rhythm and booze
Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011 & 2014 CAMRA Gold award 2013 & 2016
Live Satellite Sports Live Entertainment Happy Hour Mon - Fri 5-7pm
September Sat 1st - Cuttin’ Loose
October Fri 5th - Desperate Measures
Fri 7th - Carpark Rendezvous
Sat 6th - The Numbers
Sat 8th - Hooker
Fri 12th - Blackstar Revolution
Sat 15th - Children of the Revolution
Fri 19th - Velocity
Fri 21st - Loose Rocket
Sat 20th - The Chili’s
Sat 22nd - Brotherhoods Roundabout
Fri 26th - High Rollers
Fri 28th - The Guards
Sat 27th - Overdubs
Sat 29th - Last Minute Brigade
the rhythm section Dyke Scarecrow Festival on 7-9 September promises to be
festival. Music comes from Dean will see perfomances by Tabi Gervis (12pm), Bourne to Dance
from 7pm until late, Pennyless
Morai
Cosmo Calling Cosmo Calling
Photograph and text by David Brown
The Cock Inn in Werrington reopened on 9 August after a period of closure. Owner Star Pubs (Heineken) has spent £280,000 transforming the once run down pub into a comfortable pub/restaurant, which will now be run by Johnny Parr, partner Sabrina Iredale and new business associate Damo Wallace. The food theme is a ‘shared dining experience’ with Tapas and sharing platters, served lunchtimes and evenings. A range of cocktails has been introduced and the beer range consists of national brands – London Pride, Doom Bar and Directors available initially at prices from do the screens for live sport, and live entertainment is planned. Sister pub, the Mason’s Arms in Bourne has also received an external makeover. The Halcyon in Peterborough’s Atherstone Avenue closed temporarily in August for a massive The Cock Inn, Werrington
Aubrey Johnson (right) of the Blue Bell, Belmesthorpe.
refurbishment. Due to reopen in early September, the pub will also continue to focus on TV sport with multiple screens. Changes include a new bar, improvements to the sound systems and extension of the outdoor seating area. Andy Young and Sue Buddle, licensees of the Woodman in Thorpe
Wood, Peterborough have retired after 23 years behind the bar. The attractive Wortley Almshouses in Westgate, Peterborough is currently closed while owner Samuel Smith’s look for new managers. The 2018 Rutland Camra beer festival, held in Oakham at the end of June was the venue for a Pub of the Season award presentation to Aubrey Johnson of the Blue Bell, Belmesthorpe. The event included an Ale Trail around the town taking in the Grainstore Brewery, Captain Noel Newton, Wheatsheaf and Lord Nelson. The Millstone at Barnack hosts a Charity ball on 8 September 8 with proceeds going to the Heart Foundation and Cancer Research. Due to retirement, the tenancy of the Railway in Ramsey, so named as it once served the now closed Ramsey North station, is available through www.
Winner – Stamford Mercury ‘Best Bar 2014’ Barholm, Stamford, Lincs PE9 4RA • 01778 560238
Open from 4pm week days, 1pm Saturday and 12pm Sundays cooked in an
authentic wo
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OPEN FROM 12 NOON MON-THURS (11AM FRI-SUN) UNTIL LATE AT WEEKENDS
We pride ourselves on our teams: Football (home of Stamford ‘Bels’); Rugby (home of Stamford College Old Boys); Darts; Pool; Dominoes; Pushpenny; Crib; Outdoor Skittles - New players always welcome Everards Cask Ales from £3.10, Stella Artois £4 (6-10pm)
(Contin taken possession of the former JH Wand shop in North Street,
opening. opened Rose & Crown has been renamed Watergate Yard owner of the El Toro tapas bar
The Towngate Inn, Market Deeping
Carpenters Arms in Boston has reopened with new tenants after refurbishment. as Prohibition. Despite a freak thunderstorm ripping through the Eight Sail Brewery beer
Christmas. Further to our report Crown & Anchor featuring a restaurant area and
The Old Coach House Motel at
near future. Pubs no more Decoy pub at
been transformed into a gin and Juniper Tap gins and whiskies. Lamb Chequers
& Flag
the Tulip Queen after the
Towngate Inn, Market Deeping
diner is expected to open during Lincolnshire Poacher in the town appeared
former Robin Hood and
Duke of Wellington
Thorold Arms at Marston, near Grantham hosted a hog roast in
The Decoy, Milking Nook
Chris Shilling
Queen’s Hotel Gloucester Place Swansea SA1 1TY 01792 521531 facebook.com/Queens HotelSwanseaMarina Evocative of the gothic horrors of the early Tom Baker era, 2005’s The Unquiet Dead saw the Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) creatures who were taking over the bodies of the dead. Set in Cardiff in 1869, the Swansea, in the city’s Maritime Quarter not far from the National Waterfront Museum and the Dylan Thomas Centre.
