HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US! It is hard to believe that our popular shop has now been open for five years. This is an amazing milestone. It has only been achieved by the fantastic support from you, our loyal customers, so thank you very much. In November we welcomed and served our 200,000th customer. I have to confess I wasn’t counting!

Move over plums and blackberries, the new soft fruits on show are our easy peeler, sweet Satsumas. We also have delicious Medjool dates which can be eaten on their own or used in a sticky toffee pudding with lots of fresh cream. Brussels sprouts are now in season which only means one thing, Christmas is only four weeks away.

As we approach the festive season, we are thrilled to unveil our new Christmas mug, designed exclusively again for our shop by the super-talented Amy Jackson. The design features a charming illustration of festive ducks. The mug is perfect for sipping your favourite hot drinks on those chilly winter days. Whether you want to treat yourself, or perhaps give it as a perfect Christmas gift, they are available to buy in the shop now.

As in previous years, we are offering a Christmas order form for customers to pre-order your Christmas essentials. We will have everything you need from turkeys to twiglets, Brussels sprouts to bubbles. If you haven’t started already, why not stock up on your favourite festive treats. Our order form is available now.

The Café now has a seasonal menu, including festive hot drinks, mince pies and Christmas filled sandwiches. Why not try a warmed mince pie with a big dollop of clotted cream? My favourite.

Thank you as always to our volunteers and customers. We would like to take this opportunity to express thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers, whose hard work and dedication make the shop and café such a welcoming hub for the community. Additionally, thanks to all our loyal customers for your continued support throughout the year.

The warm sunny days are now behind us and all we can think of is the cooler weather. Let’s hope we have seen the last of the rain. The trees are slowly losing their autumnal leaves and the Autumn fruit and vegetables are now in the shop. I don’t know about you, but I get very excited for warming stews and all the delicious comfort foods around at the moment.

Why not bring Autumnal flavours into your kitchen with pumpkins which can be made into soups, roasted with honey or even used in a pasta bake. Kale and purple sprouting broccoli have made a seasonal return and can be used in lots of recipes. Did you know that purple-sprouting broccoli has been found to contain higher levels of antioxidants. A super food!

Don’t wish to slave over a hot stove? Why not pop into the shop and see our range of yummy soups from the Real Soup Company. We have a wide selection, from Indonesian chickpea to carrot and coriander. These can be found in the deli fridge. We now sell a fantastic selection of filled rolls and sandwiches. These are freshly baked and prepared for us and are so perfect for lunch. We have a great selection available, including the traditional cheese and pickle or ham salad.

From Sunday 27th October 2024 not only will we have to change the clocks we will also be closing earlier. Every Sunday during winter the shop and café will be closing at 2.00pm. So please shop early to avoid disappointment.

Finally a big thank you to all the amazing volunteers who live in Bledington and surrounding villages. Welcome to Christopher Higham, Avril Collis and Mary Gopsill who has just recently moved into the village. Without your support and time that you all very generously give this shop would not be such a success that it is so THANK YOU.

Wow, we have done it! We have opened our BIGGER and BETTER Community Shop and Café (see centre spread). A big thank you to everyone involved in making this building project such a success and to everyone who attended our opening event on Saturday 7 September. I am sure you will agree it was a fantastic occasion, and a big thank you to Adam Henson who did the honours and cut the ribbon for us.

With the new, bigger and better café we will be serving some new and delicious homemade, very local cakes made by our super volunteers, Louise and Valerie. These cakes will be seasonal to reflect the flavours and seasons of our year. So why not pop into the café and try some of our yummy cakes!

With blackberries still in the hedges, and apples, pears & figs falling from the trees, these delicious fruits make us aware that autumn is fast approaching. Why not savour the moment and make some jams, jellies, cakes and crumbles, with all jam and baking ingredients you’ll need from our shop.

Coming in the next few days will be winter squashes, curly kale, and purple sprouting broccoli. These are a perfect accompaniment to making a hot and delicious tasty homemade soup or even a hearty stew to put in the oven to aid the colder days upon us.

