What you are about to read may cause offence to those who are of a more sensitive disposition, for it is the tale of a very big pie. This was a pie that could have toppled empires, a pie of epic proportions, a pie – it must be said – bought under the influence of sundry real ales and by a man who, quite clearly, savours a very big pie. This was, of course, Tompa’s Pie.
Now Tompa’s Pie was special for many reasons: not particularly big in terms of diameter, Tompa’s Pie nevertheless packed a punch, and being a Game Pie – game what for we may never know – it certainly held mysteries delectable to the gastronome. What really made Tompa’s Pie special, however, was its prodigious weight. Clearly, this pie had been made to a recipe that insists the lead is left in the recently shot animal, for two of these on the end of a stick would have made a colossal set of dumb-bells. This, Tompa’s Pie, was the stuff of legends.
Tompa’s Pie came as part of the latest in a line of ‘Tavern on Tour’ excursions, this one to the lovely town of...
Yes, it's that time again, the time when I take a few moments out of my precious schedule to update all and sundry with the goings on at the Market Tavern, and this time there is something rather special to report. No, Simon Bennett has not gone a full day without breaking wind, and nor has Tompa got a life, and for anyone thinking I'm about to announce that John Ogle has put on three inches and reached a mature height, no, it's not that either.
In fact, Sunday saw a mighty crowd celebrating the 65th birthday of none other than Dave, the Tavern's very own Captain Morgan, a fine man with an instantly recognisable nautical look. Since Dave arrived with the lovely Maureen and, of course, Sarah and young Sacha in tow, the Tavern has become a place where friends are made and kept, and where the odd idiot follows Russell into the bar when the poor lad drops by for a quite drink. There has to be one, after all.
Back to the celebration, and Dave (or John to Stu and Jimmy) drew a celebratory crowd that was, as I gladly told him, of the quantity normally reserved for the deceased; far from being...
The 'Tavern on Tour' season continued apace this weekend with another trip to the very wonderful Tan Hill Inn. Predictable we may be, but why change the habits of a lifetime - great beer, great views, plenty sheep to keep Tompa happy (very friendly sheep, too...) and even a hen with some cute little chicks! Oh, and a great dinner, too.
I'm sure I've forgotten something. Let me think.....Yes, of course, Ian M Anderson caterwauling and attempting to overcome the incessant heckling with a mixture of witty and contemplative folk songs, plus some great singalongs to keep up the good spirits.
A smaller bus was hired this time, much to the consternation of Simon who enjoyed the toliet on the last one very much, and it negotiated the twists and turns with ease as 20 hardy idiots took to the road again.
There is never anything less than a hearty welcome at Tan Hill, a place we can all recommend with hand on heart, and the real fires add to teh feeling that this is, truly, a place without equal. No Pork in Cider this time, but plenty of Tan Hill sausage ( and no, Sarah, I didn't get my sausage dipped in pork), roast beef and chicken (probably the...
It has been a while, I know, but for those who have been wondering where I've been hiding the answer is - in the Market Tavern, of course. So, what's been going on? Well, summer is here - don't blink or you might miss it - and that means that a nice, cold beer is very much in demand. Been shopping at the wonderful emprium next door - drop in for a pint to refresh your scorching cells and catch up a bit of the local happening; you never know, you might find you become a regular!
Music wise, they come thick and fast: as Ian says, Sarah's birthday weekend fun was had by all and thanks to Feed the Bear for their simply stunning - as usual - performance, and to my personal favourites The Alleycats, whose brand of fifties rock 'n' roll is simply stunning and Frankie adds showmanship that makes you smile the night away - great stuff, and some great bands coming up so keep up with the gig list.
Also worth a mention was Naomi's 21st party last Sunday night, a great gathering supplemented by Liams expertise at making cocktails - and very fine they were, too - as more...
Long time, no see! Things have been a mite ‘confused’ at the Market Tavern of late, but thankfully all is well. Indeed, so well it is that Dave has taken to painting large black rectangles all over the place, a decorative touch that will be enhanced by the new menu, for yes – food is on! Having sampled the bacon in a bun and a very nice burger, and watched another eat what can only be described as a more than adequate and apparently very filling breakfast (all day, under four quid, unbeatable) there is much to recommend, and note the in-house menu differs a little to that published on here, but the ten a.m. opening time (neatly preceded with ‘about’ I see....) still applies. Ideal for those morning after the night before feelings.....
Anyway, less of food and more of beer: much beer, in fact, for last Sunday saw a mass exodus of regulars – so mass, in fact, that there was nobody left to run the pub – to the famous Tan Hill Inn, which lays claim to the tag of the ‘highest pub in Britain’ at 1732ft above sea level – that’s a long way to have...
Well, more correctly, in the Market Tavern! The above quote was uttered by the great Reg Presley, he of the Troggs, as justification for why he put all of the royalties from that dismal Wet Wet Wet cover into crop circle research. He was right, there was something going on, but it wasn't what he thought!
Back to the issue, and there is - indeed - something going on in the Market Tavern. Not only are we furnished with great bands - did you see The Gee's on Friday, and FM Saturday Night? great sets, both - but from Thursday on (that's April 14th) we will also have an added bonus: FOOD!!
Yes indeedy, the Tavern will be playing host to Ian's culinary skills (you may know him as Mathilda) and if you haven't sampled his cooking yet, you need to (you mean to say you've not been out for Thursday night curry? Really, at less than a fiver a throw there is nothing else to compare).
So, what's on the menu? Well, for starters, it looks like being THE place to be for breakfast, for Sarah is plannning to open at 10am; details are still being finalised, but it looks like...
That's a question i've asked a few times this week. You see, since Matilda printed out the original blog entry and put it in a file on the bar, some of the regulars have asked me not to write about them. Well, that's a red rag to a bull! Honestly, John, you should have known better! That's John Ogle, of course - you know him, short joker with hat who perches at the bar and witters on while reading New Scientist so we all think he's intelligent: he's not, he's a roadie for heavens sake! And then there's badger, that's big (I put it in this time Kev) Kevin's brother; now tell me, are these two really interesting enough to write about?
In truth, they probably are; that's how its been this week. Apart from Ian and Co winning the quiz at the Northumberland on Monday - now there's a blast from the past for me - and Tompa and his crew blitzing all in mine in house on Tuesday, it's beena pretty quiet week. Good weekend, though, with much jollity had by all and some great music - this Saturday, by the way, is a MUST: Feed the Bear...
Hello all, and welcome to the much-promised Market Tavern Blog. For those of you who are not familiar with the delights of the Market Tavern, let me put you in the picture: Bedlington, for that is where it is, may offer a number of pubs and clubs, but none can lay claim to fame like the Tavern.
Ok, so less of the bold font now, let's get down to business. An introduction may be necessary - I've volunteered to keep this blog going, and you may know me; if you already frequent the Market Tavern you will know me as deaf Steve, or possibly something less salubrious, but you'll know me, nevertheless; thanks to the fine and dedicated efforts of Sarah, David, Maureen and Ian, the Tavern has become my home from home. I'm not the only one, for while the pub trade may not be going through the best of times at the moment, there still remain a lively handful who frequent the place early weekday evenings for a quick brace of pints before going home for tea. Or not, depending on the day. This is the time when conversation can become somewhat - well - lively, for...
