THE splendour of Saltaire's Victoria Hall was transformed into a real ale lover's paradise for the Bradford Beer Festival. 

Organised by the Bradford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), the festival kicked off on Thursday and finished last night. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Peter Down, from Bradford CAMRA

It featured around 130 real ales from around Yorkshire and the guest areas of North-East England and Kent, as well as a few from elsewhere.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bill Arnold (right) with a collection of collectable beer 

There was also 20 real ciders and perries, as well as craft keg and international beers and country wines.

Entertainment came in the form of the mighty Wurlitzer organ, the Hall Royd Brass Band as well as Sawdust and Age Against the Machine.

Peter Down, from Bradford CAMRA, said it had been another successful festival.

While final numbers still need to be counted, the Thursday, Friday and Saturday sessions were all full.

He said a broad range of people had attended - both traditional CAMRA members and younger people, with plenty of people visiting for the first time.

Mr Down thanked Victoria Hall for hosting the festival.

This year's chosen charity was Guide Dogs and just over £950 was raised via bucket donations. 

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The festival hit a bump in the road with less than a week to go until the big day, when it was discovered 35 beer hand pumps had been stolen. 

A vital part of the event, organisers started to make some calls to see if anyone would be able to help. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bill Arnold

The Wakefield branch, Saltaire Brewery and Ilkley Round Table all rallied around to offer support, which meant the festival could go ahead with minimal disruption. 

  • Many are uniquely marked with two pence pieces inset into their wooden bases and ‘BC’ references painted onto the main bodies. If anyone has information about the theft, or has knowledge of the hand pumps coming up for sale, they are asked to get in touch with police, quoting crime reference number 13200082355 or Bradford CAMRA by email at bbf@bradfordcamra.org.uk.  

The festival was held at Victoria Hall, Saltaire

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

John Burnett pulls a pint 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Angela Constable with her selection of country wine

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Beer mats 

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Mandi Iles with her selection of tasty treats

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