rhythm and booze Railroving in Coventry The Region’s Biggest Gig Listings
Albion Christmas Band play Stamford Arts Centre on 11 December.
Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011 & 2014 CAMRA Gold award 2013 & 2016 Peterborough Civic Award 2017 for Community Involvement
Live Sky and BT Sports Live Entertainment Happy Hour Mon - Fri 5-7pm
November
December
Fri 1st – The Zephyrs Sat 2nd – Retrolux Sun 3rd – Halloween Karaoke Sat 9th – Go with the Flow Sat 16th – Iron Fist Sat 23rd – Velocity Fri 29th – Leftovas Sat 30th – Tiger Club
Fri 6th - Mighty and the High Sat 7th - The Nuggets Fri 13th - Dirty Rumour Sat 14th - Children of the Rev Fri 20th - The Overdubs Sat 21st - Revolver Fri 27th - High Rollers NYE - Last Minute Brigade (ticket only)
Holli’s Winter Charity Beer Fest Wednesday 4th-Sunday 8th December
Ales, Ciders & Speciality Gins Entertainment from The Mighty & the High (Fri 6th, 9pm), The Nuggets (Sat 7th, 9pm) and Karaoke (Sun 8th, 8pm)
Werrington Centre, Staniland Way, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6NA
The Olive Branch at Clipsham.
The Prince of Wales Feathers at Castor makes a welcome return in the 2020 Good Beer Guide. New entries for Cambridgeshire include the Admiral Wells at Holme, the Coalheavers Arms in Peterborough and the Falcon Hotel in Whittlesey. Lincolnshire’s new listings are for the Church Keys, Bateman’s Coach & Horses and JD Wetherspoon’s Moon Under Water in Boston, the Castlegate and the Railway Club in Grantham, the Plough at Horbling and the Ivy Wall (JD Wetherspoon) in Spalding. Rutland entries now include the Railway at Ketton, and Northamptonshire includes the Tap & Kitchen on Oundle Wharf. In Grantham, the Nobody Inn came a very close second to the Strugglers in
Lincoln for the Lincolnshire Pub of the Year award. Local Camra members have until the end of the year to nominate entries for the 2021 guide and also for their Pub of the Year. There was little change for local pubs in this year’s Good Pub Guide, but the Olive Branch at Clipsham was recognised again as a national Top 10 Pub as well as taking Leicestershire & Rutland Dining Pub of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. The Lincolnshire award goes to the Brownlow Arms at Houghtonon-the Hill. Peterborough’s Oakham Ales won the Brewery of the Year award. The Geese & Fountain at Croxton Kerrial gets a listing in the Leicestershire section. Peterborough’s Mile Tree Brewery won a silver award
at the Siba East awards, held at Elgood’s in Wisbech, for Lark Song. August’s Peterborough Beer Festival was blessed with good summer weather and attracted 27,500 visitors consuming 72,500 pints of cask beers and 14,400 ciders. Next year’s event is on 25-29 August. The Frothblowers micropub in Werrington has gone one better on its Peterborough Pub of the Year award by taking the Cambridgeshire award too (and a runner up in East Anglia). Partner Steve Williams said: “It’s very nice to get an award, especially a county one as we have so many superb pubs.” As well as a wide range of well-kept ales and ciders, the pub prides itself on extra activities such as a weekly bike club and days out to other pubs and breweries. Wetherspoon’s
(Contin Draper’s Arms in Cowgate, Peterborough closed at the end of October for a three-month £1.4m transformation which will feature a rear extension/garden, an increase in the range of real ales to 12, and a roof terrace garden. The at Orton Malborne has received a major refurbishment by Punch Taverns. Now open plan, the pub offers more space for families, screens and a live entertainment area and a pizza oven. The Wheatsheaf Road has also undergone a £100k refurbishment by Greene King – manager Steve Smith now offers a carvery. Sister pub the Harrier in Gunthorpe has received a £250k refurb, and has a new brand (Flaming Grill) and manager – Wayne Gondor. In Peterborough city centre, the Ostrich is now in the hands of Graham Finding and Sue Minto. They’ve enhanced the beer range and the live music calendar, so bands appear every Friday and Saturday and occasional Sunday afternoons, with acoustic sessions on selected Thursdays. Interested bands are requested to call Sue on 07307 195560. Meri Hyde continues to improve the offering at the Woolpack in Stanground, extending the pub into the rear outbuildings to create a ‘barn restaurant’. Saturday breakfasts are now available, along with three to four real ales and a weekly quiz. City centre bar Edwards/Flares reopened as the Cocktail Bar & Night Club in late September after a £500k refurb, reverting to the name that the building it’s in carried in its heyday when such acts as the Beatles and Laurel & Hardy
appeared there. The Black Horse at Nassington has been put on the market by EI Group. Better news from nearby Ashton is that the Chequered Skipper is open again. The attractive Grade I listed Kings Arms at Apethorpe is available at £500k or as a free of tie lease. The Millstone in Stamford has new licensees – Richard Hills and Alyson Warrener. Stamford’s has experienced a new lease of life under new manageress Rose Henthorn. The place has a much brighter feel, and the pleasant upstairs restaurant is busy again (Wednesday-Sunday). Pushpenny and pool have been reintroduced, and beer quality remains good, with a pint of Smiths Mild still available at the unlikely price of £1.34. Rose celebrates one year at the pub with a solstice party on 21 Decembert Great Casterton Beer Festival held at the Crown was hailed as a massive success, a follow up is expected next year. Will Fry, formerly of the Tobie Norris in Stamford and occasionally the Bertie Arms has moved onto a sales director role at in Oundle. Knead Group’s
Crown Hotel in Stamford’s All Saint’s Place has won Best Pub in the East Midlands in bloom competition. The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham also received a gold for Best Hotel Garden. In Bourne, Matt Bell has moved from Smith’s to manage the Jubilee Garage (regular music now features – see listings). A few doors down, and after a number of false dawns, it now looks like the former Wand’s electrical shop will open as a JD Wetherspoon house in April – work costing around £2.5m is due to start in November. Also, on the move is Johnny Parr, who leaves the Mason’s Arms to concentrate his efforts on sister pub, the Cock Inn at Werrington. Taking over from Johnny is Jimmy Cripps. House & Hotel near Bourne has been rescued after entering administration. New owners are Giri Golf who have purchased the 20-room hotel along with the golf course. The Hare & Hounds at nearby Haconby is for sale at £299k. Details at www.primelocation.com In Rutland, the 18th century Old Plough at Braunston has been reduced in price by Christie & Co – down £100k
to £595k. The pub includes a
Three Kings Inn, Threekingham.
