After a packed calendar of events in May, I’m pleased to report that June also promises its fair share of fun for real ale and cider fans. Everyone is welcome at any of the following events, so please make a note in your diary and join us if you’re free. New faces are always great to see – and if you’re at all concerned about finding or recognising us, please just drop me a message and we can help with that!
Cheers,
Ben Wilkinson
Branch Social Secretary
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Hitchin Beer Festival Social
Friday 6th June
The excellent Hitchin Beer and Cider Festival is back for 2025. This tented festival, in the beautiful north Herts town, features around 200 beers, ciders, perries and meads. It’s a lovely event and well worth a visit.
A group of us from South Herts CAMRA will be travelling there to enjoy the Friday evening session. Everyone is welcome, so why not experience this great festival in friendly company and come along and join us!
We’re aiming to all meet up at the festival around 6.30pm. Here are some transport suggestions for different areas of the branch:
- If you’re travelling from St Albans, you can catch the 304 bus from St Peter’s Street at 1720.
- If you’re travelling from Hatfield, you can catch the 1722 train.
- If you’re travelling from Potters Bar, you can catch the 1746 train.
- Or if you’re travelling from Hertford, you can catch the 1736 train from Hertford North.
Public transport options may be more limited going home to some areas, but we can reduce costs by sharing taxis if necessary. Tickets to Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival are available on the gate so there is no need to book, but if you would prefer to get yours in advance, go to: https://tckty.camra.org.uk/e/365/hitchin-beer-cider-festival-2025
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Hertford Loop Line Rail Ale Trail
Saturday 7th June
We’re teaming up with our friends in the Enfield and Barnet branch of CAMRA for a social along the route of the Hertford Loop Rail Ale Trail, on the afternoon of Saturday 7th June. Everyone is welcome to join us as we explore some excellent pubs on the route between Hertford and Alexandra Palace.
We’ll be meeting at Hertford North railway station around midday (Enfield and Barnet members will be arriving by train at 1203). From there the route is as follows:
- Millstream
- Old Cross Tavern
- 1344 train from Hertford North to Bayford
- Farmers Boy
- 1448 train from Bayford to Gordon Hill
- Wonder
- Moon Under Water
- 1631 train from Enfield Chase to Winchmore Hill
- Little Green Dragon
- 1805 train from Winchmore Hill to Alexandra Palace
- Prince
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East of St Albans Pub Walk
Sunday 8th June, 4pm at Speckled Hen
To celebrate the re-opening of a St Albans pub (and its re-introduction of cask ales) we’re embarking on a leisurely Sunday rural crawl around east St Albans.
Taking in four diverse venues on the eastern edge of the city, our final destination will be the Old Toll House – which will have just opened its doors following a major refurbishment. The pub was previously known as the Rats Castle but, under new landlord Tim, is being rebranded with a fresh new look. And for the first time in a while, cask ales are promised on the bar.
We’ll also be visiting the Speckled Hen, a vibrant community pub serving the Oaklands area; the Plough at Tyttenhanger, a lovely village inn offering a range of ales; and the Royston Club, a multiple award winner for its well-kept rotating beer range. And we’ll take in some pleasant countryside walking between them all.
Our schedule:
- 4pm: Meet at Speckled Hen, Hatfield Road
- 4.30-5pm: Walk
- 5pm: Plough, Tyttenhanger Green
- 5.45-6.15pm: Walk
- 6.15pm: Royston Club, College Road
- 6.50-7pm: Walk
- 7pm: Old Toll House, Hatfield Road
Our starting pub and finishing pub are both well served by regular buses travelling between St Albans city centre and Hatfield, with bus stops nearby. Please note this route includes a total of approx three miles walking.
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Festival Warm-up Music Bingo Night
Friday 13th June, 7.30 for 8pm
Royston Social Club, St Albans
After an incredibly fun first outing in December last year, we’re once again teaming up with the Royston Social Club in St Albans for an evening of music bingo. This is a social that’s suitable for the whole family, so gather up the kids, the grandparents, and anyone else in your household who enjoys their pop music and bring them along! Rounds will include chart hits of the 2000s and film and Disney soundtracks.
There will be lots of great prizes to be won, and following the bingo there’ll be even more fun with Play Your Cards Right. Plus, as always at the Royston Club, there will be four great cask beers to choose from at the bar, at low prices. Entry is free and it’s just £2.50 for a bingo card (cash only please). Don’t miss out!
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June Branch Meeting
Wednesday 18th June, 8pm
The Bull, London Colney
Love your local pubs, and enjoy great beer or cider? Come and find out how you can get involved in campaigning to keep them thriving at our next Branch Meeting.
From organising awards that recognise the very best pubs; to battling pub closures; fighting to protect heritage; campaigning for a fairer deal for licensees; celebrating excellence in brewing; organising a major annual festival; and much more – we keep ourselves busy but have lots of fun along the way.
Our active members range from people in their 20s to the retired; men and women; and come from all kinds of backgrounds. Whoever you are, you’ll fit in and be made to feel part of the team. Hope to see you there!
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Regional Cider Pub Social
Saturday 28th June
To round off the month, join us as we travel to the Northamptonshire town of Wellingborough to celebrate CAMRA’s gold winner for Cider Pub of the East Central Region.
We’re heading to the Little R’Ale House, a fantastic pub at Wellingborough Station, to see the coveted prize presented. After a couple of beverages there (they also offer great cask beer as well as ciders!) and the presentation, we’ll be heading into Wellingborough to explore some of the other best pubs in the town.
We’ll be meeting up at the Little R’Ale House at around 1pm. Train options include:
- 1145 from St Albans City (change at Luton Airport Parkway)
- 1100 from Potters Bar (via London)
- 1054 from Hatfield (via London)
- 1044 from Hertford North (via London)
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Advance notice: some July and August dates for your diary
More information to follow on these ones, but here are some provisional dates to pencil in for July and August:
- Friday 11th July – social at the St Saviour’s Beer & Fizz Festival in St Albans.
- Friday 18th July – social at the Hemel Old Town Beer Festival, Hemel Hempstead.
- Saturday 19th July – summer Saturday gathering and branch meeting (with complimentary buffet and guest speaker TBC) at the Royston Social Club, St Albans.
- Saturday 16th August – social trip exploring pubs and breweries in Windsor, Berks.
