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Bob's Blog: July 2008
18 July 2008
Time flies when you're having fun or so they say.......Last
week was tremendous and this week was the same, your support has been
fantastic.
We are led to believe that hard work can take years off
your life but I happen to think it can also add years to your life. Not so long
ago I was all but written off, following a long and serious illness. However my doctors
are very pleased with me and since the 21 June, when the cafe opened, they have commented on
how well I look. That is down to hard work and a positive mental
attitude, not unlike our new apprentices that will join us in the middle of
August who are keen to get to work
at the café and serve you all.
I have to say the turn out on our opening day by the ladies
of the parish of All Saints and the local mums who have visited us was so
encouraging and brought a sense of comfort, that in our first two weeks of a
soft launch we did not make a total hash of it!
Our young staff are full of excitement and so comforted
by your hugely complementary attitude towards them. Visitors to our shores they
may be, yet welcomed by Christians who have made them feel so
welcome. I am sure that Rev Joe won't mind me saying God bless you
for that.
We have delayed starting our Afternoon Tea by the late
delivery of our china, but I will keep you posted and hope to start it very
soon.
We are looking forward to the arrival of our new café
manager who starts in August. Robert brings with him a good deal of experience
and is as keen as anyone can be, to make sure that your Pryors Bank Café
experience is all you hoped it would be.
Heleny has continued to improve the service and as a
total volunteer, she is a marvel. Her commitment is unquestioned, she knows how
much this project means not only to me but all behind the scenes at the Beef
Kitchen. She has made many new friends and it is no surprise that
flowers keep arriving with her name upon them, from so many kind and
appreciative supporters.
Many of you have told me how much you would like to come
and have coffee or breakfast on a Sunday morning. However, abiding by the terms of our
agreement with All Saints Church we cannot serve until Sunday school has
finished. We can start serving coffees from 12:30, but food orders
cannot be taken until 1pm as we have to get the café interior ready after
Sunday school is over. If this should change, I will let you know straight
away.
Before I go I have to tell you that our coffee supplier Caffé Torelli
have made a wonderful donation to the project, and we thank them whole heartedly
for this wonderful gesture and of course their wonderful
coffee.
That's all for now take
care,
Bob
________________________________
10 July 2008
The BIG DAY has arrived...a bright sunny morning fingers crossed.....a prayer
or two and it worked!
In some respects today was a huge milestone; we are now in place and those who
listen to the radio and watch TV will know that this project is alive.
Not many people get to bring their dream to life but today those attending our
official opening saw as I saw my dream turn into reality.
Our first two apprentices were at the cafe working; two men who a few short
months ago had no idea that they would become highly valued members of a small
group trying to make a difference.
John and David, our first apprentices, are the first of many who will see that
care is not just a word - it is also a deed, and for the many locals who walked
into the park this morning they would have seen 20 Calvary troops mounted on
horse back, with two State trumpeters, a former Chief of the Defence Staff and
two Field Marshals presiding over the opening of a small but unique café in the
heart of Fulham.
All credit and thanks to our loyal supporters and the wonderful local ladies
who have been our customers since the day of the soft opening, that came to
cheer and support this new nervous, but determined venture.
This has to be quick for now as I have to get back to the café; Tim our Chef is
running out of Salt Beef and we cannot have that!
Just a word on Tim - today he excelled and not a day goes by that I am not
astounded at what this man can produce from our kitchen. The work he has done
to help me get this project up and running has been immense.
Anyway, must fly now but I will spend more time tonight and tomorrow giving you
a more in-depth picture of what happened in Bishops Park today. For some reason
I cannot get the song out of my head, if you go down in the woods park today
you are sure of a big surprise...so will the park gardener after 20 horses
stood on his lawn!!
Byeeeeeeeeee,
Bob
_______________________________________
5 July 2008
Two weeks into the new life of the café has
brought
about changes, as was planned and is to be expected. We have a young
team
working with us - three of them are here in the London studying English
- so they
love working at the café and our customers have not only been generous
with your tips, but also your understanding, and they now feel like it
is their
second home.
Heleny, who some you will have met, has taken control of
the front of house and is working with our staff to get them up to speed. We are
delighted to have her working with us and she has made an excellent impact on
the front of house.
During the past two weeks we have been finding out how
best to operate within the confines of Pryors Bank, given the enormous changes
and regulations that now surround establishments like the café.
We have come a long way in two weeks as I hope you may
have noticed, but we also have a long way to go. Behind the scenes, we have one
of our former ex-Service colleagues working on food offers for the very young;
it is our hope that by the end of next week we will have our own range of Pryors
Bank Café baby food, such is our desire to cater for all ages and
requirements.
I got the go-ahead to buy our afternoon tea sets so that
you can come along and enjoy traditional afternoon cream teas with finger
sandwiches, an occasion I like personally love and from the feedback I have
received, you do as well! This will start on Monday 14 July.
Thursday 10 July is now looming and
we have much to do for that day, which is our official launch. All the team will be present on that morning
including my fellow Directors and our fabulous supporters, plus troops from my
old regiment the Household Cavalry on horseback, who have received special permission from their commanding
officer to ride down from Knightsbridge for our official opening to show the
regiment's support for our project.
So, if you are a rose grower it could be another good
reason to come along and whiteness the opening! Well before I start writing what could also be termed as
good compost, I am going to sign off now.
Thanks,
Bob