One response to my very first email went along the lines of ‘if @tomcanning83 can add in Big Planes then all bases are covered for me’ which was a) brilliant to have actual feedback but 2) deeply, deeply hurtful.
As if I, a man who’s grown up knowing nothing about cars but absolutely loving machines that run on specific pre-determined routes billowing smoke and goodness knows what else into the atmosphere could ever have his head turned by what is effectively a bus with wings.
I mean..
So now I’ve lost one subscriber, here’s this weeks ‘things’. Absolutely none of them crossover so I have in all senses failed the narrative mission of the newsletter this week.
A beer thing
Business As Unusual. That’s the beer this week from Delphic Brewing Co in Thatcham.
I proclaimed on a Facebook group I run about beer (more on that and a certain photograph next week) that it was the best beer of 2022 so far. That’s 100% a compliment despite me having a lot of beer left over from 2021, and 2020 for that matter.
It’s really hazy, it’s really juicy and I loved it. It’s what’s know as a New England IPA and as you’ll discover in the next par I’m way more knowledgeable on the origins and stories of the breweries than I am a keen beer reviewer. But I think it’s worth it.
On a little drive out last summer I thought I’d pootle by Delphic and see what was what, it’s about 20 minutes away from where I live. Expecting a trading estate and unassuming frontage as all the great modern breweries have (Cloudwater, Siren, Double Barrelled etc) I was shocked to discover I’d driven up a residential street with no sign of the brewery.
I later learned that the owner and brewer Tom Broadbank does it all from the garage of his home, the road of which I’d driven up and down, looking no doubt suspicious as I imagine all those people looking for the Harry Potter house in Bracknell do. There’s a lovely ‘about’ page here for Delphic and I’d thoroughly recommend clicking ‘shop’.
Beer wise from Tom, ‘I See Bread People’ Gingerbread Stout was a standout that I’ve had and I’d also enjoyed Level Crossing. Hat tip to the amazing Berkshire Beer Box for including these recently.
A train thing
Asking for a friend of course, but does anyone know if there’s one of those Sugar Daddy websites but for men of a certain age with young families that still want to buy model train stuff?
I ask because I, sorry, my friend was looking up the price of something he’s always wanted, a replica of the Flying Scotsman.
Over £100. £200 if you’d like one that isn’t the garish bright green version. I also made the mistake of looking up track with which to run it on. Goodness me.
I forgot about the ‘asking for a friend’ thing didn’t I. I knew I couldn’t fool you.
A football thing
..or how Burghfield FC Ladies inspired a village to (maybe) start a new team in a completely different sport.
I wrote about this in my weekly Talking Points article for Football in Berkshire this week, but I was amused at the outcome of a social media post around Burghfield Ladies this week.
The team were due to face Goring United (Oxfordshire.. boooo) on Sunday but the match was cancelled. The team therefore decided to get together and enjoy a game of rounders.
That lead to the following post and a number of wholesome replies on our local Gossip FB page: “At about 1.30pm this afternoon I drove passed the little park by the Six Bells /Hatch Gate and saw what I think was some people playing rounders. I LOVE rounders and was wondering if this was just a family/group of friends or if there’s a local rounders/softball team. Does anyone know?”
Since then a source has confirmed to me the following information: “Our last game of our season was called off and within minutes a comment went into the group chat “rounders?”.
“We turned up and teams were decided… shorts v trousers. It was a close first innings however shorts snatch the victory in the end!”
Anyway the main takeaway from this is a) shorts rock and 2) my village is hopefully getting a rounders club.
Any thoughts to add? I’d love to hear from you 🔽🔽🔽
I have to agree I see bread people is excellent. Will have to try the beer you have suggested. Sounds lovely!