Bowgie Inn’s Ale & Cider Festival Raises £7,289.97 for Cornwall Hospice Care

The Bowgie Inn’s annual Ale & Cider Festival, held over the August Bank Holiday weekend from 22nd to 25th August, has been hailed as the pub’s biggest and most successful yet.

Four days of sunshine, live music, family-friendly fun, garden games and tastings of craft ales, ciders and gins brought people together for a celebration overlooking Crantock beach.

Record-Breaking Fundraising

This year’s event raised an impressive £7,289.97 for Cornwall Hospice Care, with every penny from donations and the beer tent going directly to the charity. Thanks to the pub’s ongoing support, nearly £65,000 has now been raised in total.

Sally Pickles, Landlady at Bowgie Inn, said:
“We are absolutely delighted with how this year’s Ale & Cider Festival went. From the fantastic live performances to seeing families and friends enjoying themselves in our beautiful beer garden overlooking Crantock beach, it was a Bank Holiday to remember! Most importantly, we’re overjoyed to be able to support Cornwall Hospice Care with an amazing £7,289.97 raised – our biggest total yet!”

The funds raised will support services such as specialist palliative care for patients, practical and emotional support for families, and the upkeep of hospice facilities across Cornwall.

Music, Memories and Fireworks

Highlights of the weekend included performances from Rhys: The Night Church Pianist, Acappella Sound, Newquay Rowing Club Singers, Black Velvet Irish Music, The Claze, Indian Queens Band and more. Guests also enjoyed a Silent Disco, gin tastings, face-painting, family games and a grand fireworks display.

Sally said:
“There were so many memorable moments throughout the Festival, from our very own barman Rhys joining in with the Newquay Rowing Club Singers – they even told him there’s a shirt waiting if he ever decides to join them – to incredible performances across the weekend. The Claze had the beer tent rocking with everyone up and dancing, our fireworks display was the best we’ve ever had, and Rhys The Night Church Pianist was pure magic.”

She added:
“The harmonies of Acappella Sound drifted beautifully through the beer garden, Lauren Bailey’s set was an absolute joy, Avalon were fantastic, and the Indian Queens Band were a huge hit, filling the air with classics and popular tunes that had everyone smiling. There are too many highlights to list, but it truly was a weekend to remember!”

Local Brewers and Distillers

Breweries and distilleries involved included Padstow Brewing Company, Bluntrock Brewery, St Austell Brewery, Sharps Brewery, Atlantic Brewery, Firebrand Brewing, Southwestern Distillery, St Ives Brewery, Skinners Brewery, Healeys and Jolly’s Drinks.

The festival closed with a quiz, featuring music, movie, picture and general knowledge rounds, followed by a raffle. Sally thanked Claire, the quiz master, for making the finale a success.

Cornwall Hospice Care Thanks Supporters

Ben Statham-Wilkins, Head of Brand & Marketing at Cornwall Hospice Care, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Bowgie Inn and everyone who supported this year’s Ale & Cider Festival. The funds raised will make a real difference to the patients and families we care for across Cornwall. Beyond the fundraising, events like this showcase the incredible spirit in our county, and we’re delighted to have been part of such a joyful celebration. Bowgie Inn’s ongoing support over the years has been truly invaluable.”

Sally reflected on what makes the festival special:
“Bowgie Inn has always been an independent pub at the heart of our community, and our annual Ale & Cider Festival is a real celebration of that. It takes a huge amount of work to bring it all together, but every second is worth it. It’s not just about raising funds for such an incredible charity – it’s about people of all ages coming together to share laughter, enjoy music and make lasting memories. That sense of togetherness is what a pub is truly all about.”

“We’re so grateful to everyone who made it possible – especially St Austell Brewery, Healey’s and Rattler for their support, to all the musicians, performers, suppliers, volunteers and breweries who gave their time, talent and energy. And of course, a massive thank you to everyone who joined us over the August Bank Holiday weekend – we couldn’t have done it without you.”