2011

Beer festival pulls in 900

By RUTH LOGNONNE

Published at 09:07, Monday, 08 August 2011

TV personality Brendan Healy enjoyed a tipple or two at the second annual Haydon Bridge beer festival earlier this month.

The festival, staged over two days, followed on from the success of the inaugural one-day event in 2010.

Attendance of more than 900, despite the uncompromising weather, was significantly up on last year, with many attending from well outside the district, including a couple from Holland who stayed overnight in the village.

Event organisers, the Haydon Hunt, managed to raise £700 for charity over the two days, which was split between St Oswald’s and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

With 36 beers available under the watchful eye of the Northumberland Branch of CAMRA, together with a wine and cider bar, there was something to suit every taste.

The first beer to sell out was Tyneside Blond from Hadrian and Boarded Brewery.

Food was provided by Kielder Organic Meats and by the team from nearby WMH Fresh Farm Meats.

Four teams from local young farmers clubs provided further entertainment by staging a tug o’ war contest, which was eventually won by Shaftoe YFC, who picked up £100 of Intersport vouchers from Greggs Sport in Hexham.

The six bands performing over the weekend were also exceptionally well received.

The Friday evening saw young band Lyrical Whisky, followed by Wreckage, with Phil Coats from Haydon Bridge on drums.

The evening concluded with Soul Doubt, with Andrew Webster their lead singer.

He was joined in an impromptu appearance by Haydon Bridge resident and TV favourite, Brendan Healy, who then provided a well-received version of Mustang Sally.

On Saturday evening, entertainment was provided by Haltwhistle group Big Art Peters, preceded by a group of young musicians, Eighty Eights.

The evening’s finale was courtesy of The Proper Boys, a band of international renown.

Ian Scanlan, who chaired the two-day event said: “So far this year, the activities of the Haydon Hunt events committee have raised over £700 for their chosen charities.

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our sponsors, advertisers, all those who donated to the causes and, of course, the participants.

“We thank them all and sincerely hope everyone involved enjoyed the event, which it’s hoped will now be staged annually, subject to the continuing and immense support received to date.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk

Beer on the menu at Haydon Bridge

Published at 09:39, Friday, 02 July 2010

FOLLOWING the rip-roaring success of last month’s beer festival in Corbridge, Haydon Bridge will stage its own homage to the hop later this month.

On Saturday, July 17, the first Haydon Bridge Beer Festival will be held from noon to 11pm at Haydon Bridge FC's Low Hall Park ground.

The event will raise funds for a number of sports clubs, local organisations and charities – including the Great North Air Ambulance.

The idea for a beer festival was first mooted by the events committee of the Haydon Hunt Sports Association.

Following some “required” practice – sampling beers at other local festivals – the committee contacted organiser of the Tyneside and Northumberland Beer and Cider Festival, Gordon Heal, for additional advice.

As a result, Gordon and his team agreed to provide equipment and technical help to ensure Haydon Bridge’s beer is served in first-class condition on the day.

Organisers also sought support and direction from the team at High House Farm Brewery in Matfen.

The brewery has agreed to provide a wide range of local beers and ciders from brewers throughout the region.

Ian Scanlan, of the Haydon Hunt events committee, has already sold more than 250 tickets for the festival.

He began thinking about running this kind of event following the success of last year’s beer festival at Tynedale Rugby Club’s ground.

“My idea really started to ferment at the beginning of the year,” he said.

“We were going to run it in a farm shed, but the football club has a fantastic marquee and several hundred members of their own.

“We want the whole village to benefit from the day which, if successful, will hopefully become an annual event.

“It is encouraging that the first three tickets sold on line were ordered from Spain!

“Almost any sport can involve injury, so we are also happy to support the Great North Air Ambulance.

“There will be events throughout the day to raise funds for this great organisation.”

The six- strong organising committee would like to invite everybody to join them on the banks of the River South Tyne, just downstream from the historic old bridge, for what promises to be a marvellous celebration.

Entertainment on the day will be provided by three bands – The Junco Partners, The Resonators and The Toxic Melons.

There will also be a tug of war competition, courtesy of local young farmers’ clubs.

Food will be provided by The General Havelock Inn, and WMH Farm Fresh Meats in Haydon Bridge will be offering up a hog roast on the day.

Tickets, which include entry, four drinks, a programme and commemorative glass, are available for £10 in advance from shops in Haydon Bridge or from the website (www.haydonbeerfestival.co.uk), and there are limited numbers on the day.