OK, enough already!
Credit crunch, recession, financial downturn, we get the bloody idea, things are tough and going to get tougher.
So what do we do, cancel everything and sit indoors watching BBC2?
No, we don't.
In the words of the great Keith Chegwin, "THE BEER FESTIVAL MUST GO ON!" and so it will.
But you can't just ignore the biggest economic downturn for more than 50 years, everyone has to adjust, compromise. So, we have decided to combine the coldest winter for many years with the recession and have frozen ALL of our prices. That's right, we've only gone and FROZEN ALL OUR PRICES!
£6 to get in, and you get a special, nay unique, commemorative glass, a programme and 2 beer tokens. Fantastic. And what's more, each additional beer token is only £1. That is credit crunch pricing.
OK, so prices are frozen, does that mean you will suffer like a no-frills airline passenger? No, you will not. This year's Festival will offer the following seductive package of entertainment:
BEER - There will be at least 14 real ales, a couple of local lagers from those wonderful people at The Cotswold Lager Company, ciders, perry, wine from grapes and all sorts of other fruits, soft drinks and even water from the tap.
FOOD - There will be food - at last year's prices! Quality, local burgers and sausages, veggie bits, cakes, crisps, all sorts really. As ever there will be home grown, free range lettuce to add to your burger rolls. In a survey that I did, 100% of respondents said that home grown lettuce was the most important part of an enjoyable burger, so it must be true.
MUSIC - Always a massive part of this Festival and this year could be the best yet. There will be Morris Dancers, jazz, rock, pop and choral - something a little different to challenge those aural receptors.
KIDS - If the kids are happy......well you do the math. Last year's Mega Slide was a Mega success so let's do it again. Plus there will be the usual kids bits and bobs; colouring tent, biscuit decoration, face painting. All free.
OTHER - cricket match, tug of war, maypole dancing, possibly ferret baiting or candle weaving - anything is possible!
Details will be added to the relevant part of this website as and when they are firmed up. So, come back and check every few weeks and let's meet up for a beer? How about Saturday 30th May, in the centre of Chadlington? - the weather is looking good !
This Beer Festival is the chief fund raiser for the Friends Of Chadlington School and all proceeds go to the school. If you have any comments or requests, go to the Comments page and type away.
Each year the assembled punters vote for their favourite beer and a winner is duly announced.
Back as the 2007 winner, 'Potholer' by Cheddar Ales Ltd. 4.3% ABV was once again victorious in 2008. Brewed with a blend of Maris Otter, Crystal and Wheat malts and a combination of the choicest Challenger and Styrian Golding whole hops, this golden ale delivers zesty, fruity flavours with a smooth rounded finish and bags of aroma. They must be doing something right!
If you would, contact grandmufti@chadlingtonbeerfestival.com, they're just £10.
The first Chadlington Beer Festival was held in 2004 in aid of Chadlington Primary School and organised by the Friends Of Chadlington School. Following its success it has now become a permanent village fixture, taking place in the first week of June.
The original mastermind was Rik Yapp, expertly aided by The Committee (to which anyone is welcome if they want to help).
The festival is entirely run by volunteers and is run as a fundraising and community project. So please support it in any way you can:
We are very grateful as ever to our Sponsors And Supporters. Please take note of who they are: they are supporting the community through this event - please support them in turn. Local businesses need local customers if they are to flourish!