Cafe Connect In The Memorial Hall, Ipstones.

Cafe Connect in the Memorial Hall, Ipstones, is now officially closed, and removed from the system at Environmental Health.
We thought we would leave the facebook page active because of all the memorable photographs on it, that make for an interesting browse.. There are a few with this post, but lots more if you click on photos on the left side of the Cafe Connect fb page.
Also there may be POP UP CAFE CONNECT openings from time to time as one off fundraising events.
... Thanks to those who have supported this popular village project over the last 6 years, we are going to miss you..
Bye for now THE CAFE CONNECT TEAM.
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PLEASE SUPPORT LESLEY'S NEW BUSINESS VENTURE.

See this week's Post & Times for Cafe Connect's finale story. .
Thank you Leslie Jackson for all your stories and pictures over the last 6 years. Your support for this village project has always been appreciated.
The Cafe Connect Team.
... Please Share.
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The last of the Cafe Connect Cook Books are being sold for £5.......lots of recipes, lots of photographs and three village walks.
Available from Ipstones Post Office or Geraldine on 01538 266633.

This morning while Barry and I were sorting out and tidying up after the unfortunate and sad closure of Cafe Connect in the Memorial Hall, Ipstones, came across the visitors book, which unfortunately hasn't been kept up to date since 2017, and spent some time reading through the lovely messages..........
Visitors from near and far, including Texas, US, Spain, New Zealand, Burma, Dubai, all around the British Isles and the Staffordshire Moorlands..
Sincere thanks to all of... you who supported this village project over the last 6 years.
It was good while it lasted, but the end of an era :(
Geraldine and Barry On behalf of the Cafe Connect Team.
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS
Since the decision had to be made on Tuesday to close Cafe Connect forthwith, we have received emails and messages containing very kind words, which we really appreciate - tear jerking at times though.
Like lots of you have pointed out, the project was pretty special and a good idea. Cafe Connect was run totally by volunteers for the benefit of the community of Ipstones and beyond, where friendships were formed and others developed....
We have struggled to keep things going for a while, but without enough 'devotees' to help run things, we could see no alternative to closing..
Should anyone wish to 'pick up the reins' and open Cafe Connect again, or a Monday Coffee Stop of some kind, 'advice' is available - that's if it's required.
A legacy remains by way of the Cafe Connect Cook Book, and we think the words in front of the book sum our project up perfectly.....
FOOD HAS BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER ON SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.........
IT DID
AND WE WILL MISS YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
Sincerely
The Cafe Connect Team.
PLEASE NOTE. For those who might wonder why I have used this picture as our 'finale' It is a cafe in a very isolated village at Rawene in the Northland Region of New Zealand.... we have visited several times, love the cake and coffee sitting on the deck looking at the amazing scenery, love the atmosphere and it just speaks to me..... 'COMMUNITY'
Geraldine Shuttleworth
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Happy lst of May everyone, and those in France who follow this page...... Bon Fete du Muget.
LESLEY'S TASTE BUDS will be open on Thursday between 11a.m. and 2p.m. at Ipstones Memorial Hall.
Lesley's menu for Thursday will be:
... Minstra Soup - a variation on the Covent Garden Company Minestrone.
Sausages and Mash with onion gravy, with Vegetarian sausage option.
Baked Potatoes with various fillings.
Sandwiches to order.
Rhubarb Crumble and a home made SURPRISE PUDDING.
Home made cakes.
A warm welcome for all :)
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THE SUN SETS ON CAFE CONNECT.
It is with much regret, that Cafe Connect in the Memorial Hall, Ipstones, will be closing it's doors.
We have had 6 great years, met some lovely people, and have been able to offer substantial financial support to Ipstones Memorial Hall, and other village organisations along the way.
... The equipment purchased by Cafe Connect will be donated to the Memorial Hall, and we leave as a legacy, The Cafe Connect Cook Book! (a few copies remain at £5)
Sincere thanks for your help and support over the years....we couldn't have done it without you
The Cafe Connect Team. :)
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We always thought it would be a quieter session at Cafe Connect today, as it was the funeral of a popular village resident this lunch time, and the reception afterwards was at the Memorial Hall.
Those who did come along enjoyed our tasty dishes., and it was a great opportunity to chat with visitors, and for the volunteers to sit down and have lunch together, which isn't always possible.
Thanks Beth, Delia, Alex and Dora for your foodie contributions and Victoria, Ray, Dora, R...oger and Liz for your help to keep things running smoothly..
Cafe Connect will be back after the Bank Holiday. :)
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LET'S DO LUNCH ON MONDAY 15th :)

