Behind The Scenes At Newtown Community Café
A couple of weeks ago, I made the grueling, five-minute trek across the park from our offices in Newtown to the Newtown Bowling Club where Newtown Community Café are based. I’d heard whispers about it, but had never actually popped in. Thankfully, Karen invited me over to see what all the fuss was about—and I am so glad she did.
Stepping through the front doors, I was instantly hit by the most amazing cooking smells. Newtown is an absolute hub for fantastic green food initiatives. Between Cultivate, Newtown Food Surplus, Open Newtown, and the incredible aromas pouring out of the Newtown Community Café, there is so much good energy around food here.
The café has been running for eight years now, serving up brilliant food for any and everyone in the community. They put on a three-course meal on Wednesdays, and soup and a pudding on Thursdays, all on a donation basis. It’s powered by food surplus, funding, and the sheer goodwill of amazing volunteers and supporters.
When I arrived, Karen was already run off her feet in the kitchen prepping for the lunchtime rush. She introduced me to Roy, the chairman, who kindly handed me a mug of coffee and gave me the grand tour.
It was genuinely heartwarming to watch the team in action. Everyone had their own role, but they worked together like a wonderfully happy, well-oiled machine. As soon as the volunteers walked through the door, it was coat off, hands washed, and apron on. Some volunteers have been there since day one, while others, like a young man practicing his cooking skills before heading off to catering college, are building a brilliant foundation for the future.
Before long, the tables were laid, crusty bread and butter were waiting, and the soup was simmering away just in time for the first visitors.
As guests arrived, they were warmly greeted and shown to their seats. I loved seeing how naturally friendly the chats were. I chatted with one lady who was visiting for the very first time, already laughing away with the people sitting next to her. Lots of people wanted to know about the Cambrian Railway Partnership as well. The room had such a brilliant mix of people too—young couples, older people, and everyone in between. Naturally, the room went wonderfully quiet for a few minutes as everyone tucked into their soup.
I was so impressed by how professional yet profoundly welcoming the whole setup is. The tables were beautifully laid with plenty of space, whether you wanted to sit together, chat with others, or enjoy a bit of quiet time on your own.
By the time the main courses started coming out, I realised I was gently getting in the way of a very busy team, so I decided to bid my farewells. They kindly offered to pack me up something to take away, which was ridiculously hard to turn down! But knowing I had my trusty sandwiches waiting back at the office (and having promised myself I'll actually stay for lunch next time), I headed back to the office.
Reflecting on the walk back, it struck me just how brilliant initiatives like this are, and how lucky Newtown is to have such an inspiring community.
If you want to check out what they're up to, have a look at the Newtown Community Café Facebook page.
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