Report on ERAF 2008

The quiet village of Edgworth was descended upon by over a thousand real ale fans last weekend, as the third annual Edgworth Real Ale Festival (ERAF), sponsored by Wilds Accountants, took place.

All proceeds will be donated to charity, and the whole village turned out in support of this increasingly popular event, whether it is through the sponsorship of local businesses or just patrons enjoying the specialist beers on offer. However, it is not only the local residents that are interested – ERAF, with the help of Bolton Community Transport, operated a shuttle bus that collected drinkers from all the surrounding villages, and, this year, people travelled from as far away as Colchester, Derby, Glasgow, Nottingham and Birmingham to see what all the fuss was about.

This year ERAF had over 55 casks of real ale, ciders and perries on offer, mainly from local micro breweries from around Lancashire and the Lake District. A total of around 3500 pints had been drunk by the time the festival ended at tea time on Sunday, with every cask empty.

Now in its third year, it is clear to see that the festival has made the transition from a novelty to an annual event. Customers have commented that the progression of the event, which also featured local food and entertainment from talented musicians ‘The Fabulous Duffy Gibbons’ has now made it a serious and established beer festival in its own right.

The “Beer of the Festival” has been awarded to the Whitehaven Brewing Company’s “ Ennerdale Blonde” beer.

From the outset, ERAF had two main aims; to promote real ale and raise some money for charity. These two aims were quickly realised as real ale fans filled the village hall from the minute the doors of the festival opened at 4pm on Friday until the beer had all gone on Sunday, helping to raise a fantastic amount of money.

ERAF is proud to announce that, with the help of their sponsors and customers, they raised a remarkable £9000 from their 2008 festival and this will be divided between this year's chosen charities, which are Macmillan Cancer Care and the Barlow Institute Charity.

Put the dates in you diary for the 2009 event – 25th/26th/ 27th September in the Barlow Institute.
Thank you for supporting ERAF 2008 - see you next year!


John Barlow
Chairman

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ADMISSION CHARGES

The following admission charges will apply throughout the 2008 festival :-

 Friday 26th September 4.00pm to 11.00pm - £3.50

Saturday 27th September 12 noon to 11.00pm - £3.50

Sunday 28th September 12 noon to 5.00pm – Free – Festival glasses £1.00

Well behaved children welcome up to 7.30pm on Saturday – admission £1.00 – free Sunday

DRINKS PURCHASES

ERAF festivals operate cashless bars. Any drink can be purchased by using token sheets which can be bought at the Token Stall. Each full sheet of tokens has a face value of £5. The bar staff will cross out token squares equivalent to the price of the beverage at the time of purchase.  A charity box to donate any partly used token sheets is available at the reception desk when you leave the festival.  Any complete and unused token sheets may be taken back to the token stall for a full refund if required. All alcoholic drinks must be consumed within the Institute and not taken outside. Please be prepared to show ID if requested. Management reserve the right to refuse to sell alcohol to any visitor.

FESTIVAL GLASSES

You will be issued with a complimentary one pint Edgworth Real Ale Festival Glass when you pay your admission fee.  Please make sure that you hold on to it for the duration of the session as you may take it with you when you leave.  Carrier bags are available from reception. Dirty glasses may be exchanged for clean ones at reception if required. A selection of plastic half pint, wine and soft drinks glasses will be also be made available.

BEER OF THE FESTIVAL

Micro-breweries take their job very seriously and really appreciate receiving recognition from the beer drinkers who enjoy their products. Please vote for your “Beer of the Festival”. The winning brewery will receive a trophy and certificate.  “Smokey Joe’s Black Beer”, from Hopstar Brewery in Darwen, won this award in both 2006 and 2007 so why not try a pint during this festival?

A voting slip can be found at the back of the programme. Two winners will be drawn at random from all the votes received and each will receive a day return ticket for four people anywhere on the Northern Rail network. The personal details you supply will only be used to contact you if you win a prize.

FOOD

Allen’s Bakery pasties and Hunter’s pork pies will be available from 5.00pm through to 10.00pm on Friday, 12 noon though 10.00pm on Saturday and Sunday if stocks last. Vegetarian pasties will also be available.

We have agreed a 10% discount off meals at the Rose and Crown & The Black Bull for all visitors to the Real Ale Festival , check out their menus. Rose & Crown / Black Bull

ENTERTAINMENT

Music on Friday and Saturday evenings will be provided by the “Fabulous Duffy Gibbons” for information about them please visit www.myspace.com/cafeorchestra