NOTTS OFFA  &  THE WORKERS BEER COMPANY

THE WORKERS BEER COMPANY is managed by a voluntary management committee and is wholly owned by Battersea and Wandsworth Trade Union Council. WBC is a fundraising body for the Labour and Trade Union Movement which gives support to the campaigning and solidarity of grass roots organisations such as Notts OFFA and their campaigns, raising money by running beer tents and bars at music festivals and other events, as well as organising and promoting major music festivals.

Thousands of volunteers, representing their own organisations, come to the festivals from all over the country to work and raise money for their own campaigns through WBC.  The majority of these are well disciplined, hardworking and co-operative.  It should be stressed that the quality of the servers carries both the reputation of of both WBC and the organisations working for it, so it is crucial to send the right people - people with an understanding and appreciation of what WBC, as well as the Labour and Trade Union Movement stands for. (It is expected that volunteer servers are members of their appropriate trade union.)

Although our prime purpose in attending these events is to raise money for Notts OFFA, we still manage to have fun.  Everyone who has represented Notts OFFA has thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the events we have attended. At those festivals (e.g. Glastonbury, Reading) where it is necessary to camp overnight, an enclosed village is set aside for WBC workers. This is equipped with flush toilets (with toilet rolls!!!), showers (with hot water!!!), good, reasonably priced food (at Janet's Cafe) and a subsidised bar (beer £1 a pint !!!!) which is open to the small hours (for those who can last the course).
 

After working a shift (usually 5 or 6 hours), each server receives two free alcoholic drinks (unlimited soft drinks are available
on a shift) and for each working day, a free meal voucher redeemable in Janet's Cafe.  Notts OFFA receives £5.25 per worker/hour. After volunteer expenses have been met, the remainder goes to Mansfield Unemployed Workers Centre.

We would like to thank the Workers Beer Company for again letting Notts OFFA represent their organisation throughout the 1999 festival season.  From Homelands in May to Homelands in Scotland in September. all our workers have enjoyed the occasions immensely and are already looking forward to the 2000 season of events.  After volunteers expenses were met, over £2500 has been raised for Notts OFFA - another sucessful fundraising campaign for the fundraising body of Mansfield Unemployed Workers Centre.  We hope that we will continue to get the same commitment and enthusiasm that has helped establish our organisation within the WBC since we began our association with them in 1996.