Winter 2020

FOOD & DRINK – HONESTY The Honesty Group is gearing itself up for Christmas says ROMILLA ARBER, and has opened a new venue in Newbury

T ime is rushing by and Christmas is almost upon us. If you had asked me in March whether I felt we would still be in the thick of this pandemic in November my optimistic self would have answered “of course not”, but here we are in the thick of it once more. At the time of writing this we are waiting to know whether we are going into a “circuit break”. We have become rather comfortable with all these new terms since last March - “furlough”, “lockdown”, “Rule of 6” … if anything, we are as humans very adaptable and willing to accept what we would have previously considered unacceptable. I often ask myself how I got into a business that can be so unpredictable, money hungry and all consuming in terms of time and attention.

The Hartley Arms, Donnington, is the latest addition to the Honesty Group, which is stepping up its preparations for Christmas

including our “Rule of 6 Christmas Day” hamper which should cover all Christmas requirements. I feel a little more excited about Christmas this year than previous years and I guess this is a reflection of the fact that during times like these we cling to rituals that can bring us together. A meal round the table with five people is better than many people will experience this Christmas. Our thoughts need to be with those who have suffered immeasurable grief and hardship during the last year, not with those who bemoan small inconveniences. Those of you who follow goings on at Honesty will have noticed that we opened a new pub/restaurant at the end of September in Donnington Village, called the Hartley Arms. Do visit as it is a lovely place, great food and drink in a fabulous location – what’s not to like? Anyway it is time to sign off. We at Honesty wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Hopeful New Year. Many thanks for all your support and loyalty during the last few months and beyond.

The hospitality industry is all these things and much more and my heart bleeds for those who have lost their businesses. When I am questioning my sanity I often turn to the words of Frank Cottrell Boyce to remind me that there is a reason why we do the things we do. He said when asked to explore the point of culture in Britain in 2016 that: “Innovation doesn’t come from the profit motive, innovation comes from those who are happy to embark on a course of action without quite knowing where it will lead, without doing a feasibility study, without fear of failure or too much hope of reward. The engine of innovation is reckless generosity” and certainly at times like this I really do find myself agreeing with this sentiment. At Honesty we are currently consumed with getting ready for Christmas. Christmas decorations for shops are planned. Our Christmas Honesty Bakery Range is all agreed and is in production from puddings, cakes, mince pies and chutneys. We are planning some deliciously enticing hampers –

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O&A WINTER 2020