All hands to the pumps for beer festival

Organisers of this year’s Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival claim it is on track to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.
Festival organiser Steve Burns at Magna, SheffieldFestival organiser Steve Burns at Magna, Sheffield
Festival organiser Steve Burns at Magna, Sheffield

Thousands of people have already flocked to the event, which began earlier this week and ends tonight (Saturday), at Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham.

Festival organiser Steve Burns, GP and hospital practitioner at Rotherham Hospice, said: “In the three years so far we have been at Magna, we have raised £125,000 for charity. We are hoping to raise another £40,000 this year to add to that.”

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Now in its 22nd year, the festival is raising money for Rotherham Hospice, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and the Magna Educational Trust.

Mr Burns said: “Every year we just try and get a bit bigger and a bit busier and raise a bit more money. So far the attendance has been good and so we think we are on target to do a little bit better this year. We are expecting between 4,000 and 5,000 people on Saturday. That would put us on target for about 12,000 visitors over all.”

Visitors from as far afield as Australia, Canada and Norway have been able to choose from more than 200 real ales, all served by traditional hand pump, 45 ciders and 38 international bottled beers, as well as a selection of wines and enjoy a range of music.