Roger Protz to launch Norwich’s City of Ale Festival
Organisers of a major new festival are celebrating after it was announced that the editor of the current Good Beer Guide has agreed to officially launch the event.
More than 40 pubs and brewers have already signed up to take part in Norwich's first City of Ale festival which aims to make the city a world-renowned centre for real ale.
And now Roger Protz has agreed to officially launch Norwich City of Ale at St Gregory's Church, St Gregory's Alley, off Pottergate, Norwich on Thursday, May 26.
Mr Protz said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to be doing it. Even though I'm a Londoner born and bred I spent several years in Norfolk as an evacuee during the Second World War. Even though I was just a baby at the time I have retained special links with Norfolk, and Norwich is a favourite city of mine. I love Norwich and I recently brought my wife to the city for the first time. It's a lovely, unspoilt city and has great pubs and great restaurants.'
Dawn Leeder, co-chairman of the festival's steering group, said it was 'fantastic news'.
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She said: 'This is a real feather in our collective cap – the advocacy of the most respected and renowned beer writer in the country (and editor of the Good Beer Guide) can only help to put Norwich City of Ale on the map.'
The festival, which will complement Norwich's beer festival in October and hopefully get bigger and better every year, will run from Thursday, May 26 until Sunday, June 5. Participating pubs are being urged to ensure they have plenty of events organised during the festival to make sure there is plenty on offer for visitors.
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Organisers are still looking for a major sponsor for the festival and are hoping to announce news on this in the coming weeks.
A website, www.norwichcityofale.org.uk, has been set up to promote the event. Landlords or brewers who want to find out more should call 07949 588207, email dawn@pintpicker.co.uk or call 01603 621447.
The Evening News is backing local pubs through its Love Your Local campaign.
To see more stories from the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.
Email David Bale with your pubs' stories at david.bale2@archant.co.uk.
