What's all the fuss about?
When was the Battle of Trafalgar?
The Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805 and was fought off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast, between the Royal Navy and the combined fleets of Spain and France. It was the greatest victory of British naval hero Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, who used highly advanced tactics to outstrip Napoleon's fleet.
What happened?
During 1804, Nelson blockaded the French Mediterranean ports, knowing that Napoleon's plans to invade England depended on putting together a combined Franco-Spanish fleet powerful enough to defeat the Royal Navy.
But the following year, a combined fleet under Admiral Villeneuve set sail for the West Indies in an effort to divert Nelson, who followed the French across the Atlantic, but then trailed them back again before eventually catching up with the enemy off the Spanish coast between Cadiz and Cape Trafalgar.
Nelson instructed his 27 ships to attack Villeneuve's 33, and his tactics were a triumph. However, having won the battle, Nelson's courageous career was brought to an end when he was shot from above by a French sharpshooter. He was only 47 when he died.
Why is this year especially important?
This October the nation will commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and remember Nelson's heroism and the gallant crews of the outnumbered fleet. The Trafalgar Weekend takes place from 21 to 23 October. Festivities will take place at farms, hotels, pubs, schools, and village, city and town halls across the UK.
Sales soaring
at Tin Goose
London food pub operator Geronimo Inns has reported strong trading at its groundbreaking site at Heathrow Airport.
The Tin Goose, which is themed around retro travel in the 1930s and 1940s, serves 4,000 covers a week three months after opening in the newly-developed retail space in Terminal One. Although its turnover is confidential, Geronimo Inns operations director Ed Turner said he was 'very pleased with trading so far.
Uniquely for Geronimo, the Tin Goose serves 60% of its meals at breakfast. It also sells more coffee than the rest of Geronimo's 15 pubs combined, with 5,000 hot drinks sold a week.
The pub's menu combines traditional classic British meals with more modern gastro pub fare.
Biggest sellers include the full English breakfast (£7.95), burger with potato wedges (£7.50), and salads (£5.95 to £8.95). Other dishes include warm asparagus and dolcelatte tart with beetroot salsa (£6.50), and charcuterie platter with sun blush tomato, chutney and foccacia (£7.95).
The 4,100sq ft pub is split 45/55 in favour of dry sales. Average spend per head is about £10. A total of 27 wines, 18 beers and spirits are on offer.
