As the late, great Bon Scott once memorably sang, “it’s a long way to the top if you wanna sausage roll”.  Or something.  And that’s been the feeling down here on the river now the season is underway.  The reaction to the new bar has been great, and it just goes to show that the teamwork, tantrums and tossing of life-threatening projectiles were all worth it.

The whole room now looks out to the river, and when it’s busy it has a buzz that was missing before.  It gives a better view of the gardens too, where most of you probably hope to be sitting.  The pond has been modelled and new turf laid, and the tadpoles are loving it (the pond, not the ohnevermind).

All of which meant we didn’t get caught with our wellies down when the Evening Post came calling. One enjoyable interview and two faintly embarrassing photoshoots later (hey, the first ones turned out so good they had to come back for a second look...), we had a two page spread in their Thursday 3 April Crackerjack section. The photo of the mouthwatering Pa Burger has tempted so many to try one, the air regularly turns blue with the barely restrained delight of diners.

Unfortunately, Ma broke the scanner over Pa’s head during one of their impromptu Computing For The Half-Hearted sessions, so we can’t bring the article to you in its full, digitised-yet-slightly-wrinkled glory just yet. Just as soon as Pa can get his head around the options in ScannerzRUs, we’ll put it on the web site.

In more ‘we are media slags’ news, we’ll be in Venue in the next week or two being Lightly Grilled by Marc Crewe, and in the Seat Sniffers Digest next month.

As we’re a bit late with this newsletter, the first open mic of the season has just gone by, and somewhat unexpectedly it turned into probably the best we’ve had since they started last season. Thirteen acts gave us two songs each, and we were treated to nearly three hours of superb musicianship from regulars and newcomers. Richard Riley sat in with at least half of them, as well as taking a spot of his own which prompted one spot of magic when the whole room launched into the second chorus of I Shall Be Released in three and four part harmony. You can see some pictures on the Bristol Open Mic Music web site, and links to most of the performers here.  The next open mic night is on Thursday 24 April, and on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.  Things normally kick off between 8:00 - 8:30, and are hosted in magnificent style by John Blake of The Willbees.

Enough of looking in the past, Here is what’s coming up in the next few weeks:

All in the next four weeks! We’ve also got additional public trips coming to us from the Bristol Ferry Boat Company and Bristol Packet this year. All the trips are on our calendar so you can see them in one place, and you can use the links above to contact the boat companies.

The boats will be able to moor on our extended jetty, another of our winter projects, so those of you cruising up in your own craft won’t have to move off to allow one the ferries on (well, not as much anyway).

Two more quick bits of news: the first is that we’ll be running a children’s event during the school summer holidays on Wednesday 30 July. Go with Captain Barnacle as he returns to Cutthroat Island to find his long lost brother and claim the gold, with the help of his girlfriend Zah Zah and their little doggy. He has to triumph over Pegleg Hooky the baddie pirate who just won’t die! It’s suitable for children aged 4 and over, and costs £3.00 per child (includes soft drink and party bag).  Pa’s very excited about this...

And in a seamless move from responsible childcare to drinking, which we are pleased to say is sensibly combined at Beeses, a quick word about the forthcoming ales. We’ll continue to serve our regular Bath Ales and Butcombe brews, and we’re going to keep things fresh by getting in some other local and not-so-local ales. We’re just about to start on the organic Barbus barbus from the Butts Brewery, and we’ve got their Traditional waiting to go as well. In the next month or so we’ll also be serving ales from the Ramsbury Brewery, Yeovil Ales and Cheddar Ales. All of which should get things warmed up for September’s beer festival.

And we leave you with this image: Bon Scott is still dangling that sausage roll just above our heads as he reclines on his celestial cloud, because we’re not finished yet, and so the upwards climb continues...

Lurve

Ma and Pa Beese
Beeses Bar & Tea Gardens
www.beeses.co.uk
www.myspace.com/beeses
Tel: 0117 977 7412