Kate and friends call in at the Vic
Hollywood star Kate Beckinsale and a glittering array of A-listers completed a Nottinghamshire day of celebration of the life of her father, Richard, with a private party and lunch at Beeston’s Victoria Hotel.
The meal, washed down with pints of ‘Richard Beckinsale’, the current Castle Rock Nottinghamian Celebration Ale, followed a morning in Chilwell where Kate and her mother, actress Judy Loe, unveiled a blue plaque outside College House Junior School which Richard attended in the 1950s.
(l-r) Castle Rock's Charlie Blomeley, Kate Beckinsale, Castle Rock’s md Colin Wilde, Judy Loe and head brewer, Adrian Redgrove
“I’m not really a real ale drinker,” admitted Kate. “Sadly, we can’t really get in the United States. But this is very nice, in fact, it’s lovely.”
Michael Sheen, who has played Brian Clough and Tony Blair with recent roles including Aro in the Twilight saga tried the ale with David Walliams, and Kate’s husband, Hollywood film maker, Len Wiseman.
During their Vic visit, Castle Rock’s Charlie Blomeley and managing director Colin Wilde presented Kate and her mother with a pair of framed commemorative plaques showing Castle Rock Brewery’s remembrance of Richard and details of ‘his’ celebration ale.
The mementos of the day were particularly appreciated by Judy Loe. “As we’re approaching Kate’s significant birthday, I decided along with her husband, to create a book called ‘Funny Girl’ – she really is a chip off the old block when it comes to comedy.
“Note how the name is really Beckin’s Ale – rich and fruity like Richard and Kate,” said Judy.
Richard Beckinsale, the actor, was born in Nottingham in 1947. He became a household favourite for ‘Porridge’ and ‘Rising Damp’ before his life was cut short after a heart attack in 1979. ‘Richard Beckinsale’, the ale, is Castle Rock Brewery’s 12th in a series celebrating famous sons and daughters of the city and county.
