No beer this year but Wellingborough real ale festival organisers promise to be back in 2022

The festival has been held for nearly two decades
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Organisers of a popular Wellingborough event have vowed to return their three-day beer festival to the town's calendar next year, two decades since it premiered.

The Waendel Walk Wellingborough Beer Festival, timed to coincide with the town's international walking weekend, has been cancelled again because of the Covid pandemic.

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Organisers have promised to make a return as soon as possible to their usual offer of real ales and ciders, BBQ food and live music at the All Saints Church Hall venue in Midland Road.

l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and are brushed aside by Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and are brushed aside by Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)
l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and are brushed aside by Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)

Farmer John Norton said: "As many of you will have already surmised, the Waendel Walk Wellingborough Beer Festival 2021 has had to be cancelled for the second year running.

"Obviously, this is partly due to the restrictions of the Covid pandemic and part due to the lack of a walk to work up the thirst.

"It is with heavy heart and true regret that we make this announcement, but we have no alternative."

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The annual international Waendel Walk, scheduled to take place from Friday, May 7, until Sunday, May 9, had been cancelled for the second year running but hopes are high that it will return in 2022.

No beer this year l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)No beer this year l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)
No beer this year l-r Farmer John Norton, Dave Bettles, 'Capt Beaky', Alan Piggot and Bill 'The Brush' Jenkin (caretaker of All Saints Church Hall)

Organiser and chamber executive committee member Alan Piggot said: “We gratefully 'thank' the Wellingborough and East Northants Chamber of Commerce and our faithful festival goers, past and present, for their continued support and hope to see you all again in whatever way shape or form in 2022."

Farmer John added: "Meanwhile, please indulge in liquid libation in the many local hostelries and breweries that have devotedly supported us since 2002."