DOBCROSS BAND Club has bid a fond farewell to one of its most prolific fundraisers.
Val Hanson has decided to stand down as organiser of the Club’s popular monthly Coffee Shop team after three years in charge.
In that time, the 12 volunteers have served up a mouth-watering spread on the first Saturday of each month to raise thousands of pounds towards improvements for the club.
Now Val is handing over the reins to Lesley Brown, a Saddleworth Parish Councillor, to continue the good work.
Val said: “We started the Dobcross Coffee Shop to raise money for the Band Club refurbishment. We felt the village needed somewhere to bring people together of all ages.
“The people have been amazing and really appreciate what we do which makes it very pleasant to do. Not one of the volunteers has dropped out of the team in three years.
“We had no equipment to start with but Sandy Lane Church, Holy Trinity church and Michael and Tim from The Swan loaned us what we needed.
“We purchased teapots, jugs, cutlery and crockery from charity shops. The ladies made tablecloths and started baking cakes every month.”
She continued proudly: “The Coffee Shop was a huge success from the start and has gone from strength to strength.
“As well as selling coffee, beans on toast, teacakes, and crumpets we now sell bacon butties and more. We have purchased our own equipment and made alterations to the kitchen.”
A substantial amount of the money raised by the Coffee Shop Team went towards new soundproof doors for the club.
They have also purchased curtain rails, curtain linings, nine large tub chairs for the lounge, four large bar stools, 28 tables, and bright tubs, baskets and flowers for outside the club.
Val added: “We have had substantial donations from Cllr Nikki Kirkham and lots of villagers have donated cakes, money and crockery, and we would like to thank them all.
“We would also like to thank the committee for their support, especially Jill and Kevin Drake who have been exceptional. We would like to wish Lesley all the best as she takes over.”
Dobcross Club President Terry Lawless commented: “Val and the Coffee Shop team have done a tremendous job, contributing thousands of pounds towards the ongoing success of the Club.
“I’d like to offer her my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Committee, members and the people of Dobcross.”
The Dobcross Coffee Shop is held on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 12noon at Dobcross Band Club. There will be no event in January.
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