Cinema on a Friday morning with over 50 attendees attending. A few weeks later, the walk attracted 17: commencing in Fagans and proceeding via a stop in the Grapes to the Red Deer this took almost 2.5 hours. U3A are planning a further walk, led by ourselves, in 2023.

The next guided walks, are planned for Heritage Open Days in September with similar events occurring during Sheffield Beer Week 2023 and the CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference 2023.