Get ready for FOUR unforgettable days of fantastic beer, refreshing cider, live music, and plenty of fun at The Duke of Marlborough’s Annual Beer Festival 2026!
Whether you’re a real ale enthusiast, cider lover, music fan, or just looking for a brilliant weekend with friends and family — this is the event you won’t want to miss!
Save the dates now - see full line up and more details below : and on the Duke of Marlborough’s website and social media!
If you are interested in sponsoring a barrel or dedicating a few hours to volunteer in our beer tent, please enquire at the bar or email enquiries@thedukeofmarlborough.com
Cheers to another legendary Beer Festival at The Duke of Marlborough!

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND - whether you’re a real ale enthusiast, cider lover, music fan, or just looking for a brilliant weekend with friends and family — this is the event you won’t want to miss! 
Live bands, food, and a fabulous selection of real ales and local ciders - as well as wines, spirits, cocktails - plus low & no, and cordials!
FRIDAY 28th |
8:30pm | THE OPTICS - Soul & Funk
SATURDAY 29th |
2pm | ZIGGY - a tribute to the stars of Reggae & Ska
5pm | OUTNUMBERED - floor-fillers and rock/pop covers
8:30pm | DAVID BOAKES - as MICHAEL JACKSON
SUNDAY 30th |
2pm | THE ORWELLERMEN - Sea Shanties
5pm | GAME ON - 90s Brit Pop
8:30pm | BUZZ - top local favourites!
MONDAY 31st |
1 - 3pm | KIDS DISCO - plus Games & Circus Skills
4:30pm | JESS SIMMONS - wonderful, not-to-be-missed Acoustic Set!

SOMERSHAM SCARECROW TRAIL - :: 1st to 31st August 2026. Scarecrow Trail Maps can found at Somersham & District Community Shop and at the Duke of Marlborough - from 1st August, £2 each.
Our village scarecrow display is a beloved, annual community event, where residents craft and display creative figures and scenes from straw - and many other materials!  Locals craft often-hilarious, pun-filled figures using old clothes, recycled materials, straw, and props…….displaying them on garden walls or hedges, or in trees or windows. Many will be hidden away, just waiting to be discovered!!
The event, which is organised by FOSS, is an opportunity to walk around the village and enjoy creative talent as well as have a really jolly time!
:: HELP CREATE THE SCARECROW TRAIL AROUND SOMERSHAM - this year's theme is ROCK AND POP STARS!  Join in with the Scarecrow Trail and make your own fabulous scarecrow, family-made scarecrows are very welcome! Please email the FOSS team on fossfundraisers@gmail.com with details of whom your scarecrow will portray, and where it’ll be located (villagers of Somersham only please).
:: JOURNEY ALONG THE SCARECROW TRAIL - The Trail is displayed from 1st August to 31st August 2026. Scarecrow Trail Maps can found at Somersham & District Community Shop and at the Duke of Marlborough - from 1st August, £2 each.
[ Photograph shows a 2026 Scarecrow ]

Cyclists, runners, walkers, vintage and classic vehicle drivers and even horse-riders, can start to plan their route for Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride and Pedal and Drive day, which will be held on Saturday 12th September. Details of how to get involved are now in churches and on the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust website - https://shct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/
Flowton - if you are not participating could you spare an hour to sign in riders who visit Flowton church? Please write your name on the sheet in church. Thank you
Offton - please don’t forget this great family day out - or a day for quiet contemplation - participants, and volunteers to help on the day, are welcome at all our churches!
Somersham - if you are able to cycle, run or walk please contact or email dines18@btinternet.com for a sponsorship form. Proceeds are split 50/50 between the Trust and the Church.
Willisham - our Church will be one of the many churches open to receive visitors, so if you haven't already had a chance to look inside our gorgeous little church, you are more than welcome to pop in on the above date and take a look.
Our eight linked parishes are: Barking, Battisford, Bricett, Flowton, Offton, Ringshall, Somersham and Willisham.
Please click here for details of the participating churches - https://shct.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SHCT-Church-List-2026.pdf