Welcome to this update of what's happening in Ely CAMRA's branch area.

Carpenters Arms, Soham Prior to our April branch meeting at the Carpenters Arms in Soham Ely & East Cambridgeshire MP Charlotte Cane presented pub landlord Joppo with our Rural Pub of the Year certificate.

Tiger on Demand Bus Trip Our Public Transport Officer, Phil, is organising a pub trip using buses, both a regular service and the new Tiger on Demand bus service. It will take place on Saturday, 26 April. We will catch the 112 Stephenson Newmarket bus from Ely Market Street Stop C at 11:56 (Tesco Layby at 12:01) arriving at Fordham at 12:30. We'll then visit Fordham Royal British Legion Club where Ely and East Cambridgeshire MP Charlotte Cane will present the club with our Club of the Year award. At around 14:15 the Tiger on Demand bus will pick us up and take us to the Five Miles from Anywhere in Upware. At 15:45 the Tiger on Demand will return us to Ely Station. Tiger timings are approximate. Each trip costs £2 per person (£6 total). Free for concession pass holders. The Tiger bus needs to be booked and can only be booked up to 48 hours in advance. For more information or to book yourself a Tiger seat email Phil moc.loa@ctlbyle by Thursday 24 April.

Awards Presentation to the Drayman's Son The Drayman's Son is our City Pub of the Year, our overall Pub of the Year and our Cider Pub of the Year. We will be presenting them with the award certificates on Tuesday 6 May at 7pm.

May Open Branch Meeting Our May Open Branch Meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 May from 7:45pm at the West End House. Come along and hear what your branch is doing. Our June Open Branch Meeting will be on 3 June in the Plough in Little Downham.

Strolling Social in Kings Lynn Cambridge and Ely CAMRA branches have a joint Strolling Social in Kings Lynn on Saturday 10 May. Catch the 11:56 train from Ely (12:06 from Littleport) arriving in Kings Lynn at 12:30. We'll then visit 7 of Kings Lynn's best drinking spots. Returning we'll catch the 19:42 train arriving at Littleport at 20:06 and Ely at 20:18. For timings and destinations check out Cambridge branch's Event.

Cambridge Beer Festival 2025 May sees the return of the Cambridge Beer Festival to Jesus Green from Monday 19 to Saturday 24. As always we'll have a range of beer, cider, perry, mead and wine from across the UK, as well as beer from around the world, accompanied by our cheese counter. Entry to all sessions is free for CAMRA members. The festival doesn't happen without volunteers. We need several hundred across the week we're open. Many volunteers also help to set up before the event and take it down again afterwards. Can you give us a hand? Even if you can only spend a few hours serving customers at the bar, your time will be greatly appreciated. And you’ll be made really welcome. It's fun, you'll make new friends, and get to try the fantastic beer, cider, mead and wine we have in store this year. Almost anyone can serve customers at the festival. We provide all the training you need on the day. You don't need to be a CAMRA member. You don't need extensive knowledge of beer. You just need to be enthusiastic and willing to join in. Find out more or volunteer now.

Upcoming Events Saturday 26 April. Bus trip to Fordham RBLC for branch award presentation and to the Five Miles from Anywhere, Upware. Friday 2 - Sunday 4 May. Boot, Dullingham. Beer Festival. Friday 2 - Monday 5 May. Sun Inn, Waterbeach. Beer Festival. Friday 2 - Monday 5 May. Red Lion, Swaffham Prior. Beer Festival. Tuesday 6 May at 7:00. Presentation of branch awards to the Drayman's Son. Tuesday 6 May from 7:45. Open Branch Meeting at the West End House. Saturday 10 May. Strolling Social in Kings Lynn. Saturday 17 May. Wicken Beer Festival on Wicken Recreation Ground. Monday 19 - Saturday 24 May. Maypole (Cambridge). Beer Festival. Open all day. Monday 19 - Saturday 24 May. Cambridge Beer Festival. CAMRA event on Jesus Green. Tuesday 3 June from 7:45. Open Branch Meeting at the Plough, Little Downham. Thursday 5 - Saturday 7 June. Hitchin Beer Festival. CAMRA event at Histon Rugby Club.