With Simon Rhodes, of the Lobster Pot Fishmongers in Wood Street Food Hall

Having been on the sub-committee for the organisation of the Sausage and Ale Trail in Old Town I had reservations about how successful it would be.

I know I am a foodie, but would the temptation of real ale and some traditional home made sausages made with some inventive ingredients be enough to tempt people out form their caves? Do people still have a taste for fresh ingredients, I wondered.

At noon on Sunday I had a little hope as a few people started to make their way down Wood Street... then a few more, then a few more, and then a few more.

By 1 o’clock I started to get the feeling that it was going to be a good day. Suddenly the area was heaving with people – families, children, mums and dads and all with big smiley faces... some of which had been painted as well!

What has this got to do with fish, I hear you ask? I asked the same question just before I wrote this article and then I thought about people’s perception of food.

As I stood outside the Foodhall doing a Thai fish curry I was overwhelmed by the amount of interest and enthusiasm shown in this simple dish. It reinforced to me the fact that we love real cooking with real ingredients.

Prepacked microwave meals and fast food have their place. However Sunday showed there is a desperate need in Swindon for quality food and drink.

The atmosphere was very similar to a recent trip to an outdoor market in the town of Leiden, Holland, where the hustle and bustle around the fish stalls was inspiring.

I believe there is room to change our shopping habits to incorporate fresh produce, especially fish, and bring back our passion for poisson. Well done to Jan, Marilyn, Mark, Mother Nature and others who managed to pull off a fantastic day and ignite peoples’ interest in what’s happening in Old Town.

Oh.. and if you want the recipe for the simple Thai fish curry or to taste great sausages... well, pop in and see us.