News
- CAMRA Gwynedd a Mon Branch
Monday 21 July 2025
CAMRA Gwynedd â Mon Branch Meeting at Pen Cob Station Square, Pwllheli 1.30pm 12th July 2025 Welcome Clive welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Maria who was attending for the first time. Clive thanked John for hosting the meeting. Clive informed all present that it was our first since John Hopkins had passed away. John had been a loyal supporter of CAMRA and held the post of Membership Secretary with Gwynedd â Mon Branch for many years. Clive will send an email to all members when the details of John’s funeral are finalised.
Secretary Nico reported that Clive and he attended the Cambrian Heritage Railway beer festival in Oswestry, which had 15 beers and 5 Purple Moose beers. Also visited the Bailey Head, which is a lovely pub proudly displaying their CAMRA awards. Nico had drafted a copy of our Branch report to be presented at the Regional meeting next week.
Membership Secretary Dafydd had no up-to-date information as he cannot access the Phoenix system.
Social Secretary Don has sent out Comms to members regarding last month’s meeting, John Hopkins sad passing and change of date for the presentation of runner up for PotY for The Black Bull, Bangor. All events are on the CAMRA website.
Pubs Officer Clive informed the meeting that two pubs in our area had recently suffered bad fires. The Harbour Hotel in Cemaes Bay and The Queens Hotel in Blaenau Festiniog. It is too early to know of the future for these pubs but The Harbour Hotel is hoping to have a bar running for the summer.
Y Glob, Bangor has reopened but not sure if this will be long term.
The Bryntirion Inn has reopened after extensive refurbishment.
The Penros Arms, Llanfair PG is due to open this month.
In Bethesda, the Tryfan has closed down while the Bull is open again.
Traxx, formerly The Waverley, in Bangor has closed and has been repossessed.
Llanberis Social Club is selling real ale.
Myrddins has closed temporarily.
Wales Regional Meeting This is being held on Saturday 19th July at The Barrels, Hereford. Clive and Nico will be attending.
Next Branch Meeting Friday 12th September at Llanbedr Beer Festival, Ty Mawr Hotel, Llanbedr. 12.30pm.
Next Branch Social North Wales Summer Trip. Saturday 9th August starting in The Picturehouse (Wetherspoons) at 12.45pm.
Any Other Business
Whatpub will cease to function on 24th August. Pub information and scoring will be on the CAMRA website.
Clive has previously asked for assistance with the Pub’s Officer role. Cemlyn has volunteered to do this as long as members are happy with this. All present were in agreement.
- Branch Announcement
Tuesday 8 July 2025
We are sad to inform you that one of our long-standing active members, John Hopkins, passed away recently aged 76. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was until recently Gwynedd a Mon membership secretary, and was among the most regular attendees at our Branch meetings. He was a passionate collector of all Welsh breweriana but above all loved pubs. His funeral will take place at midday on Wednesday 30 July at the Bangor Crematorium - all members are welcome to attend.
- Branch Announcement
Tuesday 8 July 2025
Gwynedd A Mon Branch Meeting Gwynedd A Mon Branch Meeting Pwllheli Saturday 12 July 1:30pm Public Branch Meeting About We are located in the County of Gwynedd, North Wales. We meet every month in different pub locations. This allows us to visit different areas of our County, and allows all members from our area to attend. If you are someone who wishes to know more about CAMRA and our campaign come along you will be made welcome, and if you are visiting Gwynedd on holiday and are a member come and join us.
This is a CAMRA event https://gwyneddamon.camra.org.uk Venue Pen Cob-Station Square Pwllheli, LL53 5HG
- Gwynedd a Mon Branch Meeting for June
Friday 27 June 2025
Hello to all members,
Camra Gwynedd a Mon Branch Meeting
at Stori
High Street, Bala
14th June 2025 at 12.00
Clive welcomed everyone to the meeting, 5 members present.
Chair-Clive reported that all pubs in contention for North Wales PotY had been surveyed and results submitted. The winner will be put forward for Wales PotY.
Secretary-Nico sent the following report, Nico had attended the Rail Ale Festival which this year was held Snowdonia Parc. There had was a good choice of beers from Snowdonia Parc Brewery and other local and national breweries. 5 members from Gwynedd a Mon Branch had attended.
Membership Secretary-Dafydd reported that Gwynedd a Mon has 132 members. Nationally CAMRA membership is slightly rising,
Social Secretary-Don reported that comms have sent out to members as required. Events added to CAMRA main website.
Media Officer-Dafydd reported that The Corbett Arms in Yywyn is being demolished. The Waterloo Inn, Bangor has been closed for many years. There have been a planning application submitted for the pub and adjoining shops to be converted into residential / retal units. Dafydd asked whether we should be opposing this on grounds of the pub being of historical significance. (it is thought to date back to the mid 19th century and was once a coaching house). Members thought this should be opposed.
Pubs Officer-Clive reported that The Crown Inn in Bobedern, Anglesey which was derelict for many years has reopened.
The Bryntirion Inn, Llanderfel has reopened but not sure whether it sells real ale.
