COMMUNITY activities run by Blockley Village Hub have gone from from strength to strength since the new building opened last December.

In August the terrace of the shop and cafe was packed with children taking part in a series of creative events timed to coincide with three visits of the Gloucestershire Libraries Reading Challenge bus. The annual Challenge, which aims to encourage children to read six books over the school holidays, attracted nearly 80 visits from children this year.

On the first visit 30 youngsters also took part in a pot-throwing workshop organized by Neil Alcock from the Vineyard Pottery near Winchcombe. The bowls and jugs were taken back to the pottery for firing and glazing before being returned to Blockley for collection.

The chocolate decorating workshop held the following week, which was organized by Yvonne Everest from Chocolate Tree of Temple Guiting, was so popular that a repeat event was booked for the end of the month.

While this was taking place outside on the terrace, a Japanese calligraphy and origami workshop was held in the café. The workshop was organized by Japanese artists Ryutaro and Satoko Ikeda and their children Koumi and Kan who live in the village. The Ikedas run art classes for children and adults in the village.

The Blockley Hub is also working with the local charity Cotswold Friends to provide lunch clubs in the cafe for the over 60s in Blockley parish. The freshly cooked lunches, which started in December, are now held twice a month for a fixed price of £5 for two courses. They are proving to be very popular, with up to 16 being served each time, with transport arranged for those who need it.

The newest hub project is to run a monthly informal tea, cake and chat get-together for people caring for relatives at home. The Carers’ Groups, which are also run in partnership with Cotswold Friends, will take place on the last Thursday of each month from 3pm to 4.30pm in the café. Former carers will also be really welcome to attend these friendly events. The next meeting will be in September.