The Dynamo House Café Volunteers

Who are they?

This group is made up of anyone who wants to help out at the Dynamo House café. The café is a community run venture which relies on volunteer helpers to operate. People associated with several groups in the local area help out, including the FoBCP, Bestwood MVC, Bestwood Village Vision, St Mark's Church, Bestwood Village WI and others.
We are always looking for extra volunteers so if you think you could help out please get in touch.

Our new purpose built counters

Sheila, Kay & Gill at the café.

Volunteer Awards

The Dynamo House Café volunteers along with the Winding Engine House volunteers have received recognition of their efforts from Gedling Borough Council. Adele Williams nominated them in the 2013 Pam Clipsham volunteer awards in the team category and they were surprised to receive second place. The certificate is now proudly displayed in the Dynamo House.

Carol with the certificate after the award ceremony.

Brenda having received the second place award on behalf of the Winding Engine House & Dynamo House Volunteers

What can I do to help?

We need people to serve and wash up at the café when it is open. We also need people who can bake cakes & biscuits or make veggie soup to sell in the café. These can be picked up or delivered on to someone else to take over to the café during opening hours if you can't do that yourself. If you volunteer as a server you would be fully trained in how all the equipment works and your first shift would always be beside a seasoned veteran to show you the ropes. Several of our volunteers have first aid and food hygiene qualifications - these are an advantage but not essential.

When is it open?

The café opens between 10am and 1pm on Saturdays throughout the year and on Bank Holiday Mondays or to coincide with other park events or workshops. It is also open in July, August & September on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. Drop in and see what we do and taste the lovely drinks and goodies on offer.

What happens to the profits?

The café was never opened as a great profit maker. The venture was initially set up to provide a service to park visitors. However, despite charging 50p or less for most items we seem to be making it pay. All profits are being passed back to the Friends of Bestwood Country Park for them to spend on upgrading park facilities. You may well see features appearing in the park saying "Donated by FoBCP" and you can feel justly proud that you helped to fund that if you have been over and had a coffee & cake with us at the café. Look out for some benches around the park which have been paid for out of café profits.

The Dynamo House Café on the right, Winding Engine House on the left