Early campaigning by CAMRA members was by all accounts a very exciting time. It initially arose because most brewers in the UK had increasingly abandoned real ale during the 1960s in favour of trendy “keg” beer production i.e tasteless, pasturised beer, chilled and served it using applied gas - usually Carbon Dioxide (CO2). In Suffolk by the early 1970s many local drinkers were increasingly un-happy about the rather incipid offerings being offered in our pubs.

There were just three remaining local Suffolk brewers. Greene King (Bury St Edmunds) who still brewed beer in a traditional manner but subsequently served most of it using a “top pressure” system - a CO2 gas dispense system that usually destroyed the flavour of real ale using a blanket of gas to stop it "going off". Tolly Cobbold (Ipswich) who offered very little real ale (except the occasional gravity Mild or Bitter) in their large local estate of about 380 pubs, and who were also increasingly earning a poor name for the quality of their beers including the short lived “Husky” lager. And Adnams (Southwold) who offered both Bitter and Mild, but sadly it was not very widely available outside a small "tied" estate of about 70 pubs plus a few local Free Houses.

Other notable and long established nearby brewers such as Stewart & Patterson (Norwich), had been taken over by Bullards in 1961 and closed in 1970, with 630 tied pubs (some located in north Suffolk) subsequently being rebranded. Bullards (also Norwich) themselves were then taken over by Watneys in 1968 and soon another 530 tied pubs were being rebranded, and E. Lacons (Great Yarmouth) were taken over and closed by Whitbread in 1968 with their 350 tied pubs also being rebranded. All of this rapid consolidation resulted not just with some established local beers disappearing, but also many local pubs increasingly offering rather bland and nationally branded beers such as Watneys Red Barrel, Ind Coope Double Diamond and Worthington E together with a first wave of new imported lager beers such as Skol and Tuborg.

CAMRA arrived fairly early in the Suffolk with a branch being formed in Ipswich, and the first local meeting being held in June1974. This first meeting, and many subsequent early meetings were held at the Rose and Crown, which became known as the local CAMRA HQ. It is highly appropriate that by chance this pub should currently be being revitalised in this celebratory year.

First local branch chairman was Rob Walters - who had attended the first National CAMRA AGM (in London in 1973) with his friend and one of the co-founders of the national campaign, Mike Hardman. Other early, prominent local branch members (and chairs) included Keith Froom, T D S Woods, Frank Baldry and Dave Broadmeadow. Ron Booth (now living in Yorkshire), Bill Baldry and a rather youthful Stuart Bowell who later was Ipswich branch Chairman for two lengthy terms and also Suffolk Area Organiser (for about 20 years) were other notable early supporters - there were many others.

Ipswich pubs then selling real ale included the County, Greyhound and Water Lily but sadly no more than 10 pubs actually served Real Ale in the town at this time! Those early local campaigners soon embarked upon the task of promoting real ale by organising local beer tents and supporting county beer festivals. Bill Baldry recalled that in those early days it was quite hard work to get everything organised as beer festivals were then still a fairly unusual concept especially to the licensing authority.

Stuart Bowell also recalled that the first outside bar organised by the branch resulted in some branch members camped overnight at Seckford Hall in October 1974 to guard the beer for a local Transport Rally! Beer Tents soon became an increasingly popular local form of local campaigning, especially at venues such as the Stowmarket carnival.

The Ipswich branch grew in strength quite rapidly and various other notable characters soon became involved in the campaign - Graham Potter (GP), Rae Gardiner, Ian (the lustful) Mihell, Bob Longley and of course the irrepressible Vic Attwood (who sadly died Oct. 1995) - who was initially based at Brettenham – to name just a few.

In 1975 a local guide (pictured) was published to assist in finding real ale in the immediate area around Ipswich (with a radius of about 10 miles). It was written by Graham Henry Hudson - sadly it contained just 51 pubs. Subsequent county guides were also published in 1978, 80, 83, 86, 92 and 1997.

Today the local campaign have migratted all of their current Suffolk pub information onto a website which was designed by Tony Green . Together with Nigel Smith this website was initially designed and populated in 2007-08 with photographs of every trading pub and increasingly details of the many closed pubs within the county. By the end of 2008 it had acheived over 1 million hits and contained details of over 2340 pubs (about 800 currently trading). Another notable contributor has been Sid Kerrison who has provided many of the historic and closed pub photos. This project is very much ongoing. Many others have also contributed material and are acknowledged in the website. If you have pictures or details of pubs that you are happy to share with others then just contact Nigel.

Dwyleflonk team at
Ipswich Woolpack in 1978

The branch members were very active and soon RambAles, CycAles, Steel Quoit matches, Shove-Ha'penny competitions, cricket matches, Conker competitions PLUS numerous other social and campaigning activities had evolved to keep the branch members buzy - as they still are today.

