As the festive season fades and the January blues set in, Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign offers a simple yet powerful antidote: a cup of tea and a chat. Taking place on what is often called “Blue Monday,” supposedly the most depressing day of the year, Brew Monday encourages us to connect with loved ones and strangers alike over a comforting brew. It’s a reminder that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference. The Heart of Brew Monday Samaritans launched Brew Monday to challenge the myth of “Blue Monday” and shift the focus to something positive. Instead of letting the third Monday of January pass as a day of gloom, it becomes an opportunity to reach out to someone who might need support. Whether it’s a quick video call, a tea break at work, or a casual chat at home, Brew Monday is about sharing warmth and listening to each other. Tea Time with Local Flavour: Mr Ames Tea To make your Brew Monday truly special, why not celebrate with a locally sourced brew? Mr Ames Tea, a Tonbridge based supplier, offers an exquisite range of loose-leaf teas and biodegradable tea bags. From classic English Breakfast to adventurous blends like Spiced Chai and Moroccan Mint, there’s a tea for every taste. By choosing Mr Ames Tea, you’re not just enjoying a high-quality brew; you’re also supporting a local business that prioritises sustainability and ethical sourcing. It’s a perfect match for the spirit of Brew Monday. A Cosy Setting: Nancy’s Tea Room If you prefer to step out and enjoy your tea in a charming setting, Nancy’s Tea Room on Lamberts’ Yard offers the perfect retreat. Known for its warm atmosphere and delicious offerings, Nancy’s provides a range of vegan and gluten-free treats to accompany your tea. Whether you visit with friends or meet someone new, it’s a delightful way to embrace the Brew Monday ethos. How to Take Part in Brew Monday A Simple Act with a Big Impact In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, Brew Monday reminds us to slow down and prioritise meaningful connections. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation over tea or simply lending an ear, the gesture can have a profound impact on someone’s day — and yours too. So, this January, let’s turn Blue Monday into Brew Monday and spread warmth, one cup at a time.
Tag: TEA
Tonbridge Foodie News!
Thanks for all your help over the weekend with my Mediterranean veg soup question – look out for the next review so see what that’s all about! I have been very quiet I know but I am still trying to bring you news of the foodie goings on in Tonbridge – some of the news I’m not allowed to disclose yet (so hard!!) and others, I’m just waiting to hear final details.
“It only takes a minute girl”….well maybe 5…
Name that tune and artist!
Awards really help to boost a business – it’s recognition from patrons and peers; it spreads the word which helps to generate revenue for, not only the winner, but other local businesses too; and it’s just a good old fashioned pat on the back, a gold star for everyone involved in making those doors open every day.
Ticking a lot of boxes – The Bakehouse at 124, Tonbridge
The deadline to nominate for the Kent Life & Kent on Sunday Food & Drink Awards is looming – 7 August. So far I’ve covered the categories ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and ‘Café of the Year’ as Tonbridge has plenty of potential nominees for these categories. On or around Tonbridge High Street we have some lovely independent shops doing their bit to promote food & drink too. ‘Gorgeous George’ sells wines & spirits and would be eligible for ‘Independent Food or Drink Retailer of the Year’, as would Ian Chatfield The Butchers, a reliable & very friendly source of good quality meat with its accompanying deli counter. Next year, we may be nominating Favola, the new artisan ice cream parlour. This week I’d like to highlight a venue that is eligible for both ‘Independent Food or Drink Retailer’ and ‘Food Producer’, as well as ‘Café of the Year’ & the newcomer award – quite a feat: The Bakehouse at 124. The owner, Clare, & her team would love to win an award from Kent Life & Kent on Sunday, “Kent Life covers the whole county…to win an award is amazing customer feedback.” The story behind The Bakehouse is about a passion for food and in particular food education: Clare is allergic to many foods and she found it frustrating when staff didn’t know the origins or the ingredients of the food they were serving. Educating others about food was important to Clare but she decided to focus on herself first, training as an artisan baker. 124 High Street, a bakery in the first half of the 1900s, is one of the oldest buildings in Tonbridge & listed. Its size lends itself well to the café and open kitchens. Clare has lovingly restored it, maintaining the quirks of a building with history. Education comes in the shape of a ‘viewing bench’ for anyone who wants to watch the bakers kneading away; a little bit of calm is available on sofas upstairs; and tranquility can be found with a view of the castle outside in the walled garden. So what is ‘artisan’ bakery, and what makes it different from what I might try at home after watching ‘The Great British Bake Off’? “Artisan means that you are making a product from start to finish, using the best ingredients and making it in its simplest form, be it ice cream, chocolate, bread etc….,” says Clare, “At The Bakehouse we use flour, water & salt, we don’t even use yeast in most of our breads as we use sour dough.” Clare’s training means that she understands the science behind the bake and also the results achieved by using different flours. Artisan is different to ‘craft’ bakery and, of course, a world away from the sliced loaf you buy at the supermarket. The Bakehouse is a café offering a wide variety of artisan baked goods to suit appetites from breakfast to afternoon tea & cake, & it sells its on-site baked loaves too – there’s a ‘loaf timetable’ so that customers know when their favourites are available. We discussed that bread often gets a bad press, people thinking that bread doesn’t ‘agree’ with them but, Clare explains that she has converted quite a few customers. I have tried in the past to make bread by hand, inspired by Mr Hollywood and the GBBO contestants but have failed miserably. I like to know the origins of my food and to be able to see it being made in front of my very eyes, certainly ticks that box. Clare has converted me. If you’d like to nominate The Bakehouse or anywhere else in Kent (preferably Tonbridge!), you can do so here.
