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Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Weekend - 13 and 14 September 2003
Festival detailsSeptember will see a welcome return of the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Extravaganza held in partnership with the West Somerset Railway (WSR). The festival will take place on the platform at Minehead railway station and will run over the weekend of the 13 & 14 of September.
The Amber NectarThe festival will be featuring over 30 real ales and ciders, many from our award winning local Somerset breweries such as Cotleigh, Cottage, Exmoor, Glastonbury, Moor and RCH. In addition to these 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. We plan to have a locally brewed festival special or two and feature beers from Somerset brewers, some of which can be difficult to find within the county. A selection of bottled beers and wines will also be available, along with a cask conditioned real lager. Buffet cars on each of the three trains in service will offer a different guest beer, all from the Beer Engine brewpub.
Food and Soft DrinksA static buffet car will offer a range of food throughout the festival along with soft drinks etc. for the younger visitors and drivers.
EntertainmentAn exciting line up of entertainment has been arranged. Saturday lunch session will feature the cool jazz sounds of Strings Attached. A late afternoon-early evening quiet period will be followed by the foot tapping lively sounds of the John Wheeler Duo playing ragtime blues. Sunday lunch will see the welcome return of Boulevard Django, an exciting gypsy jazz guitar duo whose repertoire evokes the nostalgia and vibrancy of 1930’s Paris.
Free entry, glasses and tokensEntry will again be free. You will however need to purchase a glass which you can keep. A special souvenir glass will be available, along with a cheaper alternative. A token ticket system will operate at the bar. Please purchase your tokens when you buy your glass. No cash will be taken at the bar. Unused tokens are refundable.
StaffingThe festival will be staffed by local members of the Campaign for Real Ale, who all volunteer their services and time free. They will also be happy to tell you about the featured breweries and the wonderful beers they produce and, of course, all about CAMRA.
FacilitiesThe bar and entertainment will be situated in the centre of the station platform, all under cover. There will be a seated area and a static railway carriage for eating and drinking. All of the usual station facilities will be open for souvenirs, food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Getting there...The best way to visit the festival is of course a trip on the scenic West Somerset Railway. A special day return train fare of only £7 is available for CAMRA members. To obtain this bargain fare you must produce your current CAMRA membership card at the ticket office. First Southern National operate a regular daytime bus service between Taunton and the station at Bishops Lydeard. For pre-booked ticket holders only there will be a special free bus from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard and return. It will connect with the 6.45pm Saturday evening train and also the return 10.50pm train from Minehead. A booking form is overleaf, along with the West Somerset Railway timetable and all connecting buses from Taunton. For accommodation enquiries please contact Minehead Tourist Information Centre on 01643 702624.
Train times
Trains leave Bishops Lydeard for Minehead at
Trains leave Minehead for Bishops Lydeard
Thanks to Somerset CAMRA for most of the above copy
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