Rhythm and Booze Issue 71

Welcome to this bumper issue of Rhythm and Booze

It’s all happening on the local pub scene with good news and bad. There’s plenty to cheer in the South Lincs area as we’ve see a flurry of pub reopening including the Mason’s Arms in Bourne, The Bull at Pinchbeck, Black Horse at Gosberton Risegate and the Millstone at Ryhall. Add to that, new owners at the Old Ship, Pointon and the Plough at Horbling, George Sakalli’s relaunch of the Green Man in Stamford, and major CAMRA awards for the Five Horseshoes at Barholm and the Nag’s Head in Bourne. On the down side Peterborough seems to be losing traditional watering holes at an alarming rate. We’ve recently lost the Elm Tee Tavern, the Sportsman and the Cavendish, the Wheatsheaf shows no sign of reopening despite a six figure refurb just before it closed, and the Old John Clare is about to disappear forever.

Now, some of these pubs might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but each supported a community of regulars. My younger years revolved unashamedly around ‘the pub’. I don’t just mean propping the bar up wearily after a hard day’s graft - we had Pool teams, darts teams, football teams, quiz teams, squash teams, golf societies and even indoor cricket (remember that?) – something for every day of the week – happy days indeed! For every struggling pub business there will be a greedy developer seemingly keen to squeeze the last few drops of fun from our towns for the sake of a few more flats and an easy buck. I remember a conversation with a chap of mature years in the Frothblower’s at Werrington, just after it had opened. I asked him where he went before, he replied ‘I just didn’t go out!’. Is that what the future hold for large areas of our region?

Editorial and Production: Dave Lane

Telephone: 07795 031051

Email: dave@davidlanepublishing.co.uk

All is not lost however – this issue includes our largest ever ‘listings’ section. Despite the obvious challenges, the pub scene is gradually coming back to life, and the current energy crisis will surely ease eventually. Let’s hope we can retain as many pubs and clubs as possible, so please support them by attending the events you see promoted in R&B. Venues, please too use our pages – the ‘Listings’ are a FREE services, and yet only this week I received an ‘unsubscribe’ message from a venue in central Peterborough!

So come on… as our events section and list of advertisers continue to grow, so will the magazine. We’ve added four pages to this issue, and we look forward to developing further to meet the needs of the local scene. Cheers!

Chris Shilling

Issue 71 • March/April 2023

Edited and compiled by: Chris Shilling

Email: chris@shillingmedia.co.uk

Dave Lane

Email: dave@davidlanepublishing.co.uk

Design: Matt Chapman

Advertising: Chris Shilling

Telephone: 07736 635916

Email: chris@shillingmedia.co.uk

Printed by Fisherprint TLC, Peterborough

Thank you to Wally Barnes, David Brown, Tony Shilling, Cardinal Pete Cox, Billy Walker, Steve Williams, Mick Slaughter, Wayne Cocker, Graham Coombs, Jocky & Karyn Martin and ‘Suss’ Cornish for their help in compiling this issue.

Deadline for the May/June issue is Friday April 14th

Cover: Bateman’s brewery is investing again in our area - see news. The Britannia sits between Boston’s famous ‘Stump’ and the White Hart Hotel. Spring Awakening! We report on a host of pub reopening in South Lincolnshire

All written material, unless otherwise stated copyright Shilling Lane Media

Published by:

Peterborough CAMRA has announced its Pubs of the Year, and includes some unsung heroes…The City award goes to the Blue Bell in Werrington, the Town award goes to the Nag’s Head in Bourne and the Rural award was won by the Five Horseshoes at Barholm. Nag’s Head boss, Richard Barrett who also won last year with sister pub, the Goat at Frognall, has refocused the pub from a family eatery to include three changing real ales with a powerful 7%+ ale usually available alongside the permanent ‘Nagging Goat’ ale brewed exclusively by the local Hopshackle Brewery. Across the road from the Nag’s Head, the Mason’s Arms has reopened under the management of Sam Horner and Kristian Newman after 6 months of closure. Sam grew up in the town and is keen to see it return to former glories after a difficult couple of years. A couple of handpumps were dispensing Oakham Ales’ Citra and Taylor’s Landlord when we called in, and there are plans for extra cask ales. The town now has its full complement of traditional pubs open again- Bar 1888 which was originally a barbers shop was open briefly,

but its future remains uncertain. A couple of miles up the road, the Five Bells at Edenham until recently held by Darren Mitchell, has closed yet again as the owner has reportedly put the property up for sale. The Horseshoe at Thurlby looks set to benefit

from a new ‘Puffin’ crossing helping pedestrians cross the busy A15 from thevillage.

There’s currently a very bleak outlook for pubs in the Peterborough suburbs. The Elm Tree Tavern (formerly the Comet) in Garton End Rd Peterborough has been sold for development by Admiral Taverns after they considered it to have no sustainable future. Local residents are keen to see it remain as a pub. The Sportsman pub in Eastfield Rd (once known as the Chain & Sprocket, the Eastern Star and, way back, the Wheelwright) is also up for sale and may be converted into flats, while the nearby Wheatsheaf, closed several years ago, remains for sale. The closure of

Rural excellence... Five Horsehoes at Barholm

The Mason’s Arms, Bourne - open again with a choice of ales

the Cavendish (formerly the Farmer’s Arms) completes the devastation of the Eastfield Rd area. Closed since 2014, the Old John Clare pub in Hallfields Lane looks likely to be demolished to make way for flats. Some good news however, the Cock Inn at Werrington reopened at the end of January. Simon Bond has left the Palmerston Arms after a period of ill health – now tenants are being sought by owner, Bateman’s with an opportunity to form a tenancy’partnership’ – see the advertisement in thisissue.

The Parkway Club in Maskew Avenue, Peterborough is the new home to Spangler’s Country Music Club. Well known local bassist, Colin Hodgkinson has teamed up with fellow Ten Years After guitarist, Marcus Bonfanti to play a charity gig at the club on March 10th. Proceeds will go to the Friends of Heltwaite School: tickets available from hannahforman4@gmail.com. After nine barren years Peterborough’s Willow Festival

is set to return to Peterborough’s Embankment on July 21st. It once claimed to be the largest free event of its kind with over 170 bands and up to 80,000 visitors. While it will no longer be a free festival, the ticket price of just £10 provides entry for three full days of entertainment from many local and national acts plus a fairground, bars, craft tents and workshops. The lineup is still evolving, but you can keep tabs by following www.thewillowfestival.co.uk. A Four day festival is planned for

Peterborough’s Nene Park this summer. The Nene Valley Rock Festival will run from August 31 to Sept 3 – details are still coming together but you can follow then at www.nvrf.rocks.

