St Lawrence Church readies for York CAMRA beer festival

The popular event, which began 50  years ago, and starts tomorrow (Wed) is being hosted for a second year at St Lawrence Parish Church.

At the weekend, York CAMRA member Rev’d Geoff Mumford, blessed the beers, a tradition that dates back centuries.

Rev’d Mumford is also a co-founder of the annual Copmanthorpe Beer Festival known as Coptoberfest.

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This festival began in 2014 and this year takes place during Thursday, Friday and Saturday October 10-12 in St Giles’ Church, Copmanthorpe.

Henry Dyer, a spokesperson for St Lawrence Church, said: "We are delighted to be hosting York CAMRA for their beer and cider festival for a second year running.

"We hope all attendees will enjoy the beauty of the church and churchyard. Services will resume at St Lawrence on Sunday 29 September, the first week of our term of Choral Evensong.

Rev'd Geoff Mumford (Image: Henry Dyer)

Henry added the festival is a very important fundraiser for the church, whose tower and footprint dates back to the 12th century, with the remainder from the 19th century.

He continued: “The importance of real ale, local breweries, and friendly pubs to communities across York and the country is something we strongly support at St Lawrence, with our local pub, The Waggon and Horses, playing an intrinsic part in church life.

"Ensuring people could have a good drink appreciated with friends was Christ's first miracle, with the conversion of the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. As a church we warmly welcome those visiting St Lawrence for the first time during the festival and hope all have an enjoyable time."

Today (Monday), volunteers from York CAMRA were putting the finishing touches to the event, which starts tomorrow (Wed) and runs until Saturday.

(Image: Henry Dyer)

Festival organiser Karl Smith said: “The beers are in. The marquees are up and the fencing is up. We are now erecting the banners. The only thing left to arrive are the souvenir glasses, the cider, the perry, wine and mead, which are due today (Mon).

Karl said at the end of today, members will toast the memory of Alan Conner, who died suddenly on July 2 aged 71. With wife Melissa, he would order the beers for previous CAMRA festivals.

Karl added: “They are the architect of our outdoor festivals.”

In an online tribute friend Sue Thirlaway said of Alan and his passing: “He had a pint in his hand at the time, having spent the day helping to set up the Merchant Adventurers Beer Festival in York.

“Unfortunately, he spilled his Beer, which he would have hated, but would have been proud to have a death certificate giving the location of his demise as Brew York.”