A pop up bistro in St Peter’s Church Framilode has raised over £700 for the church funds following a building project to make the space more versatile.
In the past five years, a toilet and a kitchen have been fitted and the pews replaced with chairs and folding tables, allowing more freedom to host different events.
Visitors to an open morning asked the church to run a pop up restaurant and chef de cuisine Betty Haynes was happy to oblige.
Betty said, “I had always wanted to run a pop-up restaurant. It was a huge success and great fun. I hope this can encourage and enthuse other churches to use their buildings creatively.”
For one night only, local people were invited to tuck in to a paté or roasted tomato and red pepper soup, coq au vin or goats cheese and roasted vegetables tarte tatin, with French apple tart or crème brulée to finish.
In the autumn, there is another pop up restaurant planned and Betty also hopes to start offering ‘Bore butties’ on mornings when a 3* bore is expected on the Severn.
Betty said: “Our church is right on the river, near a popular view point, so I am sure we can entice people in with the smell of freshly cooked bacon butties!”
Two plays have also been performed in the church and there is an annual Framilode’s Got Talent contest. There is a strength and flexibility class twice a week and indoor bowls is set to start soon.
