Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Traditional Cider Festival at the Stubbing Wharf
Now in its fifth year, the Stubbing Cider Festival will be held on 1-2 July 2011, at the Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge.
The event offers a huge variety of wondrous traditional, farmhouse craft ciders from around the UK and beyond; no surprise that it has typically attracted around 3000 visitors across the weekend in previous years.
In recognition of its commitment to real cider, the Stubbing Wharf has also received the Calderdale CAMRA award for Cider and Perry Pub of the Year.
This year’s event commences at noon on Friday and finishes late on Saturday.
As well as a big range of over 70 different traditional, craft and farmhouse ciders, there will be canal boat cruises, live music from some popular local turns and other live entertainment too.
The Stubbing Wharf operates this event with the benefit of five years experience, and as Landlord Matthew Browne describes, “The bars run smoothly and are well managed and the customers are a pleasurable, jolly bunch! The staff pull all the stops out and we’re always extremely proud of them.”
The ‘big small festival’
The Cider Fest is now becoming a well-established event for Hebden Bridge locals, visitors and tourists alike, as well as CAMRA and cider enthusiasts.
“We’ve continued to offer more ciders and attract more visitors each year, it’s now become a ‘big small festival’,” adds Matt, “and we’re delighted to have been awarded the Calderdale CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year.”
The Stubbing Wharf is a keen supporter of cider throughout the year. There are always several craft ciders on draft, barrel and bottle, as well as apple juices. Calderdale CAMRA branch secretary Edward Lee told us: “As well as the pub’s good selection of ales, the Stubbing Wharf is very committed to cider and furthering the cause for good quality and traditionally crafted ciders. The Cider Fest is an exceptional event for the region, and we decided that the Stubbing should be recognised for their efforts with this award.”
“And we are finding far more visitors are now drinking traditional farmhouse-style ciders than in previous years. We’re pleased these ciders are becoming increasingly popular,” Matthew Browne comments.
The Stubbing Wharf and Cider Fest location
The Stubbing Wharf is located off the A646 on the west side of Hebden Bridge, between the Calder river and the Rochdale Canal. By car, there is ample parking (although this may become limited as the Festival becomes busy). On the bus, numbers 590 592 594 stop close by. By train or by foot, the Stubbing Wharf is a short walk along the canal towpath after lock 11.