‘Love Aldwick’ Community café opens

A new community café to help residents ‘enjoy one another’s company and make a difference’ has been opened.

There was a real buzz about the ‘Love Aldwick’ Community Café last Tuesday as it opened at Aldwick Baptist Church, in Gossamer Lane, for the first time.

Dozens turned up on opening day, welcomed by Perrie Sims and her enthusiastic team.

Aldwick Baptist Church has run cafes in the Rose Green and West Meads areas for many years as well as a luncheon club, craft group and other community events.

During the pandemic these all had to shut, but as the area emerged from lockdown, the aim of the

Rev Simon Downing and the leaders of the church was to re-establish a series of new community events.

Perrie said: “We just want to share and enjoy one another’s company and make a difference.”

The café charges £1 per head but also sells cakes and as it moves forward it will be seeking to share any profits and make donations to local charities.

The café will run every Tuesday with occasional games, quizzes and guest presenters while the church will also be continuing to run a regular luncheon club and craft group as well as West Meads café, followed soon by toddler time and messy church sessions. At the end of July, the church held its launch of its first ‘Love Aldwick’ special when it put on a treasure Hunt and cream tea.

Next month, on October 2 and 3, there will be the Harvest Time Family Special event with a focus on a community collection for the local foodbank.

Details will follow but in the meantime, Aldwick Baptist Church invited the Aldwick community to join in with it regular activities.

“Try our café – we are a friendly bunch,” Perrie said. For more information about the café and the church’s events, email contact@ aldwickbaptist.co.uk or visit www,aldwickbaptist. co.uk