Home   Sittingbourne   News   Article

Sheppey beer festival and Sittingbourne Woodfest return this Saturday

Two of Swale's most popular music festivals are back this weekend.

Sheppey Rotarians' beer festival at the Aviator pub and Sittingbourne's Woodfest at Woodcoombe sports and social club both return, following in the footsteps of Chickenstock.

Marylebone Jelly at the first Drive In Groovy festival at The Woodstock, Sittingbourne, in September. Picture: Glen Smith
Marylebone Jelly at the first Drive In Groovy festival at The Woodstock, Sittingbourne, in September. Picture: Glen Smith

The Stockbury folk fest two weekends ago was the area's first music festivals to go ahead after Covid restrictions were eased. It has since been named festival of the year by Great Days Out.

Now it's the turn of Woodfest in Church Road, Murston, Sittingbourne, this Saturday.

The music kicks off at noon with top local bands Marylebone Jelly, Marvellous Mo and the Backline Ferrets, Toot 'n' Skamen, Shaken Albert, The Chilly Fingers and the Decades Showband.

Organisers are hoping the weather will hold after the last bash in 2019 was almost rained off when a downpour drenched both bands and the audience. Last year's event was cancelled because of Covid.

Tickets are £15 (£10 members, £8 children aged five to 11) from 01795 423744.

Dancing at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's annual beer festival at the Aviator pub, Queenborough
Dancing at Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's annual beer festival at the Aviator pub, Queenborough

The event clashes with the return of Minster-on-Sea Rotary Club's beer festival at the Aviator pub, Queenborough.

The Sheppey line-up features So Pink, The Jaguars, Flashback, Abba Magic, Weekend Play, The Skastards and Billy Levin and the Twangdaddies.

Music starts at 12.30pm. Admission is free but the Rotarians will be selling £10 beer tokens on the day which can be exchanged for three pints of beer or cider. Money raised will go to local charities.

Last year's fundraising event had to be cancelled because of Covid so ingenious Rotarians staged an on-line pig race instead.

They also used Facebook to 'broadcast' their own entertainment under the name of the Rotary Variety Show featuring acts including Shaun Williamson.

3 Daft Monkeys on stage at the award-winning Chickenstock music festival at Stockbury, near Sittingbourne, in 2021. Picture: Moya Taylor
3 Daft Monkeys on stage at the award-winning Chickenstock music festival at Stockbury, near Sittingbourne, in 2021. Picture: Moya Taylor

At the other end of the borough, Macknade food village at Faversham is hosting live acoustic music on Fridays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm throughout August It begins this Friday with Thomas Abrahams, followed by Dave Rogers on August 13, the Dune acoustic duo on August 20 and Ian Ingles on August 27.

Macknade general manager Paul Gunner said: "We're all so excited to have live music at the Food Village. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and get ready for the weekend with family and friends. Even furry friends are welcome provided they keep their paws on the floor!"

Diners can chose from handmade pizza, authentic tacos and street food. Customers also get free corkage. They can buy a bottle from the Wine Store and drink it at their table in the Food Village at no extra cost.

Acoustic August is not a ticketed event so no reservations are needed. For details, visit www.macknade.com

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More