Since October 2018 the Café has been open every Thursday morning, apart from small breaks at Christmas, Easter and two weeks in the Summer. There are 40 settings available at any one time so we have plenty of room. If you have not visited us yet, please give it a try once the Café reopens later in the year. You will be made most welcome and have an enjoyable snack. You could also try the range of 8 barista-style coffees, a variety of teas, or hot chocolate. Scones, pancakes, toasted tea loaf and sweet cakes are always on the menu and from about 11.45am soup and rolls in the winter and sandwiches in the summer are served. Payment is by donations only. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Every Thursday, from 11.00am to 12.00 noon social and recreational activities are offered alongside the Café. These have ranged from carpet bowls, craft and artwork, flower arranging, carol singing, music and reflection, family history and the most popular Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes to favourable feedback. People who attend these classes are appreciating the benefits. A small donation of £2.00 is requested to help cover the cost of instructors and materials.
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Similarly appreciated, is the social benefit of just meeting for a warm drink and a snack and several regular customers simply come for this aspect of the café.
Other unintended benefits have also accrued since opening of the Café. Recently, the Chestnut Café contributed £500 towards the redecoration of the Small Hall. Before that, two brand new stockpots were donated to each of the Lodging House Mission and the church. The dishwasher, essential for the Café to operate, was purchased and installed by the Café but is available for use by the church and other organisations using the kitchen. The Café has passed all aspects of inspection and has been awarded a Certificate of Approval for the preparation and serving of food in a safe and hygienic manner.
Finally, the regular team would like to thank the additional volunteer helpers who come to cover for the holidays and absences of the regular team and without whom it would be difficult to sustain the regular frequency of opening. More volunteers would still be welcome and anyone who would be able to assist should speak to a member of the Team.
Jim Burns, Esther Hyndman, Kirsti Wilson and Marvyn Mackay
The Chestnut Café Team
