British Billy rocks at the seaside

  • Published
  • By British Billy
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  One of the great advantages of living on an island is that you can always get to the seaside quickly if you are overcome with the urge to have a paddle in the sea. Water, whether salt or fresh, is not my preferred habitat, but I can appreciate the joy of hurrying down the beach and frolicking in the surf. Frolicking is what cats do best, after sleeping and eating.

I don't know if you realize how resilient we are as a nation. Wind, rain, storm or sunshine, we love our seaside holidays. There are wonderful resorts dotted all around our British coastline.

Amongst the many delights you will find at a traditional seaside resort is a delicacy we call rock. This isn't what Americans know as 'rock candy' - it's quite different.

A stick of rock is formed from just sugar, glucose and garish colouring. As a sort of 'pulled sugar', it dates back to the 19th century, and was originally sold as "Fair Rock", as it was sold at town and village fairs. After it has cooled slightly, the mixture is repeatedly worked until it becomes aerated and takes on a white, cloudy appearance. Because of the way it is made, the most obvious shape it takes is a long rope, which is then cut into the required lengths.

The really exciting thing about seaside rock is that it has magical lettering running all the way through it. I'm sure they have a very clever way of getting the letters in there, but it always seems like magic to me. Whatever the resort - Blackpool, Southwold, Yarmouth, Brighton - there is the name, running through the rock right down to the very last nibble.
 
A chap named 'Dynamite Dick' is reputed to have had the idea of adding the lettering and sending the sticks of rock to the coast. Rock, wrapped in cellophane with a little picture of the resort, is surely still the best way to remember your holiday.

Seaside rock is a cheap and cheerful souvenir and a peculiarly British phenomenon. In recent years, it has gained a new market in the corporate world as an ideal giveaway for companies. Another growth area is as wedding favours, with the names of the bride and groom running right through the rock.

I expect you can scarcely wait to grab your bucket and spade, jump into your car and head for the coast. Remember -- there is much more to the experience than sun, sea and sand. Make sure you come back with your little stick of seaside rock.