Real Ales and Jazz Festival kicks off today Today is the first day of the Real Ales and Jazz Festival which this year marks its 25th anniversary. It is a three day festival of real ale, cider, wine and food set against a backdrop of jazz, swing and Dixie music. The festival fundraises for the Reading Hockey Club which this year has nine representatives for Great Britain in the London 2012 Olympic Games. It is housed under a large marquee so, unlike plenty of other festivals this year, won't be hampered by bad weather. Gates open tonight at 7pm. www.readinghockeyclub.org; raaj.info