Once a notorious brothel, the Queens Hotel is said to have been one of Thomas’s locals when he worked at the South Wales Evening Post; The link with Thomas continues to this day with singer and BBC Radio 6
Music presenter Cerys Matthews known to follow in her literary hero’s footsteps by popping in for a pint of Guinness whenever she’s in the area. For many years, customers were greeted by the site of a
nature of the regulars and bar to the place. A community focussed local, landlord Gary Owen helps organise the Annual Charity at Swansea Marina at the start of May and raises money for the The pub has a reasonably priced lunchtime menu, which can feature anything from sausage and mash to pan fried sea bass, and hosts live music on Saturdays as well as special events as part of the Swansea International Jazz Festival free stuffed bear by the entrance, however the decoration is a little more ordinary these days, with framed photographs of local scenes and characters including
darts room surround a centre
The latter, priced £3.50 a pint, lifeboat crews. An open plan Swansea Camra’s Pub of the Year
15 venues in June. The furthest I’ve been so far for this column but with it being such a cosy, friendly and unpretentious place, it’s } certainly a pub I wouldn’t mind visiting again.
Orwell and Good
Take a walk around London, especially the East End, and it won’t be long before you come across a pub bearing the legend: “Truman, Hanbury & Buxton & Co Ltd”. It’s not surprising really, considering that Truman’s built close to 1,000 pubs across the country during its 300+ year
history. The pubs, like Truman’s former Black Eagle Brewery in Brick Lane – which was closed in 1989 – were acquired in 1971 by new owners Grand Metropolitan and later sold off. However, the revived Truman’s Brewery, which has been brewing at The Eyrie in Hackney Wick since 2013,
has re-entered the pub game, taking over the Newman Arms in Once the haunt of authors Dylan Thomas and George Orwell, it is said that Orwell stopped for a drink here prior Civil War and that the pub Nineteen Eighty-Four. In fact, the Prole’s Parlour is one of two snugs introduced by the pub’s new owner. Truman’s cask beers – including Runner Best Bitter and Lazarus Very Pale Ale – as well as several keg lines serving the likes of Truman’s Pale Ale and Bow Bells Citrus Pale Ale. There’s also a selection of quality English wines on offer, alongside gins sourced from independent London distilleries. There’s a selection of bar
The George Orwell inspired Prole’s Parlour and, inset, the Pie Room.
snacks including hot sausage rolls and a Cured Meat Board, as well as homemade pies – a nod to the last owner but one, Tracey Bird, whose menu, according to The Guardian, gave the Newman Arms the reputation The upstairs, wooden panelled pie room, which seats 24 and is available for private hire, has been retained and is the perfect place for catching up with friends
Having had a pie and one and a half bagels (for research
in a London pub, which seals your choice of beer while you
for dessert, which is a shame as there was Sticky Toffee Pudding, Bread and Butter Pudding, and
drinkable beer but is also easy
Having drank the wonderfully hoppy Lazurus during my visit, could take some of it – and any of the beers on tap – away in a to the Crowler can seamer,
Truman’s Brewery boss James Morgan – who was educated at The King’s School, Peterborough – was there having such a
within 48 hours of canning but with a range of beers so moreish, that doesn’t see to be much of a The Newman Arms, 23 Rathbone Street, London W1T 1NG (020 7436 9777, thenewmanarms.co.uk)
Served with mashed potato, peas and gravy, there are three types of pie available – Chicken and Leek, Peppered Mushroom and Stilton, and Steak and Truman’s Runner Ale, which, as the name suggests, includes bagel available – bringing a touch of the East End to the West –
The Crowler machine in action.
KING’S LYNN It’s only 35 miles from Peterborough but travelling by train to Norfolk’s ‘second city’ takes a circuitous route involving a change of trains at Ely, and takes anywhere from 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. The good news, however, is that a day return fare is a reasonable £15, and this can be reduced further with a Greater Anglia ‘Groupsave’ ticket which came in at just over £50 for our group Arriving at 11.30am means leaving the Fenman opposite the station ‘til later as, surprisingly, it’s not open until 3pm on weekdays. Along Waterloo Road, and with the boarded-up
Lord Kelvin across from us we turned right up Railway Road and left into Norfolk Street towards the town centre to the Eagle – an agreeable Craft Union (Enterprise) house, which was already doing a brisk trade with juke box playing, big screens in and out, pool and darts, and reasonable range of beer including Timothy Taylor Landlord, Ghost Ship and the inevitable Doom Bar. Make sure you have cash here, as cards are not accepted. Further along Norfolk Street and right into Chapel Street stands the Grade II listed Bishop of Chapel Street, dating from the 15th century and until recently known
as the Lattice House – now a multi-roomed gastro pub retaining just enough original features to make it a destination pub. A look upstairs is a must, as the timbered rooms make an impressive sight. Open from 10.30am, there’s a range of real ales from the likes of Adnams, Thwaites, and Sharps. Skirting past the Tuesday Market Place and into the busy High Street, brings the unlikely sight of a beer house, or to use modern terminology “micro pub” – the Nip & Growler. Opened just a year ago, there’s a range of 10 beers mainly, but not exclusively, from East Anglia plus three ciders/perries including at
Two views of the Bishop of Chapel Street.
