Crowds flock to beer festival and help boost organ fund

The seventh annual festival was held yesterday in the grounds of the city’s cathedral to raise funds for the restoration of the historic building’s organ.

More than 1,200 visitors took advantage of the chance to sample a selection of 30 different ales.

Organisers revealed that the growing popularity of the festival meant that they had to increase the size of the marquee this year to accommodate all the brewers who attended.

Among the ales on offer were Hambleton Stallion, Daleside Spring Frenzy and Wold Top Bitter, as well as Rudgate Viking, Roosters and Black Sheep.

Despite its focus on beer, the festival was themed towards families and included live music, a bouncy castle and face-painting.

It is hoped the festival will raise up to £10,000 for the cathedral’s organ restoration appeal, which has already collected £250,000 towards a total of £300,000.

The appeal has been launched to fund major repairs to the 3,400-pipe organ, which was installed in the cathedral in 1878 in a case designed by the legendary Victorian architect Gilbert Scott.

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