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The Lord & Lady Cometh

by steve blakesley on January 31, 2012

With Recent sad family events and work commitments my blog activities have been restricted of late, but this week I am making a new effort to keep up with my responsibilities at the White House , and of Course our Friends Lord Jeffrey and Lady Caroline Bowden From our TV appearance on Channel 4′s Three in the Bed , are visiting this weekend, should be lots of fun and plenty of vino.

We will be Eating at master chef winner Mat Folas restaurant in Bedminster , the Wild Garlic which is always a treat , not only is Matt a Master Chef but also a great Host, so much food , Vino , and fun, wish you were here to enjoy.

 

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Finding A Vegetarian Restaurant whilst Staying in Dorset B&B

by steve blakesley on June 10, 2011

Where ever you go , veggie restaurants are springing up, but it helps to know exactly where they are, easy if you are local , but if you are staying in a Dorset B&B, and especially if you are at the White House B&B in Westbay/ Bridport , we have tracked a few down for you.

The Green Yard Cafe

Veggie friendly restaurant / cafe – Licensed – Non-Smoking
Family run cafe; vegetarian owners
Web Site: www.thegreenyardcafe.co.uk

4-6 Barrackstreet, Bridport. DT6 3LY Dorset

Tel 01308459466

Broadwindsor Craft and Design Centre
Veggie friendly restaurant / cafe – Licensed – Non-Smoking
Large daytime restaurant with home made food
Broadwindsor, Beaminster. DT8 3PX Dorset

Tel 01308 868362

Town Mill Bakery

Vegetarian restaurant / cafe – Vegan Options – Non-Smoking
Artisan bakery with cafe
Web Site: www.townmillbakery.com/

Coombe Street, Lyme Regis. DT7 3PY Dorset

Tel 01297 444 035

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Bridport Food Festival

by steve blakesley on May 25, 2011

If you are in the area This Summer’s Food Festival why not stay in one of Dorsets Best B&B’s The White house , The event promises a whole week of delicious, colourful and engaging food events for people of all ages from 12-18th June. Whether you are local to Bridport, or visiting the town, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.

For the last Two years Bridport has been voted Best Food Town in the Taste of Dorset Awards, it is in its eighth year, the Festival is a celebration of the worth of great local food; both to the people that grow it and those who enjoy it! The work of a team of dedicated and enthusiastic supporters.

Festival Week Events

Open Farm Sunday

Sunday 12 June

Once again this year’s festival kicks off with Open Farm Sunday – a great opportunity to go “behind the scenes” at working farms and meet the farmers who grow their food and care for the countryside.

Locally, both Denhay Farm and Washingpool Farm will be opening to visitors.

From Monday 13

Bridport Museum Culinary Trail – all week; explore the museum to unearth food tools of the past. Museum entrance is FREE. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm)

Tuesday 14 June

Meet and Eat Cooking for the Over 50′s A hands-on cookery workshop, producing a seasonal summer lunch using locally sourced produce Time: 14.00pm – 15.30pm; Cost: £7.50 – must book in advance. Local Food Links, Centre for Local Food, Unit 17, St Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport. For Booking call Gill Reynolds – 01308 428921; www.localfoodlinks.org

Do you know about food? Quiz & Sausage Tasting Limber up with a local sausage tasting and pit your brains against other foodies at food-themed quiz night. Time: from 18.00; Quiz starts: 20.00; Cost: Free. The Ropemakers, 36 West Street, Bridport. Tel: 01308 421255; www.theropemakers.com

Wednesday 15 June

Cheese, Cider and Speciality Bread Taste-Off! sample delicious flavours of Dorset, including Powerstock Cider, Denhay Farmhouse Cheddar and artisan Cheese & Cider Bread from Leakers Bakery. Time: From 12.00; Cost: Free. Outside Arts Centre, Bucky Doo Square, South Street, Bridport

Meet and Eat Cooking for the Over 50′s A hands-on cookery workshop, producing a seasonal summer lunch using locally sourced produce Time: 14.00 – 15.30; Cost: £7.50 – must book in advance. Local Food Links, Centre for Local Food, Unit 17, St Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport Gill Reynolds – 01308 428921; www.localfoodlinks.org

Everything Stops for Tea A talk on the History of the Afternoon Tea by Food Historian Maya Pieris. Time: 14.30; Cost: £5.00 (includes homemade cream tea) The Salt House, West Bay. Tickets from the The Local History Centre, Gundry Lane, Bridport

Using Local Produce with a Twist – Cookery Demonstration Watch Olive Tree’s Chef transform local seasonal ingredients into delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Time: 15.00 – 17.30; Cost £25 – must book in advance. Olive Tree Restaurant, 59 East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LB. Tel: 07817 302984; www.lovelearningindorset.com