around, you might be interested in the grandiose Barnsdale Hall Hotel which includes swimming pool, spa, gym, squash and tennis courts, and housed within a 55 acre site – details at of pub closures. Remarkably the recently rebuilt Merry Monk has already gone, undergoing a transformation to an Italian restaurant known as L’Oliveto when we looked was the Mill Street Pub & Kitchen. The Fox Inn Witham closed its doors for the with the disused OK Diner, it will be demolished to make way Prior’s Oven was undergoing refurbishment when we looked in during midcentury Olde White Horse has been closed by th
th
century
Grade II listed Crown Hotel in
October in conjunction with
by Martin Forward and John Budworth. They plan to run it as a community pub with rooms
Three Kings at Threekingham has been put on the market by owner Ian Parker for £495k – details at
by the Round Table raised
th century gastro pub, the Houblon Arms,
Red Lion at Digby has picked up a Pub of the Year award from
short period of closure. station bar, an unused room on
Spanners Bar in Heckington has reportedly closed, though it looks likely to be reopened under a new guise. Also, in Heckington, the 8 Sail Brewery & Bar
a micro pub to be known as the Whistle Stop, due to open Beerheadz in Grantham has introduced Poetry, Tuesday of each month. After a Thorold Arms at Marston was due to reopen as a community Pubs no more
end of the year. An application has been made to replace the long-closed Crown Inn at The former Decoy at Milking demolished in October to make way for housing. Chris Shilling
Good Pub Guide 2020 Listed
COSY COUNTRY PUB AND RESTAURANT IN THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF CASTLE BYTHAM
Full Christmas Menu - private dining available (families and corporate) 10-20 people £10 Tuesdays - main meal + house wine for a tenner
Forthcoming Events: November 4 - Quiz 7.45pm
December 2 - Christmas Quiz 7,45pm
December 25 - Christmas Day open 12-3pm
High St, Castle Bytham, Stamford NG33 4RZ The Castle Inn, Castle Bytham T: 01780 411223
Beer Hawk Charterhouse 38 Charterhouse Street Clerkenwell London EC1M 6JH bars.beerhawk.co.uk/ location/charterhouse archive image a little familiar, as
th
The Bell Inn 3 Ambury Road Aldworth Reading Berks RG8 9TL 01635 578272 Facebook: thebellinnaldworth I’m not over familiar with this part of England, but the North Wessex Downs is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, dotted with chocolate boxes villages and surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Close to the River Thames, on Oxfordshire’s border with Berkshire, a few miles south of Didcot (recently relieved of its famous cooling towers which once dominated the skyline) stands the tiny village of Aldworth, home of the Bell Inn. I had been to this pub before,
some 20 years ago – occupying an idyllic position in the heart of the village, you can’t miss it, and all local life revolves around it. The 15th century Grade II former farmhouse has been altered but not spoilt over the years and has remained in the hands of the same family for centuries. As you would expect, it’s basic – there’s no real bar,
just a serving hatch accepting cash only, and a number of small rooms with benches to sit on, linked by a narrow tiled passageway linking small beamed rooms. As with many small village pubs, you get to meet a fascinating cross section of society, not just from the local area but nationwide. On a sultry summer’s evening, we met regulars Jim and Doug (and Jim’s Labrador) relaxing on the porch way and watching the world go by. Perhaps surprisingly, they appeared to be a little curious at our interest in their local – maybe, for them, familiarity has diminished the wonder of this truly special place. excellently kept local ales available – two from the local West Berkshire Brewery and others such as Marlow, Loose Cannon, Arkells and Newbury’s Indigenous Brewery along with
The
Willoughby Arms Station Road Little Bytham Grantham, Lincolnshre NG33 4RA ciders from Tutt’s Clump and Lilley’s. This is a pretty upmarket part of the world, but at £3.70 to £4 the beer price did not seem to be excessive. Better still, when I asked for a taster and was offered one of each, which I duly accepted. Food comes in the form of hot crusty rolls in a wide variety such as smoked duck pate, chilli cheese, Coronation Chicken and even a New York-style pastrami, along with soups and Ploughman’s lunches Outside there’s a spacious but secluded cottage beer garden which plays host to acoustic events during summer months, and should you wish to wander away there are plenty of riverside walks. Awards have come thick and fast winning including Camra’s current South Central Pub of the Year, and one time National Champion The pub does not open all day (and not at all on Mondays), so make sure you’re there between 11am and 3pm or 6-11pm (or 12-3pm and 7-10.30pm Sundays). Chris Shilling
6 Real Ales Bed And Breakfast With 4 Star Accommodation
Homemade Food Served Daily 12-2 & 6-9 Sunday Lunch 12-3
Quiz Nights 12th November 10th December
01780 410276 info@willoughbyarms.co.uk
www.willoughbyarms.co.uk
