January 2008

Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th January - 7th Derby Twelfth Night Winter Beer Festival at Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby
Opening times: Thursday: 6pm-11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-5pm & 6pm-11pm
Admission: Thursday: £3.00/CAMRA members free. Friday & Saturday day sessions £2.00/CAMRA members free; evening sessions £5.00/CAMRA members £1.00. Student Concessions on production of appropriate Student Card. Tickets on sale for the Friday and Saturday evening sessions at the beginning of December from the Derby CAMRA website and the Flowerpot Pub in Derby.
 Details: Over 90 real ales, Ciders, Perries and foreign bottled beers with a unique Festival Special. Live entertainment at all evening sessions.

Saturday 5th January - Ross Cider Wassail at Broome Farm, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 6QG (01989 567232)
Times: 6pm to start the Wassail procession at 6:30 pm
Admission: £5.00 per person
Details: Wassail procession takes place at 6.30pm; the procession around the farm uses uneven paths. Please wear stout footwear or boots. This activity is at your own risk! Join us afterwards – live music featuring Chicken Shed Zeppelin with bar and food (mulled cider available). Limited numbers, so please let us know if you plan to come; email ross_cider@talktalk.net.

Saturday 5th January - Sompting Village Morris Wassail at The Vine Pub, Tarring High Street, Sompting, West Sussex (01903 202891)
Times: 5pm
Admission: Free
Details: An ancient custom of blessing the apple trees. Gather around an apple tree to shout, sing, and chant so that evil spirits are driven away. Cider soaked bread is thrust into the tree's branches as a thanks offering. Apple trees are toasted with mugs of wassail and hot cider.

Saturday 5th January - Wassail at Community Orchard, Lawns End, and The Bishop John de Grandison Inn, Clanage Street, Bishopsteignton, Devon
Times: 7.00pm & 8.00pm
Admission: ??
Details: At 7pm, the Apple Queen and her entourage will be accompanied by the mummers and Grimspound Morris plus musicians, singers & muskets to wake the trees. The orchard has no light so bring lanterns & torches to light the way and pots & pans, buckets & spoons to wake the trees. Following the wassail the crowd will form a procession following the musicians to the Bishop John de Grandison Inn, Clanage Street, Bishopsteignton for mulled wine, roast local pork and apples and Border Morris dancing at 8pm followed by a traditional mummers play at 8.30pm. For further information contact: marilynb@europe.com.

Saturday 5th January - Community Orchard Wassail at Milton Country Park, Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridge CB4 6AZ (08450 450 500)
Times: 3.30pm
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Details: "2008 will be a big year for the park. Help us get off to a good start by coming to our first wassail event to bless our community orchard and the park. Bring warm clothes and things to make some noise with." T
he park's community orchard will expand with the planting of 12 new fruit trees and the rangers are looking for sponsors for each of the trees at just £50 for a year. All the trees will be local varieties including Cottenham Seedling, Histon Favourite and Huntingdon Codlin apple trees and Cambridge Gage and Wallis Wonder plum trees. All these trees have all been sourced from the East of England Apple and Orchard Project. The newly planted fruit trees sponsored by local people will be blessed at a Wassailing event. Directions: follow the signs from the A14/A10 junction outside Milton village or take the no.19 or 19A bus that regularly stop and pick up 500 yards from the Visitor Centre. Contact: Malcolm Busby on 01223 420060

Saturday 5th January - Bodmin Wassail at Bodmin, Cornwall
Times: ??
Admission: ??
Details: Wassailers in gentleman's hand-me-downs such as top hats and frock coats bear their greetings of "wassail" around the houses of Bodmin carrying on an unbroken tradition. They sing the Bodmin Wassail, the Old Song, carols and Cornish songs and are rewarded with hospitality and with money for charity. Contact: Peter Marlow on 01208 76373.

Saturday 5th January - Wassail at Daventry Country Park, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Times: 1.00pm-2.00pm.
Admission: ??
Details: Wassail the young orchard with music, a procession, hot appley food and drink and singing of the traditional wassail. Contact: Dewi Morris, Countryside Ranger on 01327 302485

Saturday 5th January - Wassail in the Orchard at Rivers Nursery Orchard, Sawbridgeworth, East Hertfordshire
Times: 6.30pm-8pm
Admission: tbc
Details: Traditional Music and refreshments. For more information please contact Hazel Mead on 01279 724503 or Kate Yarnold on 01279 723617

Saturday 5th January - Wassailing in Shenley at Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, Shenley, Hertfordshire WD7 9DW (01923 852629)
Times: 6.30pm-8pm
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Details: Come Wassailing at Shenley Park. Meet in the Stanley Lord Orchard. If coming by car, please park use the car park adjacent to the Shenley Tearooms.

Saturday 5th January - Carshalton Wassail at Carshalton, Surrey
Times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: tbc

Sunday 6th January - Twelfth Night with the Lion's Part Theatre Co. at Bankside by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London
Times: from 7.00pm
Admission: Free and accessible to all
Details: Not a traditional wassail - and probably not a drop of cider to be seen - but it's the best the poor Londoners are going to get! A celebration of the New Year mixing ancient traditions with contemporary festivity. Contact: 0208 452 3866 or email info@thelionspart.co.uk.

Sunday 6th January - Wassail at Bodmin, Cornwall
Times: ??
Admission: ??
Details: Wassailers in gentleman's hand-me-downs such as top hats and frock coats bear their greetings of "wassail" around the houses of Bodmin carrying on an unbroken tradition. They sing the Bodmin Wassail, the Old Song, carols and Cornish songs and are rewarded with hospitality and with money for charity. Contact: Peter Marlow on 01208 76373.

