Festival pot tribute to legend

Comedy legend Billy Dainty will be the toast of beer buffs at a Black Country winter ales festival.

Hundreds of pint glasses will be emblazoned with a picture of the entertainer, whose family will be among thousands flocking to the 22nd annual Dudley Winter Ales festival next month.

The festival will be held at Dudley Concert Hall where a plaque was unveiled this year in memory of the Dudley-born comic who made the Queen Mother cry with laughter during one of his many Royal Variety Show performances before his death in 1986.

More than 70 different real ales will be on offer at the popular event as the region's breweries show off their finest winter offerings.The event runs from November 22 until 24, when the winner of this year's Best Winter Ale will be announced. Judging will also take place for the Campaign for Real Ale's West Midland's Beer of the Year, which will be announced later this year during the regional presentation at the Barton Arms in Birmingham.

Festival chairman Adrian Hyde said the blue plaque unveiled in honour of Billy Dainty had inspired the choice of this year's theme.

"The plaque was a fitting tribute to one of the borough's most famous sons and we wanted to keep that going," he said.

"It's all about our boy Bill. We have been speaking to some of Billy's family through one of the councillors that knows them and some of them will be coming down for the festival from Surrey.

"It's always a great few days and last year's was more popular than ever," he added. "The message from us is certainly come early, because by 7pm there is normally a queue all the way down the street."

Adrian said real ales would not be the only tipples on offer at the event, with a smaller selection of wine, cider and German beers.

He added a series of entertainers would also feature at the festival, including live jazz and performances.

The fun kicks off at 5.30pm on Thursday, November 22, with activities on Friday and Saturday running from noon until 11pm.

Entry will be free before 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday, with a small charge after that time.