Photos of revelers drinking amid gravestones prompts apology from beer festival organizers

Photos of revelers slurping back beverages by gravestones during a beer festival fund-raiser for a centuries-old church in England has triggered an apology from event organizers.

St. Mary’s Norton Beer Festival, which ran for four days before wrapping Sunday night, was organized by St. Mary’s church in conjunction with the Three Brothers Brewing Company to raise money for the house of worship, built around 1020. It marked the first time the festival was put on since the coronavirus pandemic limited group outings and forced people indoors.

“Over the last few days our doors were open once again to members of our local community, young and old, who came to enjoy our Beer Festival, support local business and spend time with friends old and new,” the Rev. Martin Anderson said in a statement to local media outlets.

“Unfortunately, photographs shared on social media have created considerable negativity, and I am deeply sorry for that. I am saddened that this event, which we’d hoped would bring joy and positivity in our community, has caused so much upset, and apologize to everyone who has expressed their concern.”

The images in question show attendees reveling among the cemetery, some of them circling up around gravestones, which were then used as makeshift tables.

In the days leading up to the event, organizers in a series of Facebook posts promised more than 40 types of beer, 12 varieties of cider, 10 artisan spirits, wines and prosecco. Other attractions like local street food, live music and a charity pub quiz were also available.

Three Brothers Brewing Company co-founder David Dodd, in a statement shared online, the only intention behind the event was to “focus on great beer and a sense of welcome and community that has just been restricted for so long from people’s lives.” He noted that the festival is split between the carpark with a mobile bar, food from local suppliers and toilets and the main festival in the church,” with the graveyard in between.

“At no point we’re chairs put around grave stones by staff and it was certainly not recommended for people to sit on them. For future events there will be signage and taping off sections to make this clearer,” Dodd wrote.

“We will also have even more chairs available outside to give people an alternative.”