Beer walk is finally knocked on the head

FINAL curtain: Saddleworth Beer Walk consigned to history after 38 years

THE Saddleworth beer walk has been scrapped for good.

Months of intense discussions came to a head when organisers decided “overbearing responsibility” would make it impossible to continue the long-running tradition.

After initially cancelling the colourful event in November last year, beer walk fans rejoiced as it seemed it could be saved with the help of an army of volunteers.

But after much soul-searching, members of the Saddleworth Round Table made the decision to call time on the event that has run for 38 years.

Beer walk chairman Dave MacDougall said: “We had a raft of volunteers keen to support the day itself but sadly — despite terrific feedback right across the community — the walk is no more.

“It was very clear our small group of fundraisers would have to bear the full responsibility for the safety and well-being of all the marshals who had volunteered to supervise the event.

“The overbearing personal responsibility we were placed under on safety, public order and costs did not make it viable for us to manage.”

The decision is the culmination of a tough six months for the small team of volunteer organisers after last year’s event was beset with problems.

Drunkenness and violence saw one policeman injured and thousands of hangers-on descended on Saddleworth.

Some callous drinkers even conned locals out of their charity money by using bucket collections to fund their own drinking sprees.

In the end, the prospect of resolving such major issues became one committee members felt they couldn’t take on.

Organisers donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to good causes as the event grew from its humble beginnings.

In the last five years alone £100,000 has been dished out to local charities.

Members are now determined to carry on their fundraising efforts some other way.