Cider and sausages go down a treat at community festival

About 200 people enjoyed the third annual Portchester Cider and Sausage Festival.

With seven ciders, three perrys, bottled ales and six varieties of sausages from Twells butchers, drinkers and foodies had plenty to enjoy.

Organisers managed to get great support despite competing with Oktoberfest in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square – although numbers were down on last year.

Steve Dismore, 53, of Portchester, was with friend Colin Denyer, 55, of Fareham.

‘We’ve been coming for the last couple of years,’ Steve said. ‘We also do the beer festival here earlier in the year so we get to quite a few of the beer festivals – it’s very good.’

He added having the festival practically on his doorstep was great.

‘We don’t have to worry about transport, we can just walk up. We try to go to something close by,’ he said.

All of the succulent sausages were provided by Twells Tradition butchers, based in West Street, Portchester.

Rowena Leonard, 39, of Fareham, and Matt Kirkwood, 51, were with their neighbours Will Rice, 46, and Kerry Rice, 43.

‘We thought it would be a really good afternoon,’ Rowena said.‘We saw it on Facebook and thought we’d come with our neighbours.’

Musical entertainment was provided by ukulele band, Plucking Misfits.

Phil Kirkham, 31, of Portchester, said: ‘We had nothing else to do – and we’re supporting the local community. It’s really good to have something local.’

His pal Joe Payne, 33, added: ‘There’s a good mix of ages. It’s like a family get-together but I don’t know them yet.’

Organiser Adrian Walter added the festival was only possible thanks to volunteers.