Lucy Wood reports…
Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers have raised a glass to celebrate a successful fundraising partnership with a local brewery.
MONTY’S Brewery, based in Montgomery, has sold more than 20,000 pints of its Navigation Pale Ale, and each pint has resulted in a donation towards the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.
The 4.0% strength light bitter was launched in April last year and promoted by society volunteers who visited waterside pubs around the Shropshire network to explain the idea to publicans.
Now, the beer is sold in casks and bottles not only by distributors in Wales, Lancashire and the Midlands, but also in selected off-licences and online directly from the brewery.
Yearly donations are anticipated to be between £1200 and £1500, which the society will use in applications to grant-giving bodies for what is called matched funding; societies applying for grants are expected to raise a given amount themselves, normally 10%.
Dave Carter, the chairman of Shropshire Union Canal Society, said: “Working with local companies is a win–win situation. We both raise funds while helping economic growth – and the volunteers love the beer as an extra bonus.”
Russ Honeyman, commercial director of Monty’s Brewery, added: “Working with enthusiastic volunteers enhances our business. They promote the beer and give us regular communication on how the money is spent. Watching the progress made on the canal and being part of a great project is a real boost.”