If you are new to Bledington you may not know that we have a daily delivery of fresh bread, milk, fruit, and vegetables. These deliveries all come from local suppliers. Four days a week we also receive a delivery of freshmeats, including sausages, chicken fillets and mince beef. If you need anything extra, then please do contact the shop.

I am so proud to announce we’ve been nominated for a Best Community Organisation Award in the North Cotswolds Awards. Voting is easy. Just go to northcotswoldsawards.co.uk and in the voting section select the Community Organisation award category. Voting closes at the end of October so please support us and vote now!

As we move forward to darker evenings and cosy nights by the fire, we will be changing our opening hours. From the last Sunday in October our opening hours will remain 9.00am-5.00pm Monday-Saturday, but on Sundays we will close at 2.00pm. Shop early on Sunday to avoid disappointment.

As always, I am incredibly grateful to all my amazing volunteers who very generously give up their time to help and support me in the shop. Whether it be stacking shelves, serving customers, or washing aprons,every little bit of help is always gratefully appreciated!

If you would like to get involved, please do contact me. You can pop into the shop, email me on manager@bledingtonshop.com or telephone me 01608 659977. I look forward to you joining our team.

We have made a good start to the shop extension. You will have noticed the walls are up, the outside terrace is finished and the windows and doors are ready to be installed. Mike Logue and his team are making great progress and I will update you very soon with a date for our grand opening.

Of course we are open for business and still offering our wide variety of fresh foods, hot drinks and home made delicious cakes. Plus all your grocery needs.

Isn’t it wonderful to finally see some sun and to feel some warmth on our faces. With the warmer weather it means new fruits and vegetables have arrived in the shop. Have you tried our amazing nectarines and peaches, plus broad beans and don’t forget the sweetest strawberries. I must confess I have eaten far too many this year!

Although we made it to the shortlist for the South West region for the Countryside Alliance Awards we were not selected for the final but were main proud to be “up there” with the best and will enter again next year.

Have you seen the many new products we have started stocking this summer? Sparking Ginger Kombucha is a delicious healthy drink made from green tea, infused with lively zest of Kombucha cultures and the essence of ginger. You will find this in our cold drinks fridge. For our breakfast cereal lovers we have a new blend of “Dorset” cereals. A classic fruit, nuts and seeds museli.

We also launched, at the Bledington Fête, our brand new beer “Tail Feathers”. This new beer has been especially brewed for us by Virtue Brewing based in Milton-under-Wychwood. An English Pale Ale, golden/blonde with a crisp fruity floral aroma. A Duckling good beer. Many thanks to the super talented Amy Jackson for her amazing, designed label.

We are still collecting donations for the North Cotswold Food Bank. The box is located by the entrance door when you come into the shop.We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers. Each week we fill up a huge box of groceries these are then distributed to those in our community who need a little extra help. On behalf of North Cotswold Food Bank thank you again.

If you are new to Bledington and Foscot and would like to give back to your community then, maybe, you might consider volunteering in the shop? If you would like to get involved then please do contact me for a chat. It’s fun, easy and a great way to meet your neighbours.

British Summertime has finally arrived, how lovely to see the sunshine and enjoy a few days of warmth. Thankfully in the shop we have air conditioning, which is being generated by our solar panels, making the shop even more green.

Don’t forget our fruit and vegetables are delivered to us daily from Drinkwaters. Our amazing selection are not packaged in lots of plastic, you can buy exactly what you need, plus it helps to reduce food waste which is very important to us all.

Mike Logue and his team of builders are making great progress, helping us extend our community shop and café. They have installed the outside patio area and the floor for the extension is now being laid.

With the better weather you may consider throwing open your windows and do some Spring cleaning. We have everything you need plus a great selection of eco-friendly cleaning products.

Have you seen our fantastic selection of ready-made frozen foods. Lodge Farm, a small family-run business in Herefordshire creates lovingly homemade gourmet frozen ready meals. They carefully source all their ingredients from reputable suppliers who share the same ethos about food and the environment. From casseroles, to pies, they also have a great selection of vegan and vegetarian ready meals. Easy, convenient and totally delicious. Which one will you try first?

