New Milton Advertiser 13th Nov 2020

Friday 13th November 2020 · 25

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Dusting off town’s popular tearooms

IN 1988, a TV documentary about well-known Lymington band the Cropdusters showed its lead singer Shaun Morris, complete with canary yellow spiky hair, strolling past the Buttery on the High Street. More than 30 years later, Shaun – minus the hair – will soon be found behind the coun- ter of the popular café with wife Michaela as the couple relaunch the tearooms after a two-year shutdown. An excited Michaela said the couple “can’t wait” to get their new venture off the ground. She said: “We both used to come to the Buttery as teenag- ers with mates, always sitting on a table in the upstairs win- dow looking down on the town. “It’s been here since 1948 and really is a Lymington institu- tion. I used to work here in the ’90s when I took time off from being a nurse and my children were young to bring them up.” She added: “I saw the signs that it was to let and together with Shaun put in a bid to run it. We are just thrilled to be giv- en the chance to restore it to its former glory. “It is a wonderful place and we’ve just got some lovely memories of going to the But- tery over the years, as have loads of people. Every genera- tion knew it. It was sad when it closed down.” Over the past few months, the couple have been busy re- furbishing the three-storey BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI

building, with the downstairs being returned to a “proper” tearoom, says Michaela, com- plete with mismatched china to serve freshly baked cakes. She said: “Everything on the menu will be homemade on the day. We will, of course, be offering cream teas along with savoury food, including a hot daily special. There will also be vegan and gluten-free cakes on the menu.” Upstairs at the Buttery will be radically different to down- stairs. It will house Cropdusters memorabilia, including some of the guitars they used on their numerous tours. The band had a huge follow- ing in Europe as well as the UK. There will also be photos of them – including ones of Shaun sporting his famous spiky hair – along with framed records, posters and other collectables.

Other local bands including the Peeping Toms, Bamboo Vipers, Pronghorn, Lady Win- wood’s Maggot, Trav Cats and many more will feature. The bands have donated items for what Michaela calls the Music Memorabilia Room. She said: “The room real- ly has the stamp of Shaun on it. The Cropdusters still have a huge following today even though they have not played since 2013. “The room is for anyone inter- ested in music. It will have all sorts of stuff on display. I think it is something Lymington has never had before.” Michaela spent 30 years in the nursing profession, before deciding to retire to launch her new venture. She also runs the Wil- liams Domiciliary Care Ltd company with which she

still intends to remain involved. She said: “Shaun will keep his job but will pop in to the Buttery as much as possible. We are both looking forward to greeting people who used to come here as kids, like we did – and also new customers who we hope will grow to love it as much as we do.” The couple originally planned to open the Buttery on 14th November but the national lockdown put paid to that. But the couple say that they will launch it as soon as the rules allow. On sale will also be handmade gifts made by local artisans, including crayons, candles, honey, and lots of bee-themed products. Along with cakes will be Cropdusters T-shirts which, for lucky fans, Shaun may be on hand to sign.

Shaun Morris and Michaela will be reopening the Buttery in Lymington (Photo: Tom Kitcher)

The winner of the three- course Sunday Lunch for 2 at Le Blaireau was Ann Radford from Totton.

Shaun at The Old Bankhouse in 1980 (Photo: Rik Cook)

Peeping Toms in 1983 at Ye Olde English Gentleman (Photo: Lee Crocker)

The Cropdusters in 1988 (Photo: Ollie Butler)

SPECIAL FEATURE PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT

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