Friday 11th January - Wassail at Waggon & Horses and the Community Orchard, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
Times: 7.00pm
Admission: Free
Details: Wassailing was first celebrated in January 2002, the event is now held annually at the Community Orchard usually on the 2nd Friday of January. Wassail Evening starts at the Waggon & Horses in Hartley Wintney High Street with a short performance by Hook Eagle Morris Men. Wassailers then make their way in a torchlight procession, led by local Scouts and Hook Eagle Morris Men to the Orchard a few minutes walk away where, fortified by locally produced sustenance and the contents of the Wassail Cup, Wassailers ‘Wassail’ an adjacent apple tree before returning with musical accompaniment, to the Waggon & Horses where, traditionally, the group enter by the back door, toast the landlord and depart from the front door. Starts 7pm at the Waggon & Horses. Contact the Parish Council for further details on 01252 845152

Friday 11th to Saturday 12th January - Exeter & East Devon 19th Festival of Winter Ales at Lower Exhibition Hall, Exeter University, Exeter
Opening times: 11am-11pm
Admission: £2.00 CAMRA members; £3.00 non-members. Free before 5pm on Friday.
Details: Over 60 winter-only ales and festive ciders. Commemorative festival glass £1.00 extra. Hot and cold food available at all sessions. Live entertainment Saturday evening only. No advanced tickets.

Saturday 12th January – Hunters Moon Wassail at Middle Farm, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LJ
Opening times: tbc
Admission: Free
Details: The largest Wassail in East Sussex. Look out for further details on the Hunters Moon website nearer the date.

Saturday 12th January - Wassail at Church Orchard, Stoke Gabriel, Devon
Opening times: 6pm
Admission: Adults £2.00, children £1.00, families £5.00.
Details: Celebrate the ancient traditions of twelfth night in Stoke Gabriel's community orchard. Enjoy a barbeque supper and apple cake then watch the wassailing of the trees by the wassail queen, morris dancing and singing in the orchard. Warm up in the pub with storytelling into the night. Meet outside the scout hut next to Church Orchard, Stoke Gabriel at 6pm. Please bring a torch and wrap up warmly.

Saturday 12th January - Isca Morris Men Wassail at The Ostrich Inn, Newland, Monmouth GL16 8NP
Opening times: 8pm
Admission: Free
Details: A traditional cider wassail based on the Ostrich Inn at Newland, just to the south of Monmouth. The wassail begins at around 8.45pm

Saturday 12th January - Kenninghall Land Trust Wassail at Kenninghall Wood, Kenninghall, Norfolk
Opening times: 5.30pm
Admission: ??
Details: Wassailing the orchard at Kenninghall Wood which was planted in 1999 as a community wood of five and a half acres of native trees including a one acre orchard containing many Norfolk varieties. Bring your own lamp and torch. Kenninghall Wood is 17 miles south of Norwich, and signposted from the Red Lion in the village; contact: lands-trust@kenninghall.org.uk.

Wednesday 16th to Saturday 19th January - National Winter Ales Festival 2008 at New Century Hall, Corporation Street, Manchester
Opening times: Wednesday 5.30-10.30pm, Thursday 4.30-10.30pm, Friday noon-5pm & 5pm-10pm, Saturday noon-10pm
Admission: Wednesday £3.00/£1.00 NUS + OAP with NUS card/evidence; Thursday: £3.00; Friday & Saturday £3.00 day session/£4.00 evening session. CAMRA members £1.00 off at all times. Season ticket to all sessions- £9.00/£7.00 CAMRA members/£9.50 corporate entertainment tickets.
Details: Over 200 British and Foreign Beers, Bottled Real Ale, Ciders and Perries. CAMRA products shop, family area, food, T-shirt + poster shop, quiet areas, tombola. Special event: Champion Winter Beer of Britain. Live entertainment from Bad Dog (Thursday) Curragh Sons (Saturday evening)

Thursday 17th January - Charity Wassail at Rich's Cider Barn, Mill Farm, Watchfield, Highbridge, Somerset TA9 4RD (01278 783651)
Opening times: 8pm
Admission: tbc
Details: Charity Wassail in aid of the Air Ambulance. Plenty of Rich's Cider (including their excellent mulled cider!). Scrumpy & Western band The Mangledwurzels will be playing two 45 minute sets.

Thursday 17th January - Wassail at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury (01458 831197)
Opening times: 7.00pm-9.00pm.
Admission: Adult £6.00; Child £3.00. Tickets available in advance from Glastonbury Tourist Information Centre.
Details: A traditional celebration of Old Twelfth Night in the Abbey Barn. Wassailing the orchard by candlelight accompanied by live music and mulled cider and apple cake.

Thursday 17th January - Wassailing at Parke Estate, near Bovey Travey, Dartmoor, Devon
Opening times: 6.30pm
Admission: Children £2.50.
Details: Help the National Trust celebrate the winter in a traditional way to ensure the Parke Estate orchard gives a bumper apple crop next season. Book on 01626 834748.

Thursday 17th January - Wassailing at Buckland Abbey National Trust, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6EY (01822 853607)
Opening times: 7.30pm
Admission: Normal admission charges apply.
Details: Help rouse the apple trees from their winter slumber at this traditional ceremony, wrap up warmly and bring something noisy! Meet at the Great Barn at 7.30pm.

Thursday 17th January - Wassailing at The Butchers Arms, Carhampton, near Minehead, Somerset TA24 6LP (01643 821333)
Opening times: 7.00pm
Admission: ??
Details: The Butchers Arms is one of the very few pubs which continue the ancient tradition of Wassailing, and claims the longest unbroken wassailing tradition in England. Slices of toast soaked in cider are put in the apple trees behind the pub, the Carhampton Wassailing song is sung, guns are fired to ward off evil spirits, and cider is poured around the trees roots. Then back in the pub for live music. An event enjoyed by the local community. Advised to get to the pub by around 7pm, wassailing starts around 8pm. Contact 01643 821333 or info@butchersarmscarhampton.co.uk

Thursday 17th January - Wassail at Barrington Court (National Trust), near Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0NQ (01460 241938)
Opening times: ??
Admission: ??
Details: Wassailing Barrington Courts extensive cider apple orchards.

