Wokingham · England
Funeral and Wake Catering for Bowsey Hill events
Something for almost everyone: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side. Funeral and wake catering in Bowsey Hill.
- Wakes at home
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Memorial gatherings
Planning an event in Bowsey Hill?
Arranging a wake in Bowsey Hill
Bowsey Hill is about 3 miles south-east of Henley-on-Thames, in Wokingham. Wakes in Bowsey Hill are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, an agreed spot for the van and food fried fresh on the day. Bowsey Hill is one of 35 places in Wokingham where we bring the van. Our nearest city page is Reading, about 7 miles away.
For family travelling by train, Wargrave station is about 1.8 miles away.
Here we cover the RG10 postcode area. Nearby, we also serve wakes in Warren Row (1 mile north-east), Knowl Hill (1 mile east), Wargrave (1 mile south-west), Cockpole Green (1 mile north-west) and Cold Harbour (2 miles east). Within a short drive, we also cover Reading (7 miles south-west), Wokingham (7 miles south), Woodley (5 miles south-west), Earley (7 miles south-west), Crowthorne (10 miles south) and Lower Earley (7 miles south-west).
Nearby you’ll also find St Mark's Hospital (4.2 miles east) and Frazer Nash Archives (2.7 miles north-west). Within reach you’ll find Hurley Chalk Pit and Weycock Hill.
- Schools near Bowsey Hill include Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School (2 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include The Queen Victoria pub (0.9 miles south)
Funeral and wake catering in Bowsey Hill, cooked to order
We cook as people come up, after a long, cold day. Whether it’s wakes at church halls and clubs and anniversary memorials, we will put together a menu of mushy peas, sausage and chips and haddock and chips and more.
In a small place like Bowsey Hill, a wake might be at home, in a barn or at the village hall. Let us know about access. We bring the van and everything we need to cook, and we leave the pitch tidy when we go.
Where the van can park in Bowsey Hill
A good parking spot makes the whole thing easier. We need:
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- A spot near your guests
- A clear area by the serving hatch
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Bowsey Hill
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Gravy
- Mushy peas
What a fish and chip van costs
The same numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Numbers
- The length of service
- Any minimum charge
- Travel, tolls and road charges
Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- A picture of the parking spot
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
The process
The van turns up at the agreed time, parks where we agreed and the hatch goes up. When the fryers are up to heat, service starts at the time you asked for. A wake in Bowsey Hill in late autumn or winter may run into the dark, with sunset about 7:05pm in late September and 3:55pm in December, so a lit path to the van is a kindness to older guests.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check access for the van and quote.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Fish goes into the batter and straight into the fryer, to order.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
How to prepare
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
- Get permission for the van from the venue
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
Get a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your wake, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
Planning help
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Compared with a buffet, fish and chips is hot and simple, which helps when numbers are hard to predict. Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so tell us exactly where your wake is.
Why Bowsey Hill hosts choose us
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
- No surprises in your quote
- We cover Bowsey Hill and the whole of Wokingham
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
Read how we price or our guide to van hire costs.
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work through them with you.
Parks, greens and streets normally need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
Events we cater in Bowsey Hill
It takes one job off a very long list.
If you are planning any of these, we can help:
- Small family memorials
- Remembering a loved one’s favourite food
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
- Celebrations of life
After a service at St Paul's Mission Church, a wake at a hall or home close by means less travelling for everyone.
What to look for in a quote
- The deadline for final numbers
- The van’s size and access needs
- The service time, and the cost of running over
- What the price includes, item by item
Questions from Bowsey Hill
Is Bowsey Hill close to London?
About 32 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
What’s the nearest station to Bowsey Hill?
The closest is Wargrave station, roughly 1.8 miles away.
How do you handle allergies?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Fish and gluten are the main ones in battered fish. Send us any allergies in writing.
How quickly can you come?
Contact us as soon as you can. We’ll tell you right away whether we are available.
What happens if it rains?
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It’s worth planning some cover for the queue.
Can you serve children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many children, and we will include them in the plan.
What about guests who don’t eat fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Tell us about other diets and we will tell you what we can offer.
What if the service runs late?
Yes. We start when you’re ready.
Allergies and dietary needs
Most events have a few guests with dietary needs. To look after them:
- Allow a little extra
- Let us know of any allergies
- Name a contact for the day who is not close family
- Check the hall has an urn
A friend or the funeral director can be our contact.
A tea table run by a friend is a comfort.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it’s fried on the spot.
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van solves that by cooking on site.
Nearby places to Bowsey Hill
More for events in Bowsey Hill
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch