Saturday the 7 December 2024 was notable for two memorable events. The first was Storm Darragh that lashed Cornwall with howling winds and rain bringing down trees, cables and any CAMRA members who got in the way. The second was the presentation of two CAMRA certificates to Treen’s Brewery at the Stag Hunt at Ponsanooth.

Not to be put off, especially due to the lure of Treen’s beers on the bar, I set off by bus for Ponsanooth, planning to use the A roads which I hoped would be less likely to be blocked. So far so good until it became clear that the first bus was making heavy weather and not going to make my change point in time to catch the second bus to get to the pub. Desperate measures were called for. I got off the bus by Kennal Bridge and walked up the wooded viaduct valley with swaying trees dropping twigs and branches down on me. I passed the entrance to Treen’s and Dynamite Valley breweries and arrived on time at the pub unscathed. As the Poacher advert went “I’ve never known a night like it, and I’m not looking forward to the journey home neither!”

Landlord Wayne Randle had a wonderful range of Treen’s beer so I got stuck in!

There were two certificates to be presented to Simon Treen for winning gold places in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain heats. Well done, Simon!

Cornwall Branch Chair Paul Waller made the presentations to Simon. A good time was had by all.

Eventually it was time to face Darragh again. Fortunately, the beer has improved since 1987 even if the weather hasn’t.

Cheers, Steve Barber