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6^th North Cotswold Moreton Beer Festival Report. September 26^th to 28^th2013

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Saltaire wins and Beer sells out at Moreton Beer Festival 2013 The North Cotswold branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) staged the sixth beer festival at Moreton in Marsh Cricket Club on the weekend of 27/28^th September. As in the previous five years we were blessed with sunshine, for most of the weekend. The festival again attracted over 700 people from all over the country, many camping on site in a variety of tents, caravans and motor homes with a new group of 25 caravans opposite the entrance in the farmers field.	Beer set up ready to go
^ Proud Festival Coordinator with Dutch Cap ^	The range of 40 stunning beers, were sourced from various parts of the country as far away as Scotland, Kent, Cornwall and Yorkshire with five local beers including the new Yubby Bitter from the Ebrington Arms. The beer styles included pale ale, bitters, porters, stouts and speciality flavoured beers. The ciders and perry came from the Herefordshire orchards of Gwatkin Cider.
^ Gerry trying out new food tent ^	^ Rare outing for Bob Price from the Craven with namesake ^
^ Mickleton trio make their entrance ^	^ Mike from Birmingham who worked tirelessly all week ^
Friday opened earlier again at Lunchtime, following the success last year and the crowds responded enjoying the warm afternoon Autumn sunshine tasting the usual range of quality ale in pristine condition. CAMRA members from near and far turned out in force, many with families who had reserved the weekend for their favourite festival and were entertained by local schoolgirl newcomer singer songwriter Ellen Larson. She played her first Festival in the Marquee followed by another rendition on the big stage before the Worried Men in the evening.	^ 15yr old Ellen Larson makes her debut ^
^ Worried Men Friday Evening ^	4 very experienced bar staff with new Secretary Jonathan Sankson studying the beer list
^ Jasmine and Josh on stage on Sat afternoon ^	^ Cheltenham sub Branch resting with N Cots ^
^ Ellen makes it to the big stage ^	More campers and caravans arrived for the Saturday opening with all beers still standing. Fresh from her success at Alex James’s Big Feastival, Jasmine Hill from Hook Norton performed with accompanist on the big stage followed by two more sessions from Ellen Larson . The Farm Cart Orchestra performed early evening before the main performance from Zool. The additional music kept large crowds entertained throughout the Saturday and the odd spots of rain did not develop further.
^ Happy customer gets a pint of Fat Cat ^	^ Off duty Hash Harriers supervise the toilet pump out ^
^ Winners of best dog competition ^	^ Proud Dad with Ellen and friends following first professional performance ^
^ Farm Cart Orchestra on big stage ^	^ Catweazle finds new friends from London ^
^ Zool perform for Moreton Saturday Eveningt ^	Our ten GBG pub Landlords and guests were invited for the weekend and several attended trying possible guest ales for their establishments. The first beer to run out was Saltaire Amarillo Gold a 4.4 % Wheat Beer which won the coveted Beer of the Festival and becomes the destination for the Helpers Trip. Second to run out was Thornbridge Jaipur as so often which was very popular, possibly the 5.9% strength. More followed into the evening and by 9 pm joined by another 20 and at 11:30 all were gone. We squeezed 6 pints into two takeaways for a desperate camper on Sunday morning using up the his last £10 card.
^ Tired bar staff forage for remaining beer ^	^ 11pm Saturday and little left ^
The new caterers from last year, Butcher R & D Walker from Moreton who turned up with a flash new tent and a pig roast for the first time. This proved very popular as expected and sold out rapidly on Saturday evening though the wider range of food on offer continued to Breakfast on Sunday morning.	^ Morning after and a well earned breakfast ^

Thanks to all our helpers, sponsors and to Moreton Cricket Club for the venue and a welcome to the 14 new CAMRA members who signed up through the weekend. Long may it continue! Special mention and thanks to Mike (Catweazle) from Birmingham who came down on the Tuesday in his Camper Van and stayed helping throughout the week. The superb clear up effort at midnight on Saturday including litter picking by helpers and the cricket club enabled a faster getaway on Sunday.

Report by: Roger Price, Branch Chairman