December 2021

Seasonal News from the Park

Another fantastic year in the life of Hardie Park! Despite Covid challenges over the last couple of years we have strived to support our community where we can. The pop-up shop continues to help families and local residents with daily food supplies from Lidl, M&S and Sainsbury's supermarkets. The cafe has provided a safe space to pass the time of day, meet a friend, have a chat with our team of volunteers or join in a club. Thank you for your continued support. Please also join us in thanking our hardworking team of volunteers, staff and trustees, who without their time and dedication to the project we wouldn't be able to do what we do.

We are looking forward to spending more time with you in the New Year. 

Meet our new volunteer

Meet ‘Wiggles’ our Hardie Cafe Charity Shop Rescue Guard Doggy sitting pride of place, greeting you when you visit the cafe. He sometimes has doggy treats to share with his four pawed friends, you might be lucky. The cafe welcomes dogs, we just ask that they are kept on a lead at all times and do not sit on the furniture. 

Anonymous gift

Wow....thank you, thank you, thank you, on behalf of Hardie Park and the volunteer gardeners. We had a surprise anonymous gift left at the park over the weekend. A PETROL LAWNMOWER! We are very grateful to the secret donor. It will be put to good use over the coming year. What an amazing community we have!

Shop Safe Shop Local

The Small Business Saturday initiative was supported by Thurrock Council this year and earlier in the month they visited 29 businesses throughout the borough including ours. The council have created some short films of businesses in action and took photographs on site of Nikki our Cafe Supervisor and Chris, Friends of Hardie Park Trustee.

Here's the Thurrock Council article marking the event : Shop Safe Shop Local

This is a Welcome Back Fund project which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Last minute bike bits

The cycle hub will be open from 9-2 on Christmas Eve to help you with your last minute purchases. Accessories, bikes, spares and GIFT VOUCHERS for the bike lovers in your life! The team will also be on hand on Wednesday 29th December if your new Christmas wheels need some adjustment. Always happy to help! 

Feel free to message the team on their @hardiecyclehub facebook page

Festive Lattes and Gingerbread Sprinkles

The cafe staff are getting in the spirit of Christmas serving festive coffees and ices with a complimentary Hardy gingerbread man.

Festive Latte: Ground Arabica Coffee Beans, Gingerbread Syrup, Hot Milk, Squirty Cream Top, Ginger Biscuit Sprinkles -  £2.75

Rossi with a festive twist: 1 Scoop 'flavour of your choice', Ginger Biscuit Sprinkles - £1.50

You can view our Autumn/Winter cafe menu here  

We're part of the Co-op Local Community Fund

Thanks to all our current supporters. It's really easy to sign up and choose a local worthy cause on the Co-op website. You can help us to make a difference in your community. The offer to support us is for a year until October 2022 so lots of time left to collect the pennies. 

https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/61536

Total: £22.80 and rising (20/12/21)

Hardie Cafe is a great little venue to host a club, friendly faces and refreshments on hand. If you are looking for a space to meet fellow clubbers, drop us an email to discuss.  Email:  info@friendsofhardiepark.co.uk  Click the bar above to see the clubs that currently operate from the cafe. 

If you are choosing to shop with Amazon especially with Black Friday deals on the horizon, remember to sign up via Amazon Smile. You can nominate your chosen charity and support the efforts of the park at no extra cost to yourself, You Shop Amazon gives.