CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in the Erewash Valley started in 1996, when a small group of like-minded real ale enthusiasts met at the Good Beer Guide listed pub The Dewdrop Inn, Ilkeston. Their aim was to form the Erewash Valley branch of CAMRA in a real ale area that was largely neglected by the neighbouring branches of Nottingham and Derby.

We began life as a Nottingham sub-branch until May 2000 when we branched out independently, growing from strength to strength until we can now boast a branch membership of over 700 members.

Now - I can hear a number of you asking "Where is the Erewash Valley?" - well, if you are a canal enthusiast you would probably know but for those of you who are not, then the easiest explanation would be that the area covered by our branch is approx. 11 miles from North to South and 4 miles from East to West lying along the valley of the Erewash Canal. This is between Nottingham and Derby in the County of Derbyshire with the M1 running up the middle of it and includes Long Eaton, Ilkeston and Heanor.