Thursday 17th January - The Whimple Wassail at Whimple, Devon
Opening times: ??
Admission: ??
Details: Another renowned Wassailing event. No details about times and places, so check dates and times with the local Tourist Information before travelling!

Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th January - 1st Colchester Winter Ale Festival at Colchester (venue to be confirmed)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Over 40 real ales including seasonal specials from local brewers, Ciders, Perries, local wines and Belgian Beer bar. Free soft drinks for drivers. Supporting CAMRA's Stout and Porter initiative. Members of Craft Brewers Association will be brewing at the festival and giving home brewing advice. Live music on Saturday night. Food all sessions, including Hog Roast. Souvenir glass tankards available.

Saturday 19th January - Chepston Wassail and Mari Lwyd at various locations in Chepstow
Opening times: 2pm onwards
Admission: tbc
Details: Proceedings start 2pm at the Bridge Inn and Three Tuns pubs in Lower Chepstow with Morris dancing, folk music and beer festival, with a marquee at the bandstand. Later, around 5.30pm there will be a Wassail held at Elmdale, a meeting of Welsh and English on the Old Town Bridge around 7pm and a Mari Lwyd at Chepstow Castle. There are also plans for a children's Mari Lwyd at the Bandstand in the afternoon.

Saturday 19th January - West Croft Wassail at West Croft Cider, West Croft Farm, Brent Knoll, Burnham on Sea, Somerset (01278 760762)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: West Croft Wassail is a traditional Wassial which includes Pig Roast, Mulled Cider, Apple Cake, selection of West Croft ciders and candlelight procession ceremony. Raising money for children's cancer charity.

Saturday 19th January - Wassail at Horfield Organic Community Orchard, Horfield Allotments, King's Drive, Bristol
Opening times: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Admission: ??
Details: Wassailing the community orchard, with mulled cider, apple juice and cakes & Morris dancing. Contact: 0117 924 8124 or pauline.markovits@blueyonder.co.uk

Sunday 20th January 2008 - The Wassail at Garden Organic Ryton, Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 3LG (024 7630 3517)
Opening times: noon to 2.30pm
Admission prices to the gardens: £6.00 adults (includes one child admission free)/£5.50 concessions/£3.00 additional child (age 5-16)/Free Under 5s.
Details: Come along to see Elephant up a pole perform their traditional wassailing ceremony in our organic orchard to encourage a good harvest.

Sunday 20th January 2008 - Wassailing at Willsbridge Mill at Willsbridge Mill, Bitton, Bristol
Opening times: 2pm-5pm
Admission: Free
Details: Join the lively ceremony to revive this long lost local tradition which takes place to ensure a good fruit harvest the following season. Make noisy instruments and lanterns for our procession to wake the orchard up from its winter slumbers. Fruity trails, orchard games, home made apple refreshments. Contact Ruth Worsley of the Avon Wildlife Trust (0117 932 6885) for more information.

Sunday 20th January - 5th Annual Wassail at the orchards at Skidbrooke Cider Company, The Grange, Skidbrooke, near Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 7DH
Times: 11am.
Admission: ??
Details: The 5th annual Wassail at the Skidbrooke Cider Co. together with the Grimsby Morris men and followed by a plough play and dancing at the nearby Prussian Queen pub. Contact: 01507 339368 or email skidbrookecyder@tiscali.co.uk.

Monday 21st January - The Three Counties Cider and Perry Association AGM at Westons Bottle Museum, Much Marcle
Opening times: 7.30pm

Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th January - 19th Bent & Bongs Beer Bash at Formby Hall, Atherton, Lancashire
Opening times: Thusday 6-11pm; Friday 5-11pm; Saturday noon-4pm, 7-11pm
Admission: Thusday £4.00; Friday £6.00; Saturday £4.00 per session. CAMRA members£1 discount. No advance tickets. To avoid queues, arrive before 6.30pm on Friday and before 1.30pm on Saturday.
Details: 70 real ales, Ciders and draught foreign lagers. Admission includes commemorative glass and programme. Live Entertainment with all proceeds to charity.

Sunday 27th January - Cat & Wheel Cider Festival, 207 Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5QX (0117 942 7862)
Opening times: open all day
Admission: Free
Details: The landlord promises a range of local Ciders including Mole Brewery's own Black Rat ciders. Scrumpy & Western band The Mangledwurzels will be playing live between 7pm and 10pm.

Thursday 31st January to Saturday 2nd February - 4th Pendle Beer Festival at Colne Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire
Opening times: Thursday 6pm-11pm, Friday: noon-11pm, Saturday: noon-11pm
Admission: Friday £4.00 after 6pm; all other sessions £2.00. CAMRA members free all sessions.
Details: 'All at Sea' beer and cider theme. Over 65 real ales, cider, perry and bottled beers. Festival Glass. Food available all sessions. Live music every evening. Balcony seating all sessions. Disabled access. Children welcome lunchtimes. Soft drinks for drivers.