The Answer Lies in the Soil A talk by Martin Bliss, Farm Manager at the Magdalene Project. Time: 19.00; Cost: £10.00 (includes a light supper). Green Yard Café, Barrack Street, Bridport. Tel: 01308 459466

Thursday 16 June

A Local Lunch Grab the chance to eat a lovely lunch, using seasonal meat, vegetable and dairy produce sourced from local suppliers. Time: 12.00 – 15.00pm; Cost: dishes between £3.00-£7.00 The Red Brick Cafe, St Michael’s Trading Estate, Bridport

Festival Seafood Platter Tuck into a platter of seafood of local crab, shrimps, tiger prawns, mussels, crayfish tails, lobster/langoustines, anchovies, whelks, cockles and smoked trout, mackerel and salmon. Time: from 12.00; Cost: £28 for two. George Hotel, West Bay Tel: 01308 423191; www.george-westbay.co.uk

Under 8’s Biscuit Decorating Workshop – The Arts Centre Garden Café Get creative and win prizes by decorating fun and funky biscuits with a range of icings, toppings and sprinkles. Time: 15.30 – 17.00; Cost: £1.00 per child (30 places available) Arts Centre Garden Cafe, South St, Bridport To book: Dawn Potter 07875 635225

Friday 17 June

An Evening with Doctor Roberts An 18th century evening of food and music with a three course meal. Time: 18.00; Cost: £24.00 per person. The Beach & Barnicott, South Street, Bridport. Tel: 01308 455 688

Round Table Beer Festival Sample numerous beers and ciders and enjoy Hog Roast and BBQ from the Lions Club of Bridport. From 18.00 Friday continuing again on Saturday 18th June. Asker Meadow, Bridport

Local Wine Tasting Enjoy tasting wine from locally produced vineyards, Furleigh Estate, Salway Ash, Bridport and Portesham Vineyard, with Mark Banham of Palmers Wine Store. Time: 19.30 – 20.30; Food Festival Show Field at Asker Meadows, Bridport Ticket proceeds go to Dorset County Hospital Charitable Trust. Tickets purchased in advance from: Palmers Winestore; Tel: 01308 427500; www.palmerswinestore.com

Food & Drink Question Time Enjoy an evening of Food Any Questions which will see a panel of experts tested on culinary conundrums. Panelists include Mark Hix, Michael Michaud, Darren Batten, Sue Yardgrove, with George Streatfeild comparing. Time: 19.00 Tickets £5 The Bull Hotel, 34 East Street, Bridport, DT6 3LF

Food Events to Enjoy after the Main Event….

Sunday 19 June

Big Bridport Picnic Pack your hamper with local food and bring-your-own community picnic to celebrate the abundance of local produce we can enjoy in and around Bridport. In addition, SW Dorset Local Exchange Trading System’s members will be trading in local currency (Nets) or cash to non-members. 12 noon – 3pm Bridport Community Orchard and St Mary’s Hall, South St, Bridport. All welcome. Free event. Organised by www.transitiontownbridport.co.uk (Picnic in St Mary’s Hall if wet)

Explore Dorset’s Delicious Coast with St Gabriel’s Strolling Players – Music & poetry with a Dorset Cheese ploughman’s. Cider and beer also available. From 7pm. Tickets from Bridport Arts Centre at £8/£6 cons. 01308 424204

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Westbay, Dorset’s Hidden Secret

by steve blakesley on May 15, 2011

Just off the A 35 at the crown round about very close to one of Dorsets B&B’s, The White House .

Anyway as you aproach the Round a bout you will see a very small sign saying Historic Harbour, Many visitors have discovered this little secret place tucked away , a Foodies heaven and an amazing place to Visit.

Oh if the signs were bigger even more people would have found it, it has been said that if one in 200 cars diverted for a 30 min visit the place could not cope with demand , but due to our planning laws in this country that will never be, all the better for the few of us that know about it.

Westbay boasts world class fish Restaurant , and many other top class eateries , as well as snack shacks , pubs and fun , you can grab a water Taxi to Lyme Regis if you wish, go fishing , and there are many diving boats, to explore the many wrecks found in Lyme Bay, also boasting a top class Golf course and nine hole pitch and putt.

The list is endless , but don’t tell anyone , lets keep it our little secret

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Bed & Breakfast in Dorset, The White House

by steve blakesley on April 18, 2011

You know writing all this stuff i forgot to tell you a little about our B&B well , The White House is Ideally situated between the historic harbour at West bay and Bridport town centre, both an 8 minute walk from the house.

Bridport is a beautiful, historic market town, with atmosphere second to none.
Dorchester, Weymouth, Lyme Regis are all just a short drive away. There is a breath-taking coastal road where you can marvel at the unique, breathtaking views over Abbotsbury and Chesil Beach.

The historic Harbour at West Bay is well worth a visit and has wonderful beaches and sandy areas for all the family.

