Well, the Alton Bottle Show went to plan, except that I did not pick up any Berkshire ginger beers that I need.  I did however see the first ever complete recorded example of the Empson of Newbury ginger beer which Greg Huntley recently acquired for his collection.  It's a cork top for all those that were wondering.  Go to the "Pictures of GB's I don't have" page for a nice picture of it !!