Thursday 31st January - 13th Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival at Watson Hall, Barton Street, Tewkesbury
Preview Night for CAMRA members only (see below)

Thursday 31st to Saturday 2nd February - Magpies Beer Festival at Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane Club Bar, Nottingham NG2 3HJ
Opening times: Open Thursday evening, all day Friday, Sat 11am–3pm and 5pm-11pm
Admission: tbc
Details: Over 50 Beers and Ciders

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February 2008

Thursday 31st January to Saturday 2nd February - 4th Pendle Beer Festival at Colne Municipal Hall, Colne, Lancashire
see above

Thursday 31st to Saturday 2nd February - Magpies Beer Festival at Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane Club Bar, Nottingham NG2 3HJ
see above

Friday 1st January to Saturday 2nd February - 13th Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival at Watson Hall, Barton Street, Tewkesbury
Opening times: Friday: 11am-3pm and 6.30pm-11pm; Saturday: 11am-11pm. CAMRA members-only preview: Thursday 31st January: 6.30pm-11pm.
Admission: £1.00/Free Friday day session. All sessions free to card-carrying CAMRA members.
Details: 60 Winter-only Ales, stouts and porters from around Britain, Local Cider and Perries.

Friday 1st January to Saturday 2nd February - Dorchester Beer Festival at Corn Exchange, Dorchester
Opening times: 11am-3pm and 6pm-11.30pm
Admission: £3.00 Friday lunch, £4.00 Friday lunch, £5.00 evenings
Details: 50 Real Ales and Ciders. Entertainment at evening sessions. Quiet room also avail for evening sessions. Ticket includes admission, glass and first half pint. Additional free pint to card carrying CAMRA members available from West Dorset CAMRA, 18 Lodmoor Avenue, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 5AF (incl SAE). Cheques payable to "West Dorset CAMRA".

Friday 1st January to Saturday 2nd February - Chesterfield CAMRA Beer Festival at The Winding Wheel, Holywell Street, Chesterfield
Opening times: Friday: 5pm-11pm, Saturday: 11am-3pm and 6.30pm-11pm
Admission: £5.00 per session. CAMRA concessions available on entry.
Details: Theme celebrates 30 years of Chesterfield CAMRA by featuring local cask ales (30 mile radius). Around 100 beers available (including a full range of our sponsor Fullers), Ciders, Perries, country wines, bottled World Beers and free soft drinks. Live entertainment from local rock covers band Firecracker on Saturday evening. Food available at all sessions. Entrance includes Festival glass, programme and 1st pint at all sessions. 18+ only.

Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th February - 18th Battersea Beer Festival at Grand Hall, Town Hall Road, Lavender Hill, London SW11
Opening times: 11am-5.30pm & 6.30-11pm daily
Admission: £2.00/£3.00 after 5pm. CAMRA members £1.00 discount all times.
Details: 100+ kils of beer from around the country, Traditional Ciders, Perries, country wines, continental beers. Hot and cold food, and soft drinks available.

Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th February - Ale & Arty Stockton Beer Festival at The Arc, Dovecot Street, Stockton-On-Tees, Cleveland TS18 1LL
Opening times: 11am-5.30pm & 6.30-11pm daily
Admission: Thursday & Friday daytime 80p; free to card carrying CAMRA members; evening sessions: £4.00. Saturday £3.00 daytime; card carrying CAMRA members get a £1.00 beer ticket; evening session with bands £10.00.
Details: Over 70 real ales, ciders and perrys, bottled beers, CAMRA stall and Cleveland's amazing tombola. Bands on Thursday: Wildcats of Kilkenny, Friday: The Foundations, and Saturday: New Age Jam and BeatleManiacs. Refundable glasses and programme available. Full disabled access and facilities.

Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th February - Rotherham Oakwood Legendary Real Ale Festival at Oakwood Technology College, Moorgate Road, Rotherham
Opening times: Wednesday to Friday 6pm-11pm; Saturday noon-11pm.
(Note: Wednesday/Thursday is for CAMRA members and Festival-invited guests only! This does not include CAMRA members' guests).
Festival bars closed 5pm-6pm on Saturday, visitors can remain in warm non-drinking areas.
Admission: £6.00 advance tickets/9.00 on door. CAMRA members £3.00 on the door (including non-returnable glass). Wednesday/Thursday: £2.00 for non-returnable glass for CAMRA members only. Advance entry tickets not needed for CAMRA members. Membership cards essential. Reduced re-entry to Fest with 2008 Festival Glass.
Details: Over 200 real ales, over 25 fine wines, Ciders, food and Foreign Bottled Beers. Four entertainment areas plus quiet bars (check website for band line-up), rock, blues, pop, folk, dance.

Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th February - 26th Fleetwood Beer Festival at The Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6HF
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Over 100 real ales, Ciders, Perries and Foreign Bottled Beer. Bar, food and entertainment.

Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th February - 25th Luton Beer Festival at Hightown Sports & Arts Centre, Luton LU2 0JD
Opening times: Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday noon-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm
Admission: Admission free to CAMRA membs all times, except Fri after 6pm (£1.50).
Details: 80 Real Ales, Ciders, Perries and Imported Beers.

Friday 15th & Saturday 16th February - 2nd Bath Cider Festival at Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath, Somerset BA2 4EU (01225 486902)
Opening times: Friday: 7.30pm-11pm; Sat: 11am-4pm, 7.30p-11pm.
Admission: Advanced tickets are £5.00 per session available from the box office or the Bath Pavilion website, or £6.00 on the door.
Details: The Bath Cider Festival will have over 70 different ciders, as well as pork, apple and stuffing rolls for sale. Scrumpy & Western band The Mangledwurzels will be playing two 45 minute sets at each session; exact times to be confirmed.

Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February - Winterfest XVI at Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport
Opening times: Friday 6.30pm - 11.00pm, Saturday 11.00am - 3.30pm & 6.30pm - 11.00pm
Admission: All Tickets £8.00
Details: Over 70 Real Ales, Ciders, Perries and Foreign Bottled Beers. Admission ticket includes half pint souvenir glass, programme and half pint of any beer up to 4.8%. Extra £1 token for card-carrying CAMRA members. Details: Ticket entry only, avail from selected local pubs/ post: 7 Beverley Rd, Fareham PO14 2NS (on sale early Jan). Cheques payable to "Portsmouth CAMRA"; please enclose a SAE and evening contact number if possible. Ticket Hotline 07921 550860. Live entertainment from The Georgia Ramblers (Fri), Gosport Silver Band (Sat day) and This Way Up (Sat evening).

Thursday 28th February to Saturday 1st March - Bradford Beer Festival at Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Opening times: Thursday 6pm-11pm; Friday 11.30am-4.30pm and 6.30pm-11pm; Saturday 11.30am-4.30pm and 7pm-11pm
Admission: Thursday £2.00, Friday day session £1.00/CAMRA members free, Friday evening session £5.00; Saturday day session £3.50, Saturday evening session £4.00. Prices include Programme and Commemorative Glass (except Friday lunch session).
Details: Over 100 real ales, Cider and foreign beers. Children's room available for daytime sessions. Hot and cold food at all sessions. Entertainment on Friday night, Saturday (both sessions).

Friday 29th February to Saturday 1st March - Wrexham Beer Festival at Larkfields Resource Centre, High Barns, Ely
Opening times: Friday 5.30pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-10pm
Admission: £1.00/Free card carrying CAMRA members
Details: Over 40 real ales from local East Anglian brewers. Award winning Cider from Pickled Pig Co and other local producers. Barbeque and cold food available at all sessions.

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March 2008

Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th March - Sussex CAMRA 18th Beer and Cider Festival - Hove Centre, Norton Road, Hove, Sussex
Opening times: Thursday 5pm-11pm; Friday 11am-3pm and 5pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm.
Admission: Thursday £3.50; Friday £3.00 daytime & £6.00 evening; Saturday £3.00 daytime & £5.00 evening (2.00 student concession on Saturdays available when buying from Hove Centre with NUS card). Tickets available from local outlets (Brighton & Hove: Hove & Brighton Centres, Bell, Evening Star, Sir Charles Napier; Shoreham: Buckingham Arms, Southwick, Romans, Lewes: Gardeners Arms; Worthing: Selden Arms), on door (subject to available) or SCBCF Ticket Sales, 13 Rudyard Rd, Woodingdean, Brighton BN2 6UB (07784 944277). Please state session(s) you want to attend, and include a SAE with cheque/Postal Order payable to CAMRA Sussex Beer Festival.
Details: Over 200 ales, a large selection of Ciders, Perries, English Country Wines and British/Foreign Bottled Beers. Live music Saturday evening from Copperhead. Catering by The Splendid Meat Company. Hot and cold food, veggie options (balcony area) and soft drink, teas/coffee. Downstairs bar is Sussex Bar (Sussex breweries only beers). Full disabled facilities.

Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th March - London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival at Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1
Opening times: Wednesday & Thursday 12-3pm and 5pm-10.30pm; Fri noon-10.30pm. Last admission 10pm.
Admission: £3.00 / CAMRA members £1.50 (free Wednesday + Thursday lunchtime).
Details: Wide range of Beers, Imported Beers (Draught + Bottled) and more Cider and Perry than before. Excellent hot and cold food.

Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th March - Leicester Beer Festival at The Charotar Patidar Samaj, Bay Street, South Churchgate, Leicester LE1 3AE
Opening times: Wednesday 5pm - 11pm; Thursday 11am - 11pm; Friday 11am - 11.30 pm; Saturday noon - 11pm. CAMRA members get in free at all times with a valid membership card.
Admission: Wednesday £2.00; Thursday £2.00; free before 4pm; Friday £3.00; free before 4pm; Saturday £2.00 all day.
Details: 200 Beers including some Festival Specials, 30 Ciders and Perries. New LocAle bar will feature 40 Beers brewed within 20 miles of Leicester City Centre. Also Wine from two local vineyards and quality apple juices. Authentic Indian Curries and English food, including veggie choices available at all sessions. Souvenir festival glass £2 refundable.

Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th March - Leeds Beer, Cider & Perry Festival at Pudsey Civic Hall, Leeds
Opening times: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm. CAMRA members gain admission 15 minutes earlier all sessions.
Admission: Thursday £3.00 evening, free afternoon; Friday £4.00 evening, free afternoon; Saturday £3.00 per session. Student free with valid NUS card on Thursday evening. CAMRA members free at all times.
Details: Over 150 real ales, traditional Real Cider and Perry from all around-best range in the North, global Beer Bar, dedicated Fruit Beer handpump, rare beers, famous favourites and beer tastings, Mild Trail. Hot and cold food, full disabled access, no smoking. Local musicians performing, and some quiet sessions. Beery stalls, snack emporium and tombola. Restrictions on admission numbers - get there early to avoid disappointment! Over 18s only - please bring ID. Staff needed (get free beer, glass, food tokens and staff T-shirt).

Friday 14th to Saturday March - 11th Annual Bristol Beer Festival at Brunel Passenger Shed, Temple Meads, Bristol
Opening times: Friday 11.30am-4/5pm, 6.30pm-11pm; Saturday 11.30am-4/5pm, 7pm-11pm. Confirm times on website.
Admission: Sold Out!
Details: Over 120 Real Ales and 40 Ciders & Perries. Food available all sessions. Ticket price includes admission, programme and commemorative glass. Card-carrying CAMRA membs get free half-pint voucher.

Friday 14th to Saturday 15th March - Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival at Hitchin Town Hall, Brand Street, Hitchin
Opening times: Friday: noon-11pm; Saturday: 11am-11pm
Admission: Friday: £2.50/£1.00 before 4pm; Saturday £2.50 all day. Card carrying CAMRA and Round Table members free.
Details: 50 Real Ales, with good range of Cider, Perry and Foreign Beer including Foreign Draught Beer. A quiet festival, in association with Hitchin Round Table. Two halls and lots more seating! Disabled access/toilet facilities available. Souvenir Glasses, hot and cold food, tombola and products available.

