THIS year’s Noble Beer & Music Festival, held on 1-2 September, will offer unrivalled music, its best ever selection of beers and ciders, entertainment for all ages, plus — and this is a first — a community picnic run thanks to a grant awarded by the Celebrate England Fund. 

“We were incredibly lucky to receive this significant sum of money, which will enable all residents of the village to come together prior to the Beer & Music Festival and enjoy a complimentary picnic, with delicious foods provided by Hamilton Events,” said festival organiser Dan Hurring. “Friends and relatives of villagers can of course join them by buying a picnic at an extremely competitive rate.”

With the community picnic hosted between 12-2pm, Saturday’s Beer & Music Festival kicks off at 2.30pm, with music from the likes of Rodney Branigan, the Carny Villains, The Johnsons and Boudica Boogaloo. Bathampton’s Morris Men will be joining in the fun, while award-winning DJ Chris Tofu, plus Will White and others, will provide the music between the live acts. There will also be live music playing during Friday evening’s ‘pub night’, held between 7-11.30pm in Upton Noble Village Hall. Entry is free on Friday.  

The event has secured a major sponsorship in the form of the branding of its pint glasses from North Brewham-based sand and aggregate merchant RH & AJ Bateman. A lottery draw to pick Saturday’s title sponsor from those who have already pledged money will be held on 28 August at Batcombe Fete/The Three Horseshoes Inn. 

The festival’s beer offering comes once again from some of Bristol and Bath’s leading breweries, such as Electric Bear, Bristol Beer Factory and Arbor Ales. Kav Javi from The Three Horseshoes Inn in Batcombe has pledged to supply a cask of the Champion Beer Of Britain, as voted for at the Great British Beer Festival. Ciders from Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and South Wales will also be available, along with the perennially popular village offering Uptonogood Cider. More Wine, a regular supplier to the renowned Somerset Food Assembly, will be offering wine for sale.   

For the first time this year there will be a party tent for teenagers, as well as giant games, crafts, circus skills and play equipment for the younger attendees. 

For significant savings on advance tickets, buy online at www.unfestival.co.uk