Issue42

rhythm and booze Peterborough • South LincS • rutLand • eaSt northantS

Brews, News, Bands & Reviews - Issue 42 - March/April 2017

It’s Beki and the boys! Vice Squad return to Mama Liz’s, Stamford on 10 March. Fellow punk legend TV Smith is there on 31 March.

Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011 & 2014 CAMRA Gold award 2013

TeN ReAL ALeS FRoM £2.00 A PINT Live Satellite Sports n Live Entertainment Happy Hour Mon - Fri 5-7pm

Live Music March Fri 3rd - Retrolux Sat 4th - Carpark Rendezvous Fri 10th - The Returns Tues 14th - Open Mic Fri 17th - Jimmy Doherty solo acoustic Sat 18th - Blackout UK Fri 24th - Velocity Fri 31st - Hooker

April Sat 1st - The Nuggets Fri 7th - Overdubs Sat 8th - Caustic Lights Tues 11th - Open Mic Easter Weekend Fri 14th - Tiger Club Sat 15th - Dirty Rumour Sun 16th - Easter Bonnet Karaoke Sat 22nd - Stingray Fri 28th - On the Ceiling

Karaoke every Sunday from 8.30pm Werrington Centre, Staniland Way, Werrington, Peterborough Pe4 6NA

the rhythm section Litvinenko.

Peterborough’s newly opened “relaxed bar”, Puzzles?, has a weekly open mic night on Thursdays, which is live-streamed on Facebook. On Saturdays, a featured artist –largely an acoustic act – takes to the stage, while Tuesday 14th March sees the first of its regular originals nights. Headlining the first one is Ben Callanan, supported by the Fyzz Wallis Band and Litvinenko.

The Swiss Cottage, Woodston, Peterborough holds its second annual Blackstar Bowie Charity Night on Friday 31st March. Music begins at 9.30pm with local musicians (last year’s event included Ian Graham and Gizz Butt) joining forces to perform a selection of Bowie covers. There will be a raffle, with the proceeds going to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall.

The first anniversary of the reopening of the Bluebell Inn, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough will be celebrated on 1 April. The Britpop and Ska influenced covers act Arc Nation will be performing that evening.

Crowland’s biannual Charity Music Day returns to the George & Angel on 25 March. Raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the event, which runs

from midday to midnight, features performances from the Bounty Hounds, Lloyd Watson and the Commitment Brothers among others.

Oakham’s Mill Street Pub & Kitchen has launched regular live music and comedy nights.

Held in the venue’s Cavern Bar, there’s free admission to the weekly music events, which begin at 9pm, while admission to the comedy nights – which take place on the first Friday of the month from 8pm – is £5.

Stamford Arts Centre hosts two workshops for aspiring musicians over the next few months.

Develop Your Ukulele Skills, which is aimed at those with a basic knowledge of the ukulele, is a two-part course that will leave participants more confident in their playing and takes place on 4 and 18 March, while the Harmonica Workshop – for beginners to advanced players – is a one-part course with sessions available on 4 March, 1 April and 6 May. Both workshops are priced £30 each and can be booked through stamfordartscentre.com or by calling 01780 763203.

the Palmerston arms “Oundle Road’s Permanent Beer Festival”

Have you tried our sister pub...?

the oStrich A Traditional Alehouse in the Heart of the City

caMra gold award Winner 2013 Now stocking LocAles and Craft Ales from Brewdog, Beavertown and Camden

LocAle Pub of the Year Live Music Every Saturday Ukulele Night

- check listings

(Thursdays)

Open All day, Every Day

Vinyl Night (Last Friday of the month)

Quiz Night

(from 12 noon Sunday-Thursday, 11am Friday, Saturday)

(Sundays)

Live Music - check thepalmerstonarms

for dates

O p e n i n g T i m e s : Monday - Thursday 15.00 - 00.00, Friday and Saturday 12.00 - 00.00, Sunday 12.00 - 23.00

82 oundLe road, Peterborough Pe2 9Pa tel: 01733 565865

17 North Street (behind Westgate House) Peterborough PE1 2RA - 01733 746370

Pub News

Steve Williams and John Lawrence’s long awaited micro pub – The Frothblowers – opened officially on 20th February, though appeared busy two days earlier when we visited. The pub features five expertly kept real ales (from Purple Moose, Magpie, Old Mill, Xtreme Ales and Frothblowers breweries on day one) and five real ciders, but no keg beer. A range of wines, spirits and soft drinks are also available, with a wine festival planned for April.

Opening times are from 3pm Monday-Friday and 12 noon at weekends. Part of a row of shops on Storrington Way, Werrington, Peterborough, which includes a newsagent, hairdresser, Chinese and Indian restaurants, Steve quipped: “You can read the paper while you get you haircut, order a pint while waiting for your takeaway then bring it in and consume it on the premises.”

Puzzles? bar in Bridge Street, Peterborough opened in early January – craft beers and three themed real ales. Also in Bridge

early doors at the Frothblowers.

Street, the former Mays furniture store, close to the new Fletton Quays development looks likely to become a bar/restaurant.

Clarke’s restaurant has closed, along with its sister outlet at the Key Theatre – the owners are switching their attentions to reopening the Fox at Folksworth – but the Queen Street venue, which was previously the Grapevine and HG’s, is to reopen as a Charles Wells Pizza, Pots and Pints endeavour.

A best pub award, organised by the Peterborough Telegraph, was won by Marston’s Apple Cart at Cardea. Plans to demolish the closed Golden Lion in Stanground for housing have been refused. Residents of Oundle Road are raising support for an ACV listing for the closed Cherry Tree pub. Tom and Michelle Beran, long-term licensees at the Coalheavers Arms are leaving the pub in April to concentrate efforts on sister (micro) pub – the Bumble Inn. The Railway at Whittlesey has closed for a £300,000 refurbishment. Long-term licensees at the Rose & Crown, Thorney – Steve and Sheila Shreeve – were expected finalise the purchase of the pub during February. They are planning an extension to the old back bar and post office, an orangery and a new car park.

In Stamford, St Mary’s Vaults closed temporarily in February after a dispute between the managers and owners Samuel Smith. The previous couple Continued over

Pub News (continued) have now left with new managers in place.

After a one-year break, the Green Man Easter Beer Festival returns on 14-17 April.

Ryhall’s Stoney Ford Brewery are looking for aged bottles of Stamford brewed beer in order to reactivate old yeast strains, with a view to recreating long lost local brews. If you can help, telephone the brewery on 01780 753747. The Whistle Stop Inn at Tallington closed early in the New Year. Licensees Sam and Steve Hill were unable to maintain a profitable business.

The Michelin Guide listed Falcon Inn at Fotheringhay has been put up for sale for £1.4m with Christie & Co. The Beer & Bean in Sleaford is for sale Fluerets.

The Ship at Pointon is open again. The beer offering includes Doom Bar, Adnams and a guest, but food is currently restricted to chip nights each Tuesday. A full menu should follow along with live entertainment to add to the weekly bingo nights.

The Whichcote Arms at Osbournby now offers a regular real ale from Oldershaws alongside Wadworth 6X. “I think we must be the only pub in the area with 6X permanently on,” said landlord Peter Morris.

Recently listed in the Good beer Guide, the White Lion in Oakham is for sale with www.murrayestateagents.co.uk Up the road in Langham, the Noel Arms, once brewery tap for Ruddles, is also for sale.

