Hoping to make it. Last years was definitely worth the effort!
http://www.stubbingwharf.com/news/stubbing-ciderfest-2009

On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:06:27 +0100, "Whitelee" 
wrote:

>Hoping to make it. Last years was definitely worth the effort!
>http://www.stubbingwharf.com/news/stubbing-ciderfest-2009

The Stubbing Wharf should be applauded for staging a cider only event.
It makes a refreshing change from the wall-to-wall beer festivals
occurring every weekend. 

My only concern is that the Stubbing Festival may become a victim of
its own success. Saturday was absolutely heaving, and by the evening
cider was running out fast. Many visitors took one look at the queues,
rolled their eyes heavenward, and left for other pubs - the Fox and
Goose was a definite beneficiary.

It was reminiscent of the October beer festival at the Keighley and
Worth Valley Railway. A superb choice of beers, and a wonderful
setting, but just too popular. Saturday night was ludicrous - queuing
for entry, queuing for beer tokens and then queuing, six deep, at the
bar. A lot of people had a bad experience. Many I spoke to will not be
back this year. I am quite amazed that Bradford Council allowed so
many people into such a restricted area.

It's hard to know how to deal with the problem of over-popularity. It
may be that with both the above festivals, a pre-booked ticket only
system is put in place.

> The Stubbing Wharf should be applauded for staging a cider only event.
> It makes a refreshing change from the wall-to-wall beer festivals
> occurring every weekend.
>
> My only concern is that the Stubbing Festival may become a victim of
> its own success. Saturday was absolutely heaving, and by the evening
> cider was running out fast. Many visitors took one look at the queues,
> rolled their eyes heavenward, and left for other pubs - the Fox and
> Goose was a definite beneficiary.


Our local Welland Valley Beer Festival is similarly afflicated. The
only realistic answer is to attract more pubs to the event, thereby
spreading the load a little. In the case of the WVBF this would also
require more buses...

How many pubs are in Hebden Bridge? Would the gaffer of the festival
consider sharing the success around?

Incidentally, cider festivals seem to be the next big thing, certainly
here in the East Mids. In July alone we have a Pork & Cider at the
Victoria Inn, Northampton (3rd-5th), a joint Cider & Cheese at the
Criterion and Swan & Rushes in Leicester (16th-19th), and a Cider
Festival at the Cow & Plough, Oadby, Leics (24th-26th). Also the Mad
Apples Cider Bar will be at the Hollowell Steam Rally, Northants
(3rd-5th).

Cheers, Mark

"M Platting" wrote in message 
news:n58f455gmngrmpc8aa7un45nlgnlechfck@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:06:27 +0100, "Whitelee" 
> wrote:
>
 It was reminiscent of the October beer festival at the Keighley and
> Worth Valley Railway. A superb choice of beers, and a wonderful
> setting, but just too popular. Saturday night was ludicrous - queuing
> for entry, queuing for beer tokens and then queuing, six deep, at the
> bar. A lot of people had a bad experience. Many I spoke to will not be
> back this year. I am quite amazed that Bradford Council allowed so
> many people into such a restricted area.
>
I know some feel that way and we are in the process of dealing with this 
problem. The area for drinkers will be much larger and we are conscious of 
the problems.  I will personally take on board any sensible suggestions  I 
do hope that people will not be put off coming next year.
The Sunday at Oxenhope was fine, as was the Friday daytime.  It just seems 
to be the Saturday that is the problem.


The Stubbing seems to be suffering from the same problem.  I was in there on 
Friday and it was fine.

On Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:33:58 -0700 (PDT), Scrumpyboy
 wrote:

>
>
>Our local Welland Valley Beer Festival is similarly afflicated. The
>only realistic answer is to attract more pubs to the event, thereby
>spreading the load a little. In the case of the WVBF this would also
>require more buses...
>
>How many pubs are in Hebden Bridge? Would the gaffer of the festival
>consider sharing the success around?

This is an excellent idea. I can think of three or four pubs within a
ten minute walk who may be prepared to 'share' the festival.

This of coure is what happens at Broughton in Furness where several
pubs join forces, and a bus sevice is provided between the different
venues.

