Category: Newsletter

Christmas at the Old Saw Mill

Dewi JonesLeave a comment

Everything that happened in 2020 leading up to Christmas pre-ordained that it would be a very different Christmas.

Previous Christmases have meant lots of friends and work groups booking Christmas Lunch in the cafe; typically around 300 hundred lunches; this year none. We serve Christmas lunch on Christmas Day to more than 40 people; this year none.
 
This year the Big Heart Lunch Club that met at both St John’s Community Centre and United Reform Church had to close at the start of Lockdown. Over time it became a weekly delivery of lunch to Lunch Club members which then  expanded to include entirely new members socially isolated around the town. Each week we serve a chilled main meal and pud to more than 50 customers to reheat at their convenience. The Town Council supports the scheme and delivers the food. Congleton Inclosure Trust and Cheshire East Council have provided grants to support the scheme.

So, for Christmas lunch we have extra customers; we’re providing 92 full Christmas lunches for people, delivered chilled on Christmas Eve and we hope to provide a few extras for them too!

So, like much of 2020 it will be a little different!

In addition there has been a campaign called Congleton Cares providing Christmas Goodies to several hundred people around the town. The Old Saw Mill offered, in a moment of madness, to provide a trio of truffles and marzipan apples! They took 3 days to make and pack, but people seemed to love them!

Despite it all have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year, here’s to a better 2021!

Friday Food Deliveries

Dewi JonesLeave a comment

Would you like lunch every Friday delivered to your door for £6? Provided by the Old Saw Mill Community Café for anyone socially isolated and living locally.

A main meal and a pudding, veggie option available, chilled and ready to microwave or oven heat at a time to suit you! Contact 01260 277658 to apply.

Big Heart Lunch Club

Dewi JonesLeave a comment

Although the café will be opening again on 2nd December, we are still busy with the Big Heart Lunch Club which is delivering about 45 meals at £6 per meal every Friday to those that are isolating due to COVID or just fancy a day off from cooking. It is run in conjunction with Congleton Town Council who contribute £2 per head for those who are entitled to a discount. The remaining £4 is collected every 5 weeks making it £20.

We have the capacity to produce many more meals so please contact  01260 270350 to join in!

A main meal and a pudding, veggie option available, will be delivered to your door Friday morning chilled ready to microwave or oven heat at a time to suit you!

Congleton’s Famous Apple Juice will be produced again this Autumn.

Dewi JonesLeave a comment

After carefully considering the current situation the directors of the Old Saw Mill have concluded that it will be possible to safely produce delicious apple juice again this year. After a bumper harvest last year everyone is hoping for another successful year in 2020, in spite of the pandemic.

We will be receiving apples from local gardens from Tuesday 1st September. Please bring all your spare apples to the Old Saw Mill, Back River Street and leave them in the collection trays behind the cycle rail next to the front door. They can be left there whilst the café is open (9.00am – 3.00pm Mon – Friday) or at weekends.

Astbury Mere visitor centre can no longer receive apples so please don’t take them there.

Our sincere thanks in advance to everyone who supports us by donating apples. Up to 70% of apples grown in this country are left to rot in gardens so let’s buck the trend in Congleton and use them for a good cause.

Last year nearly 3000 bottles of juice and 600l of cider were produced. There are still some left so hurry up and get some before they are gone.”

If you want further details contact Dewi on  info@theoldsawmill.org.