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Beer Festival in Old Town sets new fundraising record on 10th birthday
Celebrating its 10th year of running, the Old Town Beer Festival's four day stint served it’s final beers on Sunday, after a record breaking event which saw over 1300 people attend. The event also hit a new fundraising total of over £15,000 which will go to support the church and Swindon charities.
The volunteer team headed by Chris Smith of the Community Centre at Christchurch put months of work into making the four day festival the best it’s ever been. An overwhelming amount of support from the local community meant that the 1000 pre-sale tickets sold out, and then another 500 people attended over the four day period.
“It was an incredible turnout, and it even beat last year’s record which we thought was amazing! Although it’s unusual to have a beer festival in a church it means we can engage our community in a really positive, fun and unique event”.
The event began with a comedy night in partnership with Old Town Comedy Club which was hosted by Sam Michael and saw some fantastic acts including Andy Gleeks, Dani Johns, Ian Murphy & Graeme Coulam.
The festival showcased an extensive selection of over 80 different types of beers and ciders, form a variety of local providers including The Hop Inn and Arkells. Attendees had a unique experience as the event takes place inside the main church building and gazebos were put up outside in the grounds.
On the Friday, the sponsors night thanked big supporters of the event Los Gatos, Gel Studios and The Hop Inn.
For the first time, there was not only one but two nights of live music, the first on Saturday evening featuring local bands Jol Rose, Zach FC Trio, What the Pluck and Joli and the Souls. The festival concluded with the fabulous Renewal Gospel choir in concert on the Sunday evening. It was a fitting way to end the festival with such heartfelt singing and dancing in the aisles.
The Old Town Beer Festival not only celebrated the spirit of community but also served as a platform for supporting charitable causes. The £15,000 raised during the event will be distributed among three deserving organisations, a Ukrainian support organisation, Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership, The Veterans Charity and Christchurch itself. These organisations play a vital role in making a positive impact on the lives of individuals locally, and the festival's contributions will help further their invaluable work.
The Old Town Beer Festival at Christ Church fosters community engagement and inclusivity by hosting events that promote open dialogue. With professional security, the church ensures visitors respect the grounds. The festival contributes significantly to the church's funding, allowing it to continue its community work.
Reverend Simon Stevenette said, "The Beer Festival stands as a testament to the power of community spirit, highlighting the ability of individuals to come together and make a positive impact on their community. Through their passion for fun, music, and charity, the attendees and organisers of this event have demonstrated the immense good that can be achieved when a community unites for a common cause."
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