The Dog in a Doublet near Thorney, which had been transformed with the addition of a swimming pool, guest rooms, external decking and a gym, has been dealt a blow by having its retrospective planning permission refused. A revised plan was requested, but owner/ chef John McGinn had decided instead to close the business permanently. £20,000 had been spent on the plans to the gastro pub and hotel, and the owner had previously stated that the decision would not impact upon the day-to-day operation of thebusiness.

The Farmers at Yaxley holds its 3rd Beer Festival between April 27-30 with live music from house band ‘the Extremities’ throughout the event and other live acts on the

Another lost Peterborough pub - the Elm Tree Tavern

The Cock Inn at Werrington reopened in January

Friday and Saturday. A variety of local independent ales will be on offer including a range from Xtreme Ales, hot food menu throughout including an ‘all you can eat’ breakfast on the Saturday morning and carvery on the Sunday. Dan Wade formerly of Smith’s in Bourne and the Wishing Well at Dyke has taken over at the Olde White Hart at Ufford., he’s joined by Paul Sutton, formerly chef at HambletonHall.

Deeping-base Bowlers Brewery has won an award at the SIBA East Independent Bottle/Can awards. The beautifully named ‘Mangoes into a Bar’ won Gold in the Wild/Sour Ale category. Steve Daykin, The landlord at the Square sadly passed away in February after a long illness. Recently reopened, the White Horse in Market Deeping has closed ‘until further notice’. The Plough at Horbling, near Bourne has been bought by Bateman’s Brewery – they’re looking for a tenant – interested parties are requested to contact the brewery. Up the road in Pointon, the Old Ship Inn, now owned by the 8 Sail brewery is trading well again, with regular live entertainment lined up – see their ad in thisissue.

George Sakkalli who has run the 18th Century Green Man in Stamford for a number of years has bought the freehold of the pub from the Couzens family. The pub already provides accommodation, but he’s looking

to invest in the business and reintroduce a food offering. Live Music recommences from March 19 with traditional Irish band the Sharghauns. Good news for vinyl lovers – renowned London record shop, Rock On Records is to reopen in early March in Stamford’s All Saints St. Owner Ted Carroll who now lives in Ketton once managed rock band Thin Lizzy, and his customers have included Bob Dylan, Joe Strummer, Jimmy Page and John Peel. He has ‘plenty of stock’ including around 5,000 records CD’s andcassettes.

The Lord Harrowby has been voted Pub of the Year for the second year running by Grantham Camra. John Fairhurst has marked 30 years at the White Swan at Barrowby near Grantham. Now 71 he’s the longest serving publican in the area and was presented with a long service award by owner, Star Pubs & Bars. Popular with cask ale drinkers, the pub has

been in the Good Beer Guide for the past 20 years. A new operator is being sought for the award winning Cholmeley Arms at Burton Coggles, near Grantham. Current tenants, John and Louise Berry are retiring from the pub in the summer after 13 years, and request that interested parties should email the estate office at email@theeastonestate.co.uk. John will continue to operate the adjoining farm shop. The Angel & Royal in Grantham is to open a cocktail bar. The Thorold Arms at Marston, near Grantham has celebrated three years of community ownership have been closed back in 2015. The pub which now includes a shop and post office has extended its opening hours and is planning an improved food offering and an increase in live events. The Wheatsheaf Inn at Dry Doddington closed in early February with the owners claiming it is ‘not profitable’ and should be converted to flats. Local residents disagree

New operator sought for The Cholmeley Arms at Burton Coggles.

and have started an action group to help save the pub. An application has been made for a microbrewery in Pickworth, which would include a tap room available for occasionaluse.

Out at Gosberton Risegate the Black Horse which had been closed for a number of months has been bought by Cheral and Mike Sisson – their daughter Katie-Lou will be managing the pub which reopened on Feb 1st .The only other pub in the village – the Duke of York is set to be demolished to make way

for housing, and the neighboring village of Gosberton has recently lost its only pub with the closure of the Bell Inn. Spalding’s popular Music and Beer Festival returns after 4 years to the Castle Sports Complex on May 26-28 with over 100 beers to choose from – details at www.spaldingfestival.co.uk. Spalding Micropub, the Priors Oven has reopened after refurbishment with extra seating and a ‘declutter’.

The Kings Arms at Wing, near Oakham has

been shortlisted for an ‘Eat Game’ award (Midlands). Sad news from Southwick (near Oundle) where the attractive Shuckburgh Arms, home of the World Conker Championships, has closed after eight years of community ownership. The owner is keen to keep the pub going and are seeking a newtenant.

PUBS NO MORE…

The former Roundhead pub in Bretton, a pub popular with staff of neighbouring publisher Emap, back in the day, could be incorporated into a development of the whole Bretton Court building involving retail, offices and upstairs flats. The pub has been closed for 10 years having suffered restrictions following bouts of antisocial behaviour. Enhancement plans are included to improve the appearance of the building. The 18th Century former Playhouse on Watergate in Grantham has been put up for sale with Savills for £195k.

The Black Horse at Gosberton Risegate has recently reopened

New tenants sought for the Shuckburgh Arms, Southwick

Could Gosberton be about to lose its last pub?

National Treasure

SPOTLIGHTING BRITAIN’S BEST BOOZERS

THE BOLEYN TAVERN

1 Barking Rd, East Ham, London, E6 1PW (Upton Park Tube –District/Hammersmith & City)

Tel: 0208 472 2182

Email: boleyntavern@ remarkablepubs.co.uk https://boleyntavern.co.uk

This fabulous Grade II listed building dates from 1900 and is familiar with many football fans as the local for West Ham United FC before their move away from Upton Park in 2016. The pub soon fell into decline before a takeover by the independent Remarkable Pub Company, who set about a £1.5 Million restoration, finally reopening in 2021.

The transformation has been incredible, though keeping

faith with the original layout, and enhancing the Victorian splendour of the pub, indeed the pub remains on CAMRA’s National Inventory of historic pub interiors. The restoration is described by the company as follows: ‘Wooden screens have been created, complete with acid etched and brilliantly cut glass, copying the one existing wooden and glass panel. This was removed and reinstated into its original position in the South East corner of the building. Separate private, public and saloon bars have been reinstated to make way for more fashionable and easier to manage open places. There are now 7 separate bars in all which include the ‘Carriage Bar’…recreating the feel of a railway carriage….complete with cut glass panels and intimate lighting. The ‘Ladies Bar’ – another private bar… has been restored with a black & white check marble floor. Working with traditional

craftsmen, cut glass, joinery and tiles have been restored and replaced throughout to beautiful and stunning effect’ A particularly striking feature is the huge coloured glass skylight above what was originally the billiard hall, now transformed into an open ‘theatre’ kitchen/dining area with Italian marble floor, also in black & white check, intimate velvet curtained booths and Victorian style reverse painted mirrors, celebrating past West Ham and England footballing legends. Indeed there’s a host of West Ham memorabilia and photographs on walls throughout the building dating from the days of the old ground, enough to stir even the interest of the most ardent of rival fans! The building is floodlit at night and provides an impressive sight.

