Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!

Subject: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 11:34 AM

Dear Everyone,

This will directly affect the quality of performances at the Lewes Arms Folk club; come and find out.

Valmai

Press Release

20 April 2007

Greene King announces reinstatement of Harveys at the Lewes Arms

The reinstatement of Harveys to the Lewes Arms has been announced today. Greene King Local Pubs managing director Jonathan Lawson and regional manager Andrea Greenwood were at the pub today talking to their team and to the regulars, and letting them know of the decision. Jonathan said that the order for the beer had been placed and that following secondary fermentation in the cellar, it should be ready to drink towards the end of next week.

"We are passionate supporters of cask beer, are proud of our own brews and have recognised the intensity of feeling around Harveys at the Lewes Arms." He said that the history of the pub, including its role as former brewery tap, combined with activities ranging from dwyle flunking to pea throwing made this hostelry very special.

"Now that Harveys is going back into the pub, my team and I are hoping that we can make a fresh start with our customers and are looking forward to helping the Lewes Arms once again play a full role in the local community."

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand added, "The Lewes Arms is a very special local pub with a unique place in the life of the town.

"We underestimated the depth of feeling and level of reaction about our initial decision and I believe that the conclusion the team put forward to return Harveys to the bar is the right one. I'm pleased that Jonathan and the team have taken on board our customers' feedback and hope people will be pleased with the news."

Contacts:
Frances Brace, Greene King:                     01284 714270 / 07974 132270
Nick Clark, Consolidated Communications:       0207 287 2087 / 07775 914978

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 11:38 AM

'People Power' DOES Work !!

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: bubblyrat
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:03 PM

Never heard of it !! ( Harveys, that is.) When I was at school, in Midhurst, we were told that there was a place called "Lewes", and indeed, a strange land called "East Sussex ", but that we should put both out of our minds, and NEVER go to either !! Let"s face it ,when you"ve got Chichester,Arundel, Bognor,Wittering etc, why would anyone WANT to see if Lewes and E . Sussex really existed ?? And Friary Meux beer was good enough for my dad, thankyou !! Mind you, my attitude softened a bit when I first heard of Shirley and Dolly !! See you at Bude ???

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: concertina ceol
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 01:08 PM

Well done Valmai and all the other regulars at Lewes Arms. This is a fantastic result - is it too much to ask for a pint of old next winter?

all the best,

Peter

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 01:13 PM

Well done dude's. I don't drink Green King anyway, so it was no problem for me. Up The Harvey's.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Marje
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 01:18 PM

Very glad to hear it, for all your sakes. Personally, I've always thought Harveys was a bit of a dull beer, but I know how loyally and enthusiastically it was drunk by many of the locals, and it did seem absurd that the brewery that was just a short walk away was no longer supplying a traditional local pub.

Now if you ever get down to the south-west, try St Austell Tribute, or Skinners' Betty Stoggs, you'd never miss Harveys!

In the meantime, enjoy your Harveys - I'm sure the Lewes Arms Folk Club will be heartened and refreshed by the news and the beer. Enjoy!

Marje

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: SussexCarole
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 01:50 PM

Excellent news!!!!!! What a great campaign and a brilliant result.

The 'big boys' bit off more than they could chew when they tried to bully the Lewes Arms regulars!

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 04:58 PM

Yeah,

Well done the Action Group.

Made the front page of the local paper into the bargain,

Mines a pint next time i'm there,

Dave

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:00 PM

Hubba Hubba!

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:26 PM

I agree "Well Done"
It improves performances ! In that case put me down for a pint on the 7th July when I join you for the evening and we shall put that theory to practice.
Al

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: vectis
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:46 PM

Huzzah!
Well done the boycotters.
Now all we have to do is get it back in all the other Green King pubs in the area. Starting with The Wellie.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 02:00 AM

Vectis,

Mary, you said "Starting with The Wellie." meaning the Wellington in Seaford.

But what about The Royal Oak in Lewes - Home of the other Lewes Club.

Dave

Dave

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,Andyval
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 03:43 AM

Well done to all concerned !

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 03:53 AM

Fantastic news indeed and this will affect performances at the club I'm sure!!

