November 16th, 2007

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!

Yes I know, nothing since July, that's just not good enough and I'm sorry.  I was busy but that was not the whole story. My computer went wrong and I had to take it to the computer shop for repair. They ended up formatting my hard disk and anyone who knows about these things knows that this is a nuisance as you lose all your programmes and e-mail addresses, have to set up internet connections from scratch etc... As this was the second time this had happened this year I had lost interest and although I got back a working computer, I just didn't have the will to get the internet back up until last month. In fact I didn't even switch the thing on for nearly 2 months. And it was really rather nice. Am I becoming a Luddite?

Anyway I am back and if anyone is reading this PLEASE let me know by putting a piece on the message board so I'll know I'm not talking to myself.

For those who like continuity, although its now a long time ago in the Summer (remember that!!) The Caribbean garden party was a great success. The week before the event the long range weather forecast was predicting fine weather and this spurred on tickets sales even though it was still raining. However, for once they were spot on. The day before was fine and allowed us to set up the garden in the dry which was a relief. Then the day dawned bright, clear, calm and hot! In fact I had to hurriedly arrange shade for the Steel Band as too much heat warps the drums and they go out of tune. Now who would have thought of that!!! We also had to borrow umbrellas for shade!!! Tickets sold out and  some of those timid souls who thought they would wait till the morning of the event to decide whether to come or not, were disappointed.

They day stayed hot, The Stelettos Steel Band was excellent and played all afternoon, the bar did a roaring trade and we couldn't make Pims quick enough and eventually sold out. Everyone said how much they enjoyed the event and looked forward to another next year.

As for the Cafe, we had a good summer with the inclement weather driving the holiday makers into the city. Our hanging baskets and window boxes were the best ever and really enjoyed the wet conditions and were a riot of colour. In fact they are only now going over as the first real hard frost of the winter hit us this morning. Now that's not bad, flowering from May to November. Now I have to look to the winter display. I know it's late and the pansies should have been in a month ago so their roots get a chance to establish, but I just can't bring myself to remove flowers that are still going strong and look so good.

The small bed at floor level by Looses door has now been adopted. I gave up waiting for them to do anything with it and it looked so sad. So I asked them if I could incorporate it into our displays and they willingly agreed, so from now on I'll be tending that too. For now I've put some winter heathers in to tidy it up and provide some colour.

As for the staff. As you know Fiona took over from Kirsten and  has done well in her training and has got to know our regulars and has become a valued member of our small team.  Nina  has been with us for 6 months now and, although she only works 18 hours a week, I'm sure most of you will have met her. Sadly we lost Rachel in early November. She decided that she needed more time on her studies and this coupled with a family move to Litcham meant she had to give in her notice. We were sad to see her go, but she does pop in  regularly  to see us. We wish her all the best for the future and are sure she will do well in whatever she does. 

This left a vacancy for a Saturday and Holiday replacement and fortune brought us Josie. A Student at Notre Dame she is no stranger at the cafe having been visiting us as a customer for years. She has started very well, and at the moment spends most of her time at the sink or taking out food and clearing tables. Well we all have to start at the bottom and I'm sure it won't be long before she takes a fuller role.  So be gentle with her as she learns all the new roles.  

We continue to put a great deal of effort into our customer service and it is with this in mind that we select out staff. They must display our trademark of a friendly, family style cafe and I think we have been very fortunate in our choices. They are all lovely people and I believe our customers think so too.  Some customers, who perhaps don't know us too well, may not think there's anything particularly unusual about what we do and how we do it. Maybe they are too tired or busy to care, but the style of service reflects our commitment to provide the very best service, with a smile in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Now, that sometimes takes a great deal of effort and training and we hope we pull it off 100% of the time. Come in and see!!  We might have another new face in December too, as Amy's sister, Jennie, is coming home for a month over Christmas, from her home in South Carolina USA and she has said she wants to return to the Cafe where she used to work before moving to the States. So if you detect a Southern twang from a member of staff, in December, then you will know why.

We pride ourselves too on being baby and children friendly, as any mum who has visited with a young baby can confirm. In fact if Pam is in she regularly takes the young babies off for a cuddle and our mums are confident and trust us to take good care of their most treasured bundles. To this end we have this week installed a nappy changing table in our loo. This was no small feat as anyone who knows the size of our loo can confirm. (The Tardis it is not!).

The smoking ban in public enclosed spaces has seen little change to our premises as we have been no smoking for years. However, one small problem arose when a public health official visited us as a result of someone complaining that we were allowing people to smoke in the tunnel. We were told this was unlawful as in his opinion the tunnel constituted an enclosed public space. At present we have to comply with this and the only smoking is now confined to the open area at the top of the yard. This is not a problem in fine weather, but causes inconvenience when its raining.

I personally think the council are wrong as the tunnel is a thoroughfare. There is even protected vehicle access. We do not own the tunnel even though we have a right to place tables there. We cannot stop members of the public from walking through this area smoking or standing at the end of the tunnel where it joins Red Lion Street and lighting up, if it happens to be raining. But the council says if these people become our customers, then we must prevent them from smoking in the tunnel. Am I the only one who thinks this is daft??!! Your views would be appreciated.

I have gone on long enough to perhaps bring you up to date with our news so I shall leave it here for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Take care of yourselves. At the time of writing this there are 39 days till Christmas so if you haven't started your present shopping yet,  maybe its time you started!!

So for now

Bye Y'all

November 23rd, 2007