It has been reported that Pant Yr Ardd, Tregarth, has no real for sale.
The Ring, Rhosgoch, North Anglesey is apparently selling Wainwright's Amber Ale. This one of the fresh ales that CAMRA are asking us to report.
The Ship at Red Wharf Bay is under new ownership. Julie visited last week and reported there are 3 ales on the bar.
Date and venue of future meetings.
Next Branch Meeting- Pen Cob, Pwllheli, Saturday 12th July 13-30.
Wales Regional Meeting- 19th July, 13.00. The Barrels. 69, St Owen's Street, Hereford. HR1 2JQ.
After the meeting was concluded, Stori was presented with a certificate for being runner-up Gwynedd a Mon CPotY. Clive congratulated the staff on their achievement noting that it was the first time Stori had been in our catchment area for judging purposes. Fiona accepted the certificate saying it would take pride place on their wall.
- Gwynedd a Mon Branch AGM
Sunday 18 May 2025
Hello to you all,
CAMRA Gwynedd a Mon Branch AGM At The Adelphi Vaults
Port Amlwch, Anglesey 3rd May 2025 at 1pm
Welcome: Clive welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially members who had not attended before.
Apologies: Received from, Martyn Lewis, John Hopkins and John Griffiths.
Chairman: Clive reported that during the last year Eryl, our longstanding Chairman, passed away. Glasses were raised in toast to Eryl and Lynn. Good Beer Guide entries have been submitted for 2026, surveying has taken place in most of our region.
Treasurer: Don reported that the Branch has been busy since last year’s AGM. The old bank account had been closed down after much communication between the Branch and CAMRA HQ, we agreed to open a new account with the Metro Bank. Don has undergone COBAS (CAMRA Online Branch Accounting System) training. Camra uses the COBAS system to monitor Branch accounts.
Pubs Officer: Clive continues to update Whatpub with information sent to him from members. He mentioned a member from Sheffield who has provided a large number of updates and photos. Olivers Tap House has opened in Menai Bridge. Ty Mo in Bethesda has reopened and the Bull in Bethesda has real ale. Penrhos Arms in Llanfair PG has closed. Gaerwen Arms is up for sale.
Social Secretary: Don reported that as a Branch the last year has been very busy getting together socially in numerous locations for many different reasons. Liverpool,Chester, Shrewsbury, Llandudno,Llanbedr, Anglesey, Bangor, Penygroes and more recently Torquay and Barmouth. Although some of these were for meetings and training sessions they were also social occasions. The Branch Facebook page is running steady. We are gaining followers and not losing many. With the help of Cemlyn it is hoped that this will move forward. We really need members from our Branch to post. There are a lot of followers who live a long way from our area and are looking to see how busy we are.
Campaigns Officer: Dafydd reported that he is still thinking of ways pubs can be supported during difficult times for the industry, Clive commented that pubs/clubs are always appreciative when we give out awards.
Election of Branch Committee: Nico oversaw the election of the Officers. Chairman - Clive Treasurer - Don Secretary - Nico Vice Chair - Julie Pubs Officer - Clive Social Sec - Don Minutes Sec - Julie Branch Contact - Nico Campaigns Officer - Dafydd Branch Accounts examiner - Gareth Roberts ( Chester Branch ) Membership Sec - Dafydd LocAle Co-ordinator - Nico Cider Representative - Nico Media contact/pubs protection officer - Dafydd Social Media contact - Don Pub promotions and awards coordinator - Barry Other agenda items. POTY: The Black Bull in Bangor was runner up for Gwynedd a Mon PotY, Stori in Bala was runner up for CPotY. Dates to be arranged to present these awards. North Wales Beer Tasting Panel: David Welby gave the following report - The North Wales Tasting Panel has had a successful year since its inauguration in July 2024. Thirteen Wesh beers were entered into CBOB 2025 with sufficient tastings and scores for qualification. Purple Moose Elderflower was one of 50 beers judged at CBOB Winter Beer Festival in January and gained third in class “speciality” and will go forward to CBOB competition at NEC Birmingham in August. If anyone wants to be on the tasting panel please contact Clive for further information. AOB: Assets of Community Value (ACV’s) are not applicable in Wales. This has been raised previously but nothing has moved forward. CAMRA chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins has raised this with Eluned Morgan so the Welsh Senedd are now aware of the issue. In Holyhead, the old Natwest Bank is being converted into a hospitality venue. It is thought that Catch 22 will run the restaurant side with Bragdy Cybi running the bar. Seven members attended the Members weekend AGM, in Torquay. CAMRA is trying to get cask ale recognised as part of our cultural heritage. A partition has been set up which needs to obtain 100,000 signatures by 1st October 2025 to be considered for debate in parliament. To sign the petition go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/716686.
Upcoming local beer festivals - 6/7th June - Rail Ale - Snowdonia Parc
6/8th July - Talyllyn Railway 12/13th September = Llanbedr Next Branch Meeting - Stori, 14th June at midday. Also presentation of runner up for Cider Pub of the Year. Next Branch Social - Black Bull, Bangor. Wednesday 18th June at 6pm. Also presentation of runner up for Pub of the Year.
