PART of the cash raised by Staindrop’s annual beer and music festival is to go to a charity in memory of its founder.
The August bank holiday weekend festival was started by Morris Race in 2011, but he died of cancer just days before last year’s event.
Les Blair, who is helping organise this year’s festival at the village’s Masonic Hall, said: “Traditionally the money taken at the door always goes to charity and last year it went to Morris’ campaign for a community bus. However, this year John Mumberson, who has taken the lead in organising, has kindly decided the funds will go to Cancer Research UK and Parkinson’s UK because I have got Parkinson’s now.”
He added that the event has also been scaled back to two days, instead of the traditional three, however, there will be the usual large range of real ales to choose from.
Mr Blair said: “We will have eight beers on tap and three ciders. A lot of the beers are being supplied by Mithral Brewery – they do the Rose of Raby ale, which is the name of the Masonic Lodge here.”
The headline act on Friday, August 25, will be The Creaky Grinders, while the Missing Chords will perform on the Saturday, supported by Sideline.
In a unique change, two music groups practising at the Masonic Hall will provide the support on the Friday.
Mr Blair said: “The first act is going to be a new ukulele band called the N’ukes – they have never performed in front of anybody before – and we have a choir that meets here as well called Staindrop Unison Choir, but they are looking at changing their name because they realised their initials read SUCs.”
The choir sings a variety of pop from the 60s through to current hits.
Mr Blair added: “Some of them are joining up with the N’ukes, just to showcase that people from Staindrop and roundabout are involved in music. They are very nervous.”
Doors open at 7pm on each night and tickets cost £5.
To book tickets ring Mr Mumberson on 01833 660633.
