A POPULAR venture in Rogiet that aims to draw the neighbourhood together was officially launched on Wednesday 7th October. The Rogiet Community Café was opened by oldest customer, 95 year old Pat Baxter, aided by youngsters from the village’s Little Tigers playgroup.

As previously reported in the Beacon, the café was founded last month by passionate bakers Ilona Watson and Fay Baxter, supported by Monmouthshire County Council, Monmouthshire Housing Association and the local diocese. When they heard that the village post office was to be replaced by a bi-weekly mobile service, they took the opportunity to set up a project to strengthen local ties. The café – situated at Rogiet Community Church Hall - opens each Wednesday from 9am to 12pm while the post office van calls the same day from 9.30am to 11.30am and also from 11am to 12pm each Friday.

Fay said: “Provision of tea, coffee and bacon rolls on Wednesdays has been a phenomenal success and many people have welcomed this initiative including mums and babies, older customers and people popping in for breakfast. 

“We’re hoping the café will become a hub for various local services including access to the police and housing.”

Customer Lynn Chislett lives in Chepstow but was born and brought up in Rogiet.  She has family in the village and visits on a regular basis. Lynn commented: “The café has been well attended since opening last month and it brings the local community together. I remember when Rogiet used to have as many as seven shops so I welcome this new facility.”

Monmouthshire’s Small Local Enterprise Coordinator Sara Warshawski said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Fay, Ilona and all the other volunteers. Their dream was to establish a café to bring the whole community together and through market research, hard work and partnership working they have achieved it.

“Our communities are full of creative, giving people and to help them develop resources is a real privilege.”

Councillor Geoff Burrows, cabinet member with responsibility for social care and health added: “The council is keen to maintain local services wherever possible so we’re pleased to support this

commendable venture. During the short time the cafe has operated it has made a considerable and positive impression.”

For more details log onto the Rogiet Community Café Facebook page www.facebook.com/rogietcommunitycafe