Branch Midweek Socials

On the bus Our Mid Week Socials have been variously described by regulars and visitors alike as ‘See Devon by Bus’, ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ and ‘Escape to the Country’. All these descriptions have some semblance of truth but these monthly rambles to the far-flung corners of our branch have provided branch member regulars and friends from neighbouring branches with a wonderful days entertainment.

Outsibe the Green Dragon The itinerary is planned in advance and the day starts with us all meeting at a particular bus station to begin our magical mystery tour to some of the finest pubs in in South Devon. All of the journeys are by public transport and include the occasional train journey when we venture off ‘our patch.’ For those of us who qualify the bus pass is very much to the fore and we enjoy reminding our younger journeymen of the £ we are saving. As you can imagine this is much appreciated.

Each month, usually a Wednesday around the middle of the month, we choose an area and a range of pubs to grace with our company. Don’t worry about the exact date as we always publish the social on this website's Diary. Sometimes we concentrate on a town and other times, especially in the summer months we visit areas such as the Teign Valley, the South Hams and other idyllic areas of our beautiful county.

We are fairly well known to the landlords and receive a warm welcome; sometimes a bowl of chips and a great deal of banter ensues.

The memories of these wonderful days revolve around the countryside, the great pubs, and landlords and of course the beer. We all remember to score the beers don’t we? The abiding memory is however of the fun we all have and many a time I have arrived home and promptly gone to sleep in the chair!

Please come and join us and we especially welcome our friends from other branches who will be made to feel just one of the gang.

Click here to see our next Social
Reports of past mid week socials can be found here on our Recent Events page

93 bus Social - 16th July 2025

After a few of us had enjoyed breakfast in Dudley's, around twenty of us gathered at the Pontoon bus stop in Dartmouth to catch the 1130 bus towards Kingsbridge. Our first stop was in Stoke Fleming at the Green Dragon. We had the choice of Jail Ale, Timothy Taylor Landlord or Otter Oak IPA. We were joined here by a few more before catching the next 93 to Strete and the King's Arms, a community pub with a wonderful panoramic view at the back. The choice here was Jail Ale again and Dartmoor Legend.
The next 93 took us to Stokenham and the Tradesman's Inn, (unfortunately the Church House inn was closed). Otter Bitter and Ale were on offer here.
The next 93 took us the short distance to Chillington and The Bear & Blacksmith where Jail Ale again and Exeter Brewery's Avocet were the choices.
We now turned round and started back towards Dartmouth, our next call was at Stokeley Barton and South Hams Brewery. We had a more important reason to be here, there was a presentation to be made. The popular South Hams Sherman had won another award. This time Champion Beer of Britain 2025 Bronze Award in the IPAs (English & New World) Category. This was judged at the recent Cambridge Beer Festival in May. The certificate was presented to the brewer, Craig Blumschein, by our Chairman Clive Mackriell..
The lack of a bus stop meant we had to walk to the next and last pub, The Start Bay Inn, renowned for its Fish & Chips. From here those who had not already gone set off for Dartmouth and home. We had a a good day, the promised rain failed to show and the Stagecoach buses were all on time.

The King's Arms garden Craig with Clive and the Certificate