2022 has been a fantastic year for our Robert Windle’s Foundation so far! The continuing programme upgrading and maintaining the building and the giving out of grants to local groups and schools.
The kitchen upgrade is finally completed and we have been awarded a 5* hygiene rating from Pendle Borough Council.
The café was officially opened and named as “Morris’s café” in memory of long term trustee Morris Horsefield on 8th April 2022 by Andrew Stephenson MP. This was a very successful event and was attended by Morris’s family. Thank you to all who helped.
A beautiful Grade 2* 1599 listed building requires a lot of attention to keep in good order. We are currently building up a fund to pay for any large bills, including: working towards having the roof redone which needs to be carried out in the next 8 years. We have a local builder keeping on top of any running repairs and clearing the guttering after leaf fall in autumn. We thank Margaret Brown for keeping up to date on service checks and sorting repairs.
We also plan to improve the small patio area next to the front door, to allow more outdoor seating to make better use of our lovely garden in time for next summer.
The most recent big news is that the shop has now expanded into the upstairs room of the Grammar School; the building is completely accessible with a spacious toilet and a lift for access to the upstairs floor. It has proved a great success with lots of visitors/customers enjoying browsing and buying the goods.
Friday afternoons run by Stella and Christine have been going from strength to strength. Stella's cakes and scones are divine!! Stella and Christine did beyond an amazing job prepping the shop upstairs ready for opening. It is a real credit to them.
We have always had loyal support from Jennifer Beckwith and Audrey Tattersall. Mary Corteen has also started helping with the cafe.
Tuesday openings started in August as Sarah Bates and Carol Wilkinson offered their valuable time once a week, this has been going really well. We have a fabulous cake baking squad who offer to help out weekly so we have delicious bakes for sale.!!! Many thanks to Elaine Eley, Heather Peel, Jean Brown, Abbey Milne, Ann Marie Foster, Sheila Beaty, Billie Clark, Heather Welsh, Melisa Butler, Jacqueline Edwards and Roy Edwards who have provided cakes and bakes. If you would like to help with bakes please get in touch.
Jane Riley has recently started up a craft group on a wednesday evening which also enables the shop to be open for anyone to come and have a look round, giving people a chance to socialise and enjoy crafting, there is always a lovely buzz about the place.
We would like to thank Alan who comes and cuts the grass for us and has done for many years.
Paul and Andrew Dewhurst have done a fantastic job in restoring all the garden furniture, fixing items and helping with the general day to day toing and froing of donations and sales. Also putting together all the shelving in the shop.
Many thanks to Patricia Dewhurst for doing listings and sales, and helping Rachael with the accounts. Patricia and Ann Marie Foster have also put together many of our fabulous raffle prizes.
We also have a new volunteer Steven Graham who has kindly agreed to do the PAT testing for us.
Would like to thank Alison Brewer who helps with PR and spell checking!! Kris and Lidia who help with sales, photographing, collections and fixing donated items.
Lastly we would like to thank all you lovely people who send us donations and come to support us visiting our shops either at the Grammar School or on our online Fundraising group on Facebook you are all fabulous and none of this would be possible without your generosity.
We are so proud to announce that we have given out a total £4699 in grants for educational support in the last 12 months. In addition to this we are excited to be in a position to spread some early 'Christmas Cheer' we are sending out a further £5,000 to 10 local schools that we support giving them £500 each, we hope we can make a difference to all our young people in the area.
If you know of any local non profit groups that are in need of funds to please get in touch....(Our criteria has to be for educational needs for people under 24 years). If anyone would like to join us, or for further information, comments or to apply for a grant please contact us or email us at robertwindlefoundation@outlook.com
A big heartfelt thank you from the Trustees
Margaret Brown (Secretary) Rachael Taylor (Treasurer) Jane Riley, Stella Bingham, Christine Lister, Anthony Tomlinson, Audrey Carter
Comments