Today I’m chatting to Neil Rocke at The Commons Collective in Ormond Hall, a beautiful art deco complex with various venues like the Moubray Bar, Rose Garden, Conservatory, Chapel and more. I actually felt as though I had stepped back in time in the hall which has the most beautiful wooden panelling and paintings of the hunt and an intriguing collection of old leather boxing gloves plus Christmas wreaths and stars and fairy lights, so a ye olde English pub at Christmas time. I wanted to be in that world and I didn’t want to leave. Neil met me there and took me through a complex labyrinth of passages, the sort of situation where you wish you had some breadcrumbs to drop along the way so you can find your way back, but I took in all the various spaces and the loveliness of the building and we eventually ended up in the office. Now, this was the kind of office I see myself in. There was a bar at one end, but that wasn’t even the best bit, a chandelier made of antlers, walls covered in art and big old comfy leather couches. I loved all that with an ardour far exceeding moderation. But I loved more the conversation I had with Neil. Neil is the epitome of hospitality. He has mainly worked in catering across his career and he is all about the people, both staff and guests and he is all about the food and giving people a good time. When Neil talks about what he does, his eyes sparkle. The Commons Collective is doing some pretty fun stuff over the winter months – Christmas in July, Yum Cha, Cabaret Thursdays, Weekend Roasts – and with Neil in charge of the food and the ambiance of that magical place, you know you are going to be in for an excellent time. Now, I started recording when I was being all awestruck in the Hall, so do come with me as I sort of breathlessly follow Neil through the back passages and up to the office. Nothing like that handheld recording feel, is there?