This page are dedicated to the memory of the “Special” Branch of the SPBW, which in its heyday was an innovative and enthusiastic part of the most successful consumer pressure campaign that has existed in this country. Along the way it raised over six and a half thousand quid for ten charities, which for the 70’s and early 80’s was very good going. Then there were the friendships that were made. And the memories..............
Being impressed with what a small quantity of Young's Special could do on a visit to The Clock House in Peckham, a small band of us decided to do a small pub crawl one evening in the summer of 1972. We chose the Lambeth area because of the close proximity of its pubs. It was in the Surprise that whilst we were studying the available lists of Young's pubs, the Landlady asked us if we wanted those lists signed. Realising that we didn't have a clue what she was on about, she explained about the "Trip" and its consequent prizes, a tie, a pin of Special Bitter and a trip around the brewery. Taken up with sudden and dramatic interest we decided that we would begin that very evening. Soon interest grew and approximately a dozen friends and associates were involved. During this time Steve Treacy's sister Sue met with a member of the SPBW while hitchhiking in Eire, who on hearing of Steve's interest in Young's, supplied him with a membership application form and consequently he became the first person in our group to obtain membership of a Society that we had heard of but had had no previous dealings with. Once again, with the sudden impulsiveness of youth we joined the SPBW en masse.
In late 1972, Jack Reidi, the then Secretary, suggested that we had enough people to form, our own Branch and it was agreed amongst us that this could be a very good idea. Informal meetings were held to finalise the committee posts we were to have and on 18th May 1973, the Inaugural Meeting was held in the Founders Arms, Hopton Street, SE1. There were twelve persons present and apologies were received from a further seven including Steve Treacy who even in those days had an invisible presence.
It is impossible to cover all the major events that were organised by the Branch, but it is certainly surprising how certain names can jog the memories of all those who were present at the time. Burford in Oxfordshire is memorable to Jimmy Curran, Nick McCaul and Ray Prewer, all of whom were caught by the police trying to break OUT of the infamous Rampant Cat. The remainder of the party were enjoying 'afters' in the Bull when our intrepid trio tied knotted sheets together and climbed from the first floor window only to be met by the landlady and some uniformed Bobbies at the bottom. On explaining that they were not breaking in, but actually escaping, the policemen, knowing the landlady, let them off with a wry shrug of the shoulders. Aren't our policemen wonderful!
The Charity Pub Walks were also memorable, or they would be if anyone could remember much after consuming double figures of pints in a session. These usually covered 26 pubs in and around the City of London, this being at first the number of pubs serving idealogically sound beer. Thankfully, halves were permissible! It was as well that the floor of the Rose & Crown, the final staggering point, was covered in cheap lino in the early days since it always seemed to end up several inches deep in beer and other suitable liquids. But the response from landlords and their customers, not to mention members' sponsors, made sure that the hangovers and brain damage were well worthwhile.
Of course, the Branch's involvement in CAMRA’s first major publicity campaign cannot be forgotten. Due to Ozzie's insistence and preparatory groundwork, a march around Stone in Staffordshire was organised, complaining of Bass Charrington's closure of the local brewery, Joules. Newspaper and television coverage ensued which opened up the great public interest in the cause and CAMRA went from strength to strength to score significant victories on behalf of the beer consumer. The planning of the Stone Campaign also enhanced the Branch's reputation as a force to be reckoned with, if only for singing and drinking.
Then there were all the frolics. The weekend trips: who still has their bottle of Thomas Hardy Ale from Shaftesbury? Southwold (many times), Blackpool, Bath, Boston and even Boulogne were all well supported and extremely enjoyable trips. There were other foreign trips where many a duty free was left on the Hovercraft or boat. Jim Curran had the dubious distinction of leaving his both on the outward and return journeys once. It was after that trip that the Branch inaugurated the Curran trophy, which contained part of a glass broken by Jimmy.
It is almost certain that those present on the unforgettable brewery trip around Arkell's of Swindon, will cherish the memory of that day, their hospitality was exceptional. The were a lot of other breweries visited which were always enjoyable trips. The early canal trips, with the boats decked out in Special Branch's version of ship's bunting, bar towels and beer mats with a wooded barrel on top. The times that they got knocked over in the course of a trip, luckily they floated. The Cheshire Cheese discos, Stacey's pathetic attempt at fancy dress. Putting a kid's hat on his head (a miracle in itself) and going as a policeman.
Then there were the days out. A memorable one when we risked life and limb after coming back from Plumpton Green. The drunken Grey Green coach driver, who it turned out, matched Chris Hall pint for pint taking the shortest route home even if it meant going over roundabouts. An excellent coach trip to Ticehurst in Kent produced a day full of beer, three-legged races and a marvellous sing-song on the return journey, which was a lot safer. The notorious New Years Eve dinners complete with cabaret from inebriated members.
