Fourth real ale event was the toast of the town

The fourth festival was staged in the community hall at St John’s Church, Rastrick, after the three previous events staged there had raised hundreds of pounds for both the church and local charities.

At the close of last week-end’s fourth event the organisers said they were not in a position just yet to give a final figure because some monies were still to come in and some bills were still outstanding.

But, they said, once all the monies are in and all the various costs covered they will make an announcement at a special presentation evening later in the year when cheques will be handed over to the chosen charities and the church.

The organisers have decided that, in addition to the church, the charities to benefit this year are the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Whiteknights Emergency Voluntary Service, a service which uses motorbikes to transport blood and other urgent samples to hospitals and hospices across North and West Yorkshire.

At the end the chairman of the organising committee, Roger Ellis, described this latest festival as another fine success, adding that he wanted to say a big thank you to the hard working and friendly team who had done the organising and planning leading up to the event. He said they had done an “outstanding job”.

Roger added: “The help we have received on the ground has been first class. We have had more people involved as well as the number of people involved on the day and they have created a friendly team, working together, which has helped create a wonderful community spirit.

“We have also had an increase in the number of new sponsors, which has been very much appreciated, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank both local businesses, the church community as well as the individuals, families and friends who have turned up and given us their support. It has been very much appreciated. Without that support no charity would have benefited, They have also helped to make the festival the success it has become.”

Visitors came from many parts of Calderdale and Kirklees and others had travelled over the Pennines from Lancashire. Roger also pointed out that any visitor who had wanted a quiet moment for reflection would have been able to find it in the church, which had been left open throughout the event.

“We have had some very positive feedback from visitors, many of whom said they had enjoyed the fine range of beers and ciders we offer as well as the friendly atmosphere,” said Roger. “I think this latest festival compares favourably with the previous ones and has been just as successful. I think this has been borne out by the very favourable comments we have received. We have had some excellent feedback.”

Visitors were also asked to vote for their favourite beer. When the votes were counted at the end, in first place was High Wire, described in the tasting notes as a West-coast style pale ale with mango, lychee and grapefruit flavours, which is brewed by Magic Rock Brewery in Huddersfield.