Liverpudlian visitors enjoy trip to town pubs
A COACH load of Liverpudlians descended on Hinckley to visit the town centre’s pubs.
The group of 50 visitors, part of the Campaign for Real Ale network, followed the Town Centre Pubs Trail and visited the Pestle and Mortar on Upper Bond Street and Elbow Room on Station Road, among others.
They also paid a visit to Church End brewery in Nuneaton and Sperrins.
Some 10 members of Hinckley CAMRA welcomed the coach as it pulled into the Leisure Centre car park in Argents Mead.
The northerners each had copies of the Pubs Trail leaflet which shows about a dozen town centre pubs which serve real ale.
The group split into small groups to be guided around by the Hinckley members.
Matt Valentine, who led the groups from Liverpool, said: “I just wanted to say a big thankyou to you and all your members for your hospitality yesterday, and taking the time and trouble to show us around. It really is appreciated. “You have some really good pubs there and we’ll have to come back anyway to try the ones we missed.”
John Firr of Liverpool CAMRA said: “I just wanted to thank everyone at the Hinckley branch for their extraordinary help and hospitality yesterday.
“We were made to feel like VIPs wherever we went.”
“I was born and raised in Burbage and gained my love of real ale in the local pubs, so returning to Hinckley was a big nostalgia trip for me.
“I can say though that we have never received such a welcome so you all made me very proud to be a tin hatter.
“Please pass my thanks and best wishes on to the branch.”
Sue Summerill, who runs the Pestle and Mortar, said “I heard some lovely comments about how friendly Hinckley was to them.
“I met some nice people especially the gentleman who loved our Pear and Chilli Cider.
“My next research trip away will be to Liverpool. Well done to Hinckley CAMRA for arranging this.”
The men and women from Liverpool made a round trip of 230 miles to visit Hinckley’s drinking holes.