least one from Whin Hill. Don’t expect any handpumps though – all the beers are ‘Craft Keg’. Landlady Clare was happy to give us the history – the premises was once a branch of the Jessops photographic chain, and business, it seems, at the town’s only micro pub is very healthy. There’s an array of railway collectables decorating the walls, and the gents’ urinals are converted beer kegs. “The beers change continually,” explained Clare, being Norwich Pils from the Redwell brewery. Prices start at £4.75 per pint. Back into the impressive Tuesday Market Place, the Dukes Head Hotel presents an imposing sight, but with just Doom Bar on offer we moved a couple of doors along to the Maid’s Head, another Enterprise pub, enthusiastically managed and offering well-kept, but rotating beers from the likes of Skinners, Greene King, St Austell and Ringwood. The pub retains original Bullards signage and offers a friendly welcome and carvery. Across the Market Place stands the Globe – a typically huge JD Wetherspoon with a
good range of beers from £1.99. This was easily the busiest pub in town, but we resisted the temptation of cheap grub, to move along Ferry Street to the Crown & Mitre which closes for the afternoon at 2.30pm. We had been warned about Roger, the ‘grumpy’ landlord at this ex Steward & Patteson house, and to the easily offended, the welcome here could prove a major challenge. Advice received from other licensees ranged from “Don’t take any pictures” to “Don’t tell him you’ve been in ‘Spoons’” and “Be sure to put a donation in the charity box,”
while any mention of Camra would be sure to cause a scene. Roger’s been in charge for 25 years, and he doesn’t shy away from issuing a verbal tirade whatever your background, but if you show interest in the rich history of the pub you may just get a civil word or two back. In fairness there’s a wealth of interesting maritime artefacts to behold, a choice of six real ales plus ciders and there’s an upstairs gallery from which the Ouse ferry can be viewed taking passengers across the wide estuary to West Lynn - and he didn’t baulk at our next choice
time ticking, and after a good 15-minute walk we could only manage quick visits to the Live & Let Live on Windsor Road – a traditional multi-roomed locals’ pub with Woodfordes, Greene King and Cotleigh breweries and
of destination. The Ferry Lane Social Club, known locally at the ‘Ouse Booze’ is a short walk away and also overlooks the water, indeed it was formerly the Ouse Valley Sailing Club, and still enjoys a sizeable, though mature, membership. It’s no architectural gem, but its open all day from 12 noon, welcomes non-members, and the beers (from Dark Star, Adnams, Green Jack, on our visit), along with local cider from Burnards, were in great form. The food offering was surprisingly impressive, and cheap with prices from just £3. There’s a sizeable function room, snooker table and big screen for televised sport. Appropriately the club has been awarded West Norfolk Club of the Year for the umpteenth time. Following the quayside, past the iconic Customs House, on King’s Staithe Square, stands the Bank House Hotel. The location is lovely, immersed in maritime history, and this Georgian bar/ brasserie is very smart – indeed it enjoys a main listing in the Good Pub Guide – but the staff appeared to be inexperienced and the beer was, frankly, undrinkable. Close by, two hostelries stand
together: Dating from the 16th century, when Lynn was in the premier league of British ports, Marriott’s Warehouse retains character with lots of wood panelling, and houses a small museum upstairs with scale models of the nearby buildings. Beers included Moon Gazer from the Norfolk Brewhouse and Ghost Ship from Adnams. The Rathskeller next door is more of a restaurant with a younger cleintele, but there’s a couple of beers in the rear bar from Woodforde’s and Adnams. I’d targeted a group of pubs on the south side of town, but with
The Fenman
Directly behind this pub (via Brewery Court) on Guanock Terrace, stands the Lord Napier, a busy open plan boozer with beers from St Austell, Adnams plus guests. The 6pm opening time at the popular Stuart House Hotel, prevented us from visiting on this occasion, but it’s well worth a look if you can, with changing beers and a large garden, regular live music and an annual beer festival each July. Back onto London Road, heading back to the station, the London Porterhouse offers decent brews from Woodfordes, Camerons and Hop Back, and the Fenman, named after a former London train service, and appropriately decorated with local railway memorabilia, is the ideal venue to complete the tour with a couple of decent real ales and prime position opposite the station. Chris Shilling
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This is a National Treasure with a difference as it’s essentially two pubs linked by a heritage railway. The 16-mile long Severn Valley Railway is arguably Britain’s premier heritage line – the original Great Western Railway branch from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth via Bewdley, which closed in 1963 and was reopened by volunteers in 1970.
Railwayman’s Arms, Severn Valley Railway Hollybush Rd Bridgnorth Shropshire WV16 5DT 01746 760920, www.svr.co.uk Remarkably, the Railwayman’s Arms, situated on Platform 1 at Bridgnorth station, continued to trade throughout the years of closure despite having no trains. Nowadays it’s a thriving venture, rightly treasured by the thousands of visitors to the line each year. This original 1861 refreshment room still offers an atmospheric
experience, trains, many steamhauled, pull in and out of the platform regularly and the engine shed is right opposite, so there’s usually a locomotive or two simmering away awaiting their next duty or a shunting engine scurrying around the yard. The bar itself is adorned with an impressive array of railway ‘clutter’ including locomotive nameplates, cast iron signs, enamel station signs and wooden signal box boards. Beers come from the local Bathams, Bewdley and Hobson’s breweries along with guest ales giving a total of nine hand pumps and a real cider/perry or two.
