Thursday 30th January 2025

Welcome to this week's InBurton Insider. 

With January finally winding down, it’s time to shake off those winter blues and dive into a jam-packed weekend of events right here in Burton.

Whether you fancy a singalong with The Sounds of Simon at The Brewhouse, a boogie at the Ska and Motown night at The Crossing, or a dash of nostalgia at Northern Soul at The Branston Arms, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. For something a bit quirkier, try the Electronic Music Open Mic Night or dive into some community spirit at the Washlands Litter Pick - it's the perfect way to get some exercise and help the town at the same time!

In other news, Burton bridges are making headlines this week (yes, really!), with updates on both Branston Bridge and a new river crossing at Walton. And let’s not forget the Brewers—two more wins in the bag this week, and they’re edging closer to escaping the dreaded relegation zone. Things are looking up for Burton, so get out there and enjoy your weekend!

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What's On in Burton this week?

Note: You can click on most events to see more details.

Thursday 30th January
Musical Theatre Open Mic at The Brewhouse
Alrewas Dramatic Society Present Noises Off in Alrewas
Quiz Night at The New Inn in Tutbury
Best of British Quiz at The Corner House
Salsa on Thursday at Burton Caribbean Centre

Friday 31st January
The Sounds of Simon at The Brewhouse
Alrewas Dramatic Society Present Noises Off in Alrewas
Gilmore Roberts at The Albion Pub
Karaoke Night at The Oak and Ivy
Karaoke Night at The Olde Royal Oak
Karaoke Party at The Lamb Inn, Newhall

Saturday 1st February
Ska & Motown Night at The Crossing
Alrewas Dramatic Society Present Noises Off in Alrewas
Michael Buble Tribute Night at Dovecliff Hall
Washlands Litter Pick
Darkside Markets at The Octagon Centre
Strydor at The Olde Royal Oak
Ibiza Night at The Anglesey Arms in Winshill
April Davies at The Blacksmiths Arms in Branston
EMOM (Electronic Music Open Mic Night) at The Brewhouse
Northern Soul & Motown Night at The Branston Arms
Stone Punch at Banter Burton
The Ritz at Brews of the World

Sunday 2nd February
Wedding Fayre at Dovecliff Hall
Paul Gene at The Anchor Inn

What's On in Burton next week?

Monday 3rd February
Clay Modelling Workshop in Swadlincote
Beginner's Boating Course at Barton Marina

Tuesday 4th February
Quiz Night at The Sump

Thursday 6th February
Salsa on Thursday at Burton Caribbean Centre

Friday 7th February
Karaoke at The Olde Royal Oak
Brew-ha-ha-house Comedy at The Brewhouse
Karaoke and Disco at The Leopard in Tutbury

Saturday 8th February
Burton Albion v Blackpool (3pm)
ELO Encounter at The Brewhouse
Super Saturday Racing at Uttoxeter Racecourse
Dr Spork at The Olde Royal Oak
Vox Pockets Live at Banter Burton
Margo "Pocket Rocket" at The Monk's Bridge, Stretton

Sunday 9th February
Wedding Fair at Branston Golf Club
Soulful Sunday at Brews of the World

A Tale of Two Bridges

Big news for Burton’s bridge count - soon we’ll have a third (proper) crossing over the River Trent! A brand-new bridge at Walton-on-Trent has been approved and will finally replace the creaky old Bailey Bridge, which has been holding on for dear life with its single lane and weight restrictions. 

Apparently, work will start almost immediately and completion is expected in just over a year. Once complete, it’ll make getting across the river far easier, cutting congestion and providing a much-needed upgrade for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

And if that wasn’t enough, Drakelow is about to get a whole lot busier, with a further 819 shiny new homes approved for Dracan Village. This latest phase of development will add to the hundreds of families already living in the new neighbourhood on the site of the old power station. 

Here's an artists impression of what the new Walton bridge will look like...

There's also some good news for Branston Bridge (the one over the railway lines) following on from its weight and width restrictions and then closing entirely.

The bridge is set to be repaired in a project costing £500,000. The work will take about three months and give the bridge another 10 to 15 years of life. It’s a temporary solution, but it’ll get traffic moving again and save the day for now.

As for why we’re not rolling out the red carpet for a shiny new bridge just yet - it’s all down to cost. A brand-new structure would set us back a whopping £20 to £30 million, so the council’s hoping for some financial help from the government. In the meantime, if you’re curious about the plans (or just fancy a good chat about bridges), head to an exhibition at Branston Scout Hut on 4th February (9.15am to 6pm). The engineers will be there to answer your questions and walk you through the finer details - no hard hats required!

Thanks for reading this week's Insider.

If you'd like to drop us a reply to let us know what you like or don't like, or what you'd like to see in future issues, then it would be great to hear from you.

Best regards,

Chris and the Insider team.

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Closing with a Smile!

I bought a wig today - only £1.

It was a small price toupee!