A mini-bus was purchased and this then inspired many new beer adventures over a twelve year period - but the driving was shared and the nominated driver never drank on any of the trips.

Also for a while a mid-Suffolk sub-branch also became established in the north of the county under Bill Baldry's chairmanship. Other Sub-branches also flourished briefly in Haverhill with Steve Miller and Chris Curtis, and Lowestoft with Terry Morris and Des O'Brian (currently Norwich chair) but unfortunately these subsequently folded. (A branch located in Lowestoft has since become much more firmly established - see below.) The wider popularity of the campaign and increased awareness of the campaigns primary objective of revitalising beer also saw a reversal of policy by several brewers, and the gradual withdrawl of some of the more incipid national brands, with the subsequent increased availability of real ale in many local pubs.

(1978)

In late '77/early '78 one Bury branch member, Vaughan Hully, inspired and edited the first local branch newsletter (assisted by GP). Initially just simple A4 typed pages - it immediately provided more focus for the branch campaigns - by 1979 it had evolved into an A5 sized pamphlet. Early editions often featured block wood prints across the top.

Originally without a name, this newsletter became widely circulated across the county as an increasingly popular as a form of local campaigning until the extensive demise of so many rural Suffolk pubs encouraged it to be given the name "Last Orders" (since May 1981) to their ever lasting memory. Vaughn was the magazine editor for over 4 years and set an early high standard.

One inspiration during this time was the introduction of special features such as cartoon characters - initially Fizzbuster then a long series that depicted the everyday adventures of a fictional local ale character called Arty - these were mostly drawn by GP and ran four about nine years and were extremly popular.

Other editors since Vaughn have included Frank Baldry, Rae Gardiner, Simon Haynes (6 years) and Nigel Smith (16 years). The magazine was first produced in full colour in Dec 2005 - and is currently enjoying the 32 year of continuous production and circulation across the county and beyond - with about 6500 copies in colour currently being produced per edition. It has often been said "it remains our most important local campaigning tool."

During the early 1980s CAMRA's campaigning priorities gradually changed – the original task was undoubtedly complete and many original members considered the need for campaigning was over. Some counties such as Suffolk once again had over 600 pubs selling real ale (then about 70% of the total) and new handpumps and new beers (such as Tolly Cobbold Original) were appearing upon bar counters all over the place. However it was not long before many new priorities were identified. These included:

>> Pubs were now closing in very large numbers and somebody was needed to raise awareness in their sudden and tragic loss and to campaign (when deemed appropriate) to keep them open. Counties such as Suffolk contained many rural pubs with traditionally relatively low volumes of beer sales – alternative new business such as catering, village shops and b+b needed to be undetaken to help keep many of them viable.

>> More flexible opening hours were needed as these were still based on very outdated legislation and were highly restrictive (eventually leading to the total reform of licensing in 2003).

>> Sadly beer quality could also often be very variable - brewers and publicans needed to be encouraged to invest in better dispense systems and quality control otherwise the sale of poor beer could once again discourage the new real ale converts from drinking the cask conditioned beers on offer (new industry initiatives such as cask marque were to eventually be created).

Rae, Scotty + Frank setting up the first Ipswich Beer Festival

Virtually inchanged for the first 15 years this picture was actually taken in 1997...

Since then there has been an island bar.

>> AND FINALLY - On a more positive note, for the first time in decades, we were able to support the many new breweries that were opening with Mauldons (Sudbury) starting in 1983, Earl Soham - behind the Victoria in 1984, and Nethergate (Clare) from 1986. A dozen more new local comercial businesses were to follow in the next decade, whilst nationally over 600 small breweries were set-up. These new breweries all need some help raising awareness of their “craft beers” and some help in establishing new markets. Fortunately as larger beer festivals were also becoming established - Ipswich had its first in 1983 and Bury St Edmunds in 1990 – these have remained a popular core element of CAMRA campaigning ever since.

The first CAMRA beer festival in Ipswich (1983) was inspired and partly financed by Rae Gardiner. Rae put up some of his own money to ensure the event went ahead - any initial doubts of its likely success were soon dispelled and it has remained a very popular event ever since with between 4500 - 5000 people attending each year. In 2007 the 25th festival will be held!

Main organiser and license holder of the early festivals was Dennis Keeble (3 years) - who is now sadly deceased. Other principal organisers have included Mark Salter, Pete Ellis, Mel Brooks, Nigel Smith (9 years), Phil Holland (3 years), Ray Gardiner (3 years) and currently Paul Jefferey.

