Dear SPWC Members
Another year almost done. Where does the time go? It seems like only a short while ago we were welcoming in 2024 and now it’s nearly over. I hope for you it’s been a memorable year. Now it’s time to celebrate as the festive season fast approaches so on behalf of the committee I should like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very, merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year.
Last Month’s Meeting
We always know we’re in for a good time when Dilyan Kolev is our guest presenter and last month was no exception. Dilyan brought along some excellent wines from Thrace and I think he did pretty well with sales on the evening. Once again, many thanks to all those who helped set up and clear away afterwards.
This Month’s Meeting
As is traditional, our Christmas meeting on December 12th will be an in-house event aimed at raising money for charity. This year’s chosen charity is something very close to home – Shirley Neighbourhood Care. The committee will be presenting a number of splendid wines for you to try as The Committee’s Christmas Crackers. The format will be slightly different from usual but the intention is for everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy a great social evening. There will be fun and games taking place throughout so please bring plenty of small change with you. The highlight will be our grand Christmas tombola with a huge number of prizes available so we ask you to dig deep so we can raise as much money as possible for this excellent local cause.
Wine of the Month – A Touch of Sparkle, Chapel Down, English sparkling wine, 2022
English sparkling wines, produced in the Champagne method, have been winning awards for a few years now and this dry fizz from the Chapel Down vineyard in Kent, is a great offering for this Christmas. Produced from the Bacchus grape and giving off aromas of gooseberry and elderflower, it has a crisp texture and a refreshing finish. Whilst the name of the wine is a tad unoriginal, it nevertheless makes a great addition to your Christmas wine collection. At 12% ABV, it’s available at a competitive £13.99 from Waitrose between December 4th and January 1st or, if you get in quick, you can buy 6 for £13.49 each until December 3rd.
Wine of the Month – A Taste of Sparkle, Chapel Down
Restaurant of The Month – Fish at 55 – 55 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1DA
Now you’re probably thinking that Rochester is a bit far to go for a meal out but actually it’s less than half an hour away by train from Bromley South and this lovely restaurant is a mere five minutes’ walk from Rochester station. If you’re thinking of going to Rochester Christmas market – in my opinion one of the best around – then a visit to Fish at 55 is a great way to end your day. As the name of the restaurant suggests it’s largely a fish and seafood eatery which receives daily deliveries of fresh fish, either from Billingsgate (at least for the time being) or direct from fishermen down in Hythe. They have an excellent lunchtime menu which is £25 for two courses or £30 for three. For starters, the prawns in chilli and garlic are divine and the fish soup is also recommended. For mains, the hake served on a bed of mashed potatoes is cooked to perfection but for something different you could try the Japanese inspired bento box of seafood and salad. For meat eaters, there is also plenty of choice. The wine menu offers a good selection at affordable prices. The service is excellent and the restaurant has a warm, friendly atmosphere. Well worth the trip. If you are thinking of going to Rochester Christmas market, it’s open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas.
Social Events
Our visit to the South Bank Christmas Market, followed by Borough Market takes place on Saturday, December 14th. We'll meet at Hayes Station at 1200 in time to catch the 1214 train to Charing Cross. From there we'll cross The Thames on foot via Hungerford Bridge to the South Bank where we can explore the Winter Fair with its many stalls of crafts, gifts, food and dazzling lights as well as music and entertainment. There will be ample opportunity to enjoy a glass or two of mulled wine.
From there, we'll stroll along the Thames Path, where there are plenty of hostelries - The Founders Arms, Doggett's, The Anchor - at which we can stop to recharge the batteries before heading on to Borough Market which consists of three main areas: Three Crown Square (larger producers and merchants), Green Market (small, specialist produce traders) and Borough Market Kitchen (street food traders).
At 4.30 we're booked in to Cote Brasserie at Hays Galleria just the other side of London Bridge for a late lunch/early dinner. Heather will be contacting those of you who are coming to obtain your choice from the menu which she will distribute as we need to let the restaurant know. There is no need for payment in advance or a deposit - it's just pay on the day.
Christmas Meal
Our Christmas meal will take place at Tugra on Tuesday, December 17th. As mentioned previously we will have our own room and bar in the basement of the restaurant which is in Station Approach in Hayes. Festivities will start at 7 and we will have the room until midnight.
The cost of the meal is £26 per person and will consist of the following:
Cold mezze starter platters consisting of:
· Hummus
· Cacik (yogurt and cucumber)
· Taramasalata
· Aubergine
· Chicken
This will be followed by the main course of:
· Lamb kofte (kebab)
· Chicken shish
· Chicken kofte
· Chicken wings
· Lamb ribs
· Bulgur wheat
· Salad
· Pitta bread
· Chilli and garlic sauce
Desserts can be ordered and paid for separately on the night. Most of them cost £6. Please note that the cost of the meal does not include drinks. These should be ordered from our dedicated bar and paid for separately.
There are still one or two people who have yet to pay for the meal – it is pay in advance please.
Sunday Lunch 2025
We intend to organise lunch out on a Sunday – most likely in February. This will be at The British Queen in Lock’s Bottom. Further details will be published in due course.
In the meantime, may I once again wish you all a very Happy Christmas and I hope to be seeing you all at one of our December events, if not all of them.
Very best wishes,
Goff
1st December 2024
