UNCERTAINTY about the continuance of Thurrock's Beer Festival has been ended with a statement from organisers CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) who appear to have diffused a situation born out of the golly doll controversy at a popular Grays pub.

Last year Thurrock News reported on the consequences of a police raid on the White Hart pub in Grays when officers took away a number of dolls that were on display behind the bar.

The unfolding sequence of events became nick-named 'Gollygate'.

Police taking the golly dolls from the pub shelves.

The story in April, following a claim that the dolls were racist, made national news and was a contributory factor in the pub eventually closing down.

However, after several months the licensees at the pub were cleared of any wrong-doing and the dolls were eventually returned to landlord and landlady Chris and Benice Ryley – but by then the White Hart had closed.

The building, which has remained locked up, is currently on the market.

One aspect of the fall-out from the controversy was an internal row within real ale campaign group CAMRA, who had previously honoured the pub for its commitment to craft ales.

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National management of the organisation criticised the pub in the wake of all the media coverage, annoying some local members who felt more support should have been shown.

And the issue again came to a head at the recent annual meeting of the South West Essex branch of CAMRA, which took place at the Rising Sun pub in Stanford-le-Hope.

A member of the local group told Thurrock Nub News: "In order for the meeting to take place CAMRA had to send out of area staff to replace both the chairman and secretary as they've been suspended. 

White Hart landlord and landlady Chris and Benice Ryley had previously been honoured by CAMRA

"Their crime? They allegedly attended the closing down night of the White Hart. CAMRA deemed this as inappropriate behaviour, even though the pub was not found to have broken any laws.

"The treasurer has also quit in protest and no-one else at the meeting would volunteer to replace them.

"Members were warned that if the committee posts couldn't be filled the branch would have to be dissolved and members moved to adjoining branches.

"This could also have consequences for the annual CAMRA Thurrock Beer Festival in June, as the branch organises it."

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CAMRA has subsequently issued the following statement to Thurrock Nub News: "CAMRA has recently concluded a disciplinary investigation relating to South West Essex Branch members, which has now concluded and we will not be disclosing further details.

"At the current time, there are no plans for the beer festival to be cancelled and we will continue to work with CAMRA volunteers in the branch and wider area to look at organising this event."