The Hop Pocket first opened in 1988, a small part of the then still working hop kilns was converted into a space to display an array of mainly local crafts.
It seems odd to say now, but even then farming as a business and way of life was under stress, diversification was the word of the moment (as it still is).
The idea of opening a craft shop had occurred to Janet when she had volunteered to sell large pottery jugs behalf of the WFFU (Women's Food and Farming Union).
The jugs depicted hops and barley and formed part of a promotion for the local economy by the WFFU.
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People were coming to Janet's house to buy these jugs that were well made, but not cheap.
This, along with the knowledge that an area of the hop kilns was largely unused gave her the idea of selling other crafts.
Within twelve months it had been neccessary to expand the stock and the space available. Shortly afterwards a tearoom was created out of a part of the farmhouse.
The last 18 years seem to have been a whirlwind, the shop was extended twice in its original position and now rests behind the farmhouse in (yet) another redundant agricultural building.
We were able to offer a restaurant and units for craftspeople, the craft shop became the craft centre.
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The Hop Pocket is a hit, not only among tourists to our area, but it has also become a bastion in the local community, helping in any way that we can with the church, the parish and the new sports facilities that are an on going project for the whole village.
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