Friday 14th to Saturday 15th March - 'Beware The Ides of March' Overton Beer Festival at St Lukes Hall, Overton, Hampshire
Opening times: Friday 6-11pm; Saturday 11-3pm and 6-11pm
Admission: £5.00 Friday, £6.50 Saturday evening, £4.00 afternoon.
Details: 35 Beers and Ciders in friendly village setting. CAMRA shop, Tombola, Families welcome Sat lunchtime, Entertainment on Saturday evening. Volunteers welcome. Concessions to card-carrying CAMRA members. Ticket price include souvenir glass. Advance ticket recommended all sessions. Cheques to North Hampshire CAMRA with SAE to 9 McFauld Way, Whitchurch, Hants, RG28 7LR.

Friday 14th to Saturday 15th March - Winslow Beer Festival at Winslow Public Hall, off Elmfields Way, Winslow
Opening times: Friday 6pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-7pm & 7pm-11pm.
Admission: £5.00 each session. Tickets available from Bell Hotel, Market Square, Winslow or from festival website.
Details: In association with Lions Club of Winslow. All proceeds to charity; last year nearly £7k to local charities. Over 40 beers, lagers and ciders available. Ample parking and on bus route for Buckingham and Aylesbury. Entry fee includes commemorative glass and official programme wth tasting guide. Light refreshments available. Card-carrying CAMRA membs get complimentary drink voucher. Final RBS Six Nations Rugby matches (Italy v Scotland, England v Ireland + Wales v France) shown on large screen Saturday Matinee.

Sunday 16 March - The Wurzels at Family Race Day at Fontwell Park Racecourse, Fontwell, nr Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0SX (01243 543335) This is one of Fontwell's popular Family Race Days with The Wurzels playing live during the afternoon. There will also be a Food and Drink Fair, Cider Bar, fun fair rides, bouncy castles, face painters and free colouring bookings for the children. Admission starts from £17 and children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Jump Racing: First Race: 2.15pm; Last Race: 4.55pm.

Friday 21st March - Cyder Friday at Fleece and Firkin, 12 St Thomas Street, Bristol BS1 6JJ (0117 945 0996)
Opening times: noon-6pm
Admission: Free.
Details: From the folks who brought you Cyder Sunday, comes Cyder Friday! Authentic live West Country music from the Surfin Turnips and wide selection of real local cyder. Hot and cold food available. Live music from 3pm.

Friday 21st March - Traditional & Rare Breeds Farm Park: Grand Re-Opening at Weston's Cider, Much Marcle, Herefordshire
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: What better way to spend Good Friday than by revisiting the marvellous menagerie at Weston's Cider's very own farm park? Plenty of fun for children of all ages, and of course, cider galore for those who aren't driving home afterwards!

Friday 21st to Monday 24th March - The Black Dog Beer Festival featuring The Wurzels at The Black Dog, Main Street, Broadmayne, Dorchester DT2 8ES (07990 810689)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: Free all weekend; Easter Sunday special (Wurzels) £10.00 in advance.
Details: Over 20 real ales, ciders and beers from around the country, with free live music throughout the weekend. Easter Sunday special - The Wurzels playing in the marquee from 1.00pm.

Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd March - 3rd Thanet Easter Beer Festival at Winter Gardens, Margate, Kent
Opening times: Noon-10.30pm
Admission: Friday £3.00, Saturday £2.00. Card carrying CAMRA members free.
Details: over 200 Real Ales, Ciders and Perries. Hot and cold food available all times. Beer related exhibition, tombola, live entertainment and quiet sessions both days.

Thursday 27th to Sunday 29th March - 18th Doncaster Beer Festival at The Hub, Chappell Drive, Doncaster DN1 2RF
Opening times: Thursday 5.30pm entry CAMRA members (6pm rest) to 11pm; Friday and Saturday 11am-11pm.
Admission: £3.50 (£5.00 Friday after 6pm). CAMRA members free entry all times, only returnable glass hire fee payable.
Details: Over 80 Beers, Ciders and Foreign Bars. Food available until 9.30pm. Entertainment Friday night.

Thursday 27th to Sunday 29th March - Hull Real Ale & Cider Festival at Horncastle Building, Hull College, George Street, Kingston-Upon-Hull
Opening times: Thursday-Saturday noon-11pm.
Admission: £2.00 after 6pm Thursday & Friday. Entry free all times to card-carrying CAMRA members.
Details: 74 Real Ales (34 by handpumps), 25 Ciders and Perries, 15 Belgian and German Bottled Beers. Hot and cold food, snacks and soft drinks available. Live acoustic entertainment Thursday and Friday evening.

Thursday 27th to Sunday 29th March - 3rd Bexley Beer Festival at Sidcup Sports Club, Crescent Farm, Sydney Road, Sidcup DA14 6RA
Opening times: Thursday 6-11pm; Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday 11am-11pm
Admission: Thursday: £2.00/CAMRA members £1.00. Friday 11am-5pm £1.00/CAMRA members free, 5-11pm £2.00/CAMRA members £1.00. Saturday £2.00/CAMRA members £1.00
Details: Over 60 Beers and Ciders. Souvenir glasses, snacks and entertainment available.