Currently closed, the Crown at Casterton was due to change ownership in late February.

Russ Hibbitt, bar manager at

Ship Inn, Pointon.

Empingham Cricket Club was presented with the Pub of the Season award for winter by Rutland CAMRA – the first club to have won the accolade. Their annual beer festival will be held on March 15.

The saga of the last pub in the village of Marston, near Grantham – The Thorold Arms – continues. After a failed campaign by local villagers to save the pub/B&B/shop/café, the successful buyer – Cape Designs Ltd – has now offered it back to the village. £160,000 was offered to keep the business open, and the campaign chairman is hoping that the price will not have been inflated. An application to turn it into a house was rejected by the Council. Grantham’s Chamelion music bar is to reopen as Wellington’s Kitchen & Bar after a £100,000 refurbishment.

Residents of Stathern were left stunned when the multi awardwinning Red Lion, current holder of the Good Pub Guide’s dining pub of the year for Lincs/Rutland closed without warning.

The Chequers Hotel in Holbeach has lost its alcohol license after breaches of the licensing act. Locals at Boston’s Napoleon Inn are hoping to gain

an ACV listing for the pub after it was put up for sale by owner, Batemans. The owner of the Assembly Rooms in the town has taken over the closed Axe & Cleaver in West Street, promising to invest in the property to bring back former glories. The Thatched Cottage at Sutterton has been saved. Magnum Inns Ltd has plans to extend the dining area. The Merry Monk free house at Kirton reopened in December after a two-year closure. Two real ales and three ciders are available including beers from a new brewery at Kirton – The Fuddy Duck brewery. Their beers are also available at the Red Lion at Bicker, the Eagle and the Black Sluice in Boston.

Pubs No More The derelict Bull Hotel in Long Sutton was the subject of an arson attack in January. Closed for over 20 years, the building has been subject to various redevelopment plans, and is expected to be sold to a new developer. The Northfields in Stamford, which closed in 2015, looks likely to become a convenience store.

Chris Shilling

THE GREEN MAN w STAMFORD

29 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ Tel: 01780 753598 WelcoMe to our 17th century coaching inn. our cheery Staff Serve a PerManent Selection of 8 local and regional real aleS, continental lagerS, WineS, Malt WhiSkieS and SPiritS. oak beaMS, Wooden floorboardS, flagStone Patio, oPen fireS…

We’re in caMra’S good beer guide 2017!

St Patrick’S Party

Saturday March 18th froM 8PM – We’re having a St Patrick’S hooley – live iriSh MuSic – join uS for the craic!

the green Man annual eaSter beer feStival! viSit uS acroSS the eaSter bank holiday Weekend (friday 14th aPril - Monday 17th aPril), featuring over 40 local and regional real aleS and ciderS. live MuSic throughout froM talented local bandS.

if you like SPort, We’re noW ShoWing all bt SPort tournaMentS including Select PreMierShiP gaMeS, uefa chaMPionS league, euroPa cuP, all fa cuP MatcheS, aviva PreMierShiP rugby, PluS Much More!

Easter Weekend 2017 14th–17th April

Spring Ale Festival It’s Easter. The bunny has delivered loads of chocolate, and he also swung past PE8 with a bag full of beers, great food & music.

The beer tent will be up from Friday through to Monday. The food, the drink & the music will flow. As will the basking sunshine...

O n t h e ( Ti m e ) l a s h A visit to the pubs seen, however briefly, in Doctor Who. The Drapers Arms, 24-25 High Street, Ealing London W5 5DB 020 8579 4107 www.thedrapersarmsealing.co.uk One of the best-known scenes from Jon Pertwee’s Doctor Who debut, 1970’s Spearhead From Space, is of shop window dummies coming to life and firing on the public. The beginning of the sequence was filmed on Ealing Broadway but the majority of the mannequin massacre was shot around the corner on the High Street.

I must have watched this episode hundreds of time over the last 30 years before I noticed a pub sign hanging from a building. On Blu-ray you can make out its name, The Three Pigeons – then a Courage pub but now part of the Chimichanga chain.

I briefly considered popping in for an overpriced pint of Brahma but was saved when I realised that another part of the scene was shot over the road (you can see the front of The Three Pigeons reflected in its window, see right of main pic) at what is now The Drapers Arms.

At the time of filming it was

part of Lamerton’s department store and takes its name from JL Taverner’s drapery shop, which occupied the site between 1906 and 1911. It has been a pub since 1995 when the Firkin chain converted it into Ealing Studiosthemed Photographer & Firkin and was an O’Neill’s before taking on its current name.

A large pub with a variety of seating areas, anyone who has been to an O’Neill’s will have a sense of déjà vu but at the bar there are four hand pumps – on my visit they were serving Fuller’s London Pride, Sharp’s Doom Bar (twice) and Thornbridge Jaipur, while keg

beers include Veltins Pilsener, Camden Hells and Becks.

When I visited at lunchtime, there seemed to be only one member of staff front of house doing the lion’s share of the work. As he dashed past, he promised “I’ll be with you in a second” but that second turned to minutes and I probably would have gone elsewhere had I not been here for a reason.

Still, it gave me chance to work out what I was going to have for lunch and going for an “artisan sandwich” plus a drink for £9, I opted for a toasted steak and cheese sandwich.

Usually £8.50, my beer effectively cost 50p but as the cask beer available with the offer was Doom Bar, I wasn’t that much of a winner. Luckily the sandwich, which was accompanied by homemade rustic-style French fries, was really good but I now fully understand why some craft keg advocates refer to cask as “cut-priced swill”.

On the strength of the sandwich, I will return but I’ll be paying full whack for a decent pint of Jaipur next time.

Helen and Liam look forward to welcoming you to

Tallington Lakes Leisure Park, Barholm Rd, Tallington, Stamford PE9 4RJ Tel: 01778 381148

Open for breakfast daily from 8.30am, Lunch 12-5pm including pizzas (Mon-Sat) and evening meals until 9pm. Sunday Carvery 12-3pm.

Sunday night ‘takeaway to eat in’ 4-7pm Bar open daily now serving Oakham Ales, Doom Bar and seasonal guest beers. Range of lagers including Staropramen, Coors Light Extra Cold, bottled beers, fruit ciders and wine selection

Tuesday 2nd March - German Night Saturday 11th March - Wii and Jug Night from 8pm, phone to book your place, £2 entry Sunday 26th March - Mother’s Day Carvery Live music Fridays – see listings s Bingo night Tuesdays from 8.30pm Meat and beer raffle every Sunday from 4.30pm s Quiz Night every other Sunday from 12th March s Yoga on a Wednesday from 6pm Bespoke Events and Weddings now catered for (60 seated, up to 120 buffet. Resident DJ & Karaoke) : call for details Children’s facilities including Pool, Table Tennis, Bar Soccer and Electronic Games. Coming Soon: Kids Movie Nights www.lakesidebarandrestaurant.co.uk Lakeside Bar Tallington Lakes offers a range of water sport facilities including an outdoor pool and sun deck plus dry ski slope, climbing tower, caravanning/camping and huge sports equipment shop. The £3 entry fee is refundable when you spend at the bar!

by Cardinal Cox

Pub Scrawl

The King’s Lynn Literary Festival will be over the weekend of 1012 March and includes such authors as Louis de Bernieres, Robert Edric,Yvvette Edwards, Rachel Hore, Stephen Jarvis and John Lucas. It will be held at King’s Lynn Town Hall, tickets for each session are £8.50 or £37.50 for the whole weekend.Visit lynnlitfests.com for full details.

The very first Deepings Literary Festival is to be held over the weekend of 28-30 April.

Guests include Alison Bruce, Martin Davies, Louise Doughty, Stuart Henson, Lynn Knight, Karen Maitland, Alison Weir, Gyles Brandreth and Pennyless.

Venues range from Deepings Library and the Coronation Hall to Lilli’s Tearoom, the Iron Horse Ranch House and the Bluebell, Helpston. Further details are available from deepingsliteraryfestival.co.uk Dr Jane Mackay continues her popular series of lunchtime lectures at Stamford Arts Centre on Tuesday 7 March with Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House is the subject. Then on Tuesday 4 April the subject is Billy Budd, followed by the option of watching the 1962 film starring Peter Ustinov.

On Tuesday 2 May the talk is about Wide Sargasso Sea, the prequel to Jane Eyre. This is followed by the 1993 film starring Naomi Watts. Talks start at 12.30pm, tickets £6.50, while films start at 2.30pm with tickets priced £5.50. Book either by calling 01780 763203 or visiting www.stamfordartscentre.com Platform 8 return for a second season in March that includes a spoken word show from Sean Mahoney. Until You Hear That

Bell is about growing up in Amateur Boxing and runs with timed rounds. Three minutes, break, three minutes, break…

The show is on at the Brewery Tap in Peterborough’s Tap Room on Friday 10 March, 8pm, then at the Peterborough Police Amateur Boxing Club in Paston on 11-12 March at 7.30pm.

Tickets £10 (£5 concessions).

University Centre Peterborough continues its series of evenings with writers on Thursday 16 March with crime novelist Elizabeth Haynes.

This is followed on Thursday 27 April with a talk by author Andrew Cowan. These talks start at 7pm at UCP (alongside Peterborough Regional College, near Central Park) and are free.

If you saw Inua Ellams at Freak Speak last year you will be eager to see his one man show An Evening with an Immigrant at the Key Theatre on Wednesday 22 March. A top poet with a sharp eye, tickets are £12 available by calling 01733 207239, visiting vivacity-peterborough.com, or popping into the venue.

I only get to mention the Peterborough Theological Society once a year, and this time it is for a talk by Rev Professor Chris Rowland on How William Blake Can Help Us Read the Bible. Held on Wednesday 29 March (7.30pm) at the Friends Meeting House, Thorpe Road, Peterborough, admission is £4.

The final of this year’s Fenland Poet Laureate competition is to be held at March Town Hall on Friday 31 March. This always attracts top entrants and out of it has grown the group Fen Speak who meet regularly in Ely

Until You Hear That Bell

and occasionally in King’s Lynn.

Both the current and former Fenland Laureates (Mary and Jonathan) edit the excellent magazine The Fenland Reed.

The final of Stamford’s Poet Laureate competition will be held at the Arts Centre on Wednesday 26 April. Stamford has its own poetry group (Pint of Poetry) who meet in the Arts Centre bar on the last Wednesday of the month (so 29 March, 26 April etc). They also organise a Poetry Stanza workshop/feedback group on the second Monday of each month (so 13 March, 10 April etc) plus have regular readings in Walkers bookshop. Find out more from the Arts Centre website.

Tristan Gooley will be talking about his book How to Read Water on Friday 28 April at St Peter’s Church in Oundle. The talk starts at 7.45pm, tickets £8 (conscessions £6) from Oundle Box Office, 4 New St, Oundle.

Cardinal Cox is reaching the end of his two years as Poet-inResidence of The Dracula Society. His last collection, Forget Dance, Let’s Art collects 18 poems inspired by art exhibitions and is available for £4 and his children’s tale EelCatcher Fable is £5, both from KT Publications, 16 Fane Close, Stamford, Lincs.(cheques payable to Kevin Troop).

N aTioNal TrEaSurE Spotlighting Britain’s best boozers

The Anchor Inn Bury Lane Sutton Gault Ely Cambs CB6 2BD 01353 778537 www.anchor-in-restaurant.co.uk Dating back to the mid-17th century, charm oozes from this cosy family-run inn/ restaurant tucked away alongside the New Bedford River in the Cambridgeshire fens. At the end of a lane around a mile from the village of Sutton, it’s only 25 miles from Peterborough so the journey can be made by car in around 40 minutes.

An open fire greets you as you enter, and the low beams,

wood panelling, log fires, uneven floors and antique settles in small individual rooms give it a wonderfully relaxed feel. That

said, the food menu, described as “modern British” is quite imaginative, and there’s a good range of wines to accompany the

16th Century Coaching Inn

The Bull

Market Square, Market Deeping PE6 8EA 01778 343320

two well-kept real ales at the bar. Beers usually come from local East Anglian breweries – Milton and Nethergate on our visit.

Prices are reasonable – the set lunch menu is £14.95 for two courses. We visited on a Sunday lunchtime and each room was busy – not uncommon apparently, so make sure you book ahead if you’re planning to dine here at the weekend. As much of the fare as possible is locally sourced, and our starter consisted of dates wrapped in bacon in a creamy mustard sauce, followed by a hearty Sunday roast priced at £6.50 and £13.95 respectively.

The riverside location makes it popular with walkers. The wild nature of the windswept river banks and washes make it special, and wildfowl abounds in all directions.

In winter the lights of the Anchor present a welcoming sight, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating on which to enjoy the open air on warmer days. It’s child and dog friendly, and free wifi is available if your phone signal is struggling in this remote spot.

The Anchor gets listings in The Michelin Guide, the Good Pub Guide and Sawday’s – the four letting rooms (two are suites) enjoy a 4-star AA rating. Bed & breakfast is available from around £80 per night (double), though at the time of writing, the Travelzoo website was offering a three-course set menu, overnight stay for two and full English breakfast for just £99 (Monday-Friday only). Functions and weddings are catered for As it’s a guest house the pub is open for coffee from 8am each day – food serving times are 12-2pm and 7-9pm during the week (lunch until 3pm at weekends). Bar opening hours are daily 12-11pm.

Chris Shilling

Mother’s Day 26th March - Home Cooked Sunday Lunch served 12-6pm - One course £9.95, Two courses £12.95, Three courses £15 Open all day from 11am (12 noon on sundays) Everards ales + weekly guest beer + real cider, New wine and gin menus Home cooked food served daily 11-3pm, 5.30-9.30pm (all day Saturday) Mon - Curry Night, Tues - Pizza & Pasta Night, Wed - Lunchtime Special (2 courses £7.95) and Burger Night, Fri - Fish & Chip Night, Tapas served Friday and Saturday, Sunday Roasts served 12-6pm, Children’s Menu See Major Sport Events On Our 65'' Plasma Screen Enjoy a game of pool or crib, and our large refurbished beer garden with bouncy castle and new children’s play equipment 24 Seat Function Room - FREE to hire

thebullofdeeping@gmail.com

the Woolpack Stanground's Best Kept Secret a 15 minute walk from the centre of town nNow open all day every day from 12 noon nUp to four real ales available nFood served Mon-Sat 12-2pm and 6-8pm, Sunday roast 12-3pm nLarge riverside beer garden nQuiz every Sunday eve (cash prizes)

PETERBOROUGH CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2016

Live MuSic

19th March - The Stringlers string quartet (4-6pm)

North Street, Stanground, Peterborough Pe2 8HR (01733) 753544

13th Century Cafe – 21st Century Micropub Built about the year 1230 a.D it was part of the Priory of Spalding, & because of its shape it has always been known as The oven or The Prior's oven a name now singularly apt, although its original purpose was very far removed from its present one. it was Spalding Monastic Prison; refractory monks & laymen were kept there & stories of torture & cruelty still survive. a few years after the building of the vaulted chamber, a lofty tower was added by Clement Hatfield, lord Prior from 1292 to 1318, & there is a record of a bell in this tower being tolled at the execution of some eighty felons, the last time being in the year 1502. of the original building only the immensely strong lower vault now remains, & was used in the last & previous centuries as a blacksmith's shop, a square room (the present bar) being built a century or so ago.