While are no direct trains between Peterborough and Coventry, the neighbouring town of Nuneaton can be reached in just under 75 minutes by Cross Country Trains; a change of trains and a further 20-minute ride can bring you to the West Midlands city for a combined advance return fare or around £30. The 09.52 weekday departure gives an 11.30 arrival time, and a 10-minute walk via Greyfriars Road towards the bus station (and Ikea) brings you to the
Town Crier on Corporation Street. Open at 11am daily, this recently renovated Marston’s house in run by an enthusiastic manager who keeps his four real ales in good condition at prices between £2.75 and £3.25, along with a couple of ciders. Taking the rear exit from here towards the Harvester, the Spon Gate can easily be found in Croft Road. One of four branches of JD Wetherspoon in the city (the others are the Flying Standard, The Earl of Mercia and the City
Arms) and open from 8am, this one is regarded as the cheapest for beer with all real ales priced at just £1.99, with no obvious problem with quality. A good place therefore to take brunch From here we took a route through the market to the central shopping area, past the famous Lady Godiva statue, to the Cosy Club on Broadgate. This quirky but spacious upstairs bar also open early (9am), and like the Stamford branch is popular for coffee and breakfasts,
Debbie at the Town Wall.
The Flying Standard Right: Golden Cross
though the single cask beer (Sadler’s Peaky Blinder) was not on great form. We therefore moved on quickly to the second JDW of the day, along the High Street to the Earl of Mercia, (named after Leofric – founder of the original cathedral and husband to Lady Godiva) which stands opposite the impressive Tudor-style Council House here to warrant a Good Beer Guide listing, and there are usually eight available. From here you can see the Castle Grounds (Little Park Street) – described as a ‘traditional free house’ but more a modern city centre bar. There are four beers to choose from (two from the local Purity Brewery, plus Doom Bar and Hobgoblin) and a cider. Heading back past the Earl of Mercia, a narrow lane opposite (Hay Lane), leads to the Cathedral area. Right opposite the shell of the original cathedral, now an open air space for quiet contemplation thanks to the efforts of the Luftwaffe in World War Two, stands the Golden Cross – a remarkable 16th century survivor in this
modern city. The ambience here is very pleasant, with exposed beams including a rare example of a ‘Dragon Beam’ which allows ‘jettied’ (overhanging) upper there are usually four beers on from the likes of Warwickshire’s Church End Brewery, plus a couple of national brands such as Adnams and their own Golden Cross bitter from Ringwood plus a range of ciders. Discounts are offered for Camra members. Next door, Stonegate Inns’ Slug & Lettuce also presents an impressive sight – housed in the 18th Century former County Hall and standing on the site of the original Mint. It’s clearly very popular, with a sizeable outdoor area, but appears to be appealing more to diners than drinkers, so we moved on past the impressive looking Flying Standard (JDW), named after the emblem of Coventry’s Standard Motor company, to the Town Wall Tavern on Bond Street. It’s an Enterprise Inn, but the pub co has retained has the great character of this place, with individual rooms, including the 6ft x 6ft ‘Donkey Room’, a
‘smoke room’ now given over to diners and a piano in the corner. Even the barmaid, Debbie, provided – dare I say it – a retro real ales which always includes one from Wye Valley and a mild. Round the corner onto Hill Street, we headed away from the central area to the Gatehouse Tavern, once the gateway to an enormous woollen mill known as Leigh Mills. It’s been a pub since 1995, and is popular with fans of the nearby rugby club. Landlord of 25 years, Martin McKeown was happy to tell us how he took it over as a derelict building and had to dig the cellar out himself. His six cask ales and cider are lovingly kept, and included on our visit, examples from Church End, Cotleigh, Fullers, Titanic and Parkway breweries. It’s a quirky place with a rugby-themed stained glass window, and well worth a look. From here we picked our way though a back lane to Coventry’s famous medieval Spon Street. On the face of it, this road appears to have survived the bombs and the developers, retaining its ancient buildings, but we learned
The Old Windmill
Dennis Davison’s seat at
that some of the buildings had actually been transported and reassembled here from other parts of the city! One which had always stood here however is the Grade II listed Old Windmill (the ‘Old’ having been added when another pub of the same name opened elsewhere in the city). This is a fabulous pub, dating from the 15th century and known locally as ‘Ma Brown’s’ provide historical interest at every turn. The remains of the original brew house can still be seen in the back room, and the passageway between the main drinking areas was originally a street, the pub having originally only stood on one side, then extended into the shop next door. At least six beers are usually available, with Theakston Old Peculier and Timothy Taylor Landlord on permanently. The pub has won many awards over the years and is the current Cider Pub of the Year Heading beyond the ring road past the Rugby Club into Spon End, the Old Dyers Arms is open all day with Bombardier and Doom Bar always available along with a guest beer, often from a local brewery, but with
