Archive for category: News

Paul, Tracy & Georgia welcome all to their shop ‘Bit of a Treat’ which opened on 23rd November 2013 in the old post office building. Opening times are 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and the shop is closed on Sunday. They would like the shop to become a hub for village life and welcome people to come in for a chat.
Phase one of the shop is complete boasting a fine array of sweets, drinks, cakes, savoury foods and much more besides. When asked to identify their favourite sweets, Georgia chose Wonka chocolate, Tracy picked cinder toffee and Paul with a lick of his lips said ‘peardrop lollies’. The vast range of sweets includes a selection of jars of sweets from yesteryear (100g = 4oz), American sweets, chocolates for adults and children.
In addition to sweets hot and cold drinks are available. Hot drinks include fresh coffee and designer teas. Paul likes the thought of people popping in to say hello and try a morning glory, just one type of designer teas. To complement this, a seating area of four tables and twelve chairs are available. Other food items are ice cream, freshly made popcorn – why not call in on your way to the cinema?
Non food products include balloons and handmade cards. Tracy thinks the shop could become an outlet for locally produced craft items. A laundry service and ironing service are the latest additions being launched in early March. Note, the range of products may also shrink, for example Paul described his less than positive experience with a chocolate fountain – at present this remains his first and last attempt!
I have personally experienced the rush to the shop after school and the range of goods available suits all ages.
Paul and Tracy are happy to help preparing bespoke orders for events such as wedding favours, children’s parties, school discos, baskets of sweets for birthdays. Gift certificates are available. Recently a 50th birthday party was supplied with sweets and balloons with a banana theme.
Further phases may include products made in the recently refurbished kitchen and an outdoor area where these can be enjoyed. Paul is particularly hopeful to introduce a greater array of hot and cold food including ‘door step’ sandwiches.
Please call in as everyone deserves a “Bit of a Treat”.

In spite of the extreme temperatures, Geoff and Ba Marsh have been successful in their bid to cycle 317 miles on their tandem from London to Paris in four days. The ride is an annual event organised by Action Medical Research, to raise funds for the charity. Hundreds of riders take part, setting off from London and then following one of three routes to Paris. Ba and Geoff left Chessington early on the Wednesday morning travelling to Paris via Portsmouth, catching the overnight ferry to Caen, (so not a lot of sleep that night!) then along the Normandy beaches before heading inland to Lisieux. Friday’s cycle to Evreux was the toughest day with 90 miles to cover, made more challenging by a strong headwind. Extra water stops were built in to help the riders cope with the extreme heat – in places, the tarmac was melting and sticking to their tyres. Then, with just 64 miles left they set off for Paris on the Saturday.
“It was really gruelling, “said Geoff, “but all that was forgotten in the euphoria as our group of 100 cycles merged with the other two routes (300 more) around the Arc de Triomphe – and the whole cavalcade rode down the Champs Elysees etc to the Eiffel Tower – horns blasting and people cheering and waving – an extraordinary, unforgettable and emotional moment!”
“Mind you, we nearly didn’t make it!” said Ba. “Matilda, our tandem, had not faltered for 313 miles, but she lost a spoke on the last downhill into Paris, causing a rear wheel puncture! It took only about 15 minutes to fix but that meant we had to cycle ‘like a French taxi’ through Paris to catch up with the others who were literally heading off for the Arc de Triomphe as we arrived!”
Ba and Geoff said they were both very pleased to have made it, but were even more delighted when they discovered that their efforts had led to sponsorship of over £2500 being raised for Action Medical Research. They would like to thank everyone who has supported, sponsored and encouraged them in their venture.
It’s not too late to sponsor them if you would like to, at http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/geoffandba.