Strathaven beer fest is back

MARK PIRIE

The Strathaven and District Round Table hope locals will join them to raise a glass at the Beer and Gin Festival – and contribute to a kitty for the community.

The eighth annual event will kick-off at noon on August 3, and committee member Steve McGibbon expects there to be around 500 visitors throughout the day on Kirk Street.

He hopes to keep improving on last year as the Round Table boost their knowledge of top ales and great gins year-on-year and said: “We have had great support so far from the community and had another good year last year.

“We have been building up to this year. We will be well organised and have more micro-brewers on show – we also have a better understanding of what they do and are expecting a great year for the festival.”

The event allows the Round Table to help a number of people in the community, and Steve hopes to continue that trend again this year. He went on:“So far we have bought defibrillators to help first responders in Strathaven and helped locals go on excursions to help some of the bigger charities.

“We have bought iPads for kids and schools and contributed to the Harris Farm toilets which allowed kids with special needs to go and visit the farm.

“It’s not just Strathaven and Avondale we focus on, we have helped out with the East Kilbride Men’s Shed amongst others.

“The money from the festival goes into a pot we use to help projects and people around Strathaven and the districts and we take requests for funding or to donate something and look at them on an individual basis.

“We rely on sponsorship and it depends on the response, but I would like to think we can raise about £1500 this year.”

Entry on the door is £5. More information can be found on the Round Table Facebook page.