I wonder if the good mayor of Newport was from the brewing family of that’s name and hence the need for so many oysters. I believe the commissioner’s firm named was trading in Newport when I last looked -used to have an office down an alleyway as Buckle &Drew I believe. I haven’t frequented the Ship and Launch inn but the pubs of east cowes don’t seem that inviting apart from the lifeboat but maybe I’m just not local enough.