The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust held its fourth annual ‘Winter Ales, Cider & Sausage Festival’ at Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 10th November.
Almost a hundred people attended, drinking almost 400 pints and eating all of the 160 hot-dogs. The event featured 10 real ales, four ciders and several varieties of sizzling sausages.
The charity hopes the event will have raised several hundred pounds to support the ongoing restoration of the former waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Semington to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon.
The festival was organised by the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the Trust.
Branch chairman Dave Maloney said, “It was great to see so many people enjoying such a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, chatting to each other and enjoying all of the different food and drink on offer.
“We had four Wiltshire ciders and nine Bristol ales, plus a special brew called ‘Veteran’ from the Twisted Brewing in Westbury to mark the centenary of the armistice.
“There was also lots of interest in our displays on the history of the canal, the local restoration and our plans to create a new link using the River Avon through the town centre.
“We’d like to thank everyone who attended, and The Bell Inn at Lacock for being this year’s sponsor.”
For further information on joining the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, visit www.wbct.org.uk
Above: Branch chairman Dave Maloney (second left) and fellow volunteers at this year’s ‘Winter Ales, Cider & Sausage Festival.’
