A village café, celebrating its 10th birthday, has become a shining example of how a church building can become a a community lifeline. PETER BARRON reports
ANOTHER typical morning in The Mustard Tree, and it’s alive with friendly chatter amid the smell of coffee, cakes, and freshly baked scones.
The friendly little not-for-profit café that's sprouted inside Hurworth Methodist Church, four miles from Darlington, takes its name from The Parable of The Mustard Seed.
It describes how the smallest seed grows into a tree that gives shelter to all kinds of birds.
And, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary this week, The Mustard Tree has flourished into a special place where villagers – plus folk from further afield – flock for friendship and wholesome food and drink.
On their regular table, Howard Marks and Annie Johnson, early arrivals from the puzzles group, are busy poring over crossword clues.
“We’re part of the furniture!” declares Howard, who comes to the Mustard Tree every weekday for puzzle-solving, company, and good coffee.
Howard has been attending church services in the building for 20 years, and the daily visits to the café have been an important part of his life since his wife died of cancer 10 years ago.
“The staff are wonderful and it’s such a friendly atmosphere,” he adds. “It’s been a real boon to me, being able to come down, exercise my brain and chat to people.
“One lady who comes in is 104 and, at the other end of the scale, there are babes in arms. As well as villagers, we get more and more passing cyclists and visitors from the local area. It’s opened up the village.”
Annie only recently retired after 50 years as a bellringer at nearby All Saints Church. She gave The Mustard Tree a try one day and has been coming ever since.
“I’ve met so many different people. That’s the key – it’s all about the people, although the coffee’s good too!” she says.
With a jar full of 'Woof Treats' always on the counter, dogs are made to feel just as welcome as the humans, and Annie’s blind 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Millie, is snoozing contentedly at her feet.
Born on a farm in the village, she's been coming to the Methodist Church since she was three, and has held various church roles, including steward and treasurer.
"It's so relaxing and peaceful – there's a presence here," says Dorothy. "It's an example of how a church can play a bigger part in the community – if it hadn't opened, who knows what would have happened to the building."
The Mustard Tree was the vision of Rev Andrew Stobart when he was minister. He's now Principal of Cliff College in Derbyshire – the Methodist Church's Bible College – and uses The Mustard Tree to illustrate how the Church can be fully engaged in community life.
"It was a venture of faith to give up the building as a dedicated chapel, with no guarantee it would work," he recalls.
"Ten years on, it's grown into a space of welcome and inclusion where people can find friendship and shelter – it's precisely what Jesus was talking about in the parable."
According to Denis Pinnegar, who's arrived with his wife, Jean, Andrew's vision was crucial: "The church probably wouldn't have survived without it," he says.
The Mustard Tree was established with support from the Hurworth Rogers Charitable Trust, but is now financially sustainable.
"Anyone can come here and immediately feel relaxed," says the trust's treasurer, Les Waugh, who volunteers at the toddlers' play group on Fridays.
And the investment continues, with the kitchen having just been upgraded, and thoughts turning to how the old caretaker's cottage might be used.
"It's much more than a cafe – it's a vital community hub, says current minister, Rev. Gavin Hume.
"Loneliness is a big problem in society, and a lot of our customers live alone, but this is a place where they can feel part of a family.
"Our staff do a wonderful job, preparing and serving food and drink, but they do much more than that – they're friends who make people feel at home."
The team comprises Andy Robinson, Jill Edmond, Jim Chalmers, Caleb Stand, and Anne Bartram.
Andy, who grew up in nearby Dalton-on-Tees, has been manager from the start.
"It's still a church building and that's important, but being a church can also be divisive for some people, so the aim was to make it comfortable for everyone," explains Andy.
"The secret is the community – local people have made it happen," he adds.
Local suppliers are used whenever possible. Bread comes from The Bakerman, in Darlington, and the coffee comes from The Lonton Coffee Company, based near Barnard Castle.
However, Andy's quick to point out the invaluable role played by resourceful villagers.
On cue, Rita Rees bursts through the door with a smile and a fresh batch of the 72 scones she makes every week.
"It gives me a sense of purpose," says Rita, former cookery teacher at Hurworth School.
Meanwhile, Victoria Bagshaw, who devoted her working life to the village medical practice alongside her late husband, the much-missed GP, Dr Ian Bagshaw, makes jam and provides the table flowers.
Ann Mines is another key member of the volunteer team. She bakes glorious cakes, and is a founder member of the Knit and Natter group.
When her husband of 53 years died 18 months ago, she started a monthly bereavement group.
"I love coming here," says Ann, who's enjoying a cuppa with Gloriana Morehead, who is also recently widowed.
"It's been a godsend to me," says Gloriana. "Everyone seems to talk to you, even if you don't know them."
On facing sofas, Jade Sloan and Bec Orange-Thompson, are having one of their regular catch-ups.
Both mums of children with special needs, they met at the school-gate, bonded in The Mustard Tree, and now go on holidays together.
"This place is our second home," says Jade.
With a multi-purpose room at the back of the cafe, as well as an outside seating area, it's also home to guides, brownies, rainbows, a Tai Chi class, pilates group, and library.
Tomorrow (Thursday, September 11), at 1pm, the different branches of The Mustard Tree will come together for a party to celebrate 10 years since the seed was planted.
There'll be the sound of chatter, and the enticing smell of coffee, cakes and scones – on sale at 2015 prices.
And, of course, everyone is welcome.
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