The Olde Boston Tea Party establish a new bluegrass venue in Lower Godney, near Glastonbury

On 31st December 2009, the Sheppey Inn on the Somerset Levels in Lower Godney (around 3 miles from Glastonbury) closed down and remained closed for over a year.

However, it has now been bought by Mark and Liz Hey, who intend to establish the Sheppey Inn as one of the West Country’s leading musical venues.  On the recommendation of impresario, Ken Kutch, they have chosen The Olde Boston Tea Party to celebrate its opening on Saturday 29th October starting at 9.00pm.

The number of pubs that have been forced to close over the last ten years is quite appalling. There are several reasons for this. There is the issue of drink driving; the expansion of television channels; the marginal price of beer in supermarkets compared to pubs; the smoking ban; the fact that people are financially strapped and, lastly, the fact that spending a whole evening in most pubs is simply boring. If they have music at all, it tends to involve electric guitars and drums which is really not conducive to a pleasant evening, particularly not for anyone over the age of 35. Bluegrass music is still relatively unknown in this country but wherever we play we receive enthusiastic support from all ages. With Ken Kutch at the helm and the Olde Boston Tea Party providing the music, the Sheppey Inn seems set to go from strength to strength.