All the Good Stuff Happening in Burton!

Thursday 19th February 2026

📅 What’s On in Burton This Week

Welcome to your latest InBurton Insider - and if you were worried February might be a quiet one, think again.

Half-term is in full swing, and Burton is delivering the goods. From free family fun at Cooper’s Square to a packed programme of live music stretching from Stretton to Swadlincote, there’s plenty to tempt you out of hibernation.

Add in quizzes, discos, line dancing, a wedding fayre, and more karaoke nights than you can shake a microphone at, and you’ve got yourself a properly busy week.

On the big stage, Goldilocks and the Three Bears continues at The Brewhouse Arts Centre - perfect for a family treat - while We Will Rock You lands at De Ferrers Academy. Word to the wise: there are very few tickets left for the musical, so if you’re planning to go, now’s the moment to move like Freddie.

Away from the events calendar, we’ve also got some exciting reading for you this week. There’s the start of a new chapter for much-loved High Street restaurant Pinocchio’s, news on Burton’s bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028, and details of a major fundraiser for Trent Rowing Club.

Plus, we sit down for a chat with Wendy Haines of Wendy Haines Travel to talk holidays, business and life in Burton.

So whether you’re theatre-bound, quiz-ready, gig-hopping or simply catching up with a coffee, scroll on for your full guide to what’s happening around town this week…  👇

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Alan Lowe Heating Services Limited

Cold Nights Are Here – Is Your Boiler Ready? 🥶

We’ve already had quite a few freezing nights in Burton, and with the heating firmly on now, it’s the perfect time to ask: is your boiler running as efficiently as it should be?

A clean and well-serviced boiler heats your home faster, uses less gas, and helps keep energy bills down – just what you need when the temperatures drop below zero.

If you haven’t had your boiler serviced recently, now’s the time. A quick check-up could mean the difference between a warm, cosy home and an unwanted breakdown during the coldest spell of the year.

Alan Lowe Heating Services has been keeping Burton homes warm for over 30 years. Gas Safe Registered and 5-star rated, Alan offers professional, affordable help with:

• ✅ Boiler servicing – for cleaner, more efficient heating

• ✅ Fault finding and repairs – if your boiler’s misbehaving

• ✅ New installations

• ✅ Powerflush cleaning – to help your system run at its best

🔧 Trusted local expert
🤝 Friendly, reliable service
📍 Covering Burton and surrounding areas

📞 Call Alan today on 0748 784 9022 for free advice or a no-obligation quote.

Don’t leave it until something goes wrong - give your boiler a bit of TLC now and stay warm all winter long.

This week in Burton...

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 🐻

🎪 Roll Up, Roll Up! The Circus Is in Town! 🐻✨

Goldilocks dreams of running away with Dame Gertie's Circus but her Father Baron Wasteland has other ideas. The circus is on hard times and they need a miracle to save it - especially after their honeypot of money is taken by three porridge hungry talking bears!

Could they be the new star attraction that Dame Gertie has been searching for? Will Ringmaster Heinkel's circus succeed? Will Mystic Karen and her crystal ball save the day? 🔮

Find out by booking your tickets for pantomime fun at the Brewhouse in Burton - all half term week! 🎭

Tuesday 17th - Saturday 21st February 2026
All shows start at 7pm (Wednesday: 6:30pm).
Matinees on Thursday and Saturday - starting at 2pm.

Tickets from £15 🎟️

Also this week in Burton...

We Will Rock You 🎸

🎸 We Will Rock You at De Ferrers Academy! 🎤⚡

The Burton Musical Theatre Company brings the smash-hit musical We Will Rock You to De Ferrers Academy, running Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st February 2026.

Set in a futuristic world where live music is banned, a group of rebels fight back to rediscover rock, freedom, and individuality. Expect big laughs, high energy, and nonstop anthems. 🔥

Featuring Queen classics including Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Radio Ga Ga, Under Pressure, We Are the Champions - and, of course, We Will Rock You. 🎶

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast - book now!

Want your event featured here for just £10? Click for details.

