The organiser of The Northamptonshire Beer Festival has revealed a lack of volunteers and health and safety concerns are the reasons why the event won’t go ahead this year.
It was revealed at the weekend the festival, which traditionally takes place at Delapre Abbey and has been running for more than 25 years, has been cancelled.
Phil Greenway, who is chairman of Northants CAMRA, said the county branch lacked members willing to help organise the festival, and there was a risk of being left open to insurance claims.
He Greenway said: “It is with great regret that the decision has been made to cancel the beer festival for 2013.
“Within the county we have 1,300 CAMRA members but unfortunately, very few are active.
“With ever-decreasing numbers of active members we are unable to form a committee to help with the planning of the beer festival and I am no longer prepared to take sole responsibility for it.
“The health and safety implications are now beyond the capabilities of the branch and we need to have a rethink on how best to go forward if we are to hold future events.
“Without professional expertise we leave ourselves vulnerable to insurance claims.
“We are proud of what we have achieved over the seven years we have been at Delapre Abbey and I would like to thank the borough council for all their help and support.”
Last year’s event featured 300 beers, and its success enabled organisers to donate £5,000 to the Chron’s Macmillan appeal.
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