The return of the builders' summer party

In my rush to get the previous post out I'm forgetting about an event that took place a week ago, on a day when the weather was somewhat different to what we're experiencing at the moment. But that's an English summer for you, one minute it's sunny, dry, and baking hot, and the next it’s tipping down with rain. It was last Saturday that Mrs PBT's and I attended a barbecue at a pub at the other end of Tonbridge. It was her first trip out in over a fortnight, after being confined to quarters due to the Cellulitis that had affected lower right leg.

The occasion was a summer party, hosted by the owner of one of the construction firms Eileen does accountancy and book-keeping work for. Dan’s summer parties were legendary and were an annual event. They were noted for good food and copious amounts of drink, but the 2019 event was the last one, because eight months later COVID reared its ugly head and much of the world went into lock-down.

These summer parties had always taken place at the Carpenters Arms, an upmarket free house in Three Elm Lane, on the northern edge of Tonbridge. The pub was just right for that sort of event, and Dan would make sure to book the raised patio at the front of the pub, overlooking the road. There would be a free bar accompanied by a rather good finger buffet finger. A succession of different dishes would then be brought out, with a selection that included Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, chips, sandwiches, and similar sorts of goodies.

They were boozy, but good-natured events and it was a shame when, like so many other events, the pandemic put a stop to them. Fast forward four years and the summer party was back on, but this time at a different venue, with a slimmed down menu, and a trimmed guest list. I’m not sure whether the switch was due to a change of owners at the Carpenter’s, as the pub is now owned by Young & Co, but the garden of the George & Dragon, in Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, was the new location for the bash. It ticked all the right boxes, and as the weather fortunately stayed dry, it proved the perfect location.

Last Saturday was my second visit to the George & Dragon in just over a year - the previous one being walkabout of north Tonbridge with friends from West Kent CAMRA branch. Despite its 19^th Century exterior, the pub has been opened up inside to create a modern and vibrant space for locals and visitors alike. It is very much a sporting pub, with televised football matches, and last Saturday, highlights of the 4^th Test match between England and Australia. It also boasts two pool tables darts, along with darts as well.

The pub isn’t all sports though, as there is a quiet area at the opposite end of the building to the right of the bar. In effect it's a friendly community- centred local, and whilst it no longer opens during week at lunchtimes, come the evening, and also weekends the pub is home to a vibrant groups of drinkers, and sports enthusiasts, having a good time. Eileen and I both know the pub, from the time we worked together at a Tonbridge engineering firm about 15 minutes’ walk away. Eileen was more familiar with the G&D than me, and whilst we were there last weekend, she recalled how her department, which was nearly all girls, would head off to the pub every Friday lunchtime for a bite to eat, plus a few drinks. Come evening opening time, her and a colleague would be sitting on the pub doorstep waiting for it to open. This, of course, was before all day opening came into operation.

From what I remember the G&D was a Courage pub, which is probably why I was less keen on the place, but it did serve up good food and had a nice welcoming atmosphere. Nothing much had changed on the latter score, and when we arrived shortly before 6:30pm the pub was buzzing. Matthew kindly gave us a lift there, and also picked us up later on, which was good as it allowed me to enjoy a few beers without worrying about driving. The two cask ales were the same as on my previous visit, namely Tonbridge Traditional and Harvey’s Sussex Best. I tried both, preferring the Harvey’s, as the Traditional was a little on the weak side for my tastes.

The numbers at the party were noticeably down on previous events, but this was no bad thing, as it's still a large outlay on behalf of the firm. In addition, I recall a previous event where guests were being very greedy and wasteful, behaving in a way they would not have done if they’d been picking up the tab. I’m talking here about half full glasses of wine, beer and other drinks being left on the table at the end of the evening, all ordered by people whose eyes were no doubt bigger than their bellies.

The George had laid on a decent barbecue that evening, with a good selection of meat for the flesh-eaters, that included some excellent burgers, sausages, chicken quarters, plus the odd kofta on a stick. I should have remembered though, from past experience that paper plates have an inherent weakness, and whilst they are fine with two hands on the job, they are less so with one, and are liable to flex. Playing the gallant partner, I picked a similar selection for both Mrs PBT’s and myself, and only just made it back to the table before the plates began to collapse.

The well laid out and spacious garden, with its well-kept borders and flowering shrubs, formed a good backdrop to the evening. In addition, with the rain holding off and the temperatures remaining warm, it was the ideal spot. I don't think I've been out in the garden before, but it was a real oasis of calm, well away from the busy road in front of the pub, and a credit to the owners. Matthew arrived to pick us up, shortly after 9pm, by which time I’d enjoyed two pints of Harvey’s and one of Tonbridge. I’m sure that getting out of the house was good for Eileen's recovery from what has been an unpleasant, and at times, quite a painful experience.