A Short History of Edgworth Real Ale Festival

Back in 2006, a small group of real ale enthusiasts had the idea that it might be fun to arrange a beer festival in Edgworth. The obvious choice of location was the Barlow Institute, and the planning began. A committee was formed, and engaged with the local CAMRA branch to gain some advice. It was through this local connection that James Fletcher (Fletch) became involved in the Festival, with responsibility for the quality of the beer (a VERY important job!). Fletch brought with him a huge knowledge and reputation for delivering quality beer (he runs the staff bar at the Great British Beer Festival you know!).

The other committee members - Eddie Williams, John Barlow, Jack Donnelly, Colin Makinson, Alex Docherty and Steve Williams - set about raising sponsorship to get the Festival off the ground. The charity beneficiaries for 2006 were chosen and the Festival was scheduled for the end of September.

Nervousness about whether people would turn up, soon turned into nervousness about how long the beer would last. Unfortunately, it ran out later on Saturday evening and the Festival closed early for the only time. The first years Festival raised £3,500 for Bolton Hospice.

Since 2006, the Festival has gone from strength to strength, with learnings gained every year and cusomters and sponsors returning year after year.

Over the years, ERAF has donated over £40,000 to various charities including Bolton Hospice, NSPCC, MacMillan, The Barlow Institute, The Michael Williams Trust, Derian House Children's Hospice, North West Air Ambulance and Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. The beneficiaries for 2011 are Great Ormond Street Hospital and Help for Heroes.

We will be adding more to this page over time, along with pictures and old programmes. If you have any photos of you or your friends attending the Festival in years gone by and are happy to share them, please email them to sponsorship@eraf.org.uk to get involved.