Cheers as Ilkley Beer Festival pulls in fantastic £43,000 (From Wharfedale Observer)

Cheers as Ilkley Beer Festival pulls in fantastic £43,000

2:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Local news By Claire Lomax

Beer connoisseurs who turned out in force to sample real ales, ciders and perrys at the sixth annual Ilkley Beer Festival have helped organisers raise more than £43,000 for good causes.

Another successful event, organised by Ilkley Round Table, saw more than 2,600 people through the doors of the Kings Hall and Winter Garden, Station Road, on February 8 and 9.

The festival is the Round Table’s biggest annual fundraiser, collecting money for local causes.

More than 100 beers were on offer at the festival’s four sessions, plus a selection of ciders and perrys. Real ale connoisseurs got through more than 13,000 pints over the weekend.

A spokesman for Ilkley Round Table said: “We would like to extend our thanks to all the people who helped in pulling the event together, the people who supported us by attending the festival and especially the event sponsors.

“IMI Insurance Brokers Ltd were our gold sponsor this year and we’d like to extend our thanks for their support.”

At Ilkley Round Table’s first meeting since the festival, members agreed the money raised would support the following local good causes: LS29 (to assist in social events for disabled children and their families); Addingham Civic Society; Ilkley Good Neighbours (event for the over-90s); Ilkley Senior Citizens (day trip for OAPs); Ilkley Gym Club (to assist with new training mats); the 107th Wharfedale Festival and a defibrillator for the Kings Hall.

In addition to the causes listed, many more are also under consideration by Ilkley Round Table’s 26 members.

A spokesman for Ilkley Round Table added: “It is our aim to have a zero bank balance at the end of every year and hand out all money raised.

“If you’re a local good cause and wish to apply for funding, please write us a brief letter with details of your organisation, amounts required and timeframes and address them to: David Byrne at e-mail: dandjbyme@btinternet.com.”

To find out more about Ilkley Round Table and joining contact Stephen Bailey on Stephen@connectfinancial.co.uk or 07792 850634.

Plans for next year’s Ilkley Beer festival are well under way and Ilkley Round Table has already booked the King’s Hall and Winter Garden for February 7 and 8, 2014.