Brandling Hall Railway Stop Community Café
Who took part?
Members of the Brandling Hall Community Centre Management Committee, the over 50’s club, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme students and their family members.
Why?
- To look at the feasibility of opening a community café in the centre.
- To raise awareness and recruit volunteers for the derelict community allotment.
- To bring young and old residents together within the community centre.
What took place?
Groups researched the history of the area, in particular the mining and railway heritage and worked with graphic designer Cathy Sharp to develop a brand image and name for their cafe. Artist Clare Satow helped the group to design and make bespoke tablecloths and napkins. Ceramist, Marvin Kitshaw from Muddy Fingers, brought a potter’s wheel and helped them make soup bowls. These items could then be used by the cafe again.
Chef Sam Storey helped the group develop two nutritious and cheap soups that the workers on the railway would have traditionally eaten – Ham Hock, Vegetable and Lentil, and Chicken, Leek and Potato, plus the vegetarian alternatives. The families of the participants also dedicated time and enthusiasm, which resulted in a truly intergenerational project with all ages sitting down together to eat and talk.
Soul Soup Café Event
The final Soul Soup café event took place at Brandling Hall Community Centre as the culmination of Felling Action Week. The groups made and served the soups to local residents as part of an evening of consultation on and celebration of community spirit. In particular, the group asked their guests about the feasibility of opening a regular café in the community centre and how they would like to see it managed.
Find Out More:
Brandling Community Centre
www.brandlingcommunitycentre.org
Brandling Primary School
