The Crosthwaite Exchange
Links
Voluntary
Action Cumbria
The Exchange at Crosthwaite (.pdf file)
The Exchange at Crosthwaite is the place to meet and exchange news and views for people
of all ages, from Crosthwaite and Lyth, surrounding villages and also for visitors
to our beautiful valley. The Exchange is held in the Argles Memorial Hall in the centre
of the village, a short distance from the Church, the School and the Punchbowl Inn.
Each week, on a Wednesday, for two hours, you can enjoy refreshments, buy fresh local produce, fair trade groceries, and browse through a book exchange. Throughout the year, special themed events are held to mark the passing of the seasons.
Enjoy a cup of Farrer’s coffee, a pot of tea or hot chocolate, with a delicious slice
of homemade cake or biscuit, in convivial company. There are soft drinks and Lakeland
ice-cream for the children. According to the time of year you can feast on strawberries
and cream, damson jam and scones, pumpkin soup or mince pies.
The Country Market Stall sells bread, home-made cakes, biscuits, pies and jam, alongside summer produce from Crosthwaite gardens; tomatoes, salads, vegetables, fruit and plants. You can order fish from a local supplier, for collection the following week. At Christmas the table is groaning with Christmas puddings, chocolates and other home-made delights.
Whilst at the Exchange you can buy from a wide range of groceries and confectionery on the Traidcraft Stall; tea, coffee, cocoa and hot chocolate, sugar, muesli, jams and honey, pasta and rice, olive oil, dried fruit, as well as a selection of chocolate and nuts. Buy Traidcraft products and you help fight poverty through trade.
The idea behind the book exchange is that you bring along all those paperbacks, that
you have read and enjoyed, put them on the table and pick from a large selection of books
that other people have read and loved. A small donation helps to run the Exchange.
Every week toys are available for young children to play with. During school holidays we have an exciting craft table where children of all ages can take part in a number of craft activities, including puppet making and glass painting.
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Click HERE to see what Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) (formerley Voluntary Action Cumbria (VAC)) think about our Exchange in their publication - "The Exchange at Crosthwaite - A Guide to Establishing an Exchange in your area."
Pictures and up to date information on the Exchange can be found at http://www.cumbriaaction.org.uk/resources/toolkits; you will see that Exchanges are County wide now!!