A POPULAR ale and cider festival staged in Crantock returned after a seven year hiatus and raised more than £6,500 for charity.

Hundreds of festivalgoers attended The Bowgie Inn Ale and Cider Festival in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care.

Megan Hampton, the marketing team leader at Cornwall Hospice Care helps out behind the bar at fundraising Ale Festival ( )

The festival showcased a selection of local ales and ciders all produced by breweries in Cornwall and treated attendees to live music, fireworks and family activities.

Over the three days of the festival, 1,287 pints of ale and cider were poured, 20 local cask ales were tapped, 46 faces were painted, 885 raffle tickets were sold and 45 prizes were won.

Festival-goers enjoyed performances from local musicians, Andy Marshall, Avalon, Band Duo, Joe Hurworth, Adam Parfitt, Irish band Black Velvet, blues rockers The Claze and solo acoustic musician Jamie Gifford who donated his fee to Cornwall Hospice Care.

The event also featured pop up bars from Tarquin’s Gin and Twin Fin Rum, adding to the festival's celebration of the area’s successful local producers.

Activities on Bank Holiday Monday included a pop-up from the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, a silent disco, apple bobbing and face painting. The ale and cider festival concluded with a spectacular firework display over the bay.

Sally Pickles, landlady of the Bowgie Inn, said: “It was such a great weekend, we are so happy we decided to bring the festival back after a break.

“We raised money for an amazing cause, showcased the best ales and ciders in Cornwall and people got to enjoy them with the best view in Cornwall.”

Lisa Shephard, the clinical lead at Cornwall Hospice Care, who was at the Bowgie over the weekend, said: “This festival is a wonderful example of community spirit in action. Sally has been fundraising for us for over 10 years now and we are really happy to see it continue with the return of a much-loved event.

“We are deeply appreciative of everyone who came out to enjoy the weekend and support our cause. The money raised will go directly towards providing care and support to those who need it in Cornwall.”

The Bowgie donated all monies spent in the beer tent directly to the charity along with the sale of raffle tickets, all activities, hot dogs and cakes.

Sally added: “We are proud to be a Cornish pub that supports the county’s amazing local ale and cider producers.

“What better way to do that than with a festival where they are the main event?! Thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy the drinks, the music, the food and the view. We hope you found a new favourite brew.

“The Bowgie would also like to thank Absolute Marquees, Cornwall Waste Care, Celebration Fireworks and Dymond Audio.”