There are scores of walks and National Trust areas in and around Bridport. The town is 15 miles west of the county town of Dorchester and it lays in a ‘bowl’ formed by many beautiful hills, with evidence of history back to Neolithic times, there are a number barrows and a stone circle to be seen from the road as you drive to Dorchester.

The town itself dates back to the “Burh of Brydian”, created by the Anglo Saxon Alfred the Great in the 9th century. You can still see a ditch from this time as you look across the car park behind Somerfields and see where the tarmac follows this ditch.

Street markets have been held since the days of Queen Elizabeth the First! Market days are Saturday and Wednesday.

There are some 100+ “listed” buildings such as the Town Hall.

Bed and Breakfast Official Rating: 4 Star

Located centrally between Westbay and Bridport
Open: All Year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2130


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Bridport Hat Festival

by steve blakesley on April 18, 2011

Last year , something very strange happened here in Dorset, Snooks the Hat shop in Bridport Organised a Hat festival , A first for the Town , The first inkling that this was going on was when we started getting bookings for the three days that the festival was going on then , we were turning people away as the date aproached.

The actual event was amazing everyone seemed to be wearing a hat , there were Workshops and classes being organised all over Bridport, Masses of people descended on the small Dorset Market town to take part.

It is being oranised again this year on 16/17/18 September , it is not to be missed if you are close by.

Bridport Hat Festival invites entries for a hat making competition. If you are an amateur milliner, have a flair for design and feel you could create an inspirational hat you could win a prize

Open to all non-professional hat makers; whether you are a student, amateur milliner or just someone who likes making things. Don’t miss an exciting opportunity to win up to £500 for the most inspirational hand crafted hat.

Entry is open now find out more at

http://www.bridporthatfest.org  

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Dorset B&B Owner Tries Tapas On The Quarterdeck

by steve blakesley on April 9, 2011

Its a balmy sunny day on the south west coast of Dorset , and I had a few spare hours to kill , and it was lunch time , so thinking about a nice pint and a bit of lunch , I am close to Westbay , which if you are unfamiliar with the area is off the A 35 on the out skirts of Bridport.

 
Just before you came to the Harbour  on the right hand side you will find The Quarterdeck , so this was my point of interest , having not ever eaten here before.

 
So sitting out side on the decking and looking though the menu can you imagine my surprise at finding Tapas on the menu .

 
So with a pint of Doom Day (Real Ale) £2,80 a pint , I ordered the Tapas , and wow was I in for a surprise not only by the price £5 , but the quality of the food and the quantity, Parma Ham, Side Salad , Dipping Bread , Olive Oil/Balsamic  Dip, Humus, King Prawns, Olives, Three Types of Cheeses,two types of Salamis, Pureed Black and Green Olives.

 
A Great afternoon and great Food , what could be better on a summers day in Dorset,typically British  , No flying insects/ no horrid Smells just the sea breeze

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Oysters, Trafalger, and The Doset Coast

by steve blakesley on April 1, 2011

A perfect day out for us as a family would be driving along the coast road from Bridport towards Weymouth, passing though Burton Bradstock with it rich history of seafarers , visit Burton Bradstock and the name of Roberts will crop up, either in connection with the Mills , Farming ,Railways or with The Battle of Trafalgar.

Burton Beach all photos by www.ifphotos.com

For instance FRANCIS ROBERTS (1748-1794) only had one ambition and that was to go sea.

He joined the Navy and was promoted to first Lieutenant on the frigate Quebec ,in a battle with the Surveillante ,he was the only surviving officer, was captured, escaped and was posted to HMS Helena.

Later that year Thomas Masterman Hardy (later Admiral Hardy, Captain of the Victory at Trafalgar) Also joined the Helena and the Captain was none other than Captain Francis Roberts.

Quite a coincidence as they were bought up just a stones throw from each other.

In 1782 young Hardy wrote to his brother Joseph who was living a few miles away in Martinstown, he wrote:- ” Captain Roberts has promised that when an opportunity offers to send me home to go to school for some time to learn navigation and everything that is proper for a sailor”
Captain Roberts endorsed the letter saying ” Am glad to inform you that Thomas is a very good boy, and I think will make a complete seaman one day or other”.

His Demise came when he was on board HMS Success in September 1794 off the coast of the West Indies when struck down with Yellow fever and died .

You can see the family graves of the Roberts Family in Burton Bradstock Church, Which has two Very nice pubs nearby , The Anchor And the Three Horse Shoes.

Moving on from Burton Bradstock passing Cogdon Beach with its breathtaking views across the fleet,and you can see why this inspired John Meade Falkner to write in his novel Moonfleet in 1898 ,which gives a great feel for the romantic and smugglers paradise which is Dorset.

All the way along this coastline there is some magnificent fishing to be enjoyed.

