The Maids Head Hotel is supporting the restoration of Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden’s 19th century thatched boathouse, during the Norwich City of Ale festival 2014.

The hotel will be donating 5p to the boathouse project, for every pint of Maids Head Ale, Woodforde’s Wherry and Flagondry sold at the Maids Head Bar, from 22 May to 1 June.

Just over £3,000 has been donated since the Fairhaven public appeal to raise £15000, by sponsoring sheafs of sedge or reed, was launched at the end of April to help complete the restoration of one of the last remaining traditional wet boathouses on the Broads. It costs £7 to sponsor a sheaf of reed, £10 for a sheaf of sedge and  £1.75 for a brotch pin, which secures the thatch.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “Many of our guests visit the Broads and we are pleased to be involved with the preservation of an important aspect of the area’s history. We are looking forward to a busy City of Ale festival and hope to sponsor several sheafs of reed.”

Louise Rout, Manager Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden said: “Thank you very much to Christine Malcolm and the Maids Head team for their support and encouragement. I hope the City of Ale festival goes well and that there are lots of visitors to the Maids Head Bar.”

The Maids Head is staging a free City of Ale event on the evening of Tuesday 27 May with Humpty Dumpty Brewery, who will be running a tutored ale tasting session from 7.30pm to 9pm, featuring Little Sharpie, Humpty Dumpty Ale, Broadland Sunrise and Red Mill. Booking is essential, t. 01603 272008 or email [email protected].

For more information about the Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk  and Norwich City of Ale see www.cityofale.org.uk.

Donations to the Fairhaven boathouse restoration project can be made online at www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/fairhaven or in person at Fairhaven Garden, School Road, South Walsham NR13 6DZ, t. 01603 270449, [email protected], www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.

Photo: Pictured in the Maids Head Bar, Louise Rout, Manager Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, Alex Youngman Assistant Restaurant Manager and Christine Malcolm, General Manager the Maids Head Hotel.