Sunday 14 October 2012

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
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

38 comments:

Janie Junebug said...

You sent your mum off quite nicely, I'd say. It's good for people to get together and break bread.

Love,
Janie Junebug

Inger said...

Your mum was blessed with such a good daughter.
Thank you so much for your caring comments for Samson and me during this rather awful week. We both appreciate them so much.

What are Scotch eggs?

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Your mother was smiling that day, Hilary. The food!!! Oh, so yummy. She would have approved heartily!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I love the looks of the Coldstreamer. Awesome.

I would have guessed that your mom was a good cook. See what a good job you do painting the picture of your mom with words?

T

Annalisa Crawford said...

What a wonderful spread. It looks like a great pub.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I'm sure your mother would have been proud. I've never heard of many of these foods. Perhaps you should do a recipe post someday. :)

Gattina said...

That all sounds extremely good ! Fortunately I just had supper !

Luanne G. Smith said...

Sounds like a wonderful send off and gathering of friends and family.

I had to laugh about the squash, though. My son tried ordering lemonade while in England and he got something quite different than what he is used to at home. It was more like our Sprite or 7-up. Then we tried ordering lemon squash at a pub one night and they didn't seem to know what we were talking about. Out of necessity, my son learned to like soda while we were in England. :)

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Hilary as I was off line I had no idea your mother had passed away. I send you my sincere condolances.

A wonderful send off to a dear mother it was a pleasure to look and read.

Thanks for your comment, I apologise my settings were wrong I think, I have rectified it.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Jo said...

Being English, I know all the foods, and it sounds delicious. I often make Scotch Eggs if I am entertaining, most people are unfamiliar with them on this side of the pond. I've never made pasties myself but recently found a place to buy them, pretty good. I envied you the cream, cream in North America is the pits.

Years ago, I used to use orange squash to make jellies with, especially when I was dieting. But you can't find it over here. I don't really miss it any more.

Sounds like a great send off for your mum.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What a wonderful memorial. Glad everything went so well.

Heather Murphy said...

Sounds like a wonderful celebration of life.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Janie - thanks, yes I think we sent her on her way with the right earthly celebration down here ..

@ Inger - many thanks it was important for me to do my mother right and I feel I accomplished that.

I hope Samson is feeling a little better and your stress levels are easing .. animals are such treasures in our life.

I posted a photo of a Scotch Egg - ours looked better! They tasted very good too .. but this picture shows one, we had plates of them without the salad .. finger food was what was required.

@ Joylene - my Mama would have loved the food ... a large spread with delicious goodies!

@ Teresa - the pub is great .. and was so helpful in its provisions for us - being just across the square helped.

Teresa - yes she was a brilliant cook and gardener .. very talented .. thanks for your words.

@ Annalisa - it's reachable from you for a weekend ..?!

@ Susan - thanks so much for the thought - I do food posts occasionally ... my cooking is very haphazard - good, but I do my own thing along the way!!

@ Gattina - I quite understand - food posts always tempt me at the wrong time of day ...

@ Luanna - many thanks .. it was a good day for my Mama.

Lemonade is like Sprite or Y-up ... but I'm surprised lemon squash was a challenge ... orange squash is usual, while lime juice is usually available too .... I know I run my eyes up and down the bar making sure I can see bottles of squash somewhere and then point to them .. may be they got muddled with your accent?! Yes - the pubs do have piped soft drinks .. soda, coca cola etc .. not very nice I find. At least your son was accommodating out of necessity by the sound of it!

@ Yvonne - thanks very much .. I'll check re your blog when I go in via Reader ..

@ Jo - I knew you'd understand .. scotch eggs are an English staple - these ones were delicious .. pasties - we love them, and I make them occasionally (one friend loves them ... ). Cornish cream is really really good isn't it!

I'm not sure we used orange squash to make jellies, as there were those cubes of jelly ... but we did use it to make ice lollies when we were kids ... squashes are a good standby and better than fizzy drinks ...

@ Alex - many thanks - thankfully all's well that ends well ..

@ Heather - you've hit the nail on the head for the day .. it was a lovely celebration at the Church, then at the pub for her life ...

Thanks to you all for coming over - cheers Hilary

MorningAJ said...

A perfect way to round off the event. It sounds delightful and I'm sure she'd be pleased.

Ciara said...

I'm glad the memorial went well. What amazing food and it's great to be surrounded by family and friends. You did your mom proud.

