History

Nello’s Longest Table was originally the idea of Topsham restaurateur Nello Ghezzo. In fact, he had two great dreams: to cycle from Topsham back to his home in Italy, and to organise and create ‘a longest table’ stretching through the streets of Topsham, with everyone sitting down together to share food and drink in a spirit of friendship and community. In 1997, Nello, together with his great friend, wine, food and travel writer Marc Millon, cycled from Topsham to Venice, where Nello was originally from and where Marc’s mother had lived, to raise money for Force Cancer Charity www.forcecancercharity.co.uk. This adventure was followed by many in the Topsham community in real time in what was one of the earliest examples of an internet ‘blog’ (long before that term had been coined – see www.rideforlife.org.uk). It seemed cruelly ironic, then, that after raising funds for cancer, Nello himself succumbed to the disease so quickly afterwards as he had been so strong and healthy on the ride. He was diagnosed at the end of 1998 and passed in October 1999, a great shock to the Topsham community. Speaking at his funeral at Holy Cross Church, an event that was attended by hundreds, Marc pledged to begin a memorial cycle ride in Nello’s honour and to realise Nello’s dream of ‘the longest table’.

The Nello Cycle is now in its 27^th year. The first century cycle, organised by Marc and Kim, took place in 2000 with 89 participants; in 2026, 1300 cyclists rode The Nello and it has now raised more than £1.5 million for Force Cancer Charity. It wasn’t until 2008 that Liz Hodges and Marc and Kim, over a glass of Italian wine or two, decided to try and realise Nello’s other dream of ‘the longest table’. At the time, Liz was running her family business, The Globe Hotel, a much-loved centre for the whole Topsham community. Liz’s organisational skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to Topsham are extraordinary, and she devised the system for Nello’s Longest Table that continues today. Geoff Bowen, founder of Pebblebed Wines, whose infectious zest for life embodied the spirit of Nello’s Longest Table, was deeply involved in past years and is much missed.

2026 will be the 9^th Nello’s Longest Table – it takes place every two years. It has grown into the most joyous and extraordinary town-wide event as some 450 tables stretch end-to-end all along Fore Street down towards The Lighter, around to Topsham Quay, through the Churchyard, and all along Ferry Road. People make incredible efforts on the day: while some choose to keep things simple, others decorate their tables magnificently and enjoy the most elaborate feasts of local and locally sourced foods. For the past several occasions, The Passage Inn provides live entertainment in its carpark. Local music legends Joe Hodges, Steve Knightley, and King Shambles have performed outside The Globe. In 2012, the year of the London Olympics, a real Olympic torch was passed around.

There have been various themes over the years, but the last Nello’s Longest Tables have settled on Topsham/Italy in memory of the event’s roots. Nello’s Longest Table has taken place in every weather imaginable. If it should rain, it continues regardless – people set up gazebos, dine under umbrellas, or simply get wet. It doesn’t matter. But usually the sun shines at some point if not throughout the whole of the festivities.

The logistics of the event are an example of true communty spirit. Table set-up is entirely by volunteers; as night draws in, tables are all returned to their specific collection points, litter and rubbish is mostly taken away, and Topsham returns to normalcy by Monday morning (with the odd hangover, especially if the grappa comes out, as it inevitably does).

What began as the dream of an Italian chef who had made Topsham his home, has been wholly embraced by thousands of residents, original and longstanding Topsham families as well as those who have moved here more recently alike. While some remember Nello and Nello’s Ristorante with warmth and affection, many never had the chance to meet him but everyone is inspired by the simplicity of an idea that celebrates a community all sitting down together to share local food, drink, friendship and camaraderie. Nello’s Longest Table is a true celebration of everything that makes Topsham great.

All proceeds from Nello’s Longest Table are distributed to local charities and/or Topsham organisations (in 2024, nearly £11,000).