May Update and News

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Queen Camel Community Land Trust

 

Our second anniversary of buying the Old School was on 3rd May (above picture just before this, with the Ad Hoc notice still on the gate).  We were not able to celebrate either the first or the second anniversaries due to lockdowns but hopefully we will have a big party for the third next year – ideas welcome.

In last month’s issue we congratulated Christine & Ian on the successful start of Cam’s Kitchen.  This week they were delighted to start welcoming visitors to their tables inside – dry and warm and out of the wind.  We were delighted that in the nick of time we finished decorating the first of two toilets for the use of visitors in this Victorian building.  The second will be completed as soon as possible.

This month we record a welcome to the Benefice Office (and our congratulations to Revd. Katharine on her engagement).  We have noted that they also love Christine’s coffee!

We hope in the not-too-distant future and before the end of this year to welcome a hairdresser, a local person whose name will be announced when we have finalised arrangements.

The front gardens are coming along well – a very big ‘thank you’ to Bob & Helen for hours of care and to Claire for planting suggestions and also to Geoff who gallantly battles with the leaves and grass. More volunteers for the garden and/or painting (that 4th bridge) would be very welcome.  We also still have some workspace – as always enquiries through admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk or to 01935 850254.

RHC

Cam’s Kitchen Update

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Queen Camel Community Land Trust at the Old School

We are delighted to be able to record our congratulations to Christine & Ian Richardson on a successful launch of Cam’s Kitchen.  The coffee and food are great but also of great importance is the warm welcome and atmosphere.  If you have not yet visited then we commend this café to you (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and Saturday until 2.30 p.m.).

Cam’s Kitchen website www.camskitchen.co.uk

 

 

You will spot that the old school sign has been given a place of honour in the café.

We are still looking for old school memorabilia.  Our plan is to make the passageway behind what were the classrooms in this Victorian building into a historical archive.  This may become one of next winter’s projects.

I also want to record thanks to those who worked so hard to meet the opening deadline.  It included painting every tile on the ceiling and filling more gaps and holes on the walls than could be numbered.

If you are interested in work or art space at the Old School please contact admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk

RHC

 

HomeFirst Plus (HFP) is slowly coming back onto the Old School site and a member of staff is now present every day.   We have every kind of mobility aid available. These include electric wheelchairs, stairlifts, armchairs, as well as specially adapted bath and shower rooms.  We can now offer viewings of our seven self-contained Pods for start-up businesses and welcome you to inquire either within or by e-mail through rachel@homefirstplus.co.uk. We offer business growth advice and a space to try out your business ideas, and build a supportive trading community. With Cam’s Kitchen having such a successful start, the site will become a hive of activity and creativity over the coming months.

We are also looking for empty homes that we will manage on behalf of the owner and, where needed, will improve using sustainable materials.

The CLT has continued working tirelessly on the site, and now that volunteers are returning, the gardens are taking on a whole new look.       RW

March updates from RHC & news on the Café

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The year is flying by and this week (21st March as I write) we commemorate a year since our first lockdown.  Little did any of us know what lay ahead.  It has affected everyone in some way, some with deep pain and sadness, others with great financial loss, many experiencing very real loneliness and most with a greater realisation of how we previously took so much for granted.

At the Old School we have not been able to do all we had planned and this includes starting a café from January but we have pressed on where we could and are delighted to tell our readers that after Easter our café tenants, Ian & Christine Richardson, will start a take-away service pending being able to open the café.  We are all looking forward to freshly ground coffee and homemade cakes as well as other goodies that Christine is planning – do visit her website.

Next month we hope to be able to give an update on HomeFirst Plus’s Pod initiative that is awaiting release from lockdown.  Any enquiries in respect of HFP or the Pods to rachel@homefirstplus.co.uk, please.

We are still welcoming plants – shrubs, herbs, perennials, and all hardy, and also gardening tools, watering cans, etc.

RHC

Cam’s Kitchen… watch this space!

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If you have walked past the Old School recently, you will have seen the signs for the Cafe.  We are counting down the days to when we can welcome you in.  Of course, initially, it will be takeaway only, due to the COVID lock-down rules, but when you arrive, I think you’ll see your Administrator first in the queue to buy a slice of Christine’s baking…

We will Never Forget

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Our Queen Camel soldier will be a permanent (annual) fixture at the Old School.  We hope you have already seen him as you walk or drive past and also the posters in our windows.