Four cask ales are available, usually from Sheperd Neame and guests from the likes

of Timothy Taylor, Purity and Southwark, whose ‘Bermondsey Best’ was on great form when we called in. The food is reasonably priced with starters ranging from £4.50 to £7, and unfussy main dishes at £11-£14. Roasts are served on a Sunday.

Unsurprisingly the Boleyn has received recognition from Camra with a national award for ‘Best Community Local’. The pub is currently open from 4pm Mon-Weds and all day Thurs-Sun from 12 noon- 11pm (Thurs) and until 1am Fri/Sat (10pm Sun). Food is served 6pm-9pm Mon-Wed then 12-3pm and 6-9pm Thu/ Fri, all day until 9pm on Sats and 12-5pm on Sundays.

The pub stands on the corner of Barking Rd and Green St and is about 5 minutes walk from Upton Park tube station. The area is pretty depressed, but it is hoped that this major investment will help rejuvenate the local scene.

CHESTERFIELD AND THE BRAMPTON MILE

With the annual Rail Ale event at Barrow Hill planned for May 18-20, it was decided to explore the delights of Chesterfield, just 5 miles away, and the nearest passenger railhead, for those wishing to stay over for a while. It’s a sizeable town with a population just over 100,000, and conveniently placed for a number of great breweries in the North Derbyshire/

South Yorkshire area. It also boasts a recognised ‘pub crawl’ known as the Brampton Mile as it broadly follows the Chatsworth Rd from the town centre to the Brampton area. A direct train (NorwichLiverpool) goes direct from Peterborough and Grantham, but we found that buying ‘split tickets’ ie Peterborough-Nottingham and Nottingham-Chesterfield saved a few quid, coming in at around £25 return with a railcard rather than just over £40 – total journey time is around 2 hours, though Nottingham of course has plenty of attractions of its own if you’d rather break thejourney.

Leaving the station, and taking the footbridge over the A61, passing the site of the Chesterfield Hotel, recently demolished in favour of a car park, we also passed Armistead’s Cocktail bar along Corporation St to Einstein’s (once known ‘The Buck’, and way back, reputedly featuring an upstairs brothel), very popular with those with a taste for continental lagers. The enthusiastic landlord will be more than happy to help you choose, while Luddites such as myself will probably opt for the Jaipur or even the hand pulled Einstein lager. There’s also Lilley’s Cider and extensive menu available, and

the ambience is pleasant, with views of the original upper floors (which i’m sure could tell a few stories!) complete with fireplaces, now seemingly now suspended in mid-air. Across the main road on Stephenson Place (railway pioneer, George Stephenson is buried in the nearby churchyard) stands the Rutland Arms, alongside the famous Church of St Mary & All Saints, instantly recognisable by its crooked spire, caused by a combination of ancient building oversights including the use of unseasoned wood and the later addition of heavy lead roofing. Open from 12 noon, the Rutland is a sizeable traditional pub, with stripped wooden floors, pool table and a log burner, with TT Landlord (£4) on as the permanent ale alongside a real cider. The Pig & Pump, a short walk away via the churchyard offers a much greater choice with a total of nine handpumps, including Ossett White Rat, Oakham Citra and Jaipur plus a host of guest ales from Abbeydale, Thornbridge and others including a porter. The Thornbridge Colorado was particularly tasty – prices again around the £4 mark. A quick look at Stonegate’s Burlington revealed a couple of beers in the shape of Abbeydale Moonshine

Einsteins

Pig & Pump

and the inevitable Doom Bar, and the Spa Lane Vaults is a run of the mill Wetherspoon’s with the usual cut-price beers - the Lincoln Green ‘Hood’ was quite agreeable at just £2.29 a pint. Opposite is the Rectory, a Dancing Duck pub with five of their own beers and a couple of real ciders. Beer quality was average at best, so we hurried over to the beautiful looking Royal Oak. We were to be disappointed however as Chesterfield’s oldest pub is now closed and for sale for a seemingly bargain price of £235k. Heading south away from the town centre on New Beetwell St, the Spread Eagle looks traditional from the outside but sports a very modern interior, and has a good selection of mainly local ales served from ‘pins’ such as Ashover Citra, Neepsend Blonde, Jaipur, Bakewell Best and TT Landlord. Opposite the Spread Eagle stands the Soulville Steakhouse – a soul themed American grill house with classic 1960’s tunes on the jukebox, and a fun idea for a food stop. Heading back through the town centre, just off the Market Place is the Market pub – a cash-only establishment, again with a good selection of beers from Bradfield, Thornbridge, Little Critters, Timothy Taylor, Greene King and the ever-delicious Plum Porter from Titanic, plus a couple of real ciders. Just behind the Market, the Hidden Knight offers live music, jam sessions and comedy nights, but we headed past as we’d still got the legendary ‘Brampton Mile’ todo..

There are a few thoughts as to where the ‘Mile’ starts and finishes, and pubs have come and gone over the years including the original starting point for those heading into town from the suburb of Brampton – The Terminus (closed 2002). This particular drinking adventure originally followed a tramline which ran along the main road so i’m guessing the Terminus marked the end of the line. We of course were heading out from town, and the current view is that the ‘Mile’ commences with the Portland Hotel and follows the A629 to the Star Inn at Brampton. The Portland is a substantial JD Wetherspoon on West Bars, and sensible place to take on fodder ahead of the forthcoming beer onslaught. So with ham, egg and chips quickly washed down with a decent half of Acorn Winter Ale, we moved along to the nearby Chesterfield Ale House – a very agreeable micropub opened in 2013 in a former furniture shop. Open from 2pm, the decor is spartan, but the beer is top

notch with a tendancy towards stronger cask and craft keg ales from 4.2% to well over 10%! It’s easy to see how things could start going wrong pretty quickly here

Brampton Bier Huis

Portland Hotel

Rectory

1 Einstein’s

2 Rutland Arms

3 Pig & Pump

4 Burlington

5 Spa Lane Vaults

6 Rectory

7 Royal Oak

8 Spread Eagle

9 Soulville Steakhouse

10 Market

11 Hidden Knight

12 Portland Hotel

13 Chesterfield Ale House

14 Junction

15 Spotted Frog

16 Brampton Beer Huis

17 Tramway

18 Anchor

19 Crafty Dog

20 Tap House

21 Real Ale Corner

22 Star Inn

23 Rose & Crown

24 Britannia

25 Chesterfield Arms

26 Neptune Beer Emporium

as good pubs start to come thick and fast. The Junction (formerly the Mason Arms) marks the spot where the rail lines to the original Victorian brewery crossed the main road and there’s a plaque describing how chains were placed across the road to hold back the traffic. Barmaid, Kim was very helpful in talking us through the

history of the pub despite the fact that it was a very busy time, and we sloshed down beer from Blue Monkey, Front Row and Bradfield. Next up, on Chatsworth Rd itself is the Spotted Frog (ex-Royal Oak) – an attractive green painted Victorian building with a large outdoor drinking area but the beer wasn’t great so we headed quickly

to one of the highlights of the trip – The Brampton Beerhuis. Situated just inside Brampton Business Park, this is the Brewery Tap for the modern day Brampton Brewery, and basically a tasting room for the adjacent brewery, only open on Fridays and Saturdays (from 12 noon). There’s a host of memorabilia on the walls,

the staff are extremely engaging and the beer is, not surprisingly, wonderful. The brewery operates four pubs – the others being the Rose & Crown (more of that later), the Glassworks (opposite the football ground) and our next destination – the Tramway.

