Guest Book

Following the launch of a Discussion Forum the Guestbook was now closed. It remains here for historical purposes. The Discussion Forum itself fell into disuse and closed; due to its format it was not practicable to create an archive version.

Thank you for visiting our website. If you have any comments to make, please either email webmasters@shantscamra.org.uk


From:Peter Crockford
Date:Friday, May 23, 2008 at 14:53:01
Message:Can anyone tell me what is happening to The Ship Inn at Owslebury near Winchester it has been closed for two weeks without informing the locals. Having lost The Shearers Arms I am worried about loosing our last pub.

From:Pete Horn
Date:Monday, April 14, 2008 at 14:13:00
Message:Hop Press still exists, but it's more of a 6 monthly publication now. We would put it out more frequently but we need more contributions.

All Hop Presses since May 2000 are on-line on this site - follow the link on the left. The address to send any letters or articles is at the end of each Hop Press.

From:Gary
Date:Monday, April 14, 2008 at 13:31:57
Message:What happened to the Hop Press newsletter?

I thought it was quarterly but the last one was November? I used to enjoy it, particularly the pub news.

From:Gareth
Date:Saturday, March 08, 2008 at 23:27:28
Message:My visit to The Brass monkey.


Wales won the Triple Crown, England lost against the Scots, and I was wearing Red
and Green.

Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv
I walked past the door attendant and headed
Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv BuvvBuvv Buvv Buvv
towards the bar. Two hand-pumps, Summer Lightening or 49er in a light, well decorated pub.

Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv
Not only was the Summer Lightning drinkable but the atmosphere was very friendly.

Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv
I had two people approach me to say how well the Welsh had plaid, and “you deserved to win”.

Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv
Then I had a woman write her name and address on my arm, unfortunately she was Welsh.

Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv Buvv
If you are on Shirley Road and thinking about popping into The Brass Monkey, Go In. Check it out. It is not the old Rising Sun.

BTW………. THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS ******* LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From:Pete Horn
Date:Friday, February 29, 2008 at 17:51:55
Message:The Oak is no longer a free house, it is now owned by Fullers, and I gather now has just one guest ale - this is normally a local Ringwood brew.

From:John Midwood
Date:Friday, February 29, 2008 at 17:09:28
Message:Did something happen to the Oak Inn at Bank? This used to be an outlet for Holdens Special as I remember & the quality was superb, as were all the other ales on offer.

Wonderful pub in a great setting with a good attitude from the licencee & his staff.


Cheers
John

From:Neil McCulloch
Date:Monday, September 24, 2007 at 17:16:29
Message:Thank you to all those members who attended this years beer festival, your support
is much appreciated.

From:Pete Horn
Date:Monday, August 20, 2007 at 17:32:40
Message:Martin asked about CAMRA pubs with with decent accommodation close to Southampton airport.

Sadly, I know of no decent real ale pubs with accommodation near the Airport.

Within Southampton there are very few pubs with accommodation. From what I've noticed, The Winston in Archers Road is one though I haven't been in & can't vouch for the beer, and around the corner in Northlands Road the Blue Keys Hotel used to do real ale in its former guise The Golden Lion though I don't know if it still does.

Anyone know of any more?

From:Sara Whittle
Date:Monday, August 20, 2007 at 15:45:09
Message:Hi, Yes the annual Flower Pots, Cheriton beer festival is on again this year over bank holiday weekend. Enjoy!

To the person who posted the Yew Tree web address - I agree it's a fantastic pub.

Sara

From:Sammie Hinks
Date:Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:40:27
Message:Does anyone know if the Flower Pots beer festival on this year? Is it Bank Holiday weekend as usual?

From:martin crosbie
Date:Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 10:32:02
Message:Hi - I'm looking for a CAMRA pub with decent accommodation close to Southampton
airport - can anyone offer any details ?? Thanks

From:kate
Date:Monday, August 06, 2007 at 21:00:32
Message:THanks for the prompt reply - I'm looking forward to the HSB & Ham sandwiches!

From:Pete Horn
Date:Monday, August 06, 2007 at 08:23:25
Message:It's still open and completely unchanged. It is still run by Bernard & Janet, though I believe they have a little help now. Although Gales is now owned by Fullers and the brewery has closed, the same range of Gales Beers (brewed in Chiswick) is still on the bar.

