By Mick Cooper | Founder
April 2017
I am typing this update whilst I am visiting family and friends and visiting a number of butchers for advice and guidance in preparation for the opening of the Masters' Larder.
Now that the weather is much better life at Phoenix Cafe and Bakery is a little happier. January and February were not good months it has to be said and as a result finances were difficult. Niki and Orlina are still running PC&B with Pavlina. Pavlina is now full time and as a result she is now earning a full time wage. This is good for her and her family. Thank fully PC&B has a solid base of loyal customers to maintain stability and I am pleased to say that Niki is introducing a number of new products to keep interest alive.
Since the early part of February I have been concentrating on the creation of The Masters’ Larder. We are still making repairs to the new venue with a great deal of frustration. Dealing with official agencies has never been easy for me, even when I was in the UK. We have had to deal with conflicting pieces of information and guidelines. One agent said that our plans were good and we were ready to repair only to be told by another that we needed more improvements at more cost and delay. When I return from the UK I will post more information about the developments whilst I have been away.
On a separate note Christine and I deliver English language classes to a group of Roma families in the Gypsy quarter of Vidin two evenings per week. The classes are basic but are designed to improve their ability to speak English. We were asked some time ago to participate in these classes. They are delivered in the local church. We try to include as much dialogue as possible to create a type of applied learning environment.
One of the participants is a young Roma man called Bobby. He is without work and has three children. I have offered him the opportunity to work and learn a new range of skills with me at the Masters’ Larder. I am pleased that he has accepted my offer. Once we have completed repairs and we have all the necessary licence we will begin. Bobby will have a contact and be paid regularly. I hope that Bobby is the first of our trainees. Let us hope that the agencies and
Bulgarian National Television recently interviewed my wife Christine, Pavlina and me about our work and our efforts here in Vidin. The report was aired on National TV just before the recent election took place and maybe the impact was lost amongst all the hype of the election. However, despite this a number of people have reacted to the report positively. Please find within the link to the report
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