How Beer Drinking Helps Men’s Health

For over 15 years, people have flocked to a village just outside Reading in early June for a weekend of beer, food and music … even in the pouring rain. The annual Twyford Beer Festival is now a staple of the calendar, attracting thousands and is soon to boast an Oktoborfest.

The bar at each event is full of local, interesting, different and quirky brews, with ciders, perries, Pimm’s and other drinks also on tap – more than 140 different items. Everything has been served by volunteers who gave up their time to ensure that each event ran smoothly. 

The formula has been so successful that the team will be helping out at Twyford Summer Fete in mid-August, and Wokingham Festival over the August bank holiday weekend, while an Oktoberfest-style event is to be held for the first time this autumn in Twyford.

Every event has raised thousands for the charity Orchid, which specialises in supporting men with penile, testicular, or prostate cancers. These are quiet killers with nearly 60,000 men diagnosed with one of these cancers in the UK each year.

Ian settled on supporting Orchid after hearing someone speak about their treatment for prostate cancer and the support that the charity had given them.

His first event, held in Twyford’s Scout Hut in 2010, was a hit and raised £2,000. The event has grown in popularity ever since, and now has made Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground its home, just a short walk from Twyford’s railway station with its Elizabeth Line connections. 

The money donated by the Twyford Beer Festival team helps fund Orchid’s counselling service, information hub, and awareness-generating activities. Last month, the team went to Orchid’s offices in Farringdon to hand over a cheque for £1,500 – the profit from this year’s event. It might be smaller than usual, but three days of heavy and persistent rain meant attendance was down. 
For organiser Ian Wisdom, he is delighted that a donation was still possible as there are more events planned over the rest of the year. He hopes that the total will be closer to £10,000 by the end of the year.

“We have been supporting  Orchid for over 15 years. Collectively, over the years, we have raised more than £150,000,” he says of his keenness to keep adding to the charity’s coffers. 

No wonder he was awarded Twyford Parish Council’s Citizen of the Year honour in 2023. 

He is quick to thank the team who help him out and those who come along to enjoy the festivals: they turn out, buy and drink beer, have a good time and raise funds too. 

“It’s something we’ve worked hard to achieve, and that vibe happens at Twyford. People are walking round with a lovely smile on their face. The same thing happens in Wokingham Festival. People are enjoying being there and helping us raise a few pounds for charity.”

This year’s Twyford Beer Festival donation will be supplemented by money the volunteers raise throughout the year, including the humorous Willy Waddles, as witnessed by visitors to Marvellous Festival in Dinton Pastures last month. It was an opportunity for selfies, videos, and photos from attendees of the tribute band festival as they spotted a man in a comedy inflatable suit. 

“My lovely friend Colin was walking around Marvellous in a penis suit,” Ian explained. “It’s marvellous, people seemed to be very receptive, and it gave us an opportunity to talk about Orchid and its work.”

Wokingham Festival, which runs from Saturday, 29 August to Monday, 31 August, will be a similar opportunity: a real ale bar and occasional waddles through the Cantley Park arena.

“We will be there providing the full-on bar and hopefully the Willy Walkers will be out there shaking a can or two, while the rest of the festival is enjoying some lovely music. We try to put on different ales that you wouldn’t get in your local pub – stuff that tastes nice as well; it’s similar to Twyford Beer Festival.” 

Earlier this summer, Ian received the Gerry Aggett award from Wokingham Lions. This is awarded to a person who has provided outstanding service to the community. In addition to the honour, he received a £2,500 donation, which goes straight to Orchid. 

“I was completely gobsmacked,” he said. “I was told they wanted to see me at an event and then they surprised me with a lovely cheque for the charity of my choice, which obviously had to be Orchid. 

“It was amazing – absolutely amazing. I’m so very pleased that I have so many good friends around me that rally round to help raise money for the Orchid Male Cancer Charity.”
What is happening at Wokingham Festival? 

Wokingham Festival runs from 11am on Saturday, 29 August through to 8pm on Monday, 31 August. 

There are two stages featuring a mix of local, national, and international artists performing original music, along with tribute and cover artists, with a special focus on grassroots artists. 
Headlining on Saturday night are the Country Chicks UK, who perform classic and contemporary Country hits with their own twist.

On Sunday, the headliners will be The Ogretones, the UK’s biggest musical tribute to the Shrek soundtrack. The nine-piece band will feature hits by Led Zeppelin, Buzzcocks, Wolfmother, Heart, The Monkees, The Proclaimers, and Bonnie Tyler, among others.

The festival’s finale on Monday night comes from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. If the name is familiar, he had a hit with Fire back in 1968. Known for his flamboyant theatrical performances, this is a chance to see one of the most influential artists of the prog rock scene. 
In addition to the bar, street food stalls will be available offering everything from ice cream and light refreshments to burgers, pizzas and Tex-Mex specials. 

The event is held at Cantley Event Field with limited parking available. It is a walk of around 20 minutes from the town centre or Wokingham railway station. 

When is Twyford Octoberfest taking place? 

Twyford Octoberfest will take place on Friday, 9 October, and Saturday, 10 October.
The venue is the Twyford District Youth and Community Centre, off Loddon Hall Road, RG10 9JA. Limited parking is available. 

More details will be made available closer to the event. 

How do I find out more about Orchid or make a donation? 

Orchid’s website is https://orchid-cancer.org.uk/ 

It runs a free helpline for anyone who has been affected by testicular, penile or prostate cancer. 
Open on Wednesdays from 9am to 5.30pm, nurses are available to offer information and support. Its number is 0808 802 0010. 

The charity also offers an email service: [email protected]