Worthy Causes
"Magnificant 7" Festival
Festival History
Festival Objectives
Volunteers
Downloads
Accommodation
Taxi's
Contact Us

As I sit here, eyeing the steak and kidney pie I bought in the village for my lunch and casting my mind back to the festivities it doesn't feel like we are now starting our 9^th year.  Feedback about the GR8 Wedmore Real Ale Festival has been almost universally positive, "Are any of those lithe and hunky organisers single?" being the most common.

 Friday morning kicked off with the usual organisers hangover, when will we learn?  All of us ventured out to celebrate Trevor's 53^rd birthday on the Thursday night, if ever there was proof that beer wards of aging then Trevor it is.

 The Friday night sponsors packed the hall from 6pm and enjoyed an hour of free tasting and for the first time ever not a bad pint was found!  The temperature of the beer, a subject which causes more rows than any other subject within the group, was perfect and this ensured that the beer was formidably conditioned. 

 At 7pm the doors of the hall and the marquee opened to the public giving everyone a choice of bars, entertainment, volume levels and toilets!  The hog roast proved exceptional as did the fun experienced by the revellers.  Live music graced the stage and the crowd were soon dancing and singing.  The authors mind is a little hazy from this point onward on accord of beer quality control however much fun was inevitably had.

 Saturday morning started with a bang as the author fell out of bed and on to an upturned plug.  From here on the day could only get better and as the glorious and unbridled sunshine blessed the morning and full English breakfasts were served outside of the hall from 10am.  Drinkers arrived prior to the doors opening and families and friends spent a long and unflustered sunny day consuming the papers, games, beer and food on offer.  Gramophone Pete provided the ideal ambiance with his collection of fine old records.  Bliss..

 Saturday night saw the arrival of fancy dress in the theme of "GR8 Britain".  Morris Dancers, Boadicea and many other creative ideas were used and we all had a very jolly time drinking and dancing and making merry with the wearers of the best costumes being rewarded with free beer.  Live music in a rock and blues style powered from the stage and DJ Enhance worked his magic.  Judging by the state of one of the flower beds outside of the hall at least two people briefly fell in love, or just fell over rather conveniently.  The night came to a rousing end with full rendition of the national anthem and then a full rendition of Land of Hope and Glory. 

 Sunday morning was again all things bright and beautiful and full English breakfasts were served al fresco.  Life was pleasant and refined all afternoon.  The raffle was drawn at about 3pm and the infamous, if slightly lengthy, auction raised a significant amount with one lot going for over £400. 

£8500 will be donated from this year's festival.  The money will be divided between:

As ever thanks go out to everyone who sponsored, volunteered and attended the festival.  In exchange for a great night out we are able to provide support to local charities and worthy causes.  For regular updates and the latest info please join our Facebook group: 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5751088530

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Sponsorship

2008 Sponsors - TBC

2008 Sponsors - Can we Canonise them all?

The best looking, most well healed, virile and charming residents of the cheddar valley sponsor the festival.  If you would like to join this select group then please email sponsors@wedmorerealale.com

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Worthy Causes

Beneficiaries of the WRAF 2008 year are:

Children's Hospice South West
Wedmore Village Hall
and many other local worthy causes (but nothing to do with effing badgers)

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Bands and Music

(From 2007)

(From 2007)
DJ Enhance - 01934518254
Loose Change - 01179541638
Country Blues Band - 01934733957
Gramophone Pete - 01823698474

The "Magnificent 7" Wedmore Real Ale Festival

LAST YEAR the event raised £8000 for local worthy causes and over 1000 people passed through the doors during the three days to experience great quality real ales, good local food and dancing late into the night.  The money raised was distributed extensively.  See Years and Beers for a full report

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 Festival History

The Annual WRAF came in to existence after years of hard work researching real ale in numerous different hostelries and by attending many real ale festivals around the region. It takes many hours of fireside planning and drinking in the pub to realize the event.

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Festival Objectives

The main objectives of the committee are  to enjoy fine ales from far and wide and to raise funds for local good causes. In addition though the event also serves to promote real ale to people who rarely drink it and it provides  yet another excuse for a party.

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Volunteers

Everyone who works at the WRAF is a volunteer, if you would like to volunteer some of your time over the weekend to help out then please get in contact.

Volunteers@WedmoreRealAle.Com

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Downloads

Download and Display our Poster (156kb - right click link and select "save target as")

Accommodation and Camping

If you live away from Wedmore and would like to attend the festival then you may like to use one of these local B&B's.

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Taxis

Please don't drink and drive when you come to our event. Pre-book your Taxi with:

In the unlikely event that you can find a bus in the country we are located approximately 100yds from the bus stop (we won't hold our breath about a huge influx from public transport!)

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Contacts

For more information about the festival, sponsorship or accommodation please contact:

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