Connie Burchell and Bridport Arts Centre Cafe staff bid farewell after nearly two decades

Henry’s Beard 'after party organic breakfast' was born.

Now that enterprise will be serving up its last plate of food at the arts centre cafe on May 28.

Cafe manager Connie Burchell, who will be hanging up her pinny then, said: "Catching the spirit of the day the team searched the hedgerows, farm house kitchens and even Brick Lane market, London to establish a fund-raising community event every Sunday morning.

"Involving organic food, unusual recipes and incredible local musical talent, Sundays at Henry’s Beard was, for two years a fun way to raise money for a much needed new roof as all profits went to the arts centre. Surprisingly this good deed paved a way for a whole new project that since has involved literally hundreds of people - Henry’s Beard Festival Cafe."

The Henry's Beard team having fun in 2008

While a team catered weddings and toured festivals back at the arts centre the cafe was open to the public on a Wednesday and Saturday and run by another team of volunteers, headed by Sandra Brown, now Bridport Mayor. (not if we use this after May 19) One day in 1998 Sandra decided to hand over the running of the cafe to Connie.

Connie said: “I remember the first day we opened, I turned up for work and the Lyme Bay Deli Cafe, where Mango hair-dressers is now, which was huge and very popular, was having a closing down sale.

"We found ourselves extremely busy after that. Remember it was a town with no Beach and Barnicott, Bellas, Weatherspoons or Costa Coffee.

"It was great fun. I employed all my friends and we used to come and play cafes on a Wednesday and a Saturday.

"The cafe had a gorgeous Victorian room, the most disgusting grey carpet tiles and blue padded chairs with paint on them. But nobody cared and we attracted all the arty lot and still some of the older people.

"We had bookcases full of books on art and hundreds of plays. These were the golden days when you could just come to Bridport and be an artist or whatever , when rent and property was peanuts and it was a good alternative to world travel.

"Our team has always included the greatest volunteer on earth, Anne Poynton. She has worked in the cafe since 1992, longer than any of us.

"Our first team also included Ingrid Hull, Peter Dibden, Jackie Waterfall, Caroline Ireland, Louisa Holden, Leon Sea and Tessa Dickson.

"Following on Debbie Legg and Nick Tait, Athalea Stephens, Lindsay Ingram and Dianne Eckett. Also Merry Hinsley, Charlotte Fleishman, Sophie Sharpe, the rest of the Dickson and Eckett dynasties Jim, Kitti, Mikki and Jasimine.

"More recently Ellie Marston, Lorraine Marston, Glenys Russell, Cat Loundes, Sam Penton, Jessie Jeune, Matt Hart, Becci, Todd Neale, Tom Beed, Claire Shilton, Gemma Snow, Ian and Denise Buchanan, Asif Gazdar, Charlotte Lavis, Summer Davis, to name but a few."

Radio trainee Maya Pieris interviewing Connie Burchill manager of Bridport Arts Centre's cafe

After 15 years of being open a few days a week the cafe went five days a week in 2013.

Connie added: "As we enter the 20th year we are sad to go but feel lucky to have been part of such a larger family.

"I have had so many happy days in the little garden and laughed so much in the tiny kitchen, made so many friends and served so many lovely loyal customers too many to even begin to mention.

"I thank them all for their good humour, beautiful stories and for just being good people and making my work here a once in a life time job. I cannot thank my team enough for all their yummy food, good company and hard work.

"It has been a real pleasure to have worked with you at the Art Garden Cafe and I wish everyone at the arts centre good luck with the new building and hope you will be as happy as I have been at the new cafe when it is ready."

Henry’s Beard Festival Cafe will be on tour this summer at the Glastonbury, Tolpuddle, Camp Bestival and Shambala Festivals.

FAREWELL TO ALL THAT: Popular dishes at the cafe