The CofE CafE has been operating for over 40 years and is held in the Elkes Room in church every Wednesday (unless Christmas Day or New Year’s Day fall on a Wednesday) from 10.00am until 1.00pm. It has grown from little more than offering tea and biscuits, to now providing drinks, snacks and light lunches, with a weekly “special” main dish. It originally opened to cater for people, mainly from the farming community, attending the Wednesday markets and is still sometimes referred to as “The Wednesday Café”. The café continues to provide a social function with many regular customers meeting not just for food but companionship as well.
The funds generated by the café are split between St Mary’s church (75%) and The Children’s Society (25%). The Children’s Society helps youngsters who have run away from home or have other problems and don’t feel able to turn to their parents or guardians. In recent years the café has been sending The Children’s Society more than £6000 per annum.