Today is Lammas Day.
Not a lot of people know that.
August 1 is also my son's birthday but we also always remember Lammas Day.
Traditionally Lammas Day was the first opportunity when this year's harvest was made into bread and used in the communion. Tenants also gave a donation of the harvest to their landlords.
Part of my passion for the licensed trade is the recognition of the indivisible relationship with agriculture and the rural community. Our core product, beer in its many guises, is essentially a mixture of barley, hops and water. And barley and hops are around us, here, in abundance. It would be ridiculous to claim that, as a licensee, I am root and branch an integral part of the agricultural community but every time I pass a field of barley or a hop garden I am mindful of the role they play in the job I do.
Is this just fanciful nonsense? I am conscious that in towns and cities the agricultural dimension could seem a very distant thing. Most licensees have enough on their plate without any need to contemplate the role of the ingredients of their beers.
But here in Kent we already celebrate the hop in spectacular fashion every September with a Hop Festival that packs our town. But the humble barley gets scant acknowledgement. Which is a pity.
This morning we crept out to a field and stole a sheaf of corn. It is in a vase on our bar right now to acknowledge Lammas Day. And I bet not one single person will know why we've done it ~ I'll buy a pint for anyone who comes into the bar, can make the connection and say the magic words - Lammas Day!