LEVERS UPDATE...

The "new" signal box levers for numbers 3 and 5 have now been fitted. Thanks go to Adrian, Derek, Dick and Noah (and anyone else I've missed out).

There will be a full report elsewhere I'm sure.

Dave

THE BUFFER STOP CAFE...

The cafe is running well and proving popular with both museum visitors and the general public on open days.

From my point of view however, it is quite time consuming. As I'm sure people will appreciate it isn't just a case of turning up on an open day and selling things! There are many other things to consider. These include...

• Regularly doing stock checks including expiry dates etc.
• Purchasing new stock at the best price I can.
• Keeping everything clean, tidy and sanitised.
• Deep cleaning every three months.
• On open days prior to opening, the cafe, kitchen and toilet areas are thoroughly cleaned, fridge temperature taken and all the appropriate paperwork filled in.
• After closing more checks and cleaning is carried out.

All this is on top of buying the ingredients for the home made produce, milk and bread etc for the open day. I then spend the day before baking the cakes and sausage rolls, pasties or whatever in on the menu.

Wow! This sounds like I am complaining! I'm not! I enjoy it all but it all takes up my time.

What I am getting at is that I could really do with more help. If anyone is willing to help run the cafe on open days or do some home baking it would be a great help. Just speak to any of us and the message will get to me. For the home baking a food hygiene certificate is required, but don't worry, it's free and is not difficult to achieve.

It's all very rewarding when people make nice comments on open days!

Dave