By Julia Bevan, Teacher of English

On Wednesday afternoon, a quartet of Bedalians made their way into Petersfield to take part in a new initiative: volunteering at the Pop-in Café at Winton House Centre. Winton House is an independent registered charity – staffed mostly by volunteers – which maintains the Grade II-listed building of the same name, supports other local charities and voluntary organisations, and provides services and facilities to help the local community.

Miranda Robertson, Bella Cutts, Jack Brooksbank and Archie Tier arrived promptly, donning stripy aprons and thoroughly washing their hands, ready to begin. All had passed food hygiene courses before setting foot in Winton House, so were well-versed in the basics, such as removing dangly earrings and watches before getting to work in the kitchen.

The café, inconspicuously sandwiched between The Rowans Hospice Shop and Mackarness & Lunt Solicitors on Petersfield High Street, provides a warm, peaceful environment for members of the community to enjoy a bite to eat. It usually closes at 2pm, but Bedales students are hoping to be able to keep it open until 3.45pm on Wednesdays. Yesterday our young volunteers were taught how to make and serve hot drinks as well as prepare fresh sandwiches, with all-important attention to detail – like delivering a saucer with a cup.

If you are local to Petersfield but don’t already know about this bright, non-corporate environment with a charming garden, do stop by next week for a cuppa! We will update you on the students’ volunteering as the initiative progresses.