It’s nearly time for the annual Cider & Cheese Fayre at the Ring O Bells in Compton Martin, which this year – their 6th edition – takes place on Sunday, May 6th.
The cider marquee will be filled with drinks from some of the county’s best producers, from award-winning traditional farmhouse scrumpy to sparkling bottled ciders. There will also be eight different artisan cheese makers attending on the day, along with a wide variety of other local food producers. Visitors will be given the chance to ‘Taste and Rate’ their favourites on the day.
As ever there will be a great variety of entertainment programmed throughout the day with two stages of live music. The Valley Fest sponsored ‘Trailer Stage’ will feature Stompin’ Dave, Swytch, Electric Green, Sax Pax and Kings of Lounge. The ‘Cider Stage’ will welcome the Men of Chew Male Choir, Squeeze Fiddle Pluck, The Bristol Ukulele Band and The Chew Valley Syncopators.
There will also be morris dancing, classic cars, a bee keeper, a fun dog show with plenty of prizes and guest judges, and Really Wild Adventures (with archery and a rifle range). In the children’s area, expect a mini ferris wheel, swing boats, a slide, face painting and Piglet Corner.
You’ll also find plenty of food stalls: think hog roast, BBQ, wood fired pizza, French crepes, plus tea, coffee, cakes and pastries. If the weather permits, there will also be a hot air balloon offering tethered rides over the Chew Valley, with all proceeds going to the Bristol Teenage Cancer Trust.
Running from midday to 6pm, the entrance fee is £3 – half of which is donated to Barton Camp, the Bristol Children’s Help Society, for which the Ring O Bells team have so far helped to raise over £8,000.
The evening is ticketed separately, and this year The Feeling are headlining, supported by free-style hip hop comedy duo Abandoman who recently toured with Ed Sheeran. Tickets are available from the pub priced at £29.95, or online at £29.95 + booking fee from here.