Food, Booze, Bands & News - April/May 2010
Challenge 21, Challenge 25 and, apparently, Challenge 32
Tom Lock Has Lost The Plot
With too many Peterboroughbased magazines operating a personality cult, the last thing I wanted was to open this launch issue of Rhythm and Booze with a rant. That was until the issues I experienced at The Tom Lock, Lincoln Road. From the moment some bright spark suggested that managers replace Landlords it was inevitable that many pub operations were going to lack even the most basic of common sense. What I hadn’t realised was places like The Tom Lock were following company policy so thoroughly that me, as a 32 year old, would be refused service as I didn’t have any ID on me. Now I know that many teenagers of 16-17 can quite easily pass for early 20s, so to protect themselves venues will operate either Challenge 21 or Challenge 25. But to refuse me service, despite the fact I’ve been drinking there, off and on, for almost 14 years and am covered in tattoos, just be-
cause “everyone needs ID” is taking the whole jobsworth thing too far. The reason behind my visit was to review its Early Bird menu for the next issue.
Sadly I was never able to do that, and while I’m sure that the food would score very highly their common sense, not to mention customer service skills, aren’t even worthy of nil points.
The Tom Lock, no bitter or common sense. Photo © Adam Stabler
Star Letter Ask a million people “what is a pub?” and you’ll get a million answers. I like a lot of people go to a pub to whinge and moan about work, the wife, taxes etc etc, after the first pint you chill and mellow a bit, listen to other people’s problems with concern, not contempt in a word; Relax. I’ve been in pubs where the music has driven me out also I’ve been in pubs where there music has pulled me in. Jukeboxes, one-armed Bandits, Karaoke, food served during the evening; are these the end of pubs as we know it? The Beer Police say so - Beer Police, something to do with photography? In an ideal world (my world) every corner would have Real Ale pub on it. Let’s get real, keg outsells cask, so if the Beer Police would get off the back of Publicans who are trying to exist and serve Real Ale by having keg, jukeboxes, food etc, we wouldn’t have any Real Ale pubs. “Family-size Vodka and Coke please Jackie!”
Editors reply: There’s no prizes for guessing who you mean by the Beer Police. While they’ve done well nationally, fighting for drinkers rights, like any other local group be it political parties or music fans, it’s descended into a clique thanks to people fiddling with things outside their remit. While Real Ale is best, certain individuals believe “some breweries are better” and should have attention concentrated on them, then wonder why venues, even the better-run establishments go to the wall. Another thing’s always puzzled me, why do some venues consider pool tables and jukeboxes to be the lowest of the low while shove ha’penny and some old duffer on an accordion is perfectly acceptable? While I wouldn’t go to many of the pubs down Broadway for their musical entertainment and lack of decent beer, I have visited them in the past. Mainly because they do a decent line in pub grub, which is sadly lacking in our Real Ale establishments. Now why do I think we’ll have a bulging postbag next issue?
Bernard St. Fibsen
Pub Quiz For your chance to win a copy of This Is Peterborough Too, featured on the opposite page, email the answers to the following questions to simonstabler@aol.com by 15th May. 1.Secretly recorded by Saint Etienne, Peterborough’s Andrew Midgely took 7 Ways to Love into the charts under this name? 2. Guitarist Graham Butt is the only original member of this band, formed in 2002? 3. Vocalist with Vince Clarke who isn’t Dave Gahan, Fergal Sharkey or Alison Moyet? 4. Ian Burden, one of several
King’s School pupils to find chart success, was in this synth-pop band? 5. They got to number 35 with Sound of Eden? 6. Stu West and Andrew Pinching are the rhythm section to this long running punk band? 7. It was a good news week for these Wittering airmen when they got to the top 5? 8. The Bard of Barking who wrote A New England while walking through Oundle?
9. We were Just Good Friends when he said he wanted Reggae Like It Used To Be? 10. Some say he was a miserable old git, but with his bespectacled partner he always managed to Bring Me Sunshine?
