PICTURE GALLERY: All hearty at Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival

Around 8,000 ale lovers headed to Magna last week for the annual festival of brews and music — a slight fall from last year’s attendance.

Normally held in darkest winter, the three-day event still drew drinkers from around the country to its new June slot, but its Friday night session was quiet when compared with previous years.

Now organisers admit they may have to move back to the usual February schedule.

Organiser Steve Burns said: “It was a very successful festival overall. The music was the best ever and we had a fantastic range of beers.

“It was nice to have it in summer.

“People appreciated not being cold — especially volunteer bar staff, who are normally wrapped up in lots of layers.

“But it may take a couple of years to build attendance back up, if we keep having it in summer.”

Headliners at the festival included the Dearne Valley Big Band, Buffalo Skinners and — on the brewing front — Hambleton Nightmare, which was crowned as champion beer of Yorkshire.

Festival bosses were hoping for at least 10,000 drinkers over the weekend, and the drop in ticket sales means that takings for its elected charities — Bluebell Wood, Weston Park, Rotherham Hospice and the Magna Education Trust — will be lower than hoped for.

Steve said the fall was probably down to the date change and shortening the festival to three days instead of four.

“We will have to look at the accounts and consult with our sponsors,” he said.

“We would also like to know what our guests prefer.

“If the overwhelming opinion is that a February festival is preferred, we will have to look at moving it back.”