CAMRA was formed in 1971 by four brave founders to campaign against the increasingly concentrated ownership of pubs and brewing by “The Big Six”. It was something of a surprise both to the founders and to the pub and brewing industry when this upstart campaign for good quality cask beer in good pubs took off and expanded rapidly in its first few years. The need to campaign effectively soon outgrew what CAMRA could achieve centrally and branches were formed to take key campaigning to the local level.

Former Sow & Pigs Toddington

The original CAMRA Bedfordshire branch was launched in August 1974, after a meeting of active members from across the county at the Sow & Pigs, Toddington. After a couple of years, as CAMRA continued to grow, the original branch split into North and South Beds, based on the major population centres of Bedford in the north and Luton and Dunstable in the south. Members in the east of the county who felt their local campaigning priorities were being overlooked, eventually formed the East Beds branch in the early 1990s.

As campaigning experience developed, CAMRA branches across the country launched members’ newsletters and branch magazines that friendly pubs helped distribute, to take CAMRA’s message to the wider, beer-drinking public. South Beds launched Beer in Bed(s) back in the late 1970s, to be joined by Firkin Weakly in North Beds, later renamed The Firkin in 2000 when the format changed from A4 size to A5. East Beds later joined the party with The Casket, but sadly only The Firkin is still published and distributed to local pubs and clubs.

10th anniversary party August 1984

As the 21st century arrived, branches turned to the new internet and launched their own websites for local campaigning, soon to be joined by Facebook and other social media platforms. Although much has changed in the pub and brewing industry, CAMRA’s original campaigning message still stands: to promote good cask beer (and now also real cider) in good, well-managed pubs. Campaigning to secure a future for good beer and cider has to continue when there are so many other concerns. CAMRA nationally does its best to influence government, the brewers and major pub chains, while local branches are often more effective at making the case at local level.

All three Bedfordshire branches take time and effort to select their annual Pub of the Year and other awards for the most deserving pubs – North Beds branch has made five awards in 2024. The three branches work together to select the very best pubs for CAMRA’s national Good Beer Guide and work together, often out of the limelight, to make sure our campaigning message is heard.

Griffin Toddington

All three Bedfordshire branches have invested time and effort in local beer festivals, as a powerful way of showing the public the best real ales and ciders. South Beds ran a popular Luton Beer & Cider Festival for many years before losing its regular venue in Hightown, while the Bedford Beer & Cider Festival continues, reaching its 46th year in 2024. East Beds recently launched a smaller festival in Biggleswade, in partnership with the local Conservative Club.

Members from the three Bedfordshire branches met again in August 1984 and August 2004 to celebrate the 10th and 30th anniversaries of launching CAMRA in Bedfordshire, on both occasions at the Sow & Pigs where it all started. There was also a popular 25th anniversary party in August 1999, but this time hosted by the former B&T Brewery in Shefford.

50th anniversary social August 2024

CAMRA members from across the county met again to celebrate the 50th anniversary on 17 August this year, returning to Toddington where it all started. Sadly the Sow & Pigs is no longer a pub, but the recently reopened Griffin across the road offered an excellent venue and was even running a small beer festival at the time. Where could be more appropriate? Guest ales from Belhaven, Mad Squirrel, Oakham, Tring and XT were quaffed and old colleagues reunited in fine August sunshine. About 30 members of all vintages were there to raise a glass of ale to the foresight of those who decided to launch CAMRA in Bedfordshire all those years ago. Although the founders may not have known it at the time, CAMRA is still badly needed 50 years on if a choice of decent cask ales and ciders is to continue.

The award-winning Devonshire Arms in Dudley Street is 125! Opened by Charles Wells Ltd in 1899 and still owned by the company, now known as Wells & Co., the Devvy remains a social hub for the Castle Quarter community and long may it continue. Preparations are well underway for celebrating the anniversary on Saturday 22nd June - regulars and occasional visitors all welcome.

