Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival
 Minehead Station, West Somerset Railway
 Saturday & Sunday 11 & 12 September 2004

September will see a welcome return – for the fifth time – of the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Extravaganza held in partnership with the West Somerset Railway. The Festival will again be held on the platform at Minehead Station.

THE AMBER NECTAR (BEER): The Festival will again feature at least 35 real ales and ciders, many from our award-winning local Somerset breweries such as Cotleigh, Cottage, Exmoor, Glastonbury, Moor and RCH. In addition to these there will be a selection from around the British Isles showcasing the incredible diversity in flavour and style produced by the expanding army of micro breweries.

We plan to have a locally brewed festival special or two and feature beers from Somerset breweries, some of which can be difficult to find within the county.

A selection of bottled beers and wines will also be available, along with a cask conditioned real lager.

Buffet cars on each of the three trains in service will offer a different guest beer, all from the Beer Engine brewpub at Newton St Cyres, near Exeter.

FOOD & SOFT DRINKS: A static buffet car will offer a range of pasties, sandwiches and snacks throughout the Festival, along with soft drinks. Other hot food outlets are close to the station entrance.

ENTERTAINMENT: An exciting line-up of entertainers are to perform at the Festival. On Saturday evening the lively and spirited singer songwriter HELENA will entertain us. A recent Glastonbury Festival main stage performer, Helena’s music is hard to categorise as it includes so many styles, swinging from hard-hitting guitar driven rock, jazz and blues to intimate heartfelt ballards. Sunday Lunch will see the welcome return of BOULEVARD DJANGO, an exciting gypsy jazz guitar duo whose repertoire evokes the nostalgia and vibrancy of 1930s Paris.

FREE ENTRY, GLASSES & TOKENS: Entry will again be FREE. You will however need to purchase a glass, which you can keep. A special souvenir glass will be available, along with a cheaper alternative. A token system will operate at the bar. Please purchase your tokens when you buy your glass. No cash will be taken at the bar itself. Unused tokens are refundable.

STAFFING (THE WORKERS): The Festival will be staffed by local members of the Campaign for Real Ale, who all volunteer their services and time free. They will also be happy to tell you more about the featured breweries and the wonderful beers they produce and, of course, all about CAMRA.

FACILITIES: The bar and entertainment will be situated in the centre of the station platform, all under cover. There will also be a seated area and a railway carriage for eating and drinking. All the usual station facilities will be open.

GETTING THERE – well worth the effort: The best way to visit the Festival is of course by train on the WSR; the timetable is below. A special day return train fare of ONLY £7.50 is available for CAMRA members. To obtain this bargain fare you must produce your current CAMRA membership card at the ticket office. First Bus operates a regular daytime bus service between Taunton and the station at Bishops Lydeard; for full details of times please ring 01823 272033. For pre-booked ticket holders only there will be a special free bus from Taunton to Bishops Lydeard and return. It will connect with the 7.00pm Saturday evening train and also the return 10.50pm train from Minehead.

For accommodation enquiries please contact Minehead Tourist Information Centre on 01643 702624.

TIMETABLE: An extensive timetable of train services will be provided – with the WSR’s Green Timetable in operation on both days. For full details click here. Outline departures from Bishops Lydeard and Minehead are as follows:

Departures from Bishops Lydeard: 9.40am (diesel), 10.25am (steam), 12.25pm (steam), 2.10pm (steam), 4.05pm (steam), 6.45pm (diesel)
Additional departures from Williton (to Minehead): 12.05pm (diesel), 3.45pm (diesel).
Departures from Minehead: 10.15am (steam), 11.10am* (diesel), 12.15pm (steam), 2.00pm (steam), 2.50pm* (diesel), 3.55pm (steam), 5.30pm (diesel), 10.50pm (diesel)
* runs to Williton.

How to book

Tickets for the Real Ale Festival can be booked in advance. Credit/Debit Card bookings may be made by telephone; please ring Minehead Station on 01643 704996, 9am-4pm Monday-Friday. To request a leaflet about the Festival please e-mail us.

Last updated: 6 August 2004