All material, unless otherwise stated, © Simon Stabler Please send your letters, competition answers and gig listings to simonstabler@aol.com by 15th May
Upon This Rock... ...’n’Roll Peterborough’s diverse music scene has been brought together on a new compilation CD. This Is Peterborough 2 was released at the start of March by local indie label Rowdy Farrago Records. Formed in 2006, the label recently celebrated its 25th release having put out material by The Destructors and The Ruined amongst others. Like its predecessor, last year’s This Is Peterborough, the 20-track CD came about after label boss Allen Adams asked bands to submit a track for inclusion. Allen explains, “Having worked at The Met Lounge for the past 10 years I’d got to hear so many really good local bands. “Unfortunately many of those have fallen by the wayside, more out of lack of opportunity than ambition. I thought it was time to redress that by getting a professional compilation released which is sent to radio stations, DJs and promoters world wide. “With the original release people were reluctant to come forward. They thought there was going to be a catch as we were compiling the CD for free.” Despite the success of the compilation, with many bands benefiting from positive reviews, enlarged
fan bases and offers of management deals, people were still reluctant to submit material for the latest release. “We initially received a single submission” said Allen. “After a bit of chasing we started to receive plenty of material and despite our manufacturers being able to use longer length CDs
some bands have had to be held back until next year.” With cover art from Free Thinking Design’s Lee Mason and features a host of local names including Pet Slimmers of the Year, Punky Rebel Media and Dun II Def, This Is Peterborough 2 is available from HMV Peterborough, www.metalonrock.com and
Take It To The Bridge
The Mural by Arthur J.J Ayres, Photo © Gwydion Williams Fifty-five years ago, the view of the ing programmes, matched with rapid city from Town Bridge was very difgrowth in technical advancement, it ferent. Over the years, the power was time for Mitchell to plan a purstation was demolished to make pose-built office block. way for Rivergate, Charter’s arA plot was found on the southern emrived and before that, Bridge bankment alongside Town Bridge. LoHouse was built. cated opposite the old Customs With plans to redevelop the South House, this spot had been left untidy Bank, the view will change again. and derelict ever since the bridge was With a question mark hanging over built in 1934. Despite the complexities the future of Bridge House, Simon of a river location, consulting engineer Stabler uncovers the history of its Walter C. Andrews suggested the use construction. of steel framework and reinforced By November 1940, The Blitz, the concrete floors would allow the buildLuftwaffe’s nightly bombing raid on ing to be completed relatively quickly. Britain, was halfway through. ThouBridge House was designed by archisands of lives were lost and countless tects Howard V. Lobb and Partners, buildings damaged. One of these was who had been behind the Royal Festithe London Contracts Office of val Hall and later the British GovernMitchell Engineering Limited. ment Pavilion at Expo ‘58. The colour Unable to find suitable accommodaof bricks was chosen to avoid clashtion, Mitchell moved to Peterborough. ing with nearby buildings. The height The tracing staff worked in Market set to avoid affecting the view of the Chambers, while technicians and Cathedral. Any future extensions draughtsmen squeezed into Fengate would move outwards towards East House. The decade that followed the Station Road. war saw Britain trying to adjust back The 26-by-150 foot window alongside to normality. With large scale rebuildthe river, allows the maximum of natu-
ral light to enter the drawing office. Cork flooring and double-glazing reduces heat loss and traffic noise, while photocells on the roof turn the lights on when it gets dark. It lights up in rows, starting with the furthest from the window. Providing radiant heat, similar to that given off by the sun, radiators and pipes are hidden from view. In the drawing office they are located above the acoustic ceiling installed by Frenger Ceilings Ltd, while pipes in other parts of the building are embedded in the floor. The sculptor Arthur J.J. Ayres designed the 25-by-50 foot Portland stone mural, which runs alongside the bridge. It was chosen during a competition judged by Roy Mitchell, managing director, his father F.G “Tiny” Mitchell, chairman of the Mitchell group of companies, Gilbert Ledwood, chairman of the Royal Society of British Sculptors and Howard V. Lobb. The mural was believed to be the largest bas-relief in England at that time. It features historical figures
The drawing office window, photo © Michael Trolove from the world of science and engiunited 200 staff members for the first neering, such as Archimedes and time since 1940. An agreement with Newton, grouped around the sun, “the the Ministry of Transport, keen to resource of all power” and three men duce congestion, meant that the front representing modern industry – adentrance was for the sole use of visiministration, design and works. Roy tors. Staff would enter via the car park Mitchell explained that the competiat the rear. tion was devised “to foster a closer Financial problems and receiver led relationship between art and indussell-offs in the late 60s saw the name try.” Mitchell Engineering fade from view. Ayres carved the mural in-situ with Mitchell Construction, as a separate assistance from son James, wife Elsa company under managing director and daughter Jane. He was a fellow David Morrell, went from strength to of the Royal Society of British sculpstrength, until a contract to build a hytors and his work adorns buildings as droelectric power station on the North grand as Westminster Abbey. His reBank of the Zambesi River signalled lief above an entrance to the National the beginning of the end. Awarded the Hospital for Neurology and Neurocontract in 1971, it became apparent surgery, London bears the same Hothat the ground conditions were race Mann quote as the Bridge House poorer than described on the tender mural – “every addition to true knowldocument. edge is an addition to human power.” Lives were lost, work slowed down The mural gave Ayres “a fresh apand costs rose. By the time Mitchell proach to a modern problem” as the had called in the receivers, its costs thin walls meant that the “sculpture were alleged to be over £200k a was executed in a different manner.” month. Mitchell Construction became Despite a late delivery of steel folpart of Tarmac Construction and, Morlowed by the steel erectors working to rell spent the rest of his life suing rule, Bridge House, constructed by those he felt responsible for the comsubsidiary Mitchell Construction Co, pany’s downfall. opened for business in November After Bridge House was vacated, 1955, a year after work began. It British Telecom took it over. Bosses
covered up “Mitchell Engineering Limited” from the mural, until Peterborough City Council occupied the building in the early 90s, bringing the name back into view. While the council still owns the property, using it to accommodate their transport, engineering, environmental and public protection teams, the building closed to the public in February when the planning department moved to Bayard Place. The building falls within the South Bank development area, which proposes the construction of leisure facilities, offices and zero carbon homes. No date is set for the closure of Bridge House. And while no firm proposals have been drawn up, there is a possibility that the site will be used for a hotel. If the site is redeveloped, structural engineers Waldeck Associates say that the mural can be saved. John Peach, former leader of Peterborough City Council, wants it moved to a prominent location, possibly a school or shopping complex. Wherever it ends up, the mural will ensure that the memory of Peterborough’s past as a home technological innovation will live on.
