Beer festival heads to new civic venue

OLDHAM’S popular charity fundraising beer festival returns this month at a new venue.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall was home to the beer festival until last year when the leaders of Oldham Council asked for maximum rent for the hall hire which would have left no money in the kitty to hand out to local charities.

A festival event was spread around a number of pubs in Oldham town centre but it was not the same and organisers believed that there was no future for the Oldham Beer Festival.

Saddleworth has come to the rescue, however, with the parish council offering Uppermill Civic Hall as a venue for a three-day festival for the lovers of real ale, bottled beer and cider.

Many local beers will be on offer alongside continental beers which should mean that there is something for all lovers of really good ale.

Oldham Mayor David Jones, whose charities will benefit from the proceeds of the festival, said he was delighted the festival had been revived.

“It was always a great success, “ said the Mayor.

“Not only raising a great deal of money for various needy charities but giving people a great time.

“A large number of people were bitterly disappointed when we could not hold the festival last year and I am thrilled that it is coming back.”

The charity fund organised by the chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council also benefits from the three-day event.

The festival will be open to lovers of real ale on Friday, May 20 (noon to 4pm and 6 to 10.30pm); Saturday, May 22 (noon to 10.30pm) and Sunday, May 22, (noon to 4pm).

Admission to each session of the festival will be £2 to help to boost the charity fund.

Real ale enthusiasts are co-operating with festival organisers who are currently drawing up a list of beers that will be available for real-ale quaffers. Up to 20 cask ales will be on sale over the three days.

In an effort to boost the amount of money raised for charity, organisers are hoping to attract sponsorship at either £25, £50 or £75.

Anyone interested in sponsoring what promises to be a spectacular event should contact Nicola Windle, Mayoralty Manager, Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UL: Telephone 0161-770 4012;