“ EVEN IF SOMETHING IS LEFT UNDONE, EVERYONE MUST TAKE TIME TO SIT STILL AND WATCH THE LEAVES TURN”

And so here we are in the middle of Autumn but Christmas is not far away so preparations are already underway at the HUB. Here are a few details.

Ordering Turkeys – as in previous years we will be offering a choice of two regular suppliers to the HUB.

Harry Street Meats (www.harrystreetmeats.com)

Manor Farm – Burcombe (www.manorfarmbutchers.co.uk)

There are now order forms available in the Shop.

Christmas Cards

Again there will be a good selection of cards on display to choose from.

Christmas display

Look out for this as you enter the Coffee Shop.  On it you will find some ideas for presents and if Father Christmas is doing a little advanced Christmas research he might well find inspiration here to.

Post Office opening times
In addition to the normal opening times the PO will also open on all Fridays in December running up to Christmas, ie 7th, 14th, 21st, from 9am to 1pm

Volunteers – thank you party.

This was again held at the Queens Head on 18th October and provided an opportunity for Will Hillary, our chairman, to thank all volunteers for the wonderful contribution they have made over the past year. With over 70 people at the party it was another demonstration of so much local commitment to the running of the HUB and why it has been such a success.

HUB & PUB – Christmas Tree “lighting up” evening.

For the fifth year running, this very popular event will take place on Friday 7th December when the HUB and the Queen’s Head Pub will once again join forces to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights. The evening starts at 5.45 pm when everyone gathers outside the HUB where the Broad Chalke School Choir will lead us in singing a selection of popular carols. At about 6.15 everyone moves over to the Queen’s Head Pub where Trevor and his team will greet us with mulled wine and mince pies. You are then invited to stay on in the festive atmosphere in the pub to eat, drink and make merry!. This is a really fun family evening and the perfect occasion to get together at the start of the Christmas season. There is no need to book, just wrap up warm for what promises to be a most enjoyable occasion involving the whole Chalke Valley community.

And now to other matters:

HUB Scrabble
The first HUB Scrabble games proved a great success and they will now become a permanent feature of HUB activity. Come and join in on the first and third Monday of each month. Games start at 2.00pm

Shop Promotions

There is often a display in the shop of products on special offer. These tend to go very quickly so keep an eye out as the reduced prices represent very good value.

Valley News – Special 5th Anniversary feature
In recognition of our 5th Anniversary this year the Valley News has kindly agreed to run a special feature which will be distributed from 1st November. Valley News is read by over 60,000 people in the Nadder, Wylye and Chalke Valleys so it will give the HUB some very good publicity as a result. Copies will be available in the HUB as well as many other outlets throughout the area.

The Thursday Club – (previously the Chris Brown Day Centre)

This is now a well-established meeting at the HUB. It starts at 10.00 and often members stay on for lunch. Don’t hesitate to join in if you haven’t already. Another great community event.

New Footway
Residents of Broad Chalke will know of the Council’s agreed plan to build a new footway to improve safety for pedestrians using the Causeway.  As a result the new footway will make access to the HUB much easier particularly from the Broad Chalke Church Car Park.  Work starts on 5th November and will take 12 weeks to complete.  During this time it will be necessary to close the Causeway between the Church Car Park and North Street.  It wills of course be business as usual at the HUB so please don’t let this improvement work deter you from your regular visits.

Quotes from the Visitors Book

“The best soup we have ever had”

“What a brilliant set-up. Great use of the building and the apple cake was stunning”!

“A very imaginative use of the chapel to serve the community”