Schools out, the sun is shining (well it was at the time of writing mid-July!) and hopefully all our customers will have some well deserved down time. Not so our farmers who are busy getting in the harvest to keep us fed. From soft fruit to root veg, apples to onions there’s plenty of cropping going on and plenty of locally produced goodies in store.
For instance, have you seen the range of local home made South Barn preserves? This small family run business buys almost all their fruit and vegetables from Kent with a large amount provided direct from the farm. Jams come in 235g jars and chutneys in 360g jars. Their products are made in small batches in open maslin pans with ingredients chopped by hand just as you would if you were making your own at home. Take a look at these quality jams and chutneys, you’ll find them on the ‘Celebrate Local’ shelves
Holidays and illness have stretched our group of volunteers and as a result, many have stepped in to cover additional shifts. We are so grateful to them all, but we could really do with some more help to share the load. It’s not only operating the till, there are plenty of other jobs to do and as an example, we currently need someone to help stock up shelves on a Friday afternoon. If you have an hour or two spare each week or only from time to time and would be interested in joining our award winning, enthusiastic and friendly team, then please come and talk to us in store, we would love to hear from you.
The plans for the new larger storage facility have now been agreed and work has commenced in converting a proportion of the old kitchen in the Village Hall. The space should be fully operational in the Autumn. In addition, a new canopy will be installed in August at the front of the shop above the large windows, shielding customers from the sun (and the rain!) when using our refreshment tables as well as providing shade inside for the product displays which are currently impacted on warm sunny days. We are grateful to the Village Hall committee for their support in both these projects.
Summer Bank Holiday Monday on August 29th; the shop will be open from 09:00 to 10:30 and the Post Office is closed. Happy Holidays!