From last orders to holy orders as beer festival returns to Albrighton church
Albrighton Beer Festival is set to return to this week and local parishioners are being asked to enjoy a tipple to help a village church reach its fundraising target.
St Mary Magdalene Church will play host to the sixth annual event on Friday and Saturday and is expecting to mark the occasion by finally smashing through the £55,000 needed to complete the restoration project in the chancel, including work on the medieval stonework and glass for the east and 19th Century Warrington windows.
Hundreds of real ale and cider enthusiasts will descend on the unlikely venue for a pint and to enjoy live music from 10 acts, including Jones & The Fast Lane, Neu’Shea, The InnMates and Shalane and Rock&Roll Pete.
The Dirty Rockin’ Scoundrels will also return by popular demand after rocking the altar and pulpit last year, bringing the curtain down on 16 hours of festivities when they headline on the Saturday evening.
Only a few thousand pounds remain to hit the fundraising target for the stained-glass window and, if previous events are anything to go by, this will be met during the two days with additional money taken being used for further restoration work required to maintain the church’s unique appearance and create a new community room.
Celebrate
“We’ve had a lot of kind donations in the last few months and are now in touching distance of the money we need to finally restore the east window to its former glory, repairing cracking, stonework and dropped joints in the tracery,” said Mary Thomas, vicar at St Mary Magdalene.
“What better way to celebrate and tip us over the mark then to enjoy a good time with friends and family at our beer festival, one of our most successful fundraising activities of the year.
“Everyone in the village comes out in force to support us and enjoy 15 different beers, six ciders, wine and some great tasting snacks.
“The breweries and cider makers have been magnificent again, with Ashover, Chapel, Gwatkin, Hurst View, Lilly’s, Monty’s, New Brew, Salopian and, for the first time, Three Tuns, getting involved.
“A special mention to Lymestone too, who, as well as providing us with great ales, has also loaned us the equipment free of charge.”
The festival will run on Friday from 6pm to 11pm and on Saturday from midday to 11pm.