Up to six, well-kept real ales are available. North Beds CAMRA Pub of the Year 2020-21 and Town Pub of the Year 2022 and 2024.

See further details of the pub at https://WhatPub.com or visit the Devvy Facebook page for news of the celebrations.

CAMRA awards are given only to the best pubs and clubs, and to the hard-working people who make them a success. This year North Beds Branch has given five awards for excellence: our top award of Branch Pub of the Year, a Town Pub of the Year, a Community Pub of the Year, a Club of the Year and a Most Improved Pub award. Framed certificates have been presented to the five award winners.

The branch has again decided not to make a Cider Pub of the Year award in 2024, with few local pubs now offering real ciders that match CAMRA’s new, more restrictive definitions.

Branch chairman Fytton Rowland commented: "I am delighted that we can again honour some of our best pubs and clubs. They are all different, but each seeks to serve, and is part of, its local community. Together they demonstrate how varied good pubs and clubs can be and I look forward to presenting their awards."

You can find more details about them via our Pub Guide (menu left) or by visiting WhatPub.com.

Stone Jug, Back Street, Clophill
Branch and Bedfordshire Pub of the Year
Previously Country Pub of the Year 2023 and Branch Pub of the Year 2014

Congratulations to owner-licensee Vikki Stevens, her brother Mark and the always helpful bar staff for winning our top branch award. The pub has subsequently won the Bedfordshire county Pub of the Year title too, after being judged the best of the three Beds branch winners in 2024. Certificates for both awards were presented to Vikki and Mark on 11th April (photo right).

Originally three 16th-century cottages, the Stone Jug has an L-shaped bar serving two drinking areas. Its unusual name may come from the local quarry stone from which it is mostly constructed. Although a much older building, it became a public house in the early 1900's and is now a popular free house and local community centre. It has been run by the Stevens family since 1981. The “Back Street” address suits its quiet village location. Benches along the front provide a perfect seat for those who like to watch the world pass by and there is also a rear decking area that catches the sun on summer afternoons and early evenings. Parking can be difficult at busy times, but it is an ideal refreshment stop for the nearby Greensand Ridge Walk.

Regular real ale Vale Wychert is joined on the bar by up to four changing beers, usually from regional microbreweries such as 3 Brewers of St Albans, Buntingford and Nethergate. Excellent home-made lunches with weekly specials are available from Tuesday to Saturday. The pub is highly valued for its relaxed atmosphere and regular patrons always help visitors feel at home. It’s a proper, traditional village pub!

The Stone Jug will now compete against five other county winners for the East Anglia regional title. For more details call 01525 860526, or visit the Stone Jug website or the Stone Jug Facebook page

Devonshire Arms, Dudley Street, Bedford
Town Pub of the Year
Previously Town Pub of the Year 2019 and 2022; Branch Pub of the Year 2020 and 2021 Cider Pub of the Year 2018

Congratulations to licensees Ronnie and Rebecca Toms at the Devonshire Arms for winning one of our branch awards yet again. Town Pub of the Year is an award we give to a worthy runner-up when our Branch Pub of the Year is a rural pub. An award certificate was presented on 10th April (photo right).

A true community pub at the heart of the Russell Park residential area and a Wells house for 120 years, the “Devvy” is well supported by local people. There is a warm, friendly atmosphere, an open fire in winter and even candlelight. The front bar has bare floorboards and an open fire, while there is a separate snug at the rear. The garden is popular for sitting out in good weather and includes both a gazebo for smokers and a no-smoking paved area. Traditional pub games like crib and dominoes are played regularly.

