For readers who travel around the country you may have encountered one of the latest CAMRA campaigns, LocAle, the new accreditation scheme to promote pubs that sell locally brewed real ale, thereby reducing the number of 'beer miles' and supporting your local breweries.

The CAMRA LocAle scheme was created in 2007 by CAMRA's Nottingham branch which wanted to help support the tradition of brewing within Nottinghamshire, following the demise of local brewer Hardys and Handsons when brewing was transferred to Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

What is CAMRA LocAle?

CAMRA LocAle is a new initiative that promotes pubs stocking locally brewed real ale. The scheme builds on a growing consumer demand for quality local produce and an increased awareness of 'green' issues.

Everyone benefits from local pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale...

• Public houses as stocking local real ales can increase pub visits
• Consumers who enjoy greater beer choice and diversity
• Local brewers who gain from increased sales
• The local economy because more money is spent and retained locally
• The environment due to fewer ‘beer miles' resulting in less road congestion and pollution
• Tourism due to an increased sense of local identity and pride - let's celebrate what makes our locality different.

To benefit from participation in the CAMRA LocAle scheme the pub landlord must agree to endeavour to ensure that at least one locally-brewed real ale is on sale at all times. Only real ale can be promoted as a CAMRA LocAle.

For the Ashford, Folkestone and Romney Marsh Branch LocAle is defined as beers brewed by Goachers at Tovil, Hopdaemon at Newnham, Rother Valley at Northiam , Shepherd Neame at Faversham, and Whitstable Bay at Grafty Green, all these breweries being within 30 miles of the pubs in our area. Gadds Ramsgate Brewery at Broadstairs qualifies for pubs in eastern portion of the branch roughly bounded by St Mary in the Marsh, Hamstreet, and Pluckley.

If you are a landlord or a regular customer of a pub within our branch area that you think would be interested in joining LocAle, just This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , alternatively Bob can be contacted via the form on our contact page.

Pubs which have joined the LocAle scheme are listed below:-

• Red Lion, Snargate, TN29 9UQ
• Red Lion Hotel, Red Lion Square, Hythe, CT21 5AU
• Chambers, Cheriton Place, Folkestone, CT20 2BB
• The Swan, 1 Swan Street, Wittersham, TN30 7PH
• Three Mariners, 37 Windmill Street, Hythe, CT21 6BH

Pubs that qualify and partake in the LocAle scheme will be mentioned in future editions of Marsh Mash and on this website.

More Information & Downloads for Licensees