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The “Slird” Wedmore Real Ale Festival 

It has to be said that this festival surpassed anything experienced in the previous two years, the revelers drank even more beer, polished off more food, danced even more steps, told even worse jokes and raised even more money than ever before.

 Friday Night

Before the doors were opened to the general riff-raff our good looking, wealthy, virile, desirable, fertile and, lets face it, very highly esteemed sponsors enjoyed an exclusive pre-festival ale tasting session.  They were told that they would be able to get a sneak peak at all the beers and a “sneak peak” does not indicate how good a look some of the sponsors had during the session.  When the doors were opened to the public at 7pm some of them had to be helped home in wheelchairs. 

The night kicked off with Pete Tinney who was up to his usual standard, luckily there is no watershed in the hall and the tales from his childhood made parents in the hall glad that video games are now the primary diversion of the young.  Later we had some excellent live Irish Folk and Rock music from the “Shenanigans” who kept those in the hall feverishly dancing.  The mild summer evening drew many outside to drink under the stars which culminated in quite a party.  The other star of Friday night was the “Wedmore Whopper” a fat 6 inch sausage made from local pork, mustard and specially brewed “Black as yer hat” Glastonbury Ales Stout, they proved so popular that a riot broke out at Jim Bakers Butchers when he made so extra ones available at his shop the next morning.

 
Friday nights crowd appreciating Pete Tinney

Saturday

What a hangover, the staff met for breakfast at a local pub, few were able to speak, less were able to consume anything.  Then it was all hands to the pump as the doors opened at 12 and we had to get everything ship shape.  We actually had a queue waiting to get in, one punter was told to put the bins out by his wife, he dutifully obliged and then continued down the drive and on to the festival, returning a number of hours later and in a slightly different state to the one in which he left.

 Saturday afternoon was joyous and  with the sun shining most chose to sit outside and drink whilst others enthusiastically joined in with the traditional pub games.  In the early evening a whole roast pig was served, this was washed down with even more beer.  The un-tamable Witchdoctor then blew the roof off the hall with their rock and blues sounds.  Again the lure of the mild summer evening enticed many outside to enjoy their beer under the stars.  By the end of the evening disaster had struck as 31 barrels of beer had been virtually emptied. 

Hot tottie is also available at the festival 

Sunday

Needless to say our brave volunteer bar staff sourced another 6 barrels of bright beer before the doors opened and with beautiful weather, live Jazz and Morris dancers ensured that it was the best day of all and it all sadly came to an end in the early evening.

 2003 Festival Photo Archive

 2003 Worthy Causes

A big thanks to everyone who supported the festival whether as a volunteer, sponsor or reveller (many fall into multiple categories).  The good news is that we were able to donate £4000 to (mostly) local worthy causes, these were:

 £1,000.00
Children’s Hospice South West

£ 750.00
Wedmore Guide Troop.

£ 750.00
Wedmore Scout Troop.

£ 500.00
Wedmore Day Centre

£ 500.00
Wedmore Village Hall.

£ 500.00
Water Aid (provision of a well in Africa).

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