THE P RTAL
she said. “Valuable items can be a problem.
Spotting the valuable item is a knack. We
are not experts. We are always on the lookout for experts.
“We have some leaflets here about the
Ordinariate and the shop, but we could do
with more. Fiona thought they ought to
sell more religious items.
Rosary beads
Jean said, “Yes, Rosary beads are our top
seller! We have a lady who makes crosses
for us to sell. She makes them with wool
and bits and pieces. They are lovely.” She
proudly showed us some examples, and
indeed lovely they are. Jean went on, “We
bought a till. It was not expensive and is a
categorised till, so we know what we are
selling.
head above water
“The shop does make money and keeps
its head above water. It supports the
Ordinariate Group’s work with what is now
a regular income. Jackie asked if they had
thought of an on-line shop. Jean said they
would need someone to do just that, but it
would be worth looking at. She continued,
“We take a stall at the School Fete. It is a
Community School, not a Catholic one.
“As far as the shop goes, we have never
lost money. Almost everything in the shop
is a donation, or was already here.
fantastic volunteers
Ronald asked about volunteers? Jean was
enthusiastic, “We have fantastic volunteers.
You ought to interview them first and take
references, names and addresses and so
on. We started with the people we had.
Now we have a probationary period when
the new volunteer works with experienced
members of staff.
November 2013
Page 5
of something!”
Jean told us, “Louise does the window.
It needs to be very seasonal. Summer,
Winter, Christmas, Harvest and so on.
The shop must be seen to change its stock
regularly, otherwise people do not come
back. We change the window every two
weeks. Themes are important. We group
items into a theme if we can.”
Fiona told us, “I like the shop because it
is easy and a bit jumbly. The business-like
Charity Shops are expensive. We are very
cheap.
Jackie spotted a knitting basket and
asked about it. Jean said, “Well the shop
can look a bit run-down. So we try to
make things attractive. We had some bits
of wool of assorted colours. We put them
in the basket with some knitting needles
and a sheet on ‘how to knit’ and call it a
‘Knitting Starter Kit’.
“A few of our long standing volunteers
have keys to the shop such as Philip
Luckham-Bulmer who does a fantastic job
bagging up the money every evening and
banking it (as well as working regular shifts
and filling in at short notice if volunteers
fall ill etc.)”
supper with Fr Lashbrooke
All too soon our time was up and we
had to take our leave. It is a splendid shop
and we thought the whole idea fabulous
and worthwhile. That evening we were
invited to Fr Lashbrooke’s house for supper
with his wife Liz, Jean and her husband Fr
Simon Chinery. Needless to say, the meal
was superb!
honest and well priced
Fr David felt the key to success was to “Be
known as honest and well priced. Our shop
meets a need. We are supported by non“Fr David Lashbrooke is the manager.
Catholics who are supportive and want us
We have someone who arranges the rota.
to succeed. Once one gets going, it just rolls
If you cannot honour a shift a replacement
along provided you are not expensive and
must be found. You need two people on
each shift. They work from 0900 to 1300, and 1300 to not too choosy.”
1600pm Monday to Friday, and until 1230 on Saturday.
This is a well run shop and an example many could
special events and sales
follow. If you want to visit, it is at Old Mill Road,
Jackie asked about special events and sales. Fiona Chelston, Torquay, or you could contact Fr David
jumped in, “Oh yes, we have sales when we have a lot Lashbrooke at [email protected].