Last week saw the return of the Oakwood Real Ale and Music Festival at Rotherham's Oakwood centre, and I had every intention of making a repeat visit after last year's success. Due to planning issues, some people's lack of CAMRA membership (tut) and what-have-you, we decided to head over for a Saturday afternoon session rather than a rather rushed and drunken Friday.

Turned out to be a good idea in the end, although only a trio of ale lovers made it out. The use of festival tickets to get on public transport proved as useful this year as it did last, and we were soon heading up the long (long, long ...) driveway to the top of the festival. Once in, we got our glasses and headed up to the 'Elvis room' at the top of the hill, for a leisurely roll down to the bottom over the course of the afternoon.

What should greet us in this first room, then, but a selection of breweries from our own dear Shalesmoor Shuffle! Specifically, the Crown Brewery and the Sheffield Brewing Company had a wide selection available, as well as Barsnley's Acorn brewery. Well, where better to start than in familiar territory? A pint of the SBC's Five Rivers followed by a new one from Crown, Laid Marion (fnar, eh?)

For the remainder of the afternoon we staggered about the Oakwood centre sampling many different local and regional delights. The Oyster Stout from Wentworth was surprisingly tasty, even if the oyster flavour was detectable, and the Claife Crier from Cumbrian Legendary Ales took the award for most dangerously drinkable, being a 5% stout but disappearing faster than a stout ever should.

The bars closed for an hour at 5pm, presumably to give everyone a chance to clean up for the busier evening session, so we headed next door to $random_wetherspoons_clone and had some moderately bad food with moderately bad beer. Back to the festival then ...

Controversy, comestibles and confusion. The three Cs of the 33rd annual Steel City Beer Festival in my own home town of Sheffield. Controversy because the venue changed to one far from a tram stop! Comestibles because the Bakewell Farmers Markets do a mean pork butty. Confusion because, quite frankly, nobody had a clue what was going on.

On Saturday 14th April, 2007, we (that is, me and Ian) finally got to the first gig of the year since our 'gig-a-month' idea; Mostly Autumn at the Oakwood Centre in Rotherham. I was quite excited about this one, because it's a band that I've been wanting to see live for ages but have never managed to get to a gig.

To add to the fun, I took the car and fetched Vee and Chris, too and we all headed out to the people's republic of Rotherham to the Oakwood centre. The more astute of you may notice that it's the second time I've been there this year, the first time being the Oakwood Real Ale festival. While the journey last time was arduous and scary, and the taxi ride home was confusing, this time I discovered it's actually very easy to get to. Up the parkway to Rotherham Hospital and next left ... Oh well.

Being a Classic Rock Society gig, the crowd were a mixed bunch. Entire families turned up complete with kids, grandparents and matching t-shirts. Compared to the massing crowds of the Corporation, the setting was very sedate. Chairs were available, along with 3 real ales and a complete lack of moshing 14 year olds.

Through a stroke of good fortune, a pair of tickets for the famous Oakwood Real Ale and Music Festival were on offer at the Hillsborough Hotel quiz, so on Thursday February 15th me and Andy set off on an epic quest. Catching the bus to the neighbouring town of Rotherham, we worked our way to what promised to be a fine night of ale and merriment. With more than 200 ales at 11 bars, 5 live acts on stage and a mascot called 'Baa'sil, it was shaping up to be a good night.

Straight after work (on a school night, no less) we headed to Rotherham town centre on the number 69, then spent a few moments wandering aimlessly up and down Rotherham bus station wondering where on earth the number 25 might stop. Fortunately the bus driver was more than prepared for us lost Sheffielders and helpfully told us where we were supposed to be headed. A few minutes more and we arrived at the doors to the festivities.

After getting in with our freebie tickets, we grabbed our programs, glasses and tokens. The glasses were very nice indeed, and were a perfect fit for my inside pocket. Perfect for keeping it out of the way while between beers! After standing in between the buildings for a moment in awe of the sheer scale of the festival, we decided it'd be for the best if we started at the top. After all, it's always nice to roll down the hill later on.