Normally after a brief stop in Abbotsbury I would turn off Left at Portesham and go up past Hardy’s Monument , into Martinstown and onto Dorchester.

Don’t get me wrong there is plenty to see and do in Abbotsbury with its Quintessentially English Experience,with its thatched cottages and tea rooms , and there is also the Swanery and sub Tropical Gardens to visit.

But today I am going further along the coast , maybe popping into the Elm tree at Langton Herring for a quick half of the local brew, or possible stopping Moonfleet Manor ,at Fleet, but the reason I making this journey is to make my way to the causeway joining Weymouth and Portland , as just before you cross on the right hand side by the Ferryman Public house, you will find the entrance to Abbotsbury Oysters(The Crab House).

If you are ever in the area , you must not miss this opportunity to try some of the mouth watering fayre that is on offer at the Oyster farms Restaurant, now called the Crab House ,with the 2012 sailing events taking place nearby this place is going to be discovered Big Time.

I think by the time we have fitted all this in and had a glass of vino with our Lunch its time to make our way back to the White House, I hope you have a feel for the area with the changing scenery, smells of the county crossed with the sea breezes and the smells of fish, Oysters ,Crabs ,wine, garlic and herbs all pungent in the air around the Oyster Farm.

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Colmer’s Hill, Bridport,West Dorset

by steve blakesley on March 26, 2011

Not at lot of people know this but Colmer’s Hill is an iconic land mark just on the outskirts of Bridport , in West Dorset.

Is one of a number of sites that is being put forward to the Olympic committee to be recreated near Tower Hill in time for the 2012 Olympic Games in London ,if selected it will have a number of caves and tunnels created inside.

Make sure you look for updates to see if it has been chosen,The hill itself is 400 ft above sea level and was named after the rector of Symondsbury John Colmer, it has a number of trees at the top which makes it a great subject for artists and photographers , the trees themselves were planted just after world war one.

It is of course a great place to go hiking and offers magnificent views of the area.

picture by www.ifphotos.co.uk

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Pub Games & Gullible Millionaires

by steve blakesley on March 18, 2011

Pub Games are one of the oldest past times in our recent history , darts, skittles, pool, alley skittles, Shove ha’penny,and many more.
The latest game to join the list is No Limit Poker and the Bridport area is no different to anywhere else in the country , you just have to know where to find it .
Its like if you are a darts player, where do you find the best pub of a standard that you  want to play , I will try to outline to you the different pubs in this area that caters for your  various needs.
There are music Venues as well and  I will probably leave a few off the list , but this is hardly my fault if the publican cannot advertise his venue properly , how is anyone supposed to know what’s on?
Maybe that’s a lesson for us all , it no good us having the best web site in the world and no one visits it , or the best shop with amazing products and bargains , which has no footfall , or maybe a shop that does have this footfall , but no sales technique to show what they have on offer in there window, what’s the point!
I have always been of the opinion of if I don’t have a particular skill find someone who does , to Help , I know we don’t always have the finances to do this, so personally I call in favours , beg , I don’t steal , but I might borrow.
Anyway anything to get the job done , I often get sales pitches though my door or in my e-mail, probably like you, offering to show me how to become a millionaire for £39.99 ,or how to create a successful business from nothing , I have yet to see one work for me.
The reason is they are almost certainly making you the profit part of their business and trying to get you to copy them and become part of their team, or they could just be list building , because always remember the money is in the list , make no mistake about this one.
To be honest who in there right mind actually believes that a self made multi millionaire is going to tell you how to archive or copy them and do the same for £39.99 , exactly , they cant or will not , like everyone else they would want to keep it to themselves ,and in very extreme circumstances they might share it with a family member , but unlikely.
But 10,000 Times £39.99 for the gullible ones amongst us is good money even for a millionaire, when I say gullible , I am of course talking about myself.
Most likely they run affiliate programs and sell dreams , nothing wrong with dreams, as I once read dreams are Goals without any action taken .
And that my friend is the end of today’s lesson , And the only way to get on and succeed is to TAKE ACTION.
Oh I transgress from my subject matter , we were talking about where in the Bridport Area to find Pub Games and entertainment.
Friday is darts league night , so most pubs you can get a game in before 8pm , Sundays is Pool league, Tuesdays , is skittles, Sunday crib league.
Tanners in west allington is a Sports Bar that has Poker on a Thursday /Friday and music at the week ends.
The Tiger Inn in barrack street is a real ale pub , and most of the rugby crew descend here for a real lively. atmosphere.
Ropemakers in west street for Music weekends and some mid week.
The Lord Nelson in East street, for skittles and Crib  though the week
The Crown in Westbay Road for Poker on Wednesdays Starts at 8.30pm
The Clock Chideock for all your darts needs , and Poker on Tuesdays ,8pm Start.
Most of the pubs in the area partake in some of the Games unless they are an eating venue’s for the foodies among us.

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