Sheriff raises the bar for historic Gloucester Assize of Ale

Gloucester’s historic Sheriff’s Assize of Ale is once again taking place this year, with organisers describing the current Sheriff as the “best-qualified ever” to oversee the tradition.

The Sheriff’s Assize of Ale dates back to medieval times when the Sheriff was responsible for ensuring the ale on sale in the city was of palatable quality and raises funds for the civic charities – this year the City Farm and The Music Works.

The Sheriff together with an army of followers dressed in medieval clothing tour the pubs in the city’s historic core collecting cash for charity and carrying out a slightly bizarre ritual involving a wooden stool, someone dressed in leather breeches and an egg timer. The Sheriff has an “Ale Conner”, whose job it is to sit on a wooden stool, on which a small amount of ale has been poured, wearing a pair of leather breeches. If after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test. Conversely if the Ale Conner can move freely at the end of the three minutes, it does pass. The tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by former City Council Leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff of Gloucester and has taken place each year since, other than a two-year gap for the pandemic, and has raised over £15,000 for charity. Paul continues to organise the event with Town Crier Alan Myatt, with a group of other local ‘characters’ taking part.

This year’s Sheriff, Councillor Justin Hudson, is the owner of Butler’s Venue Bar in the city’s Eastgate Street and the long-term Chair of Gloucester’s Licensed Victuallers Association – the trade body for licensees in the city.

Paul James said, “We’re delighted to be holding the Assize again and getting such good support from pubs and bars in the historic core of the city.  It’s quite a spectacle and helps bring some colour and hilarity to Gloucester.  As a licensee himself, Justin is the best-qualified Sheriff we’ve ever had to oversee the proceedings.  We’re confident he will be scrupulously fair when he stands in judgement on his fellow licensees.”

To demonstrate fairness and transparency, the Sheriff’s own premises will be subject to the test, in which he will play no part, in the Assize’s first foray into Lower Eastgate Street.  The event takes place over two sessions on the evening of Thursday 12^th October and Saturday 14^th October.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk