Since the decline and fall of Manze’s long-held trading post on its central market thoroughfare, Walthamstow has as its sole representative of pie and mash the modest shop of Barney’s, established a half-decade ago in the windswept wetlands wilderness north of Blackhorse Road.

At a remove of 20 minutes by two foot taxi, the station bearing that name is sited at a junction which has sprouted a mini metropolis in the four and a half years since we last visited. The legendary Black Horse Pub is long boarded up, seemingly on the verge of demolition, while high-rise office and apartment blocks vie for headroom on the once-flat skyline, as Walthamstow thrusts upwards like a 21st century Croydon.

Our destination was, by contrast, a low-ceilinged premises set in a tiny suburban parade of shops at Garnett Way, a halfway point on the B179 between Blackhorse Road Station and The Crooked Billet Roundabout.

As is so often the case, I had little idea who might show up, apart from my travelling companion and talented lensman Mike Goldwater – supplier of the bulk of these shots.Terry Moore successfully negotiated a circuitous route from Harold Hill via Newbury Park, whilst longtime correspondent Nigel Pond of Epsom made a rare appearance on a non-match day Saturday for the Hammers.

Eels stewed and jellied. Contrasting charcoal crockery heightened the visual drama.

If they did a sharing platter, Harry and Karen would be first in line.

The Saturday fixture availed us of the company of Harveys; here pictured brothers Marvin and Pete, which former we had not glimpsed since Feb 2012 . . .

. . . when Ace was at peak precocity.

The glistening, galumptious prospect of a two-and-one.

It takes inner steel to stay one’s spoon as the steam rises. Or the nose for a good still; I suspect the latter.

But lo there was another bespectacled young man getting misty-lensed over a platter of hot stodge. A youthful chancer by name of Jordan Clarke was deftly dispatching a three-and-two with knife and fork – and nary a care in the world.

His collegiate companion Bradley Ruben, seen here behind a mound of mash, was also making free with a knife; as the elder of the trio, Darren Minnis must really try harder to school them in the art of spoon and fork.

Things took a tintinnabulous turn as campanulous colleagues of Pete Harvey crowded the shop with post-bell-practice bonhomie.

One of the Saint Saviours rope-tuggers is David Pope, a chap of unassuming charm whose area of expertise is ‘live event capture’ by means of video, satellite uplinks and webcast. Lucky for us – and the rest of the world – he was off-duty for this live event.

Here are two more ringers from Pete’s barmy bell army – Jason Taylor and Fiona Harris, both keen students of the Walthamstow Central Bob Minor method.

Molten cherry pie was the dessert of choice.

A spinning spoon is one way in.

A dessert fork helps to stabilise the sweet stuff.

Two spoons, one bowl, double the fun. But half the points.

Our hardworking host, Colonel Tom, with a bottle of his Big Boy Chilli Vinegar. Some are known to come for the condiment alone.

The Barney’s Mood Board – if you’re in the mood for pie and mash. Please note all veg and fruit pies take 15 minutes.

Normal people were in evidence.

Thanks to the St Saviours Tower Captain and his assembled bell bashers for bringing a joyful and triumphant tone to our Barney’s Bonanza.

A short walk due south along Higham Hill Road brought us to a station of secondary refreshment, The Tavern on the Hill, formerly the Warrant Officer, formerly the Higham Hill Tavern. The once-notorious boozer has rebranded itself as a post-Covid, card-only community hub, catering to all in this quiet backwater – a Walthamstow Wetlands whistle-wetter if you will.

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