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Cats
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:20 AM

Well done. I have to say though, that I live in Cornwall and although I can get St Austell Ales and Skinners at any time, I do like a pint of Harveys when I'm back in the South East.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Dave Earl
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:34 AM

Now there's a person with good taste!

Dave

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:52 AM

And you don't need to go to the South West for Tribute. It is usually available at the King and Queen, Foley Street in London W1, home of the Musical Traditions Club.

And I always enjoy the Harveys at the White Horse, Parsons Green.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: The Admiral
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:46 AM

Congratulations! It was very strange drinking Coke when I was last down there! I look forward to my next pint of Old!

Tony

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: concertina ceol
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:33 AM

Well I'm not sure that they will have "old". When I was last there - just before the Harveys went, they were only serving Harveys best and not the full range of Harveys beers. I imagine the best is back but would be surprised if the other harveys ales would be stocked.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,puck
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 10:56 AM

Don't think much of it at all!!!
P

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,Paul Homer
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 11:13 AM

Well done - a graet campaign won! The exposure on BBC Radio 4 no doubt helped? However, it is a great pity that Harvey's disposed of this gem of pub from their estate?

Paul Homer

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 11:32 AM

It looks as though I might get the chance to put the theory into practice next Saturday, 28 April then!

Looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: melodeonboy
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 12:55 PM

Great news.

There's a quarter-page article on it in today's Independent on Sunday entitled "Drinkers win battle of Lewes"!

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 06:44 PM

Dear Everyone,

Many thanks for the messages of support. Greene King have said that Harveys seasonal beers will be available as well as the incomparable best bitter which has made me what I am today (ahem). That should include Knots of May and Old.

Unfortunately the Lewes Arms was never part of the Harveys estate - it belonged to Beards, who ceased brewing in the 1960s and sold their 40 or so pubs to Greene King in a lump six years ago.

Doesn't this go to show what you can do if you try?

Valmai

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: vectis
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 05:48 PM

No Dave I meant The Wellie. I rarely go to the Thursday Lewes due to being engaged elsewhere most Thursdays.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Saro
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 08:53 AM

We saw it in the Guardian, and cheered! Well done Valmai and co....and here's looking forward to seeing you all in November if not before.
saro

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 02:47 PM

Thanks, Sarah - we look forward to Craig Morgan Robson's harmony workshop and evening performance on Saturday 10th. November and ballad forum on Sunday 11th. November.

Come and hear Kitty Vernon this Saturday and test the quality of the beer as well.

Meanwhile:

THE RETURN OF HARVEYS BEER TO THE LEWES ARMS
by
Robert O'Mahony, 21.4.07

On receiving the joyous tidings last Saturday afternoon one of our folk club residents, Rob O'Mahony, felt the muse descending in a sudden rush. He took the precaution of filtering his inspiration through the kidneys of William McGonagle. This would make a cross-stitch sampler:

The Tenth of December
A day to remember:
There was grieving and tears
For our own local beer.

Greene King's Mr. Angela, ex-dog food and cat litter,
Said the Lewes Arms couldn't sell our local bitter.
The locals strongly resisted this plan
By boycotting, nearly to a woman and man.

To enter the pub they strongly refused
Showing their anger in the national news.
The Mayor and MP both took the part
Of Harveys and the Arms at Lewes's heart.
Greene King's embarrassment spread beyond our land:
'We'll be in Der Spiegel next, Mr. Anand!'

Now sanity has prevailed, justice restored.
Mr. Angela has fallen (or was he pushed?) onto his sword.
The locals will celebrate this victorious text:
HARVEYS WILL BE SOLD AT THE LEWES ARMS FROM THURSDAY NEXT!

Tootle pip,

Valmai

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:50 AM

Thanks to everyone at the Lewes Arms Folk Club for the warm welcome, and the Harveys!


Kitty

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 07:23 PM

Well done.

Greene King isn't bad beer, but I still resent the way they bought up and closed down our local brewery in Furneaux Pelham, and didn't even carry on brewing the beer elsewhere. It was a lovely pint.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Snuffy
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 08:56 AM

But at least they ran Rayments for 90 years before closing it, Kevin, not 90 days like their recent takeovers.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 05:43 PM

But Rayments was still better beer than anything else they made.

Subject: RE: Harveys beer returns to Lewes Arms!
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 May 07 - 08:24 AM

Indeed