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CAMRA Real Ale Weekend - 14 and 15 September 2002
When and Where?September will see the welcome return of the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Extravaganza held in conjunction with the West Somerset Railway. The festival will be held again on the platform at Minehead Station and due to the sell out last year, extra beer has been ordered...a guaranteed amount will be available for the Sunday session. The festival will run over the weekend of 14 and 15 September 2002 and will have something to please everyone
The Amber NectarThe festival will be featuring over 35 real ales and ciders, many from our award winning local Somerset breweries such as Berrow, Cotleigh, Cottage, Exmoor, Juwards, Moor and RCH. In addition to these there will be a selection from around the British Isles showcasing the incredible diversity in flavour and style produced by the expanding army of micro breweries. It is also hoped to have a locally brewed festival special or two and feature beers from the newest Somerset Breweries. A selection of bottled beers will also be available along with a cask conditioned real lager.
FoodA range of food will be available whilst the festival is open along with soft drinks for the younger visitors and drivers.
EntertainmentAn exciting list of entertainers will be playing the festival this year. Saturday lunch will see SWING 39, an exciting Gypsy Jazz band whose music evokes the nostalgic sound of 1930's Paris. The set also includes Hungarian and Eastern European music. Featuring Steve Elsworth the celebrated English Jazz violinist. Saturday night will feature 'The Wild Rovin One' the BELFAST BUSKER originally from Northern Ireland and now based in Cornwall. Alan performs good old Irish Folk mixed with 60s and 70s British and American Folk Rock blended with a bit of U2, Oasis and Travis punctuated by his own unique commentary on life, an experience not to be missed. Sunday lunch will see the welcome return of the musicians known as the BARNYARD SYNCOPATORS playing their own unique version of Jazz. They are described as unquestionably the most eccentric band you'll ever see, with a motto, 'Nobody sleeps when we're on', they should be just the ticket for a lunchtime session and went down a storm last year.
Free entry to Minehead PlatformEntry to the platform at Minehead will again be free, you will however need to purchase a special festival glass which you will keep or put a fully refundable deposit on a returnable glass if you don't wish to purchase the festival glass.
StaffingThe festival will be staffed by local members of the Campaign for Real Ale, who volunteer their services and time free to bring to you pleasures of drinking Real Ale. So please be patient if you arrive on a busy train and have to wait a moment for your beer, we will get to you as soon as possible. The staff will also be happy to tell you more about the breweries and the wonderful beers they produce and of course will be more than happy to tell you all about CAMRA.
FacilitiesThe bar and entertainment will be situated in the centre of the station platform, all under cover. There will also be a seated area and a railway carriage for eating and drinking, all the usual station facilities will be open for souvenirs, food and non-alcholic drinks. The station has a massive covered canopy so don't be put off if the weather is poor, you need only get wet on the inside. The local beach and town facilites are close by.
Getting there...The best way to visit the festival is of course a trip on the scenic West Somerset Railway. For full details see the timetable here. The really good news is that a special train fare is available for all card carrying CAMRA members of a £6.00 day return for the festival weekend but remember you must produce your current membership card at the ticket office. First Southern National runs a regular daytime bus service between Taunton and the station at Bishops Lydeard. For pre-booked tickets only there will be a special link to connect with the 6.45pm early evening train and the late train on Saturday evening, returning to Taunton town centre.
Train times
Trains leave Bishops Lydeard for Minehead at
Trains leave Minehead for Bishops Lydeard Or you may wish to see the Detailed Timetables for the CAMRA Weekend. Bus timesOn Saturday, First Southern National route 28A buses depart Taunton Bus Station at 8.25am, 9.35am, 10.35am, 11.35am, 12.35pm, 1.35pm, 2.35pm and 3.35pm running via Taunton Railway Station to connect with West Somerset trains to the Festival. Return buses depart Bishops Lydeard Station for Taunton at 2.00pm, 3.55pm, 5.20pm and 6.05pm. At 7.28pm a bus runs from the Lethbridge Arms, a few minutes walk from Bishops Lydeard Station. Combined bus/train tickets from Taunton to Minehead are available from the bus driver.
On Saturday evening, a special bus service will operate for pre-booked ticket holders only, departing Taunton Castleway 6.15pm and Taunton Railway Station 6.20pm to connect with the 6.45pm train from Bishops Lydeard. The return bus will depart Bishops Lydeard Station at midnight allowing three hours at the Festival. Please see the Booking Form to reserve your seat. Remember you must have a pre-booked train ticket for these Saturday evening buses. On Sunday, First Southern National route 928 buses depart Taunton Bus Station at 9.30am and 11.30am running via Taunton Railway Station to Bishops Lydeard. Return buses depart Bishops Lydeard at 3.45pm and 5.45pm with a 6.27pm bus from the Lethbridge Arms. Combined bus/train tickets from Minehead to Taunton are available from the bus driver. Direct Buses operate from/to Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Burnham, Bridgwater and Porlock. (For details of these buses, please telephone: 01823 272033)
Further InformationFor trains information, please ring 01643 704996.
From the CAMRA website comes this information... Thanks to WSR Plc for most of the above copy
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