LAST ORDERS
LEAVE THE WINE IN THE RACK AND
TRY A WHISKY WITH YOUR MEAL
appy New Year to everybody and I hope Santa
Claus provided you with your choice of
goodies. Those of you who read my last
despatch will know that I was hoping to try the
new release from Adnams, their no. 1 whisky, which
had been released just before Christmas.
My spies in East Anglia managed to purchase a
bottle and we duly sampled the whisky just before
Christmas. I had read all manner of descriptions –
oranges, chocolate, various fruits etc. My initial
reaction was slightly different. In the late 50s my
father owned a shoe repair shop in an old Victorian
part of Coventry and I always remember the
characteristic perfume of the trade – old leather and
spirit – yes you’ve guessed that’s exactly the nose I
sampled from the new spirit. Has it put me off
whisky from Adnams? Not at all, it will be an
interesting journey but definitely work in progress
at the moment!!
As I write this Burns night approaches rapidly,
that one night when attention turns to all things
H
Scottish and in particular food and drink. It reminds
me of a dinner held by Old School Wines where the
diners were given an option of either wine or whisky
with each of their courses. Whisky has some complex
tastes as you can see from my experience with the
Adnams so matching with food is a fascinating
subject. The current issue of whisky magazine
reinforces this with an interesting comment from
Michel Roux Jr. on the merits of whisky with fine
dining. It’s definitely worth a try. So next time you’re
thinking of entertaining leave the wine in the rack
and try a wee dram to
accompany your meal you may
well be surprised.
Now where are those boots
that need cleaning?
Whisky expert
Dave Pickard of
Old School Wines, Tittensor.
T. 01782 372888
Runners quick off the mark - local race fills up in record time
ll entries for this year’s Stafford Half
Marathon have been filled in record time and organisers have put the success down to
good weather.
Runners were quick off the mark with more
than 2,500 signing up to take part in the race
which celebrates its 30th year in March. The last
remaining places for the popular event filled last
month.
Since November people have been signing up
for the race in their droves with Stafford Borough
Council closing registration on Tuesday 7th
January. A total of 2,600 competitors are now
expected to take part in this year’s half.
It wasn’t until February last year that
registration was shut for the 2013 race. And in
previous years entries were still open until the
middle of January.
Councillor Mike Smith, a former half
marathon competitor, said he thought mild
weather in November and early December may
have played a part in the speed to sign up.
“In true British style I am going to say it is
down to the weather. Icy and snowy conditions
can significantly affect a runners training schedule
and may delay them registering for the event. This
was the case in November and December of 2012
A
- but the weather was kinder to athletes in the
similar period last year,” he added.
Councillor Smith, continued: “But this event
has got more and more popular over the years and
is now rightly seen as one of the top races in the
county’s sporting calendar. It is a tribute to the
organisation and quality of this race that after 30
years it is proving more attractive to athletes and
competitors than it ever has - so it should be no
surprise how quickly the places have filled up this
year.”
The event takes place on Sunday 16th March
and each participant will receive a medal along
with a running t-shirt. Crowds including local
community groups, bands, and school children
line the 13 mile route to cheer runners along the
course.
The race will start in Stafford Street town
centre at 10am. The route takes competitors from
the town centre into Stafford’s surrounding
countryside before returning to the Market
Square via Victoria Park.
As part of the Half Marathon programme the
School and Family Fun Run will also take place in
the town centre. More details about how to enter
the
fun
run
are
available
from
www.staffordbc.gov.uk/halfmarathon.
February/March 2014 25