From:kate
Date:Sunday, August 05, 2007 at 22:59:59
Message:Hi, I'm planning on a family reunion at the Newport in Braishfield, but now live out of the area - Can anyone tell me if it is still open? My fears are that Fullers have changed it into a gastro or sold off for housing...

From:Pete Horn
Date:Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 21:35:40
Message:Hmmm, this is not really an advertising webspace type of guestbook, but as you went to the effort of typing it in I'll let it stay a while.

PS. Automatic entries from web crawlers and spam entries totally unrelated to this site never get in.

From:julia warsap
Date:Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 21:28:40
Message:Hello

I would like to submit the details of a fantastic Hampshire country pub which has
tremendous visiting Real Ales throughout the year and also serves amazing food in an
idyllic setting....

www.the-yewtree.org.uk

From:Stuart Hayward-Rutter
Date:Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 13:36:34
Message:Good to meet some of you in Belgium this year, Thank you for the invitation, we will be coming down for the Southampton beer festival. Glad we could replace the catalogue the lady had stolen, I hope she could remember the beers she had tasted!
Best Wishes
Stuart

From:kelly barrow
Date:Wednesday, April 04, 2007 at 18:36:00
Message:hi i am from the bevois castle in southampton we are going to have a mini real ale
festival on the 5th, 6th, 7th of may. it is conjunction with hampshire brewery and
we have a range of eight different ales at £1.85 per pint hope to see you there
thankyou for taking the time to read.

From:Pete Horn
Date:Sunday, February 04, 2007 at 19:22:29
Message:Sorry the website has been down for a few days.

From:Pete Horn
Date:Monday, September 18, 2006 at 15:42:48
Message:Yes, this website was updated with this festival this morning. The festival will feature up to 60 beers and run from Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October. Follow the 'Beer Festivals link on the left for details of all the festivals we know about.

From:Chris Clipson
Date:Monday, September 18, 2006 at 14:38:14
Message:Is anyone aware of a Beer Fesival at the Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge on 30 Sept? A mate has mentioned it...

From:Roger Scott
Date:Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 14:57:19
Message:It is pleasing to see that more pubs in the New Forest have made it into the 2007 GBG.

Can CAMRA challenge Cask Marque over its accreditation of some pubs, they may keep a good cellar, but seem to overlook injudicious use of sparklers on 'Southern' ales.

Also Cask Marque should date the plaques they award, as I know a pub locally that displays a Cask Marque plaque but not longer appears in the current local Cask Marque listing leaflet.

From:Mike
Date:Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 23:20:27
Message:Paul, owner of the Flowerpots, told me on Monday 21st that the beer festival there runs from Friday 25th through Saturday and Sunday. I'm not sure about Monday though.

From:Pete
Date:Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 08:19:10
Message:I understand it's Friday 25th through to Monday 28th, though I don't know the times.
It's a very popular beer festival so actively discourages more publicity so as not
to get too many people there, hence I don't get the details.

From:Rog
Date:Monday, August 21, 2006 at 17:32:00
Message:Any update on the Beer Festival at the Flowerpots at Cheriton - cheers

From:Pete
Date:Monday, July 24, 2006 at 16:43:35
Message:The Flowerpots Beer Festival is still very much on (though I don't know the exact dates). The only difference will be the lack of Cheriton Brewhouse beers.

From:Louise Ward
Date:Monday, July 17, 2006 at 12:02:37
Message:Hi
Can anyone confirm if the Flowerpots Bank Holiday Beer Festival is on this year? I heard they had stopped brewing becuase of an owner/pub/brewery dispute and that that was to be no festival this year? It would be a real shame to miss out on all that excellant drinking and social fun. Updates please!

From:Steve
Date:Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 15:37:03
Message:I wish i had known the branch meeting was yesterday, I would have come as I live one minute's walk away!

From:onyeomaga
Date:Friday, June 02, 2006 at 15:01:53
Message:Hello Alan (Riggs). Yes, your pub still rings a Bell. The best in Winchester in your
day, but no longer as good ever since, I'm afraid. You could always get another pub,
but you couldn't turn Greene King's IPA into Martson's. Best wishes to you and
Denise, Steve.

From:Steve Harvey
Date:Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 00:08:45
Message:Hello Alan (Riggs). Yes, your pub still rings a Bell. The best in Winchester in your day, but no longer as good ever since, I'm afraid. You could always get another pub, but you couldn't turn Greene King's IPA into Martson's. Best wishes to you and Denise, Steve.

