Hi all,

I am very sad to announce this. This decision was made before the latest and stricter change to the COVID-19 guidelines, reducing groups back to a maximum of 6 again, starting next Monday.

We’re about to start planning for Woodfest 2021 and hope this will happen on the last week of next May at the Turks Head, St Margarets, touch wood.

Thank you for your patience so far and carry on drinking and stay in good spirits and health.

Cheers!
Aidan Kerrigan
Woodfest 2020 Organiser and the Woodfest 2020 committee

The proposed EGM in September has had to be cancelled due to the curfew and uncertainty with future guidelines and the possibility of a second lockdown.

It is a real shame, as it had a Wood bar there for several years. It was very popular with our members, both as volunteers and customers. Let’s hope that it still goes ahead later next year.

Media release from Manchester Beer and Cider Festival

22nd July 2020

For immediate release

Festival ails

Pandemic causes postponement of 2021 Manchester Beer and Cider Festival

Drinkers who look forward to the North’s largest celebration of beer and cider each January will be disappointed the Manchester Beer and Cider Festival has been postponed due to the coronavirus. Volunteers from local branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have reluctantly concluded it cannot go ahead as envisaged.

Organiser Andrew Rodbourne said: “It remains uncertain when large scale gatherings will be able to resume. However, with the possibility that Manchester Nightingale Hospital will continue to occupy Manchester Central into 2021, we can confirm that Manchester Beer and Cider Festival will not take place at Manchester Central in January 2021.”

The organising team hopes to put on a festival when safe to do so during 2021, subject to a suitable venue being available. This will obviously need to conform to government health regulations and guidance to protect customers and volunteers.

Andrew added: “At this stage, we therefore cannot confirm when or where a festival will be held, but further updates shall be announced as and when we can.

“In the meantime, please continue to support your local pubs, clubs, breweries and cider makers – and above all, stay safe

This has been cancelled due to coronavirus, not surprisingly, as mentioned in the latest Pint in Hand. If you haven’t read this, we hope to have it next year in the Lake District, where we had planned to go this year.

No doubt that you are aware that all pubs, clubs, brewery taps and restaurants are closed until further notice. Same with beer festivals too.

Thus adding to the recommendation that everyone over 70 and/or with health issues are to self-isolate for four month.

With the demographic of SPBW members, this has had a huge effect on us.

Because of that, all SPBW events are either cancelled or postponed. We’ll keep you all updated and inform you when “normal service” resumes.

Keep your spirits up and stay healthy.

The pub has now reopened, but because it had been closed for the last 6 months, there won’t be any bftw or any discounts for SPBW and CAMRA members, or the time being

Real ale available are Fullers London Pride and ESB plus Dark Star Hophead and last orders is 10pm.