And of coure it's the obvious  answer in the case of the Keighley and
Worth Valley Railway. Why not have marquees at Ingrow, Oakworth and
even Haworth? There are car parks or other land at all these venues
and with a regular train service, people could travel between the
different site and alleviate the problem at Oxenhope.

I am told by my contacts that the proposed solution  is for Taylors to
have a separate marquee at Oxenhope. So that takes 4 or 5 beers away
from the main shed. I wonder if that proposal will really help.

>
>
> And of coure it's the obvious  answer in the case of the Keighley and
> Worth Valley Railway. Why not have marquees at Ingrow, Oakworth and
> even Haworth? There are car parks or other land at all these venues
> and with a regular train service, people could travel between the
> different site and alleviate the problem at Oxenhope.
>
>Who would staff all these locations?  Keighley CAMRA contribute some staff 
>but I regret that in spite of approaches  being made interest from other 
>adjoining branches , whilst not being entirely absent, has not been 
>forthcoming in anything like the numbers required for this kind of 
>expnasion.

On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:28:11 +0100, "Paul Rigg"
 wrote:


>>
>>Who would staff all these locations?  Keighley CAMRA contribute some staff 
>>but I regret that in spite of approaches  being made interest from other 
>>adjoining branches , whilst not being entirely absent, has not been 
>>forthcoming in anything like the numbers required for this kind of 
>>expnasion.
>
I suggest that, given the catchment area and the plethora of different
local CAMRA branches, and, above all, by starting the recruitment
process early (ie now) this shouldn't be a problem. All that's needed
is a competent and professional staffing officer, who has the drive to
get people on board and who starts the process in good time.  I'm not
suggesting that this is an easy task, it isnt. It's the 'short straw'
of festival organisation, but the most important.

Why is there nothing on the KWVR website inviting recruits for the
festival?  None of my colleagues at Manchester and East Lancs are
aware of the need for recruits. A friend from Keighley and Craven said
last year's recruitment occurred barely two weeks before the event,
(and that incidentally, on the day she arrived at the venue, there was
nobody there to greet her, give her the health and safety procedure,
or tell her where she should work. No signing in or out procedures,
nowhere to leave bags and coat. )   

If, as you are suggesting, no more staff are available, then to avoid
last year's fiasco, you need to make Saturday evening, at the very
least, an all ticket event. 

As I have said before, this festival is one of the best in the
country. Let's hope that last year's chaos is not repeated.

>>
> I suggest that, given the catchment area and the plethora of different
> local CAMRA branches, and, above all, by starting the recruitment
> process early (ie now) this shouldn't be a problem. All that's needed
> is a competent and professional staffing officer, who has the drive to
> get people on board and who starts the process in good time.  I'm not
> suggesting that this is an easy task, it isnt. It's the 'short straw'
> of festival organisation, but the most important.
>
> Why is there nothing on the KWVR website inviting recruits for the
> festival?  None of my colleagues at Manchester and East Lancs are
> aware of the need for recruits. A friend from Keighley and Craven said
> last year's recruitment occurred barely two weeks before the event,
> (and that incidentally, on the day she arrived at the venue, there was
> nobody there to greet her, give her the health and safety procedure,
> or tell her where she should work. No signing in or out procedures,
> nowhere to leave bags and coat. )
>
>> Some East Lancs members did actually assist and they did help with the 
>> 40th Anniversary event about 12 months ago.  We shall ask them again.  We 
>> asked Bradford Halifax Huddersfield Heavy Woolen and Wakefield branches, 
>> and we had one volunteer from Stockport!

We are making better provision for staff accommodation and also taking on 
board better reception facilities for volunteers.  We are planning to have a 
coach parked on the track on the hard standing directly outside the shed at 
Oxenhope, and seperate staff wc's.
>

I think that a volunteer thing on the website might be an idea.  In the 
meantime any one wishing to assist can email paul.rigg@kwvr.co.uk and we 
will put them on the roster.  Their e-mail addresses would be appreciated 
and I would suggest they put beer festival staffing in the subject line,