Very odd Gloucester pub tradition once again raises valuable money for charity

A Gloucester tradition that sees ale poured on a wooden stool and a man in leather trousers sit on it to test the quality of ale has once again raised important funds for three chosen charities. Known as the Sheriff's Assize of Ale it sees pubs in the city centre and Docks put through their paces to test the drinking quality of the beer.

The city’s Sheriff, together with an army of followers dressed in medieval clothing, tour the pubs collecting cash for charity but also with an "Ale Conner". The Conner dresses in leather breeches and sits on a wooden stool onto which a small amount of ale has been poured, a volunteer does a little inspection to hopefully 'find' no magnets or contrivances and if after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test.

But if the Ale Conner can move freely at the end of that time, the ale's OK to drink. Once again in 2024 the event was a barrel of laughs after the tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by former Gloucester City Council leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff.

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Mr James continues to organise the event with Town Crier Alan Myatt, with a group of other ‘characters’ taking part including this year's City Sheriff Cllr Pam Tracey. Speaking at Gloucester City Council (Thursday November 21), Cllr Tracey announced that the total amount of money raised was £858.94 for charities Alzheimer's Society, Sue Ryder Leckhampton and Teckels Animal Sanctuary.

Expressing that the role of Sheriff is the oldest in the land and Gloucester is one of very few places in the country to have a Sheriff, Cllr Tracey said the money raised for the three charities was "a good diversity of fundraising. I want to say thank you to those who took part and took part in the game. This city was full of ale houses and this event brings to light the importance of Sheriffs."