It’s that time again! That’s right, the weekend is coming and we have been gifted with another bank holiday. Oh, how May has spoiled us. So make the most of the last bank holiday until August (boo) with live performances, networking and introductions to some of the best trading card game franchise in the world. Oh and there’s a couple of festivals as well. Should probably have mentioned that at the start to be honest.
The festivals
I feel festivals in Melton are like our buses. They aren’t known for coming frequently but when you actually get one, you want to shout about it. Or maybe that’s just me and my lack of driver’s licence. So when it transpired that we actually have 2 festivals, my immediate thought was I’m going to have to do a separate section.
Let’s start with the Branston Beer Festival. It’s taking place at the Wheel Inn from the 26th-29th May. This former CAMRA Leicestershire Pub Of The Year award winner features 18 real ales, 6 ciders, 2 draft lagers and a cocktail bar. Our very own Round Corner Brewing will be one of the breweries featured so if you want award winning beer but closer to Belvoir Castle, than you are town, definitely make this a pit stop.
The festival also has a BBQ taking place from 1pm and a variety of entertainment offerings. Those of you who arrive between 12pm and 4pm can enjoy an open mic session. Ideal for those of you who want to try some new material/play an instrument. After 4pm. The pub will be hosting live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect a mixture of bands and two pieces to play the tunes as you kick back, relax and go to town on those beverages (please drink responsibly).
Then we get to Glastonbudget. Chances are when you thought of festival in Melton that is happening during the last May bank holiday weekend, you thought of Glastonbudget. That, my good reading friend, is perfectly understandable. They’ve been doing the whole local festival gig for 19 years now. The festival boasts 4 stages with live music from Friday afternoon all the way through to Sunday evening.
Keys artists of note include Unit 4, a Melton based band that will be performing on the Loco stage on Saturday at 7:40pm, Totally Tina who will be headlining Team Ladies on Sunday’s main stage. She will be up against Team Mockstars’ headline act WL/DC who will be rocking out in The Big Top. Theo Hills is Glastonbudget’s youngest artist at a mere age of 9 will be performing on the loco stage on Saturday at 1:50pm. A variety of other independent artists will also be performing on the Icon Stage including Eddie and The Wolves on Friday, Jo Jo And The Mojos on Saturday and Smack Jack on Sunday.
The timings work really well for families with the latest act finishing just before 11pm. Do not panic though if you want to keep the party going. Glastonbudget also have a silent disco all 3 nights from 11pm-2am featuring 3 different music channels. Whilst I work out what time would be the optimal nap hour so I can stay awake long enough to enjoy said silent disco, those of you who love fancy dress need to work on those costumes. Why? Well Glasonbudget also happen to have a fancy dress competition where those of you with the best costumes can win a variety of prizes include beverages with The Earl of Mongoose, merch and free tickets to 2024’s festival.
Thursday 25th May:
Thursday is a relatively chilled vibe as we ease into the bank holiday. Business owners are invited to attend this month’s Melton Business Connect networking event. It takes place at the Harboro Hotel and starts at 5:30pm. Businesses will be invited to partake in a brief 30 second business introduction followed by Indian dishes cooked by the wonderful folks at Harboro Spice. I’m not going to bleat about my slightly unhealthy love of their butter chicken too much. Instead, I’m just going to say that you’ll be very well fed. Tickets are £15 and will need to be brought on Eventbrite prior to the event starting.
Students at SMB College will be performing Earthquakes in London at the Melton Theatre. The tickets cost £8 for a standard and £6 for people who qualify for concession rates. The play focuses on the lives of 3 sisters who navigate life amongst a predicted apocalypse. With the original material being longlisted for the 2010 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, you know this is going to be a good quality performance. If you fancy a night at the theatre, you can book your tickers via the Melton Theatre website or calling 01664851111.
Earthquakes in London will be performed at Melton Theatre over the weekend. Photo: File Image.
At The Regal, enjoy watching The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry at 2pm. Alternatively fans of the Marvel cinematic universe can watch Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3 at 5:15pm or 8:15pm. Both of these films are 12As and student disco is available.
For the late night party animals amongst you, White Lion host their weekly karaoke. It kicks off at 9pm start with doors opening slightly before that. The venue will be open until 4am and is free entry.
Friday 26th May
For those of you fancying a morning hoedown, head to The Stute. They will be hosting a line dancing class from 10am-12pm with a mixture of tunes to swing your partner to. Entry is £6pp, which allows you to stay the whole morning, and you can pay this on the door.
Car enthusiasts can head to the town centre from 5pm to enjoy this month’s classic car meet. Enjoy a relaxed evening chatting with other likeminded people about the 4 wheelers from yesteryear.
Comedy fans need to head to Hamilton Tennis Club. Popular entertainer Pete The Beat will be entertaining you with his comedic performance. Oh and it’s free. Gotta love the free stuff.
Heard about Magic The Gathering’s popularity but know nothing about the card game? If you answered yes, head to Black Dragon Games where the popular games shop will be teaching you the basics of this popular trading card game.
Fancy a film? The Regal are showing the newest Little Mermaid film. This remake of the animated classic (fun fact, it’s actually my favourite Disney film) features Ariel and her fishy friends navigating the human world after she falls in love with Prince Eric. Early reviews have praised Halle Bailey who plays the titular character.
