Following the successful MaltingsFest in 2023, I am pleased to say that the 2024 event will take place between Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th April. The expanded range of keg beers, keg and still ciders and spirits were well received by our festival goers but we also had a great range of cask beer, although it did appear on the Saturday as though we were "Sold Out" – something we're hoping to avoid this year.

As ever we are grateful for the support from members of the local CAMRA branches who swell the numbers behind the bar serving the thirsty customers. We are primarily looking for help to serve the ale on gravity from the stillage so please don't be concerned if you're not comfortable serving keg products. You may also be aware that we set aside a proportion of the profits from the festival and distribute these to the branches whose members come to help us. The amount paid to each branch depends on the hours worked by their members, which is why it is very important to sign in and out when starting and finishing a shift, and of course the festival being profitable. To that end I would be grateful if the Branch Treasurers would forward the relevant details for payment by BACS.

I am happy for branch members to contact me directly to let me know when they would like to help out, or for someone in each branch to co-ordinate this, whichever works best for you. It is useful but not essential for us to have an idea in advance of when people are planning to come and offer their services.

Cheers,

Norman Summerskills Brewery Chair of the MaltingsFest Organising Committee