Get set to raise a glass or three at Sham Fest in Bideford this October

Live music, craft gins and rum, plus cider and a wide range of ales will be on offer at Bideford's only charity beer festival this October.

Sham Fest, which launched in 2003, returns in the autumn for a third year, taking place at the Pollyfield Community Centre in Avon Road, Bideford, on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18.

Above: Expect lively reels, jigs and ballads from the Rakes Adrift quartet at Sham Fest.

A packed line up of live music includes rousing jigs, reels and lively songs to softer tunes and ballads from Rakes Adrift, plus local singer/guitarist Kayleigh Jay Richardson and a set from The Hoodoo Man playing everything from Elvis to Oasis.

Headlining Saturday evening will be Better Late Than Never, playing hits from the 70s up to the present, plus jazz and bossa nova from Catarina & The Coconut, a mix of original ska, reggae and ballads from Malachite, country tunes from Formidable Force and well-known local acoustic duo Dogleg.

Above: Local singer and guitarist Kayleigh Jay Richardson will be among the artists appearing at Sham Fest.

The main beneficiary from Sham Fest will again be the East-The-Water Community Food Pantry, which provides food and hygiene essentials for those in need, with a particular focus on tackling child food poverty. Donations will also go to various local causes.

Above: Sham Fest on October 17-18 will offer craft gins and rum, plus cider and a wide range of ales.

Organiser Huw Thomas said: “All the money we make goes to help local good causes and the event depends on sponsorship and volunteers to make it happen.

“We've had some fantastic offers of support from local firms. Last year we had one main sponsor, which was Brunswick Wharf. They've very kindly stepped forward again and have been joined for 2025 by Heritage Cob & Lime and Millbrook Dairy.”

Huw added: “Having these three firms as main sponsors is a great boost. Lots of other businesses are also getting behind Sham Fest and, as a result, we expect to be able to have even more beers than last year.

“Hopefully, Sham Fest will grow each year. It would be great to pass the £3,000 mark in October. Every little bit can make a difference when people are struggling. Plus, admission is free and this is a great chance for everyone to get together and have a good time.”

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