Page 17 - Issue 67 Online

MANEA MATTERS
MANEA MATTERS
Maggie Powell’s picture based on Jessie
Bridgement’s memories of Coronation Day 1953

The building was derelict and needed
clearing and rebuilding

Very sadly, less than a month after cutting the
ribbon for No.29, Mrs Jessie Bridgement passed
away. She will be missed by all who knew her and
we feel privileged that she was able to perform the
ceremony.

The renovations started by clearing the shop
area and removing the baking ovens and tables
from the rear room (now the kitchen). The front
corner of the building was bowed outwards and
the roof was unsafe so these were taken down,
the walls rebuilt using the original bricks and
a new roof fitted. Once the building was safe, Jessie cutting the ribbon and opening the café
work could start inside to add underfloor
heating pipes, new electrics, new
internal walls, windows, stairways
and toilets as well as fitting the
coffee bar and kitchen areas.
After six months, with a lot
of hard work and late nights,
we were finished and ready to
open – just in time for the second
lockdown! We decided we would open,
providing a takeaway service which has been
well received so far!
The family-run bakery has been given a new
lease of life – now a family-owned and run
coffee shop, which we hope will become a hub A new lease of life – the new café @no29
for the community.
Caroline Barnes
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DEADLINE for Issue 68 – Friday 19 February 2021 PAGE 17
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