A RALLYING call has been issued for volunteers to help run Bromsgrove Beer and Cider Festival going forward as several committee members are stepping down which could put the event’s future in jeopardy.
The plea comes as this year’s festival gets under way tonight (Thursday) at the Bromsgrove Rugby Club.
The first beer and cider festival was held in 2002 and since then it has grown in popularity and gone from strength-to-strength, pulling in more than 2,500 visitors from all over the country during its three days.
Cy Day, Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) which organises the event, said: “The need to recruit some new volunteers is the same every year but this time it is even more crucial as two of the committee members are moving away and another two to four are stepping down after organising it for years.
“This means we will have lost half the committee and getting more people in is key to us being able to hold it in 2025 and after that.”
Cy added it would be good to get some younger CAMRA members on board to help organise it or – at the other end of the scale – some people who had recently retired and want a new project.
“We have quite a few people who are happy to come down and set up but not so many on the organisational side.”
People who are interested are being urged to contact the CAMRA group,
“Or, fittingly, why not come down to this year’s festival and have a chat with some of the team over a beer about what it entails – we’ll all be in orange t-shirts so will be clearly visible.
“There are so many fantastic events going on in Bromsgrove that would not happen without volunteers and the beer and cider festival is one of them.
“Bromsgrove is a wonderful town with loads of dedicated people so we are hoping this plea will get some to come forward and safeguard the future of the festival.”
The Bromsgrove Beer and Cider Festival, which boasts more than 130 beers and over 50 ciders and perries, is open tonight and from 11am tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.
Those interested in becoming part of the committee can head down to the event visit bromsgrovebeerfestival.org.uk/ or facebook.com/groups/rbcamra for more.