A big thank you to those of you who volunteer in the shop. I know that helping in the shop is a great way of giving something back to the village and the local community. We are always looking for new volunteers please do pop into the shop and have a chat. Its lots of fun.

April has brought us countless showers, but as the proverb says, let’s hope it brings us lots of May flowers. Talking of flowers did you know that we have a delivery every Friday morning of the most beautiful, tied bunches from Stow Flowers. They are perfect as a gift or a treat. We can also
arrange bouquets especially for you to pick up.

I am sure you will have all seen that the work on the extension has started. The marquee has been moved to the car park and the fruit and vegetables have moved inside. The double door entrance has been boarded up, entry and exit are by the same door. We intend to keep trading as usual while we grow the shop and café by 30%.

We have lots of new products in store. British Asparagus is back. Enjoy this whilst it is in season. Always best served simply with cracked black pepper and lashings of melted butter or with dollops of hollandaise sauce and a poached egg. New Potatoes have also arrived, characterised by their fluffy texture which are extremely versatile and can be enjoyed in salads, roasted whole or added to stews. All our fresh produce is delivered daily by Drinkwaters based in Ebrington and we can order items specially for you with a few days advanced notice.

Our award-winning bread supplier “Mark’s Bread” are now supplying us Crumpets which are simply huge, plus at the weekend we are selling their delicious Focaccia bread. Why not pop in and see our huge selection of different breads available.

Another new supplier we have is Fir Farm based in Lower Swell. Fir Farm is a mixed farm producing organic and pasture fed meat. They are supplying us with various frozen meats, braising steak, mince and steaks. Come on in and have a look.

Our wonderful volunteers keep the shop running and our success is down to the volunteers and their relentless hard work. They cover so many tasks from stacking shelves to washing aprons, serving coffees and baking cakes. If you have a spare hour or two and would like to become a volunteer, we
will welcome you with open arms.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sarah

As the days start to brighten and become longer Spring is finally on its way. What a joy it is to see all the gorgeous bulbs and tree blossoms come to life. It means lots of new fruits and vegetables coming into season. We have had, unusually, our first delivery of asparagus which is grown in the Wye Valley and, of course, rhubarb from the famous Yorkshire region. How will you enjoy yours, with custard, ice-cream or both?!

Easter will be here in the coming days. The Easter bunny has visited the shop and has delivered an excellent selection of egg-citing chocolates, cards and treats. We have a daily delivery of the award
winning and delicious “Mark’s Bread” Hot Cross buns. These will be available until Good Friday. Customers have suggested to me they enjoy them toasted with lashings of butter, strawberry jam and even Marmite!!!

If you are hosting a delicious Easter lunch with your friends and family, we have a vast
selection of tasty treats and seasonal trimmings. We can also order in advance, for you, different cuts/joints of lamb for roasting, so please order early.

There is still time to vote for us in the Countryside Alliance Rural Oscar awards. We have been nominated for Best Village Shop/Post Office in the South West Region. Voting closes at midnight 1 April 2024. Thank you to those of you who have already voted.

The shop will be closing early at 4.00pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday and we will be closed all day on Easter Sunday. With the clocks changing too, so will our shop opening times. From Sunday 14 April 2024 the shop and café Sunday opening times will be changing; each Sunday our café will close at 3.00pm and the shop will close at 4.00pm.

If you have visited the shop recently you may have seen some new young faces volunteering. I am thrilled that Henry, Jemima and Katy have all signed up to volunteer as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. If you know of any young person who would like to complete their work
experience, it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable experience, develop new skills and make a positive difference to people’s lives. Please do pop into the shop and find out more.

We look forward to seeing you soon

Sarah

I don’t know about you but where did February go? Even with an extra. day February has past by like a flash! We have had a very busy month in the shop and café despite the many soggy days we have had. Love was in the air for Valentine’s Day, selling lots of yummy chocolates, beautiful bouquets and many last-minute cards!

