Brewing up a storm (part 1)
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CloseA new opportunity presents itself to the Mill Brew Society. Will it save them from closing?
Indian visitors at the MillPot Cafe
“Its called …Toad-in-the-Hole.” Shirley, the manager of the Mill Pot Café was trying to remain calm. An unexpected coachload of thirty Indian tourists had arrived a few minutes ago wanting lunch. “Sau-sa-ges. Do–you-eat-sausages?”
Shania, a student on work placement at MillcARTS, stands in the doorway in disbelief. What could have drawn this crowd to Millcaster? Could this be relevant for her dissertation on interculturalism in rural Britain? And what was Shirley doing, she wasn't dealing with the visitors very well. Shania approached one of the ladies, “Excuse me, that’s a gorgeous sari, is it silk?” The tourist, Anjana seemed quite taken aback then whispered, “Actually, it's cotton-silk mix but don’t tell anyone!”
Shania spends the better part of an hour chatting with Anjana and her friends about their visit to Millcaster. The laughter from their table rouses the curiosity of Nolan, a local artist who had come to oversee the hanging of his work in the MillPot Café gallery. Later that afternoon Nolan approaches Shania as the café returns to its usual bumbling rhythm, "Hi. I just wanted to say that was really nice of you. You made Millcaster seem like such a friendly place.”
A blast from the past
Shania explains, “They told me the most incredible story! Ever heard of the Millcaster Blaster?” Nolan shakes his head and sits down. “Well, apparently this old guy from Millcaster, entrepreneur type, Reginald Neakin, bought up a joblot of breweries in India in the 1800s to make an Indian pale ale. You’ll never guess what… those visitors were from one of the towns where the Millcaster Blaster used to be made. Isn’t that just mental?"
“Right. Yes … totally …mental. Look, I’m sure the Mill Brew Society would be fascinated to hear this story. They’re having some financial issues and this could unlock a few ideas. Are you free tomorrow night? I could take you over to see them.” Shania considers her options: cooped up in the bedsit on her laptop writing her dissertation or drinking fine beers with a handsome stranger…there was no contest.
Funds dry up
“If you ask me we were doomed from the start especially with old Morris in charge of the coffers!” bellows James Frinley-Hughes, retired ex-army officer, at the fortnightly meeting of the Mill Brew Society (MBS) of which he was the Chair.
“Hear hear!” The six men around the table look at Morris, the Treasurer, for an answer, still shocked that all the money from the donations earmarked to buy fermentation tanks had evaporated. Morris unperturbed, stood up to his full 5ft 7inches, “I would hasten to remind you that the overspend was brought to your attention six months ago after you purchased sixty-five different British beers for the "sampling stage".”
“How in the devil’s name are we expected to create a new brew if we don’t know what's already out there?” grumbles James. His supporters all chorus their agreement, having consumed the last of the beer in store.
Suddenly they hear a loud knock on the door. How strange. Who could it be? No-one new ever came to the meetings, although technically it was an open organisation. The council’s recent letter did say that their peppercorn rent for the disused brewery space was due to end. The MBS had been a haven, a chance to get away from their families, drink free beer - all with a degree of exclusivity. If they lost their space it would be the end of the road for sure. Morris unbolts the door and is surprised to see Nolan Frinley-Hughes with a stranger.
“Hello everyone… Dad. This is Shania. She’s been uncovering some local history which connects Millcaster with the Indian beer trade. I thought you’d all be fascinated and that it might help with your current problems. Frinley-Hughes takes a look at Shania, “Nolan, you should have phoned and let me know we were going to have a special lady visitor.”
Shania takes off her coat, “Any chance of getting a glass of what you’ve got there, mate?" She sits down at the table and takes the first few swigs of her beer.
Resistance in the ranks
“Millcaster Blaster… ring any bells?” As Shania retells the story, Nolan can't help but admire her people skills. “So Captain Neakin made a fortune and after Indian independence the breweries stopped making these ales and the Millcaster Blaster was no more.”
“And how exactly is this supposed to solve our problems?” Frinley- Hughes is not convinced.
“Well Dad, this could solve your financial crisis. Why don’t you recreate the Indian pale ale - revive the Millcaster Blaster! You could launch it by hosting a curry night here at the Old Brewery and get the local Asian community and businesses involved.”
“The local Asian community? Ha! What would we make the pale ale with? Love and chapattis? When have they ever shown an interest? We’ve done jolly well without them all these years and I refuse to open it up to people who don’t understand our ethos.” He looks around for support but the usual delayed chorus of approval is not there.
Morris clears his throat. “What other options are there? Without help, we’re done for. Our AGM’s coming up in a few weeks so I think we need to take a positive attitude. Raise your hands all those in favour.” One by one the hands go up, like cobras to a flute. “Poppycock!” blurts our Frinley-Hughes. “Nolan, I’m warning you.” The fourth hand goes up. “That’s a majority,” clarifies Morris.
But Frinley-Hughes hasn’t finished, “This is my organisation, I started it. I won’t take this. Nolan I suggest you leave and take your new friend with you.”
Outside the Old Brewery Nolan apologises to Shania. “Sorry, I didn’t think he would fly off the handle like that.” Shania asks him what he plans to do. “What can I do? He's right, it's his thing really. Unless…. have you got any spare time over the next few days?”
Shania couldn’t resist the idea of bringing change to a small organisation, especially if it involved helping Nolan’s dad to meet with the local Asian community. She was in.
Have your say
- Are James' views offensive?
- What could Morris have done to stop them wasting their grant money on beer?
- What steps could MBS take to work with local business?
Have your say on the Millcaster Tales Forum.
Past episodes
Catch up with past episodes of Millcaster Tales.
Part 2 of this story will be published on Monday 16 November.
JohnDon wrote on Feb 08, 2010 04:04 PM
This is a tiny charity, and some would argue it should just be left to its own devices. But it is working in an area of great emotional importance to the town, and one that has the potential to be of more instrumental value too. That it why it has received regeneration budgetting.
I would personally be inclined to play down their use of funds for energetic "tasting", and focus on supporting the group to widen their focus. They are volunteers, so there are limits on how far they can be pushed to do what they don't want (eg brew a specific beer). But they can be encouraged to draw on Shania and others to work with them, build their confidence etc. There is the germ of an idea here that could be very good for the town, not least building links to Asia and the local community of Asian heritage.