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Thanks
Branch: Gwynedd A Mon
- Eulogy for Eryl Morris
Monday 12 May 2025
- Eulogy for Eryl Morris
Monday 12 May 2025
Eryl Morris – Eulogy
It is very appropriate to be giving this eulogy on 1 March – St David’s Day, as Eryl was a very proud Welshman. Eryl was born and bought up in Gwynedd in the late 1950s and 1960s. He spent much of his career as a civil servant working for many years in what was then known as the DHSS, where he became a fraud investigator.
He was a CAMRA member for 30 years, and Chair of the Gwynedd a Mon Branch for the best part of 20 years. He certainly signed a lot of Pub of the Year and other certificates over the years, which remain in pubs and bars across the two counties.
His biggest contribution to promoting real ale was helping run beer festivals. He was often visible front of house at Welsh Beer Festivals in Cardiff. However, his most significant role was as the ever present bar manager organising the Cwrw ar Cledrau Welsh Highland Railway festivals that have run for almost two decades. As last year’s festival was the last before building work at the site – it was described as it will ‘be the last of it’s kind – with Eryl’s passing that is certainly the case.
His wife Lynn was a regular attendee at our meetings, and we have sent our condolences to her and their family. Eryl will be much missed by the Branch.
- Gwynedd a Mon Branch AGM
Monday 28 April 2025
Announcement of CAMRA Gwynedd a Mon Branch AGM 2025.
at the Adelphi Vaults, Amlwch Port. LL68 9HD
Saturday 3rd May 2025 at 1pm.
All members are invited to the above AGM.
If you do not normally get regular Gwynedd a Mon Branch messages and would like to do so, you need to amend your membership settings via the CAMRA website.
- Gwynedd a Mon Branch Announcement
Monday 17 March 2025
Branch Notice
It is with great pleasure to announce the winners of PotY, CPotY and CotY 2025.
Pub of the Year 2025 Myrddins Tap Barmouth.
Cider Pub of the Year 2025 Myrddins Tap Barmouth.
Club of the Year 2025 Royal St Davids Golf Club.
Harlech.
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We also remind you that a social is planned for Friday 21st March at Bragdy Lleu, Penygroes. 4pm onwards.
- Camra Gwynedd a Mon
Saturday 1 March 2025
Hi Everyone
Gwynedd a Mon Branch Meeting The Australia, Porthmadog 15th February 2025
Welcome. Clive welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Officers reports
Chair - Clive sent information and a photograph of Eryl to go onto the obituaries board at the members weekend in Torquay. Clive will also say a few words about Eryl at the start of the regional meeting on 1st March.
Social Secretary - Small increase in postings on Facebook. Comms getting 55-60% views. Gwynedd a Mon website updated with new committee positions.
Campaigns and Media Officer - The Boatyard in Bangor is up for sale. It is freehold and there are concerns that another pub will be lost. Dafydd is still thinking of ways to campaign locally. It was suggested that we make more use of local media as we don’t have much of a presence in the local press. Suggested that Dafydd emails the Daily Post, Cambrian News and Bangor Aye with our concerns. Also if anyone has any pub news that would be media worthy please forward to Dafydd.
Pubs Officer Report/GBG Allocations - Clive reported that allocations for Good Beer Guide(GBG) 2026 need to be submitted to CAMRA by 3rd March. Members present discussed allocations. The majority of entries were decided. The list will be finalised on 28th February.
Other Agenda Items. It is the time of the year to look at nominating Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Club of the Year. A Comms message is to be sent out to all members requesting nominations by 26th February.
Nominations from around the table were taken.
Pub of the Year - Spooners, Porthmadog. Myrddins, Barmouth. Black Bull, Bangor.
Cider Pub of the Year - Myrddins, Barmouth. Stori, Bala.
Club of the Year - Porthmadog Golf Club. Royal St David’s Golf Club, Harlech.
Voting will take place at the next meeting.
Wales Regional Meeting will take place on Saturday 1st March at The Cromwell Tap, Shrewsbury commencing at 1.30pm. Nico has prepared a Branch report which he will send for inclusion at the meeting.
Any Other Business.
Clive asked if anyone was in the Llan Ffestiniog area, Y Pengwern could do with being surveyed.
Date and Venue of Future Meetings
Next Branch Meeting - Saturday 8th March, Black Bull, Bangor at 1pm.
Next Branch Social - Bragdy Lleu, Penygroes. Friday 21st March from 5pm.
Don
- Camra Gwynedd A Mon Branck
Thursday 20 February 2025
Hi Everyone,
Camra Gwynedd A Mon Branch
Welcome nominations for,
Pub of the Year,
Cider Pub of the Year,
Club of the Year,
The PotY needs to be in The Good Beer Guide 2025.
Please send nominations to the Branch Contact, Nico Llewelyn by 26th February.
gro.armac.nomaddenywg@tcatnoc,uk
Don