Spring is in the air with lighter mornings and evenings and bulbs slowly showing their heads. Daffodils and vibrant rhubarb are available in the shop bringing some cheerful spring colour. Have you tried “Kalettes”? These are greens with a twist, they taste like a cross between kale and brussels sprouts but milder in flavour and less bitter. They are super healthy and easy to cook either stir-fried, roasted or steamed. Pop in and buy some.

Thank you to those of you who entered our annual Seville Marmalade competition. The winner after much deliberation was David Pearson. The judges described David’s marmalade as having a lovely flavour, great texture and the right amount of peel. Well done David.

I am very proud to announce that we have once again been nominated for a Rural Oscar by the Countryside Alliance. We have been chosen as the Best Village Shop in the South West Region. Voting has opened so please start voting now. It is really easy to do just scan the QR code on the picture below or go onto the Countryside Alliance website and find the link.

Coming up in March we will be celebrating Mothers Day, 10 March 2024, with a great selection of cards and flowers. If you would like to order a personal flower bouquet in advance please just pop in and ask.

Last week we thanked Andrew Packe for all his hard-work, support and time that he very generously gave firstly to help start the planning for a new village shop, then volunteering on a weekly basis. He also gave his time being a member of the shop committee. Thank you, Andrew we appreciate all your hard work, and we are thrilled that you will continue to volunteer in the shop.

If you are new to Bledington and Foscot and would like to give back to your community then maybe you might consider volunteering in the shop. If you are interested then please do contact me for a chat.

Finally, all of us at Bledington Shop would like to send our deepest condolences to Sheila Truslove on the sad news of her dear sister Gillian.

Happy New Year to you all. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and an excellent start to 2024. January has arrived with a soggy start and then a few days of cold crisp mornings, with beautiful blue skies. I know which I prefer.

January is filled with lots of root vegetables and citrus fruits for all to enjoy. Eating seasonally is best for us, the environment and supports local suppliers. We have leeks, parsnips and various types of kale. Plus, not forgetting our sunny “Seville” oranges now ready for marmalade making.

Once again, we are in search of Bledington’s Marmalade Champion! So, wash down your pans, dig out your recipe books and get bubbling!

Please do bring us your jar of homemade unlabelled marmalade, to be crowned Bledington Marmalade King or Queen. All entries will be judged blind. The deadline is noon Friday 16 February 2024. The winner will be announced on Monday 19 February 2024.

Have you seen our fantastic range of soups from the Real Soup Company? When it comes to a tasty soup, we know that everyone’s choice is different. From lentil to butternut squash, tomato and basil to leek and potato. They are available in ready to heat containers. All their soups are allergen free, vegetarian and vegan varieties available. They all go extremely well with a warmed up slice of Mark’s Sourdough.

In the coming weeks Spring will be here so lots of new fresh fruit and vegetables will be arriving, plus local seasonal flowers. Love will be in the air for Valentines Day, on Wednesday 14 February. Don’t forget to spoil your special valentine with a gift. We will have Dee’s cards, Stow flowers, Cotswold Carress lotions and potions and Cotswold Chocolate Co. chocolates.

Our community shop is the hub of the village. We are here for everyone who lives in Bledington, Foscot and surrounding villages. The fantastic volunteers and I are not only here to sell you groceries and serve you yummy food and drinks, we are here to help you. Our café is a warm and welcoming place, so if you fancy a chat and a cuppa, please do pop in. If you are new to the village and could spare some time, we are always needing additional volunteers. It’s the perfect place to meet new people and feel part of a community. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Happy 4th Birthday to us. Can you believe it has been four glorious years since we opened the doors to our amazing community shop and café. We celebrated in style and held a raffle thanks to the donations of our brilliant suppliers. The raffle was in aid of the North Cotswold Foodbank and thanks to the generous support of you our customers we raised over £450.

Congratulations to the Alison Blears, Alan Jarvis, Arthur Morley and many other villagers who won one of our many prizes.

