Following his recent purchase of the Dog & Partridge at Marchington, East Staffordshire, new owner Paul Needham is lining up a feast of entertainment for 2013.

Events include the Marchington Melee – a beer festival with music in the Village Hall, organised in conjunction with the neighbouring Bull’s Head pub.

Meanwhile the Sunday Club promises to bring the best in free, acoustic music to the Dog & Partridge, Church Lane, on Sunday afternoons from late January.

Paul 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.

Says Paul:  “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’s being made to do something for them.”

The first Marchington Melee Winter Beer Festival takes place on March 8-9, 2013 in the Village Hall, The Square. There will be around 20 real ales on offer, as well as music from Midnight Pumpkin Trucks, The Office Boys, Old Skool and The Busketeers. Admission is £2 per session (open Fri 5pm-midnight and Saturday 3pm-midnight).

Before that, the Sunday Club starts on Sunday, January 20 with a performance by Neverland Acoustic, featuring Mick Doyle and Adrian Dent of the renowned Derby folk-rock band. Acts booked for following weeks include Mojosa, Paul Herron, Li’l Jim, Bleeding Hearts, Karl & The Marx Brothers and Jolly Jock.

Admission to all Sunday Club sessions is free of charge and they take place from around 4.30pm each Sunday.

Other offers at the Dog & Partridge include a new loyalty card, ‘All Hail The Ale’, which entitles anyone buying eight pints to receive another one free of charge.

Details HERE.