The Pepperpot Cafe has now been trading for about 3years. From serving the odd cup of coffee, in July 2001, it has progressed to the current daily takings of over £100. This steady development is the product of a huge amount of work by a large team of people, all of whom are essential to its success. During the past year several members have moved on and there has been one notable arrival. Usually just enough volunteers have been available to keep the cafe going. I must say a big "Thank you" to everyone who has worked cheerfully to serve our customers.

The arrival, this summer, of Debbie Naden as our paid Cook and Supervisor has consolidated the cafe's success. The takings are up about 40% and a far more varied menu has been provided. A weekly fish dish and the consistent use of fresh ingredients are contributing to our "Healthy eating" policy. Debbie's cheerful disposition has meant that the established volunteers have been happy to work under her leadership.

When we said farewell to David Harris, last Christmas, many of the team members were anxious that we might miss far more than the puddles which his mopping of the floor created. However, while his good-natured banter has never been quite replicated, the work has gone on without problems. This justifies his judgement that the time was right for him to move on to other projects.

The departure of Rev Colin Craven took away the last signatory to the original constitution of the trust. However St Peter's Church is still represented both on the management committee and among the volunteer staff. From the Methodist side, Rev Margaret Crawshaw represents the Buxton Circuit on the committee while David Wharton remains the Treasurer and I am the Chairman.

Many of the volunteers are Fairfield Residents, including the current Secretary, Jean Stein. It is a great strength of the trust that it has these community roots. The Residents of Fairfield Association, whose office and Information Centre is next door to the Pepperpot, has always been supportive. We are especially grateful to Alex Hopkins and Rose Byatte who have contributed a great deal to the work of the cafe, especially in directing the catering and doing the shopping before Debbie's arrival. We wish them well in their business venture "Blitzit".

The best way of understanding what goes on at the Pepperpot is to come and sample our hospitality. You will find us next to the Post Office in the "Top shops" on Victoria Park Road. We are open from 9.00 a.m. till 1.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Tea and coffee is served by the mug-full and our bacon baps (with egg, mushrooms, sausage etc., if required) are always popular. You could buy a full breakfast or, after 11.30 a.m., a lunchtime Special (a main course cooked freshly on the premises). When you have been to visit us, you may be inspired to come and help us as a volunteer. We can always do with a few more pairs of hands to share the work. Most of us find it great fun.

It was always intended that the trust should do far more than just operate a cafe. The premises are already used regularly by a young people's group and a group for disabled people. Rev. Margaret Crawshaw runs a monthly "Cafe Church" service to which all are welcome. These are usually at 2.30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Please look out for the posters to confirm the dates.

The trust has also tried to help those who need one-off grants, towards particularly demanding items of expenditure. These are in steady demand in an area where many residents eke out an existence on State Benefits. In this we act as an agent for charities and individuals who give us the money. The Derby Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility provides for most of our grants to lone parents from a special fund that it administers. So far in 2003, we have provide 10 grants; about one a month.

We are also able to provide practical help to people in need and, now that the cafe is established, we shall be looking for other areas of need within the area. Conscious of the financial pressures on so many of our neighbours and the extortionate rates of interest charged by the "Loan sharks" in the area, we would like to be able to provide cheaper finance through a Credit Union.

One of our Fairfield partners, who provides constant liaison between council tenants and the Borough Council, is badly in need of some replacement equipment for word processing. If anyone is replacing their home or office computer currently, please consider passing on your cast-off to her. Her most pressing need is a printer.

Our AGM, was held in the cafe, at 6.00 p.m. on Friday, 7th November. It adopted a new and simplified constitution, appointing the committee for 2003-04 and looking at the needs for future action.

Michael Bryant, (Tel.: 24839).