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11th February 2010 - Lots of functions this month...
We've welcomed several new organisations to the Octagon during February, including the "View From" newspaper group, and (shown here) the Federation for Small Businesses, who braved the cold weather for a breakfast briefing at 7.30!
Now that we don't echo any more and are a lot warmer the Octagon is fast becoming the place of choice for business and club meetings for up to 40 people.
Interested? Just phone Jane on 01305-261555
19th January 2010 - Makeover nearly complete!
Happy New Year! 2009 was a bit of a struggle at times, but the team has been working hard to come up with new lunchtime specials and afternoon teas to make 2010 more fun for everyone! The makeover in the cafe is nearly finished, with the carpet tiles having been laid on Sunday 16th January. Mike's just got to finish painting the loo and the storeroom and we're finished until the better weather lets us start on the outside.
We had a really enjoyable Christmas with lots of functions, and look forward to helping you celebrate your special day in 2010.
11th November - Remembrance Day
In common with many businesses, we will be observing the national two minutes' silence at 11:00am on Wednesday 11th November, in memory of those UK service personnel who have fallen in conflicts across the world on behalf of us all. We do hope that you will join us in this simple act of remembrance if you happen to be in the Octagon at this time.
5th November - the Octagon goes COOL after years of HOT !
We've started on our interior refurbishment, which will be going on mostly at weekends and in the evenings to avoid the need to close the cafe during the day. We've decided to go for a more restful colour scheme, majoring on blue as the key theme. Do let us know what you think! Here's a picture of the new counter and mirror-wall looking, dare we say, suave?
Next will be the other walls, finished in a not-quite-white, followed by deeper blue carpeting.
Our contractors will then spruce up the woodwork and exterior, which will be staying in the same colours as they are now.
1st November 2009 - Charity Spot (2)
Last month we told you about our own selected Charity - "Friends of Southampton Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)". This is because of the fantastic care they have taken of our little five-month-old Grandson Luke May, who has been through eight major operations since he was born and is now awaiting a possible transfer to Great Ormond Street for a further life-saving operation. His uncle, Daniel Broom, took part in the Great South Run on 25th October, finished in just under 90 minutes, and raised more than £3000 for PICU. Well done Dan, and thank you to all our customers who also supported PICU.
Please click on http://www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Broom to read about Luke and PICU
10th October 2009 - Safer Neighbourhood Meetings
If you're concerned about crime in the area, or want to discuss any issue affecting you or the community, please come along to the Octagon on one of the following dates between 3 and 4pm:
Monday 2nd November 2009
Thursday 3rd December 2009
Wednesday 6th January 2010
You'll be able to talk to PC Jim Crocker and either PCSO Sarah Hart or PCSO Kathy Holmes, who look forward t meeting you!
25th September 2009 - Charity Spot (1)
The Octagon took part in the MacMillan "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" event on Friday 25th - we were able to welcome many old friends and lots of new faces, while raising money for a very worthwhile cause - well done, Poundbury!
15th September 2009 - Christmas Menus available - book now!
Our Christmas Menus are now available from the cafe, or by emailing jane@octagon-cafe.com. We can cater for evening events, or we can reserve tables at lunchtime - just ask any member of staff
14th September 2009- Jane returns to the Octagon!
As therapy (!) to help take her mind off her broken leg, cafe boss Jane Nolting-May returned to the Octagon today to help manage the preparation and delivery of a lunchtime buffet, at the same time meeting old friends and also casting a critical eye (and ear) on the sound deadening. "The improvement is really noticeable" she said, and we are very pleased with the result!"
Jane was helped by Jen Kennedy, our star supplier of cakes and scones, with the driving as Jane isn't allowed to put pedal to the metal for another three weeks. Very many thanks, Jen!
12th September 2009 - Tom Massey on the road to recovery
The Octagon grapevine tells us that Tom, who suffered serious head injuries in an assault two weeks ago, is back in Dorchester Hospital and on the mend. Well done, Tom!
6th September 2009 - Acoustic bliss: end of the Octagon echo?
The Octagon has always been famous for its high ceiling and (even more) for the echoes reverberating down from it! However, work carried out by our landlord over two recent weekends to install acoustic panelling (as part of a joint initiative with Jane to improve the cafe's ambience) has already had a significant effect on dampening down the surplus sound level. This will be followed by the laying of carpet tiles. We believe that these initiatives will transform the cafe into a quieter environment where careless whispers aren't shared with folk on the other side of the building!
The Acoustic Panelling Team at work
Once in a lifetime close-up of the key stake in the centre of the Octagon Roof
360 Degree pan around the Octagon from 30 feet up on the scaffolding tower
1st September 2009 - Cafe Boss has unexpected hospital appointment!
Jane Nolting-May, the Octagon's proprietor, had an unexpected trip by ambulance to Dorchester hospital on Bank Holiday Monday after being thrown from a friend's horse whilst out riding near Waytown. "I'm rather cross with myself" said Jane as she began a six-week recovery from a broken right femur, "as this has come at such a challenging time for the business and it's the first broken bone I've ever had from riding!".
Jane received first-class care from all the medical staff involved in treating her, and we would like to thank them for their amazing professionalism and skill in helping her on the road to recovery.
With no driving and no working at the cafe possible for Jane for a while, the staff have rallied round fantastically to cover for her - but rest assured, she will be back!
1st September 2009 - Octagon favorite critically ill
Tom Massey, who has just finished a spell working at the Octagon before going up to university, is in a coma in Southampton hospital after being violently assaulted in Dorchester on Bank Holiday Saturday. Tom is very well liked by all the Octagon staff and regulars and has been a great asset to the cafe throughout the year. We were all shocked and saddened to hear of Tom's misfortune, and wish him a speedy and full recovery.
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