All h-ale to the beer festival raising funds

The festival was staged in the community hall at St John’s Church, Rastrick, and the previous festivals have raised thousands of pounds for both the church and local charities.

The event has also attracted visitors from all parts of Calderdale and Kirklees, others had travelled over the Pennines from Lancashire and this year there was even some visitors who had made the 3,700 mile journey from Canada.

Roger Ellis, chairman of the organising committee, described the latest festival as another fine success, adding that he wanted to say a big thank-you to the hard working and friendly team who had done the organising and planning leading up to the event. Roger said they had done a first class job.

He also thanked local businesses, the local breweries, and the church community for their wonderful support and sponsorship, without which no charity would have benefited, he said. Roger added it had been very much appreciated.

“We have had a wonderful, friendly atmosphere and because of the pleasantly warm weather visitors also made full use of the garden area outside the community hall, and anyone who wanted a quiet moment for reflection they would have been able to find it in the church, which had been left open throughout the event,”

The grand total is still being counted and the charities to benefit this year will be Parkinson’s UK (support workers) and Working Wonders, an independent charity which provides support for young people and employers to create sustainable apprenticeships in Calderdale.

This year’s event also coincided with the centenary celebrations at the church.