Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge. Cider Feat 2009. 27 - 28 June

Hoping to make it. Last years was definitely worth the effort!

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Reply to
Whitelee
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The Stubbing Wharf should be applauded for staging a cider only event. It makes a refreshing change from the wall-to-wall beer festivals occurring every weekend.

My only concern is that the Stubbing Festival may become a victim of its own success. Saturday was absolutely heaving, and by the evening cider was running out fast. Many visitors took one look at the queues, rolled their eyes heavenward, and left for other pubs - the Fox and Goose was a definite beneficiary.

It was reminiscent of the October beer festival at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. A superb choice of beers, and a wonderful setting, but just too popular. Saturday night was ludicrous - queuing for entry, queuing for beer tokens and then queuing, six deep, at the bar. A lot of people had a bad experience. Many I spoke to will not be back this year. I am quite amazed that Bradford Council allowed so many people into such a restricted area.

It's hard to know how to deal with the problem of over-popularity. It may be that with both the above festivals, a pre-booked ticket only system is put in place.

Reply to
M Platting

Our local Welland Valley Beer Festival is similarly afflicated. The only realistic answer is to attract more pubs to the event, thereby spreading the load a little. In the case of the WVBF this would also require more buses...

How many pubs are in Hebden Bridge? Would the gaffer of the festival consider sharing the success around?

Incidentally, cider festivals seem to be the next big thing, certainly here in the East Mids. In July alone we have a Pork & Cider at the Victoria Inn, Northampton (3rd-5th), a joint Cider & Cheese at the Criterion and Swan & Rushes in Leicester (16th-19th), and a Cider Festival at the Cow & Plough, Oadby, Leics (24th-26th). Also the Mad Apples Cider Bar will be at the Hollowell Steam Rally, Northants (3rd-5th).

Cheers, Mark

Reply to
Scrumpyboy

It was reminiscent of the October beer festival at the Keighley and

I know some feel that way and we are in the process of dealing with this problem. The area for drinkers will be much larger and we are conscious of the problems. I will personally take on board any sensible suggestions I do hope that people will not be put off coming next year. The Sunday at Oxenhope was fine, as was the Friday daytime. It just seems to be the Saturday that is the problem.

The Stubbing seems to be suffering from the same problem. I was in there on Friday and it was fine.

Reply to
Paul Rigg

This is an excellent idea. I can think of three or four pubs within a ten minute walk who may be prepared to 'share' the festival.

This of coure is what happens at Broughton in Furness where several pubs join forces, and a bus sevice is provided between the different venues.

And of coure it's the obvious answer in the case of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Why not have marquees at Ingrow, Oakworth and even Haworth? There are car parks or other land at all these venues and with a regular train service, people could travel between the different site and alleviate the problem at Oxenhope.

I am told by my contacts that the proposed solution is for Taylors to have a separate marquee at Oxenhope. So that takes 4 or 5 beers away from the main shed. I wonder if that proposal will really help.

Reply to
M Platting

Reply to
Paul Rigg

I suggest that, given the catchment area and the plethora of different local CAMRA branches, and, above all, by starting the recruitment process early (ie now) this shouldn't be a problem. All that's needed is a competent and professional staffing officer, who has the drive to get people on board and who starts the process in good time. I'm not suggesting that this is an easy task, it isnt. It's the 'short straw' of festival organisation, but the most important.

Why is there nothing on the KWVR website inviting recruits for the festival? None of my colleagues at Manchester and East Lancs are aware of the need for recruits. A friend from Keighley and Craven said last year's recruitment occurred barely two weeks before the event, (and that incidentally, on the day she arrived at the venue, there was nobody there to greet her, give her the health and safety procedure, or tell her where she should work. No signing in or out procedures, nowhere to leave bags and coat. )

If, as you are suggesting, no more staff are available, then to avoid last year's fiasco, you need to make Saturday evening, at the very least, an all ticket event.

As I have said before, this festival is one of the best in the country. Let's hope that last year's chaos is not repeated.

Reply to
M Platting

We are making better provision for staff accommodation and also taking on board better reception facilities for volunteers. We are planning to have a coach parked on the track on the hard standing directly outside the shed at Oxenhope, and seperate staff wc's.

I think that a volunteer thing on the website might be an idea. In the meantime any one wishing to assist can email snipped-for-privacy@kwvr.co.uk and we will put them on the roster. Their e-mail addresses would be appreciated and I would suggest they put beer festival staffing in the subject line,

Reply to
Paul Rigg

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