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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian focuses on a very unexpected pub takeover. A "traditional watering hole" in Retford is set to get a shakeup as a new landlord is getting ready to take hold of the reins.
We will also discuss the return of Goosey, the Goose Fair mascot as we are just a week away from the historic fair's return. Plus we will take a look at how a fine dining chef has taken on the street food market and I recommend somewhere you should try this weekend.
Heavyweight landlord
When imagining a world heavyweight boxer you don't think of them as a Nottinghamshire pub landlord, but that is all set to change. Boxing champion Tyson Fury is getting ready to take over The Brick and Tile in Retford. The current owner Barry Brown, 65, has been running the pub for the last five years and is now looking to hand it over as he prepares to retire.
The pub is currently on the market, with offers in the region of £300,000 being accepted. Mr Brown now says that he has received an offer that he likes - and that it has come from The Gypsy King. Mr Brown said: "He has made two visits to the pub and he wants to buy it for his family mainly. I think he has some family in Treswell and he's now looking to make this one of his business interests."
He added: "He's [Fury] a great character and it has been nice meeting him. It's amazing how tall he is though, he really has to duck down when he comes into the pub. A lot of the regulars and staff are quite excited about it and he told me that he's not looking to change much about the place."
Fury, 32, was born in Manchester and lives with his family in Morecambe. But he does have more local connections through his wife Paris, with the couple tying the knot in Doncaster. The unbeaten boxer is known for regularly serenading his fans following a fight with Don McLean's 1971 hit American Pie. So come December, The Brick and Tile's jukebox might have one song in demand more than any other. Representatives for Tyson Fury have been contacted for comment. Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Scattered cloud and sunny spells Saturday morning. Cloud building during the afternoon with showers developing across the region. Light northerly winds and feeling cooler. Maximum temperature 17 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Excitement over new £4m market in Nottinghamshire town becoming 'a bit European'
Trivia question: Who is buried in a tombstone in the shape of a lion in St Mary’s Cemetery, Sneinton?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Recommendation
Name: Fox & Grapes
Address: 21 Southwell Rd, Nottingham NG1 1DL
Cuisine: Pub and pizzas
In the heart of the thriving Sneinton Market, the Fox & Grapes is the perfect pit stop whilst checking out the local creative scene. The bright and airy pub is surrounded by small independent businesses that celebrate all things Nottingham. The pub is run by Castle Rock Brewery and provides a diverse selection of cask, keg and craft beers as well as spirits, wines, coffees and soft drinks.
The Fox & Grapes was re-opened by the brewery in 2017 under its original name. The building has ornamental windows on three sides, which earned the pub its nickname “Pretty Windows” in the mid-1900s. Now, the pub has a modern feel whilst retaining its history and remnants of the traditional style. Whilst the outdoor seating area allows punters to take in the atmosphere of the surrounding market.
If you feel a bit peckish during your visit, pizzas are on offer and come with a wide selection of toppings. Paying a visit to the Fox and Grapes can be a great way to spend a Saturday and gives you chance to take in the up-and-coming area. There is a reason the Fox and Grapes is popular with home football and ice hockey fans and as a meeting place for events held at the nearby Nottingham Arena.
Goosey is back
Goosey has returned to the city to mark the start of the annual Goose Fair at the Forest Recreation Ground. The eight-foot-tall goose is now on her nest at the Mansfield Road roundabout.
Every year Goosey, who has sat on the roundabout since the 1960s, comes out of hiding.. The model is made from timber and fibreglass and weighs about a quarter of a tonne. Goosey will remain on the roundabout for the duration of the fair.
Goose Fair is back for the first time in three years as it was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Last year, Goosey sat on a temporary plinth in Old Market Square to mark what would have been the 730th Goose Fair. The fair has only been cancelled ten times in its long history, including in both world wars.
Taco success
A chef who took the unusual step of going from fine dining to street food has found success in a 'hidden gem' pop-up restaurant in the city centre. Tacolypto, which boasts an innovative array of Mexican food, can be found at Bodega Bar in Cobden Chambers, off Pelham Street.
The pop-up is the creation of Terry Hayfield. When Covid struck and he was made redundant from his head chef role, he took the opportunity to take the plunge into street food. While Terry recognised the popularity of good Mexican food, he felt there was nowhere in Nottingham to get a tasty taco or three. He is joined by sous chef, Constance Aubert.
Terry said: "We wanted to deliver authentic Mexican cuisine which is more than just tacos or Quesadillas. We do those but we gain people's confidence through giving them items they are less familiar with and sneaking complicated, authentic and unfamiliar dishes in there. We want to demonstrate what Mexican food is and we are still here nearly three years on popping out tacos."
He added: "The people of Nottingham have convinced me that we are cooking some of the best Mexican food in the country. They are putting friendly but firm pressure on us to open a restaurant so we can show them how it's done. Our commitment is to giving ourselves a bigger platform to demonstrate what we've learned over the past few years." Read more on Terry's success here.
That’s all for this week
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today’s trivia question, who is buried in a tombstone the shape of a lion in St Mary’s Cemetery, Sneinton, is ‘Bendigo’ the famous prize fighter of the Victorian era.
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