Water will turn into ale (From Witney Gazette)

Water will turn into ale

4:03pm Monday 7th July 2008 in Witney By David Horne

ONE of Oxfordshire's top beer festivals is aiming to turn water into ale.

Organisers of the Charlbury event are quitting their home of the last ten years to move to the town's cricket club, which almost a year ago was completely flooded.

The switch will provide more space, and help the club in its £250,000 appeal to build a new pavilion.

The festival, which attracts about 1,000 people, is being held in a marquee on Saturday this week, on one of the club's two pitches.

Festival chairman, Dave Sangwine, said: "The cricket club is an essential part of Charlbury.

"Last summer, the pavilion was almost submerged under water in the floods.

"We are expanding because of our success, and, for the club's sake, turning last year's water into this year's beer."

The club, opposite the Cotswold Line railway station, in Burford Road, has so far raised £110,000, and has another £20,000 in pledges, plus the prospect of significant grants.

Malcolm Harper, club president, welcomed the beer festival: "We have planning permission for a new pavilion on higher ground, and building should start in the winter, ready for next summer.

"We are still raising money in many ways, and the festival will help us towards out target."

The festival committee gave £2,000 out of last year's profits for the club to repair its flooded out roller, and is donating a similar amount this year.

The event follows the Cornbury Festival, which attracted thousands of music fans to the Charlbury area last weekend.

Mr Sangwine added: "We believe that quite a lot of people come by train from Oxford, and a lot of Charlbury people make it a weekend to welcome visitors to their homes.

"Since we started 11 years ago, we have grown into probably the best local beer festival, supporting local causes, and providing good beers and entertainment."

It has up till now been held in the memorial hall, and, until five years ago, raised money purely for Charlbury Primary School.

But it is now a registered charity, and considers requests for grants from a range of local organisations.

Last year, as well as the cricket club, it gave the school another £3,000 for computers, and £2,000 to help SHED, the town's youth theatre group, go to this year's Edinburgh Festival to stage Dylan Thomas's Under Milkwood.

The festival, which boasts 40 beers and six select ciders, runs from noon to 11pm, with tickets £5.

Entertainment so far lined up includes Charlbury Community Choir, children's entertainer, Morris dancing, and several bands.