YORK beer-lover Jim Thompson is swapping bar stool for bicycle saddle.

Jim, chairman of the city branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) is set to cycle from York to Scarborough to raise funds for a cause close to his family's heart.

His brother Bob is chairman of the Oak Tree Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid to the poor, sick and needy children of Romania from its base in Huddersfield.

On previous visits, volunteers have taken toys, clothes and school equipment to some of the most deprived parts of Europe.

The Oak Tree Foundation has more humanitarian aid ready packed in boxes for Romanian children and their families. All they need is £2,000 to get it there.

"To help with this effort a few of my beer fanatical friends and myself have decided to cycle from the Maltings in York to Indigo Alley in Scarborough, stopping overnight at Cropton Brewery," explained Jim.

"Anyone who knows me will know I have a lot of training to do before then!"

He hopes to get the rest of his body as fit as his drinking arm in time for the trip in September.

But the search for sponsorship starts now. If you can help, give Jim a ring on 07745 724263. Check out www.icoaktree.co.uk for information on the charity.

HERE are some more details about this year's York Beer Festival which starts on Thursday.

It is, as you will recall, a re-enactment of the War Of The Roses using the medium of beer.

That means 30 stinking, fetid Lancastrian ales will take on 30 delicious, life-enhancing Yorkshire brews in a battle to the death. Which Yorkshire will win.

Lots of top-notch breweries are set to be represented (although the beer list is provisional and subject to change).

Look out for Brown Cow's How Now (ABV 4.5 per cent) and a festival special, Towton (ABV TBC).

For those wishing to toast St Patrick's Day in something other than Guinness try Scoresby Stout (4.2 per cent) from Cropton. And York Brewery favourites Centurion's Ghost (5.4 per cent) and Guzzler (3.6) should trounce the Lancashire opposition.

Festival tickets priced £2 are on sale at the Maltings, Tanners Moat; the Blue Bell, Fossgate and the York Beer and Wine Shop, Sandringham Street.

BAR Talk was baffled to read of plans by the British Beer and Pub Association to launch small and delicate beer glasses for the ladies.

This is an attempt to tempt more women to try the delicious delights of real ale, apparently.

Anything that alerts more people to the delights of our national drink is fine by Bar Talk.

Our confusion stems from the fact that every woman we know drinks pints...

Updated: 08:36 Saturday, March 12, 2005