Formerly known as the New Inn, the pub is open from 2pm on a

Friday, from noon at weekends but not until 4pm Mon-Thurs. They too had an impressive array of beers with four from Brampton, plus guests from Mobberley, Everards, Roosters and Stockport. By the time we reached the Anchor it was apparent that we were running out of time (and capacity!), and so a decision was made to

abandon this visit and finish the rest on a second day. Not however before knocking back a swift half from the cask range of Empire and Brunswick ales – though a range of craft keg and bottles are also available along with good food.

So, commencing the second instalment with renewed vigour at the pub opposite – the Crafty

Dog (formerly the Red Lion) we chatted to the barman, Sean who explained that the pub is roughly mid-way along the ‘Mile’ so can be a meeting point of parties heading in opposite directions. It therefore gets extremely busy during the mid-evening period, though on this Friday afternoon was pretty quiet so we had time to talk and enjoy the mostly keg offerings from Verdant, Shiny andDeya.

The Tap House (formerly the Brampton Tap House, and confusingly then owned by the now defunct Barlow Brewery) features a welcoming open fire and offers another great range of ales including draught Bass and seven guest ales from the likes of Welbeck, Thornbridge, Pentrich, Wild Craft, Arbor, Bowland and Alchemist at prices between £3.60 and £4.20. A nice touch is the ‘beer of the week’ award which allows customers to choose what’s on next. Again the pub has limited opening times so do check the website. Real Ale Corner on the junction of Chatsworth Rd and Old Hall Rd is a delightful

former bottle shop, still providing hundreds of varieties of bottled beers from around the world, but also three cask ales, four craft lines and up to three real ciders. Opened as a micropub in 2009, it was reputedly only the second such establishment opened in the UK. At this point there’s a choice to carry onto the end of the mile – the Star Inn, though its unexciting looking choice of beer meant we opted to follow Old Hall Rd to the Rose & Crown – a multi-award winning ‘Project William’ destination with the obligatory Everards beer plus four from Brampton (at just £3 per pint) and a host of guest ales such as Beartown, Ossett, Abbeydale and Kent. It’s a large pub with two distinct sides and was absolutely heaving with Friday drinkers. There’s live music, jazz sessions and a very vibrant feel to the pub, and it’s a must-visit venue for lovers of a good pub atmosphere. Just across the Britannia was almost as busy and just as welcoming. Permanent beers from Bradfield, Thornbridge and

‘Stones’ are supplemented with a guest such as TT Landlord, but we supped up as we were desperate to try the current Pub of theYear..

The Chesterfield Arms on Newbold Rd is some way from Brampton, but from there it’s walkable to the station, so we opted to jump in a taxi for a very reasonable £5 fare to this fantastic boozer. They’re open all day, and their combination of beer brewed on the premises in their own ‘Resting Devil’ brewery, along with another 8 or 9 guest ales and good home cooked pizzas, make this one of the best pubs we’ve ever visited. The pub retains individual rooms, and benefits from coal fires and copious wood panelling on the walls. The pub was named 2022 overall Pub of the Year by Camra and has now deservedly been awarded 2023 Town Pub of the Year. If time allows, the Neptune Beer Emporium is a short walk away. This was noted Pub of the Year for 2020 so it really is another essential destination, but with time ticking and no hope of a third visit before our print deadline, we headed off for the 10 minute walk back to the station. Chesterfield has to be one of the best ‘Railroving’ trips we’ve done, and we’ll definitely be heading back for the Rail Ale festival in May, but our advice would be if you’re planning to make a stay of it, don’t be tempted to try to do the town and the ‘Mile’ in a single day, or you may come to grief as many have before...!

Tramway

Real Ale Corner

Rail Ale Festival

Rail Ale is back and it’s time to get your tickets for the most atmospheric music and beer festival of them all!

Widely regarded as one of the must-do events in the North of England, the Rail Ale Festival has been taking place at Barrow Hill Roundhouse near Chesterfield for over twenty years. This year’s Festival will take place on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May 2023.

Combining the unique atmosphere of the UK’s only operational railway roundhouse with an unsurpassed range of cask beers, craft ales, ciders, and gins and a wide-ranging musical line up has created a recipe for success that attracts thousands of people every year.

Three days of fantastic entertainment have been lined up for the 2023 Rail Ale Festival. Music lovers will be treated to a wide range of live music in the marquee and on the main stage from jazz and

brass through acoustic, funk and soul to rock and roll.

Kicking off Thursday’s Rail Ale Party Night are ‘80s Ska legends, Bad Manners, featuring vocalist Buster Bloodvessel. Friday’s line up will feature headliners Highway Child, the hugely popular Sheffield-based soul, funk and blues band and a must-have fixture on the Rail Ale calendar. Saturday night will see Flash, one of the best Queen tribute bands in the country, taking to the main stage and bringing the 2023 Festival to a suitably Mercurial close!

As well as the music, there are all those beers and ciders, the renowned Rail Ale Gin Palace and, of course, the Rail Ale trains to look forward to. To quench the thirst there will be over 350 real ales from around the country including many brewed locally in Derbyshire

and South Yorkshire, a great range of ciders and craft beers, an impressive line-up of gins from around the country and the world and a sprinkling of sparkle with the Prosecco & Wine bar.

Between 12noon and 5pm on Friday and Saturday, the popular Rail Ale train will be running for everyone to enjoy a trip on, beer or gin in hand, through the Roundhouse yard and up and down the Springwell Branch Line.

A bus service will operate between Chesterfield railway station and the Roundhouse on all three days of the Festival.

