IT'LL soon be time to roll out the barrels as the Dunfermline Beer Festival returns for a 15th consecutive year and a Cowdenbeath charity has been a beneficiary.

The Auld Grey town will all hail the ale – and wine, cider and gin – in September with two great nights of entertainment and proceeds going to local good causes.

The organisers, Dunfermline Round Table and Dunfermline Rugby Club, made a number of changes for the better last year, including new bands and an increased gin bar offering, and will stick with the new formula.

Former chairman Craig Smith explained: “We’re repeating last year’s date move into September.

"This seems to fit better with holidays and we missed clashes with sporting events, so this year’s dates to remember are Friday 27 and Saturday September 28."

Preparations for the festival, are well underway with local charities and good causes set to share thousands of pounds.

One of the charities to benefit from money raised at last year’s event was Home Start in Cowdenbeath, who submitted an application for funding to Dunfermline Roundtable for £1,500.

Site manager Susan Capaldi said: “The money we received paid for a play worker to deliver Bookbug programme – a story and rhyme specific programme backed by the Scottish Government – for a year.”

The charity has six sites in Fife but all are run autonomously, with the Cowdenbeath site covering an area from Ballingry to Kelty and Crossgates; helping families who are experiencing difficulties.

Susan explained: “We host group events for parents at our site in Cowdenbeath but we also focus on home visits by volunteers. All staff here are counsellor-trained to better help the families we support.”

Situated on Cowdenbeath High Street, the site boasts offices and a large play area for young children with an abundance of toys, games and books. To the rear is a kitchen where staff can give help and advice on cooking and nutrition from a family angle.

Susan said: “We appreciate the donation from the beer festival money but what we’re short on at the moment are volunteers.

"We’re looking for anyone with parenting experience who’s a good listener with time on their hands to get in touch.

"If you’re a compassionate person who likes to offer support, please get in touch on 01383 510010.”

Craig added: "It's a privilege to be able to raise money for local good causes like Home Start and it’s good to see our donation has been spent wisely and effectively.”

The beer festival opens in the Glen Pavilion on the Friday from 5pm till 1am, Saturday afternoon from noon to 4pm and Saturday night from 7pm until 1am.

Tickets are available from Ticketweb, Little Shop of Heroes, The Caledonian Craft Beer Merchant, Grill 48 and the Dunfermline RFC Clubrooms at McKane Park, priced at £10.