The WantEd!

Village Hub Welcomes Mobile Chippy

By Austen Dack

Recently I was invited over to Hoxne in Suffolk to see firsthand how a local village playing field & social club and a mobile chip van owner have teamed up to help each other out. Ed’s Plaice is ran by Ed Davies. Ed started Ed’s Plaice in 2011 after completing a course at the National Federation of Fish Friers in Leeds. He decided to do Fish and chips as he thought it was a brilliant option to offer this staple British takeaway to his local villages.

One prominent Hoxne resident is Stuart Jarrold. Stuart is best known for his forty years as a sports reporter first locally for Anglia TV, then latterly as a roving reporter on the hugely popular Gillette Soccer Saturday. He is a very active member of the village including spells as a parish councillor. One of his passions locally is the active use of the playing fields and its social club and space. With lots of events, activities and groups happening and planned, the future of the site looks promising.

It was Stuart’s idea last summer to invite Ed’s Plaice on a weekly basis to the playing fields. With plenty of parking and an indoor space for people to use to eat in case of inclement weather it looked like a good idea. Stuart said, “We are gradually increasing the repertoire here at the playing fields. Fish & Chips appeals to everyone, and it gives us a chance to open the bar for a few hours and take some money every Thursday. Ed’s fish and chips are very good, and we are pleased to see him every week.”

Ed previously parked at a local housing estate in the village, and whilst busy there were massive benefits of moving to the playing fields. “The obvious appeal is the amount of space we have. We can now serve many more people with plenty of room for everyone to park. Plus, the indoor space of the playing fields clubhouse is a real bonus too, so even when it is raining, we have a queue.”

On our arrival there was already a queue for Ed’s fish & chips. The phone was ringing on numerous occasions with incoming orders too. Ed was accompanied by his Hoxne colleague Sarah Driver and it quickly became obvious that this was going to be a busy shift for them both. We placed our order of cod and chips twice, and retired to the clubhouse for a quick drink before it was ready. Ed was still charging £8 for cod and chips despite the recent price rises particularly potatoes. He wanted to keep it at a price point that would still attract customers particularly at his mid – week pitches.

On arrival we could see just why Ed is busy. The FAS cod batter (from Friars Pride) held a great colour, was crisp to taste and the cod itself was flaky, white and tender. The chips (made from a great Fen variety via his merchant Pope’s) were excellent too. Hot, crisp to touch whilst fluffy on the inside. Ed’s experience and NFFF training shone through we both loved his offering.

If you have a mobile chip van, why not check out your local social clubs. They could also house you for an evening providing benefits for both you and them. Email austen@chippychat.co.uk if you are doing a similar thing.

Austen Dack

Publishing Editor