Friday 28th to Sunday 29th March - 1st Spring Beer & Cider Festival at Town Hall, Burton Upon Trent
Opening times: tbc
Admission: Noon-11pm
Details: Over 80 Real Ales and Ciders. Ales served directly from casks under cooling jackets. Driver's Bar with soft drinks. Hot and cold food all sessions. Families welcome until 6pm. Two quiet rooms with seating. Live music both days: lunchtime Friday and Saturday Martin Atterbury on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ; Friday evening 8.30pm The Top Cats (local rockabilly band); Saturday evening 8.30pm The Mick Rutherford Band (local raw blues/covers).

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April 2008

Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 5th April - 32nd Newcastle Beer Festival at Newcastle University Students' Union, Kings Walk, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Opening times: Wednesday 6pm-10.30pm; Thursday & Friday noon-10.30pm; Saturday noon-7pm.
Admission: Admission including souvenir glass and programme £4.00. Free admission to CAMRA members all times.
Details: Over 120 Ales and Ciders from around country. Volunteers needed from Monday 31st March.

Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th April - Walsall Beer Festival at Walsall Town Hall, Leicester Street, Walsall
Admission: Free at lunchtime (11am-3pm) and before 7pm. £3 Thursday evening 5-11pm; £4 Friday & Saturday evenings 5.30pm-11pm. Free at all times to ID card carrying CAMRA, NUS & HM Armed Forces
Details: A selection of 100 beers from around the country, traditional perries & ciders and foreign bottled beers. Limited edition souvenir glasses available. Hot and cold food served throughout. CAMRA shop on site (cash and cheques only). Quiet session Thursday. Live Entertainment: Friday lunch - Tony Lister on the Piano; Friday night - Mike Durkin Trio (Acoustic pop covers); Saturday lunch - Peter Morris on the Town Hall organ; and Saturday night - Sons of the Sod (Irish folk).

Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th April - 6th Maldon Beer Festival at Town Hall, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex
Opening times: Wednesday 4pm-11pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am to 11pm.
Details: Over 50 real ales and ciders. Live music on Saturday night from Songs From The Blue House. The souvenir glass will be in celebration of the 60th anniversary season of Maldon Rugby Club. Food available at all sessions.

Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th April - Mansfield Beer & Cider Festival at The Intake Club, Kirkland Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5QP.
Opening times: Thursday 5-11pm; Friday Noon-6pm, 6.30pm-11.30; Saturday 11am-6pm, 6.30pm-11.30pm; Sunday Noon-2pm.
Admission: Card-carrying CAMRA members free all times. Non-Members: Thursday£2.00; Friday/Saturday: Daytime £2, Evenings £5, £7 on the door; Sunday Free. Tickets (Friday/Saturday evenings) from Intake Club, Bold Forester, Greyhound, Mansfield Woodhouse, or by post. Credit Card Line: 01623 471306.
Details: Over 100 Beers, Lagers, Ciders, Perries and Fruit Wines from independent and microbrewers. Full range of types and strengths available including some new beers. Soft drinks, Wine, Food and Snacks availalbe at all sessions. Evening entertainment: Thurday: Band Comp.; Friday: The Jalapenoes, Vickerstaff's Dog House and No Fixed Abode. Saturday: New Jersey (Bon Jovi tribute), Whytesnake (Whitesnake tribute), All the Kings Men and Kick'n'Rush; Saturday : Ripley Morris Men (1pm-3pm).

Friday 11th to Saturday 12th April - Coventry Beer Festival at Coventry Rugby Football Club Ground, Butts Arena, Butts Road, Coventry
Opening times: Noon-4pm, 6pm-11pm
Admission: £1.00 afternoon, £2.00 evenings. Free to card-carrying CAMRA members all times. Glass hire £2.00 (refundable).
Details: Over 85 beers (special beers from local breweries), ciders and perries plus Country Wines. Food available all sessions. Ample parking, coach parties welcome.

Sunday 20th April - Carriage Driving Display at Weston's Cider, The Bounds, Much Marcle, Herefordshire HR8 2NQ (01531 660108)
Opening times: 11.30am
Admission: tbc
Details: Come and see the Carriage Driving Society set off at 11.30am from Westons on the Kempley Woods “Bluebell Run”. Before heading off, judging will take place for the best turned out in parade.

Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 26th April - East Anglia Beer Festival at Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Opening times: Noon-11pm
Admission: Free; fast track entry given to CAMRA members with valid Membership card.
Details: Expected to have 70+ superb East Anglian Ales available; also a good selection of quality local Ciders. Free soft drinks for designated drivers.

Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th April - 31st Maltings Beerex 2008 at Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR (01531 670544)
Opening times: Thursday 6–11pm, Friday 6pm–11pm, Saturday lunch 11am–3pm, Saturday 6pm–11pm.
Admission: £6.00
Details: Famous not only for its excellent selection of real ales, ciders and perries, but also it's fun-filled atmosphere. Scrumpy & Western band The Yetties will be playing sometime over the weekend (date/time not confirmed yet). Tickets are available from Sunday 2nd March from 7am to 9 am at the Maltings; buy early to avoid disappointment! For more information, please call the box office on 01252 745444.

Friday 25th to Saturday 26th April - Chippenham Beer Festival at Olympiad, Chippenham
Opening times: Friday6pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm.
Admission: Friday £5.00, Saturday £4.00 evening / £3.50 afternoon. Advance tickets only for evening sessions. Concessions at door for CAMRA members.
Details: Over 90 Real Ales, choice of Ciders, Perries and Foreign Bottled Beers. Live music all sessions. Price includes souvenir glass and programme.

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th April - Open Day at Gwynt Y Ddraig Cider, Llest Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF38 2PW
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Following the success of last years events, Gwynt Y Ddraig have decided to open the farm up for two weekends this year. More details to follow...contact Gwynt Y Ddraig for further information.