time ticking and the former two only available we moved on to the , a pleasant locals’ free house open all day from Thursdays (otherwise 4pm), and featuring a wide range of at least ten expertly kept beers including some from local of the Year, and it was a bit of a wrench to tear ourselves away. This became even harder when we struck up a conversation with a certain Heather Davison, who was paying homage to her father Dennis Davison BEM, who had passed away three days
earlier at the grand old age of 96, and had his own permanent seat in the bar. A D-Day veteran and successful businessman, Dennis was a genuine local hero, having been awarded the Légion d’honneur thanks to his wartime efforts including helping the resistance and latterly founding Coventry’s Peace Orchard. Onto Craven Street, the was easily the busiest pub of the day, a proper community free house, each of the rooms was buzzing with enthusiastic regulars, many from the Irish community, enjoying the well-kept Guinness and couple of cask beers from Church End along with the day’s racing. With no hope of getting back on foot in time for our booked train, it was decided at this point to arrange a taxi, which would allow us time to get to the Nursery on Lord Street, another good back street local, and a favourite real ale haunt for many a year, usually offering a couple of national brands such as Fullers along with three of four guest ales. From here, it’s wise to allow 15 minutes for the £5 taxi ride to the station. Chris Shilling
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the rhythm section
The Wilbur Project
Rutland R&B band the Wilbur Project will be launching a new EP, entitled 2020 Vision at their forthcoming gig supporting the Rainbreakers at the Voodoo Lounge, Stamford on 16 November. This follows their debut album, Straight down the Line, released earlier this year. Formed in 2016, the band consist of ex-March to the Grave members Paul ‘Sponge’ Selby (bass) and Rick Simpson (guitars), along with Graham ‘Tuzzy’ Tyers on drums and Paul ‘Wilbur’ Williams on lead vocals and harmonica. Described as 70s style pub rock, the punk-tinged blues sound is reminiscent of that period just prior to the UK punk explosion. The band
has received accolades having supported such greats as Dr Feelgood, Robert J Hunter and Big Boy Bloater. Sample sounds, shop and gig info at www. thewilburproject.co.uk Tuzzy’s former band and local 80s favourites Amber Squad reform to play the Railway at Oakham on 21 December. Ketton Showtime returns to the Northwick Arms on Friday 1 November with the Jonny Kerry Quartet (www.jonnykerry. com) – an acoustic ensemble inspired by Gypsy Jazz, New Musette, Classical and Tango music. The show on 6 December features three local musicians – Harpist Eleanor Turner (www. eleanorturner.biz), soprano
Caroline Trutz (encoremusicians. com/Caroline-Trutz) and classical guitarist Steve Bean (www. stevebean.co.uk). Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and tickets, priced £10 are available by emailing adam@susted.org. uk or calling 01780 720521. A £20 show plus evening meal deal is available by calling 01780 720238. For further details on Ketton Showtime, go to kettonshowtime.blogspot.com traditional singers will compete for The Oscar Preston Memorial Trophy as part of the Traditional Song Competition held at The White Horse, Baston on 4 Monday November 2019. Beginning at 8pm in the public
Eleanor Turner
bar, solo singers will perform a traditional folk song (or a song composed in a traditional style) from memory and not rely on a prompt from written or printed text. The Competition is sponsored by Traditional Music & Song, which is held at The Barn in Baston, and further information is available by emailing a.wood571@btinternet.
com or calling 01778 560497. The Albion Christmas Band, which is led by folk legend Ashley Hutchings brings its seasonal show to the Stamford Arts Centre on Wednesday 11 December. Widely regarded as the premier seasonal show, it also includes the talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band) and Wendy Kirkland
Simon Care (Edward II). Tickets, priced £20, are available from stamfordartscentre.com or calling 01780 763203. Fresh from her recent performance at London’s Pizza Express jazz club, Wendy Kirkland will be at Stamford Arts Centre’s Cellar Bar on 1 November. Performing songs from her album Piano Divas, which contains fresh arrangements of songs made famous by the likes of Diana Krall, Nina Simone and Blossom Dearie, Wendy will tell the story of these women and how they inspired her to strive to become the UK’s leading exponent of jazz piano and voice. The following month’s Jazz in the Cellar Bar session, on 8 December, features the Jeanie Barton Quartet. Tickets priced £12 per session, voucher and are available above.
