All h-ale the Sheriff

A BIZARRE city tradition is set to take place today.

The Sheriff's Assize of Ale is being held across Gloucester.

The event dates back to medieval times when the Sheriff was responsible for ensuring that the ale on sale in the city was of palatable quality.

This tradition was reintroduced in 2003 by Gloucester City Council leader Paul James during his year as Sheriff of Gloucester.

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The Sheriff has an Ale Connor, 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 trousers. If after three minutes the trousers stick to the stool, the ale does not pass the test. But if the Ale Connor can move freely at the end of the three minutes, it does pass.

The Sheriff of Gloucester (councillor Phil McLellan), Ale Connor (Jim Higgs) and Serjeant-at-Arms (Alan Myatt) are accompanied by a small group of people, dressed in medieval costume, who collect money for the civic charities, Carers Gloucestershire and The Family Haven.

If the beer on sale at an establishment passes the test, they will be presented with a certificate signed by the Sheriff.