I do detect that summer is on the way – well, spring anyway. And, what, you might ask, am I basing this hypothesis? To answer that, you need to take a quick trip to our Village Stores, where you will see all manner of indicators.
Our ice cream freezer has taken up its summer residency outside the shop, or inside if it’s very wet. I was starting to say that this year it might spend a lot of time indoors – but then realised that, of course, all this year’s rain has already fallen out of the sky, so we will have a lovely, dry, summer.
Cream teas must be one of the most quintessential of English summer traditions. We are stocking our ever-popular Bramble Foods sultana or cherry scones, together with a wide selection of jams, and Rodda’s clotted cream. Absolutely delicious! Of course, you’ll need to decide whether the jam goes on top of the cream, or the cream over the jam.
Pickled sliced beetroot. I am serious! Don’t look so incredulous! Pickled beetroot is absolutely delicious in a salad, which, of course, is enjoyed all year round, but especially in the summer. We’ve just had a delivery to the shop, and expect it to be very popular. Incidentally, pickled beetroot is good for your digestion and heart, as well as lowering blood sugar and insulin levels. Have I convinced you yet? Form an orderly queue, please, outside the shop.
One aspect of summer for young people which isn’t so popular, but is nonetheless very important, is exams. Well, we can’t magic them away, but we can help you. As well as the usual stationery supplies, we stock flash (or index) cards, which are an invaluable help with revising. And, for mums and dads, we have the all-important good luck cards to cheer your offspring along.
Summer brings visitors and walkers alike to Findon, who come to the shop to purchase snacks and provisions. They have been very complimentary about the shop, and we have had lots of positive comments. Sometimes we can take our community shop for granted, and it takes someone from outside to remind us what a valuable asset it is to our village.
Holidays. Lovely when you’re there, but there’s always so much to organise first. Well, we can help with that. You can buy Euros over the PO counter, and order (before 12 noon) any other currency to arrive the next day. I know I often wax lyrical about our wonderful Post Office, but you must agree that it offers a fantastic service.
The month of May, of course, is top and tailed by two Bank Holidays, and I need to end this month’s missive by reminding you that on the 6th and 27th May, the shop will close at 12.30pm. So, do all your shopping in the morning, and enjoy the lovely sunshine I have organised just for you in the afternoon!
Jean Burden