Lament for the Continental Café

Published on 10th January 2008 in Letters

Sir - I wonder how many other people are missing the, now closed, Continental Café in the centre of Goole.

Here is my own, strictly continental, lament!

THE OTHER SIDE OF GOOLE

On a broad piazza, just beyond a grand canal,

A short walk from the harbour, and the railway terminal,

Stood a continental café … chairs and tables in the sun

Senoritas laughed and chattered, and relaxed, their shopping done.

Returning from our journeys on the passing motorway

We'd drop in at this café, to while some time away.

Perchance we'd have some gateau and coffee from the pot

Getting plenty for our euros, sipping lattes piping hot.

We'd sit there idly reading journals like the week's Goole Times,

With lots of news on local people - plenty more between the lines!

And after drinking in this culture, we'd take a walk then wander back

Through a cool, surreal, alley 'neath the shining railway track.

But on our latest visit we dropped in and got a shock:

There beside the broad piazza the café's closed, they've shut up shop!

Still the EU flag hangs proudly, with Italian one beside.

No one occupies its tables; all is dark and still inside.

And so adieu you cosy arbour, gone your ambience, your flair.

What will grow to take your place now? What new spot will we find there?

Will you become a shop or office… or a bank! Oh sacré bleu!

Please can you be a café, where we'll sit and chat 'a deux'.

Rodney Harris

North Cave Road,

Hotham