AFTER a couple of years absence because of Covid-19 the Thurrock Beer and Cider Festival, the 37th event organised in the borough by South West Essex CAMRA, opened today (Tuesday, 7 June).

The event at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, features more than 80 beers and runs until Saturday. All the details of opening are available at the CAMRA website in the link above. Tonight will see an evening session between 6 and 11pm, and tomorrow the festival will be open from noon to 3pm and then 6 to 11pm in the evening. The same hours operate on Thursday and on Friday the event is open all day from noon to 11pm.

Saturday brings the final day and the venue is open from noon to 7pm.

During the week there will be entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Thursday evening the band 'OMG' will perform, 'After Hours' entertai9n on Friday evening and on Saturday you can catch Rumford Morris Men, M.O.I and Naked Apes in action during the day.

Today's first pint was pulled by borough Mayor Cllr James Halden and he was welcomed by all the organisers and volunteers, many who toiled throughout the day yesterday to get the venue ready. You can see an encapsulated version of their day's activites in this time lapse clip: https://youtu.be/k5nU0vqoDJo

Admission is free for card carrying CAMRA members at all times and tonight and Wednesday's sessions are £2. It's £2 on Thursday afternoon and £3 in the evening, £5 on Friday from 5pm and £3 all day on Saturday.