The curious case of The Squid at The Hoste and other tales

It really is very difficult to keep up to date with the comings and goings on the local food/drink front.  As soon as it seems safe to suggest somewhere, the wheels drop off. Or on the other hand having firmly fixed somewhere as a no-go area it emerges that all is well, and that it is serving the most fantastic food again.

However, there are some you can depend on and last week a return to two old favourites, The Hunny Bell and then The Hoste.  A visit from one of our favourite print makers MAX ANGUS, prompted a trip to Hunworth and it didn't disappoint. The beer is good, the staff friendly and the food as good as ever. Even better, there was live jazz in the shape of the very excellent Three in a Bar, of whom more will be heard later. 

The following evening found us slightly further afield - in Wimbledon. At home, actually. But not, if you see what I mean, as we were in The Fire Stables celebrating a friend's 25 years of continual working with one company.  This kind of thing must be getting increasingly rare in these days of constant change and mobility. Unsurprisingly, we have eaten and drunk there on previous occasions and again it came up to expectations. Always horrified by noise levels in London restaurants - it must be age - but was particularly impressed with the chap serving us who could be seen clearly checking his order against the number at the table (a lot) to make sure everyone was catered for, before heading for the pass.  Obvious - but often not done.  Food was very good and happily recommended - but maybe best left until after the end of the tennis.

Back in Norfolk a slightly alcoholic evening lead us from a small number of bottles in the gallery to a second visit to Burnham's recently re-opened second hostelry, The Nelson.  It's still early days and there have been reports of good lunch-time food, but this time we erred on the side of caution and went up west.  Delighted to find a table free in the bar at The Hoste, all the old favourites came up trumps... however an excursion by one of our number into squid territory proved interesting.  Not quite sure how it is described on the menu  - but apparently it was not what had been expected!  It looked absolutely fascinating and beautifully presented as ever, but call me cautious, I will be sticking with the Shredded Duck or my very good friend - the ever faithful Whittome Burger!

Burnham Market Horse Trials

Apart from The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market is now probably best known for the Horse Trials. But as with lots of things, the closer and the more convenient an event is, the less notice you take.  That has now been put to rights - courtesy of my good friend GERARD STAMP, who not only paints rather well but has a very competent horsewoman in the shape of his daughter, Eleanor.

Prompted by a phone call, I closed up a bit early yesterday and went up to Sussex Farm just in time to see Eleanor complete the Show Jumping and the Cross-Country.  Found watching the former almost too tense when you know the rider, but enjoyed the cross-country; Eleanor's mastery of the water jump looked complete from my uninformed perspective. Pleasingly this seemed to be the official view as well!

As with most things in Norfolk you always meet someone you know - in this case, quite remarkably, NICKY LOUTIT whose exhibition opens with us next Thursday. Rounding the visit off with a very agreeable pint of Wherry at The Hoste, my only regret about this unexpected interlude was that my timing ensured I just missed Sarah and the wonderful Brays Pork Pies who were leaving the Trials just as I arrived.  My pleadings on the internet last night were obviously to no avail - there was no special delivery this morning!  Maybe I will have to go back, after all.

Paul Whittome

For those of us who live or work in Burnham Market, the start of the month brought the sad news of the untimely death of Paul Whittome.  As a newcomer to the village, nearly three years ago, I very quickly became aware that Paul - through his commitment, drive and personality - had with his family and team, created in The Hoste Arms something very special - a unique mix of pub, personality and professionalism. Somehow he has locals, dogs, children and all the rest, all mixed up and enjoying the same front bar -  at the same time blending this into what has become one of the country's most memorable hotels.  And you feel welcome. Creating this natural buzz and vitality isn't easy and to succeed is rare and remarkable.
   
Like many, I barely knew him - but when we did meet there was always a friendly welcome and - always - a sense of drive and direction.  In the gallery, a substantial majority of our visitors, stay, dine or at least drink at The Hoste.  For many, The Hoste is synonymous with Burnham Market; it is the focal point of their visit and we, like many of the other businesses in the village, have much to be grateful to Paul and his team for.


To establish such an institution - for that is what it has become - and along the way to effectively secure the viability and vitality of the village, is to my mind a truly remarkable and worthwhile achievement. A life well spent.