The first idea of a branch was raised after a test support meeting was held at the Bystanders Club, as reported by the EDP on 25th June 1975. Over 60 people attended from around the county, a steering committee was elected and future meetings were planned. The meeting was told that this area had long been regarded as a beer desert for real ale, and it was hoped that this would be rectified. Norfolk still produced some of the finest malting barleys, and CAMRA intended to ensure the re-emergence of the county as a major force in brewing.
The branch was officially formed on Monday September 29th 1975 as the Norwich & Norfolk Branch, at a meeting at the Jaquard on Magdalen St, Norwich, attended by 130 people, refreshed by 10 casks of beer imported from Suffolk! The first chair was Peter Walter, with secretary Neil Betts and treasurer Robert Simpson plus a committee of four.
Three other branches were subsequently formed covering the western, eastern and southern parts of the county, and in 2018 the branch was renamed Norwich & District, to avoid confusion. The branch is part of Norfolk CAMRA and the East Anglia Region.
The current boundary runs south from Wells-next-the-Sea to the west of Fakenham, then south-east to Attleborough, across to Loddon, then north to the coast around Sea Palling. You can use CAMRA’s national pub guide to determine whether any particular place is included in the branch area – just look up a pub in the area, the responsible branch is shown at the bottom of the page.
We currently have around 3,500 members, and are one of the largest branches in the country, both in terms of geography and membership.
Our biggest campaigning focus is around organising Norwich Beer Festival, and recruiting new members – usually several hundred at each festival!
Our aims are those of the national campaign – promoting Pubs, Pints and People!
Pubs because the great British pub is a part of our life and culture, and we campaign to ensure their survival, as well as highlight their importance in our society.
Pints because we have a passion for real ale, cider and perry, and work to ensure you can access a broad selection of beer and ciders across the UK.
People because we’re a volunteer-led organisation, with our members at our heart.
The nature of campaigning has changed in the years since 1971 when CAMRA was founded. Back then the focus was on local actions – demos and letter-writing campaigns to save individual pubs and breweries. Today, it is much more about lobbying government and local councils, to try to change policies which harm pubs and breweries, and therefore real ale. This means that fundraising is our primary focus – to fund the permanent staff at ‘head office’ in Luton, who plan, organise and to some extent carry out, campaigns on subjects such as beer duty, business rates, alcohol pricing and publicity.
Local actions are around supporting our wonderful local pubs and breweries, by holding regular social events to visit pubs, and fundraising by organising the popular Norwich Beer Festival almost every year since 1977!
You can view and download the Branch Constitution here.
If you love beer, and love pubs – join us!
Branch Chairs
Lucy Cousins 2026-present
Ian Stamp 2016-26
Warren Wordsworth 2013-16
Graham Freeman 2009-13
Des O’Brien 2007-09
Wendy Parker 2003-07
Martin Ward 1995-2003
Andy Mitchell Jan 1993-95
Cynthia Kirby Jan 1992-93
Russell Jones Jan 1990-92
Neil Macloud By Jan 1989
Jason Tillyard Dec 1985-?
Adrian Wood Dec 1984-85
Philip Tolley by 1983
unknown ?-?
Mick Betts Oct 1977- at least 1979
Bram Lowe Sept 1976-77
Peter Walter Sept 1975-76