Half a century of campaigning for local pubs and breweries has been marked by CAMRA’s Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe branch.

The first meeting of CAMRA in Buckinghamshire was held on 3 December 1973 at the Rose and Crown in Saunderton.

Although the pub is now closed, the CAMRA branch was delighted to invite Robert Watson, the landlord who hosted that first meeting, to its 50th anniversary celebration.

Robert, who was also a founding committee member, was presented with a certificate to commemorate the first meeting by David Roe, the longest-serving chairman of the Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe branch over the past 50 years.

Held at the 15th-century King’s Head in Aylesbury, the presentation was toasted by many local CAMRA members both past and present. These included six branch chairmen covering the last 40 years.

Rather than cutting a cake, reminiscences were exchanged over a cask of Beechwood Bitter. Members brought along memorabilia from the past half century, which included minutes from the first meeting and editions of local Buckinghamshire pub guides from over the years.

Tom Jenkinson from Chiltern brewery also addressed the gathering. Chiltern is Buckinghamshire’s oldest existing brewery, a mere 43 years old. Tom paid tribute to CAMRA’s successful achievements in preserving real ale as a unique British beer style.

Buckingham MP Greg Smith also paid tribute to the vital contribution of CAMRA’s volunteers over the past 50 years in supporting local breweries and preserving the great British pub.

Current branch chair Mike Clarke thanked Chiltern brewery and all guests and members. He raised a pint to all the excellent breweries and pubs in the area and looked forward to another 50 years of real ale drinking in Buckinghamshire.

Pictured top, from left: Robert Watson former licensee of Rose and Crown and David Roe

Above: branch members and guests including Tom Jenkinson; Greg Smith MP; Robert Watson and David Roe