Eyes from the streets of Salisbury UK
The Abbey Stores empire is expanding with a new branch at Coombe Bissett Stores. From Saturday 12 January 2008 expect to see new stock and over time a new look and feel to this well-loved village shop in Coombe Bissett.
For more information and updates see, for now, the Abbey Stores blog and watch this space for an announcement regarding a website for Coombe Bissett Stores.
Well done to The Hidden Brewery for taking over The Chough, just before Christmas. This large and imposing building, on the corner of Castle Street and Blue Boar Row, first entered my drinking conciousness as a BeefEater. Since then it has taken on the guise as “Alchemey at the Chough” an enthusiastic but ultimately doomed venture complete with live music but disgusting beer.
So, as of the 11 December 2007 we now have The Hidden Brewery in charge, with a range of 6 of their real ales. Chatting to the manager last night he told us to expect refurbishment works in the New Year (I hope the gents receive some attention) and the restaurant to re-open upstairs in March.
Beer availability should also increase, with two extra pumps being installed for micro-brewery guest ales. It was also pleasing to see taps for Palm and Grolch Wheat Beer, although there were also taps for Carling and Guinness. Luckily for all of us there is no provision of keg bitter - a customer last night who asked for John Smith’s Smooth was politely told to either buy proper beer or drink something else. After a taster of Quest he bought a pint of that.
Salisbury is crying out for a pub that is not owned by Enterprise Inns, and therefore not subject to their restrictive pricing and buying policies. We are obviously lucky to have free houses like Deacons, The Village and The Rai D’or, but for us Market Square types the free house pub choices are pretty thin on the ground.
I look forward to becoming a regular in the Chough and supporting this ambitious brewery turn this pub so full of potential into a great boozer.
Last night’s outing was to the Victoria and Albert in Netherhampton, situated in the small hamlet of Netherhampton just off the A3094. Link to Google map and information.
The pub itself is low ceilinged and fairly small inside, with a busy standing bar area facing the entrance and chairs and tables laid out for dining. For me the nicest area was outside where one can either enjoy the large garden or cosy up in the covered and heated area, where smoking is permitted. There is a hatchway into the bar for service, although a trip to the loo means walking all the way to the front of the pub and in to the main entrance.
Last night was the Fifth annual V&A fireworks evening, with mulled wine, mulled Blavk Rat cider and a BBQ. The bar was also open, with a choice of 3 real ales (possibly 4). The only other cider available was Stowford Press which was slightly disappointing - it would have been nice to see at least onereal cider to choose from.
I tried a pint of Slater’s Supreme from Staffordshire - this was quite a pale browish ale, very bright ad in excellent condition. Very moreish and a good strength at 4.7%. I also ordered a pint of Paulaner - hoping it would be the cloudy wheat beer and a little disappointed that is was in fact the clear Pilsner. Still, a nice pint and in a stunning tall glass.
The star attraction was the mulled Black Rat. A hefty pan sitting on a burner with floating chunks of apple, the concoction itself was pretty good but much improved with a dose of dark rum from an illicit hip flask.
At around 9pm the 50 or so strong crowd of customers led out into the cold to watch the fireworks - we walked through the village to the underpass (I had no idea Netherhampton boasted anything as grand as an underpass) and into a neighbouring field where for a good 10 minutes or so fireworks erupted from up on the hillside. It was a good display, with donations to the Lion’s Club optional, only slightly marred with the tractor’s headlights illuminating the firing party, but also glaring the watching drinkers.
The procession back to the pub reminded me of Wassailing in Herefordshire, but without the comforting light from flaming torches. After being whipped in the face by an errant bramble I will remember a flashlight next year.
The BBQ was simply a burger or two sausages in a bun, with onions if required. Either was £3.00 which was reasonable, the mulled cider was also £3.00 for about half a pint which was OK, given the free fireworks. A round of four pints, including my Paulaner, came to £11.70, again OK.
Transport to and from, for the five of us, was by taxi from Value Cars initially with a fiendly and helpful driver, who explained that it was quite a quiet night so getting a taxi back would not be a problem. Unfortunately the night was so quiet the driver went home, leaving us slightly stranded until City Cabs Ltd sent no less than the boss himself to collect us. The fare each way for 5 people worked out at no more than £6.00 per head, including a tip.
All in all it was a really good night out to a nice pub with free entertainment. Well done the V&A and I look forward to next year.
For the more adventurous out there, or those with more time and less darkness, the V&A is a good bike ride from Salisbury centre along the path known as Broken Bridges. This route is hopefully going to be upgraded - read more at the Connect2/Sustrans website.
Salisbury City Art Trail, October 6th - 14th 2007, in and around the Salisbury area.
Featuring over 100 artists, showing in over 60 different venues, this is a great way to explore Salisbury and take in some culture at the same time.
To request a Trail Guide simply register your interest on the art trail website:
or for more information call 07961 689159 or email info@salisburyarttrail.co.uk
There is a very real concern that the current 7000 litre duty limit is to be revoked by the EU. Basically if you are a small cider or perry producer you can make up to 6999 litres of cider or perry and not pay duty on any of them. This keeps prices down and encourages small producers to start up and sell their products. (If you make 7000 litres or more though you must then pay duty on every litre).
The EU believe that the duty exemption is an unfair subsidy for producers in this country and want to revoke it.
If this happens then the current and future range of ciders and perries from the likes of Cider by Rosie will either not be financially viable to sell at current prices or will become a large-scale commercial product which sometimes is just not the same.
If you would like to show your support for the smaller producers, and fight the loss of the 7000 litre limit, please sign the petition here.
If you would like to learn more about the UK craft cider and perry scene, please have a look at the UK Cider website. You could also join the email list for up to date news and discussion.
The annual Fine Food Fair, held in the Market Square, is nearly upon us once more. The date for your diary is Sunday 23rd September 2007, although there will be events elsewhere in the city throughout the weekend.
Abbey Stores are once again organising the beer, cider and wine tent and if you find your way to their homepage there is a free beer offer that you can take advantage of.
For more information about the Market Square event, and confirmed stall holders, please visit this page.
