Reflecting on a Standout Year for Local Pubs and Community spirit

 

St Helens & Districts CAMRA is celebrating a year defined by award success, community engagement, and a continued commitment to championing quality real ale, cider, and the pubs that serve as vital social hubs across the borough.

The year began, as tradition dictates, with the shortlisting of Pub of the Year candidates based on members’ beer scores from the previous twelve months. 2025 proved to be another exceptional year for the Cricketers Arms, which once again secured the title of St Helens & Districts Pub of the Year and went on to claim the Merseyside and Cheshire Pub of the Year accolade.

Further recognition followed across the branch: the Beer EnGin was named Cider Pub of the Year for the third consecutive year, while Haydock Reading Room retained its title as Club of the Year. Although the club narrowly missed out on Regional Club of the Year, success still came at a national level when Nigel Arnold, Steward of The Reader, was awarded National Steward of the Year at the Club Mirror Awards, beating competition from clubs across the UK. 

March saw CAMRA members come together to celebrate five years of Leanne’s ownership of the Beer EnGin, marked with a quiz night and social event. The spring also brought welcome news with the reopening of the Royal Alfred Hotel, following an extensive and impressive refurbishment. Thanks to Emilia and her team, the venue was transformed into a stunning hotel while retaining a strong real ale offering, including six handpumps.

Collaboration remained a key theme throughout the year. Working alongside the Turks Head, the branch supported a coach trip to Lancaster in June, producing a bespoke Pub Walk map to showcase outstanding real ale pubs beyond the local area. A second trip followed later in the year to York, once again combining exploration of historic pubs with a lively return to the Turks Head for its annual Halloween fancy dress celebration.

July’s Cider Month provided the perfect opportunity for a visit to That Beer Place in Chester, the National Cider Pub of the Year. Members enjoyed a tutored tasting led by expert cider aficionados, gaining insight into cider and perry from apples and pears sourced across the globe.

August marked a significant milestone with St Helens & Districts CAMRA’s first ever Festival of Pubs. Partnering with some of the town centre’s best real ale pubs, the festival showcased not only the quality of beer available locally but also the vibrant events and atmosphere each venue offers. The branch also collaborated with the Real Ale Finder app, enabling participating pubs to promote their beer ranges more effectively and making it easier than ever for drinkers to discover what’s on offer across the town — a tool many pubs continue to use today.

The year concluded with a busy festive calendar, including the annual Christmas outing to Warrington, which attracted more than 18 attendees — several joining a branch social for the first time — followed by a well-attended ‘Twixmas’ trip to Wigan.

Alongside these successes, the branch also reflected on the sad loss of several local pubs, including Buzzby’s, Bird I’th Hand, The Swan, and the Glass Blowers. While not all served real ale, their closures represent the loss of important community spaces and social lifelines. St Helens & Districts CAMRA continues to campaign for the future of pubs and encourages local residents to get involved in efforts to protect them.

With a full programme of pub wanders, inter-branch visits, regional and county meetings, and social events throughout the year, St Helens & Districts CAMRA remains committed to celebrating great beer, great pubs, and the communities they support.