From:alan riggs
Date:Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 00:04:42
Message:glad to see camra still going .
from an old landlord.can you guess which pub i had for15 years ?????

From:Neil Royal Oak Fritham
Date:Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 09:33:17
Message:Just to remind you all, our Beer festival starts on Friday night 23rd September Over 50 beers food and jazz. Hog roast saturday evening hope to see you there.

From:Noel Pugh
Date:Friday, July 29, 2005 at 00:56:15
Message:Here in Sunny California,after a stroke and quadruple by pass, I am anxious to come home and enjoy a pint of real ale. I used to like Shepards Neame, but I doubt if its available in Southampton. I worked on Castle ships, so I drank a lot in the local pubs. I dont know if I have the capacity now. But I will try. Cheers !

From:Pete Horn
Date:Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 13:08:31
Message:I think you're out of luck Justin, I found this item from our Cambridge branch that says GK have stopped brewing it. That article is from May 1999 BTW.

From:JUSTIN JAMES
Date:Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 12:07:48
Message:HELLO THERE CAN ANYONE HELP ME! IVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND TO BUY WEXFORD IRISH CREAM ALE IN ENGLAND BUT CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING ABOUT IT . I HAVE BEEN TO THE GREENKING WEB BUT NO LUCK! IS THERE ANY WHERE ?? IF THERE IS PLEASE EMAIL ME THANX ... oscillator@hotmail.co.uk

From:Vinay
Date:Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 12:57:08
Message:IBM Club Hursley are holding a mini beer festival weekend of Fri - Sun, 4 - 6 March 2005. Times tbd, but definetly lunchtimes/evenings - maybe some all day opening depending on availability of staff ! Our range of usual beers will be on - currently GFB, Ringwood Best, 6X plus a changing guest, plus another 6 festival beers, plus a couple of real ciders, plus a selection of bottled beers. A limited food menu will also be available. No entry fee to festival, pay for beer...also music, raffle etc. There is a MG Owners Club meeting Sun lunchtime, so there may be some MGs parked around for people to look at ! Venue is the IBM Club, which is in the grounds of IBM Hursley. It is a private registered member's club, so you will have to get signed in, but that won't be a problem. Contact Vinay (01962 816031) for further details.

From:Alex Presland (Southern Hampshire CAMRA)
Date:Monday, February 14, 2005 at 23:48:53
Message:Unfortunately, Andy Moore is no longer actively involved with the South Hants CAMRA branch and I'm unable to answer your question as I never really knew him. I'm also unable to pass on your email, as I don't have an address for him - sorry.

From:Robert Baker
Date:Monday, February 14, 2005 at 04:21:16
Message:Is the Andy Moore that started this guestbook the mad Gooner that used to work at Christchurch many years ago? If it is, please contact me.

From:Sue night caller
Date:Monday, January 31, 2005 at 00:05:04
Message:This is a message for Paul Lines, who's name I have found on your web site. If this is the same Paul from wickstable and then Leicester, it would be great to hear from you. You moved to Leicester with a lovely lady but we had some great conversations a few years ago.
[Message forwarded to Paul - Ed]

From:Pete Horn
Date:Friday, January 21, 2005 at 14:02:45
Message:Just a note that this Guestbook does not accept commercial postings or postings where the main aim is to promote unrelated websites or services.

From:Alex Presland
Date:Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 21:46:35
Message:I've just updated the branch diary. The Good Beer Guide 2006 selection meeting will be held on Tuesday 1st February in the Richmond Inn, Portswood at 8pm. (reply also sent by email yesterday)

From:paul lines
Date:Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 12:54:35
Message:please notify me of the nominations meeting for pub entries into the good beer guide 2006 many thanks paul lines

From:neil
Date:Monday, December 06, 2004 at 10:13:13
Message:Does anyone know if there are pubs in Brockenhurst that stay open all day on a Saturday ?

