News
Branch News
- Winter Pub of the Year and Best Illuminated Pub Presentations
Tuesday 3 February 2026
The Clifden Arms in Worminghall has been named our Winter Pub of the Year. Nominated by a local member, the pub impressed judges with its warm, welcoming atmosphere ideal for the colder months.
Chair, Mike Clarke, presented the award to Kenza Page, general manager of the Clifden Arms.
"Three well-kept real ales and a log fire in each bar to sit by—the perfect location for winter drinking," said our member of his nomination.
The Clifden Arms is a timber-framed building with an older medieval section complemented by a 17th-century wing.
The LocAle-accredited pub offers real ales from local breweries including (in the recent past) Rebellion, XT, Vale, and Chiltern, with Rebellion IPA and Vale VPA available on our visit. These are served in a quintessential English country pub setting complete with low beams and roaring fires.
The Cross Keys in Thame claimed top honours in the branch's inaugural Best Illuminated Pub competition for Christmas 2025. Nominated by Simon Heap, the pub's spectacular moving Christmas tree light display stood out among entries from across the branch area.
Landlord Peter Lambert constructed the virtual Christmas tree himself and personally programmed the light sequence featuring 1,000 LEDs, demonstrating exceptional dedication and technical skill. Peter said he was delighted to accept the award recognising his personal innovation in spreading festive cheer.
The Cross Keys is renowned for its occasional themed decorations, with October's extensive Hallowe’en celebrations providing a talking point for the whole community in late October.
The competition, inspired by festive displays at pubs throughout the region, recognised pubs making sterling efforts to brighten the dark winter nights. Commendations were awarded to the Crown in Chinnor and the Lion of Beaconsfield in Knotty Green, with the Swan at Great Kimble taking third place and the Lion in Waddesdon as runner-up.
Branch organisers noted that while many pubs displayed no Christmas decorations—possibly reflecting challenging economic conditions—those that participated demonstrated exceptional community spirit.
"A still photo doesn't do justice to this wonder," chair, Mike Clarke, said of the Cross Keys' winning display. "It provided many minutes of entertainment and was a great contribution to the jollity of the local community. We look forward to its return next year."
- Bird in Hand Petition
Wednesday 28 January 2026
The Bird in Hand are asking people to sign a petition connected to the recent erection of bollards on the grassy area opposite the pub.
- Winter Pub of the Year
Monday 29 December 2025
We are pleased to announce the winner of our Winter Pub of the Year. It is the Clifden Arms in Worminghall.
It was nominated by local member, Paul Kilpin. He says of the pub: "three well-kept real ales and a log fire in each bar to sit by, the perfect location for winter drinking." We'll drink to that.
Congratulations to the pub and a presentation will be arranged for early in the New Year.
- Oak Taverns
Wednesday 12 November 2025
The Morning Advertiser has published a long interview with Simon Collinson, giving quite a lot of biographical detail and the company's future plans.
- 130/300 Bus Changes
Monday 3 November 2025
As a result of HS2 the existing A4010 between Terrick and Stoke Mandeville will be severed. This means changes to the route for the 130 and 300 buses.
From the new roundabout on Lower Road, the 130 will now run along the South East Aylesbury Link Road and the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road. The 300 will continue on Lower Road and then run on Station Road past Stoke Mandeville Station onto Wendover Road and the Wendover bypass and then Nash Lee Road past the Chiltern Brewery.
The online 130/300 bus pub guide has been updated to reflect these changes.
- Good Beer Guide Launch
Thursday 25 September 2025
The Good Beer Guide 2026, the UK's most trusted and authoritative guide to exceptional cask beer pubs, launches on 25th September as a testament to the remarkable resilience of Britain's pub industry.
With more than 50 pubs included in the guide, Buckinghamshire is strongly represented, demonstrating the area's exceptional cask beer heritage, which includes many fine local breweries.
Chair, Mike Clarke, visited one of the guide’s long-standing entries, the Bird in Hand in Princes Risborough to present licensee Katie Baldock with a copy of the book. He said, “The Bird in Hand exemplifies the community spirit celebrated in this year's guide and continues to win awards.” The Oak Taverns pub, the branch’s 2023 Pub of the Year, was recently named in the Telegraph’s Top 500 pubs in the country.
As the definitive guidebook to pubs serving great cask beer across the UK, The Good Beer Guide maintains its position as the complete resource for beer lovers and anyone wanting to experience Britain's finest pubs. The guide's pubs are selected by CAMRA members based on consistent beer quality.
The launch comes at a critical moment for the industry, with the upcoming Budget representing a make-or-break moment for the local pubs and breweries championed by CAMRA branches nationwide.
CAMRA continues to lobby for government support and tangible legislation to protect pubs across the UK, with many establishments struggling under the weight of business rates, VAT, beer duty and energy costs.
“Use them or lose them,” is a phrase often used about our treasured locals. The new edition of the guide shows that, for now, there are still plenty of excellent pubs in Buckinghamshire in which to enjoy a pint of cask ale.
The new edition of the guide can be ordered online from CAMRA or found in all good bookshops.
- Rose and Thistle, Haddenham
Monday 1 September 2025
A campaign group has been established with the aim of reopening the Rose & Thistle. The pub closed in March 2019 and planning permission was granted by Buckinghamshire Council in March 2024 for conversion into a dwelling house. Below are links to the group's GoFundMe and Facebook pages.