BB Blackdog-Jubilee Tour

   Yes celebrating their very own Wooden Jubilee,with five shows, four days all in Derbyshire and all in the company of dancer Demolitia Tribal . Who would believe just five short years ago the band ascended to the twin Steampunk throne's of Belper and Heringsdorf.
   The celebrations get under way Saturday night at The Kings Head in Duffield, a mere one stop down on the train from Belper, a really nice little venue and the band playing as part of their four day beer festival, so that should get the weekend off to a top start.
   The pub is situated on the main road just around the corner from the railway station and serviced by the TransPeak buses and more locally by the Trent Barton Sixes.

   On Sunday a gathering of many of the great and good, from the counties music scene at Rockfest, part of Wirksworth's carnival weekend. Taking place against the spectacular backdrop of  The Rockface behind the Lime Kiln pub. Alongside BB Blackdog in no particular order are The Standing Stones, Heretics,Neon Railroad, She Will Be Hollywood and Wirksworth,s very own The Piracy and The Wham Bam Band. Admission is £10 on the day and well worth it for the talent on show, however it also runs Saturday and Monday and weekend advance tickets are at £15 including a burger and a pint. All proceeds to the carnival.
   Getting there a 6.1 bus from Matlock, Belper or Derby does the business, alas no late buses on Sundays so a taxi may have to considered back down to the Derwent Valley at Cromford for returning, about 2 miles. From there last TransPeak north is about 22.15, train south at 22.51 and the station is a little out of the village on the Lea/Holloway road.

   Just like the proverbial London buses, BB have not been seen in Chesterfield since very early 2009 at The Sun on West Bars and now the opportunity strikes twice in one day.

   First up and highly convenient if you have a younger  family in tow is The Hobby Horse on Alma Leisure centre, off Derby Road. It is essentially a family eating pub and possesses an excellent play area. Buses running from town are numerous and frequent.

    It is another big event all in aid of Bluebell Wood childrens Hospice and "The Crooked Yet Spiffing Celebrations" will run from 2 until 8, along with stalls and sideshows a stage will be running throughout. Demolitia will be donning some of her other guises during the day, dancing with The Bangtail Vixen, Shimmy Armageddon and The Boudica Revival Collective and if that and a headlining set from BB blackdog are not enough, amongst the supporting bill is the sublime and unique experience that is Whiskey Bob Shaker.

   A quick pack up and flit after eight and round to The Tramway Tavern on Chatsworth Road, the pub constitutes part of the famous "Brampton Mile" a must for beer lovers and is indeed owned by The Brampton Brewery and rather splendidly, they too are hosting a weekend beer festival including guest ales and one off's of their own. Arriving by bus is not a problem. but hey it is another Bank Holiday on Tuesday so maybe an early start and the Brampton half mile from West Bars to the venue.

   A new gig just arranged for Tuesday at The Barley Mow at Bonsall. Venue for the almost legendary world hen racing championships every year.It is also officially, the most likely place in Europe for you to be abducted by aliens!

   Unfortunately, you are, more likely to be abducted by aliens, than get a bus to Bonsall on a Bank Holiday, but please don't be deterred by that, this is one of those places you have to say you have been to and it is only a short cab ride from Matlock, arrived at easily enough by TransPeak or train once again, or for the more adventurous a steep, relatively short walk from Matlock Bath. If you know the area, legend has it " that if you ascend the steps to the right of Gulliver's Kingdom bottom entrance, before the sun crosses the Pav, brave traveller, turn left when you reach a road and select the middle way when the road ends, you will emerge by Town End Farm in Bonsall" . Do check it out on a map though, should you wish to attempt it.

   The Barley Mow is up The Dale from the main village and will have some fine beers awaiting you upon arrival.

   So all that for wood. Cannot wait for another 55 years to see what the diamond jubilee brings.