Pub Scrawl
During November, Peterborough is hosting the Syntax Poetry Festival. Lots of the regular nights around the city will be putting on something special
of the Peterborough Poet Laureate Competition on 1 November, Andrew McMillan on Wednesday 20 November. A schedule of events can be found at syntaxpoetryfestival. wordpress.com On Sunday 3 November there’s a double-bill of Murray Lachlan Young and Mark Grist at the Key Theatre. During the day they’re each presenting their children’s shows (tickets £8.50). In the evening they’ve a show of their grown-up work, where tickets are priced £13. (01733 207239, vivacity.org/ theatres/vivacity-s-key-theatre) Keir Giles will be talking about his book Moscow Rules (which attempts to look at Russia and its view of the world) on Friday 8 November at Fletton House, Oundle, while Sonia Purnell will be there on Wednesday 4 December to discuss her book A Woman of No Importance (about the extraordinary World War Two adventures of SOE agent Virginia Hall). Benjamin Zephaniah is at St Peter’s Church, Oundle on Friday 17 January. Tickets for all three events are available from Oundle Oundle. (01832 274734, www. oundlefestival.org.uk) Author and broadcaster Steve Pollington will be offering to let you Meet the Saxons at Castor Village Hall on Friday 8 November from 7.30pm. Tickets
Benjamin Zephaniah (left)
free. (tickets@castorchurchtrust. co.uk) As part of the Syntax Festival, Poetry Swaps at Stamford Arts Centre on Wednesday 13 November will include Mark Rogers (promoting his book So…) plus a second chance to hear some of the verse presented during the recent Georgian Festival. Starts at 8pm the bar. (01780 763203, www. stamfordartscentre.com) Comedy-Rap-Jazz duo Harry and Chris will be at Stamford’s Corn Exchange on Friday 1 November. (01780 766455, www. stamfordcornexchange.co.uk) The Gateway Film Festival is takes place on 8-17 November and, on Sunday 17 November in the Studio at the Key Theatre, they will be showing three silent supplied by four poets, including Ross Sutherland and Charlie Genever. Tickets £7.50 as above. Fiction Fix, the open micstyle night for local authors, has relocated to SAMM’s, Peterborough. Previously held at
the Draper’s Arms, the free event – which next takes place on 1st December from 8pm – the night gives authors a 15-minute slot to read their work aloud. Local Claire Gould organises the nights and is also starting a series of writing and self-publishing workshops at the same venue, usually on the second Tuesday of each month from 10.30am to 1pm. For further information, call 01733 232127 or email helen. gould7@ntlworld.com Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival returns 17-19 January and includes Hannah Brailsford telling stories in the Methodist/ United Reformed Church. There are three sessions of those starting at 12:30pm. Poets United will be in the Town Hall (above the museum) from 12.30-3.30pm. (www.strawbear.org.uk) Cardinal Cox got a poem on to the long list of Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year recommendations. Also, while in Dublin to perform his one-man show, he discovered he has a small readership in Sweden.
LISTINGS
01 November Clarksdale Contract, Railway, Oakham Black Dog Murphy, Ostrich, Peterborough One Eyed Cats, London Inn, Stamford U2UK (8pm), Bourne Corn Exchange Outside In, Golden Fleece, Stamford Band Called Malice (Jam tribute), Mama Liz’s, Stamford CJ Hatt (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby Oktoberfest ft Oomphahlievable (£6 includes Bratwurst & fries), Iron Horse, Market Deeping Karaoke, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Richard Young, Queens Head, Peterborough Mark Bishop, Jubilee, Bourne The Zephyrs, Ploughman, Werrington
02 November Nick Jarman, Masons Arms, Bourne Stepping Out Band, The Stage, Market Deeping B siders, Ostrich, Peterborough Dirty Rumour, London Inn, Stamford Divinity, Grainstore, Oakham Cuttin Loose, Golden Fleece, Stamford Scary Clown Presents: Frankie Stubbs + Tom Holliston + Selina Martin + Jordy Great Notion, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Jersey Boys with guest Rachel Crowe (ticket), Fletton Club Sammi Wilson, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Coach trip to Oxford, Frothblowers, Werrington Wilbur Project, GB Motorcyle Club, Longport, Stoke Retrolux, Ploughman, Werrington Originals Night (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 03 November Captain Backwash (4pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Karaoke (6.30pm), Fletton Club Rob from Children of the Rev, Frothblowers, Werrington Halloween Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Andy Hughes (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 04 November Traditional Song Competition (8pm), White Horse, Baston Open Mic (8pm), Bluebell Inn, Werrington Open Mic (6.30pm), Fletton Club 05 November Acoustic Night (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Unplugged session, NCCD, Sleaford (6-9pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham
06 November Quiz, Grainstore, Oakham Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford
07 November Rob Bull (acoustic), Ostrich, Peterborough Voodoo Acoustic (8pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Dan Poole, Queens Head, Peterborough Open Mic Night, Old Ship Inn, Pointon 08 November Nick Glover, Masons Arms, Bourne Children of the Revolution, Ostrich, Peterborough Mighty & the High, London Inn, Stamford No Way Out, Golden Fleece, Stamford Fyzz Wallis + Spitting feathers + Martini Police + It Comes in Waves, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Indie Night (9pm), Charters, Peterborough 09 November Filthy Contact, Railway, Oakham Junk Puppets, The Stage, Market Deeping Mojo Slide, Ostrich, Peterborough Donut, London Inn, Stamford Pennyless (7pm), Langham Village Hall High Rollers, Golden Fleece, Stamford
Winner – Stamford Mercury ‘Best Bar 2014’ Barholm, Stamford, Lincs PE9 4RA • 01778 560238
Open from 4pm week days, 1pm Saturday and 12pm Sundays Christmas Opening Times
• •
•
• •
Regular live entertainment - see listings for details
