Allow me to introduce myself: I am the new Membership Secretary - having taken over from Andy Thackeray, who found himself with too many other commitments and not enough time. The Branch appreciated his enthusiastic approach and I hope to continue his good work.

How many people reading this have thought about joining CAMRA, but have never quite got round to it? The full annual membership rate is only £20 (with 3 months’ free when paying by Direct Debit), which works out at just over 5p per day - well worth it for the benefits you get, including:

• Monthly copies of ‘What’s Brewing’ newspaper, with ‘Beer’ supplement - very informative and interesting to real ale and real cider drinkers.

• Reduced entry (or sometimes free entry) to over 150 beer festivals.

• The chance to join brewery trips and socials (including the wonderful Wednesday Wobbles).

• The opportunity to campaign, for example, to save pubs and breweries under threat of closure.

•  Our local members’ newsletter (‘INNSpiring’) that keeps you informed of our
  activities and events in the Chesterfield & District area.

To any of the members (579 at latest count), or indeed non-members, who would like to get more involved in CAMRA activities, I can recommend going on one of the Wobbles. Every second Wednesday evening, a busload of real ale drinkers travels to the four corners of the Branch area, rating the beer at pubs en route. These scores form part of the process to decide which pubs are worthy of inclusion in the next Good Beer Guide. It is a fun way of helping out and great value - the fare is only £4. You get to pubs that you might never usually visit - and there are some gems out there, let me tell you.

To find out what else you can get involved with, please get in touch! The best way to do that is via email: membership@chesterfieldcamra.org.uk

Tom Shearer

For just £20 a year, that’s less than 6 pence per day, you can become a member of CAMRA and receive the following benefits:

• A monthly colour newspaper, ‘What’s Brewing’.

• Reduced entry prices to beer festivals.

• Socials and brewery trips.

• The opportunity to campaign to save pubs and breweries under threat of closure, for pubs to be open when people want to drink and a reduction in beer duty that will help Britain’s brewing industry survive.

• A local Member’s Newsletter (‘INNSpiring’) that keeps you informed on activities and events in the Chesterfield & District area.

CAMRA has been described as Europe’s most successful consumer organisation. We have over 75,000 members. Our members are of all ages and interests who, above all, enjoy celebrating their favourite product – Real Ale.  Go on, try a pint of real ale and join CAMRA today!