Sheet residents can enjoy a slice of cake and a cosy chat with friends and neighbours this winter thanks in part to a grant from their local councillor.
The Winter Warmer Café, running every Friday through November to March, gives Sheet villagers a warm and welcoming place to meet, relax and enjoy a cuppa.
Local councillor, Cllr Nick Drew, granted the café £150, to top up the funds already provided by Sheet Parish Council and the Sheet Village Community Trust.
He attended the last café before Christmas to enjoy some festive food and carol singing.
He said: “It’s so important that local communities stay strong and tightly knit, and that’s why it’s great to see places like this where people can gather and chat and reinforce those friendships and local connections.
“I am delighted to be able to give £150 of my annual grant to the café and I thank the volunteers who run it for their fantastic work.”
Jayne Flatt, who, along with a team of volunteers, runs the cafe, said: “We aim to provide a warm and welcoming place for local people to go to meet their neighbours and friends - and to make new friends.
“Our customers’ ages range from 2 to 97 years old. We provide art materials for the children who come along after school, magazines, games and the Petersfield Post for the grown-ups.
“It is a great place to catch up with local news and information, particularly for people new to the local area.
“We don’t charge for drinks and cake but donations are welcome. Thank you to Cllr Drew of East Hampshire District Council for his generous grant which will keep us in tea bags and coffee for a few more months!”
Each EHDC councillor is given £4,500 to give to local projects and organisations in their area. If your club would benefit from a financial boost then find out if you could apply for a Councillor Community Grant.