Tickets are now on sale from www.seetickets.com and local outlets in Chesterfield, Sheffield and Derby. For more information on the event, including details of Rail Ale Party Night with Bad Manners, please visit www.railalefestival.com.

pub scrawl

CARDINAL COX

Speakers at the next King’s Lynn Fiction Festival include Carol Birch, Michelle Cahill, Sally Emerson, Jane Feaver, Guinevere Glasfurd, Rachel Hore, Stephen May and DJ Taylor. The festival is to be held over the weekend of 10 – 12 March at the Town Hall on Saturday Market Place (PE30 5DQ). Individual events £10, weekend pass £40. Contact Anthony Ellis c/o Hawkins Ryan Solicitors, 19 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn (PE301JW).

Poetry in Stamford continues to thrive with the monthly Pint of Poetry evening at the Arts Centre on the last Wednesday of the month. The current Stamford Poet Laureate (Scott Coe) has started a relaxed writing circle once a month at MindSpace (39 Broad Street, Stamford). The final of this year’s Stamford Poet Laureate competition will be Wednesday 26 April so send your entries insoon.

£5 (on the door) with £1.50 going to the Sistah Spacecharity.

Oundle Festival of Literature continues on Friday 17 March with print maker and author Angela Harding talking about her book Wild Light This talk will be at The Glapthorn Room, Fletton House, Glapthorn Road, Oundle (PE8 4JA). The Talk starts at 7:45pm and tickets are £8. Go to www.creativeoundle. savoysystems.co.uk

The Coventry Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones will be reading alongside international pianist Mikael Petersson at The Old Town Hall in Bourne for an evening of classical music and poetry on Saturday 25 March. Doors open 6:15 for a 7pm start. Tickets £14 (plus bookingfee)

There are two events of interest at Stamford Arts Centre, John Osborne (My Car Plays Tapes) on Wednesday 5 April, tickets only £5. The Simon (the Poet Laureate himself)

writer) on Thursday 27 April at Stamford Corn Exchange. Tickets are £27.50. Then on Thursday 4 May Mark Steel is at the same venue, tickets £17. 01780 766455 or info@stamford cornexchange.co.uk

Kimberly Johnson (aka Special K) brings her spoken word show More than a Mom to the Key Theatre all the way from Virginia USA on Friday April 28. Tickets £10 (cons £5). Either email keytheatre@selladoorvenues.com or ring 01733852992.

Say It Louder Events

presents are bringing top poet Kat Francois back to the city for a Women of Words evening on Friday 10 March. This will be held at the Embe Restaurant in Cowgate, Peterborough. Starts 6pm, tickets £3.50 (in advance),

Armitage evening on Wednesday 19 April has however sold out. Either ring 01780 763203 or go to www.stamfordartscentre.com

Ex-Detective David Swindle will be talking about The Makings of a Murderer (surely a must for any aspiring crime

On Wednesday 3 May Emma Kenny will be giving a talk about The Serial Killer Next Door (again, a must for any would-be crime writers) at The Cresset in Bretton. Tickets £28.50. Either call 01733 265705 or got to the website at cresset.ticketsolve.com.

Mark Steel

Graham Gouldman brings a Heart Full of Songs to Stamford

For many music fans, the name Graham Gouldman will always be linked with 10cc, who regularly brightened up the charts in the 1970s with a string of creative singles andalbums.

There is, however, much more to the talents of Graham as a writer, singer and performer from before and after10cc.

You can find out for yourself at Stamford Corn Exchange on March 12, when Graham and musical friends present an intimate evening of his material performing Heart Full of Songs, that features his lyrics past andpresent.

The semi-acoustic fourpiece will be performing a broad selection from Graham’s songbook including chart hits that Graham wrote for The Hollies, Hermans Hermits and The Yardbirds. In addition to 10cc classics, there is later material such as songs from his collaboration with Andrew Gold in Wax and Floating In Heaven that caught the attention and support of BrianMay.

Graham has also written songs for a surprising variety of acts including Gary Barlow, Jeff Beck, Paul Carrack, Wayne Fontana, Kirsty McColl andMcFly.

It’s coming up to a decade since Heart Full of Songs was formed to tour more compact venues, while Graham has also kept the name

10cc alive touring bigger venues and festivals. At Stamford he will be accompanied by Dave Cobby, Keith Hayman and IainHornal.

“It balances out very well,” Graham explains. “Providing a good contrast to playing the larger venues with 10cc, which we will do later in theyear.”

“People are interested to learn where the songs come from and I can explain the stories behind

some of them, though I keep it short and sharp,” he added. “Songwriters are often more the back room people compared to performers, so I’m lucky to have successfully combined thetwo.”

Graham is a Mancunian who now lives in London and has played all over the world and still enjoys writing and playing. “Why would you not?” he emphasises. “If it’s what you enjoy doing, you keep doingit.”

As long as Graham continues writing and performing his songs, audiences will gather to enjoy them so we should be grateful for a chance to appreciate an evening in his and his musicians’ company on ourdoorstep.

If you’re not able to make it to the Stamford date, Heart Full of Songs also plays up the A15 at Lincoln The Drill on March 20.

Graham Gouldman

Graham and musical friends

the listings

All the best in live entertainment in our region. Make sure your pub, venue or event is listed by emailing chris@shillingmedia.co.uk.

MARCH 1

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

The Swearing Jar, (7.30pm)

Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford

Big Fun Quiz (8pm), Grainstore, Oakham

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Quiz, (7pm) The Ship, Pinchbeck

Doggie Coffee Morning, (10am - noon)

Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Matt Howard, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Quiz, Five Horseshoes, Barholm

MARCH 2

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Embrace LGBTQ night, (8pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

Quiz, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

MARCH 3

DJ JULZ, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Black Rose, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Tori L’Amour and support, £5, The Met Lounge, Peterbororough

Elaine Delmar, The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

Nick Corney & the Buzz Rats + Kamilla

Rise +Chez Lee, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Morning Glory, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Disco, S Bar, Stilton

Karly’s Karaoke, (8.30pm -12)

The Castle, CastleBytham

Thank Funk it’s Friday, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

MARCH 4

BHDC Band, Nags Head, Bourne

True British Mayhem, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Laney King, Peterborough ConservativeClub

The Expletives, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Oakham Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast

Club (9-11am), Grainstore, Oakham

Safe and Sound – Underground

House, (9pm) Mama Liz’s, Stamford

One Eyed Cats, The Bell, Deeping StJames

Back to The Future, London Inn, Stamford

General Admissions, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Bingo, (6.30pm) Angel Hotel, Bourne

Travis, Lakeside Bar, Tallington

P Town Funk, Ploughman, Werrington

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Stray Native + Guests, (10pm)

Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 5

23 Reasons, Ploughman, Werrington

Ramshackle Serenade, (4.30pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

Open Mic Night, (6pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Jazz Underground, (12-3pm)

Charters, Peterborough

Andy Hughes, (3-6pm) Charters, Peterborough

BHDC Band, March 4, Nags Head

Scary Clown Presents: Grade2 + Clobber

+ King of Pigs, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Back 2 the Future, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