The Railway, Station Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QU 01572 722015 www.therailwayoakham.co.uk
Division, Fletton Club Steve Lockey, S Bar, Stilton Johnny Mack, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Listen Like Thieves (8.30pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Go with the Flow, Ploughman, Werrington Velocity (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 10 November Pennyless (4-6pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford, Glasshouse Acoustic Sessions (2.30-5.30pm), Key Theatre, Peterborough Miss Luna Nightingale, Frothblowers, Werrington Stella Hensley & Chris Newman (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 11 November Boston Acoustic Music Club, Eagle, Boston 12 November Writers’ Workshop: Story-Telling for Writers I (10.30am-1pm, book at www.Zarduth.com), Samm’s, Peterborough 13 November Backroom Acoustic (8pm) The Ale House, Ramsey Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Thinking Person’s Quiz (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby Folk Night, Black Horse, Nassington 14 November Open Mic (8pm), The Bull, Newborough UK Subs + March to the Grave, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Captain Backwash (9pm), The Hand and Heart, Peterborough Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough 15 November Blues a Go Go, Railway, Oakham Nicky Downs, Masons Arms, Bourne 23 Reasons, Ostrich, Peterborough Pennyless (7.30pm), Pointon Village Hall Expletives, Golden Fleece, Stamford Listen like Thieves + Baker & Harding, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Kent DuChaine, Queens Head, Peterborough Vinyl Night (8pm), Charters, Peterborough 16 November Stealer, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Dean & Co, Masons Arms, Bourne The Deps, The Stage, Market Deeping DB5, Ostrich, Peterborough High Rollers, London Inn, Stamford Revolver (9pm), White Horse, Baston Division, Grainstore, Oakham Great Pretenders, Golden Fleece, Stamford
Rainbreakers + Wilbur Project, Mama Liz’s, Stamford The Spree, Fletton Club Candy Twist, S Bar, Stilton Simon Shaw, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Micropubs United of Peterborough (The Routemaster Returns), Frothblowers, Werrington Carly’s Karaoke (8pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Children in Need Party Ft Last Minute Brigade, Iron Horse, Market Deeping Rainbreakers + Wilbur Project, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Iron Fist, Ploughman, Werrington Vintage Stuff (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 17 November Traditional Irish Music (6-9pm), Exeter Arms, Uppingham, Rutland Open Mic, Old Ship, Pointon Tim from Ouse Valley Singles Club, Frothblowers, Werrington Trevor and Rick (3pm) , Old Ship Inn, Pointon Keith Luckey (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 19 November Open Mic (8.45pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey 20 November Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford 21 November Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough Amber Squad, Railway, Oakham 22 November Extones, Railway, Oakham Antoine, Masons Arms, Bourne The Numbers, Ostrich, Peterborough Circa ‘73, London Inn, Stamford Planet Abba (8pm), Bourne Corn Exchange Porky Pig, Golden Fleece, Stamford Paspatou, Old Town Hall, Bourne Rainmen, Queens Head, Peterborough Revolver, Jubilee, Bourne 23 November Candy Slam, Railway, Oakham Money Shot, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor NightFuel, Masons Arms, Bourne Soundinjectors, The Stage, Market Deeping Ramshackle Serenade, Ostrich, Peterborough Carpark Rendezvous, London Inn, Stamford Go with the Flow, Golden Fleece, Stamford Transmission (Joy Division Tribute), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Captain Backwash (9pm), The Ship, Oundle Becca Rayner, Fletton Club Damian Balthazar, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Velocity, Ploughman, Werrington
New Year’s Eve at the Ostrich Live music from
Free Entry! 17 North Street, Peterborough PE1 2RA (Just off Westgate)
Velocity, Ploughman, Werrington Third Stone from the Sun (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 24 November Black Dog Murphy (4pm), Ostrich, Peterborough Epigone Jazz Ensemble, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Folk Night (7.30pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Division (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 27 November Backroom Acoustic (8pm) The Ale House, Ramsey Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Live Jazz with Tony Giles’ All Stars (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby 28 November Comedy Club, Grainstore, Oakham Open Mic (8pm), Blue Boar, Eye Voodoo Stands Up (Comedy), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough Grub Club, Frothblowers, Werrington 29 November Antoine, Masons Arms, Bourne The Mighty & the High, Ostrich, Peterborough Point Blank, London Inn, Stamford Whisky Bar Acoustic Sessions (8pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Last Minute Brigade, Golden Fleece, Stamford Tommy Philpot, Queens Head, Peterborough Metal Mayhem: Tytan, Overdrive, Wrecklass Necklass, Satans Empire, Naturally Sourced, Grantham College Refectory Leftovas, Ploughman, Werrington Sound of the Suburbs (8pm), Charters, Peterborough
01 December Pennyless (4-6pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford, Karaoke (6.30pm), Fletton Club Fyzz Wallis, Frothblowers, Werrington Christmas Fiction Fix (8-10.30pm), Samm’s, Peterborough Chris Watson Sound (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 02 December Open Mic (8pm), Bluebell Inn, Werrington 03 December Acoustic Night (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Unplugged session, NCCD, Sleaford 04 December Christmas Quiz, Grainstore, Oakham Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange 05 December Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange Voodoo Acoustic (8pm), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Voodoo Unplugged, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough Open Mic Night , Old Ship Inn, Pointon 06 December Nicky Downs, Masons Arms, Bourne Frankly my Dear, Ostrich, Peterborough Children of the Revolution, London Inn, Stamford Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange Miscellaneous, Golden Fleece, Stamford Backstreet, Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate Karaoke, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Romy, Queens Head, Peterborough Cuttin’ Loose, Jubilee, Bourne The Mighty & the High (9pm), Ploughman, Werrington Opaque (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough
30 November , Railway, Oakham Nick Jarman, Masons Arms, Bourne Go with the Flow, The Stage, Market Deeping Velocity, Ostrich, Peterborough Chuck Norris, London Inn, Stamford Baklash, Grainstore, Oakham Blackout UK, Golden Fleece, Stamford Dead Reynolds + A Story to Tell, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Prima Vista, Fletton Club Mama Don’t Allow (8pm), Exeter Arms, Uppingham, Rutland Vinyl Night, S Bar, Stilton Warren Dewitt, Boundary Club, Deeping St James Halo, Jubilee, Bourne Donut, Iron Horse, Market Deeping Indigo (8.30pm), Old Ship Inn, Pointon Tiger Club, Ploughman, Werrington Dizzy Miss Lizzys (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough
07 December Expletives, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Band TBC, Railway, Oakham Revolver, The Stage, Market Deeping Broadcasters, Ostrich, Peterborough Blackout UK, London Inn, Stamford Balloons, Grainstore, Oakham Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange Dirt Rumour, Golden Fleece, Stamford Captain Backwash (9pm), The Angel,Yarwell Amanda Jayne, Fletton Club CJ Hatt, S Bar, Stilton Children of the Revolution (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 08 December Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange Brian and Andy play your favourites (3pm), Old Ship Inn, Pointon
Priors Oven The Golden Fleece
6 Guest Ales & Craft Beer Home Cooked Food Lunch/Midweek Evenings Live Music (See Listings) Ideal for walkers & dog friendly
POSHER THAN U MIGHT THINK! 01733 380222
www.princeofwalesfeathers.co.uk
Sheep Market, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2RB 01780 763749
Karaoke (8pm), Ploughman, Werrington Matty Haynes (3pm), Charters, Peterborough
Rob & Dave (3pm), Charters, Peterborough Keith Luckey (3pm), Frothblowers, Werringtom
09 December Open Mic Night (7.30pm), Fletton Club Boston Acoustic Music Club, Eagle, Boston
16 December Rutland Big Band, Grainstore, Oakham
10 December Writers’ Workshop: Story-Telling for Writers II (10.30am-1pm, book at www.Zarduth.com), Samm’s, Peterborough 11 December Backroom Acoustic (8pm) The Ale House, Ramsey Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Christmas Quiz (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby Folk Night, Black Horse, Nassington 12 December Open Mic (8pm), The Bull, Newborough Voodoo Stands Up (comedy), Mama Liz’s, Stamford Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough 13 December Mug Jugglers, Masons Arms, Bourne Bent Back Tulips, Ostrich, Peterborough Leon, London Inn, Stamford Aladdin, Bourne Corn Exchange Christmas Memories – Neil Sands Productions (2pm), Bourne Corn Exchange Whittlesey Folk Club (8pm), Falcon Hotel Guards, Golden Fleece, Stamford The Story of Goth: Cureheads + Siouxsie & the Budgies, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Roving Crows, Old Town Hall, Bourne Broken Crown (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby Halo, Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate Division, Queens Head, Peterborough Dirty Rumour, Ploughman, Werrington Black Dog Murphy (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 14 December Son of a Gun, Masons Arms, Bourne The Strellies, The Stage, Market Deeping Repose, Ostrich, Peterborough Overdubs, London Inn, Stamford Candyslam, Grainstore, Oakham Halo, Golden Fleece, Stamford Go With the Flow The Broadcasters, Iron Horse, Market Deeping Children of the Revolution, Ploughman, Werrington Groove Cartell (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 15 December Steve Bean, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Traditional Irish Music (6pm), Exeter Arms, Uppingham Open Mic, Old Ship, Pointon
17 December Open Mic (8.45pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey 18 December Open Mic Night, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Tony Giles’ All Stars (8pm), Bustard, South Rauceby 19 December Christmas Comedy Club, Grainstore, Oakham Open Mic (8pm), Blue Boar, Eye Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough 20 December Children of the Rev, Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor Blues a Go Go, Railway, Oakham Nicky Downs, Masons Arms, Bourne Jesse’s Ghost, Ostrich, Peterborough UK Gangsters, London Inn, Stamford Returns, Golden Fleece, Stamford SaS DJs, Mama Liz’s, Stamford Christmas Party Night with J’Adele, Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate Band TBC, Queens Head, Peterborough Loose Rocket, Jubilee, Bourne Christmas party with CJ Hatt (9pm), Old Ship Inn, Pointon The Overdubs, Ploughman, Werrington Walkway (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 21 December Antoine, Masons Arms, Bourne Rock out with the Goodges, Ostrich, Peterborough Halo, London Inn, Stamford Funked Up, Grainstore, Oakham Winter Solstice Party, St Mary’s Vaults, Stamford Subway 77, Golden Fleece, Stamford The Great Pretenders, Jubilee, Bourne Star Lizzy, Iron Horse, Market Deeping Revolver, Ploughman, Werrington High Rollers (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 22 December Dave Smith (4pm), Ostrich, Peterborough Christmas Karaoke (6.30pm), Fletton Club Folk Night (7.30pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Palmy Uke Band (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 24 December Shadow of the Sun, Golden Fleece, Stamford Disco, S Bar, Stilton ‘£10 Tuesday’ Chinese Buffet, Castle, Castle Bytham
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
2/11 Nick Jarman 8/11 Nick Glover 15/11 Nicky Downs 16/11 Dean & Co 22/11 Antoine 23/11 NightFuel 29/11 Antoine 30/11 Nick Jarman
6/12 Nicky Downs 13/12 Mug Jugglers 14/12 Son of a Gun 20/12 Nicky Downs 21/12 Antoine 26/12 Nicky Downs 27/12 Nick Jarman 28/12 DJ Neil