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

Thursday 19th February

☀️ Daytime Events
Free Half-Term Fun at Cooper's Square Shopping Centre

🎸 Live Music
Singaround at Burton Folk Club at Marston's Sports & Social Club

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
We Will Rock You at De Ferrers Academy, Stretton
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Brewhouse Arts Centre

 

Friday 20th February

☀️ Daytime Events

Line Dancing Morning at The Priory Centre, Stretton (Weekly)

🎸 Live Music

The Detroits at Belmont Services Club, Swadlincote

Cliff Antony at The Albion, Shobnall Road
AJ Tribute to UB40 at The Navigation, Horninglow Road
Marc Bolton at The Red Lion, Repton

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Karaoke Night at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Brewhouse Arts Centre
We Will Rock You at De Ferrers Academy, Stretton
Night Beats Disco at Annie Maison, High Street


Saturday 21st February

🎸 Live Music
Danny Murphy at The Monk's Bridge, Stretton
StonePunch at Burton Banter, Hawkins Lane
The Above at The Crown Inn, Newhall
Dr Spork at The Olde Royal Oak, Market Place
80s vs 90s with April Davies at The Mount Pleasant, Swadlincote
Last of Our Kind at The Tavern, Hatton
Steve Kinden at The Alfred, Derby Street
Lily-May Poulton & Isla Spencer at Ice & Slice at The Kiln, Swadlincote

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Karaoke & Disco at The Branston Arms, Branston Road (Weekly)
We Will Rock You at De Ferrers Academy, Stretton
Goldilocks and the Three Bears at The Brewhouse Arts Centre
Disco & Karaoke at The Victoria Inn, Horninglow Road


Sunday 22nd February

☀️ Daytime Events
Sunday Afternoon Quiz at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)

The 5pm Club (Men's Walking Group) in Winshill (Weekly)
Spin It Sunday at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Street
Wedding Fayre at Branston Golf & Country Club
The Running Show in Tutbury

🎸 Live Music

Ant Hill Mob at The Roebuck, Station Street
Blue Yates at Beeropolis, High Street
Wake Mason Duo at The Cooper's Tavern, Cross Street

Add your event to InBurton for free!  Click Here.

Pinocchio’s, a beloved Burton restaurant, is turning the page after 21 years as owners Marianna and Paul sell to move closer to family in Sheffield.

Opened with family recipes and “a lot of heart,” the restaurant has long been a home away from home for regulars, hosting first dates, birthdays, and countless local memories.

Marianna and Paul’s daughters, Concetta and Lorena, grew up in the restaurant, making Pinocchio’s an integral part of their family journey.

Burton won’t soon forget the family, but change brings new faces familiar to many: Chloe and her brother-in-law Ben, lifelong customers, are taking over.

Fans can rest easy—the chefs, signature dishes, and warm Italian spirit will stay.

Pinocchio’s continues serving the town, with Chloe preparing for a soft relaunch on April 1 as the cherished spot begins its next chapter on High Street.

Burton upon Trent is making a spirited bid for the national stage as it competes for the prestigious UK Town of Culture 2028 title.

With a celebration of its brewing legacy, local creativity, and vibrant community, the town’s entry champions everything from historic landmarks and the reimagined Washlands to buzzing festivals and revitalised heritage sites.

Led by East Staffordshire Borough Council alongside local groups and businesses, the bid highlights Burton’s unique blend of heritage, innovation, and regeneration aimed at enriching future generations.

The winning town will claim £3 million for a year of cultural activities, while two runners-up secure £250,000 each.

Cllr Paul Walker emphasises the town's collaborative spirit and ongoing projects like the Old Brewery Quarter and Sonic Boom Festival, placing culture at the heart of the community.

If successful, 2028 could mark a landmark year for Burton’s continued cultural renaissance.

Burton’s Trent Rowing Club, an institution since 1863, is rallying local support to raise £30,000 for a new boat barn on the River Trent.

Volunteer-run and proudly rooted in the community, this small but mighty club has produced impressive results, such as a 10th place finish among 107 in the British Rowing Championships and multiple national medals.

With growing interest from juniors and adults, the club faces a storage crunch, limiting new memberships and training opportunities.

Building the new barn will allow more locals to take up rowing, support community programs, and help keep fees affordable.

To make the campaign fun, Trent is hosting a Duck Race in April 2026.

Every donation could be matched by Sport England’s Movement Fund, doubling the impact.

Backing this project means investing in Burton’s youth, wellbeing, and vibrant riverfront for generations to come.

Babies need more than just food for their tummies - they need nurturing experiences to help their brains grow, too.

Hungry Little Minds Staffordshire is a free service from Staffordshire County Council supporting families with children aged 0 to 2.

In Burton on Trent, hundreds of parents are already feeling more confident and less isolated with this resource.

By sending out two personalised emails a month, the scheme offers easy activities, reminders about local baby groups, and important health check updates.

For first-time parents like Steph and Matt, the service has been a lifesaver, delivering reassurance and practical guidance as their nine-month-old Isla grows.

