“AUTUMN CARRIES MORE GOLD IN ITS POCKET THAN ALL THE OTHER SEASONS”

As the evenings draw in and as we batten down the hatches in the face of the autumn winds, remember the HUB provides a warm welcoming place to meet, eat, shop, meet friends and relax.

A potential new supplier
Jahmazing Foods will be coming to the coffee shop on October 18th from 10.00 to showcase some of their products. Jahmazing is a local company that doesn’t currently supply the HUB but is keen to so we have invited them in to see what our customers think before signing them up as on official supplier. Take a look at their website www.jahmazingfoods.co.uk and then come along on 18th October and help us decide.

2019 calendars
As in previous years, Ken Leslie has produced another calendar with his beautiful pictures of the Chalke Valley. There is no need to pre order  this year but we only have a limited amount so if you would like one don’t delay as in previous years, they have sold very quickly.

Painting course
Felicity Heavenor is a local artist who is now selling her cards in the shop. Felicity has suggested she organise a painting course at some time in the future for a maximum of 8 people in the coffee shop. In order to gauge what interest there might be she will hold a half hour taster session on Friday 12th October starting at 10.30 morning. So all you aspiring  artists out there why not come along and give this idea a try. It would be a enjoyable way to meet people with a similar interest and to improve and develop your own artistic technique.

Work experience
We are delighted to have had a number of young people from local families, join us in the HUB again to gain work experience and in some cases as part of their DoE Award Scheme programme. We hope they have enjoyed their time with us as much as we have enjoyed having them. Thanks to you all and hopefully you will be back as customers and in due course even as volunteers!

Thanks also go to Chloe and Ben, part of our young Saturday team, who have now both moved on to university and go with our good wishes.  We are delighted to welcome Perdy and Charlotte as their replacements.

Some new volunteers
We are pleased to say that we have had a few new volunteers join us recently who, after coming in as a customer in the coffee shop, offered to help out in the shop as well. It is always good news to have new volunteers as we could not operate without them. Despite this very welcome new intake we are always looking for more so please don’t hesitate to put yourself forward. Experienced regular volunteers say how enjoyable it is to be part of such a worthwhile community initiative and how personally satisfying it is to contribute. If you would like to know more Ellen would be delighted to talk you through what is involved.

The Blackmore Vale Community Award – finalist dinner
As you know we were shortlisted as finalists but in the event we did not come out as winners.. However, it was an achievement in itself to get so close and a great credit to Ellen and her team of staff and volunteers to have been recognised in this way. Ellen and Linda attended the dinner in Dorchester on what turned out to be a very wet and stormy evening. Thanks to them both for the effort they made on our behalf.
Buying shares in the HUB
In 2013 the local community were given the opportunity the buy shares in the HUB. Now five years on our chairman, Will Hillary, will be writing to those who have moved in to our local villages since we opened  giving them the opportunity to do the same. Share ownership gives a stake in the HUB and a direct involvement and interest in such a worthwhile community initiative. The chairman’s letter will set out fully what is involved and how to apply for shares..

Financial year end
September marks the end of our financial year which involves a full stock take. Once this is completed there will be more news about various Christmas initiatives in the next newsletter.

Quotes from the visitors book

“we were here before, we are here again and we shall be back” 

“what a surprise to find such a nice coffee shop in a church ….thank you for the nice coffee and cake.” 

“we are so lucky….thank you Broad Chalke