Memorial - Whet your Appetite at The Coldstreamer

Food, food, glorious food – my mother was an excellent cook and entertainer ... so for her final farewell we had to do her proud – and of course that depended on the chosen venue ... fortunately she had said to me “... and pasties in the pub opposite afterwards” – so that was fairly simple ...

Front of pub taken from the Church Square

However, The Coldstreamer pub had changed hands and my source of information, the amazing Elizabeth, my mother’s manager at her Care Home and great friend, had sadly died suddenly 18 months ago ... 

... so I thought I had to visit the pub and check out details etc ...  it’s a challenge sorting things out from the retirement town of Eastbourne with those Pirates of Penzance 300 miles away  – so in September off I set – to clarify our Memorial lunch, tie in with the vicar for the Service, and generally do the rounds ... flowers, organ etc and friends, who would help.

Entrance in was in the far room

 The pub were welcoming, but they had their way of doing things and I had a feeling I wasn’t waiving much influence (but truth be told I didn't need to)! – we made a few changes ... mainly that there were plenty of crudités, that the mini pavlovas were separate – bowls of fresh fruits/salads and piles of meringues ...  with treacle tart – a favourite of ours as children (rather than brownies).

When friends came over for supper that evening I felt more encouraged as the food was excellent, freshly provided by local provenders, and I decided that the family would be duly impressed – they have pretty high standards ... !!

The dining area at the other end - where our buffet was laid out

Our dinner the night before the Memorial went off very happily – well when I left they were all enjoying themselves ... Jenny had my room and I stayed with friends.

The day dawned – I gather croissants had been had for breakfast, home-made blackcurrant jam or dark full rich marmalade, there was plenty of coffee and tea on the go ...

Fresh vegetable box supplier

When we returned from the Memorial one of the rooms had been set up with the buffet dishes, the middle room and bar, had coffee and tea, wine, water and squash (I’m not going to try and explain squash again ... it’s a troublesome thirst quencher from our youth .... but one we’ve had ‘forever’ in this country ... my “Wimbledon in 2036” post has more info – should you feel intrepid enough to hop on over!). 

Cornish Yarg being covered in nettles
while it matures

The bar was open for other drinks ... and extended into another room .... so there was plenty of space for eating, drinking, chatting and reminiscing.

Our menu – that seemed to pass muster ... with many commenting “such good food” - was:

Buffet:

• Sandwiches: a mix of Rare Roast Beef & Horseradish; Cheese & Chutney
• Pâté  served on toast: a mix of Smoked Mackerel & Cucumber Chutney; Chicken Liver with Chutney
• Hummus: served with plenty of crudités and veggies
• Spanish style Tortilla pieces
• Cajun Cornish new Potato wedges
• Pasties – pixie size ... I never had one, but gather they were delicious
• Scotch Eggs – halved ... the eggs were golden centred
• Cheeses – Cornish Yarg, Blue Cheese and a soft Cornish Camembert with chutney
• Fresh sliced baguette style bread

Scotch Egg - served as is .... ours
tasted very good and looked even
better than this one!

Desserts: 

• Fresh fruits/slices ... strawberries and raspberries
• Grape bunches
• Meringue nests
• Cornish Cream
• Treacle tart

Mini Pavlova - except we made our own
and we'd have had Cornish Cream

I’m not going to let you know about our dinners – they were too delicious and deserve another Memorable Mention!

The venue was brilliant and served our purpose very well ... no driving for anyone, good food, plenty of liquid in varying forms, a few locals came in as is their wont on a Friday lunchtime ... for a tipple or two ... so we didn’t block anyone’s usual enjoyment ...

Red sail in the sunset - for the Lady in Red

 A happy farewell day was had by all ... and as far as I’m concerned we couldn’t have asked for anything better ... it was simple, professional, delicious and we’d been very well cared for at the Church ... we remembered and shared those memories of our mother ... I feel certain she would have heartily approved.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

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