The Ganges and my intro to Curry

by Dai Griffiths

One of the highlights of life at Killerton was a late night soiree via the backroad into Exeter, normally after the bar had shut, to visit the Ganges restaurant,bang in the middle of Exeter in Fore Street, for an Indian and a late drink.

Coming from the far West of Wales I had never experienced the delights of Indian cooking and wondered what on earth a ringstinger was - foreign food to me was Yorkshire pudding,Worcester sauce Scotch eggs or Irish stew.      

We often went in a large group depending on driver availability often occupying 2 or 3 tables.I always ordered steak and chips with extra mushrooms and extra chips and of course a bottle or 3 of double diamond.

This went on for a couple of months and we were very popular with the staff because we were good customers having a great laugh without causing trouble like some of the local yobbos, so one of the waiters offered me a free curry to try and that was it I became hooked and worked my way up madras,vindaloo, the hotter the better.

Sometimes a little the worse for wear someone would fall asleep at the table - in a Korma so to speak.

For years after I had left Killerton I received Xmas cards from the manager and staff of the Ganges. I'd be interested to know if anyone else did - are there any stories out there about the Ganges.

On one of my trips back to Killerton/Exeter recently I took my wife Karen, my sons and my father in law Jack Evans on a boat trip from the docks up the canal to a lovely pub followed by a visit to the Cathedral [it was the first time for me as well] then a stroll down the main street with us all keeping an eager eye out for the famous Ganges. Where it used to be however I stumbled across a very revealing window- a lovecraft shop not the place to take your missus, kids and father in law window shopping.