Other contributors to these annual events are too numerous to mention but have notably included (in no particular order) Martin McCleary (head cellarman for many years), Peter Gager (cellarman), Karl Myhill (cellarman), Harry King (cellarman), Ian Scott + Steve Willett (joint treasurers), John French, Trevor Stutter, Vic Attwood (now deceased), Nick Attwood, Mike Smillie, Paul Game, Chris Berry (treasurer), Georgina Warrington (treasurer & products), Chris Pitts (cellarman), Keith Morrell (treasurer), Mike Johns (treasurer), Stuart Bowell (treasurer & products), Allan Crampton (cider), Judy Brown (cider), David Whiting (products), Nigel Mann (staffing), Frank Walsh (staffing), Graham Ellis (staffing), Tracey Constable (staffing), Alison Peel (staffing), Sophie Watson (including various logo designs), Sid Kerrison, Peter Shelcott, Tony Morris (membership), Mike Herbert (membership), Martin Stevens, John & Pat Willis, Judith Last, Roger & Janet Batty, Doug Pearce, Tina Hammond, Brian Moss (glasses), Jill and Stuart Prior (glasses), Malcolm Kay (products) and many, many more.

Meanwhile elsewhere in Suffolk, similar events were also held in Bury St Edmunds - but were of mixed sucess until they moved to the Corn Exchange in 1992 where they have certainly thrived ever since. Organised originally by Chris Curtis (for eleven years) and now known as the East Anglian Beer Festival (offering a wide range oflocal beers) it continues to be a very popular annual event.

Also, in Sudbury for five years (1993 to 1997) several local CAMRA members including Tony Morris, Nigel Smith, Stuart Bowell, Brian Nicholas and John Gagen helped ensure a highly enjoyable festival was organised in conjunction with the local jazz club at the Quay Theatre. Then in Stowmarket the town's first festival (1997) was organised by local members - Stuart Bowell, Georgina Warrington and Nigel Smith - these events ave all been held in conjunction with the Museum of East Anglian Life (originally under the directorship of Miriam Steed and more recently with assistance of Lisa and Tony) inside a 500 year old Tythe Barn. Many other CAMRA members including Frank Walsh, Karl and Karen Myhill and Keith Froom have also assisted with this event - loved by many for it's unique setting - with the acre or so of garden beside the barn. It has become a regular firm favorite for a large band of loyal supporters. See the festival page for all the latest details.

Many Ipswich branch trips use Ipswich Buses - all normally start at Tower Ramparts and finish with a drop-off route around town!

To help encourage Ipswich people to support rural pubs within the county a series of "Real ale Runabouts" were organised in conjunction with the Ipswich Bus company from 1984.

Barry Moore (from the bus company) provided much of the initial inspiration to get them going. These regular excursions have enjoyed considerable success ever since and are always open to anyone who would like to get out of town for a few hours and visit a few of the better local rural pubs.

See the Real Ale Runabouts page for latest details.

Also after the gradual demise of the faithful old minibus (in the late 1980s) the Ipswich branch has since then regularly taken to the road using hired buses for most of their their social meetings - such as brewery trips and inter-branch socials - including several traditional games evenings and the annual bowls matches held against Norwich & Norfolk branch - these events are open to all local CAMRA members to attend and have usually been very popular.

Look out in Last orders if you would like to attend a future social event!!

Undoubtedly the biggest test of resolve for the local CAMRA members to-date was the sudden closure and proposed re-development of the long established Tolly Cobbold brewery by Brent Walker (1989). An enormous local effort exerted by the local action committee led by Mel Brooks in conjunction with a national campaign and extensive support given by the local authorities helped to inhibit many of BW's proposals and assisted with the eventual management buy-out and resurgence of brewing in Ipswich a few months later.

Unfortunately Tolly Cobbold finally ceased trading in Sept 2002 after a merger with Ridleys - then the two companies announced that they could only effectively compete in the current market as a single entity. A subsequent take-over and closure of Ridleys by Greene King in August 2005, meant that all brands were now owned by Greene King and any Ridley or Tolly Cobbold beers brewed after this date will be brewed at the Westgate brewery in Bury St Edmunds whilst the late-Victorian Cliff Road brewery in Ipswich remains closed and with it's future still remaining in some doubt.

On a happier note, in January 1998 a new sub-branch was formed in the Lowestoft area under the chair of Mike Davey. Other local members include Jim Jordan, Mel Bloom, Linda Davey, Ken Ward, Tim Major, Bob Viper, Steve Luxton and Simon van Tromp. Initially Known as North East Waveney (NEWD) today they are now called the North East Suffolk Branch.

At their AGM in February 2003 NE Suffolk decided to take the next big step and become a fully functional local branch and so for the first time in over a decade there are three distinct and very active branches in the county. At this time some boundary re-alignments were also agreed with Ipswich & ES so that Halesworth and Southwold could be incorporated into the area.

Current boundaries for all three Suffolk branches were agreed and republished soon after. North East Suffolk have since established themselves throughout the Lowestoft, Bungay and Beccles areas and have also organised various coach trips out to a variety of more remote pub and brewery destinations in the area. They make a very welcome addition to the already highly active CAMRA scene across the county.