About Us
The Little Town with the Big Heart
The home of Congleton apple juice. The Old Saw Mill, based on Back River Street is a not for profit organisation and was created with the express aim of providing a unique space in the fabric of Congleton’s community.
The purpose of the Old Saw Mill is to work for the benefit of the community of Congleton as a volunteer-led organisation which challenges social isolation, supports and enhances community cohesion and works to create a better, fairer and environmentally sustainable town.
Two year’s on from opening its doors, The Old Saw Mill became a Connected Communities Centre where its space is given to well needed organisations across Cheshire East who support the community with counselling, well-being, and healthy living but to name a few.
Everyone is welcome at the Old Saw Mill.
A project driven by The Congleton Partnership and Congleton Sustainability Group, The Old Saw Mill cafe opened its doors in October 2016, at first offering tea and homemade cake then expanding its menu to include breakfast and lunch and in 2018, was a place chosen by HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall to visit where the Royal couple had the opportunity to meet and learn about the great things The Old Saw Mill has to share and of course taste the apple produce made on the premises.
More than six volunteers regularly work in the café either to gain work experience or simply to have somewhere to go for friendship and company. We also currently have four young people who have a learning difficulty or a disability who attend weekly, two of whom are placed with us from Journey First.
We support people who are unemployed or on a return to work programme who use the OSM to regain confidence in themselves, develop their skills and their own abilities and have subsequently moved on to other employment.
Meet The Old Saw Mill Team
A team of like-minded, positive people who care deeply about The Old Saw Mill’s ethos, and the difference it makes to peoples lives. We’re friendly, helpful, and genuinely happy to be a part of something special…
Peter Aston
Volunteer Director
A proud Black Countryman by birth, Having built cars and trains in his corporate career, the climate change impact of transport became ‘a bit of a thing’ leading to environmental campaigning.
With his lifelong involvement in various charities and local history, Peter has chaired Congleton History Society for more than 25 years. A chance conversation about an empty building led to The Old Saw Mill to come into being and with it the opportunity to do something about the tremendous challenges that the social care system faces.
Adele Cook
Volunteer Director
Adele Cook, Managing Director at Springboard (Cheshire Learning Partnership CIC), has been a volunteer Board Director at The Old Sawmill since April 2019.
Adele joined the board as she is passionate about supporting the local community and helping people to achieve their goals in life and work. In her spare time, Adele attends tap dancing classes, plays netball for a local team, and enjoys travelling and weekends away in her campervan with her family.
Peter Ranson
Volunteer Director
Peter Ranson has been involved with the OSM right from the start and is currently secretary to the board of directors.
He has lived in Congleton for 10 years having moved here to be closer to his grandchildren. Peter worked in education most of his working life as a maths teacher, headteacher and school improvement adviser.
Debbie Jeffries
Volunteer Director
Hi my name is Debbie Jefferies and I have been with the Old Sawmill since the Spring of 2021. This came about after attending The Repair Cafe and I just knew I wanted to be a part of such an amazing community hub.
My previous career before lockdown had been working in the foodservice arena for over 25 years. I have worked with leading manufacturing companies providing food and meal concepts to the hotel, restaurant, airlines and food chains across the UK and Europe.
For my sins I have also run my own pub/restaurant along with a very busy cafe in Stockport.
Jackie Potts
Volunteer Treasurer
I started my financial career working for the NHS, then had children and various private sector roles. I retired from Congleton Town Council in 2021 where I had been the Responsible Financial Officer for 13years.
Since retiring, as well as helping OSM, Congleton Community Credit Union and Mossley Old School Trust, I have taken up playing the ukelele and am an enthusiastic member of the Beartown Ukes.
Lyn Walker
Volunteer Director
I’m originally from Australia where I studied Philosophy.
After moving to the UK, I studied Software Engineering and subsequently worked in Computing and Data management.
I’ve lived in Congleton for several decades and also volunteer with Congleton Community Credit Union and the Bath House and Physic Garden.
My focus for the Old Saw Mill is the Community Context – which is about the people that we are here for, the activities that happen here, and the community that embraces all of us.
