Beer festival at Shrewsbury church defended
The organisers of a beer festival have defended their decision to hold the event in a redundant Shrewsbury church.
The annual Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA festival is due to take place in St Mary's Church, in the summer.
But the news has met with opposition, with some claiming it is not the right venue for such a event.
However, Norrie Porter, press officer for the festival, has hit back saying that alcohol and churches have had a long association.
He said: "I am sorry to hear that some members of St Mary’s community are concerned. Beer and other forms of alcohol are intimately connected with the church, from Christ’s first miracle through communion wine to monastery breweries.
"Beer festivals in churches, working and historic, have also had a long and happy history all across the UK. Last year St Laurence’s Church in Ludlow ran a successful festival and St Mary’s in Albrighton has run one for the last five years.
"We understand that some of the community might have concerns about a beer festival in such a beautiful and historic building, with many remarkable features. These members should rest assured that we will protect the interior of the building at all times.
"Our festival has had 28 problem-free previous outings across four venues, two of which – the Music Hall and the Morris Hall – have been historic buildings.
"We have trained security inside and outside whatever building we use, to make sure that it is treated with respect and ensure there is no drunkenness, and we will work with the relevant Churches Conservation Trust officers to put in place any requested protection for special building elements.
"Beer festivals in churches are beneficial beyond the hiring fee and charitable donations. Festivals encourage many to enter the church who would not otherwise come in, to appreciate the beauty and sanctity of the surroundings.
"Indeed, the Church of England’s Faith in Action website has witness from a beer festival worker who subsequently became an active member of the church in which the festival was held. Perhaps one of the best parallels with St Mary’s would be Old Christ Church in Liverpool, another church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, which holds a regular and welcome beer festival."
A meeting to discuss the matter will be held at the church on Thursday.
