BEER and cider lovers in Whitchurch and beyond can head to the town for the Bank Holiday weekend for a special festival.

The festival is taking place at the Black Bear, in Whitchurch High Street, and is making a return after an absence of many years while entry is free.

Visitors can have a selection of 25 beers and ciders while there will also be a BBQ and some live music to enjoy too, with organisers hoping to make it an annual tradition.

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A spokesman for the festival said: “The pretty courtyard garden behind the pub is a great setting for the event, where the beers will be laid down and kept cool on racking, tapped and vented ahead of time and then served traditionally.

“There’ll also be a selection of fantastic ciders and a few excellent keg beers.

“They will have some cover outside, just in case we don’t get the bank holiday weather we all deserve.

“It’ll be free to get in and you’ll be able to buy your Black Bear glass, yours to keep, and beer token card before getting to the bar.

“You’ll be able to move from drink to drink nice and easily using the tokens (no cash or card required), while the bar inside the pub runs as normal.”

The line-up will include beers and ciders from Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales and the special menu BBQ will run from 5pm till 8pm on Friday and from midday to 8pm on Saturday.

The spokesman added: “It’ll include a new sausage produced locally in partnership with Longmans Farm Shop, using the pub’s own Jerry’s Pale Ale, especially for the festival.

“On Sunday the pub will be offering its excellent roast dinners, pub classics, nibbles and sandwiches, along with cones of roasties and dipping gravy – perfect for drinkers – from midday till 8pm.

“There will be live music throughout the weekend, again with a very local focus, in support of nearby artists.

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“On Friday evening Poppy Hall will perform a brilliant acoustic set in the garden, from 5pm till 9pm. If you haven't seen her before she’s one not to be missed.

“Saturday will see Rob Chapman take the microphone from 3pm to 5pm for a collection of songs that you’ll almost definitely know.

“On Sunday, half of renowned local music duo Baxter, Hayley Strangelove, will be playing from 4pm to 7pm.”