Heather Watson
Volunteer Director
My name is Heather Watson, I am retired and busier than ever. I am a shareholder in the Old Saw Mill. I am also involved in the Dane Valley Hydro Scheme and a trustee of Elizabeth’s Group.
I still find time to read, do puzzles, attempt to learn French and perform Arabic dancing. I also enjoy walking with the Ramblers and playing crown green bowls with the U3A. I hope to find time to see an international cricket match this year.
Diane Cook
Volunteer Director
Diane’s credentials as a true Congletonian go back many generations and she is proud to have lived in the town all her life. She is a founder member of the Congleton Writers’ Forum, where she pens poetry, plays and short stories. Besides her passion for Arabic, World and Contemporary dancing, she is an enthusiastic linguist, and cannot bear going abroad without knowing some of the language in case she misses something!
Believing wholeheartedly in the mission of the OSM, Diane joined the Board as a publicity and promotions volunteer to assist in spreading the word to the wider community.
Our MISSION
The purpose of the Old Saw Mill is to work for the benefit of the community of Congleton as a volunteer-led organisation which challenges social isolation, supports and enhances community cohesion and works to create a better, fairer and environmentally sustainable town.
Our VISION and CORE PURPOSE is to:
- provide good food and good company in our friendly and reasonably priced cafe;
- provide reasonably priced meals for people who are isolated in their own homes;
- provide opportunities for volunteers and paid staff to develop their skills;
- acknowledge, include and involve all who want to contribute or participate;
- run on sustainable volunteer power, including those who have disabilities or learning difficulties;
- enhance the lives of people who are socially isolated, lonely and in need of additional support both within the OSM and through outreach work;
- make available meeting space for local groups and community organisations;
- hold various classes so that people can come together and enjoy a hobby and meet with those who have similar interests, which leads to friends being made and lively discussions;
- hold regular groups for people ( eg with Dementia/Alzheimer’s) and their carers, so they can meet other people with the same challenges as themselves, and feel less isolated, whilst those coping with these illnesses can get stimulation by crafting, or singing, and simply having fun;
- collect apples to make high quality apple juice, cider and vinegar for sale locally and invest the profits in community development; and
- have sustainability and respect for the environment at the heart of everything we do
Our OBJECTIVE is to achieve our VISION and CORE PURPOSE by:
- consulting with local people and organisations on their needs, aspirations and expectations;
- encouraging, welcoming and considering all suggestions and initiatives that are brought to us;
- prioritising provision with careful planning and deployment of resources:
- working in partnership with local businesses, statutory and voluntary organisations;
- efficient financial management;
- being accountable to the local community through the issue of shares;
- ensuring the building, within its limitations, is accessible and suitable for use by everyone; and
- being fully inclusive and not discriminating against any person or group who supports our vision and core purpose.
Apple Juice, Cider and Vinegar
Congleton Apple Juice and Cider have been made every year since 2009. Initially, it was started to use all those apples left to go to waste in gardens and fields. All the money from sales was spent on sustainable projects in the town.
It has expanded and grown with more and people bringing their apples along to be juiced with over 5000 bottles of juice and 800 litres of cider made in 2022.
Production was transferred to the Old Saw Mill in 2016 with the acquisition of juicing, bottling and pasteurisation equipment. All the profit made is now used to support the work of the Old Saw Mill.
If you have an apple tree in your garden or know someone who has why not collect the ones you can’t use and bring them along to us. It’s such a waste to leave them to rot. Please note that we cannot juice apples which are bruised or unripe.
In certain circumstances we can pick or collect but this depends on who is available. Call us using the details below.
Alternatively, we are always looking for volunteers to help with the juicing, bottling and labelling so why not call in or give us a call on 01260 277658 or write to us on info@theoldsawmill.org.
Congleton Apple Juice
Apple Cider
Apple cider vinegar
Apple Juice.
Cider.
Vinegar.
The Old Saw Mill Congleton
Location
Back River Street
Congleton
CW12 1HJ
Hours
Monday to Friday: 10am - 3pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm
Breakfast // Home Cooked Food // Coffee // Free Wifi
Always a Warm Welcome
