AS THE LAZY DAYS OF AUGUST dwindle away, the golden hues of autumn are be- ginning to creep in. While it’s always a little sad to say goodbye to the joys of summer, September offers its own magic-crisp mornings, vibrant leaves, and hedgerows bursting with fruit just waiting to be picked.
We’ve had a truly wonderful August at the shop, welcoming not only our cherished local customers but also visitors from far and wide. From New Zealand to the USA, and many European neighbours in between, our guests have been full of praise for the shop and the charm of our beautiful village.
As we transition into the new season, fresh produce is arriving daily. Look out for juicy, ripe figs—delicious on their own or served with blue cheese and walnuts in a fresh green salad.
Blackberries are still plentiful in the hedgerows and apples are beginning to fall, making it the perfect time to get baking! Whether it’s jams, jellies, cakes or crumbles, we’ve got all the ingredients you’ll need right here in the shop. In the coming days we’ll be welcoming winter squashes, curly kale, and purple sprouting broccoli— ideal for homemade soups, hearty stews, or roasting for a warming autumn supper.
If you’ve wandered past the village shop recently and noticed couple of brown paper bags hanging mysteriously by the entrance, you’re not alone. It’s not lost lunch or an unusual bit of décor: it’s actually part of a clever eco-friendly wasp deterrent! So next- time you walk in and notice the brown bags swaying in the breeze, remember their doing a good job keeping our shop a little less buzzy. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our incredible young volunteers following their A-Level and GCSE results.
Congratulations to Emily Rich, who is heading to Belfast to study politics, Katy Ottoway, off to King’s College London, and Angus Sherringham, going to Worcester to studying counselling psychology. And a big well-done to our GCSE students Flavia Abbate, Henry Rich and Jemima Hall. Everyone at Bledington Shop thanks you for your hard work and dedication. We wish you all the best in your exciting next chapters.
If you know a young person who would like to volunteer in the shop, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a great way to gain experience and be part of our lovely community. Here’s to a fruitful and flavourful September!
