December 2025. Bexhill-on-Sea.
Mrs RM enjoyed our lunchtime in Sussex-by-the-Sea, remembering the times that her aunt (it was probably her granny but I’m not strong on genealogy) took her to Bexhill for whatever people used to do at the seaside in the 70s. Look out to sea and shout at France, I guess.
The houses on the beach along the Prom are quite something, but it’s the De La Warr pavilion you come for,
a modernist classic with the sort of art that Mrs RM (and probably you, to be fair) sneers at.
But Eddie Izzard is doing Hamlet here in February, so there’s that.
We meant to see Eddie’s model railway in Egerton Park, but somehow lunch took precedence, and the mildly foody Ruddy Duck had just got in the Beer Guide.
In 2023 this was called Traffers, the local Pub of the Year, so my preemptive prediction wasn’t that brave.
New name, but the same cosy neighbourhood pub vibe I think you’d all appreciate,
and two Harvey’s and a micro is a good bet.
There’s two mums with babies (another winner for me), a West Ham United obssession (um) and a simple menu with things like Jerusalem Artichoke soup and squid.
“The soup’s really good” says the Old Boy on his 3rd glass of white wine (“just buy the flipping bottle” hisses Mrs RM) and he’s right.
Quality grub, quality Sussex Best and Old in unscuffed glasses,
and a soundtrack of the first Stone Roses album on vinyl.
This is Isaac Hayes, not Ian Brown.
It’s a great hour, aided by a lovely chat from the retired escapee from Croydon, the sort of pub you’d come back to for a big meal.
But there’s more. A half of Three Legs Dry Stout (4.5) to finish.
Reader, if scoring a beer a 5 didn’t carry the risk of CAMRA excommunication, this would have been the first 5 of the year.
retiredmartin 
The question is, what’s he doing to Hamlet?
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Well, indoor smoking was banned in 2007, so it’s not that.
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“took her to Bexhill for whatever people used to do at the seaside in the 70s. Look out to sea and shout at France, I guess.”
In the early 60’s, somewhere on the Kentish coast (I was 6 or 7), I went into the water and didn’t realise it was shelved. Took a step, went under and couldn’t keep my head above water. My Da, the only one of the adults NOT in a bathing suit, raced down fully clothed and pulled me out.
But I do remember everyone around me was too busy yelling at the French to notice my predicament. 😎
“(and probably you, to be fair) sneers at.”
(shyly raised his hand)
“But Eddie Izzard is doing Hamlet here in February, so there’s that.”
As Hamlet’s mother surely.
“In 2023 this was called Traffers,”
(looks up)
It’s a converted house!
“so my preemptive prediction wasn’t that brave.”
(slow golf clap on the micro in the town clock)
“New name, but the same cosy neighbourhood pub vibe I think you’d all appreciate,”
Wait, are we still in the clock in the pic above?
“and a simple menu with things like Jerusalem Artichoke soup and squid.”
Well, if the squid doesn’t choke you, the artichoke will.
(I’m here all week)
“Quality grub, quality Sussex Best and Old in unscuffed glasses,”
Blimey. Paul will be down to ‘nick’ another glass!
“This is Isaac Hayes, not Ian Brown.”
(looks down)
Ah. That was his ‘cross’ period.
“the sort of pub you’d come back to for a big meal.”
Wait, above you said it was mildy foody.
“Reader, if scoring a beer a 5 didn’t carry the risk of CAMRA excommunication, this would have been the first 5 of the year.”
Yowza. High praise indeed!
Cheers
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