Cooper helps charities to roll out the barrel

THE traditional art of creating beer casks has helped one of Yorkshire’s famous breweries raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Masham-based T&R Theakston Ltd’s cooper, Jonathan Manby, has showcased the skill of barrel raising – where the staves are raised off the ground and the cask becomes free standing – at fundraising events nationwide.

Mr Manby, one of only two craft coopers in the country, makes more than 500 beer casks a year, and gives the public the chance to try their hand at the art during the fundraisers.

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Over the last 20 years, the barrel raising has collected more than £90,000 for organisations including the RAF Benevolent Fund, Macmillan nurses, and Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital. Help for Heroes and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance are the latest good causes to benefit after cheques totalling £1,300 were handed over. PICTURE: