A RURAL landlord is set to rejuvenate his pub by organising a weekly music event and a village beer festival.
Paul Needham is the new owner of the Dog and Partridge pub at Marchington where he will host a new Sunday Club each week.
The first Sunday Club will be this week from 4.30pm with music from Derby folk-rock band, Neverland Acoustic, featuring Mick Doyle and Adrian Dent.
Mr Needham has long experience in the licensed trade including, most recently, seven years at The Unicorn, Newton Solney, where he built a national reputation for successful beer festivals and live music events.
He said: “It was always the intention to bring some aspects of that success to Marchington, and we want to start in low key fashion with the winter beer festival and some great acoustic music.
“Since taking over the pub we’ve been really pleased with how welcome we’ve been made to feel in the village.
“We all know about the pressures on the industry, but people will definitely support their local pub if they feel an effort is being made to do something for them.”
Bands including Mojosa, Paul Herron, Li’l Jim, Bleeding Hearts, Karl & The Marx Brothers and Jolly Jock have all been signed up for Sunday Club sessions over coming weeks which will all start at around 4.30pm with free admission.
Mr Needham has also organised a beer festival at the village hall in conjunction with the neighbouring Bull’s Head pub.
The first Marchington Melee Winter Beer Festival is on March 8 and 9 with around 20 real ales on offer as well as music from Midnight Pumpkin Trucks, The Office Boys, Old Skool and The Busketeers.
