Just to confirm that the festival is on tonight (Saturday 21st) and that we will offer the full music programme as planned. The bands are on route so we hope we can offer you a fun filled evening of ale and jazz. We’ve mopped up the site and we are drying out but the ground is still soggy underfoot in places. We would advise wearing wellies or some other sturdy and waterproof footware - there were some very fashionable welly combos on show last night.

On Thursday night we had some great music from Dave Leach and the 7 Stars of Jazz and the Jive Aces. Last night due to the bands unable to make it through the weather we managed to find a local band who offered a range of their own compositions and some modern classics from the Beatles to the Killers. Something a little different to our usual jazz but we are grateful they were able to step in at the last minute to provide you with some entertainment.

Tonight we are featuring Susan Valliant Spear and The Rascals of Rhythm. The Rascals are fronted by two wonderful musicians in Mike Wills and Tony Blincowe who between them play enough reed instruments to start a shop (or possibly a museum)! They carry on the great traditions of Jimmy Noone, Mezzrow / Bechet, Wilber & Davern, even Wally Fawkes & BruceTurner! The drumless rhythm section of Dave Moorwood - acoustic guitar, Perry Lock – piano, Roger Davis – bass, “provides a backdrop… as springy as a trampoline and uncluttered as air” (Digby Fairweather).

Songs are handled by Dave himself and by American Susan Valliant Speer, a versatile and dynamic performer with roots in the classic blues of Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter et al, and the great vaudeville tradition, as exemplified by Sophie Tucker.

Not a band to categorise easily, you will hear music by Jelly Roll, Fats, Duke and many of the great tunesmiths of the 20’s and 30’s.

The second band featured tonight is a return of regular favourites Bob Kerr and His Whoopee Band

100% Music + 100% Fun = 200% Entertainment. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have seen Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band and those who have not…

If you remember the hit song “Winchester Cathedral” in the 1960s, you will know the playing of Bob Kerr. More than just a funny band, Bob and the boys present a complete visual show of “Musical Mayhem” in true “Spike Jones and his City Slicker” Style. They will amaze you with their musical ability and split second timing, playing more instruments than you can count on several hands. Their brilliant sense of fun and quick fire humour has the audience falling about from start to finish.

The show is a complete variety of musical styles from the 1920s to the present day nothing is sacred. A show of unashamed nostalgia, honest fun and great musical entertainment. They have been described as a cross between Spike Jones, The Marx Brothers and Monty Python.

We look forward to welcoming you this evening.