Beyond the Grounds, Tonbridge, 28 June 2016
It’s hot isn’t it?! Mustn’t grumble though…keep drinking they say. So grab a glass of something, sit down and have a little read about Beyond the Grounds. I went into Beyond the Grounds expecting just a café but after speaking to the founder & manager, Jennie Kenny, I realised that there is much more to this riverside spot than meets the eye. Jennie, grew up in the hospitality industry and loves entertaining, interacting with people. She decided about 20 years ago after a tough night shift as a midwife that one day she’d like to open her own café. Like Richard Collins and The Tonbridge Old Fire Station, Jennie had her heart set on her current premises and couldn’t believe it when it came on the market; after some patience and a friend’s generosity, she opened Beyond the Grounds downstairs whilst her friend Amanda Hedger runs the counselling service upstairs. There’s a very healthy portion of community in this project which is heartening to hear – Jennie wants to contribute to improving the aesthetic of the town with her venture; the owner of the building donated it to Tonbridge Baptist Church who benefit via the Gift Aid scheme; & Beyond the Grounds itself is a social enterprise. This means that once the bills, staff, café improvements are paid, any leftover money is spent on the local community, and in particular charities that resonate with Jennie and her team. Some charities have benefitted already during the café’s 6 month lifespan. I visited one lunchtime with my friend and three children. We received a very warm welcome – “I want people to feel as though they’re coming into my front room,” says Jennie who wants the café to be hospitable and homely, and the ambience certainly is that: the staff is helpful and smiling, the décor functional but cosy in green & purple hues using upcycled timber from the building’s past. The menus (kids’, grown-ups’, breakfast) are concise & provide good variety. Unlike other cafes, the serving staff come to the table which makes things that little bit more sociable. The children had the tomato & roasted pepper soup which was delicious and perfect for their palates, served with white bloomer toast. The waiting staff was considerate, thinking ahead and bringing the little diners teaspoons, rather than large soup spoons. My friend and I both had burgers – the BTG Bistro special was steak burger that week but for other weeks it may be quiche, beouf bourginon – it changes regularly. It was cooked to perfection and came with some delicious homemade mango relish. My friend had the Slow Roasted Meat Bap which on the day we visited was pork. Both the bap & burger were accompanied by garlic potato wedges and a green salad. They were both really tasty and the portions were perfect, not overwhelming as sometimes burgers and their sides can be. The table of cakes! It was hard to choose from the ‘Table of Cakes’! We had shortbread for pudding as we knew there was a secret recipe behind it (melt in the mouth), and finished off our coffees (good coffee). Our every need had been met in here, teaspoons for children’s soup, soya milk for my friend and an accommodating atmosphere for three noisy children! It might be tricky to manoeuvre round the tables with a buggy but Jennie and the team would help you out and make it work – just as if you were visiting her at home. This is a café with lots to offer thanks to its altruism – a great back story with a community focussed future. Experience ingredients: In the group: 2 ad + 3 children Consumption & cost: 2 x coffees, 3 x carton juices, 2 x adult mains, 3 x children’s soups, 3 x shortbread cookies – £35 If you’d like to nominate Beyond the Grounds for an award in the Kent Life and Kent on Sunday Food & Drink Awards, click here – sadly there isn’t an award for best name!