From the Dover Express, 4 June, 2009

Beer festival scam leaves bitter taste.

Success of charity drink event blighted by fake notes

Report by Rhys Griffiths

CRABBLE Corn Mill is celebrating after hosting another successful beer festival last month.

The two-day event had more than 1,000 ale lovers flock to the historic River attraction in Lower Road to enjoy a range of quality brews and musical entertainment.

It is estimated this year's festival made a profit of about £10,000, but the mood was soured by the discovery that crooks had spent £160 in forged new £20 notes.

The mill's general manager Ant Reid said: "We are gutted they have done this to a charity, it's as low as you can go. All money raised goes back into the mill and the fact someone has done this has left us lost for words.

"It is impossible to check every note taken at each different pay point on the site.

"We will get UV lights for next year, it will slow down the operation but hopefully it will stop this happening again and if we catch anyone the police will be called."

The fake notes were discovered when the takings from the weekend were counted.

A record crowd attended the festival on its opening night, with about 730 people coming along on Friday, May 22, meaning many of the most popular beers had already run out when the gates opened again on Saturday, May 23.

The event is the biggest bash in the social calendar at the mill and the money raised helps to keep the site open to the public.

Mr Reid said: "We would like to say a big thank-you to all the sponsors who helped us make the festival such a success. Thanks to the Express for all your coverage, and thanks to all the acts who performed. Without all the help we just could not do it.

"The forged cash leaves a nasty taste in the mouth because lots of effort goes into this event and people give their time as volunteers, so it's terrible when something like this happens."

How to spot a real £20

• Feel of the paper: Bank notes are printed on special paper that gives them their unique feel.

• Raised print: By running your finger across the note you can feel raised print in some areas, such as the words Bank of England and in the bottom right corner around the figure 20.

• Metallic thread: This appears as silver dashes on the back of the new-style £20 note. If you hold the note up to the light, the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.

• Watermark: Hold the note up to the light and in the clear area on the left, you will see an image of the Queen's portrait together with a bright £20. This can also be viewed from the back of the note.

From the Dover Express, 5 November, 2009

Tipplers at the Mill

DRINKERS flocked to Crabble Corn Mill in River for a cider festival on Saturday - but the Sunday session was a wash-out thanks to the rain.

The festival, which saw fans of real ale and cider tuck into around 40 brews, was held to raise cash for the charity which runs the tourist attraction in Lower Road.

More than 230 people attended the festival on the first day, but torrential downpours meant the second day was something of a non-event.

The festival was the first time the mill, which is home to an annual real ale festival in the summer, has hosted a cider event - and management hope it will become a regular fixture in the mill's calendar.

Among the drinks on offer were brews from the Wantsum Brewery which was founded earlier this year by former Pfizer employee James Sandy after he was made redundant from the pharmaceuticals firm.

He said: "Rather than leave this part of Kent I decided to start a business which might employ me and others."

From the Dover Express, 20 May, 2010

BEER FESTIVAL TIME AT MILL

Two-day event needs volunteers

Report by Kathy Bailes

GET ready to raise a glass of real ale as the beer festival returns to Crabble Corn Mill.

The sixth festival at the Lower Road landmark is on next Friday and Saturday May 28 and 29, between 11am and 11pm.

Visitors can quaff from a choice of 50 real ales and a dozen ciders. There is an emphasis on local produce and 37 of the beers come from breweries based in Kent.

Last year some 1,200 people flocked to the event, with a similar number expected this year.

This year, to help with queuing problems, the opening hours have been extended and there will be a separate cider bar.

Friday will also be a ticket-only day, so people are advised to book in advance by calling the mill on 01304 823292.

Tickets will be sold on the gate on the Saturday.

Graham Butterworth, from Crabble Corn Mill, said: "We get tremendous help and support from the local branch of Camra, although this is not a Camra organised event.

"The beer festival is the largest single fundraising event held by the trustees in the year, and in these difficult economic times the trust has come to rely upon the income generated just to meet day-to-day running costs."

Sponsors include Shepherd Neame, NT Rix Scaffolding and The "Fox" pub.

Mr Butterworth added: "We would not be able to hold this event without the help of the local businesses that sponsor it. The trust is very grateful to all the sponsors who have contributed.

