Our aim

Possible names:
• The Village Cafe – to emphasise the fact that it’s for the whole Girton community
• The Village Pump – another ‘traditional’ type of name (and it would be nice to have a stirrup pump for the use of passing cyclists! – a comment made to me some time ago about the absence of somewhere in the area where you can get your tyres inflated!)
• Girton Girasole (means ‘sunflower’ in Italian – a convenient theme for getting tableclothes, etc., perhaps)

  People who will use it:

• mums with young children, older people, language students, teenagers, cyclists, - in other words, we would like to be welcoming to all sectors of the community, and new users are required so that it continues to fulfil its existing objectives.
• Very important: it IS the Girton Social Club, so we don’t want to upset the people who already use it. We just want to extend its use.

  Image:

• Several people have told me that they would never dream of going into a place that looks so much like a “working men’s club” where they would not be welcome – so needs a bright banner outside (maybe a painted sunflower on the wall!) and something to distract from the fact that when you go in through the front entrance you are faced with several doors, most of which take you into the loos.

• It would be nice to aim to be as ‘green’ as possible – having bike racks outside would be encouraging; also space for parking buggies (maybe behind, where they are not so vulnerable).

  Uniform:

• Would recommend getting aprons with logo to share among people working in the cafe (fit all sizes).

  What to sell:

• Stick to simple things! Lots of people have told me that they would really welcome somewhere in the centre of the village that sells ‘good coffee’, but I have noticed that coffee vending machines are frequently out of order, and proper espresso machines need properly trained operators, which could make life quite difficult as I imagine volunteers/staff may well change fairly frequently. We could get a set of ‘unbreakable’ cafetieres and teapots/hot water pots, etc.

  I think ‘Fair Trade’ goods would go down well, and are ready-wrapped, so we don’t need to have food-handling qualifications. But because we have a remit to encourage “social intercourse, mutual helpfulness, mental and moral improvement, rational recreation”, etc., I would assume this to include providing ‘healthy’ stuff, and at least to be able to provide one type of snack that does not include high sugar or salt content. (Carrot sticks might be popular with parents, and cheap to provide.) The club already stocks crisps and confectionary.

  Children’s corner:

• Could have a second-hand playhouse, kitchen toys, etc., and a bookcase with simple books.

  Community noticeboard:

• What’s on, plus posters for Cottontails, CAB, etc. Also, a board for ‘for sale’s and ‘wanted’s.

  Advertise:

• Community involvement. In Girton Parish News – first announce project, and ask for playhouse, (mugs and spoons), comfy chairs, playhouse, etc.
• Copy date for May issue of Girton Parish News has passed; date for June is XXXXX; date for July is XXXX.

• Put up posters.
• Set up website and get it linked to the village website.
• Cambridge News – contact them to get a mention of the project. Contact:
• The Social Enterprise People at French’s Mill (off Victoria Road) for help with setting up a co-operative?

• Need to have a policy to copy with teenagers, language students, and potential ‘loiters’.

  Other thoughts: Local business ‘taster’ days:

• Rawr chocolate; Origin8;

  Provide gallery for local artists? One artist a month?

  Local artists:

• StillVision (photo studio – might donate a photo to promote their business);

  Get youth group to help decorate the Social Club as a half-term project?