A THRIVING church-owned cafe in Bere Alston has just celebrated its first birthday — and has plans to become an internet cafe. Hope Cottage Cafe is owned and run by Bere Alston United Church. Volunteers from the church and village staff the cafe and the day to day organisation is in the hands of church members Hilary Boot-Handford, Robin Holliday, Lesley Colvin and Helena Rogers. They were joined by nearly 60 local users of the cafe for the first birthday celebrations last Saturday, with free refreshments and a small gift for everyone. Mrs Boot-Handford said the management committee did not intend to rest on its laurels and plans were going ahead to make Hope Cottage an internet venue for old and young. Grants are being sought to enable young people to use the computer facilities during the evenings and it is also hoped to run informal computer training sessions for those of 'more mature years', she said. The cafe is next door to the church, in a house purchased by the church several years ago. It was renovated and is now child and disabled- friendly and has an enclosed garden and patio area.
