A Wireless Concert.

In an age where music is so readily available this advertisement of 1928 emphasises the changes that have occurred in the intervening years. It seems rather odd to think that a, "radio concert," would draw customers into a restaurant, but clearly the proprietors of, "Stevenson's," viewed that this was at the cutting edge of entertainment for the afternoon tea drinking classes. Despite the sepia tone that the image brings to mind the reality is that the British Broadcasting Company Limited was only founded in 1922 and it was on 1st January 1927 that the British Broadcasting Corporation was established. Listening to the wireless would have been something of a luxury and even a novel experience for many people just ten years after the end of the Great War.

 

I can't remember when this establishment finally closed down, but I suspect that it was in the early 1970's. I can certainly remember digesting various comestibles within its doors during the 1960's.

 

Tiffin at Ballymaclary House

 

I decided to indulge in a taste of tiffin at Ballymaclary House at Magilligan today. It has recently reopened as a bijou b & b as well as purveying morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas. A conservatory has been added to the original house and this addition now provides the entry to the establishment as well as providing space for some sixteen covers. Existing rooms provide further accommodation. It is a pity that this addition to the building has not been designed and executed in a more sympathetic manner. Why aren't the windows fifteen paned? Why is the render not the same colour as that of the original house? Presumably this architectural faux pas is the responsibility of the owners and or the architects and or the planners.

 

What then of the comestibles? Well I only consumed a latte and a scone so I can't provide very extensive views. The former was of a commendable size and temperature. The latter was somewhat crumbly and the consistency of the butter curls tended to that of concrete. My wallet was denuded to the tune of £3.70.

 

Christmas Bash

Saturday night saw the athletic club of which I am a member hold its Christmas party. The venue was the same as last year, a local hotel and as with last year our meal was served in a private room away from the main function room and the worst of the noisy excesses. Thank goodness!

I suppose that one shouldn't expect too much from these mass market jolly fun times, but it was very evident that the hotel had embarked on a cost cutting exercise. Last year's hot punch reception had been consigned to some accountant's waste paper basket as had the coffee accompanying mints. There was no suggestion that a second cup of coffee or even a top up was a possibility. The decoration budget had also been cut.

As for the serving staff and wine waiters it seemed as if their average age was sixteen years and one day. I think the one day was the time spent on training. To be fair they were all affable enough, but I never knew from which side to expect a serving spoon. When I ordered wine for the table the bottles were plonked down with great aplomb. The cheerful youth who had been designated wine waiter for the evening then scurried off on tasks unknown leaving me to do the honours. I suppose hotels do take on casual staff for the Christmas period and I expect they are being paid little more than the minimum wage. That may all be an explanation for poor service but it is not an excuse.