The 12th edition of the ever popular Greystoke Beer Festival takes place this weekend.
For those lucky enough to have a ticket there will be a wide selection of Cumbrian beers, pilsners, wine and prosecco on tap, complete with live music in the village hall and garden marquee.
The event is a crucial fundraiser for the village swimming pool, which, since April, has cost £44,000 to run. “The weather hasn’t helped so that means we need a bumper beer festival,” said a spokeswoman for the pool.
Kicking off today, the live musical entertainment will begin with a John Anderson acoustic set.
A singer and acoustic guitarist from Sunderland with a powerful voice and engaging stage presence, John will be getting the Greystoke crowd dancing with an early set on both the Friday and Saturday evenings.
John’s repertoire is filled with original takes on classic cover versions which combine everything from mellow and soulful ballads to stand-up and sing-along anthems. Everyone will find something to make their foot tap or soul sing with John’s range of eclectic covers.
The Friday night headliners are No Good Reason – winners of the 2023 Battle of the Bands in Workington. They are a band 30 years in the making. Having met at school and sixth form in the 90s, Dick, Gaz and Boney tried (and failed) to create a band during their A-levels. As the restrictions of COVID lifted, they decided to have another go, eventually finding two like-minded guitarists in Kev and Ronny. They put the classic into classic rock.
Headlining Saturday night, and fresh from Kendal Calling, will be Hardwicke Circus who are making a return after debuting at the beer festival back in 2017 and a storming session at the Boot and Shoe pub last year.
They are fast building a reputation as one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the UK in recent years. They have over 1,000 gigs under their belt – including a recommendation from Sir Paul McCartney to play at Glastonbury, a UK Prison tour and a support slot with Bob Dylan in Hyde Park.
Following their studio debut The Borderland and live prison album At Her Majesty’s Pleasure, Fly The Flag had its UK release on 29th July on the band’s own label Alternative Facts Records. It is Hardwicke Circus at their most urgent, delivering 12 break-neck recordings like their lives depend on it.
Food this year is sponsored by Sarah’s Yard – a Mediterranean restaurant and bar and artisan specialist food shop in Urmston. She has a caravan in Greystoke, and spends a lot of time in the village.
