Volunteers wanted for the newly renovated Toll Bar Cottage in Broughton

Volunteers are needed to help out at the newly renovated, extended and restored Toll Bar Cottage in Broughton.

The Cottage, its café and the meeting rooms are to be run on a daily basis by the Manager, overseen by the Cottage Management Committee on behalf of Broughton Parish Council.

The building, which is in Garstang Road, has retained its history where generations of Toll keepers lived from the mid-1700s.

This is reflected in the Heritage Gallery on the first floor, where locals will have access to computers, books about local history and walks. There will also be an area where local craft designers can display and sell their products.

The café is in two sections – the extension area with its clean lines and modern furniture and the old cottage area with relaxing chairs around the log burning stove. Both areas will be available to book.

Upstairs, there is a small meeting room which will be available to use by customers, volunteers and the manager.

Outside, there will be a hedge and veranda with seating for when the weather is warm. The garden will have fruit trees, the village Christmas tree and bicycle sheds for the Guild Wheelers.

The Cottage will be receiving funding from the National Lottery under the Reaching Communities fund, and from the Parish Council contributing limited funds towards the running of the building.

The Cottage café will operate initially for five days a week opening initially for five hours each day including weekends. The hours will be variable dependent on the season and usage.

Volunteering opportunities are available for work in the café and kitchen, the garden and the meeting rooms.

Those who volunteer will be fully trained in the area they work in and will be issued with a tabard to identify them as volunteers.

Initial training will be online, with meetings arranged for late June. It is hoped the café will open on Sunday 4 July.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, visit the Broughton Parish Council website.

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Will you be volunteering at Toll Bar Cottage in the summer? Let us know in the comments below.