Dear CAMRA Member

Colchester CAMRA would like to invite you to help us celebrate the 31st Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival, taking place between Tuesday 31st May and Saturday 4th June 2016, at Colchester Arts Centre.

Only volunteers who have completed and returned the form will be able to work, we won’t be accepting any “walk ups”. We will endeavour to satisfy your preferred sessions and jobs, however it might not always be possible to do this for all sessions. All sessions will be filled on a First Come First Served basis, so if you would like to work a particular session, get your form in quickly!  We will send a confirmation e-mail of the sessions you will work, so please ensure to include your e-mail address.

When completing the form please be sensible with the timings you wish to work, it can be very tiring, especially during busy periods.

Please complete and return the form to the Staffing Officer (in person) or e-mail: staffing@colchestercamra.org.uk by Monday 20th May 2016.
 
NAME: __________________________________________  CAMRA Mem No: ___________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE: ____________________________ (Home), _______________________________ (Mobile)

E-Mail: _________________________________________________________________________

Have you worked at a CAMRA Beer Festival Before?     Yes / No

Is there any job you would prefer to do?    Door:  Yes / No   Bar:  Yes / No   Cider:  Yes / No   Belgium:  Yes / No

Tick sessions you wish to work	Morning from	12 noon - 1pm	1pm - 2pm	2pm - 3pm	3pm - 4pm	4pm - 5pm	5pm - 6pm	6pm - 7pm	7pm - 8pm	8pm - 9pm	9pm - 10pm	10pm - 11pm	11pm - midnight	
														
Mon 30th May     Set up from 9am	9am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Mon 30th May Members Night	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Tues 31st  May  Open noon - 11 pm	10.30am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Wed 1st Jun Open noon - 11 pm	10.30am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Thus 2nd Jun Open noon - 11 pm	10.30am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Fri 3rd Jun     Open noon - 11 pm	10.30am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Sat 4th Jun   Open noon - 11 pm	10.30am	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
														
Sun 5th Jun Knock down	9am - 4pm	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

Important Note:  By completing and signing this form you have agreed that you have read the Staff Information Sheet, Beer Festival Safety Policy and the Health and Safety Volunteers Handbook and will comply with the terms and conditions contained in them.  Copies of which can be obtained from the Staffing Desk and the Beer Festival Organiser.

Signed: _________________________________________

Many Thanks for your help,
Beer Festival Committee.

STAFF INFORMATION – PLEASE READ

Thank you for volunteering to help at the 31st  Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival. When you arrive to work, you must report to the Staffing Desk and YOU MUST SIGN IN (you are not covered by the insurance if you do not sign in), the Staffing Manager will then allocate you a position to work. Please read the Health and Safety Volunteers Handbook and the Beer Festival Safety Policy and acquaint yourself with the layout of the hall and the fire exits. This is basically all common-sense stuff, but very important.

If you can help with the setting up and knocking down phases on the Monday and/or Sunday, then the wearing of Safety footwear and gloves is advisable (we will try and provide safety footwear and gloves to those that don’t have any). Only persons wearing safety shoes and gloves will be allowed to move casks or stillage.

It is important that you do not undertake any form of work for which you may be unsuited by means of any injury or medical condition.  By completing the staffing form you are deemed to have agreed with this. All staff (once signed in) working at the festival (CAMRA members and non-members) are covered by our Insurance Policy, details of which can be obtained from the Festival Organiser if required.

To show our appreciation for your assistance, beer is free to staff. Discounts will also be available for Belgium Beers, Craft Beers and food. Please note, however, that discounts apply ONLY to volunteers, whilst working, and NOT to their friends, families, pets etc.! Soft drinks and coffee are free to staff and customers. 

IMPORTANT: It is a condition of our insurance cover that organisers do not allow anyone who they consider incapable of working safely to work in any capacity.  By all means take advantage of the free beer, but please DON’T OVERDO IT!  If you are asked to take a break or cease working altogether, please comply with good grace.

As a thank you to volunteers who help with the knockdown on the Sunday, there will be a dinner provided free once we have finished at a local pub. 

Please remember that we are here to promote real ale and the aims of CAMRA. To ensure that no one gets short measures - all our glasses are oversized, with a clear half-pint mark. A measure should be drawn so that the liquid just reaches the line, with the head as a bonus, not part of the pint. 

If anyone wants to sample a drink before buying, pour a half-inch or so into their glass, but watch out for anyone who thinks they can drink their way through the festival for free in this fashion!

If anyone complains about beer quality, just change it - but again be aware of the ‘clever’ types who only complain after they’ve drunk most of it! In general, though, the customer is always right, even if they’re wrong!

If anyone wants to drink out of their own glass or tankard which you suspect holds much more than a pint, use a spare measured glass (not the one you’re drinking from!) and pour it into theirs. 

Do not serve alcohol to the following:

1)	Anyone who you believe to be, under 18 years of age
2)	Anyone who in your opinion is already incapacitated through drink or drugs 
3)	Anyone acting in an aggressive or violent manner. 

If in any doubt ask for the Duty Bar Manager or the Festival Organiser.

Committee members will regularly empty cash tills. It shouldn’t need saying, but obviously we are all relying on everyone’s honesty to make this a successful festival.

Any questions, if a barrel needs changing/tilting, or if you simply want a break, please speak to the Duty Manager in the area you are working.

Finally, many thanks again for your assistance - and don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

Martin Ibberson, Beer Festival Organiser