Move over plums and blackberries the new fruits on show are our easy peeler, sweet Satsumas plus we have delicious and yummy Medjool dates which can be eaten on their own or used in a traybake or maybe a sticky toffee pudding. Kale, kalettes (sprout flowers) and cavolo nero. All are incredibly versatile and can be boiled, stir-fried and steamed.

With Christmas only four weeks away the shop will be transforming into Santa’s grotto. We will have everything you need from turkeys to twiglets, brussel sprouts to bubbles. If you haven’t started already why not stock up on your favourite festive treats. Our Christmas food order form is available in the shop. You will be able to order everything you need, turkeys, vegetables, smoked salmon and pork pies to name but a few items. The shop has something for everyone, so let the festive preparations begin.

A Diary date for your diary: we will holding a tasting event in the shop on Saturday 16th December 2023. This will be an opportunity for you to try some of our amazing tasty delights that we sell in the shop. So please come along and try a nibble from local cheeses, pork pies and chocolates. Plus we will be promoting our new Old Orchard Whisky. So why not pop in and try a small dram!!

The warm sunny days are now behind us and all we can think of is the
cooler weather. The trees are slowing losing their autumnal leaves and
we’ve got an array of Autumn fruits and vegetables in the shop.

Our shop shelves are flooded with beautiful colours, orange, purple and
dark reds – squashes, sweet potatoes, and purple sprouting broccoli to
name but a few. With the demand for tasty homemade soups and stews
ever increasing we have all the local ingredients you will need. Not wanting
to slave over a hot stove then come and see our amazing selection of fresh
soups found in the deli fridge from Lentil, Thai chicken and butternut
squash.

We have added to our Bledington Shop gifts line with these beautiful fine bone china
mugs. Designed by the super talented Louise and Amy Jackson and produced by The Crock Shop based in Stow. Why not treat yourself to your very own Bledington Mug or start shopping early for Christmas!

Can you believe it has been nearly four years since Bledington
Community Shop and Café opened its doors with Dame Prue Leith cutting
the ribbon and being our first ever customer. As you know we love a
birthday party at Bledington Shop so once again we will be celebrating with
lots of fun and games. Look forward to celebrating with you all on Saturday
11 November 2023. We will be holding a raffle in aid of the North Cotswold Foodbank based in
Moreton.

As we move forward to darker evenings from Sunday 29 October 2023
not only will we have changed the clocks we will also be closing earlier.
Every Sunday during winter the shop will be closing at 2.00pm. So
please shop early to avoid disappointment.

Finally a big thank you to all the amazing volunteers who live in
Bledington and surrounding villages. Without your support and time that
you very generously give this shop would not be such a success that it is; so
thank you.

Blackberries, figs, apples and pears …. these delicious fruits feel like
Autumn is slowly upon us. Don’t waste a moment to make jams, jellies,
cakes and crumbles all ingredients available from the shop. Not forgetting
lots of creams and ice creams to accompany your favourite pudding or tart.
We are still getting courgettes and British tomatoes and new in are figs,
squashes and purple sprouting broccoli. With the demand now for tasty
homemade soups and stews ever increasing we have all the local
ingredients you will need.

We have some new beers, lagers and ciders in, all from local brewery Hawkstone, based just outside Moreton. Made famous by Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper. The Hawkstone Sundowner is a fruity and refreshing lager in a can available for a limited period only.

As we move forward to darker evenings and cosy nights by the fire we will be changing our opening hours from Sunday 29th October 2023. Our opening hours will be Monday-Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm and Sunday 9.00am-2.00pm.

Sadly, I must report that Maura my assistant manger has resigned from
the shop. She has been an asset to our team and will be sadly missed by us
all. I am sure you will want to join me in wishing her all the best. This
means I am looking for a new assistant manager. If you know anyone who
may fit the position please let them know about this vacancy or contact me
on 01608 659977, manager@bledingtonshop.com

Finally I would like to thank all my amazing volunteers who very
generously give up their time to help and support me in the shop. If you
have just recently moved into the local area and would like to help serve our
local community please do pop in for a chat to find out more.