Fans of the music of Billy Joel were treated to a welcome bonus when they turned up for a tribute show at Stevenage’s Gordon Craig Theatre – members of the North Herts branch of Camra were handing out free beer.

Supporters of the real ale group were spreading the word about next year’s inaugural winter beer and cider festival and sporty types using the leisure centre were also given the chance to sample Herts and Cambs ales and chat about what’s in store for the leisure centre over the three day event, which will run from Thursday, February 4 to Saturday, February 6.

Organisers promise more than 80 real ales and ciders from all over the country and abroad at the festival, which will run along the same lines as the successful Hitchin summer festival, which is also backed by the Comet.