MR RM’S SISTER NEGOTIATES THE CAMRA DISCOUNT AT ELY MINSTER

January 2024. Ely.

Mum needed me to pop to Ely on an errand. I needed a pint.

I phoned my sis, who escaped from Waterbeach to Ely’s lovely riverfront last year.

“Fancy a pint ?”

She did. She’s a Pint Woman.

Ely is easier by rail (12 minutes) than the A10, busier than ever due to “the Twenty pence problem”.

The walk from the station into town contains some of the UK’s great views.

And the mystery of another WH Smith in prime location with seemingly no custom

Ely on a Monday afternoon was dead, but the Minster Tavern looked lively enough.

This was in GBG23, but only lasted a year. Perhaps that’s why their relationship with the CAMRA discount scheme seemed a little fractious.

The large sign above the pumps screamed “CAMRA discount”, but the barman had never heard of it, and phoned his manager.

I took a seat and let Sis deal with the unfolding drama, obviously more about how to account for, rather than whether to accept, the “Spoons” tokens.

The Oakham Citra and a Milestone dark beer were certainly GBG worthy, cool and tasty, though obviously they were the only pints pulled.

This is the oldest pub in Ely, apparently, but Stonegate have done a marvellous job in erasing any sense of history, and it feels like a diner without diners.

But in fairness, the trade is largely Old Boys on Guinness rather than tourists asking for a taster of the Citra, and if you had this as your local in Gainsborough it would be Pub of the Year.

But I was glad when Sis suggested a second stop.

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

17 thoughts on “MR RM’S SISTER NEGOTIATES THE CAMRA DISCOUNT AT ELY MINSTER”

  2. Tried it once, didn’t much like it though the beer range seems to have improved. That view from the cow fields is one of finest of a Cathedral anywhere, and I was only saying to the missus this week, how the hell have WH Smith survived where others have failed. I don’t think I’ve bought anything from a Smiths for 10 years or more, everything they do can be bought better or cheaper elsewhere. They’ve started selling vinyl again though, might have to pop in again…

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      2. So they’re about as useless as a pub with no beer ?
        I just don’t know what this country’s coming to.

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      3. Sorry Paul, what I mean is I haven’t seen anyone actually buy a paper (or book) from a WH Smith for years. A bit like you never see anyone order a pint of cask anymore.

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