I came out here in 88' last time I was down your way the little school in Ticknall was still open 97' but it might have closed since then not sure, hardly recoknised the place what with that big road they built through the countryside! Have a feeling (strong) that I have visited a pub or two in Aston, isn't there a canal nearby or am I getting confused with Western? BTW there is some lovely woodland still to the west of Chellaston, and of course the lime pits and Caulk park in Ticknall, some of the best veteran oaks, chesnuts and hawthorn trees in South Derbyshire there.
The trouble with VB is it doesn't know what it is...larger or bitter, having gron up on real ales the increase in microbreweries around Victoria were a lifesaver for me, Mountain Goat and Malleebul are both part of that movement.
Good luck with the Beech
