Saturday saw the grand opening of a brand new community café within Ashwick and Oakhill Hall on Zion Hill in Oakhill.

Local author, Cath Weeks (pen name Cate Ray) did the honours and cut the red ribbon ahead of the annual Christmas Market, surrounded by villagers and committee members.

Chairman, Andy North, gave a speech explaining that the small committee of only nine members have secured grant funding alongside fundraising and having the café and brand new kitchen built, all in thirteen months, which is quite an achievement!

It was a wonderfully festive atmosphere with complementary glasses of prosecco being given out to mark this momentous occasion.

The café will be run on a voluntary basis, first opening regularly on a Saturday morning from the 7th January between 9am-12noon and also every other Wednesday from 11th January between 10am-12 under the Warm Spaces grant scheme, welcoming anyone who wants to pop in and be warm, enjoy some company and a hot coffee or tea and a biscuit.

If you would like to volunteer to help in the café, the committee would love to hear from you as they are keen for this facility to be a real asset to the rural community and for visitors to the area.

Please contact: [email protected]