Goodbye Julia

When you have been working alongside someone for over four years and have a very good relationship with them, it is hard to say goodbye.

 

But that is what the shop staff and I had to do on Monday 9th October, Julias last day as Manager of the shop after working here for five years.

 

We had a little get together to wish her all the best in her retirement, I know that she will be missed.

 

Thank you to all those who helped to organise this and supplied nibbles, very grateful.

 

Welcome Beverly

Many of you would already know that I have taken on the role as Manager, but have you met Beverly yet? Beverly steps into my shoes as Deputy Manager and now works on Tuesday, Wednesday morning and Thursday, please stop by and give her a warm Abbotts Ann Village welcome!

 

Christmas

So, Christmas is around the corner (I know – but we have to prepare!) and of course we will be decorating the shop, filling it up with wonderful food and an amazing atmosphere.

 

We will, of course, be getting ready to take your Christmas orders, fruit & veg, turkeys, Chalkstream Trout etc..

 

In order to kick all of this, we will be having a Christmas Mulled Wine & Mince Pie Night on Friday 17th November, 17.30 – 19.00.

 

Please come and visit us, support us on this evening, fill out your orders and baskets and have a fun evening!  See you there!

Judeth Dashwood – Manager

New Products
I’ve had the onerous job of taste testing some of our new products in stock this month.  I finally bought a bottle of the Goodworth Vineyard Classic Brut.  It was light and fruity with just enough acidity to stop it being sweet.  Lots of lovely gentle bubbles as well. It certainly won’t be the last bottle I buy.

We have introduced two wine spritzers in a can from The Uncommon Wine of England.  Not only is the wine English, but the company also has good eco credentials being a ‘B’ certified corporation.  We stock a white wine with elderflower and cucumber, and a rose wine with mint and jasmine.

We now stock Border Dark Chocolate Raspberry biscuits.  They contain bits of real raspberry and are utterly delicious.  I know, because I had two of them!

New Beginnings
As I’m sure you are all aware I will be retiring in October, so I have great pleasure in introducing the new management team….

I’m sure you will all extend a bit Abbotts Ann welcome to Beverley, who will be working on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and congratulations to Judeth for her promotion.  You are most definitely in safe hands.

The last five years have been a wonderful end to my working career.  If nothing else, I have learned the true meaning of teamwork.  The management team of Tim Abram, Maureen Flood and Judeth Dashwood, and all our brilliant volunteers have shown such dedication to our village shop and support of each other demonstrating that true team spirit.  Everybody is working for the greater good, and that will continue long after I leave.  It has been a privilege to work here, and I shall miss all the volunteers and customers.  I’m really looking forward to being a more hands on grandma and having a bit more time for arts and crafts.  However, I might just have the time to bake cheese scones on a Tuesday 😊

Julia Rowling – Manager