Up here on the hill at The Prince Albert, May is always a busy month—but this one is set to be possibly the best ever.
It started early, as we opened at 6am today to celebrate the rising of the sun on May Day. Across the Five Valleys and beyond, Morris dancers welcome the dawn, and here at the pub, early risers, various folk groups, and our very own Boss Morris gathered to celebrate Beltane on Friday morning.
We were serving cups of tea and coffee, bacon or egg sarnies, and vegan flapjacks. The bar was, of course, open too—so if you fancied starting the day with a beer, a brandy in your coffee, or even a Bloody Mary, you could!
Our May Beer Festival actually kick-started on Thursday evening, with around 30 beers, ciders, and perries on offer.
If you’ve never been, it’s always a very friendly affair. Beer lovers are on hand in the festival bar in the courtyard to offer advice and tasters. We’ve got a wide selection—from very weak to quite strong, from extremely pale to pitch black.
This year’s beers come from breweries including Gun in Sussex, Metalhead, Lady Luck, Tudor, and Grey Trees in Wales, along with a few old favourites. Fresh Standard and Miles’s picks include Thornbridge from Derbyshire and Church End from Staffordshire.
Ciders from Wilce’s, Days, and Entry are free over the weekend, with music coming from The Trouble Notes—amazing fiddle-led folk that blows your mind and gets you dancing (Faye Hatcher will tell you they’re one of her favourites)—and Johnny Clash, doing exactly what you’d expect from a band with that name: good old rock ’n’ roll with attitude.
Sunday starts early with The Pin Jar, a collaboration with Neo Ancients, now in its third year. Later on, local favourites Ragstone and Spiracy take the stage, along with a goth set from Max and Hazel. In the evening, Atonic close the day with party classics. With members of Mr Tea and the Minions in the band, we expect it to be a bit special.
The Pictish Trail plays on Monday afternoon—this one is ticketed—but the courtyard and our secret garden will be open to all until 7pm.
Carrying on through May, we’ve got ‘stuff’ happening every weekend. Irish performer Joshua Burnside has two gigs on Saturday the 9th, with the matinee being family-friendly. Tickets are nearly gone, so be quick if you fancy it.
You’ll also find us in town for the Stroud Food Festival, with bars in Bank Gardens and Fawkes Place.
At the end of the month, something quite extraordinary… I’ll be celebrating thirty years behind the bar at the Albert, and calling Rodborough home.
We’ve got a big old weekend planned—with music all weekend, obviously. The main event is Sunday afternoon, so keep the date free and I’ll share more details closer to the time.
For all events, check the website: www.theprincealbertstroud.co.uk
Or pick up a Good On Paper from cafés, pubs, and venues around the district.