Prices are very reasonable – ranging from £2.65 to £3.30 on our visit, and there’s a limited range of bar snacks such as pork pies and rolls. Time does not totally stand still however, and there’s a new building being constructed alongside, though this is set to house a new ‘refreshment room’ for those preferring tea, coffee and cake. The original bar will be extended slightly – hopefully not detracting too much from the character of the place – and there’s already a new pub sign, the old one hangs inside the bar. The pub is open all day every day from 11am.
The King and Castle Station Approach Kidderminster Worcestershire DY10 1QX 01562 747505, www.svr.co.uk I’d heartily recommend a ride on the train as, apart from the delights of the station stops en route, including the pleasant riverside town of Bewdley, at the far end of the line is Kidderminster which features another great station bar – the King & Castle – named after classes of locomotives from the steam era. Unlike the Railwayman’s Arms, this, along with the rest of the terminus, was recreated in recent years in a Victorian style, though it’s hard to tall as it’s so authentic. Open from 11am daily, the building is a faithful replica of a generously proportioned Great
Western Railway refreshment room, complete with GWR carpeting and another great range of real ales, also including Hobsons, Bathams and Bewdley beers. Like its sister pub, Camra awards have come regularly, and the pub remains popular with locals as well as visitors to the line. Hot food is available in the restaurant area along with breakfasts up to 4pm daily. Special food offers include a ‘Cob, Crisps & Beer’ option for £5.50 and ‘Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea’ (where tea and cake is replaced by beer, sausage rolls, scotch egg and pork pie) for £8.95. There’s also a function room and occasional live music. Also worth a look if you’re in the area is the Station Inn, just The railway usually plays host to a beer festival each September at the Bridgnorth
end but this has been postponed due the current building work. The railway does play host to a Steam Gala Weekend on 20-23 September, and an Oktoberfest in the Engine House alongside Highley station (with train shuttle from Kidderminster) on the weekend of 13-14 October. Chris Shilling
The Cross Keys 2 West St, Kings Cliffe PE8 6XA
Accommodation available
Tel Ian on 01780 470276 or 07824 828765 Full details at www.crosskeyskingscliffe.co.uk
COSY COUNTRY PUB AND RESTAURANT IN THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF CASTLE BYTHAM, NEAR STAMFORD
T: 01780 411223,
thecastleinn, castlebytham
Pub Scrawl
Celebrating one of Britain’s forgotten novelists and playwrights, Beverley Nichols Weekend is to be held in Glatton over the weekend of 7-9 September. John Beverley Nichols wrote more 60 books and plays between 1920 and 1982, including mysteries, children’s books and works about gardening. The weekend is to include a beer festival at the Addison Arms in his honour. King’s Lynn Poetry Festival returns to the Town Hall for the weekend of 28-30 September and will include such poets as Tiffany Atkinson, Wendy Cope, Ian Duhig, Ellen Hinsey, Gerdur Kristny (from Iceland) and Hugo Williams. Horror/crime fans may like to know about The Darker Side of Fiction is to be held at The Bull Hotel in Westgate, Peterborough on Saturday 5 October with over 30 authors present. Tickets (via Eventbrite, are £10 for either morning or afternoon, £15 for both plus £35 for dinner dance in the evening). Over at The Broadway Theatre in Peterborough, the Good Shout Poetry Slams that started in March continue.Visit www.facebook.com/GoodShoutSlam for future dates. Oundle Literature Festival returns following a summer break with a packed autumn season including Martin Stephen on The English Public School, Tuesday 11 September; Andrew Bibby on cycling across the south of Britain, Friday 21 September; WB Bartlett on Richard the Lionheart, Friday 5 October; Adventurer-explorer Benedict
Allen on Thursday 1 November. Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions) except for Benedict Allen which are £16 (£13), available from or visiting www.oundlefestival. org.uk Phill Jupitus is returning to the Key Theatre on Sunday 16 September, hopefully with his eternal support act Porky the Poet. Tickets, priced £16.50, are available by calling 01733 207239, visiting vivacity.org or by popping into the venue on the Embankment. The next Poetry Swaps, held in Stamford Arts Centre’s Cellar Bar, takes place on Wednesday 19 September with Rob Harding, Kezzabelle Ambler and Graham Ward. Graham just had his book Travelling Shoes out from Brilliant Fire Publications collects both his poetry and his art. Local poet Mike Alderson launches his booklet Beyond Feminism at the Cellar Bar on Wednesday 3 October from 8pm. The evening also includes an open-mic slot. Dublin poet
and playwright Stephen James Smith together with Enda Reilly will be at Stamford Arts Centre’s Ballroom on Friday 12 October. Regarded as central to Ireland’s current spoken word scene, this looks to be an interesting night. Tickets £12 (concessions £10). For tickets and further information on all events at Stamford Arts Centre, ring 01780 763203 or go to www.stamfordartcentre.com Top poet Luke Wright (who some will have seen recently supporting John Cooper Clarke) brings his show Frankie Vah (about a 1980s) to the Key Theatre on Wednesday 17 October as part of the next Platform 8 season. Tickets are £11 (£7 under 25s). Advance notice that Henry Normal (writer, poet, comedian and co-founder of Baby Cow Productions with Steve Coogan) will be at Stamford Arts Centre on Friday 9 November with his new show Raining Upwards.
