PLANS are under way to create another big event in Droitwich next year to help put the town on the map – its first ever beer festival.
Neighbouring towns and cities, including Bromsgrove, Worcester and Redditch all have their own festivals but, until now, The Spa has been notably absent from the calendar.
Now the organiser of the Droitwich Spa Food and Drink Festival Patrick Davis, Gardeners Arms landlord Simon Berry and Paul Richards, the chairman of Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have met up to discuss the concept.
The idea would be to hold a CAMRA-backed community beer festival in Vines Park, which would boast about 15 beers to begin with, along with ciders and perries. There would also be live music, hosted by the 4 Shires Festival.
It is also hoped a local brewery will be able to produce a special celebratory ale for the event, as next year marks the 800th anniversary of the granting of Droitwich’s first Royal Charter in 1215.
If successful, the event could be the first step towards Droitwich getting its own CAMRA beer festival, like those held in other towns.
Mr Richards told The Standard he was hoping to enlist the help of other local branches, including Worcester and Kidderminster.
“The first festival is always the hardest one to get going, but with the food festival taking place, I’m sure people will flock to the park for a few beers.
“And, if it does go well, it will be a great event to build on.”
The Droitwich Food and Drink Festival was recently commended in the Best Festivals and Events category of the Visit Worcestershire Awards, making it through to the last four.
And Mr Davis said a beer festival was a natural progression for the event, to make it bigger and better and attract more visitors.
“A lot of the producers who come to the festival have already welcomed the idea and it’s great to have CAMRA involved.” he added.
Mr Berry said: “Tourism plays a very important part in any town and the more events hosted, the better for the town and its local economy.
“A lot of people I’ve spoken to have said it would be great for Droitwich to have its own beer festival and now it’s going to get one.”
An appeal has also been made to any residents who want to help out at the festival or who have any ideas about it to get in touch with Patrick Davis by emailing him at [email protected] or Simon Berry at the Gardeners Arms at [email protected]