MARCH 6

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

MARCH 7

Poetry Club, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

MARCH 8

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Acoustic Session, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

Open Mic Night Hosted By Jules MorganWalters, Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

MARCH 9

Rave On: The Rise Of Rock And Roll, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Last Hour Stand, (8.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

The Elliott Morris Band, The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

MARCH 10

The Ed Sheeran Songbook, Stamford CornExchange

Candy Twist, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Cher Tribute Night, The Old Barn,Marston, Grantham

Marcus Bonfanti, Parkway Club, Peterborough

Dirty Rumour, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Under The Covers, S Bar, Stilton

Blaze Bayley – The Unstoppable Tour plus Absolva, The Met Lounge, Peterbororough

Candle Thieves plus Guests, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

the listings

Aladdin – P*Ssed Up Panto, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Jazzfunction, (9pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Key Theatre, Peterborough

House Sessions, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 11

Wild Boys, Stamford CornExchange

Viva Neil Diamond Unplugged, The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

Leigh Hitch, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Porky Pig, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Miscellaneous Band, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

DJ, London Inn, Stamford

The Shoetown Boys, Just for Kicks Rock

and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

Outside Chance, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Mista Trick, Met Lounge, Peterborough

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Doggie Social Club, (3pm-5pm) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Open Mic, (6pm) Grainstore, Oakham

Velocity, The Ostrich, Peterborough

Highway Star, (9pm) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Radius 45, Ploughman, Werrington

Broken Heroes, (10pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 12

Keith Luckey, (3pm), Frothblowers, Werrington

10cc’s Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs, Stamford CornExchange

Comedy Night, Millstone Inn, Rhyall Head The Sand folk session, (1pm4pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Jimmy Doherty, (4.45pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

DNA, Ploughman, Werrington

The Boutones. (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

MARCH 13

Mellow Submarine, (3-6pm)

Charters, Peterborough

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

Ed Sheeran Songbook, March 10, Stamford Corn Exchange

the listings

5 Day Weekend, The Castle, CastleBytham

Reggae by DJ Levan Lewis, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Quiz Night (7pm), Bourne Town Hall -

licensed bar in The Shambles will beopen

DJ Mr Nash, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 18

2020 Vision, Ploughman, Werrington

The Guards, S Bar, Stilton

Car Park Rendezvous, London Inn, Stamford

Velocity, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Corey Lewis, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Black Out UK, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

MARCH 15

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

The Manfreds, Stamford CornExchange

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Teechers Levers 22’, Key Theatre, Peterborough

MARCH 16

Teechers Levers 22’, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Unknown Realms, Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford

Quiz, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

Originals Acoustic Night, three performers, (8.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 16-18

Beer Festival, Empingham CricketClub

MARCH 17

True90s, Nags Head, Bourne

Guns 2 Roses, Stamford CornExchange

Junk Puppets, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

Radius, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

St Patrick’s Day Party, (4pm and 8.30pm) Yard of Ale, Peterborough

St Patrick’s Day with McGoo, Grainstore, Oakham

Let’s Rock for Alzheimers Research UK: Fyzz Wallis, Citadel, Listen Like Thieves, Undefined, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Captain Backwash followed by The Jokers, St Patrick’s Day, £19 including Irish Supper, (7pm) Willow Café, The Park, Peterborough

Folk Roots Club, (8pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Ali’s Summit Club Fundraiser: Dan Perrin + One Penny Richer, Ages, JP & the Hat, Poor Boy, Bake Off, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Beachy Head Diving Club, (8pm)

Nobody Inn, Grantham

St Patrick’s Night Music and Party, Skillington VillageHall

Dizzy Miss Lizzys (10pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 19

Artist to be confirmed, Ploughman, Werrington

The Shaughrauns, Green Man, Stamford

Soulful Strut DJ Session, (2pm7pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Band From County Hell, (4pm)

Edwards Bar, Grantham

MARCH 20

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll

Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

MARCH 21

Open Mic, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

Quiz Night, The Castle, CastleBytham

The Swearing Jar, Key Theatre, Peterborough

MARCH 22

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

The Swearing Jar, Key Theatre, Peterborough

MARCH 23

The Swearing Jar, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

The Manfreds, March 15, Stamford Corn Exchange

Palmy Ukulele Band Rehearsal, (8pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Mark Morris (Bluetones), plus Matthew

Aylett (7pm) Mama Liz’s, Stamford

MARCH 24

The Swearing Jar, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Chris Wood, Key Theatre, Peterborough

The Tourette’s, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

The Canters Reunion “Charity night”

by DJ Eddie Nash & Guest DJ (9pm), £5 entry but proceeds to Cancer Research

UK. Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Twisted presents – Diablofurs, The Morphics, Fyzz Wallis Band, (8pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Beats On The Barge, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Houndogs, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

MARCH 25

The Swearing Jar, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Sammy and the Dolphins, (8pm)

Nobody Inn, Grantham

Raveyard Dance Music, The Burghley Club, Peterborough

Dirty Rumour, (9pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, Market Deeping

DJ, London Inn, Stamford

Circa 73, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Upbeat Beatles, The Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham

20/20, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

Live Music, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Physic Night with Nikki, £20 including

Curry, The Castle, Castle Bytham

The Get Down, (9.30pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Whole Lotta Shakin’, The Shakin’ Stevens

Story, The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

Rowena Toledo, Peterborough Conservative Club

Artist to be confirmed, Ploughman, Werrington

The Deps, (10pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 26

Pennyless, (4pm -6pm), Mama Liz’s’s

Bartek Dabrowski, The Met Lounge, Peterborough

High Rollers, Ploughman, Werrington

Northern Soul & Motown Night, (7pm) Bourne Corn Exchange

Alex Eardley-Scott, (3-6pm)

Charters, Peterborough

Come

8 Sail Brewery Beer Festival

April 27th – May 1st

Range of 20+ beers including 8 Sail range plus guest ales and ciders

At the unique 8-sailed Heckington Windmill, 4 Hale Rd, Heckington, Sleaford NG34 9JW (regular trains to Grantham, Sleaford and Boston from Heckington railway station – 2 minutes walk)

Usual Brewery opening times: 12-7 Mon-Tues, 12-8 Weds, 12-9 Thurs-Fri, 12-8 Sat/Sun

Tel: 01529 469308

Email: eightsailbrewery@aol.com or see our website www.8sailbrewery.co.uk

Beer and music at the Ship, 5th, 6th May, 12-11pm • Music, Fri 7-9 from Zebra

8 Sail beers plus Guest Ales and Ciders

Regular Live music, Open Mic. Night, Pool Table, Bingo, Weekly Quiz

Usual Ship Inn opening hours: Tues-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri 2pm -11.30pm, Sat 12-11.30pm, Sun 12.30-10.30pm

