WHEN the weather is good, the Bradshaw cricket ground is one of the most delightful spots in Bolton.

The hard work of countless individuals over the years has kept it that way and I look forward to watching some cricket down there this summer.

My visit last weekend, though, was to support a new venture — the first annual beer festival.

It lasted over three days and it was evident that club members had pulled together to make it a terrific success.

Proceeds will be split between refurbishment work at the club and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Having attended similar events in the past, I could not help noticing an absence of serious CAMRA types stroking their beards and making pencil marks in their programmes.

When I was there on the Saturday night there was a good mix of ages, including young blokes who might just have been seeing the real ale light after a previous dalliance with lager.

There was an uplifting sense of community and it did my heart good to see it.