During this unprecedented time which led to the early conclusion of the 2019/20 season, we are producing a series of Friday features about people and groups at Chinnor RFC Thame. Next under the spotlight is the Beerfest ...

AT this time of year, you would normally find our Beerfest committee planning the forthcoming event over – yes, you’ve guessed it – a couple of beers.

“We thoroughly enjoy the organisation meetings leading up to the event which start around May – it’s another excuse to go out for a beer,” said committee member Steve Bridges. “We’re often out as a committee and we like to do that.”

Obviously, that’s not possible at the moment and we can only hope that our next Beerfest is not too far away.

Beginning in 2011, it has become one of most popular events at the Club, attracting not only members but people from Thame and the surrounding area.

“It's just another opportunity for the rugby club to be a social place," said Steve. "We’ve got so many age groups here that it’s not just a young person’s venue.”

Originally started by the organisers of the Picnic Ball, our Vets team – the Oxen – took charge in 2012 and it is quite an operation.

Steve, Tim Wright, Nick Stainton, Conor Begley, Bob Harris, Mike Wiltshire, John Sellars, Ben Harding, Steve Pile and Tanya Brewster make up the committee, with many more volunteers helping out in the week leading up to the festival and on the day.

“We’ve got a committee and some of the people on it ran it a few years back - it’s not something you walk away from,” said Steve.

“It was born out of having the Picnic Ball tent and someone having the idea to keep it for another week and run a beer festival.

“It has been two days before - Friday and Saturday - and we found out that all we were doing was splitting the people who came, so eventually it moved to one day. It’s 12pm to 12am and the other big fundamental part of it is we have small local bands that all perform for free, so it’s an opportunity for them to get 700-800 people listening to their music.

“We have around 75-80 beers and ciders and the fundamental model of any beer festival is if you can get each of your barrels sponsored, then everything you get coming through the door is a form of profit. It’s all pretty much members of the rugby club, their businesses or local businesses that sponsor those barrels.”

The week leading up to the event is understandably a busy one. Lewis Johnson sets up the bar on the Tuesday, with the beer arriving on Wednesday. Friday is hectic, but it ends with a BBQ in the evening for the hard-working volunteers.

On the day, Sam Bridges and Gill Riley run the Prosecco Bar, Tanya Wright is in charge of the children’s sweet stall and face painting. Twenty-five past and present players of the Oxen are also on hand to staff the bar all day and night.

“The prosecco bar is fantastic and that has been made out of an old boat - that goes down very well when the weather is nice,” Steve added.

“We try to do face painting for the kids and a sweet stall. The majority of people turn up around 6-12am and during the day we get the families and some of the more serious beer drinkers.

“You pay to get in, get a glass and you pay by tokens. You can have either a half or a pint and we have a food bar which has a good variety. It’s pretty laid back and it has worked very well.”

It is evident that it is a very enjoyable and rewarding event to be a part of.

“It’s hard work,” said Steve. “But when you’ve had 800 people come through the gate it’s very satisfying.

“We are able to put about £10,000 of profit into the Club, so it’s great to be able to do that.

“It’s the camaraderie. That Friday night BBQ we have with all the people who have put the effort in and that feeling of being part of the team.

“At midnight on the Saturday, we all have a final pint together and it’s just a real great feeling that you’ve given something back to the Club. Ultimately, it’s beer and that’s probably why any amateur player takes up rugby.”