Lewes locals mark anniversary of Harveys return

It wasn't quite the Running of the Bulls but Lewes Arms locals celebrated the anniversary of the return of their beloved Harveys Best Bitter in their own unique style.

Nearly 18 months ago Greene King, owners of the Lewes Arms, in East Sussex, caused a stink by removing locally-brewed Harvey's Best Bitter from the pub.

But following a mass campaign by angry customers, the Suffolk brewer was forced into a U-turn and restored the beer.

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand admitted at the time the company had underestimated the depth of feeling and level of reaction about its decision.

On the anniversary last weekend two teams of 13 competed in the Old and Bitter Uphill Welterweight Relay - with the challenge of carrying a pint of ale half-a-mile from Harveys' brewery in Lewes to the pub.

The blue team ran out winners, helping raise around £300 for the Sasha Roberts Scholarship Fund. Sasha was a regular at the pub and academic, who was killed in a road accident in 2006.

Rob Shepherd, of Friends of the Lewes Arms, said: "It was brilliant - we were very pleased. The atmosphere was great and there were lots of tourists watching."

The event - billed as Restoration Day - is now likely to become an annual fixture in the Lewes calendar, he added.

Miles Jenner, joint managing director of Harveys, started the race by reciting a parody of a Shakespeare sonnet, Shall I Compare Thee to a Pint of Harveys? "It was great fun," he said.

Bitter campaign

More than 1,200 Harveys Best Bitter drinkers signed a petition last year to have drink restored at the Lewes Arms, including local MP Norman Baker.