The Old Ship Inn, 22 High St, Pointon, Sleaford NG34 0LX (on B1177 BourneBillingborough road) • Tel 01529 241117

https://theoldshipinn-pub.business.site or

and enjoy 8 Sail beers at our newly acquired Village Pub The Old Ship Inn (and adjacent Bombay Brasserie restaurant and takeaway)

the listings

The Rogues, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

Joe Drury, (4.45pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Music Quiz, (6.30pm) Charters, Peterborough

MARCH 27

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

MARCH 29

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

MARCH 30

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Quiz, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

Funhouse Comedy, (6pm) Grainstore, Oakham

Stephen Tanner Band, (8.30pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

Sherlock Holmes: The Valley Of Fear, (7.30pm) Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford

MARCH 31

Acoustic session, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

Jessie‘s Ghost, (10pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Vex, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

Carpark Rendezvous, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Sherlock Holmes: The Valley Of Fear, (7.30pm) Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford

Ouse Valley Singles Club, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Frankly My Dear, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Vinyl Night, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 1

JD King’s Elvis, Stamford CornExchange

West End Magic, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Dead Horse, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

No Gods No Managers presents 3 bands, (8pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Very Beautiful South, (7pm) The Parkway

Sports & Social Club, Peterborough

Junkyard Dukes, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

La Villa Strangiato – The Spirit of

Rush, The Met Lounge, Peterborough

Jenna, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Velocity, Blue Bell, Werrington

Oakham Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast

Club (9-11am), Grainstore, Oakham

Safe & Sound – Underground House, (9pm) Mama Liz’s, Stamford

BHDC, S Bar, Stilton

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Flashback Photography, (9pm) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Division, Ploughman, Werrington

APRIL 2

Anna and Jimmy, Ploughman, Werrington

Live Music, (4.45pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Open mic night, (6pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Mod Story, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

Simon Lee, (3pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

Jazz Underground, (12-3pm)

Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 3

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

APRIL 5

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

A Midsummer Nights Dream, Key Theatre, Peterborough

The Telltale Heart, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Doggie Coffee Morning, (10am -noon) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Big Fun Quiz (8pm), Grainstore, Oakham

Quiz, Five Horseshoes, Barholm

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Tommy Philpot, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 6

Beyond Faith - Tribute to George Michael, Stamford CornExchange

Latiesha Maria Band, Bluebell, Werrington

The Telltale Heart, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Dom Martin, The Met Lounge, Peterborough

Jessie‘s Ghost, March 31, Brewery Tap

Comedy Night by Big Deal Comedy, (8pm)

tickets £10, Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

Embrace LGBTQ Night, (8pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

APRIL 6 - 10

Easter Beer Festival, Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 7

Miscellaneous, Nags Head, Bourne

Mirage, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

P Town Funk, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Good Friday Disco, (9pm) The Castle, CastleBytham

Reckless, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

Janus Stark, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Hansel & Gretel, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Thank Funk it’s Good Friday, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

One Eyed Cats, Ploughman, Werrington

APRIL 7-10

Craftfest 2023 - Craft Ale Festival with live music - Grainstore, Oakham

APRIL 8

Hansel & Gretel, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Toxic Blondes, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Tribal Misfits, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Doggie Social Club, (3pm-5pm) Iron

Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

The Expletives, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Blackout UK, London Inn, Stamford

Adult Treasure Hunt, (3-5pm) The Ship, Pinchbeck

Sam Kelly’s Station House, (8.30pm) Grainstore, Oakham

Live Music, (9pm) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Rob Bishop, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

High Point Players, Ploughman, Werrington

APRIL 9

Hansel & Gretel, Key Theatre, Peterborough

The System, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

Live Band, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Salmon Dave, Ploughman, Werrington

The Blue Bell

at

Come and enjoy the warm welcome and ambience at our beautiful 17th Century traditional village pub

Open Daily from 3pm Mon-Fri • 1pm Sat/Sun

High St, Maxey, Peterborough PE6 9EE Tel. Kerry on 01778 348182

Follow us on Facebook: bluebellmaxey

4 Expertly kept changing Real Ales on hand pump

3 Keg lines, German bottled beers, 15 Ciders, loads of Gins

Charity quiz every Wednesday Now with extended opening hours:

102c Fletton High Street, Fletton, Peterborough, PE2 8DR

Now serving up to SEVEN real ales including Fuller’s ESB & London Pride, Ossett White Rat and Grainstore Ten Fifty, plus wide range of Lagers, Craft Ales, Wines and Spirits

the listings

High Rollers, (4.45pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Fraz, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Jazzfunction, (9pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Chloe Lorentzen, (3-6pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 10

Pagan, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

APRIL 11

Alice in Wonderland, (2pm), Stamford CornExchange

APRIL 12

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Open Mic Night: Hosted by Gem May

Winter and Gary Lee Ward, Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping Acoustic Session, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

APRIL 13

Liza Pulman, Stamford CornExchange

Live Music, (8.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Quiz, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

The Oozes, Met Lounge, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 14

Cuttin’ Loose, Nags Head, Bourne

Skimmington Ride, (9.30pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

Ska Souls, (9pm) Iron Horse Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Georgia, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

DJ Sav “Disco Funk Fever”, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

The High Rollers, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Stephen Tanner & His Band, Stevie

Jones & the Wildfires, Kings & Bears,

Sarah Hughes, Mama Liz’s, Stamford

Radius 45, (10pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 15

The History of Soul, Stamford CornExchange

Revolver, Ploughman, Werrington

AGAP, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Velocity, Bar 912, Holbeach

23 Reasons, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

High Rollers, London Inn, Stamford

Idle Hands, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

True British Mayhem, (10pm)

Charters, Peterborough

Gaby Starbuck, Peterborough ConservativeClub

APRIL 16

Dr Feelgood, Stamford CornExchange

Velocity, Bluebell, Dogsthorpe

Soulful Strut DJ Session, (2pm7pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

The Highway Junkies, (4pm)

Edwards Bar, Grantham

Johnny Cash Roadshow, Key

Theatre, Peterborough

Cecil Farayi, Ploughman, Werrington

Christian Smith, (3-6pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 17

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll

Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

APRIL 18

Open Mic Night, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

APRIL 19

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Simon Armitage, (7.30pm) Stamford

Arts Centre, Stamford

APRIL 20

RARE Productions Youth Theatre, Matilda Junior, Stamford CornExchange

Dr Feelgood, April 16, Stamford Corn Exchange

Greetings from the Xtreme Team... Our annual festival is upon us!

is at

The

THAT’S THURSDAY TO SUNDAY AND MAYBE BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY!

