The Churnet Valley Railway’s July beer festival has received a major boost from local companies, many of whom have readily stepped forward to ‘sponsor a cask’ and be associated with this popular event.
Churnet Valley Railway Chairman Anthony Hancock, who is co-ordinating corporate sponsorship, said: “We have had a great take-up from local companies who support the Railway.
“There are now only eight casks left that have space to advertise local companies’ involvement.”
The charge for advertising is just £75 plus VAT for each cask, but in return the sponsor gets an allocation of first class train tickets and vouchers for complementary drinks for their guests, as well as their company name and logo on the sponsored cask.
Companies who are currently sponsoring the festival include: Industrial Electronics Ltd, F Ball & Co, HG Rewinds, I&P Lifting Gear Ltd, DPC Accountants, Grindeys Solicitors, Rawlins Insurance Brokers, Lymers Doors, Premier Electrical Wholesalers, Malbon Townsend Finance, Adamtech Ltd, Jacksons Marquee Hire, Direct Parts Ltd and Blakemore & Chell.
Trains running on Saturday July 21 and Sunday July 22 will have a first class bar car attached where corporate sponsors can meet and share complimentary drinks with the Railway’s directors.
A joint effort between the Railway, Titanic Brewery and pubs near the line, the Churnet Valley RailAleTrail gets underway on the Friday evening, July 20, when attractions will include a curry supper served aboard the train and folk music sing around from local singers and musicians at Kingsley & Froghall Station.
On Saturday July 21, two trains will operate a continuous service along the valley from 10.30am with bars open at Kingsley & Froghall, Cheddleton and Consall Stations as well as on the trains. During the afternoon, 60’s band Halcyon Days will perform at Kingsley & Froghall and special evening trains will run until 9.30pm.
Sunday July 22 sees a two-train service from 10.30am until 5.30pm, with the station bars open once again and more music from Halcyon Days at Froghall in the afternoon. Food will be available at the Froghall station tea rooms throughout the weekend.
Also joining in the event will be pubs in or near the valley - The Boat Inn at Cheddleton, The Black Lion at Consall Forge, The Railway Inn at Froghall and the Marquis of Granby at Ipstones – each with their own special selections of real ales and ciders.
No booking is required, except for the curry on the Friday night (price £15), and entrance to the station bars is free. Normal prices will apply for train journeys.