Stalybridge

Took the train today from Manchester to Stalybridge. Reason was to sample the old station buffet which is now a pub/cafe. Apologies to those who know it, for those who don't it is well worth a visit.
They have virtually retained the bar as it was, period furnishings rail memorabilia,coal fire, tea room. It is stepping back in time. I had steak and pork pie with black peas and a pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord. There were several ales on sale including: Magic Rock Breweries Curious and Dark Arts, Millstone Vale Mill, Black Mountain IPA, Aspull and Pure North cider, Hot Elderflower Cordial,and others.
The usual crowd of ale and rail fans and a good atmosphere.
Walked into Stalybridge and was disappointed to find a very drab down trodden place. Forlorn almost deserted precinct and tatty shops. It was a shame because I imagine it must once have been a busy town with old streets and shops.
The best feature is the canal running through the centre.
Sorry about the negativity but don't be put off, the station buffet is ace!

Hinch wrote:It might make a nice day out on the Chuffer Past It? I know Salty would be up for it.

If you can fix a day I am up for it.

Does anyone know were Black Peas can be bought seems we only see them in November in our shops & stores but I would love to buy them all year round ?

Animal feedstores jeanie.

I'm pretty sure I see them all the time at Gordon Riggs.
Also known as Maple peas

Heywood Market.

You had me going then Hinch......

Indeed Hinch....one can dream!

Hinch wrote:I always remember they sold butter from a barrel and kept it cool on a big marble slab.

Still, I know where to go if Mrs H wants to make a sari when she does her Dance of the Seven Veils as my birthday treat.

Hmmmm, so that means you get it twice then? Still I bet "the wife" hasnt got veils to match mine!

I’m up for a Wednesday afternoon late April to Stalybridge.
I’m told the plastic glasses are a Friday night thing Hinch.
The lady who was on the telly a couple of years ago behind the bar gets her black peas from Ashton market the stop before Stalybridge, spoons just across the road with a ‘husband crèche’ for non shoppers like me.

The buffet is now owned by the same folk who own the buffet on Dewsbury station, hourly direct train from Rochdale through the day.

Am I correct in saying Black peas are Pigeon food?

past it wrote: Am I correct in saying Black peas are Pigeon food?

From Wikipedia

Black peas, also called parched peas or maple peas, form a traditional Lancashire dish served often on or around Bonfire Night (5 November). The dish, popular in Rochdale, Oldham, Wigan, Bury and Bolton, is made from the purple podded pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense)[1] which is long soaked overnight and simmered to produce a type of mushy pea. Parching is a now defunct term for long slow boil

Consumption is limited to certain areas within the historical boundaries of Lancashire, notably Oldham, Wigan, Bury, Rochdale, Stalybridge and Bolton.[citation needed] A similar dish, although prepared slightly differently, is made in the north-east of England and parts of Cumbria. Carlin peas are a traditional staple of Carlin Sunday (the Sunday before Palm Sunday).[4] Other names given are "pigeon peas" (not to be confused with the tropical pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and brown badgers. Unlike the Lancashire black peas, Carlin peas are fried with butter for a few minutes and are often boiled for an hour rather than being slow boiled for up to three hours. They are also served fried and seasoned with vinegar & black pepper.

Well what can I say other than "thank you" I had a special delivery of 2 bags of black peas today from a friend on this forum

They are soaking in bicarbonate and I am so looking forward to Black peas & chips with lashings of bread and butter tomorrow, mmm yummy wish they were ready now
Really glad I answered this post

Funny how threads develop. Here we have rail enthusiasts and black peas devotees. What would you go to Stalybridge buffet for?

good real ale, brief encounters but not black peas.

Well had my black peas,chips bread & butter for tea just absolute gorgeous

Did you have some ale with it Jeanie!