The Branch also catered for basic flying lessons, as Spider Unwin can testify as he winged his way under the oppositions defences as he became the first human Exocet launched on the River Severn. The Branch was also responsible for expanding our horizons. Bill and Jake's joint efforts to drag us down to gutter level, succeeded when they inaugurated the Film Depravity Evenings. Who will ever forget Pink Flamingos at the NFT? Repetitive nightmares are the price most of the less squeamish paid for that night out. However it must be said that the Branch’s film tastes were never good, for on a day trip to Cardiff, the majority of the Branch found their way to the local cinema in two and threes whilst waiting for the pubs to be opened. The films, Hot Sex in Bangkok and Fraulins in Uniform! Fortunately the beer had a soporific effect which sent most of them to sleep. The snoring from around the cinema had a most disturbing effect on its regular perverts
The Foreign Food, Appreciation Feed Ins helped no end to enlarged our already ample tums. We held treasure trails and went in for odd competitions, the Pier Avenue's heavyweight Tug o'war team were successful until an inebriated Ray Prewer forgot to change ends and the seven on our side were pulling against nine, the opposition and Ray! The Sunday People Sports quiz, a lot of heads were aching after our victorious match in Chichester. However the minibus driver on our return from the Acocks Green Quarterfinal defeat must have been a relative of the previously mentioned driver as he fell asleep on the Motorway and clipped the crash barrier, which sobered us all up with the exception of McHugh who was intent on doing something naughty to a clearly very under age daughter of the driver.In March 1983. A joint Branch weekend celebrated Wantz Branch’s 100th Meeting at Penros Court, a restored medieval manor house, which had its own brewery and restaurant. A special beer was brewed for the occasion
In passing how many Branch meetings did Paul Dombrowski turn up to? To most he was just an apology in the minute books. Then there was the enigma of Hugh Kelly and Pies, they were never at the same meeting or function together. Various solutions to this conundrum were preferred over the years, the favourites being they shared the same women or they were the same person, in which case the make-up artist deserved an Oscar.
The Branch continued to meet in the old Founders Arms until it was knocked down (the pub, that is) as part of local redevelopment. Youngs ended up with a dream location for the replacement pub, by the river opposite St Paul's, handy for the Globe Theatre and the new Tate Bankside. Meanwhile we took refuge across the river at the Blackfriar before moving back south to the Rose & Crown in Colombo Street. The Rosie was a legendary institution in its heyday and Branch members and friends regularly gathered there en masse on Sunday evenings as well as for monthly meetings. The pub was then a Courage house and we used to swill Directors with little regard for our brain cells. This doesn't include the time when the former owner wasn't paying his bills and the brewery wouldn't deliver. The acting manager used to get replacement beer from a local cash and carry and we turned up for a meeting to find he had some Fullers ESB he was anxious to get rid of. So we did. Waking up sometime the next morning the acting Secretary could remember nothing of the meeting and couldn't read his notes. So he made up the minutes and no one else could remember what happened either
Of course, being part of Special Branch had different effects on people. Jake, who would be the last ever Chairman, was so thrilled about having joined that he leapt gleefully from his train home that night, either as the train was pulling out of his station, or slowing down as it pulled in, depending if you prefer the truth or a good story. Jim Curran, no mean imbiber, managed to get arrested for drunk and disorderly on his was TO a stag night. A night in the slammer was followed by breakfast and a £5 fine from the beak. "Where else can you get B & B for a fiver in Central London?" he observed. Phil Bingham used to amuse himself by drinking the vilest combinations of drinks he could dream up.
One of the Branch's aims was to extend pub opening hours. The dedicated efforts by the Branch members in carrying out field trails to this end from Southwold to Devizes and from Buxton to Guernsey finally bore fruit. We failed to persuade them despite Jim McKay's and Catweasel's enthusiastic efforts to allow the pubs to stay open all night as well. On that subject suffering publicans who put up with us over the years should be greatly thanked. All cannot be mentioned but "Special" thanks are extended to all the governors of the Rosie. Colin, George, Merv, Greg, Keith and Ray. Barry Lloyd our host at the Blackfriar, the Branch's second HQ. George Ellerington gets another thank you along with John and Mary at the King’s Arms. The late Sid Leader at the Wheatsheaf, where some of the most exciting Fenton Trophy matches took place. Also there was Les, late of the Cheese. He got the blame from most of the members on the pub crawls for getting them drunk, as he served pints instead of halves. Peter Mann, late of the Watling, Bricklayers Arms and elsewhere is another worthy. Liam O'Callagan of the Cockpit, who dispensed with Top pressure after getting fed up with O'Connor bringing up pints from his cellar. He didn't mind that so much it was the time he spent down there. Lastly we mustn't forget Frank and Jenny Beech late of the Red Lion, Stone. A memorable occasion was when Frank and Jenny brought Brian Carey a birthday cake to the Wharf in Shebdon for his 21st. That party went on into the very early hours and we were invited back for our first taste of "befores" later that morning.
So, where did it all go wrong? Well, we all got older, in some cases wiser, or married, and members found reasons to drift away. By the mid-80s meetings had become so poorly attended, we decided to stop bothering and make do with Sunday night gatherings instead..until hardly anyone turned up then either. So, in May 1988, we blew the remaining Branch funds on a wake at the Rosie, attended by all past members we could track down. Thanks to canal trips, quiz matches, birthday parties and other Special occasions, many of the old members still manage to keep in touch. The taste for good ale remains fully intact in most cases! A final thought; the experience of hearing the William Tell Overture being played on Mitch's teeth, was reason enough to be a “Special” |