As Nicholas Lakin of the County Council notes, the goal is to ensure every child in Staffordshire has the best start in life.

Signing up is free for local families with children under two.

Do you have a Burton or Swadlincote 'good news' story?
Send it to us at news@inburtoninsider.co.uk

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Monday 23rd February

☀️ Daytime Events
The Monday Club - Remote working and networking at The Brewhouse Arts Centre (Weekly)

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Quiz Night at The Jinnie, Rolleston (Weekly)
Burton Phab Club at St Chad's Community Centre, Hunter Street (Weekly)

Tuesday 24th February

☀️ Daytime Events
Communi-Tea (Make friends over a cuppa) at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)
Knit & Natter at McDonalds, Station Street (Weekly)

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Quiz Night at The Sump (Weekly)
Quiz Night at The Crossing (Weekly)
Quiz Night at The Dragon, Willington (Weekly)
Communi-Tea (Make friends over a cuppa) at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)

Burton Albion v Stockport County at Pirelli Stadium

Wednesday 25th February

☀️ Daytime Events

BACT Extra Time Hub for over 55s at Pirelli Stadium (Weekly)
Have Tea with a Pony at Scropton Horse Centre (Weekly)

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Quiz Night at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)
Speed Quiz at The Stanhope Arms (Weekly)
Men's Support Group at Burton Fire Station, Moor Street (Weekly)

Thursday 26th February

🎸 Live Music
Thomas Heppell at The Deer Barn, Tatenhill
Sherburn Bartley Sanders at Burton Folk Club at Marston's Sports & Social Club

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show at The Brewhouse

 

Friday 27th February

☀️ Daytime Events

Line Dancing Morning at The Priory Centre, Stretton (Weekly)

🎸 Live Music

The Eddie Cochran Show at The Brewhouse
This Carpenters Masquerade at Burton Town Hall
Guy Melidoni at Marston's Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Road
Metal Marching Onto Burton at The Olde Royal Oak, Market Place

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Karaoke Night at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)
Murder Mystery Night at Burton Banter, Hawkins Lane
Charity Race Night at The Alfred, Derby Street


Saturday 28th February

☀️ Daytime Events
Spring Collectors Fair at Burton Town Hall
Uttoxeter Maker's Market at High Street, Uttoxeter

🎸 Live Music
Midnight Ember at Burton Banter, Hawkins Lane
The Above at Newhall Social Club
Georgie Music at Chesterfield Arms, Ashby Road
The Missing Diamonds at The Cooper's Tavern, Cross Street

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Karaoke & Disco at The Branston Arms, Branston Road (Weekly)
Alice in Wonderland Jr at The Brewhouse


Sunday 1st March

☀️ Daytime Events
Sunday Afternoon Quiz at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)

The 5pm Club (Men's Walking Group) in Winshill (Weekly)
Wedding Fayre at Dovecliff Hall, Stretton

🎸 Live Music

The Modest at The Tavern, Hatton
Breaking Poynt at The Roebuck, Station Street
Carl North at The Coopers Tavern, Cross Street

Add your event to InBurton for free!  Click Here.

Wendy Haines Travel -
Where Personal Service Meets Global Adventure

If you’ve ever wondered whether using a local travel agent still makes sense in the age of online booking sites, this week’s feature might just change your mind.

I recently sat down with Wendy Haines of Wendy Haines Travel, based at the charming “Holiday Hut” in Craythorne Courtyard, Stretton, to hear how she’s spent over 35 years helping people turn travel dreams into unforgettable memories.

From beach weddings in Mauritius to honeymoons in Antarctica and even marriage proposals over the Masai Mara, Wendy has quite literally seen - and arranged - it all. But what really stood out to me wasn’t just the destinations. It was the level of personal care. When clients book with Wendy, they get her direct number. If something goes wrong while they’re away, she’s there. That peace of mind is something no comparison website can offer.

We also talked about the phenomenal success of Wendy’s Wanderers - her travel community for solo ladies. With over 1,100 members and multiple sell-out trips each year, it’s become far more than just holidays.

It’s friendships, confidence, laughter, and shared adventures across the globe - all starting right here in Burton.

Add in national industry awards, a growing team, and a deep commitment to supporting local charities and community groups, and it’s clear Wendy isn’t just booking holidays - she’s building something special.

Read More...

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That’s it for this week!

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Best regards,

Chris Towland

I gave my girlfriend a glue stick instead of lipstick by accident. She's still not talking to me.