A TOWN'S first winter ale festival is expected to be a big hit with customers.
Trustees of Ponteland Memorial Hall are organising and hosting the town's first Winter Ale Festival which will be held at the hall on November 24 and 25.
It will open to the public from 4pm and close at 10pm.
The event is part of the memorial hall's centenary celebrations and more than 30 beer, lager and cider options will be offered in the hall featuring local breweries.
Some of the beers, which are a range of cask ales and keg beers, include Hexham Riot produced by Hexhamshire Brewery, Strawberry Pale Ale by Ponteland-based Flying Gang Brewery and Twice Brewed's Tiny European Cars.
John Harrison, chairman of the hall's trustees, said they hope everyone will show their support.
"We're expecting to sell out and hope it's a really vibrant, busy event with a great atmosphere.
"The hall is a large venue used by such a wide range of groups. There are playgroups and a nursery running out of there, a rock choir uses it every week to rehearse. Almost every weekend this summer we've had bookings for weddings and we're booked into 2024 for them," he said.
All proceeds will go to the maintenance of Ponteland Memorial Hall. If the festival is a success, it's hoped it will become a mainstay on Ponteland's event scene.
The hall's leaking roof was repaired with a grant from the Ponteland Town Council, but more refurbishment is needed.
"The car park needs resurfacing, maintaining and remarking. The hall needs painting, the wooden floor will need replacing at some point. We're getting a new dance floor in the studio upstairs for a dance school setting up a new base here, Elaine Pygall School of Dancing."
The event has been organised to complement Ponteland Rugby Club's summer beer festival.
Other drinks, including wine and gin, will be available in the Lounge Bar run by The Pont Tap team. There will be street food vans by Angel of Corbridge and a line-up of local live music.
Local musician Joe Wallace will perform along with the Ponteland Community Wind Band, before popular band 7 Sins headlines the festival on Saturday night.
Tickets cost £15 and include four half-pint tokens. Further tokens can be purchased on the day.
Free parking will be available.
Get tickets at www.ponteland.beer.
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