There is a legend that an underground passage leads from The Priors oven to Monks House, an historic building a mile away. in the cellar there are signs of an entrance to such passage, although it may have led to a dungeon where the worst enemies of The Prior were incarcerated. information sponsored by John Lyon, Pinchbeck historical unit

Priors Oven

1 Sheep Market, Spalding

Friday 17th March - St Patrick's Day - Winter BBQ Thursday 30th March - Film Night (Movie to be confirmed) Friday 31st March - Meat Raffle In Aid Of Lincolnshire Air Ambulance

Poacher’s Pubs

George Tap Walking south over Stamford town bridge, you can still obtain refreshments at No 1 St Martin’s High Street at what is today Pizza Express, but what was previously for many generations of pub-goers, The Anchor.

Beyond here you can turn left into Water Street where, until March 1957, you could have caught a train at the town’s East terminus for the short trip to Essendine via Ryhall & Belmesthorpe. At one time you could also have a got a train there to Barnack, Ufford and Wansford, but that succumbed way back in July 1929.

To get to the surviving Stamford railhead, turn right into Station Road, but first take a look up the hill and behold one of the town’s most famous sights – the gantry sign over the

former Great North Road announcing The George of Stamford.

As my 1974 photograph shows, the street scene at St Martin’s Without has fortunately changed little, though today’s cars may have less character than then and there are now usually a lot more vehicles to be found queued up at the traffic lights by the hotel.

A little way along Station Road on the left there was the George Tap that is now The Leatham Room in The George’s Business Centre.

It was at the Tap in the 18th century that a most gruesome incident took place when a Mr Bolton, who rented the pub, was killed by a dragoon. Bolton was a known Jacobite sympathiser and was apparently drinking a toast to the memory of Queen Anne

when the soldier struck him with his sword.

The dragoon escaped before an angry mob could carry out their revenge.

I visited the George Tap during less turbulent times in the town in the 1970s when you could enjoy Ruddles ales and bottled Bass there and I believe that it closed during the following decade, which is a shame as it certainly had an interesting history – and rail travel is a decidedly thirsty business.

The Poacher

The Square Join us at our town centre pub and Thai restaurant (formerly the Stone Loach)

Free Pool Tuesdays w Friendly Welcome w FREE Jukebox Friday & Saturday 13 Market Place, Market Deeping PE6 8EA T: 01778 347653 thesquare

The Mason's Arms Enjoy our welcoming real fire

Live Entertainment

3/3 cuttin loose 4/3 dean & co 10/3 Mark bishop 11/3 antoine 17/3 revolver 18/3 afterlife 24/3 dj neil 25/3 don brister 31/3 cuttin loose

7/4 Mug jugglers 8/4 Son of a gun 14/4 loose rocket 15/4 don brister 21/4 nick glover (dj) 22/4 Splinter group 28/4 cuttin loose 29/4 Mark bishop

Quiz nights alternate Sundays (5/3, 19/3, 2/4, 16/4, 30/4) – bonus Question, chase the ace, jackpot cash Prizes (£200+) 15 South St, Bourne PE10 9LY Tel: 01778 423792

RAILRoVING

GRANTHAM

With a population of around 45,000, the ancient town of Grantham is the second largest in south Lincolnshire (after Boston). Its proximity on the East Coast Main Line means it’s a mere 20 minute train ride from Peterborough. The standard off peak return fare is £16, but as always it’s worth looking online – Virgin East Coast’s winter sale offered a bargain fare of just £6.10 return.

There are no longer any pubs in the immediate vicinity of the station, though a unit on

The Apple Tap.

Platform 1 remains available for rent to a willing taker. We opted to head down Station Road towards the town centre, past the former Blue Bull and Maltings, and across a busy junction into Westgate, in order to take in the town’s own cider bar – the Apple Tap – though we soon learned that this would not open until mid afternoon on weekdays. Six ciders are usually available (but no real ale) in the small front bar, behind which is a much larger drinking and games area. Unsurprisingly this is the

local branch of Camra’s Cider Pub of the Year.

Further along Westgate, Chameleon at the Kings, originally the Kings Arms, owes its new name to its commitment to live music – supposedly taking over the mantle from the popular Chameleon bar which closed last year. Times are clearly tough here too, as this was also closed, currently opening only at weekends. Thirsts growing, we popped our heads into the recently opened Retox bar, currently serving keg beer only,

Mark with an “M” at Beerheadz.

but due to start dispensing cask beer in the near future.

We were pleased therefore to find Eden (formerly the Granby) in the Market Place open from 11am daily. A single hand pump dispenses beer from the Heineken stable – on this occasion a pleasant Caledonian Edinburgh Castle. Food is available all day in this spacious wine bar/coffee house which includes a long room at the rear, garden and a la carte restaurant.

A few doors down, the Trickling Tap is essentially a whisky shop with cocktail bar open in the evenings. Across the Market Place is Butchers Row, home to the Chequers – a friendly single roomed pub with island bar open all day from noon. Three well kept changing cask ales are available (from two Grantham breweries – Oldershaw and Brewsters), alongside a Greene King ale. A real cider is always available, this time from Rosies Pig, but food is restricted to a free buffet from 5pm on Fridays.

Onto the High Street, the Isaac Newton, taking its name from Grantham’s most famous son, as well as a closed pub elsewhere in the town (since demolished to make way for

KFC), is open from 10am.

Opened in 2016, this large ex-retail store initially resembles a JD Wetherspoon with wood panelling, upstairs toilets and huge drinking area, but has a profusion of TV screens and no obvious food offering. Beer range was disappointing, with three Tetley Ales and Theakston’s Best.

A few doors along the 13th century Angel & Royal is one of the UK’s oldest coaching inns and the birthplace of Grantham Camra – card carrying members enjoy a generous 60p discount.

Originally the Angel, the “Royal” was added back in 1866, even though as many as seven kings of England and many other royals had stayed here. Sadly the lovely front bar with enormous fireplace fell into disuse, but has received a new lease of the life as Turpins Cocktail Bar. Across the passageway the main bar still serves a couple of decent real ales from Oldershaw’s.

Across the road can be found the Black Dog – a

spacious Marston pub, with the usual range of beers, pool and darts, and plenty of diners. Beers start at just £2.25 and an all day breakfast can be had for £3.90.

Next is Beerheadz, Grantham’s micropub based in a former hair salon, and sister pub to its namesake pub in Retford and Just Beer in Newark. Opened in March 2016, this is a Mecca for local beer drinkers with five ever changing ales, mostly from micros, and four ciders.You’ll always get good banter here from local characters. I asked the

theatrical looking long haired guy with the fluffy hat, known as Mark if his name is spelled with a “k” or a “c”. “It’s Mark with an ‘M’, mate” he replied. Upstairs the games and function room is available for hire. Food is restricted to nibbles and dog treats, but customers are welcome to bring their own food in. The pub is open from 1pm Monday-Thursday otherwise all day from noon.

At the end of the road, in North Street, the Nobody Inn is another great real ale outlet.

Officially the tap for Grantham’s other brewery – Newby Wyke.

Two to three house beers are usually available alongside three guests – on this occasion from Clarks and Sharps. The friendly welcome here complements the quirky nature of the pub, but newcomers may find the quest for the toilets somewhat challenging.

Turning back along the High Street, a road opposite the Black Dog leads to one of the town’s best known pubs – the Blue Pig. This historic pub features a real fire, separate rooms and flagstone floor and was once one of many “Blue” pubs in the area.

The Blue refers, not to the colour of the beast, but of

political rivalry between rival landed gentry – blue relating to the Manners family (Belvoir Castle) versus the reds of the Brownlow family (Belton House). Despite the stunning architecture and rich history, I could not help but feel disappointed with this pub which was a genuine magnet for discerning pub goers for many years but now appears decidedly run down. Food is served, and beers from Black Sheep, Timothy Taylor, Wells and St Austell were available, along with Old Rosie Cider.

Back onto the High Street, and past the original Chameleon bar is the Goose. Formerly called Goose at the Bank, this spacious ex-branch of Barclays is now owned by the Stonegate Pub Co, and features a giant drinking area and good range of beers from Box Brewery, Ushers, Lees and Wells plus a real cider. Pictures on the wall feature another Grantham celebrity from yesteryear – Edna Smith – who, in 1915, became England’s first policewoman, reputedly brought in to tackle Grantham’s prostitution problem.

Along Finkin Street and into Castlegate, the Beehive, another historic pub, famous for its

The Blue Pig.

genuine beehive pub sign is a cosy local with pool table and real ale from Newby Wyke.

Across the road the Castlegate is a vibrant entertainment venue, with live bands every weekend, and popular with the younger drinker. A changing real ale is usually available – this time from Home Ales. On to St Peter’s Hill, the Tollemache Inn is Grantham’s JD Wetherspoon and one of the first to open outside of London.

The usual range of eight changing beers and extensive food menu can be enjoyed here.

On a cold day the warmth of the “Tolly” proved too inviting for some of the party, though a few hardy souls persevered to the final pub of our visit – the Lord Harrowby in Dudley Road.

This is a good 10-minute walk from the Tolly via St Catherine’s Road, but it’s well worth it. If you can get over the slightly twee wallpaper, there’s a good range of real ales, expertly kept by landlord John Senior – an employee at the Oldershaw brewery. The pub opens at 4pm each day, hence leaving it until last, but is a very popular street corner local, and it’s easy to get chatting so be sure to allow 10-15 minutes to get back to the station.

Chris Shilling

key 1. Apple Tap 2. Chameleon at Kings 3. Retox 4. Eden 5. Trickling Tap 6. Chequers 7. Isaac Newton 8. Angel & Royal 9. Black Dog 10. Beerheadz 11. Nobody Inn 12. Blue Pig 13. Goose 14. Beehive 15. Castlegate 16. Tollemache Inn 17. Lord Harrowby

11

10

12

9

5

4

8 7 6

3 14

15

2 13

1

16

17

LiStingS Bands/Venues - Don’t forget you can get your gig listings and news items included in the magazine free of charge. Email simonstabler@aol.com before 7 April to ensure inclusion in the May/June issue.

01 March Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Grainstore, oakham 02 March open acoustic Session, Voodoo lounge, Stamford open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough German Night (5pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 03 March Citizen Smith, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Porky Pig, Golden Fleece, Stamford Cuttin loose, Masons arms, Bourne retrolux, Ploughman, Werrington NCF Comedy featuring Patrick Draper, Mill Street Pub & Kitchen, oakham rainmen (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington DJ, london inn, Stamford Karaoke, Jubilee Garage, Bourne Expletives, ostrich, Peterborough 04 March Sarah o’Brian, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Mark Bishop, Jubilee, Bourne The Nuggets, Bluebell, Dogsthorpe Frankly My Dear, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Miscellaneous, iron Horse, Market Deeping High rollers, Golden Fleece, Stamford Dean & Co, Masons arms, Bourne one for the road, Black Bull, Kirton Carpark rendezvous, Ploughman, Werrington Stealer, Heron, Stanground Circa 73, london inn, Stamford real Monsters, Grainstore, oakham Mark Bishop, Jubilee Garage, Bourne Commitment Bros, The Stage, Market Deeping Women’s Day Takeover/Mini Beer Festival, ostrich, Peterborough Platform one Tribute act (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford Ben Callanan, Puzzles?, Peterborough 05 March Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield

Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground live Music with Keith luckey (3pm), Pizza Parlour and Music Café, Peterborough Quiz, Masons arms, Bourne Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 07 March open acoustic Session (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 08 March Back room open acoustic Session, railway, ramsey Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Pub Quiz (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby

Winner – Stamford Mercury ‘best bar 2014’

Five horSeShoeS

Barholm, Stamford, lincs PE9 4ra • 01778 560238

Enjoy a welcoming open fire in a Traditional Ale House open from 4pm week days, 1pm Saturday and 12pm Sundays aS FreShLy Made Pizz d fired

woo cooked in an authentic 5-10pm pizza oven every friday and Saturday 5-9pm

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with

Pennyless Playing live from 8pm, 17th March

now serving mulled wine and warm cider Six Real Ales with four on rotation • three draught ciders • three Lagers • Fine Wine & Spirits • large beer garden • Pool room

Rutland CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016 and 2017 Annual Beer Festival - May Day Bank Holiday Weekend Fri 28th April, Sat 29th April, Sunday 30th April, Monday 1st May Live music Friday and Saturday evening Sunday evening our popular monthly open mic night

1 Pinfold Lane, North Luffenham, Oakham LE15 8LE Tel: 01780 720991

www.thefoxrutland.co.uk

Skerryvore, Stamford arts Centre Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington

16 March open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough

09 March open Mic (9pm), Crown, Peterborough open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough ready Steady Cook lunch, lakeside Bar, Tallington Drink & Draw, ostrich, Peterborough

17 March The Expletives, Bluebell, Dogsthorpe Pennyless, Five Horseshoes, Barholm St Patrick’s Party all day with Jack of Diamonds, Swiss Cottage, Woodston St Patrick’s Day Party with DB5, iron Horse, Market Deeping lateshow, Golden Fleece, Stamford St Patrick’s Day Dinner (irish stew, soda bread and a pint £9.95), royal oak, Swayfield revolver, Masons arms, Bourne Jimmy Doherty solo acoustic, Ploughman, Werrington Darren & Mee, Mill Street Pub & Kitchen, oakham retrospekt (7pm-late), Moulton Chapel Community Centre Pennyless, Five Horseshoes Barholm, Band TBC, lakeside Bar, Tallington St Patrick’s Day - Winter BBQ, Prior’s oven, Spalding Malingerers, ostrich, Peterborough

10 March Vice Squad, Voodoo lounge, Stamford The Gypsies, Golden Fleece, Stamford Mark Bishop, Masons arms, Bourne The returns, Ploughman, Werrington NCF Comedy featuring ash Francis, Mill Street Pub & Kitchen, oakham Blane’s World, lakeside Bar, Tallington agi Jarocka, ostrich, Peterborough 11 March Brian Wave, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Dizzy Miss lizzys & ramshackle Serenade, Swiss Cottage, Woodston The Expletives, Golden Fleece, Stamford antoine, Masons arms, Bourne red Boot, Black Bull, Kirton audioz, Pincushion, Wyberton Wii and Jug Night (8pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington The rocket Dogs, Heron, Stanground Blackout uK, london inn, Stamford The reason, Grainstore, oakham Crossfire, The Stage, Market Deeping DJ Dougi: Disco/Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford The Jukes - Down at the Diner, Stamford Corn Exchange andy Hughes, Puzzles?, Peterborough 12 March Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quizzer & Chips, Jolly Brewer, Stamford Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm) Quiz Night, lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 14 March open Mic (9pm), Ploughman, Werrington Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford Ben Callanan/The Fyzz Wallis Band, litvinenko, Puzzles?, Peterborough 15 March Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Thom Whitworth Quartet (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington

18 March Monkey Business, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Pennyless, Cellar Bar, Stamford Subway 77, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Sacred Nations, iron Horse, Market Deeping Genie lamps, Golden Fleece, Stamford

Home of

Castor Ales

6 Guest ales & Craft Beer Home Cooked Food lunch/Midweek Evenings ideal for walkers & dog friendly

award winning village pub in historic Castor 01733 380222 www.princeofwalesfeathers.co.uk

Brian and elaine extend a warm welcome to customers old and new at

the ForteScue arMS

Centuries old multi-roomed coaching inn with beamed ceilings, log fires and great company – now under new management Free House serving local ales plus Greene King Abbot and guest beers Five Star rated food prepared freshly for you by our chefs – we don’t do the ‘F’ word (Frozen!)

We’re family, walker and dog friendly! n New ‘Barn Bar’ outdoor function area, FREE to hire for private parties, buffets etc n Restaurant, function and games rooms – join our darts knockout competition every Friday n Open Mon-Fri 12.3pm and 5.30-11pm (all day from 12 at weekends) n Quiz every Wednesday n Mothers Day menu - see Website for details

n

27 High Street, Billingborough, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 0QB Tel: 01529 240228

www.fortescuearms.co.uk

fortescuearmsbillingborough

LiaM and Pat WeLcoMe you to

the hurdLer traditionaL StaMFord LocaL Open from 11am every day (till late at weekends) We pride ourselves on our teams: Football (home of Stamford 'Bels'); Rugby (home of Stamford College Old Boys); Darts; Pool; Dominoes; Pushpenny; Crib; Outdoor Skittles - New players always welcome Everards Cask Ales from £2.90 Fresh Pizzas from Wood-fired Pizza oven every THURSDAY (6-10pm) Last Friday of each month - Hurdler Soul Nite (Motown and Soul Disco) Saturdays - Live Music and Karaoke - see listings for details Sunday is multi-screen sports day + disco + fun quiz + Play Your Cards Right Ample parking, Dog friendly Food now available Friday & Saturday 12 till 8pm

Bar Snacks Now Available Fridays and Saturdays 93, New Cross Rd, Stamford, Lincs PE9 1AL 01780 763428 / email patricia.ennis@hotmail.co.uk

afterlife, Masons arms, Bourne retsonics, Black Bull, Kirton Blackout uK, Ploughman, Werrington Pennyless, Cellar Bar at Stamford arts Centre Prize Wheel and Food Promo, lakeside Bar, Tallington 3rd Stone From the Sun, Heron, Stanground Donut, london inn, Stamford indigo, The Stage, Market Deeping Disco/Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford Mercury: Queen Tribute, Stamford Corn Exchange Holly Jean, Puzzles?, Peterborough St Partick’s Party (8pm) Green Man, Stamford 19 March The Stringlers (4-6pm), Woolpack, Stanground Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quiz, Masons arms, Bourne Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 20 March Electric Strawbs, Guildhall arts Centre, Grantham 21 March open Mic (Powered) Session (8.45pm), Boat inn, Whittlesey Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 22 March Back room open acoustic Session (8pm), railway, ramsey Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough England v Germany (5pm, beer and basket food), lakeside Bar, Tallington Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 23 March open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough Georgie Fame, Guildhall arts Centre, Grantham 24 March The Fens Magazine Songwriters Concert (8pm), Falcon, Whittlesey Kickback, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Phoenix Showband, Golden Fleece, Stamford DJ Neil, Masons arms, Bourne Velocity, Ploughman, Werrington one Eyed Cats (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington DJ, london inn, Stamford Blackout uK, Jubilee Garage, Bourne Courtyard Jukebox, ostrich, Peterborough Vigilantes (9pm), Church Keys, Boston 25 March Vigilantes, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding

30 North Street, Bourne PE10 9AB Themed bar and restaurant featuring vintage and retro motoring memorabilia, exclusive BRM photographs and even a 1972 VW Campervan converted into a bar!

2 Real Ales - 2 Real Ciders Craft & Continental Lagers Showing all major sporting events Regular live events - see listings for details

REAL CIDER & MUSIC FESTIVAL APRIL 14-16 (min 18 real ciders + cask ales + entertainment) Open: Mon-Weds 4-11pm; Thurs 12-11pm, Fri/Sat 12-12, Sun 12-9pm Food served Mon-Weds 5-9pm, Thurs & Friday 12-2.30pm & 6-9pm, Sat all day, Sun 12-5pm jubilee garage

@jubileeBourne

www.jubileegaragebourne.com Your local in the Heart of Stamford

the golden Fleece open 9am-11pm Sunday to Wednesday, 9am to late Thursday to Saturday Full breakfast and lunchtime menu available 9am-4pm (Sunday 9am-3pm) Live entertainment Thursday thru to Sunday (Karaoke Thurs & Sun, Live Bands Fri & Sat) Three real Ales everards Tiger and old original with a rotating Guest Ale and Henry Westons cider on hand pull

Sheep Market, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2RB 01780 763749 goldeneece.stamford@outlook.com

Crowland Charity Music Day, George & angel The Malingerers, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Mike Mepham, iron Horse, Market Deeping The Electric Warriors, Golden Fleece, Stamford Don Brister, Masons arms, Bourne Buckets, Black Bull, Kirton left Hand Drive, Pincushion, Wyberton The 707, Heron, Stanground leon, london inn, Stamford Phoenix Showband, The Stage, Market Deeping The Deps, ostrich, Peterborough re’instated 80s Flashback act, Hurdler, Stamford Bon rogers, Puzzles?, Peterborough 26 March Mother’s Day afternoon Tea/Champagne afternoon Tea, Church Keys, Boston Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quizzer & Chips, Jolly Brewer, Stamford Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Mother’s Day Carvery (12pm and 3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz Night, lakeside Bar, Tallington 28 March Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford

29 March Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Tony Giles all Stars (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 30 March Singles Night, Blue Bell, Werrington open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough Thursday Bike Night, iron Horse, Market Deeping Film Night (7pm), Prior’s oven, Spalding Comedy Night, Grainstore, oakham 31 March The Whisky Bar acoustic Session (8.30pm), Boat inn, Whittlesey The Extones, royal oak, Swayfield Black Star Bowie Charity Night, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Just For Kicks, Golden Fleece, Stamford Cuttin loose, Masons arms, Bourne Hooker, Ploughman, Werrington amy & Benn, Mill Street Pub & Kitchen, oakham los Cojones, lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat raffle, Prior’s oven, Spalding DJ, london inn, Stamford Geoff achison & the Souldiggers, Grainstore, oakham los Tombstones, ostrich, Peterborough TV Smith, Mama liz's, Stamford

HarE & HouNDS TRADITIONAL COUNTRY GASTRO PUB

food served lunchtimes and evenings (booking recommended)

Freshly prepared food, deliciously home-cooked 8 rEal alES * FiNE WiNES * rEal FirE * BEEr GarDEN

fortnightly Quiz nights Spot and cash prizes free Pizza feb 28th March 14th, 28th april 11th, 25th

New Menu - Fish Dishes a Speciality! (see website) Try our famous Sunday Roasts featuring a choice of four meats, fresh seasonal veg and gravy that's so good it really should be on draught!

