Alan was described as a ‘vigorous and passionate’ campaigner for CAMRA
Alan Canvess, centre, pictured with John Ashton, left, and Tim Bolton at the official launch of the 1999 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, outside the Tap and Spile pub in Spring Bank, Hull(Image: Hull Daily Mail)
A man who spent decades championing real ale pubs in Hull and East Yorkshire has sadly died. Alan Canvess, 68, was said to be “deeply passionate about pub heritage and pub protection” in tributes paid to the longstanding member of Hull and East Yorkshire CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale.
Allan Sykes, of the Wolds branch of CAMRA, said Alan was a “a vigorous, passionate campaigner for CAMRA” in an obituary he shared on the hull.camra.org.uk website. A celebratory evening in memory of Alan is to be held in the St John’s Hotel, Queens Road, Hull, on Friday, February 20, from 7pm.
Allan said: “It is proposed to raise a glass to him for all his sterling work in conservation and CAMRA and in local communities. All who knew Alan are invited to attend.”
Alan, who was born on January 25 – Burns’ Night – 1957, passed away on December 30, after a long illness. He was brought up in the Newland Avenue area of Hull where he continued to live all his life.
Attending Sidmouth Street infant and junior schools and later, Sir Henry Cooper High School, Alan went on to a career spent mainly in the plumbing and heating industry. Allan said: “In his younger days he was a keen and active sportsman – he was a well-respected amateur footballer, playing centre attack for a local Hull Sunday League football team Glebe Rangers for many years.
“He was also passionate about many other sports, in particular Rugby League (Hull FC), speedway (Hull Vikings) and was also a keen manager and referee for a local ladies’ netball team. He was also passionate about supporting his favourite football team, St Johnstone FC, enjoying many trips to games north of the border.”
Enjoying socialising and drinking in local pubs, Alan soon developed a very keen interest in real ales, leading him to join the Hull and East Yorkshire Branch of CAMRA in his early 20s, later joining the committee before moving up the ranks to become branch secretary and then branch chairman. For many years, he was also editor of the local beer magazine, Pub Mirror.
“He was also enthusiastic and deeply passionate about pub heritage and pub protection,” Allan said, “particularly taking the reins locally to promote and protect historic pubs. He was instrumental in pioneering initiatives and developing local, regional and national inventories, initially in Hull and East Yorkshire, but also later throughout Yorkshire and beyond.
“He was a strong and passionate campaigner, stoic and often outspoken but always sincere, polite and friendly with a strong sense of values, honesty and integrity.” As part of the CAMRA National Planning Advisory Group, Alan was successful in getting a number of pubs statutory listing status, including Ye Olde Black Boy, in Hull’s High Street; the Lockwood Arms (later Bull and Bush), Lockwood Street; the St John’s, Queens Road, and “uniquely and famously getting the entire Bridlington Railway Station statutorily listed in order to protect the unique and rare surviving Station Buffet, and also getting it included in CAMRA’s national inventory of unaltered interiors”.
Alan was also involved in giving heritage and conservation advice on many planning application proposals affecting historic public houses, often spending many long hours working on research, drawing not only on his own extensive knowledge but also involving like-minded companions and sympathetic local historians. “Pubs like Hull’s Olde White Harte, George Hotel, Polar Bear, Haworth Arms and Black Boy have all been saved to varying degrees from unsuitable or inappropriate alterations,” Allan said.
“Despite well-researched and reasonable and rationally presented historic information, sometimes, sadly, losses were encountered. The loss of the Eagle at Skerne – shortly after Alan had been instrumental in getting this rare rural gem listed – was a particularly unsavoury and hard-to-take hammer blow.”
Alan’s other passions included animal welfare – he was a vegetarian for most of his life – and other local heritage matters, being a member of local historic railway societies. He was also part of the Hull Civic Society and the National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust, the latter having worked for over two decades to restore the National Picture Theatre in Hull’s Beverley Road.
“His campaigning expertise will be sorely missed by many,” said Allan. “But his loss will be more severely acute and will leave a huge irreplaceable hole in the hearts of those honoured enough to have known him and loved him as a loyal, kind-hearted, courteous, compassionate and trustworthy friend.”
Hull and East Yorkshire CAMRA said Alan would leave “a void that will be very hard to fill”. In a post, the branch said: “We are very saddened to hear that Alan Canvess has passed away.
“As well as acting as branch chair for many years, Alan supported CAMRA regionally and did much to support pub preservation. His advice was invaluable in helping to re-establish the branch. RIP Alan.”
The Ship Inn, in Hodgson Street, Hull, also paid tribute on social media. The post said: “The Ship Inn team would like to pass on our deepest condolences and sympathy following the sad news of Alan Canvess’ passing.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to Alan’s family and friends. He was a great ambassador for real ale and for Hull pubs, and he was incredibly helpful to me in the early days when we were at the George Hotel and The Oberon. He will be sadly missed. RIP Alan.”
A National Picture Theatre post on Facebook said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Alan Canvess, secretary and trustee of the National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust. Alan played an instrumental role in the establishment of the trust and dedicated himself to the long journey of preserving the remains of the National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road, Hull.
“His commitment and vision were central to ensuring that this important site, which commemorates the contribution of local civilians during World War II, will be safeguarded for future generations. As a trustee, Alan approached every decision with thoughtfulness and care.
“In his role as secretary, he welcomed new members, organised meetings, maintained records, and kept everyone informed. His optimism and forward-looking attitude never wavered, even in the face of challenges.
“Alan will be greatly missed, not only for his hard work and dedication but also for his generosity of spirit, his willingness to give his time to others, and his friendship. We extend our deepest condolences to Alan’s family and friends during this difficult time.
“His legacy will live on in the work of the trust and in the preservation of this historic site.” BBC Radio Humberside presenter James Hoggarth also paid tribute.
In a post on X, James said: “Deeply sad news. Alan was always passionate and knowledgeable and always keen to celebrate that through the media. A really decent person. RIP Alan.”