Your local in the Heart of Stamford
The Golden Fleece Newly Refurbished
Open 9am-11pm Sunday to Wednesday, 9am to late Thursday to Saturday Full breakfast and lunchtime menu available 9am4pm (Sunday 9am-3pm) Live entertainment Thursday thru to Sunday (Karaoke Thurs & Sun, Live Bands Fri & Sat) Three real Ales Everards Tiger and Old Original with a rotating Guest Ale and Henry Westons cider on hand pull
Sheep Market, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2RB 01780 763749
See Listings for Live Music dates
01733 380222
Cider P ub o f the Year
Opening hours: (Monday closed) Tuesday-Thursday 3-9, Friday 3-10, Saturday 12-10, Sunday 12-6
/frothblower
Oakham’s Premier Live Music Venue (see listings, Facebook, Twitter or go to www.therailwayoakham.co.uk)
The Railway, Station Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QU Tel: 01572 722015
LISTINGS 01 September Karaoke, Angel Inn, Yarwell Boobonyx, Black Bull, Kirton Blueprint (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Cuttin Loose, The Ploughman, Werrington High Rollers, London Inn, Stamford Point Blank, Golden Fleece, Stamford Brothers Grimm, Masons Arms, Bourne Bon Rogers, Puzzles, Peterborough Liz Blain (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford 02 September Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Chilled Acoustic Music (3pm) Frothblowers, Werrington Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, White Horse, Baston Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Travis Graham (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Paul Carbuncle (folk-punk) (Folk punk, 5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz, Masons Arms, Bourne Another Girl, Another Planet with BBQ (26pm), Five Horseshoes, Barholm 03 September Open Mic (8.30pm), Blue Bell Inn, Werrington Monthly Monday Quiz (7.30pm), Geese &
Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz night, Castle, Castle Bytham 04 September Acoustic Night (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Unplugged Session (6.30pm), NCCD, Sleaford
THE BULL AT MARKET DEEPING
Enjoy our newly refurbished pub/restaurant with great food, real/craft ales, wide range of wines & spirits including over 50 Gins and
thebullofdeeping thebullofdeeping@gmail.com Market Square, Market Deeping PE6 8EA 01778 343320
Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 05 September Big Fun Quiz (8pm), Grainstore, Oakham 06 September Voodoo Acoustic (8pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Quiz, Packhorse, Northborough Superior Steak Night (booking advised), Castle, Castle Bytham 07 September The Overdubs, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor High Rollers, Blue Bell, Werrington Mick Miller: Back From Last Vegas Tour, Stamford Corn Exchange Leftovas, Church Keys, Boston Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Carpark Rendezvous, The Ploughman, Werrington Karaoke, Whittle, Stanground Vice Squad + Fyzz Wallis Band (8.30pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Children of the Revolution, London Inn, Stamford Halo, Golden Fleece, Stamford Antoine, Masons Arms, Bourne Glam Rock Band, Yard of Ale, Woodston New Vox, Puzzles, Peterborough 08 September Let There B/DC, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Mark Bishop (acoustic covers), Angel Inn. Yarwell England v Spain, Blue Bell, Werrington All That Sass - Phoenix Belles Burlesque, Stamford Corn Exchange TTM, Black Bull, Kirton Pennyless (7.30pm), Village Hall, Dyke Around Midnite (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Outlaw Eagles (8.30pm), Fletton Ex Services Club Hooker, The Ploughman, Werrington Benny Mayhem Band, Railway, Oakham
Dave Brackley & Guests (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford DB5, London Inn, Stamford No Relevance, Golden Fleece, Stamford Son of a Gun, Masons Arms, Bourne , Yard of Ale, Woodston The Fyzz Wallis Band, Puzzles, Peterborough , The Stage, Market Deeping Laura Lou Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford 09 September Yankee & The Foreigners, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Special Quiz, Blue Bell, Werrington The Bootleg Shadows, Stamford Corn Exchange Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Geese Folk Acoustic Club (Open mic, 5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Helen Smith (4pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Quiz, Blue Bell Belmesthope
The Cock Inn Open all day from 11am, Food served Lunchtimes (not Mon) and Evenings until 9pm Newly opened Restaurant - a sharing dining experience including Tapas, Sharing Platters and Daily Specials ‘Wine Wednesday’ - 4x Tapas + Bottle of Wine for just £25 1305, Lincoln Rd, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6LW – Tel 01733 322006
www.thecockinnpeterborough.co.uk
Enjoy our spacious beer garden and BBQ
1/9 Brothers Grimm 7/9 Antoine 8/9 Son of a Gun 14/9 Leftovas 15/9 Dom Brister 21/9 Afterlife 22/9 DJ Neil (Karaoke) 28/9 Cuttin’ Loose 29/9 Mark Bishop
5/10 Antoine 6/10 Nick Glover 12/10 Leftovas 13/10 Brothers Grimm 19/10 Mark Bishop 20/10 Dom Brister 26/10 Revolver 27/10 Dean & Co
Quiz Nights Alternate Sundays (2/9, 16/9, 30/9, 14/10 & 28/10) Bonus Question, Chase the Ace, Jackpot Cash Prizes (£200+)
15 South St, Bourne PE10 9LY Tel: 01778 423792