Hare and Hounds Gastro Pub, Main St, Greatford, Stamford PE9 4QA T: 01778 560332 www.thehareandhoundsgreatford.co.uk

01 april arc Nation, Bluebell, Dogsthorpe Mind the Gap, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Statelines, iron Horse, Market Deeping The audios, Golden Fleece, Stamford Brothers Grimm, Masons arms, Bourne Katmandu, Black Bull, Kirton The Nuggets, Ploughman, Werrington Cosmic rodney (TBC), Heron, Stanground Hooker, london inn, Stamford Kickback, The Stage, Market Deeping Clarksdale Contract, ostrich, Peterborough Meat loaf Tribute act (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford Callum Stewart, Puzzles?, Peterborough 02 april Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quiz, Masons arms, Bourne Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 04 april open acoustic Session (8pm), Millstone, Barnack Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 05 april Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Beer Club (Featuring Peterborough’s angles Brewery), iron Horse, Market Deeping aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Stamford arts Centre Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Grainstore, oakham 06 april open acoustic Session, Voodoo lounge, Stamford open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough

Smartees, london inn, Stamford Junk Puppets, The Stage, Market Deeping DJ Dougi: Disco/Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford aC/DC uK, Stamford Corn Exchange CJ Hatt, Puzzles?, Peterborough 09 april Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quizzer & Chips, Jolly Brewer, Stamford Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm) Quiz Night, lakeside Bar, Tallington 11 april open Mic (9pm), Ploughman, Werrington open Mic, Ploughman, Werrington Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 12 april Back room open acoustic Session (8pm), railway, ramsey Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Pub Quiz (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 13 april open Mic (9pm), Crown, Peterborough open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough

Award Winning

el d DigÀ

07 april Holly & the Boatmen (9pm), Crown, Peterborough Jimmy the Gent (9pm), Church Keys, Boston Porky Pig, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Betty Swollocks, Golden Fleece, Stamford Mug Jugglers, Masons arms, Bourne overdubs, Ploughman, Werrington leon, london inn, Stamford 08 april afterlife, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Electric Warriors, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Pembrooke Tennyson, iron Horse, Market Deeping The returns, Golden Fleece, Stamford Son of a Gun, Masons arms, Bourne Hydro Bats, Black Bull, Kirton Stone Pony, Pincushion, Wyberton Caustic lights, Ploughman, Werrington Fired up, Heron, Stanground

Ales ABV 3.9%

brewed at Lilford Lodge Farm Barnwell Northamptonshire 01832 273954 ZZZ GLJÀHOG DOHV FR XN

Cupid’s ’68 (Featuring Cupid’s inspiration’s Terry rice Milton & laughton James), Stamford Corn Exchange Quiz (8pm), Charters, Peterborough 14 april Good Friday Beer & Burger £5, Church Keys, Boston Miscellaneous, Jubilee, Bourne CJ Hatt, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Mod Story, Golden Fleece, Stamford all Shook up + 50s DJ, Parkway Club, Peterborough loose rocket, Masons arms, Bourne Tiger Club, Ploughman, Werrington Sticky Fingers (8.30pm), Grainstore, oakham Miscellaneous, Jubilee Garage, Bourne James Edmonds, ostrich, Peterborough Dizzy Miss lizzys (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough 15 april Soundinjectors, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Tiger Club, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Hooker, iron Horse, Market Deeping Grumpy old Men, Golden Fleece, Stamford Don Brister, Masons arms, Bourne Duebonkes, Black Bull, Kirton Dirty rumour, Ploughman outlaw Eagles (2.30pm)/Maximum Jam (8.30pm), Grainstore, oakham The Heron 3rd Birthday Party with live Music TBC, Heron, Stanground Guards, london inn, Stamford Mark Bishop, Jubilee Garage, Bourne audios, The Stage, Market Deeping ramshackle, ostrich, Peterborough Taylor Soul Motown (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford Groove Cartell (10.30pm), Charters, Peterborough Kirsty Jo, Puzzles?, Peterborough 16 april Moll Grips, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground live band TBC, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Quiz, Masons arms, Bourne Just for Kicks, Black Bull, Kirton Easter Bonnet Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Pure Magic (8.30pm), Grainstore, oakham Hush, Jubilee Garage, Bourne DJ Dougi: Disco & Fun Quiz, Hurdler, Stamford The Palmy uke Band (3pm), Charters, Peterborough 17 april Charters open Mic (8pm), Charters, Peterborough 18 april open Mic (Powered) Session (8.45pm), Boat inn, Whittlesey

Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 19 april Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Thom Whitworth Quartet (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 20 april open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough 21 april retrolux, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Harkback, Golden Fleece, Stamford Nick Glover (DJ), Masons arms, Bourne 22 april Tallawah, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding The Gangsters, Bluebell, Dogsthorpe Mollys Chamber, Swiss Cottage, Woodston indigo, Golden Fleece, Stamford Splinter Group, Masons arms, Bourne Monkey Business, Black Bull, Kirton retro Sonic, Pincushion, Wyberton Stingray, Ploughman, Werrington Pennyless, langham Church, nr oakham TBC, Heron, Stanground DJ, london inn, Stamford Paul McClure, Grainstore, oakham afterlife, Jubilee Garage, Bourne Velocity, ostrich, Peterborough Disco/Karaoke (8pm), Hurdler, Stamford Michael Jackson legacy, Stamford Corn Exchange agi Jarocka, Puzzles?, Peterborough 23 april Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground Quizzer & Chips, Jolly Brewer, Stamford Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat and Beer raffle (4.30pm) Quiz Night, lakeside Bar, Tallington 25 april let There B/DC, iron Horse, Market Deeping Bingo (8.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Quiz, Hare & Hounds, Greatford 26 april Back room open acoustic Session, railway, ramsey Quiz, Fortescue arms, Billingborough Tony Giles all Stars (8pm), Bustard inn, South rauceby Yoga (6pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington 27 april Singles Night, Blue Bell, Werrington

open Mic (7pm), Puzzles?, Peterborough Funhouse Comedy Club, Grainstore, oakham 28 april The Whisky Bar acoustic Session (8.30pm), Boat inn, Whittlesey loose Change, royal oak, Swayfield Ten Years on (10th anniversary of our opening, includes a delicious taster menu), Bustard inn, South rauceby The Code (8pm), legionnaires Function room, Sleaford TBC, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Chuck Norris Experience, Golden Fleece, Stamford Cuttin loose, Masons arms, Bourne on the Ceiling, Ploughman, Werrington Pennyless (7.30pm), The Deepings School 29 april Stone Ponies, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding lyn Mc Farland (12-1.30pm), Sleaford Museum Best of unplugged Night (2-5pm), Solo Bar & restaurant, Sleaford little Big Band (8pm), legionnaires Function room, Sleaford The Playhouse Comedy Night (7.30pm, Tickets £10), Sleaford Playhouse TBC, Swiss Cottage, Woodston Blackout uK, Golden Fleece, Stamford Mark Bishop, Masons arms, Bourne Vigilantes, Black Bull, Kirton Tallawah, Heron, Stanground overdubs, london inn, Stamford Candyslam, Grainstore, oakham Groovapolitan, ostrich, Peterborough New Generation Crash & Burn (9pm), Hurdler, Stamford acoustic Supper Club, Puzzles?, Peterborough 30 april Boobonyx, lincolnshire Poacher, Spalding Quiz Night, royal oak, Swayfield Quiz Night, Woolpack, Stanground ukulele orchestra (7pm), Solo Bar & restaurant, Sleaford Croagh Patrick (7.30pm, Celtic folk) Millers Bar & restaurant, Sleaford Quiz, Masons arms, Bourne Beachy Head Diving Club, Black Bull, Kirton Karaoke, Ploughman, Werrington retrospeKt (2pm), Moulton Chapel Tulip Parade Carvery (12-3pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington Meat & Beer raffle (4.30pm), lakeside Bar, Tallington

beer Festivals 13-17 april Craft lager, ale (and Tribute Band) Festival,

Grainstore, oakham - With music from some of the best tribute acts out there.

Easter Beer Festival, Charters, Peterborough - 20+ ales including national/local ales and festival exclusives 14-16 april real Cider & Music Festival, Jubilee Garage, Bourne - Minimum 18 real ciders, cask ales and entertainment.

14-17 april Easter Beer Festival, Tap & Kitchen, oundle - an array of great beers and ciders, live music and some amazing food from the kitchen and our wood fired riverside grill.

Easter Beer Festival, Green Man, Stamford - Featuring over 30 local and regional real ales, ciders and live music throughout.

18-20 May rail ale 2017, Barrow Hill roundhouse, Chesterfield - over 300 real ales, ciders, perrys, craft & world beers, plus train rides and live music.

rhythm & booze, issue 42 March/april 2017 all written material, unless otherwise stated, © Simon Stabler all events are listed free of charge. to ensure inclusion in the May/june 2017 issue, or have any other news included in the magazine, email simonstabler@aol.com by 7 april. 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)* £175 - full page (cover) £140 - full page £90 - half page £50 - quarter page * discounts for series bookings.

thanks thank you to richard howes, ian bean, Wally barnes (distribution), david brown and cardinal Pete cox for their help in compiling this issue.

REVIEWS The Ancient Order of Froth Blowers: El Original Brew/The Kentish Town Song (Download, 7” vinyl), frothblowerband.bandcamp.com

Alongside Roy Wood, French horn player and keyboardist Bill Hunt is the only other person to have been in the original line ups of both ELO and Wizzard. He wrote The Carlsberg Special, the B-side to Wizzard’s debut single, Ball Park Incident, and the lead track from this “double B-side” is billed as that song’s official follow up.

Sponsored by Birmingham’s Froth Blowers Brewing Co, who paid for the pressing of the limited edition “frothy ale coloured” vinyl along with a set of beer mats, the band features ex-Wizzard saxophonist Nick Pentelow and Wonderstuff front man, Miles Hunt, who is Bill’s nephew.

There’s more than a touch of pastiche about this release, with the disc’s label aping the design of Harvest (Hunt’s company is even called Barley), Wizzard’s former record label, while it also features the slogan “Pianos Reconstructed Phone 01242 517635” the number for the

Cheltenham Piano Centre, which echoes The Carlsberg Special’s “Pianos Demolished Phone 021 373 4472” – Hunt’s then number, put there as a joke by Wood.

As for the song, El Original Brew is a slowed down, more orchestral version of The Carlsberg Special. If it really is a follow up, then it’s Godfather III as opposed to the complementary Godfather II. The other track on the release, The Kentish Town Song, is actually a remix of Bill’s son Will’s Drums and Bass, a track he used to perform while part of Dansette Junior. Remixed by the Sundae Club, it’s an update of ELO’s signature sound and is certainly the better of the two.

Absolute Beginners (DVD/Blu-ray), Second Sight There are several films that did poorly at the box office but later, through video and DVD sales, built up a cult following.

However, this 1986 adaptation of Colin MacInnes’s novel of the same name has not improved

with age.

Released among much fanfare as the last hope for the ailing British film industry, its confusing plot (it has been described as “a series of badly-linked music videos”) and largely forgettable songs (not a good thing for a musical) meant that the film was a box office failure.

A colourful update of the world seen in Expresso Bongo, it’s certainly an ambitious piece but one that falls short. Marking Patsy Kensit’s major film debut, the cast also includes Lionel Blair and Alan “Fluff” Freeman (playing exaggerated versions of themselves), Ray Davies of the Kinks and Irene Handl in one of her final roles. David Bowie also appears and does very well until he opens his mouth but makes up for it by providing the brilliant title song – one of the few good things about this expensive turkey.

A new 53-minute documentary, Absolute Ambition, interviewing the cast and crew about the film is included as an on-disc extra.

RAIL ALE

2017

BARROW W HILL ROUNDHOUSE

THE HE MOST AT A ATMOSPHERIC TTMOSPHERIC MOSPHERIC BEER FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OF THE HE YEAR! 12noon on - 11pm* THURSDAY 18th M THURSDAY MAY AY 12no FRIDAY Y 19th MAY AY 12noon - 11pm* 12noon on - 11pm* SATURDAY SATURDA TURDAY 20th MAY MAY 12no

OVER VER 300 REAL wwavailTaibclekenotws w.seet ickets. at ALES,, CIDERS, ALES CIDERS com PERRYS, PERRYS PERR YS S,, CRAFT & WORLD BEERS! & AVA IL LOCA ABLE FROM L 1 ST MA OUTLETS RCH 2 017

PLUS

TRAIN RIDES RIDES & LIVE LIVE MUSIC MUSIC (on Friday F & Saturday)

* No under 18s allowed on site after 5pm. * Train rides run until 5pm on Friday ida & Saturday. y. No train rides on Thursda hursday.

BARROW ARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE CAMPBELL DRIVE, BARROW HILL, CHESTERFIELD, DERBYSHIRE DERBY S43 2PR

www.railalefestival.com www.r ailalefestival.com

THURSDAY THURSDAY: Y: ADVANCE £5 ON THE GATE £5 FRIDAY & SATURDAY: SATURDAY SATURDA TURDAY: ADVANCE £7 ON THE GA GATE TE £9

Supported Supp ed Festival

20+ ALES INCLUDING NATIONAL / LOCAL ALES AND FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVES

EASTER EVE FER AL STI F

NM RTAI ENTE

EN T

BEER

FESTIVAL 13 TH - 17 TH APRIL

UN FLOAITQUE VENU ING TH E WIT LARGE CITY’SH ES GARDT BEER EN

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL FRIDAY 14TH APRIL SATURDAY 15TH APRIL

8PM 10:30PM 10:30PM

SUNDAY 16TH APRIL

3PM

MONDAY 17TH APRIL

8PM

01733 315700 charters-bar.com charters-bar.com Town Town Bridge, Peterborough Peterborough PE1 1FP