From:Neil McCulloch
Date:Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 16:23:48
Message:A big thank you to all of you who managed to attend our beer festival again this year. I hope you enjoyed our range of beers and look forward to seeing you all next year.
Neil McCulloch
The Royal Oak, Fritham

From:Al Baker
Date:Sunday, August 29, 2004 at 21:31:43
Message:Hi, My name is Al Baker and I am currently building the site www.infarnborough.co.uk and after some recent conversations I have decided to add reviews of the Pub, Bars and Restaurants in Farnborough, (Hampshire). I have not, however, been lucky enough to personally frequent every single one of these establishments and so I was wondering if you have a couple of minutes spare and you have visited one of these places, please would you please be so good as to submit a review (eg . http://infarnborough.co.uk/Plough%20and%20Horses%20Review.htm ), You can use our review form for this : http://www.infarnborough.co.uk/feedbackform2004.htm. Many thanks in advance! Regards, AL Baker

From:Sam Lowry
Date:Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at 18:25:40
Message:Rate, review and get in touch with old regulars at Hampshire pubs galore.
http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/counties/hampshire/

From:Vinay
Date:Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 20:30:09
Message:*** Advice/Information required please ***
Hi All
I am organising a work team 'beer and curry evening' next Thurs evening...in Southampton. Our plan is we meet at the Giddy Bridge, London Road, first and then go to either to the Natraj or to the Pride of India restaurant nearby. I havent been to either of them so dont know what they are like.
Has anybody been to either of the restaurants recently and can let me know their good and/or bad experiences please ?
Please email me on vinay@uk.ibm.com or phone me on 01962 816031.
Cheers...Vinay

From:Vinay
Date:Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 20:46:34
Message:IBM Club Hursley are holding a beer festival this coming weekend, Fri - Sun 12 - 14 March 2004.
Opening times are:
Fri - 12noon - 2pm, 5.30 - 11pm
Sat - 12noon - 11pm
Sun - 12noon - 1030pm

Festival beers will be:
Oakleigh Mild, Laughing Leprechaun Stout (Hampshire Brewerey), Strongs Bitter, Diggers Gold, Everards Original, Hydes Fine and Dandy, plus a couple of real ciders.

Current range of usual beers will also be on - GFB, Ringwood Best, 6X, Pots Ale (although Pots may have changed if run out by the weekend!). There is no entry fee to the festival, pay as normal for beer. Music on Sat and Sun evenings. There is a MG Owners Club meeting Sun lunchtime, so there may be some MGs parked around for people to look at! The festival is at the IBM Club, which is in the grounds of IBM Hursley. It is a club, so you will have to get signed in, but that won't be a problem. Contact Club Steward (01962 816540) or Vinay (01962 816031) if you need further details.

From:edthebrew
Date:Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 10:39:57
Message:Hi blobby. if you're in the area it would be good to see you in the Hole In The Wall at some point!!

From:Dave Pascoe
Date:Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 00:12:57
Message:I'm here! ;-)

From:Alex Presland
Email:alex@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at 02:45:00
Message:I've received word for Dave - he'll be in Southampton later on today! Watch out, Blobby's about! ;-)

From:Dave Pascoe
Date:Friday, February 13, 2004 at 14:28:46
Message:Look out folks......Blobby might be making a trip to Southampton in the not too distant future!!

From:Pete Horn
Email:pete@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 08:34:02
Message:There's a link just to the left! Anyway Tom, to save you a mouse click, it's Southampton Guildhall 3rd, 4th & 5th June. Hope you can make it across from the USA.

From:Tom Bruner
Date:Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 06:34:29
Message:Let us know when the next Beer Festival is. I'd like to attend.

From:Pete Horn
Email:pete@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Tuesday, January 06, 2004 at 21:04:22
Message:Well, thanks for all the help! ;-) Truth is, there aren't that number of good pubs, but it does make you glad to get back to proper English beer.

From:Pete Horn
Email:pete@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 10:01:12
Message:G'day from Sydney, Australia. For my sins I'm working in the land of cold fizzy beer. I have found the local brew pub - The Lord Nelson and the beer tastes fine there, but it's still a bit on the cold side (along with the weather!). Anyone know of any other reasonable bars in Sydney?

From:Neil McCulloch
Date:Monday, September 29, 2003 at 16:38:00
Message:Just to say a big thank you to all the members who attended our Beer / Jazz festival at the Royal Oak Fritham this weekend our best to date, and will be repeated next September

From:Oakleaf Brewery
Date:Tuesday, July 15, 2003 at 15:51:30
Message:Just wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone for making Hole Hearted the Champion Beer of Hampshire for the second year in a row! Look forward to seeing you on 13th September where many beers will be consumed!

