Golden ales judged at wine and beermakers' meeting

A BEER tasting session had been arranged for the June meeting of Milber and Kerswell Wine and Beermakers' Circle, but before this commenced, the committee discussed some of the forthcoming social events for the summer.

A visit to Plymouth Gin was planned, followed by time spent at the Barbican and an evening meal at Ashburton. An informal get-together would also be held in August, when there would be a bring-and-buy, for which members would be using their culinary skills to make cakes and chutneys to sell.

Members had brought along their golden ales to be judged by Rob Yeo.

Rob gave some very useful advice about beer making, saying that to stop the beers being over-conditioned, accurate measurement of the sugar was very important.

Also, if the beer was for keeping a bit longer, the amount of sugar should be reduced. If it was a bit flat, all was not lost, as the careful addition of extra sugar to the bottle could cure the problem.

The best beer had been made by Rebecca Kemble, second was Bernard Calver and third Barry Chenneour.

A recipe would be provided for a kiwi wine, which members would make as the wine of the year, to be judged at the annual meeting.

The social secretary had brought home some kiwi syrups from France and these would be used in the recipe.

The chairman had brought along the cup for most points awarded in beer classes, which the club was delighted to have won at the recent Torbay Mini Festival, as it had now been engraved.

Members who received awards gathered for a photo with the cup, which would be taking pride of place in the photo album and the club's new quarterly newsletter The Mag.

For the beer tasting, members had been divided into two groups. One group tasted some Cornish wines, bought at the recent Royal Cornwall Show, and the other tasted some from Devon breweries.

There was a variety of beers including some golden ales, lagers and porters — one even made with chocolate malt, which had a rich bitter chocolate taste.

There were very mixed feelings about the tastes and, although loyalty to Devon was strong, on this occasion the Cornwall beers were thought to be the best.

At the next meeting on Thursday, July 12, there will be a talk by Roger Keys of Kingskerswell Family History Group. There will also be an elderflower wine competition.

Milber and Kerswell Wine and Beermakers' Circle is always happy to welcome visitors to our meetings.

A programme of events for 2012 is now available. If you would like any information, contact Elaine Calver on 01626 775740 or Barry Chenneour on 01647 252943, who will be pleased to help.

TORBAY Old Wheels Club will be holding its annual classic car show on Sunday, July 22, on Paignton Green.

The club is a group of car enthusiasts based in the Torbay and South Devon area with the aim of restoring and preserving old vehicles and using them by way of displays, runs and rallies.

Members' cars range in age from Edwardian to modern classics, like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

The club organises the English Riviera Classic Car Show on Paignton seafront in late July each year, together with social events and members' runs throughout the year. Half of the takings from the show is always donated to the Torbay Carnival charity fund.

The Torbay Old Wheels Club meets regularly on the last Thursday of each month at the Farmhouse Tavern, Newton Road, Torquay TQ2 7AD.

If you are interested in joining the club you will be very welcome, membership is just £12.50 a year. This can include spouse or partner and children under 18. Members receive a monthly newsletter which includes a comprehensive list of events throughout the South West.

THE Paignton Ladies Group met for its annual meeting and final lunch of the season on June 11 at the Palace Hotel in Paignton. Pam Grant welcomed everyone to this final meeting of the season. She thanked all members of the committee who had worked hard during the year to ensure lively and pleasant monthly meetings.

Some 45 ladies attend the club each month. There is always a waiting list. Pam Grant thought this success was largely due to excellent speakers who attended each meeting, and gave special thanks to Peggy Bradley who has been responsible for booking such a great variety of people to entertain us with their experiences.

Pam Grant, having been chairman for two years, handed over to Peggy. Peggy thanked Mrs Grant for all her hard work during the past two years, and presented her with an arrangement of flowers. The official part of the meeting then closed.

Lunch was served and enjoyed in the Palace dining room, which was a delightful completion of the season.

The next meeting will be after the summer break on September 10.

ON JUNE 12, Kingskerswell WI meeting was opened by president Pat Burgess. The meeting was a week late due to the Queen's diamond jubilee.

What wonderful celebrations they were and the group celebrated too, although a week late. The committee members laid on a surprise tea for all 30 members that attended the meeting that afternoon and one committee member made lovely table decorations out of florists' ribbon in red, white and blue, all was much appreciated.

The speakers, introduced by Pat Burgess, were John and Susie Miles. They read poems made up from their own personal experiences with feeling, some of which was downright hilarious with John almost acting some of the parts.

A very different, imaginative and interesting afternoon and they were thanked by Ann Hussey for their entertainment.

Kingskerswell WI meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Community Centre in Kingskerswell. The next meeting is on September 4 and the speaker will be Pam Inkson on osteoporosis.