Spotlight on...Castor With its Roman ruins and timberframed cottages it’s easy to forget that Castor is only four miles from Peterborough city centre. Entering the village from town you’ll see The Fitzwilliam Arms on your right. Built from stone and topped off with a thatched roof, it looks every inch the traditional village pub until you step inside and realise it has been converted to a restaurant. As part of the Fratelli group its famous for its home-cooked Italian food and welcoming hospitality. The £5 “Menu Spuntino”, designed to prevent over-eating as much as overspending, is available Sunday to Thursday during both lunchtime and evenings. Recently re-furbished and just up the road is the Royal Oak. The pub, with its three lounges and external patio area, prides itself on three ever-changing real ales, open fires during winter and a ban on juke boxes and gaming machines. They serve a range of soup, jacket potatoes, paninis and baguettes at lunchtime Tuesday to Saturday, which can be pre-ordered by phone. Further along you’ll find The Prince of Wales Feathers. In addition to their extensive range of well-kept real ales are bottled beer from Belgium and Germany, not to
mention real cider and perry on draught. There’s live music most weekends and a lunchtime menu, offering quality home cooked food, available all week. With two pubs in such close proximity serving real ale is no
surprise that Castor has its own brewery. Formed last year by Duncan Vessey, Castor Ales has already received critical acclaim for its Roman Gold, Serene
Nene and, the marvellously titled, Castor Oil. As well as supplying pubs Duncan’s beer can also be found at the regular Shakedown Blues. Held once a month at Castor Village Hall, past performers have included Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters, and Eddie Taylor Junior. Information of what’s on and how to buy tickets is available from their website. Castor is easily accessible by road, with Kimes operating the number 9 bus from Queensgate during the day. However if you’re planning on visiting during the evening you consider going by taxi, most taxis firms will negotiate a reasonable rate, or follow the footpaths from Ferry Meadows. If you’re walking, just remember to take a torch with you in the winter. Fratelli Castor - 01733 380251 The Royal Oak Inn - 01733 380217 Prince of Wales Feathers - 01733 380222 Shakedown Blues - www.shakedownblues.co.uk Kimes Bus - www.kimesbuses.co.uk
UP-TOWN TOP DINING A Taste of Paradise? Serving a fusion of Malay and Thai cuisine, Malayba is a welcome addition to Peterborough’s culinary landscape. As my colleague is a vegetarian and I prefer fish to meat, we often experience limited choice when dining out. Thankfully there was no such problem here, although we were both spoilt for choice. I started with Salt & Peppercorn Soft-Shelled Crab, while my col-
league went for the tempura-like Asparagus with Golden Oats. For the main course I had a steamed fillet of sea bass in a sweet and sour Nynonya sauce, while my colleague ordered bean curd in a Sambal sauce - accompanied with French beans. While both sauces included chillies, they were there to emphasise the meal and give it a little kick, as opposed to overpowering the palate. For its variety, top-class service, layout and cocktail bar, Malayba is truly the taste of paradise.
