Hi Folks, and Happy New Year!

Thriplow Shop keeps ploughing on successfully, here is the latest:

1. We’re recruiting another member of Staff
2. 2103 was a good year
3. New Dry Cleaning
4. Food Bank idea
5. 150 Club winners
6. Tickets available for local entertainment
7. We need another member of staff.

It might appear like we have everything in control, opening 7 days a week and weekdays for 11 hours, but beneath the surface, it is getting quite difficult to manage the staff rota. We have enough cover when all is well but as soon as someone is sick or on holiday, then we run short of people to fill in. That happens nearly every week to some greater or lesser extent and we have decided to look for another paid staff member to help us out. The position would be for anything between 0 and 20 hours a week depending on what time of year it is but would average out at around 10 hours per week. It would suit a recently retired person who might like a bit more spending money and it is also good to help you get to know lots of people in and around the village

If you are interested in this position, please contact Helen in the shop or any of the committee.

2. 2013 was a good year.

2013 turned out about the same as 2012 in summary but we were very much down on our usual Daffodil Weekend takings and it took us all the rest of the year to make up that shortfall. In fact March was only our 5th best month when normally Daffodil Weekend makes the month it is held in be well clear as best month in the year. But we did recover from this early setback and the growth over the last 9 months should carry forward into 2014. January is already 6% up on last year’s January.

3. New Dry Cleaning Supplier.

We have just changed our dry cleaning supplier to get a better service. Previously we were only getting collections and deliveries every week, now we have them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so this should speed up the turnaround time for cleaning – sometimes this can be important to you. Hopefully you will like the new supplier which is a Sawston based company.

4. Food Bank

Harriet Swinnerton-Dyer has hatched a plan to collect unwanted food for redistribution in Cambridgeshire. The plan is that the shop will have a deposit box, which people can place items in and she will take the items to the centre where the food is handed out. Look out for this box and please help if you can. There are always people who struggle. The items will obviously NOT be for sale.

5. 150 Club Winners.

Michaela Rowland Hall, Gill Aldred and Brian Roberts won the prizes in January’s draw. Congratulations to them! The next draw will take place next week.

6. Tickets Available.

As is usual, we are selling tickets for various events in the village. At the moment, we have tickets for a Jazz evening in Fowlmere on 15th February and also for a Film Night in the school in aid of the Open Church. Please ask us if you wish to purchase any of these tickets.

TVSA