SHEPHERD NEAME RETURNS AS PRINCIPAL SPONSOR OF BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK 2024

The annual celebration of folk music, Broadstairs Folk Week, will return from Friday, August 9 to Friday, August 16 - and Britain’s oldest brewer, Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, is proud to be principal sponsor for another year. 

The popular week-long event returns with hundreds of acts performing in large and small indoor and outdoor venues, with acts from Oysterband, Tim Edney, Jez Lowe and Tin Giants to Richard Digance, Banter, Daphne’s Flight and Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening.

A unique chance to enjoy traditional folk music in the picturesque seaside town, the event, which is in its 59th year, will also feature workshops, free family events, Morris dancing, belly dancing and evening Ceilidhs. 

Shepherd Neame will have a bar again where visitors can enjoy their favourite ales and lagers, including Whitstable Bay Blonde Lager and Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Spitfire Lager and Spitfire Amber Ale, Master Brew and cask ale First Drop and limited edition ale, Go for Gold. 

Three of the independent family brewer and pub company’s sites in the town will also be hosting live music – the Royal Albion Hotel, the Wrotham Arms and the Neptune’s Hall.

At The Royal Albion in Albion Street, on the seafront, there will be free live music running throughout the week, with something to enjoy every day from Saturday, August 10 through to Friday, August 16 in the outside terraced garden.

Nearby at lively local the Wrotham Arms in Ramsgate Road, licensee Jackie Lawson has been at the pub almost 15 years and is an avid supporter of Folk Week. She will be hosting a range of Folk Week acts and ticketed live events from Friday, April 9 to Friday, August 16, including The Woodshed with Bob Kenward from 1pm to 3pm daily with guests. 

At one of the town’s principal pubs, the Neptune’s Hall in Harbour Street, there will be music daily from Saturday, August 10 to Friday, August 16 between 12.30pm and 2.30pm with The Singlaong with Mike Nicholson – with guests invited to join in! 

There will also be music on Saturday, August 10 with the Washed Up Jug Band and on Sunday, August 11 with the Kimberleys.

Festival director Jo Tuffs said: “Broadstairs Folk Week is delighted to have Shepherd Neame as a principal sponsor this year for another year. With more than 300 musicians heading for Broadstairs Folk Week, it’s going to be a great week – and music and beer always make a great combination!”

Festival tickets are on sale now at www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk.

To see the full line-up of bands on at Shepherd Neame's pubs go to: www.shepherdneame.co.uk/events/broadstairs-folk-week