Restaurant Details Malayba, 44 Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RT Website: www.malayba.com Tel: 01733 561806 Open: Mon-Sat:12:00 -14:30,17:30-23:00 Sun: 12:00 -14.30, 17:30-22:00 Sample Dish: Nyonya Sea Bass steamed sea bass fillet with Malaysian Nyonya Sauce (£9.50) Sample Drink: Honolulu Breezer – a cocktail of vanilla vodka, amaretto, hazelnut and apple served with crushed ice (£6.50)
Charters Town Bridge Peterborough PE1 1FP 01733 315700 3rd April - The Whisky Jax, Being Jo Francis, Irene Rae and more (tbc) The Ostrich Inn 17 North Street Peterborough PE1 2RA 01733 752255 April 1st – Ian Graham 2nd – Porky Pig 3rd – The Les Woods Band 9th – Blues After Midnight 10th – White Spirit 16th – Circa ‘73 17th – Retrolux 23rd – Lloyd Watson 24th – The Electric Warriors 30th – Frankly My Dear
The Prince of Wales Feathers 38 Peterborough Road Castor PE5 7AL 01733 380222 April 17th - One Eyed Cats 24th - 24
May 6th - Frankie Martin 7th - Les Woods 8th - The Malingerers 9th - Daffy & The Alien 22nd - 101 Proof The Village Hall Peterborough Road Castor PE5 7AX Ticket information available from gerardhoman@btconnect.com 29th April – Shakedown Blues present Vernon Harrington
May 1st – Citizen Smith 7th – Children of the Revolution 8th – 101 Proof 14th - Daffy and The Alien 15th – The Grumpy Old Men 21st – The Backstreet Blues Band 22nd – Storm 28th – Aladdinsane 29th – Mighty Quinn Tuesdays @ 7:30 – Poker Wednesdays @ 8:30 – Quiz with cash prizes Sunday @ 8:30 – Mighty Mouth Karaoke with Trev The Post Office Club Bourges Boulevard Peterborough Fundraiser for Sue Ryder and Macmillan Nurses, tickets are available for £10 from 01733 762951 Mauricky Collins, Fat Chantz and The Nuggets
Photo © Riot Photography UK n.b All venues listed serve real ale
What’s on?
Blast From The Past... ...The Roger Brooks Memorial Despite its ornate mosque, the Gladstone area is one of Peterborough’s most deprived areas. In the Roger Brooks Memorial, the now tatty and weather-damaged mural opposite the mosque, the cultural diversity of the area is celebrated. Whites, Asians and West Indians rub shoulders in the image that gives a 360-degree view of the street from the house that it’s painted on. Having grown up in the area, Simon Stabler was always fascinated by the image. With the inscription worn away, he wanted to know how the mural was achieved and who was Roger Brooks? In 1978 Peterborough Development Corporation was at the height of its powers. The estates of Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay were welcoming their first residents, building started on Queensgate Shopping Centre, while the new road system was taking shape. As part of a renewal programme in the Gladstone district, a road was built between Gladstone Street and Cromwell Road. Called Link Road, councillors hoped it would “strengthen links between the various communities in the area.” Four years later the Corporation’s artist-in-residence Francis Gomila was asked to paint a mural to reflect this belief. Painted on the side of 155A Gladstone Street, the house adjacent to the new road, the mural featured local residents including Sam Mrsinka, who owned the barbershop nearby. The only person not to have existed was the man at the extreme left walking away, although Francis says “it was surprising how many people thought he was someone they knew.” Francis has fond memories of “10 cold and raining weeks spent up a scaffold” painting the mural with
the help of Foundation Art students from Peterborough Technical College. However there were several problems encountered at the start. “Eastern Arts initially refused to fund the project and the mural was often damaged with racial graffiti,” said Francis. “Thankfully we had Roger Brooks, a young and tireless progressive councillor on side and a white
of a social worker, a people’s champion.” Francis was quite surprised that the mural, even in its dilapidated state, was still standing. The last time he visited the site was in the late 80s to reseal it with a coat of varnish. His other local work “Engine”, the bas-relief on the Parkway bridge that crosses Fengate, still stands.
The Roger Brooks Memorial, Link Road/Gladstone Street Photo © Chris Porsz / www.peterboroughinpictures.co.uk family, although originally reluctant to have their children feature alongside other nationalities, defend the site when they saw the mural take shape. “I’d like to think that the mural did help to bring the community together.” Unfortunately Roger Brooks died before he could see the finished piece. Council Leader Charles Swift said at the time that Brooks “was very active and very dedicated in helping minority groups, in many ways he was something
The Gladstone Neighbourhood Investment Programme, which plans to regenerate the area, want to use art to deliver community cohesion within the neighbourhood. Some hope that the Roger Brooks Memorial could be restored, but would Francis like to be involved? “If the support was right I might be interested, however the original sketches are long gone. It would be more interesting to create a fresh mural, depicting the people who live there today. Like some kind of everlasting story.”