Translation form

Text block 1

The Lamplighter, the community Christian gift shop and coffee shop in Bishopston on Gower, is now open from 11am to 3.30pm from Wednesday to Friday.The shop will operate under strict Covid-19 regulations and, although the café will remain closed in the short term, it will continue to serve takeaway hot drinks along with the usual line of gifts.The Lamplighter celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and was the brainchild of then-vicar of St Teilo’s Chris Lee and his wife Tessa. It is named after a verse in St Matthew’s gospel where Jesus calls us to be “a light in the world and that light should shine just like a lamp that is put on a lampstand, so that it will be seen”.The current incumbent of St Teilo’s, Canon Peter Brooks, said: "It’s taken some time and some figuring out as well as the application of grants and a new role for our co-ordinator Rachael. However I am pleased to say that this has all paid off."The shop has been re-ordered and re-merchandised and, once the volunteers are comfortable with the new system and layout, we will consider re-opening as a café. Again this will be limited by social distancing measures."It is also hoped the Lamplighter will soon be able to reopen on Saturdays and it continues to be the hub for the Gower Isolation Support Group."We want to encourage people to use this as their ‘go to’ gift and card shop and also for church supplies," Peter said."Through all our help this shop may flourish and I hope and pray that the various local communities will support it."The Lamplighter is looking for volunteers to join its team."If you can give a couple of hours a week, or even once a month, then please contact our co-ordinator Rachael Aka on 01792 232012 or at gowerlamplighter@gmail.com," Peter said.