Live music lovers will be thrilled to know that there’s some great options both within the town centre and local villages. Contraband will be covering the best in ska, pop and funk at The Crown (Asfordby) from 8:30pm-11pm. Whilst Faulty New Goods will be promising an evening of awesomeness at The Rose And Crown from 8pm. In the town centre, let the Cutting Room entertain you will their Robbie Williams tribute which kicks off at 9pm.
Don’t worry if you thought I skipped the DJs. I’ve got some great options for you. Fur and Feather will be hosting DJ Moggs who will be blasting the tunes whilst you enjoy double happy hour. Pitcher and bomb lovers are best heading to the Half Moon for Tiny Tony’s disco and karaoke. The popular DJ is basically part of Melton’s furniture at this point. Throwback fans should head to The White Lion for their weekly Decadance night starting at 9pm. Expect the best in pop, dance and cheese from the 70s up to the 00s until 4am (last entry is 3am). All of these venues offer free entry all night for those of you who want a dance whilst saving that coin.
Saturday 27th May
For a laid back morning, head to Wyfordby where their local church (St Mary’s) will be hosting a coffee morning. Plants and books will also be available should you wish to keep that relaxed feeling going. Alternatively head to the Bell Inn for a chance to see Heart And Star’s clothing options whilst enjoying a delicious beverage. Whilst Belvoir Castle host a variety of activities in honour of their founder Robert De Todeni from 10:30am.
In the town centre, the Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service are hosting a road safety day at the Melton Fire Station. This will be taking place from 10am-3pm and is free entry.
There's a road safety open day at Melton Fire Station on Saturday. Photo: Stock.
Alternatively, you can head to Black Dragon for their first weekend of the Pokemon Paldea Evolved pre-release tournament starting at 2pm. This is your chance to put the newest cards to the test before they are sold to the public. The tournament will be running Swiss format (so everyone plays the whole time regardless of position).
Black Dragon Games in Burton Street. Photo: NEMM
Prizes consist of 4th place and lower receiving a complimentary booster pack, 3rd place getting a quarter booster box, 2nd place getting a half booster box and 1st place wins a full booster box. This week’s tournaments will be open to adults aged 18 and over (Masters) and kids aged 12 and under (Juniors) and cost £25 per entry. This will include one build and battle deck, 4 booster cards and your tournament prize. If this is something you would interested in, you can book your place via the Black Dragon website. Alongside this tournament, Black Dragon are also hosting their weekly Yu-Gi-Oh tournament from 2pm with the charge being normal table rates.
As night falls, enjoy a variety of entertainment. For a more relaxed evening head to The Country Park for their charity quiz night. Money raised will go to Welly’s Workplace who offer enterprising opportunities to local adults with SEN and disabilities. Alternatively head to The Regal who will be showing the Little Mermaid at 7:30pm. Should you have other nightly plans, you can also catch the film at 10:30am (relaxed showing), 1:30pm and 4:30pm.
Live music lovers have a couple of options. The locked in of which being The LJ experience at The Black Swan. Enjoy classic music from classic stars from 9pm. I would, however, recommend arriving slightly earlier as their Facebook lives have shown that they are pretty busy on Saturday night. Should you wish to have a surprise, head to The White Lion. They will be having a form of musical entertainment from 9pm, potentially on their outdoor stage (weather permitting). Keep an eye on their socials if you want some idea before Saturday night. Regardless of act, The White Lion will be open until 4am and there’s free entry all night.
As for DJs, head to The Half Moon to dance along with Tiny Tony. Alternatively, head to Cutting Room for their reflex night with Andrew Dean spinning the deck. Requests for both are generally welcomed.
Sunday 28th May:
Enjoy a nice easy Sunday as we head towards bank holiday Monday. The Black Swan are hosting a darts tournament. Entry is £5pp and registration must take place between 1pm and 2pm. The entry pot will be shared between the two finalists. In other words, the more people who partake, the bigger the prize so encourage everyone to join in.
For those of you who fancy a little bit of cheeky day drinking Miss B’s have a bottomless afternoon tea. Enjoy a luxury afternoon tea with 2 hours of fizz, pimms or beer for £29.95. Alternatively pay £18.95 for bottomless tea and coffee.
Didn’t get round to watching The Little Mermaid this weekend? Don’t worry, The Regal are showing the film at 10:45am and 6:15pm. At 2pm, the independent cinema is showing ROH The Sleeping Beauty (12A) for those of you who enjoy ballet.
In there evening, it’s eyes down at The Welby for their cash bingo which will be taking place in the evening. Whilst Cutting Room have their weekly appy hour. How does it work? Simply order a round via their app between 5pm and 6pm and you’ll be in the chance to get that same round on the house.
Monday 29th May
Ease into that 4 day working week this bank holiday Monday. Cutting Room hosts a spring crafternoon to help raise money for charity. An ideal place to swing by if you have kids that need something to do. Alternatively, Melton Croquet club will be at Egerton Park should you fancy a new hobby that involves a mallet. For more information including how to get involved call 01476870150.
In the villages, Nags Head hosts Sam Hinds for some easy listening at 3pm. Ideal for those of you who still need that hit of live music as the festivals pack up.
Should you wish to scratch your grey matter, head to Montero. They have their weekly quiz night taking place at 7pm. Entry is £2pp with all entry fees going to Welly’s Workplace.
So, make the most of the last weekend of May by checking out these great things in Melton and surrounding villages. Head to what you can and above all else, spread the word. People cannot attend something that know nothing about. Have fun this weekend folks and #LiveYourBestLife.
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