A rare mid-week, evening out

Just a quick post, but an overdue one as well. Being "semi-retired" was supposed to mean taking things easy, but the expansion project at work I got roped in to helping with developed a life of its own, and whilst not strictly Health & Safety related, there have been contractors to deal with, safe working practices, permits to be issued etc. The good news is the project is nearing completion, and once I’ve managed to get the fire and intruder alarm systems bundled together, and handled by just one service provider I shall not only breathe a sigh of relief, but I can cut back on my involvement and concentrate on what I’m supposed to be doing.

Since returning from our all too brief visit to Yorkshire, I’ve also been pre-occupied with finally sorting out our summerhouse, garden shed, and the garden itself, and last weekend I had one of those moments where everything seemed to come together. This afforded the rare opportunity (for me), of an evening out, with friends and acquaintances from West Kent CAMRA, even though I arrived rather late to the party.

A son, who had a late finish at work last night, meant an equally late evening meal, so whilst the CAMRA crowd were engaged on a three-pub walkabout in Tonbridge, I only manged to catch up with them at the final watering hole. Mind you Fuggles was a good place for me to both start and finish on, and when I did catch up with my friends, I discovered there was a good crowd, plus an excellent atmosphere in the Forester’s, but the beer (Shep’s), was nowhere near as good.

The Chequers had Harvey’s Best, plus St Austell Tribute on, and the report from the CAMRA party was the Harvey’s was in fine form. Ye Olde Chequers, to give the pub its proper name, is one of the oldest buildings in Tonbridge, and one of the most attractive as well, but in my view at least, it never quite delivers in terms of that full pub experience. This might have something to do with it being a Courage house, when I first moved to the town, but it’s probably more to do with a succession of managers playing it safe, by opting for a safe,“middle of the road” approach.

I don’t mean that disparagingly, although it might sound like it, but what I do mean is that this historic and attractive building really is crying out for its spot on the tourist trail. It does seem as though no licensee to date has managed to exploit the true potential of this picturesque old pub. All is not lost, as walking past the Chequers earlier today, I noticed the pub’s menu, displayed outside, and it did show a real determined effort was being made, to go after the lunchtime trade.

 And so, to Fuggles, my second visit in three days, as I called in for a quick one last Sunday afternoon, following a visit to the opticians. The CAMRA crowd were only a few minutes ahead of me, and were standing at the bar, perusing the pump clips and chalk board whilst deciding what to drink. It was a no-brainer, as far as I was concerned, as Lagonda, a 5.0% pale ale from Manchester brewers, Marble Beers was the beer with the most appeal. My second beer of the evening was Best Bitter from Brighton-based, UnBarred Brewery. This was much more traditional in style, than the first beer, and if I’m honest, much more middle of the road.

Fuggles was quite busy when we first arrived, but people were sloping off gradually, and by the time last orders were called, there was just ourselves plus a couple sitting nearby, left. So, a quick snapshot of the mid-week pub trade, in a provincial English town, that just happens to be the one I have lived in for the past 40 years.