Pocktoberfest 2011 - Beer we go again to music!

New Venue

Word got around and over the years our popularity has grown - the 2010 Pocktoberfest was our most successful yet, raising more than £3,000. But it was also clear that we had become victims of our own success – quite simply we had more people wanting to come in over the weekend than we had space available. And so began the planning of a new era for Pocktoberfest, and it’s thanks to Pocklington School that we have a fantastic new venue, their Sports Centre, for this year.

But of course, it’s not just any old school sports centre. Some 40 years ago it was still Pocklington Railway Station, with dozens of trains rattling through daily. But then the line closed and when the school took over the building, it was converted into a huge multi-purpose sports centre. It remains an architectural gem and thus a fitting venue for our Pocktoberfest.

New Event

While the opening day – Saturday – will be a day for true beer fans, with the opportunity to sample some of the most diverse brews around, we’re very excited that thanks to the efforts of Janet and James from Pocklington Arts Centre some of the most respected musical acts in the UK and indeed the world will be playing in the hall on the Sunday.

More Food

This year's Pocktoberfest we will have a selection of food (including curries, wraps and cakes) which will be available at the Sizzle and Spice outlet. Take a sneak look at their menu by clicking here.  There will also be a comprehensive range of soup and burgers from Pete Ward and his team from Judsons.

The History

We’re proud to say that it’s now 8 years and counting for Pocktoberfest – and we’re looking to forward to this year’s event being the best – and certainly the biggest – so far.

Our ethos has always been, and will remain, the same – to raise as much as we can for local charities by making Pocktoberfest one of the town’s premier events and an absolute ‘must’ on everyone’s social calendar. 

So how did we get to where we are today? It was 2002 when the seeds were sown our very own tribute to the Munich Oktoberfest during a visit by Pete Cowan and his Round Table colleagues to the legendary Bavarian extravaganza.

First thoughts during that ‘fact finding’ trip were to host the event in Pocklington town centre, to the accompaniment of marquees and traditional ‘oompah’ bands. After we’d all sobered up however, it was clear that some careful planning was needed and thus the serious thinking got underway.

First priority was a venue and so it was with the help of our friends at Pocklington Arts Centre that the event was truly born. Ever since that day, Manager Janet Farmer and Assistant Manager James Duffy have been wonderful in playing mine hosts to the Pocktoberfest, letting us fill the Arts Centre with beer and people every year.

And that’s where we’re at. So, from everyone on the Pocktoberfest Committee and Pocklington and Market Weighton Round Table, all that’s left to say for now is please support us and we look forward to welcoming you and your friends to the new-look Pocktoberfest 2011 – Cheers! Prost! Salut! Sláinte! Proost!