al
Son’s ‘gastronomic
A
dvertori
Feature
enchantment’ brought me in
from the cold
The magic and enticing welcome at the Blue Anchor at Hoylake, Wirral
Due to our country enduring a deep and and migrating birds as well as being the home years I entered a pub once again. Like most other
biting recession, and the high price of drinks, of the grey seal. At the other (northern) tip of the pubs in the town, the establishment had not been
unemployment and other equally costly causes, peninsular is the entrance to the infamous river previously ʻover populatedʼ with copious amounts
which prevail, sadly, this combination has done Mersey, which is guarded by the New Brighton of customers but since the Anchorʼs new tenants
nothing to prevent the decline of many to indulge lighthouse and the Napoleonic Fort Perch Rock. took over I found the pub extremely busy as I
in the pleasant and sometimes euphoric pastime Consequently, Hoylake is constantly hosting
entered for my fi rst Sunday ʻpubʼ lunch for over a
of ʻsocial drinkingʼ. I too used to enjoy my pint visitors from far and wide, which in turn enhances
decade. Although my drink was only a blackcurrant
with the lads and a wander round the local pubs its business and shopping sectors. The town now
and soda, I sat and pleasantly ventured along
was indeed a very enjoyable eveningʼs social hosts many pubs and taverns, a couple of which
memory lane and reminisced as I saw a number
intercourse. Amazingly, the statistics still bleat on have been the townʼs favourites for many years.
of old faces I knew from days gone by when I
about the fact that alcohol related offences are Some pubs have sadly gone into decline and
too used to live in Hoylake. To those who wish to
still causing perpetual headaches nationwide. some have managed to maintain their local loyal
enjoy a drink without the worry of driving, the pubʼs
customers. My involvement with the pub scene
management encourages the use of taxis and will
Nevertheless, I consider the pub trade to be was tragically cut short when I was seriously
always summon and assist the drinker to get home
an undoubtedly hard profession to be in to injured when serving on the ʻthin blue lineʼ as
safely via this means, one of the most friendly taxi
make a successful living as the true, traditional a Police offi cer. My injuries left me disabled
companies, along with accommodating drivers is
English pub now seems to be in decline and
and also eliminated my ongoing involvement
Hackney Direct. Indeed, it is the managementʼs
as rare as hensʼ teeth! Thankfully however,
with alcohol consumption due to my requiring
policy to ensure their customers are thus catered
there are still places that can boast a warm and
permanent medication. As a consequence of this
for should this be deemed necessary. Eventually
accommodating hostelry to slate the loyal thirst of
scenario which had slammed one door closed, a
the gastronomic fayre arrived, courteously served
the dedicated imbibers of alcoholic enchantment
new door opened and I embarked on a physically
by Lynettʼs workaholic mother Linda. My mouth
who still loyally prevail in our towns and villages.
demanding life of rigorous fundraising events
watering meal consisted of beautifully tender roast
One such ʻjewel in the crownʼ is the Blue Anchor,
which, as it happened, I could not possibly have
lamb, carrots, peas, roast potatoes, Yorkshire
situated in Hoylake, Wirral, which has now been
successfully achieved had I still been a drinker.
pudding, brilliant white caulifl ower heads, awash
revived and once again has become a traditional
Due to my ʻnewʼ lifestyle, I never entered pubs
and enticing refuge for social drinkers of each
again being far too busy pushing my 47lb NHS
with gravy, ALL local, fresh and home cooked in
gender and all ages. Customers in wheelchairs
wheelchair approximately twenty miles or so per
the pubʼs spacious kitchens by Ronʼs wife and
and the disabled fraternity in general are well
day, seven days a week.
father in law Gerry, both of whom are extremely
catered for. The once thriving fi shing village of
competent chefs of an extremely high standard.
Hoylake still boasts its little fi shing boats bobbing
After pushing my chair all over the world since
There was a choice of roast beef, pork or lamb…
about on their moorings when the tide fl oods
becoming a ʻwheelchair pilotʼ ten years ago,
I chose the latter.
twice a day across the golden sands. However,
pubs as such became just a bygone memory.
over the years, the little village has grown into
However, I have recently, once again, had cause
The main course was followed by jam roly-poly
quite a large town looking out over the Irish Sea
to visit one of my old haunts. My son Ron and
pudding and custard, again, all home made. All this
between the estuaries of its two well-known rivers.
his wife Lynette have taken over the very same was for the princely sum of £9-00p for two. Not only
At the peninsulaʼs southern tip is the entrance
Blue Anchor in Hoylake and due to this I was was the quality perfect, but the quantity too was
to the River Dee where the picturesque Hilbre
cordially invited to visit the newly resurrected unbelievable. I can honestly say, with my hand on
Islands lie. These universally known islands are
pub for Sunday lunch. Although reluctant at fi rst,
my heart that the cuisine was exactly as ʻmother
abundant with wildlife and are an ʻornithological
I decided to sample the gastronomic delights of
used to cookʼ at home. To the weary traveller, the
paradiseʼ being an historic sanctuary for rare
the establishment and for the fi rst time in over ten
ardent drinker or the addict of the pool table, I can
truthfully say that the atmosphere, the service and
especially the ʻhome cookingʼ are without doubt
at least worth a visit to the newly resurrected
venue. August Bank holiday Monday too saw the
extremely hard working staff slaving away from
early morning to ensure another successful day
was provided to the pubʼs customers. As well
as numerous charity endeavours children were
catered for via various rides and amusements and
a hog roast to cater for the needs of the hungry
hordes ensured that a successful day was enjoyed
by all before the rains came, fortunately at the end
of an extremely enjoyable day. Subsequent visits
to the premises as I meander along and through
Wirralʼs highways and byways reveal that the pub
appears to once again be one of the top social
and eating establishments in the popular town.
Hoylake is always worth a visit and the townʼs
Blue Anchor pub is well worth a visit by the weary
traveller or the gastronomic connoisseur. Although
still an ardent non-drinker, I will defi nitely be dining
there for my lunch on a Sunday again and again
and again! Why not join me? You will be assured
an extremely warm welcome.
Copyright Swasie Turner 2009
Hoylake’s once again busy and bustling Blue Anchor comes to life
30
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