Fifth anniversary of Bailiff Bridge's beer FestivALE

Bailiff Bridge's beer FestivALE is returning for a fifth year at the Community Centre on Victoria Road.
The FestivALE grows on its success year on yearThe FestivALE grows on its success year on year
The FestivALE grows on its success year on year

The event will begin next Friday (October 7) and this year it will showcase 18 real ales, all of which are cooled and served through traditional bar pumps as well as four ciders.

Doors will open at 5pm on Friday October 7 and 2.30pm on Saturday October 8 and the bar will close at 11pm on both days.

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Mark Feasey, Committee member and organiser of the FestivALE said: “When selecting the ales, I ensure that we have something for everyone on offer, from a rich dark smooth ale, to a nice light hoppy pale ale, there will also be a few surprises on the bar, something that even a connoisseur of ale will not have tried before and a couple of speciality ales infused with spice or fruit”.

The event was first thought up back in 2011 when the Community Centre committee decided to hold a beer festival at the centre to encourage people to visit and raise funds for charity and the centre itself.

They approached Mark Feasey, a local landlord at the time, and founder of FestivALE, to help organise the event.

Doreen Lever, treasurer of Bailiffe Bridge Community Centre said: “We approached Mark, as we knew he had the expertise to manage an event of this calibre and we have not been disappointed since.

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“The amount of work that goes into the organising of this event is amazing and we are so pleased to now have Mark on the committee helping us throughout the year.

“This is a great event on the calendar of the centre, and showcases the wonderful centre to people far and wide.”

This years chosen charities Overgate Hospice and Forget-me-Not Children’s Hospice, with proceeds from the event going to them and the Community Centre itself.

Last year the festival was the best yet, raising over £4000 and organisers are hoping that this year’s total will be even higher.

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Over the years local businesses have contributed to the success of the FestivALE.

Geoff Howe, Acting Chairman of the Committee said: “Raising this amount of money would not have been possible without Barclays bank, who have match funded the event in past years and are once again supporting FestivALE for 2016”

There is still chance for local companies to advertise in the programme or sponsor a barrel of ale and for more information contact 01484 401221.

Mark Feasey added: “This is a brilliant event, I am really proud of the work that we have put into this over the years, and we are all working hard at the moment to ensure this is the best year yet.

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“I’ve moved on from the pub trade now, and it is great to get back behind the bar once a year.”

Entry to the event is £5 and this includes a programme with full tasting notes, a commemorative glass which is special for the fifth anniversary of the FestivALE and a free pint.

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