TERRIFIC SUPPORT FOR MILD ALE

The Mild Trail Passports have received enthusiastic support from both the trade and drinkers, our thanks go to Ed Lobbett who bore the bulk of the work involved in compiling and getting the passports, posters and scatter leaflets printed, sourcing the self inking stamps and distributing them all to almost fifty pubs! The over one thousand pound cost has been underwritten by Dawkins Ales and Taverns; The Bank Tavern and The New Inn at Mayshill, CAMRA is most grateful for this very generous support, and also to the support of those who took advertising space in the passports, donated prizes and took the chance of stocking this increasingly rare ale, to the trail leaders who have to do "dry runs' to ensure support of licensees and ensure that there will be mild ale available on the day and of course to those who drink it!

Apologies to the Three Sugar Loaves and the Lansdown that had a half pint against their entry in the passport and should have had a full pint to indicate that they were stocking mild for the full two months, and to the Lansdown who didn't receive a stamp with their pack. Following suggestions from the trade, the 2010 promotion was spread over two months not one.

The First Trail on Thursday April 22nd was the Harbourside Mild Passport Trail starting at 6pm in the Orchard where Arbor Mild West was enjoyed, then walking on to the Nova Scotia for Church End Gravediggers Mild, and to the Bag of Nails for Brass Monkey Tamarind Mild plus Teignworthy Martha's Strong Mild and ending at the Three Tuns for Arbor Mild West. We are grateful to Colin Postlethwaite who took the lead at the last minute because some people including the planned trail leader were delayed getting back from the CAMRA AGM and Members Weekend in the Isle of Mann, due to flight restrictions caused by the Volcanic Dust Cloud. This may have contributed also to the comparatively low turnout of ten stalwarts who did this trail with four more doing it the following Sunday evening

No less than thirty two supporters turned out for the Temple Meads & City Centre Mild Passport Trail on Saturday May 1st kicking off at 12 noon in the Knights Templar where unfortunately no mild ales was available, next was a late entrant in the passport and first time on our trails the Bridge Inn where Arbor Mild West was enjoyed, followed by the Cornubia who fielded Hidden Mayhem and Mild Cheddar, the Seven Stars had Severn Vale's Monumentale and Arbor Mild West, the Commercial Rooms excelled and fielded no less than five milds Hook Norton SDM, Nethergate Mary's Ruby Mild, Otter, Rudgate Ruby, Phoenix Black Shadow the one third pint offer enabled a number of these to be enjoyed. The Three Sugar Loaves had a beautiful drop of Theakstons Traditional Mild and the trail ended at the Bank Tavern with Arbor Mild West. Many thanks to the Trail Leader for the day Ed Lobbett. Radio Bristol's Ali Vowles gave us a mention on her Weekend West show for this trail and the next one.

On Saturday May 8th East Bristol Mild Passport Trail had to be re-routed to end in St Werburghs because we discovered too late that the Duke of York doesn't open until 4pm. The number of trailers was less than the previous year totaling seventeen: Some ate at the first pub at noon taking advantage of the 20% discount on food for that occasion only, negotiated especially for us by Helen Bull who capably manages the JDW Staple Hill Oak where Caledonian Mild Mayhem and Rudgate Ruby Mild were enjoyed, A short bus trip followed to the Van Dyke Forum that fielded Nethergate Mary's Ruby Mild, Otter Mild & Rudgate Ruby Mild, from the bus stop outside we went to the Masons Arms at Stapleton with Hidden Mayhem and Otter Milds to quench our thirsts. The Number 4 bus took us to Stapleton Road railway station and The Sugar Loaf with Cotswold Spring's Old Sodbury Mild on tap, next the Chelsea Inn has Arbor Festival strong mild and Jennings Dark Mild as well as Keystone Dark Mild. Next we walked to JDW's St Georges Hall at Redfield where Nethergate Mary's Ruby Mild and Leeds Midnight Bell 4.8% abv was enjoyed followed by a short walk to Arbor Ales Brewery Tap the Old Stillage where Jon Comer treated us all to a pint with Arbor Festival and Mild West on offer. The long drag to St Werburghs was undertaken by Shank's Pony, bus and taxi arriving at the Duke of York to enjoy Arbor Ales Festival Mild and finally we walked to the original Dawkins Tavern the Miners Arms where Otter Mild & Rudgate Ruby Mild were available. Thanks to the trail leader for the day, Henry Davies who not only ensured that we had a minute by minute itinerary to ensure we caught our buses, but also entertained us on the piano's in the Chelsea and Miners.

Colin Postlethwaite was trail leader for a second trail on Thursday May 13^th , the Bedminster Mild Passport Trail, that attracted twenty two trailers. We assembled at 7pm in the Tobacco Factory where there was a gravity fed cask of a one off Bristol Beer Factory 3.9% abv "Born to be Mild" for us to enjoy. Next at the Hen & Chicken Arbor Mild West was enjoyed as was an impromptu visit to the very high ceilinged basement that houses the pub cellar, Robert Fitzharding was next on our walking tour with four milds available Elgoods Black Dog, Hook Norton SDM (Special Dark Mild), Leeds Midnight Bell & Rudgate Ruby Mild followed by a short walk to The Assembly were Marston's Merrie Monk was the mild on offer and a permanent BADRAG style ale on the bar is Theakston's Old Peculier!

The Saturday May 15th Clifton Mild Passport Trail broke all records for a BADRAG and maybe even a branch event, it was supported by no less than FIFTY THREE people! 12 Noon was the start time at the Vittoria on Whiteladies Road where Jennings Tom Fool Mild, Arbor Mild West and Otter MIld were on offer as well as Pieminister Pies, there was a short walk to the Victoria with Three Castles Mad Spring Mild at 4.7% and Abbey Ales Mild on offer, next a longish walk via cash machines for some to another Dawkins Tavern the Portcullis that had three mild for us Great Heck Sweet Mild of Mine, Great Orme Welsh Black and Kelham Island Night Moves. The Lansdown was next with Arbor Mild West on hand pump and Festival Mild by gravity from a pin at the back of the bar, also available was Severn Vale Session, a low abv bitter that is a regular in the Summer months and is very similar to some light milds. The Quinton House was busy with people watching football and had Arbor Mild West for us, the beautifully refurbished Eldon House that wasn't available last year fielded Morgan's Mild and Bonum Mild from the 2.5 barrel Dowbridge Brewery in the East Midlands. The trail ended at the Hope & Anchor where Highgate Dark Mild and Keystone Dark Mild were on offer. The trail was ably led by Pete Bridle.