Jubilee beer festival celebrates memory of former chairman

Toftwood Social Club in Dereham is hosting its first-ever beer festival in memory of Calvin Beckett.

The hall has been decked out with Union flags and bunting, and visitors have their choice of 20 ales and beers. Among the bands playing were tribute act, the ABC Blues Brothers, on Saturday evening.

From left: Sandra Eglington, Ray Head, Claire Pashova, Rod Blackwell, Paul Rolfe, Pam Morris, Dave Dickenson, Kerry Hardy and Neil Hardy working hard at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Mr Beckett, the social club's former chairman, died in March 2020 when his lorry was involved in a collision at Little Fransham, between Dereham and Swaffham.

Neil Hardy, his successor as chairman, said: "He would have been over the moon to see this happening, to see it finally coming to fruition."

The four-day festival started on Thursday with a mobile disco, and it featured the Flashdance 80s Band on Friday. The band Step Back also performed on Saturday, with the Soul Traders taking to the stage on Sunday.

The festival's final day runs from midday until 11pm.

George Webster and Michelle Holbrook enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Sandra Eglington, organiser, and Neil Hardy, chairman and organiser, at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Harry Ward, Tia Church and Ted Davison from Harry's Soul Train Grill serving food at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Paul and Sharon Gardner enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Claire Pashova serving drinks at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Bob Didwell and Carol Goodboy enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

People enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Elizabeth and Richard Spencer, Shaun Sayer and John Symonds enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Sandra Eglington, organiser, and Neil Hardy, chairman and organiser, at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Sandra Eglington, organiser, and Neil Hardy, chairman and organiser, at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Dawn and Michael Protheroe and Alan Davis enjoying Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Abc Blues Brothers performing at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)

Abc Blues Brothers performing at Toftwood Social Club beer festival (Image: Archant 2022)