{"id":19,"date":"2023-02-26T16:41:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-26T16:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/how-test.camra.org.uk\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-03-22T16:50:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T16:50:10","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/how.camra.org.uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Welcome to the Heart of Warwickshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)<\/a>. This site has information about our branch, including our branch events & local beer festivals<\/a>, contact details<\/a>, downloadable copies of the branch magazine, the “Beer and Ragged Staff<\/a>“, our local pubs<\/a> and breweries<\/a> and our annual beer & cider festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navigate around the site using the menu bar above (or the 3-line “hamburger” icon on a mobile device) and click on the bear logo to return here. There is a search bar at the bottom of every page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 Pub Of The Year Competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The results of our annual Pub Of The Year competition are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 Harbury Beer & Cider Festival<\/strong> (4 & 5 September, open 11am-11pm both days)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Advance tickets are on sale for the 2026 Harbury Beer and Cider Festival<\/a>. Please scan or click on the QR Code to visit the ticket store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We need help at the festival so if you have some spare time please sign up to volunteer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are also looking for companies and individuals to sponsor barrels at the festival. It costs just \u00a330. Full details are here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Pat on the back time for us! The branch has received a special regional award in recognition of our efforts to keep the CAMRA pub directory<\/a> up-to-date.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Leamington Beer & Music Festival 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first Leamington Beer & Music Festival is being held at the Windmill Hill Brewery 16-19 April. Full details are on our events page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom Douglas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We are sorry to report the sad news of the death of Tom Douglas, who died on 22 January 2026 at the age of 71 following a stroke. His daughter Gemma has written the following obituary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally from Belfast, Tom was well known as the landlord of many pubs in the area over the last 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He and his wife Gill ran their first few pubs in Luton and Bletchley, before taking on The Granville Arms in Barford from 1984 until 1998. The pair also ran The Castle Inn at Edgehill near Banbury for five years, before Tom returned to Warwick with a vision to open a real ale bar in an empty shop on West Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside his daughter Gemma he founded The Old Post Office<\/a> in 2014. Tom fitted the bar out himself with reclaimed materials, furniture and curios, showcasing his flare for quirky and eccentric interior design. The pub quickly became a favourite among beer enthusiasts making it into the CAMRA Good Beer Guide<\/a> every year and winning Pub of the Year<\/a> awards on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As well as its popularity with beer enthusiasts the pub also quickly became a community hub. Local West Street resident and Old Post Office regular Sally-Jane Downes commented \u201che connected us personally to the community of West Street and through him we have met so many wonderful people\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his time at The Old Post Office Tom also saw the potential of another tiny empty property in Warwick and opened Rigsby\u2019s Cellar Bar, now The Eagle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom\u2019s unique character gained him a legendary status across the Warwickshire pub world and beyond, with his friendly manner and interesting tales serving as a catalyst for many friendships to be formed over the years across the pubs he ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom will be greatly missed by his wife Gill, daughter Gemma, son Daniel, and wider family as well as his countless friends and customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New CAMRA Website and WhatPub Website Closure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The new CAMRA website<\/a> helps you get to the pints you want to drink the most, in the places you want to drink them, as easily as possible. Whether you\u2019re on holiday, visiting a friend, or simply searching your local area, our website brings you the best pubs, beers and breweries straight to you in an instant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have brought all our data and standalone websites, including WhatPub, together, so you can access everything you need to know about pubs and clubs, beer and cider and our campaigning efforts in one convenient place combined with the ability to upload beer scores and update pub information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newly enhanced online features with easy-to-use smart tools are designed to help you enjoy more of the beer, pubs and festivals you love: <\/p>\n\n\n\n