Henshaws postpones big event during COVID-19 pandemic but issues plea for help

Five local brewers were to have been involved this year… Cold Bath Brewing, Daleside, Harrogate Brewing Co, Roosters and Turning Point - but Henshaws Beer Festival has become the latest victim of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
By Graham Chalmers
Published 19th Mar 2020, 17:18 BST
Updated 20th Mar 2020, 17:26 BST
Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough has closed to external visitors until further notice - but its work to help people in the Harrogate area goes on.Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough has closed to external visitors until further notice - but its work to help people in the Harrogate area goes on.
Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough has closed to external visitors until further notice - but its work to help people in the Harrogate area goes on.

A fundraiser for the Harrogate/Knaresborough-based charity which works with disabled people from across the town and beyond, the event was to have taken place on Saturday, May 16.

A new specially brewed beer for this year’s festival was even to have been created at Roosters on Friday, April 24.

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The sad decision to cancel the event comes after the news that the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre had closed to external visitors until further notice, upon clinical advice, to protect vulnerable service users and to mitigate the virus risk.

A spokesperson said: "Following the updated guidance from the UK Government about COVID-19, we've unfortunately decided that it is essential and sensible - although it is of course with great sadness - that we should postpone the May Beer Festival.

"We are looking to rearrange for a date in the Autumn, and will await news over the coming weeks on what would be best for timings in terms of a rescheduled date."

Henshaws says it is continuing to provide services to our art makers, and it is remaining open for them.

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But it says it is vital that it continues to receive public support and funding for Henshaws' work during the lockdown.

A spokesperson said: "At this time, being able to fundraise to support the Centre is crucial, especially given the inability to deliver events which raise much needed income and support at various points in our calendar, with most of our events usually scheduled to take place between March and June.

"We support some of the most vulnerable people in society, and at this time the ability to do so is more important than ever.

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"If there's anything you might be able to help us with in terms of fundraising and awareness please do give me a call on this number: 01423 541888."

The Henshaws donations page can be found at: https://www.henshaws.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/

Closed: Royal Hall and Harrogate Convention Centres shut temporarily in Covid-19 safety move

Related topics:HenshawsRoostersHarrogateGovernmentKnaresborough