IN 1976 a plan was hatched to create a beer festival in Farnham to offer residents the opportunity to enjoy range of real ales.

The other key part of the plan was the proceeds earned from the festival would be donated to the Lions Club of Farnham to support local good causes.

The Maltings, previously a brewery, was the obvious choice of venue and so in 1977 the first Farnham Beer Exhibition was launched with the byline ‘drinking for charity’.

This year’s Farnham Beerex will be the 43rd, all at the Maltings which will celebrate its 50th year in May.

More than £900,000 has been raised so far, still supporting local good causes. Last year’s total was just over £39,000. Much of that has already been donated or pledged to support individuals, couples, families and organisations in need of help.

During January the Farnham Lions members approved almost £10,000 worth of expenditure covering a wide range of needs.

‘Enjoying Beerex’ and ‘drinking for charity’ remain the Beerex ethos and it is hoped his year the event will raise in excess of £40,000.

More than 50 breweries will be represented with over 60 real ales as well as a wide range of ciders and perries.

This year’s themed bar will feature ‘Welsh beers’. Local breweries will be well represented and there will be an opportunity to enjoy a Beerex Special produced by one of them and a new beer by another.

Added to that there will be choice of food and four bands providing the entertainment.

Tickets will be available at the public sale which takes place at the Maltings on Sunday, February 10, from 8am-9am.

Any remaining tickets will be available via the Maltings box office or Farnham Lions website.