From:Sue Langford
Date:Wednesday, July 09, 2003 at 17:33:46
Message:Does anyone in the branch want to give a good home to our old fridge-freezer? Its a Hotpoint Iced Diamond, 160 litre capacity fridge above a 100 litre capacity freezer, dimensions 165cm high, 55cm wide. We have a posh new fridge-freezer and nowhere to put the old one which is getting in the way in our dining room. It leaks a little, but it would do fine as a beer fridge and back-up freezer in a garage or solid-floored shed (neither of which we possess). It seems a shame to just dump the old warhorse, so if anyone wants it, come and get it. Free to a good home, but we have no transport. Contact Sue or Andy on 02380 320875 (answerphone)

From:Alex Presland (Southampton Beer Festival)
Email:alex@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Friday, June 06, 2003 at 17:31:47
Message:Unfortunately, we've had to take tickets off sale as we've sold more tickets than we expected to. Numbers have also been up significantly for the Thursday evening and Friday lunchtime sessions.

For those of you coming to later sessions - don't worry there should be plenty of beer. We've already done a re-order and have received a lot more beer in order to ensure that we don't run out.

Karen - good luck in finding some more tickets!

From:karen dunford
Date:Friday, June 06, 2003 at 17:23:12
Message:can anyone help! I need 3 more tickets for sat nights beer festival at soton guildhall. has anyone got any spares?

From:Ian Ackroyd
Date:Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 22:07:22
Message:Hello!! Can anyone tell me where to buy Wexford Irish Cream Ale! I have been to the Greene King web but cant find anything on how to buy it & where! I live in Stafford (West Midlands) Can anyone help out there! Thanks...

From:Neil McCulloch
Date:Thursday, March 06, 2003 at 12:22:16
Message: For those of you that would like to come out to the Royal Oak. Fritham There is a bus service (honestly) that runs from Romsey and Totton, and returns at 3.00 o'clock.
See our Public transport guide to Good Beer Guide 2003 pubs for more details -- Ed.

From:James F
Date:Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 21:11:44
Message:Hello, just found your site in a searchengine, keep up the good work.

From:Pete Horn
Email:pete@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 08:23:49
Message:Well, I'm not sure I agree with everything on Marty's site below, particularly the "There's nothing nicer than a super-cold beer on a hot summer afternoon!" comment, but there again the site is Canadian. Hope Marty can come over to Britain sometime & enjoy our delicious real ales at a NOT super cold temperature! ;-)

From:Marty R. Milette
Date:Thursday, January 30, 2003 at 07:41:11
Message:This year (2003) is the 300th anniversary of the city of St. Petersburg! This will likely mean some VERY SERIOUS BEER drinking going on! If anyone is planning on coming over -- please feel free to drop me a line or visit my site The Beer Store and I can arrange a private tour of the Baltika Brewery (INCLUDING FREE TASTINGS!) the largest brewery in Europe. Also, if anyone sends me their postal address, I'd be pleased to send a selection of Baltika beer labels and a Russian postcard for FREE! Best regards, Marty... ( admin@beer-store.com )

From:Murray Gibson
Date:Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 19:15:42
Message:Please accept my apologies for using this guestbook as a general noticeboard, but in view of the fast approaching date, I wish to invite all those who know me to come and help me celebrate my 40th Birthday!
Venue: South Western Arms, Adelaide Road, St. Denys, Southampton, on Saturday 1st. February 2003, 7:30 pm onwards. Thanks Regards, Murray Gibson

From:Alex Presland
Email:alex@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 14:30:10
Message:Gordon, Thanks for your guestbook message. There are, of course many pubs with good real ale in the Southampton Area. All these are listed in the Good Beer Guide. Some of my personal favorites are: The Waterloo Arms, Freemantle (10 mins walk from Southampton Central station); The South Western Arms (next to St Denys station, 1 stop out of Southampton Central). If you're looking for an out-of-town pub then I'd recommend The Flower Pots, Cheriton and The Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge. If you are staying in a specific area and would like to know more about that then please feel free to contact me by email.

From:Gordon McConachie-Anderson
Date:Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 19:42:12
Message:Our family will be staying in Southampton for 3 weeks in the summer of 2003. I would welcome any recommendations for good real-ale pubs in the area.

From:Alex Presland
Email:alex@shantscamra.org.uk
Date:Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 23:51:18
Message:Welcome to the new guestbook. You can still view the contents of the Old Guestbook but you cannot add to it.

Scripts and Guestbook created by Matt Wright and can be found at Matt's Script Archive