If you are not a regular reader of these scribbles you could easily have imagined I was going to reflect on renewed hope for the state of the world in the months and years ahead. For sure, we need to see something other than dictators manoeuvring, posturing and strategizing for their own enrichment and hardly ever for the benefit of the people over whom they have control.
However this is about my first visit to the Hope Café here in Hove. Due to the generosity of Edith Tadstein (Note 1) an idea for an enlarged meeting place became a reality and work started on the 26th August. Since then numerous regulars have given of their time and expertise to make the renovated Hope something to be proud of. In PC 351I included a sketch of what Duncan and his team were going to do. And now this is how it looks:
I popped in the other day, hoping to catch up with the regulars who I hadn’t seen for over six weeks, and to meet Duncan, to get the low down as to how the renovations went. He greets me with a huge grin on his face:
“Well, the stranger returns and you missed it all! What do you think?”
“Think it looks fantastic; so much more space, more and yet somehow you’ve managed to retain the cosy atmosphere you had engendered before (Note 2). What are the highlights?”
“Well, first and foremost we wouldn’t have embarked on the renovations without the generosity of Edith. So I’ve had a little brass plaque engraved and placed above what she considered her normal seat. Look!”
We walked across to the bench seating and read:
“Edith Tadstein – we loved her hope”
Duncan continued: “She was of a generation who didn’t boast about their age, so she wouldn’t have wanted to see ‘1935 – 2022’! Think she’ll like this. Now, what else? We have made the front doors wide enough for wheelchair access and they can be opened by a push button at the appropriate level. The loo on this level’s been changed to accommodate wheelchairs; I haven’t written Disabled Loo on the door as this has a double entendre!
For years I have been aware that the noise of modern coffee machines, those that grind the beans for instance, is quite intrusive, so we’ve invested in the quietest one we could find; everyone thinks it’s well worth it. Incidentally the coffee cart we hired from Brad Stevens was extremely popular, a life-saver for some; such a nice chap to deal with, Brad. And Josh and Libby, and Susie when she returns, will be pleased we’re now paying our staff just more that the living wage, which is itself higher than the minimum wage (note 3) We’ve got a new App so our regulars can claim a freebee once they’ve reached a certain level of spend.”
Walking over to the front windows on the left, Duncan points out some laptop and mobile charging points. Already there’s a chap I recognise from Amber House, Robert Silcock. I understand he’s a budding journalist and potential novelist, who normally works from his apartment, so it’s good to see him in The Hope Café, not only working but also soaking up the friendly, inclusive atmosphere. I know all the people who live in Amber House, so I smile and lift my hand in silent greeting, not wanting to disturb his chain of thought.
The Brazilian Deli run by Teresa has now been incorporated into The Hope, having its own counter. As the Hope itself always provides snacks for its customers, she hopes to provide very Brazilian fare such as:
Brigadeiros, Quindim – a baked desert made from sugar, ground coconut and eggs, Cocada – a coconut confectionery……
Queijadinha – a custard tart made from sweetened condensed milk, grated coconut and cheese, Mousse de Maracuja – sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream and passion fruit juice, and Tapioca pancakes made with Tapioca flour and are either savoury or sweet, depending on their filling!
“Now I’ve seen your colour scheme, Duncan, and given that I was not able to help with the renovations, what would you say if I painted a large triptych to go on the right hand wall – say 80cms by 200cms?”
“That sounds great – by Christmas?”
“I’ll try, Duncan!.” ….. and walked over to speak to Josh and Libby, still standing in for Susie who’s now in Hobart Tasmania, helping Margie until the end of the month in her catering business. Libby doesn’t think we’ll see Susie before Christmas.
“She’s having a ball, a real eye-opener this OS (overseas experience) thingy so I’m beginning to wonder whether she will come back! She sent me some more photos but they’re on my iPad and it’s charging so ask me before you leave? Now, can I get you a double espresso?”
(to be continued ….)
Richard 6th October 2023
Hove
Note 1 I had first met Edith standing outside the Trinity Medical Centre in April 2021 (PC 224). Twelve months later I see her in the Hope Café and she tells me she, aged 3, and her great friend Marie Kobel (later known as Madeleine Albright and US Secretary of State under Bill Clinton) had fled the Nazis on the Kinder Transport and arrived in Britain in 1938. She never returned and made England her home, living in Hove for decades.
Note 2 Before we left Portugal we went for a drink in the Palacio de Estoril (see PC 141 December 2018). I guess every commercial operation is constantly tinkering with its external message but I was amused to see that the little paper mats for my drink glass had the hotel’s name and crest and a new little strapline: ‘Grand and Cosy’.
Not sure I would ever describe a five star hotel as ‘cosy’
Note 3The National Minimum Wage varies dependent on age; for example it’s £10.18 per hour for someone aged 21-22. The Minimum Living Wage is £10.42 and is 66% of the National Median Earnings.
postcards 