Came across this interesting photograph taken during the early days at Cafe Connect, when the City Strollers popped in after their Thursday walk around the village.
We sometimes chat about your group, and wonder how you are all doing.

It's just how things have worked out with 'session swaps' etc., but seems a while since we were at Cafe Connect, - looking forward to being back with the Team on Monday 15th April, and hope lots of you will pop in to try our tasty dishes.
We will be open at 11a.m. with Big Bacon Butties,, Toasted Tea Cakes, Home made Gluten Free Cake to enjoy with a cuppa of your choice.
From mid day lunches will be ready, so choose from:
... Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup (v) served with a home made seeded roll on the side.
Tarragon Chicken Casserole served with Boulangere Potatoes, Petit Pois (I forgot to buy the green beans !!) and Carrots.
A generous portion of Sausage Plait or Roasted Vegetable Tart (v) served with a mixed salad and home made coleslaw.
As well as a SURPRISE PUDDING there will be Pineapple Upside Down Pudding served with custard or ice cream.
PLEASE SHARE IF YOU WANT TO, AND SPREAD THE WORD THAT CAFE CONNECT WILL BE OPEN FROM 11a.m. every Monday apart from Bank Holidays.
Best wishes, Geraldine, Barry and the Monday Team:)
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Cheryl and Karen both work for the community minded CO-OPERATIVE BANK, who enable their employees to do voluntary work on two separate days each year.
They chose to volunteer at Cafe Connect in the Memorial Hall, Ipstones, today and we hope they enjoyed their session with us.
Many thanks :)

It's 6 years to the day since Cafe Connect opened it's doors for the first time.
Interesting photos - lots of water under lots of bridges since these were taken, but thousands of £££'s raised to support Ipstones Memorial Hall and other village organisations over the years.
Cafe Connect is open today so hope lots of you will pop in to give your support to Sue and her Team who are running things today.
... Please share :).
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CAFE CONNECT ISN'T JUST ABOUT FOOD,THERE ARE BOOKS TO BORROW, NEWSPAPERS TO READ, AND PEOPLE TO CHAT TO. so hope to see you on Monday 8th March when Sue and Mike will lead their Team.
Menu is looking good as well.
EARLY DOORS SNACKS from 11a.m.
... Sausage Baps, Toast, Toasted Tea Cakes and a cuppa of your choice.
FROM MID DAY
Home made Tomato and Pepper Soup. Lasagna and garlic bread. Sausage and Mash with onion gravy.
TO FOLLOW
Dorothy's Delicious Roulade and a SURPRISE PUDDING.
Hope lots of you pop in on Monday to EAT IN or TAKE OUT.
Please share. :) :) :)
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CAFE CONNECT ISN'T JUST ABOUT FOOD,THERE ARE BOOKS TO BORROW, NEWSPAPERS TO READ, AND PEOPLE TO CHAT TO. so hope to see you on Monday 8th March when Sue and Mike will lead their Team.
Menu is looking good as well.
EARLY DOORS SNACKS from 11a.m.
... Sausage Baps, Toast, Toasted Tea Cakes and a cuppa of your choice.
FROM MID DAY
Home made Tomato and Pepper Soup. Lasagna and garlic bread. Sausage and Mash with onion gravy.
TO FOLLOW
Dorothy's Delicious Roulade and a SURPRISE PUDDING.
Hope lots of you pop in on Monday to EAT IN or TAKE OUT.
Please share. :) :) :)
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PLEASE SHARE