10 September Songwriters Evening (8pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Folk Night, Eagle, Boston 11 September England v Switzerland, Blue Bell, Werrington 12 September Backroom Acoustic (8pm, TBC), Railway Inn, Ramsey BB Special Fish Day, Blue Bell, Werrington Quiz (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford 13 September Quiz, Whistle Stop, Tallington 14 September The Soundinjectors, Blue Bell, Werrington Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Rick Roberts (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Richard Digance, Bourne Corn Exchange Moirai, Northwick Arms, Ketton Open Mic, London Inn, Stamford Betty Swallox, Golden Fleece, Stamford Leftovas, Masons Arms, Bourne Retrolux, Yard of Ale, Woodston 15 September Karaoke, Angel Inn, Yarwell Lindisfarne/Felix Rabin, Stamford Corn Exchange Rough Culprits, Black Bull, Kirton Moonstruck (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Children of the Revolution, Ploughman, ] Werrington 3rd Stone From the Sun, Whittle, Stanground Drum & Bass/Jungle MCs featuring Nicky Blackmarket (9pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Jet Black Band, Grainstore, Oakham Leon, London Inn, Stamford Eyes Wide Open, Golden Fleece, Stamford Dom Brister, Masons Arms, Bourne
Electric Warriors, Yard of Ale, Woodston Velocity, Puzzles, Peterborough Laura Lou Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford 16 September Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, White Horse, Baston Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor New Orleans Hot Shots (12.30pm), Peterborough Con Club The Quiet Loner (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Open Mic (3pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford Quiz, Masons Arms, Bourne 18 September Open Mic (8.45pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 20 September Elgoods Beer Festival excursion, Blue Bell, Werrington Quiz, Packhorse, Northborough Funhouse Comedy (6.15pm), Grainstore, Oakham 21 September Tiger Club, Blue Bell, Werrington Raw Talent: Hollie Rogers, Cosmo , Stamford Corn Exchange Betty Swallox, Church Keys, Boston Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Gone With the Flow, Black Bull, Kirton Charity Race Night: Soar Valley (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Loose Rocket, The Ploughman, Werrington Electric Warriors, Golden Fleece, Stamford Afterlife, Masons Arms, Bourne Car Park Rendezvous, Yard of Ale, Woodston 22 September Beachy Head Diving Club, Angel Inn. Yarwell Backlash Ballroom, Stamford Corn Exchange Glitz (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Son of a Gun (8.30pm), Fletton Ex Services Club
Brotherhoods Roundabout, Ploughman, Werrington Guest DJ & Rachael (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford Indigo, Whittle, Stanground Hot Pink 66, London Inn, Stamford Late Show, Golden Fleece, Stamford DJ Neil (Karaoke), Masons Arms, Bourne Velocity, Yard of Ale, Woodston Cubans & Cognac, Puzzles, Peterborough Karlies Karaoke, Castle, Castle Bytham Brays, The Stage, Market Deeping TBC (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford 23 September Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Nuggets (12.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Groove Merchants (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial 25 September Open Mic (8pm), Blue Boar, Eye BB Pudding Night, Blue Bell, Werrington Quiz, Horseshoes, Silk Willoughby 26 September Backroom Acoustic (8pm, TBC), Railway Inn, Ramsey Live Jazz with The Tony Giles All Stars (8pm), Bustard Inn, South Rauceby 27 September MusiQuiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell From the Jam (Acoustic Show), Stamford Corn Exchange 28 September Whisky Bar Acoustic Sessions (8.30pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey , Blue Bell, Werrington Junk Puppets, Blue Bell, Werrington The Guns ‘N’ Roses Experience & Faux Fighters UK, Stamford Corn Exchange Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Texas Gun (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club
The Guards, The Ploughman, Werrington No Way Out, Golden Fleece, Stamford Cuttin’ Loose, Masons Arms, Bourne Dirty Rumour, Yard of Ale, Woodston 29 September Citizen Smith, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Roy Orbison & The Traveling Wilburys Experience, Stamford Corn Exchange Rocket, Black Bull, Kirton Marrakesh Express (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Last Minute Brigade, The Ploughman, Werrington March to the Grave, Railway, Oakham Mark Bishop, Masons Arms, Bourne Frankly My Dear, Yard of Ale, Woodston Bon Rogers, Puzzles, Peterborough Great Pretenders, The Stage, Market Deeping Katmandu Live Band (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford 30 September Glasshouse Acoustic Sessions (2.30pm), Key Theatre, Peterborough Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, White Horse, Baston Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Jess Silk (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Machines, Golden Fleece, Stamford Quiz, Masons Arms, Bourne 01 October Open Mic (8.30pm), Bluebell Inn, Werrington Private Parts Live: Jamie Laing & Francis Boulle, Stamford Corn Exchange Monthly Monday Quiz (7.30pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz night, Castle, Castle Bytham 02 October Acoustic Night (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford
Unplugged Session (6.30pm), NCCD, Sleaford 03 October Quiz (8pm), Grainstore, Oakham 04 October Voodoo Acoustic (8pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford 05 October Loose Rocket, Church Keys, Boston Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Steve Carmel (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Blues Club, Railway, Oakham Desperate Measures, The Ploughman, Werrington Karaoke, Whittle, Stanground Acoustic Night with Anna, London Inn, Stamford Lost and Found, Golden Fleece, Stamford Antoine, Masons Arms, Bourne 3rd Stone From the Sun, Yard of Ale, Woodston Neal Durose, Puzzles, Peterborough 06 October Hot Wired, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Dale Andrews (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club The Numbers, The Ploughman, Werrington Glass Onion (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford Outlaw Eagles (8.30pm), Grainstore, Oakham Stone Pony, London Inn, Stamford Mod Story, Golden Fleece, Stamford Nick Glover, Masons Arms, Bourne The Guards, Yard of Ale, Woodston Songbird, Puzzles, Peterborough Miscellaneous, The Stage, Market Deeping Blackout UK (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford 07 October Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Pennyless (4-6pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Ouse Valley (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club
King of Rome (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor 08 October Songwriters Evening (8pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Folk Night, Eagle, Boston 10 October Backroom Acoustic (8pm, TBC), Railway Inn, Ramsey Quiz (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford Morti Viventi + Kaine + Osmium Guillotine + Mercury Rising (Heavy Metal) (8.30pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford 11 October Quiz, Whistle Stop, Tallington 12 October Whittlesey Folk Club (8pm), Falcon Hotel, Whittlesey Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Dale Diamond (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Blackstar Revolution, The Ploughman, Werrington Great Pretenders, London Inn, Stamford Expletives, Golden Fleece, Stamford Leftovas, Masons Arms, Bourne Black Rose Society, Yard of Ale, Woodston 13 October The Deps, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Hush, Black Bull, Kirton (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Anglian Air Ambulance Charity Event: Motor City Vipers (Ticket only, £10), Fletton Ex Services Club Scooted and Booted, Whittle, Stanground Blackout UK, London Inn, Stamford Gypsies, Golden Fleece, Stamford Brothers Grimm, Masons Arms, Bourne Ramshackle Serenade, Yard of Ale, Woodston Nick Corney & the Buzz Rats, Puzzles, Peterborough One for the Road, The Stage, Market Deeping
DJ Phil & Alice Disco (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford 14 October Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, White Horse, Baston Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Geese Folk Acoustic Club (Open mic, 5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz, Masons Arms, Bourne 16 October Open Mic (8.45pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 19 October Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Michael Knight (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Velocity, The Ploughman, Werrington Open Mic, London Inn, Stamford Second Chance, Golden Fleece, Stamford Mark Bishop, Masons Arms, Bourne Ian Graham & Kat Moore, Yard of Ale, Woodston 20 October 3rd Stone From the Sun, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Soul Strip, Black Bull, Kirton Intruders (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club Phoenix Show Band, Fletton Ex Services Club The Chili’s, The Ploughman, Werrington Devil’s Prefects, Railway, Oakham Guest DJ & Rachael (8pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford The Nuggets, Whittle, Stanground UK Gangsters, London Inn, Stamford Revolver, Golden Fleece, Stamford Dom Brister, Masons Arms, Bourne Porky Pig, Yard of Ale, Woodston Andy Hughes, Puzzles, Peterborough Halo, The Stage, Market Deeping Kriz Platform 1 70s Tribute Act (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford
21 October Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor TapTonic (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Open Mic (3pm), Watergate Yard, Sleaford 24 October Backroom Acoustic (8pm, TBC), Railway Inn, Ramsey 25 October MusiQuiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Comedy Club (6.15pm), Grainstore, Oakham 26 October Whisky Bar Acoustic Sessions (8.30pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Quiz + Play Your Cards Right, Eagle, Boston Son of a Gun (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club High Rollers, The Ploughman, Werrington Veltones, London Inn, Stamford Detourz, Golden Fleece, Stamford Revolver, Masons Arms, Bourne Dizzy Miss Lizzys, Yard of Ale, Woodston Kids Halloween Party: Laura Lou Karaoke (fancy dress optional), Hurdler, Stamford 27 October Dirty Rumour, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Moll Grips, Black Bull, Kirton The Business (8.30pm), Peterborough Con Club New Generation Crash & Burn (8.30pm), Fletton Ex Services Club Overdubs, The Ploughman, Werrington Candy Slam, Railway, Oakham Matilda’s Scoundrels + Pizza Tramp + Johnny Utah + S.H.I.T, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Hooker, London Inn, Stamford Go with the Flow, Golden Fleece, Stamford Dean & Co, Masons Arms, Bourne Stealer, Yard of Ale, Woodston Matt Howard, Puzzles, Peterborough
