Reading Beer Festival cancelled yet again

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

ONE OF Reading’s biggest festivals has announced that it won’t be going ahead this year.

Reading CAMRA posted to social media to make the announcement that its Beer and Cider Festival is on hold again –it has not run since 2019.

The post said that despite organisers’ best efforts, as well as those of their team of volunteers, that it was unable to finalise plans for the event.

While this year’s event, which had previously been set for this summer, won’t be going ahead, CAMRA said that it would continue to work towards an event in 2024.

It is the second year in a row that the event has had to be cancelled, as 2022’s festival was cancelled due to difficulty finding suppliers for critical infrastructure.

The festival was also put on hiatus in the two years previous due to lockdowns.

In a post on social media, organisers said: “Despite the best efforts from our team of volunteers, who have been working extremely hard since summer 2022 to put together a 2023 event, Reading CAMRA Beer and Cider Festival will not be taking place this year.

“A huge amount of time has gone into considering different options, but we have been unable to make all the pieces fit together.

“Infrastructure and the health of key team members have been critical factors.”

It continues: “It is with a heavy heart that we have sadly taken the difficult decision to cancel RBF for 2023.

“We understand that this will come as a disappointment to many of you, and we share in that disappointment. We are striving to bring RBF back in 2024, but we will need your support to make this happen. Later this year we’ll be recruiting for additional volunteers to join the core organising team who help to bring the festival to life.”

It said that volunteers would be “crucial” to have the best chance of bringing the festival back next year.

The post also explained how the beer and cider community, especially venues and the events industry more being hit by the cost of living crisis and some of the knock-on effects of the pandemic.

“We need only look at the number of pubs and breweries across the UK closing each week.”

The post concludes: “We encourage you to show your support by visiting your neighbourhood pubs, getting involved with your CAMRA branch and participating in the Reading Ale Trail.” n Information about the festival and how to volunteer can be found on the Reading Beer and Cider Festival website: readingbeerfestival.org.uk, or via its Facebook page

Libraries’ halfterm activities

READING libraries will host a series of fun arts and crafts sessions during the February half-term.

Children will showcase their creative skills thanks to a wide range of events taking place at seven venues across the borough.

Youngsters will try their hand at biscuit decorating at Reading Central Library from 10.30am-11.30am on Monday, February 13.

On Tuesday, February 14, sessions will take place at Whitley Library, 9.30am-noon, Tilehurst Library, 10.30am11.30am, and Southcote Library, 2pm-3pm.

Caversham and Battle Libraries will help youngsters make their own birds and butterflies from 2pm3.30pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm respectively.

There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get involved at Palmer Park, with activities taking place during opening hours on February 14, 15, 16 and 18. Participants will be given a lucky dip bag containing materials to construct their creations with.

All events operate on a drop-in basis unless specified. There is a £1 charge per participating child, who must be accompanied by an adult. n For more information, visit: reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries