Castleford Beer Festival is the toast of the town

BEER MONEY: Mark Seaman, of Revolutions, with Castleford Heritage Trust chief executive Lorna Malkin and some volunteers. Picture: TRISH ELLIS

The festival was staged at the Queen’s Mill on Aire Street last November after organisers Revolutions Brewing Co teamed up with volunteers from the Castleford Heritage Trust.

Around 600 people visited the festival at the mill, which is also the home of the trust, during the weekend-long event. More than 30 beers from across Yorkshire were on offer, including Viva Cas Vegas which was a collaboration brew by Five Towns Brewery and Revolutions.

Broadcaster and author Ian Clayton also staged a book signing during the event.

Last Friday Whitwood based Revolutions donated £1,200 to Castleford Heritage Trust following the success of the town’s first beer festival.

Mark Seaman, director of Revolutions, said: “It was a big success, it’s a great venue and an iconic building in the town. I want to thank the trust and volunteers for all their assistance, we had a great response from everyone at Castleford Heritage Trust.”

The trust’s volunteers also gave tours of the historic building and provided catering as part of the event.

Lorna Malkin, the trust’s chief executive, said: “Our volunteers worked really hard to make this festival a success, they spent weeks preparing the mill to make it look its best.

“This was a wonderful new venture for us, and it brought more people to the mill, who were really interested in the building and what we are trying to achieve here.”

Castleford Heritage Trust plans to convert the former Allinson’s Mill into an arts and heritage centre for use by the community.

Revolutions is planning to hold a second beer festival at the mill later this year, and is in talks with the trust on other joint events.

Castleford Heritage Trust was established in 2000.

It is a registered charity and a limited company which aims to promote the area’s heritage and culture to build a strong, successful community.

The trust’s work has included promoting access to the waterways, local woodland and other green spaces, developing educational opportunities and community involvement in natural and industrial heritage projects and celebrations.

See www.castlefordheritagetrust.org.uk for more.