"We recognise that this year, once again, the economic outlook remains poor, and like everyone, Crabble Corn Mill is facing a difficult time ahead.

"Despite this the trust is very pleased that so many local firms have, once again, displayed tremendous support and come on board to sponsor the event."

Entry fees are £4 on Friday, May 28 and £2 on the Saturday Dover White Cliffs Tours is putting on a mini bus service from Dover Priory Railway Station for the duration of the festival.

The cost is expected to be £1.70 each way. Like Crabble Corn Mill itself the festival is organised and run by volunteers. If anyone wishes to volunteer, particularly to help on the Saturday they can contact the mill by phone or e-mail.

• To book or volunteer call the mill on 01304 823292 or e-mail beerfest@crabbIemill.org.uk

From the Dover Express, 3 June, 2010

CHEATS STRIKE AGAIN AT ALE EVENT, AGAIN.

Anger as fake beer tokens used to rip-off charity event.

Report by Rhys Griffiths

FRAUDSTERS have struck at a beer festival for the second year running.

Forged tokens, worth around £60, were used at the Crabble Corn Mill ale festival on Friday night, a year after fake bank notes were passed off by crooks at the event.

All profits raised at the two-day festival go towards the charity which operates the historic attraction, and general manager Ant Reid has described the people who used the forgeries as the lowest of the low.

On Friday and Saturday, around 1,000 came to enjoy the many ales and ciders on offer at the mill in Lower Road, River.

Mr Reid said: "It was a very successful event, and we would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors because without them, we just couldn't put it on.

"But what happened on Friday leaves a sour taste in your mouth because you work so hard.

"At the end of the day, it's a charity they're ripping off, which is the lowest of the low.

"It looks like somebody came on site then went off and returned after copying the tokens."

Last year, cold-hearted fraudsters used £160 in forged £20 notes at the event, so this time round volunteers were being vigilant and using detectors to root out forgeries.

But the convincing copies of the beer tokens were tough to spot.

Mr Reid told the Express police were not informed of the fraud because of the relatively small sum involved.

NOT AGAIN: After opening to the public on Friday, the Crabble Corn Mill ale festival was hit by fraudsters, for the second time in two years.

TOAST TO ALE FEST SUCCESS

Pictures by Phil Medgett.

 HUNDREDS of beer lovers flocked to the annual Crabble Corn Mill ale festival last week.

Drinkers supped a host of real ales and ciders and enjoyed live music at the two day event at the historic site in River.

Fraudsters passed off around £60 in forged tokens at the bars on Friday night but organisers said despite that the festival was a success.

Among the beers on offer was a drop from Cornwall called Doom Bar and a brew from Whitstable called Pearl of Kent.

Organisers thanked volunteers and sponsors for supporting it, and all profits raised will go to the charitable trust.

Above photos showing the festival drinkers 2010.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 16 September, 2010

HELP BACK THE CIDER FESTIVAL.

CRABBLE Corn Mill is still on the lookout for sponsors to support its second annual cider festival which is happening later this year.

The festival Is taking place on October 8-9, and will feature a range of ciders and real ales. Profits go to the charitable trust which runs the historic attraction in River.

For information about supporting the event call general manager Ant Reid on 01304 823292.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 30 September, 2010

DRINKS FESTIVAL

CRABBLE Corn Mill will be the venue for a cider and ale festival at the beginning of October.

Connoisseurs can test a sample of 25 ciders and four real ales at the event on Friday and Saturday, October 8 and 9.

The festival is being held to raise funds towards the running of the historic mill in River.

Anyone who is able to help out on either day can call 01304 823292 or e-mail beerfest@crabblecornmill.org.uk

Acoustic duo Cultured Pearl will play on Friday evening and The Ramblin' Boys will perform on Saturday afternoon.

The headline band on Saturday evening is guitarist Roger Betts.

Entry fees are £2.50 on Friday, doors open 6-11 pm, and £2 on Saturday, open noon-11 pm.

A shuttle bus service will operate between Dover Priory and the mill for the festival. This service from Dover White Cliffs Tours costs £1.70 for a single fare.