The Devvy offers six real ales from around the country: Adnams Ghost Ship, Brewpoint Anchorman, Fuller's London Pride, St Austell Tribute, Timothy Taylor Landlord and a regularly changing guest beer. A range of wines is sold by the glass or bottle. Beer and cider festivals are usually held twice a year. Although full meals are not available on a regular basis, tasty pies are usually on sale at the bar, with snacks also served during festivals. For more details call 01234 301170, visit the Devvy website or follow the Devvy Facebook page

Fox, High Street, Carlton
Community Pub of the Year
Previously Branch Pub of the Year 2022; Country Pub of the Year 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

Congratulations to owner-licensee Alison Thompson for winning another of our local awards as Community Pub of the Year. This is a relatively recent award that recognises a pub’s exceptional community focus, in this case for providing a community hub for social events and charity work in Carlton village. An award certificate was presented on 23rd April (photo right).

We have since learned that Alison will bravely be doing a tandem parachute jump for the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service on Saturday 11th May, adding yet another reason for our Community award. There is a JustGiving page for sponsoring the event and all support will be gratefully received. Well done, Alison!

.A charming, thatched pub on the old High Street off the Turvey road, south-west of the modern village centre, the Fox has offered well-kept real ales for many years. However, Alison has made it even more special with a warm welcome for both regulars and casual visitors. A former, under-used restaurant was opened through into the bar, providing a larger and more flexible space for drinkers, diners and games players. The attractive garden is popular with families in good weather. The Fox serves good pub food at very reasonable prices, and welcomes walking groups for lunch with open arms.

The real ales have changed, with Potbelly Best and Timothy Taylor Landlord on the bar, together with two changing beers, usually from regional independent microbreweries such as Buntingford, Tring, Vale or XT. Good value, home-cooked lunches are served from Tuesday to Sunday and evening meals from Tuesday to Saturday. There is a regular Thursday evening quiz, occasional themed food evenings, a gin festival in June and beer festivals at the late spring and summer bank holiday weekends, for which an outhouse in the garden provides an additional bar and cask stillage. There is also live music at least once a month and many community events too.

For more details call 01234 720235 or visit the Fox website or follow the Fox Facebookpage.

Stewartby Club, Stewartby
Branch Club of the Year

Congratulations to the Stewartby Club for becoming our Club of the Year for the second time, having won the same award in 2020. An award certificate was presented on 11th April (photo right).

A former brickworks social club in a village that has never had its own pub, this club more than fills the gap. A large building with a choice of bars, it has a similar look and feel to an Australian pub, but usually serves Courage Directors and Tring Side Pocket for a Toad, plus a changing cask beer, often from Adnams or Tring. As in most clubs there is pool, darts and snooker, but also a wide range of social activities that we are used to finding in a community pub, such as music nights, a Sunday evening quiz and live music. There is even an annual autumn beer and cider festival open to non-members.

Many community activities are based here, with buffet food often served during events, although no regular meals are served except for English breakfast on Sunday morning. The large function room is available to hire for weddings and private parties. Club membership is open to all adults for just £10 per year.

The Stewartby Club is now our local candidate for CAMRA’s national Club of the Year competition. For more information, call 01234 768261, visit the Stewartby Club website or follow the Stewartby Club Facebook page.

Polhill Arms, Wilden Road, Renhold
Most Improved Pub 2024

Congratulations to licensees Lucie and Steve Fuller on achieving this award only a few years after taking on the pub. However, we were not really surprised as they had already made a great success running first the Burnaby Arms and then the White Horse in Bedford. The Polhill Arms has won our awards before under previous management, but we are delighted that Steve and Lucie have brought it back into the small group of best local community pubs. An award certificate was presented on 3rd April (photo right).

You can hardly miss this friendly, one-bar village local at Salph End, on a bend in the road from Bedford to Wilden. There’s always a warm welcome, with a large garden and play area as well as a busy bar, which has recently been refurbished to create more space without losing the cosy country feel. Regular events include quiz nights, live music and a monthly meat raffle. The regular real ale is Hardys & Hansons Bitter, with two changing real ales always in fine condition, often from Greene King or St Austell. The light-bites food menu includes ploughmans, home-made soup, paninis and more.

For further details, call 01234 771398, visit the Polhill Arms website or follow the Polhill Arms Facebook page.