Sunday 27th April - Bonjour Brighton Raceday & West Cider Festival at Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton BN2 9XZ (01273 603580)
Opening times: gates open at noon; first race 2.10pm.
Admission: Premier Badges - £18.00 on the day / £16.00 in advance; Grandstand & Paddock badges: £13.00 on the day / £11.00 in advance; Concessionary Grandstand & Paddock badges (Students, OAP’s and Registered Disabled): £9.00 on the day only. Under 16’s are admitted FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. Grandstand and Paddock and Concessionary badges can be upgraded to Premier badges on racedays for £5.00.
Details: The Bonjour Brighton Raceday, in association with Transmanche Ferries, has seven horses races as the cream of racing battle it out to be among the first winners of the season; first race: 2.10pm; last race: 5.25pm. Other events include the West Country Cider Festival with over 60 ciders and perrys for sale, Scrumpy & Western band The Mangledwurzels playing two complete sets - plus the usual hog roast and hot dogs. Also the Upsan Down’s Derby, authentic French and Sussex markets, St George Vs The Dragon race, and the decadent Moulin Rouge bar complete with Can Can dancers!

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May 2008

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th May - 14th Reading Beer & Cider Festival at Kings Meadow, Napier Road, Reading, Berkshire
Opening times: Thursday 4.30pm-11pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm; Sunday noon-9pm.
Admission: Thursday £4.00, Friday £5.00, Saturday £6.00, Sunday £4.00; £2.00 to CAMRA/EBCU members all sessions.
Details: Over 430 Real Ales, over 140 ciders and perries, over 140 foreign beers, and over 35 English Wines. Food available all times. Quiet day Thursday; live music other days in main tent. Quiet tent at available all times. Sunday - Family Day with children's entertainment and dray horses. Plenty of seating. Glass hire £2 all times (refundable).

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd May - 10th Kingdom Of Fife Beer Festival at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, Fife
 Opening times: Thursday: 4.30-11pm, Friday: noon-12am, Saturday: noon-11pm
Admission: £4.00 CAMRA members, £5.00 non- members
Details: Over 40 beers, ciders, perries, German Bottled Beers and Wines available. Soft drinks, food and snacks available all sessions. Live music Friday & Saturday evenings.

Saturday 3rd May - Cider and Perry Trials 2008 at Putley Village Hall, Putley, Herefordshire HR8 2QN (01531 670544)
Opening times: 2pm - 4pm
Admission: open to entrants only!
Details: The Annual Cider and Perry Trials are now an established event for craft cider and perry makers from the region and beyond. Previous entrants or those who have requested forms should have received entry forms by now. You can also download an entry form and print it out if you wish from the event website. Entry forms must be received by 30th April at the absolute latest.

Sunday 4th & Monday 5th May - Blossom Weekend at Weston's Cider, The Bounds, Much Marcle, Herefordshire HR8 2NQ (01531 660108)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Take a tour around the Mill, and/or a self-guided ramble through one of our Orchards taking in nature’s promise of a fine crop. Browse through the Visitor Centre and sample a selection of over 30 varieties of traditional ciders and perries.

Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th May - The Big Apple at Putley, Herefordshire (01531 670544)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Unique community events amongst the orchards. Enjoy Blossomtime in the village of Putley. Taste more than 40 ciders, meet cidermakers, walk through orchards in blossom.

Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th May - 8th Banbury Beer Festival at TA Centre, Oxford Road, Banbury OX16 9AN
Opening times: Thursday: 5pm-11pm; Friday: noon-midnight; Saturday: 11am-11pm
Admission: Thursday: £1.00; Friday £3.00 / £2.00 before 5pm; Saturday Free; £2.0 before 5pm. Free to card-carrying CAMRA members at all times.
Details: 80 Real Ales and a good selection of Cider and Perry. Food at available all sessions. Entertainment all day Saturday including barbecue (afternoon) and singer/guitarist Paul Canning (evening).

Friday 9th to Saturday 10th May - Erewash Valley 2nd Ilkeston Beer Festival at King Edward IV Suite, Regency Banqueting Rooms, Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5HF
Opening times: Noon-11pm.
Admission: Price: Afternoon sessions (before 6pm) £2.00; Friday 6pm-11pm £2.50; Saturday 6pm-11pm £3.00. Card-carrying CAMRA members 50p all times.
Details: Over 60 beers, plus Cider and Perry, Fruit Wines and soft drinks. Limited number of commemorative glass to buy. Hot and cold food available until 9pm. Entertainment: Saturday afternoon - Black Pig Morris Men and Belly Dancers. Saturday evening - Free Wheel Drive.

Friday 9th to Saturday 10th May - 14th Macclesfield Beer Festival at TA Centre, Oxford Road, Banbury OX16 9AN
Opening times: Friday 7pm-midnight; Saturday: noon-3.30pm, 7pm-midnight
Admission: Friday: Non-members £10.00 / CAMRA members with card £7.50; Saturday: afternoon session - free Entry, CAMRA members get 1st pint free, after 7pm - non-members £10.00 / CAMRA members with card £7.50.
Details: 120 different Cask Ales, Foreign Bottle Beer, Cider and Perry, Wine and soft drinks also available. Food available all sessions. Music all sessions - two bands on each evening; background music Saturday lunchtime. Tickets sell out for evening sessions, advanced booking is advised.

Wednesday 14th May - Cider and Perry Competition at The Cider Museum, 21 Ryelands Street, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 0LW (01432 354207)
Opening times: tbc
Admission: tbc
Details: Enter the competitive world of cider-making and watch the experts vying for the top international awards.

Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th May - 25th Rugby Beer Festival at Thornfield Bowling Club, Bruce Williams Way, Rugby CV22 5LL
Opening times: Wednesday 7pm-10pm (CAMRA members only); Thursday 6pm-11pm; Friday 5.30pm-11pm; Saturday Noon-11pm.
Admission