Years ago, when I lived in Leeds and dreamed of moving to Beverley (still do, sometimes) I desperately wanted to open a café of my own. In these dreams, the café was glossy and white like a photo with the brightness turned right up, and it had a golden elephant on the sign. I can't remember why, but it was called Gregory. I sold homemade bread, quiches, sandwiches (and you know my sandwiches are gooood), salads and cakes baked by friends who also liked to play this game with me. I've always been a fantasist.
The cafe would also be a place for people to meet. Young people looking for somewhere to be on a rainy walk home from school would come in for hot chocolate, or some of my ginger and orange cordial if they weren't feeling flush (30p for two refills and a free biscuit). On the weekends, maybe I'd serve bottled Belgian beers and a local artist would show their work to locals and tourists. There'd be a book club, a crafts club, a carers club. The dream café wasn't just about making drinks and serving food to people. It was about creating a welcome; bringing people in, offering space to think, chat, read, work, be.
More than a decade and several jobs in hospitality, marketing and writing later, it's happening. The creation of a place where people are welcome, where all my favourite things can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Tom and I are building a bar, finally, after years of planning and dreaming, and you're all invited. Once it's built, of course. Currently it's a pop-up print gallery. There's no beer, wine or cider there yet, but I guarantee it won't be long until the place is swimming in the stuff.
I'm hoping to launch the website over the weekend (all being well) and you can find it here.
Other Stuff
Red Sky, Blue Mountain by Samantha Crain is written and sung in the Choctaw language. Her write-up about the song is as beautiful and important as her song - please click through and read. "it is important, along with trying to preserve as much tradition as possible-when possible, to start creating new traditions and new art and new standards for our indigenous people."
Monty Don on hornbeams. If you watch Gardener's World but haven't read any of Monty Don's gardening writing, treat yourself. You'll not find someone more in love with their subject. (This article is almost 20 years old, which seems satisfying to me since it's about trees that won't have even noticed that snap in their timeline.)
Winemaker Tinashe Nyamudoka has a super interesting story and I want you to read it, but also I found out through this article that there's going to be a doc about the World Wine Tasting Championships called Blind Ambition about four Zimbabwean refugees who set out to become Africa's best somms, which I'm now v excited about.
Helen has created Burum Collective and in it's wake, a plethora of important discussions around equity in the drinks industry. Their disarmingly candid piece on understanding our industry's shortcomings and working to change it for the better raises vital points that we would all do well to continue reading and continue working on.
Lily Waite has written about Mills Brewing and it's the perfect way to share their stunning beers and unique (a euphemism - they are quite bonkers in many ways) methods. And her photos are just so calm and clear and chilly and perfect for autumn.
Chant Joseph wrote about Adele's carnival outfit and cultural appropriation and it's useful, informative and witty. I hope everyone reads it.
Richard Croasdale on the Pickleback, a drink I need in my life.
My Stuff
Samantha Crain in her living room by Charles Rushton