Owasis, The Stage, Market Deeping Adults Halloween Party: Damian (fancy dress optional, 8pm), Hurdler, Stamford 28 October Glasshouse Acoustic Sessions (2.30pm), Key Theatre, Peterborough Pub Quiz (9pm), Angel Inn, Yarwell Quiz, White Horse, Spalding Quiz, White Horse, Baston Quiz, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor TBA (5pm), Geese & Fountain, Croxton Kerrial Quiz, Masons Arms, Bourne 30 October Open Mic (8pm), Blue Boar, Eye Quiz, Horseshoes, Silk Willoughby Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 31 October Live Jazz with The Tony Giles All Stars (8pm), Bustard Inn, South Rauceby 02 November Cuttin’ Loose, Church Keys, Boston Hit 4 Six, Yard of Ale, Woodston 03 November 3D (formerly Pentagon) (8.30pm), Fletton Ex Services Club Blackstar Revolution, Yard of Ale, Woodston
Beer Festivals 30 August-02 September The Jolly Brewer Beer Festival, Jolly Brewer, Stamford - 70+ beers, keg wall, live music, street food 31 August-2 September Summer Cider Fest, Frothblowers, Werrington 07-09 September Dyke Scarecrow and Beer Festival, Dyke Village Hall - live music and food each day
20-22 September Elgood’s Brewery Beer Festival, Elgood’s Brewery, North Brink, Wisbech - 150+ beers from mostly East Anglian breweries, cider, wine, soft drinks, live music: tickets £4, all beer £3 per pint. Call 01945 583160 for bookings. 23 September BBQ and Beerfest (10am) Nuggets (12.30pm), Peterborough Con Club 28-29 September Oktoberfest, Grainstore, Oakham 28-30 September Blue Bell 1st Birthday Weekender, Blue Bell, Werrington
Rhythm & Booze, Issue 51 September/October 2018 All written material, unless otherwise stated, © Simon Stabler All events are listed free of charge. To ensure inclusion in the November/December 2018 issue, or have any other news included in the magazine, email simonstabler@aol.com by 8 October. Entry cannot be guaranteed for late submissions. For advertising queries, contact Chris Shilling on 01778 421550, 07736 635916 or by email to chris@shillingmedia.co.uk
Advertising Rates (excluding VAT)* £190 - full page (cover) £160 - full page £100 - half page £60 - quarter page * Discounts for series bookings Thank you to Richard Howes, Tony Shilling, Wally Barnes, David Brown, Cardinal Pete Cox, Wayne ‘Dave’ Cocker, Mick Slaughter and John Martin for their help in compiling this issue.
The Embankment, Bedford MK40 3PD (01234 261332, www. embankmentbedford.co.uk) Having sold its Eagle Brewery and several brands to Marston’s last year, Bedford’s Charles Wells is to build a smaller brewery – to supply its own pubs – on the outskirts of the town. It will be had two major brewers since Higgins & Sons sold out to the then Wells & Winch in 1928. Although it’s no longer possible to buy Higgins’ “celebrated pale ales and stout in casks and bottles”, there are still reminders of the company across Bedford. The largest of these is the former Castle Brewery, which since 1981 has been the town’s museum, along with several former Higgins-owned pubs including The Embankment, which was opened on the road of the same name in 1892. “Commanding delightful views of the River Ouse… replete with every comfort and convenience” as an early advertisement proclaimed, The Embankment is now part of the Peach Pubs group, which has renovated the hotel to its late-Victorian heyday Although describing itself as a gastropub, The Embankment came across as a relaxed, friendly place during my visit on a busy Sunday lunchtime. Along with the families who were enjoying their meals, there were locals popping in for a quick pint or two and spectators from the rowing race over the road coming in for a warming tea or coffee. There are three handpumps,
which on my visit were serving former Charles Wells’ brands Eagle IPA and Bombardier, plus Drink Pale Ale – a collaboration between Wells’ ‘wandering brewer’ Ian Jones and Stoke-onTrent’s Titanic Brewery. Despite having an ABV of 3.7%, it’s very one-off brew will be made permanent when the new brewery opens. dishes, the Sunday lunchtime menu features Dry-aged Rump of Beef, Free-range Leg of Pork and Crackling, and a Roast of the Day – lamb shank on this occasion. Living in a house where roast chicken is a permanent the chance to have the beef. I also fancied a starter and, thanks to the specials board, was able to order something else I hadn’t had for a while, a prawn cocktail. Too many restaurants these days are straying from the basic premise of the prawn cocktail, creating ‘deconstructed’ versions or serving them on boards. But I’m pleased to say that this one featured juicy prawns
served in a short-stemmed glass bowl, accompanied by lettuce, cucumber, tomato and a large blob of Marie Rose sauce. The main courses arrived and, in the case of the adult dishes, were accompanied by roast potatoes, roasted carrots and parsnips, a Yorkshire pudding, plenty of gravy and a tureen of seasonal vegetables including cabbage and kale. The beef is served medium rare, although it can be cooked well done if you wish, and comes from Aubrey Allen, holder of a royal warrant and the title, according to the Meat Trades Journal, “the Most Innovative Butcher in Britain.” A lovely meal in comfortable surroundings with friendly service, it’s easy to see why The Embankment is a popular place. Mixing the past with the present, from an 1895 newspaper report on the Bedford Rowing Club’s 10th annual dinner which was held here, where “a very good repast was served, to which full justice was done.”
£7.50 each Beer & Burger
£10
Coors, JHB, Inferno, Aspalls Harry Sparrow (pint) House Wine red/white (125ml glass)