Picture (c) David McElhone
Visit Whitby in Yorkshire and it wont be long before you come across the name Trillo, but who are the Trillo family?
Gregorio Antonio Thomaso Trillo
Gregorio Antonio Thomaso Trillo (Neil told us he was known to the locals as Charlie who couldn’t quite master the long name) arrived in England from Italy in 1912 and quickly set about address the problems he saw with the iced deserts at available at the time. When war broke out in 1914, Trillo suspended his commercial activities and went down the mines to help with the war effort of his new country.
However, war passed and thank goodness it did otherwise we would not have Trillo of Whitby ice cream. Perched high on the top of the east cliff, just near St Mary’s Church we encountered the third generation of ice cream vendor in the town, Neil Trillo. Having climbed the 199 steps to the church, an ice cream seemed a good idea and faced with Trillo, a local manufacturer, or another vendor, we stayed local.
On aproaching the van the challenge was laid down. “Can you beat wild cherry ice cream, served at the parlour in Reeth?” It was a straightforward fight between two Yorkshiremen. “No problem was the response. I’ve got a gothic Blackcurrent & Liquorice and you can have it topped with Dracula blood if you like.”
Our photographer was keen to take up the challenge and one rather strange purple coloured cone duly arrived. David, who is a bit of an authority when it comes to these things, gave the taste sensation his seal of approval, whilst the rest of our party opted for the more traditional flavours. Now it may have been the top quality ice cream, it may have been the 199 steps up to the church that made it taste so good. To really find out you will have to pay a visit yourself and sample a cone from the van at the top of the world.
However, if ice cream is not your thing, the Trillo’s have got that covered as well.
Up the hill to St Mary's Church
Head over the other side of the quay by the bandstand. Half way up the hill you’ll find an excellent coffee outlet. Now forget the blandness of the big global franchises. Your nose will guide you in the right direction.
Staffed by friendly locals, who will happily give you directions as well, “Full of Beans” is a small wooden building perched half way up the hill. Ideally placed to provide that pick-me-up whether you are heading up the hill to the top of the cliff, or down to the sea and just wanting a drink to quaff whilst watching the world go by.
The ten minute chat we had with Neil near St Mary’s church seemed to sum up the family’s approach to business; Relaxed, knowing they provide reasonably priced, quality products. The conversation, whether about local history, the family or Neil’s acting exploits are merely part of the transaction to get you refreshed, so you can make the most of your trip to the coast.
Full of Beans
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