It’s been a busy and eventful month at the Old Barn Coffee Shop after it re-opened on December 3rd following the second national lockdown.
It was wonderful to welcome back our lovely customers, both to eat in at the café and for our takeaway service. Thanks again to everyone who has supported us, we really appreciate it.
A special treat
We also began preparations for a very special festive treat that we had planned for residents in our local community.
As this year progressed, it became clear that Covid-19 had dashed our hopes of hosting the Bagby and Balk Village Society’s annual Christmas dinner for senior citizens. We’d had such a fantastic time when we hosted it last year, with guests enjoying a sit-down meal and live music, that we were disappointed not to be able to do the same again this year.
Nevertheless, our coffee shop team still wanted to do something for the local community and came up with the super idea of offering festive afternoon tea boxes instead, filled with homemade goodies for people to enjoy in the comfort of their own home.
The boxes were filled with ham and tuna sandwiches, sausage roll, mince pie, clotted cream scone, lemon drizzle cake, carrot cake and Victoria sponge, all homemade by the Old Barn’s supervisor, Claire Batson. We also included a complementary hot drink voucher for use in the café.
Claire’s colleagues Isobel Lowen and Ellie Smith, along with Emma Bishop from the Bagby and Balk Village Society, helped put the boxes together, tying each one with some festive ribbon. Emma and three other volunteers from the society – Catherine, Lucy and Deb – then delivered the boxes to 48 senior citizens in Bagby, Balk and Osgoodby.
We were delighted to be part of a fantastic team effort between the Old Barn and the Village Society to help bring some festive cheer to our local community!
Surprise award
Another highlight this month was the surprise announcement that the Old Barn had been named Café of the Year by the Swaledale Outdoor Club’s Cycling Section.
Claire and her team were delighted when some of the club members dropped into the coffee shop to make the announcement and present them with a certificate.
It’s always a pleasure to welcome members of the club for a well-deserved break in between their travels, and we’re absolutely chuffed to be given such a great compliment by them in the form of this award!
Christmas and New Year opening
The Old Barn Coffee Shop will close at 3.30pm on Monday, December 21st, and will re-open at 10am on Boxing Day. It will then be open every day from 10am to 3.30pm, including on New Year’s Day. We’ll be offering our full Winter Menu, including our very popular breakfast options.
Customers are welcome to eat in at the café, adhering to the current guidelines. The strict social distancing and hygiene procedures that we introduced after the first lockdown remain in place to ensure everyone can enjoy their visit in a safe environment.
We are also offering a takeaway service for those who prefer not to eat in the café.
Get in touch
The Old Barn Coffee Shop is situated at the entrance to York House Holiday Park in Balk, near Thirsk. If you need to get in touch, please email yorkhouse@yhlparks.co.uk or call 01845 597 495. Alternatively, contact the coffee shop on the Facebook page here.
As is always the case during these uncertain times, please call ahead of your visit if you are making a special journey to see us.