CAMRA hits 40 but shows no signs of slowing down

Camra has vowed to carry on campaigning for breweries and pubs as it celebrated turning 40 today.

The consumer group which was formed on March 16, 1971, by four passionate real ale drinkers now numbers more than 100,000 members.

And 40 years on the group has vowed to keep campaigning on issues such as reform of the beer tie, tax hikes and irresponsible retailing by supertmarkets.

CAMRA national chairman Colin Valentine said: "Forty years of campaigning, and the key issues apparent when forming the Campaign in 1971 - striving for quality and choice in the beer market, protecting the voice of the consumer - remain to this day.

"Whilst there have been wholesale changes in the brewing and pub sectors during this time, pubs still play an invaluable role in the lives of local people, and more consumers than ever have now tried Britain's national drink.

"While hitting 40 is an overwhelming experience, we must focus on preventing irreparable social damage caused by pub closures, and continue to grow our membership to increase our influence in the corridors of power.

"Without the tireless effort of legendary individuals who have devoted much of their lives to helping grow the organisation, CAMRA would not be anywhere near the position it is in today."

CAMRA was founded by Michael Hardman, Graham Lees, Jim Makin and Bill Mellor after the ale drinking quartet became disillusioned with the national brewing companies dominating the market at the expense of smaller operators.

To mark the anniversary brewers across the UK - including Wye Valley in Herefordshire, Redemption in London and Dawkins Ales in Bath - have produced one off brews.

And CAMRA is inviting members of the public to submit photos of how they have celebrated the day. Submissions can be sent to tony.jerome@camra.org.uk

Key CAMRA achievements

• CAMRA campaigned to save historic breweries such as Wolverhampton & Dudley in 2001 and Batemans brewery from 1985-1987.

• CAMRA was at the forefront in achieving licensing hours reform in the late 1980's - the first such reforms since the First World War.

• CAMRA campaigned to break up the Big Six Brewers' monopoly of the UK beer market, with the Monopolies and Mergers Report of 1989 spelling the end of market domination for the global brewers.