If "Yes" please let the Web Master know via and we will try to add them to our listing
Video Watch Robinson's dray horse parading around the venue's car park here. Courtesy of Stewart Revel - Thank You.
Rachel Eggleston visited the National Winter Ale Festival and said "Thanks for having me!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmLP3qxwl1o
John Howard, CAMRA's National Press Officer visited the festival and took a number (121) of photos which he has kindle shared with us here. Thanks Jon.
You are invited to view Stewart's photo album from NWAF 2010
Firstly, well done Manchester CAMRA! I think you got it right in 2010?
Excellent. Fabulous. Superb. Top class.
A much improved venue, easy bus ride from Piccadilly. Well laid out and with 4 separate bars, never difficult getting served. All the usual CAMRA stands and traders nicely spread out, plenty of seating and tables for those in early enough. Great selection of UK, Belgium, Dutch, German and Danish ales on offer. And Curry platters for only £5? I personally had a good time, sampled a bakers dozen, mostly thirds, but all "big un's", and two new breweries found as well.
Lots of CAMRA faces and usual helpers in attendance, including regulars from down my way. Good to see many CAMRA stalwarts from the local area on duty as well. Everyone looked very busy all afternoon.
Again, well done to all Manchester area CAMRA branches and CAMRA head office, plus the long list of sponsors for putting on such a good winter ales festival. And well done to all that made the effort to attend the Venue, I'm sure they'll be back in 2011!
Regards to one and all
Alan
Hiya Graham
Wanted to provide some feedback for you over NWAF. Some excellent postives and a couple of negatives.
Positives; excellent fest, well laid out, excellent beer choices, food superb, seemed a brilliant use of the room, cloakarea, etc also I'm a first time attendee at Manchester Winter Ales so cannot provide any comparisons against last year's venue. Sadly left to get train back so missed the live entertainment. As I'm also deputy festival organiser for Stafford fest its great going to other fests to look at how others run and are organised etc to pick up tips. I particularly liked the aprons for all bar staff - gave some instant visual unity. Also food idea of a plate for a fiver - went down very well!! I attended Saturday afternoon with 2 friends and we met with a mate living in Manchester (CAMRA member) - here's first negative - he said the buses from city centre were confusing as roadworks had altered layout of Oldham Street so couldn't find city centre stop to get to venue. Interesting comment from a local I thought hence passing it on. Again though you can't plan for every eventuality.
My wife attended with 4 friends later on saturday evening and here's the other other negative; she wanted to feedback that there appeared to be no soft drinks of any sort and that no-one seemed to know if there was an area she could get some. Told her she should have stuck with the Beartown Santa's Claws!
Cheers
Martin Salt