A place to chat over coffee and cake

IF you live in the Linton area and miss catching up with your neighbours at the local cafe, Linton and District Progress Association are offering an alternative.

In the absence of a coffee shop, secretary Bev Harris has launched Coffee, Cake, and Chat, which is being held at 10am on Tuesday mornings at the Linton Community Hub.

“Because we no longer have a cafe in Linton, but we have the use of the old Shire offices and a fairly big room in there, we’ve decided to have a coffee morning,” she said.

Ms Harris said the aim is to make it accessible, affordable, comfortable, and inviting, and everyone is welcome.

“People can pay $3 for a cup of coffee, or two, a piece of cake, or a biscuit,” she said. “We have a pod machine and a milk frother, so we get a decent coffee.

“There are a lot of people who are older who don’t drive and could walk there, or we could pick them up, but it’s an opportunity to have a bit of social contact.

“Other than the takeaway, there’s nowhere in Linton to have that social contact. We’re not trying to take any business away from the takeaway, but this is an alternative choice.

“We’ve only done it four times so far, but everyone’s thought it was a great idea, and we’ve seen them again the next time.”

The “cosy” room has been fitted out with tables, chairs, and a lounge suite, and a volunteer brings a homemade cake or some biscuits each week to share.

Ms Harris said there is scope to expand the initiative to other days and to incorporate board games.

“If it goes well, maybe in the wintertime we’ll open it up on Sunday afternoons for people to come and have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee, and play a game of cards, chess, Scrabble, or Monopoly,” she said.

“There’s over 600 people in Linton, so it’s a great way to get out of the house and socialise.”

The room could also be used for a playgroup if local families are interested to start up their own.