Quiz Nights Alternate Sundays (10/11, 24/11, 8/12, 22/12) Bonus Question, Chase the Ace, Jackpot Cash Prizes (£200+)
15 South St, Bourne PE10 9LY Tel: 01778 423792
Annual Christmas Eve Vinyl Party (Midday-late), Charters, Peterborough 26 December Nicky Downs, Masons Arms, Bourne Open Mic, Queens Head, Peterborough Home Made Pie menu (12-3pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham 27 December Nick Jarman, Masons Arms, Bourne Vintage Stuff, Ostrich, Peterborough Dirty Rumour, London Inn, Stamford Whisky Bar Acoustic Sessions (8pm), Boat Inn, Whittlesey Zephyrs, Golden Fleece, Stamford Road Runner (8pm), Exeter Arms, Uppingham, Rutland Band TBC, Queens Head, Peterborough High Rollers, Ploughman, Werrington Vinyl Night (8pm), Charters, Peterborough 28 December DJ Neil, Masons Arms, Bourne Porky Pig, Ostrich, Peterborough Groove Cartel, London Inn, Stamford Machines, Golden Fleece, Stamford 31 December Money Shot, Ostrich, Peterborough New Year’s Party with Dirty Rumour, Grainstore, Oakham Go with the Flow, Golden Fleece, Stamford New Year’s Eve Party - Band TBC + Buffet, Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate New Year’s Eve: The Nuggets (ticket), Fletton Club Disco, S Bar, Stilton Gatsby Party, Queens Head, Peterborough New Year’s Eve Disco + Live Music + Free Buffet (8pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Trevor and Rick, Old Ship Inn, Pointon Last Minute Brigade (ticket only), Ploughman, Werrington NYE with DJ Sav (8pm, free entry), Charters, Peterborough 01 January New Year’s Brunch (10.30am-2.30pm), The Castle, Castle Bytham Quizzes Angel, Yarwell - 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 Blue Bell, Werrington - 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 Castle, Castle Bytham (7.45pm) 4/11, 2/12 Charters, Peterborough (8pm) – 7/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 5/12, 12/12, 19/12 (Music Quiz, 6.30pm) – 10/11, 8/12
Danish Invader, Stamford - 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 Eagle, Boston (Quiz + play your cards right) - 7/11, 5/12 Exeter Arms, Uppingham (7.30pm) - 4/11, 2/12 Frothblowers, Werrington - 6/11, 4/12 Horseshoes, Silk Willoughby - 26/11 Jolly Scotchman, Holdingham - 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 Masons Arms, Bourne - 10/11, 24/11, 8/12, 22/12 Nags Head, Heckington – 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 Packhorse, Northborough - 7/11, 21/11, 5/12, 19/12 Red Lion, Ruskington (Bingo) 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12 White Horse, Baston - 10/11, 24/11 White Horse, Baston - 10/11, 24/11, 8/12, 22/12 Whistle Stop, Tallington - 14/11, 12/12 Willoughby Arms, Little Bytham - 12/11, 10/12 Woolpack, Stanground - 5/11, 12/11, 19/11, 26/11, 3/12, 10/12, 17/12
Beer Festival 04-08 December Holli’s Winter Charity Beer Fest, Ploughman, Werrington tombola, hot food and tuckshop in aid of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Rhythm & Booze, Issue 58 November/December 2019
All written material, unless otherwise stated, © Simon Stabler All events are listed free of charge. To ensure inclusion in the January/February 2020 issue, or have any other news included in the magazine, email simonstabler@aol.com by 6 December. 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 Tony Shilling, Graham Coombs, Wally Barnes, David Brown, Cardinal Pete Cox, Mick Slaughter and John Fryer for their help in compiling this issue.
Do Not Adjust Your Set DVD/Blu-ray, BFI, BFIV2120 One of two collections marking 50 years of Monty Python (the other is At Last the 1948 Show), this three-disc set from the BFI features Do Not Adjust Your Set, a series shown at teatime supposedly for children but which soon attracted a wider audience, taking its title from a message that appeared on screen when normal TV transmissions went wrong. Broadcast in 1967-69, the series brought together the talents of Michael Palin and Terry Jones, who met at Oxford University, and Eric Idle, another member of the Cambridge Footlights tradition. They wrote most of the sketches and links and were joined by two professional performers, David Jason and Denise Coffey, who
Adding another future Python link are some hilarious animations by American illustrator Terry Gilliam, including some Christmas cards that come to life with alarming consequences. David Brown
serial Captain Fantastic, with Jason as the Captain and Coffey as the evil Mrs Black with her handbag. Look carefully and you will spot Jason dressed as a prototype Gumby (a later Python character), and even in before he dressed as Batman in Only Fools and Horses. Another essential element in each episode was a song and musical links provided by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, with their enigmatic front man Vivian Stanshall. Coffey would later appear as the eccentric housekeeper Mrs E in Stanshall’s End.
Pennyless – Strange Dreams CD, pennyless-music.co.uk, PYL006 Formed around guitarist Les Woods and violinist Penny Stevens, Pennyless have been entertaining audiences with their folky sound for more than a decade. Over the years they’ve recruited additional members such as multi-instrumentalist
Graham Dale whose presence was apparent on third album Tales from the Tulgey Wood and bassist Colin Benton who album, 2016’s In the Park. While previous albums have featured elements of everything from psych rock to jazz funk, this, their sixth album, is more straight-up folk record; evidenced by the opening track, Woods’ arrangement of the John Clare poem The Shepherd’s Tree. A further tribute to the poet is given on the eponymous John Clare. Elsewhere are instrumental tracks, two Clive Palmer covers (Clive’s Original Band’s Sweet Slavery and the Famous Jug Band’s A Leaf Must Fall), plus Eels, a collaboration with the Destructors’ Allen Adams; it’s a catchy number that offers respite to those who were perhaps looking for something less pastoral, however it is the title track, Strange Dreams, with its widescreen sound and Stevens’ beautiful voice that really is the star of the show.
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