We will have live music from 50/50 on Saturday 29th, The Xtremities will be playing slots throughout the festival and we will have live music (TBC) on Friday 28th. A great selection of independent local ales and ciders will be available to accompany the full Farmers Menu. On Saturday you could start early with an all you can eat breakfast supported, by a local tipple and of course on Sunday you can have the famous Farmers Carvery with a selection of great ales... Pizzas, the Grill Menu and the Carvery will be available throughout...

WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE... THE XTREME TEAM

the listings

Tony Verno, Peterborough ConservativeClub

Live Band, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

DJ, London Inn, Stamford

The 707, Ploughman, Werrington

Live Band, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

GRAB’s Big Band Bash – Swing into

Spring, The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

Saturday Night Groove, (9pm)

Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Keep This Up and Guests, (10pm)

Charters, Peterborough

Originals Acoustic Night, three performers, (8.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 21

RARE Productions Youth Theatre,

Matilda Junior, Stamford CornExchange

Pennyless, Moulton Mill, Moulton

The Latiesha Maria Band, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

Dependent Variables, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Voodoo Haze, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Reckless, S Bar, Stilton

Definitely Oasis, Met Lounge, Peterborough

The Smiths Utd, (7.30pm) Mama Liz’s, Stamford

October Drift, (7.30pm) The Met

Lounge, Peterborough

Quiz, The Castle, CastleBytham

Definitely Oasis, (11pm) The Met

Lounge, Peterborough

Veltones, (8.30pm) Grainstore, Oakham

Everything is Urban by DJ T3lsy, (9pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Folk Roots Club, (8pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping

DJ Les Wheeler, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

October Drift, Met Lounge, Peterborough

APRIL 22

RARE Productions Youth Theatre,

Matilda Junior, Stamford CornExchange

P Town Funk, (9pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Dead Reynolds, The Met Lounge, Peterborough

Lady Luck, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Miscellaneous, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

APRIL 23

Pennyless, (4pm -6pm), Mama Liz’s’s David James Smith, (4.45pm)

Ostrich, Peterborough

Skoundel Days, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

Mark Stevens, Ploughman, Werrington

Reasons, (8pm) Nobody Inn, Grantham

Anna & Jimmy Duo, (3-6pm)

Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 24

Record Hop, Just for Kicks Rock and Roll Club at Royal British Legion, Yaxley

APRIL 26

Charity Quiz, Wonkey Donkey, Fletton

Quiz, Old Ship, Pointon

Acoustic Evening, (7.30pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping

APRIL 27

The Makings of a Murderer with David Swindle, Stamford CornExchange

Michael Card in Concert, St

Wulfram’s Church, Grantham

Quiz, Lord Harrowby, Grantham

Palmy Ukulele Band rehearsal, (8pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

The Big Band Peterborough, (8pm), £5 entry, Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Comedy Night, (6pm) Grainstore, Oakham

Quiz, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 27-30

Farmers Annual Beer Festival, local real ales + ciders + live music, Farmers, Yaxley

P Town Funk, April 22, Iron Horse

APRIL 27- MAY 1

8 Sail Brewery Beer Festival - 20+ Beers + Ciders, 8 Sail Brewery, Heckington

APRIL 28

Morning Glory, Nags Head, Bourne

The Carpenter’s Experience Live,

The Guildhall, Grantham

Stamford Comedy Club, Stamford CornExchange

Love Machine, (8pm) Lakeside Bar, Tallington

The Expletives, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Lizzy on the Loose, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Acoustic Session, Falcon HotelWhittlesey

Carl Hutchinson, Key Theatre, Peterborough

Raunds Music Festival: Ceilidh with

Tautas Roks, Saxon Hall, Raunds

The Gangsters, (10pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Jazz Up The 80s With Jay Rayner Sextet, (7.30pm) Stamford Arts Centre, Stamford

Vinyl Night, (8pm) Charters, Peterborough

APRIL 29

50/50, Farmers (beer festival), Yaxley

Climax Blues Band, Stamford CornExchange

Smoke n’ Mirrors, Yard of Ale, Peterborough

Bent Back Tulips, (9.30pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Raunds Music Festival: Jim Moray; Gilmore Roberts, Saxon Hall, Raunds

Dirty Rumour, London Inn, Stamford

The Get down, (9.30pm) Brewery Tap, Peterborough

Mike Shelby, Peterborough ConservativeClub

High Point Players, (9pm) Iron Horse

Ranch House, MarketDeeping

Candy Twist, Ploughman, Werrington

APRIL 30

Another Girl Another Planet, Ploughman, Werrington

The Element, (4pm) Edwards Bar, Grantham

Johnny Quinn, (4.45pm) Ostrich, Peterborough

Raunds Music Festival: Local acts followed by Lucy Ward and Steve Tilston

in the evening, Saxon Hall, Raunds

Music Quiz, (6.30pm) Charters, Peterborough

reviews

represented. But what about pubs? You tend not to think about The Beatles propping up the bar down the local, though it may well havehappened.

from East Anglian performers and writers as confirmed by this precious debut album by Kelly Bayfield fromSuffolk.

The Beatles’ Liverpool

By Mike Haskins, Pitkin, paperback, £6.99

There are many organised tours around the city of Liverpool for visitors wishing to experience landmarks associated with The Beatles, their roots and songlyrics.

However, if you wish to do it yourself, Mike Haskins’ concise guide is just the job. Subtitled “Discover the stories behind more than 50 iconic Beatles’ locations”, Mike is a Merseyside-based author whose works include the splendid joke compendium Man Walks Into ABar.

As you would expect, famous clubs where the Fab Four played – such as The Cavern – are well

One such hostelry is Ye Cracke, a small pub situated at 13 Rice Street, a short walk from the College of Art John Lennon attended. As a result, John and his then girlfriend Cynthia would go there. In fact, John was introduced to her there by original Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe. Another regular at Ye Cracke was Billy Harry, whose numerous achievements included founding Mersey Beatnewspaper.

We are told that John’s favourite drink was Black Velvet, a mix of Guinness and sparklingwine.

Another pub to get look in is The Empress on High Park Street, Dingle, close to the Admiral Grove home of RingoStarr.

Wave Machine –Kelly Bayfield

Available from Bandcamp as a digital download and on CD

There is currently a lot of marvellous music originating

Surrounded by a wealth of fine musicians and the collaboration of David Booth for arrangements, lyrics, music and production, the overall effect is very calm and soothing. The organic sound reflects inspiration drawn from various aspects around her life in songs reflecting the wide East Anglian skies such as Harrier

From The Marsh and Bird ofPrey. There is also a sad, personal thread running through several of Kelly’s songs from loss of good friends and close family, but the tone is always positive and life affirming. Her song Lullaby was originally performed a capella following the birth of her eldest child. It took on a different meaning after the death of her husband Mat in2019.

Kelly admits that she felt that some of the songs were too personal to share with others, but thankfully has been encouraged to doso.

Simply beautiful music.

David Brown