Saturday 14th October 2023 was a unique day in CAMRA Kernow’s history. Branch members from all over the County, locals and visitors gathered at the Seven Stars in Falmouth just after noon. Even Betty Stogs turned up during the proceedings!

Not only was the pub’s second annual beer festival an attraction, but our Chairman, Vince Curtis, was also making a very special presentation to Amy, the current landlady. The Seven Stars in Falmouth has been listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide publication for 50 consecutive years!

The first year the pub was mentioned in the publication was 1975 and you can read the description in the photo! See all the GBGs that the Seven Stars has been in.

According to history, the reason why it was not listed in the 1974 publication was that there was no Cornwall CAMRA branch and our friends from Plymouth, who attempted to cover the pubs in Cornwall, were unaware of the pub’s existence! On accepting the certificate, Amy mentioned that she did not take the entry for granted and was delighted to receive this special accolade. As the first listing describes, this pub has been in the same family for five generations. Let’s hope that Amy’s children, George and Evelyn Rose, will want to continue this tradition when the time comes!

After the presentation we all enjoyed choosing an ale or two from the beer festival selection from both Cornish and national breweries. The beer festival was organised to coincide with the Oyster Festival being held in the town. Chief barman, Ben, had selected, sourced, racked and tapped over twenty casks in the former Vicar’s Retreat at the back of the pub and ciders were also available in the Old Tobacconist shop next door. An enjoyable time was had by everyone that attended. The good weather also meant that the outside area was also very popular. A beer in the sunshine on an October afternoon. What’s not to like! A visit to this historic pub is highly recommended.

Words by Jan Curtis

Photos by Steve Barber