Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival kicks off

Date published: 09 February 2017

The second Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival kicked off on Thursday evening with a special sponsor's night.

Featured beers, supplied by Marstons, include Ringwood, Lancaster Bomber, and Jennings.

The festival also has beers from a local brewery, Mighty Medicine based in Whitworth.

Gins include Pink 47, Monkey 47 and Brookman's Premium.

The festival is organised to raise funds for Milnrow Cricket Club. Bar secretary Allen Brett said: "Cricket is an expensive sport and hence we need to raise funds.

"I am delighted with the support we have had from the club committee and the local community, and of course Marstons and Mighty Medicine for supplying the beers and Rochdale Online for the publicity. I must also thank our barman Alwyn Ryder for his help and expertise"

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk was one of the sponsors enjoying the real ale, he said: "I am pleased to support the club and the way in which it brings the local community together. Events such as this help ensure the club is well used and raises funds for cricket."

Enjoying a tipple with Mr Brett and Mr Danczuk were Rochdale Town Centre Management CEO Mark Foxley and Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) member Robin Parker.

Mr Foxley said: "Great to see this happening for a second year; thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to the third year."

Mr Parker added: "I am particularly pleased to see a great brewer [Marstons] bringing multiple quality beers."

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival
Simon Danczuk, Mark Foxley and Robin Parker

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival
Adam Bates, Paul Ormerod and Mark Wynn of Rochdale Hornets

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival
Alwyn Ryder and Allen Brett

The festival has been sponsored by: Steve Hanley, Mark Foxley, Alan Wood (decorator), Peter Lomas (car mechanic), Ged Wilding (builder), Dave Williamson (club president), Allen Brett (bar secretary), Paul Ormerod (president of Rochdale Hornets), Oxygen Finance, Malcolm Percy, Peter and Kath Rawlinson, Duncan Hannant, TLC Construction, Simon Danczuk MP, Newhey Windows and Doors, Councillor Neil Butterworth, Rochdale Online, Mighty Medicine Brewery and Marstons Brewery.

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival sponsors

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival
Fifteen real ales available

Milnrow Cricket Club beer and gin festival
A selection of the quality gins available

The festival opens to the public on Friday 10 February (2pm-late) and Saturday 11 February (12noon-late).

Entry to the festival is free, with all pints costing £3. Beers can also be bought in thirds (£1) and halves (£1.50), while food is also be available.