Chase March said...

Hi Hilary,

Sounds like a nice tribute, a yummy meal, and some great company. Glad to hear it went off without a hitch.

Laura Eno said...

I'm glad it all worked out so well for you!
I'm suddenly very hungry. :)

Talli Roland said...

Oh wow, what a send off. I'm sure your mum would have heartily approved! Looks like a wonderful spread.

Ellie Garratt said...

You made your mum proud, Hilary. A fitting send off. Bless you.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Morning AJ - many thanks, and I think she would be pleased too

@ Ciara - yes it was lovely having so many memories all in one place across the generations and able to chat about our times together ...

@ Laura - thankfully all went off went off without a hitch .. and I've just enjoyed a Cornish Fairing! It is tea time ..

@ Talli - we did do her proud and she would have been so surprised - yet from high above I'm sure heartily approve! It was delicious!!

@ Ellie - many thanks it's nice to feel we've achieved that happy ending ...

Cheers - it was a lovely time, thanks for all your thoughts and care - Hilary

Linda said...

What a sweet farewell. I am sure your mother would have approved also. It sounds tasty as well as tasteful. It is nice to share our fond memories together in such a setting. Well done!

nutschell said...

what a well thought out and heartfelt memorial! Your mom's lucky to have you as a daughter.

Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Sherry Ellis said...

The food sounded wonderful!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Linda .. many thanks - she'd be pleased to 'be home' ..

@ Nutschell .. appreciate your thoughts ..

@ Sherry - the pub is a good venue - and the food was excellent ..

Cheers and thanks for coming by .. Hilary

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great farewell. You did do her proud.

This post has made me hungry.

Lynn said...

How lovely - I'm yearning for some of that food I've never tried, such as pavlova and Scotch egg. Yum.

I think your mom would have loved it.

Elise Fallson said...

Sounds like a wonderful memorial lunch and a sweet way to say farewell. The food looks fantastic and though I've never tasted Scotch Egg, I'd love to try, and now I want to look for the recipe on line... I hope when I pass on, people will remember the good times, have fun and eat well.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

What a wonderful thing to do for your mother!

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for commenting on my blog.
Jasmyne:D

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Medeia - everytime I think of the food we had down there, I get hungry! The day was a happy farewell .. thanks

@ Lynn - it was a family friendly affair and she'd have been very happy with that ...

Pavolva and Scotch egg are more summer foods .. but totally delicious at any time! Give them a try ..

@ Elise - looks like everyone wants to give the Scotch Egg a try - I do love properly home-made ones ..

You've made a good point as with others above .. we want to go out with happiness don't we - this was a good day.

@ Diane - many thanks .. she deserved her final day ..

@ Cheetah (Jasmyne) - good to see you - congratulations on joining your mother (Summer) in this blogging venture!! Have fun ..

Cheers everyone ... have a great day ... Hilary

M. Reka said...

What a beautiful spread,I'm sure your mother would have been so proud.
Hugs Marinela

hyperCRYPTICal said...

A lovely memorial - your mother would have been proud!

Anna :o]

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thank you Marinela and Ana - appreciate your thoughts .. I think she would be too

Cheers Hilary

Davina said...

Hi Hilary.

Your sure dined in style. The menu sounds quite delicious, especially the roast beef sandwiches with horseradish. This was a nice tribute to your mother's memory. Dining together has become such a social event, hasn't it?

Anonymous said...

Delicious! I am sure your mum, in her red dress, had a guiding hand in it all.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Davina .. it was lovely having the buffet - so people can select .. I see you'd go for the roast beef sandwiches and horseradish (love it!) .. but I try and eat lighter things for lunch .. so I had the salad and dips - actually I tried a lot of things - but then it was our party!

It meant people were able to meet up with friends they hadn't seen for a while or actually had never met - but that connection was there ... I definitely did. That's what I set out to do .. bring that connectivity in ..

@ Sue - well she'd guided me for many a year ... and I'm sure she was around for us .. and she'd said this was the sort of send off she'd wanted ..

Lovely to see you both here - Davina and Sue .. thanks so much - cheers Hilary

Jenni Steel said...

Wow, the buffet sounded delicious, truly my kind of food. You really pulled the stops for this special day. One you will not forget.

I'm sure you mum would have been so proud of you.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Jenni - we were lucky the pub does wonderful food and spreads .. and yes - it was a good end, one that we can't forget. Appreciate your thoughts - Hilary