Cornerstone

How to find us

2010-10-30T23:21:00.001+01:00

We've just added a new tab to the website, eagle-eyed readers will already have noticed it - 'Find us'.

This is the place to go if you need our address, a phone number or email, or a snazzy map (courtesy of Google) to show you where to find Cornerstone.

You can scroll around and zoom in and out to find your way to the shop. Zoom out to see where we are in relation to nearby towns, or zoom right in and change to satellite view ('Sat') to see the building and its surroundings in detail.

Book note - The Grace Outpouring

2010-09-15T13:42:00.003+01:00

This book report was first published on Chris Jefferies' website, 'All About Jesus'. The views expressed are those of Chris alone and do not represent the opinions of Cornerstone.

(If you would like to share brief thoughts on a book you have read, please send the details to Chris for consideration by Cornerstone.)

A lady came into Cornerstone in St Neots and asked for a copy of 'The Grace Outpouring' by Roy Godwin and Dave Roberts. She had heard about it somewhere and felt she needed to read it. James was serving at the book counter and checked the catalogue to see if we had it. We did. We hunted the shelves and failed to find it, but we said we'd continue looking for it and the customer agreed to come back later to collect it.

After she had left we found it almost immediately!

James went off for lunch and left me in charge. The shop was quiet so I picked up 'The Grace Outpouring' and flicked through some of the pages. One or two passages leapt off the page and I was close to tears as I read how a young American woman had come to faith simply through reading some Bible verses and praying to a Jesus that she did not initially know.

It quickly became clear that the book was full of stories like this and I ordered a copy for myself. I've just finished it and already intend to pass it on to a friend tomorrow evening.

Roy and Daphne Godwin are directors at Ffald y Brenin (Welsh for 'the King's sheepfold'), a retreat centre/house of prayer and more that is being used by the King himself to bless local people, the whole region of south-west Wales, and much further afield internationally too.

Roy and his co-author Dave Roberts describe how Ffald y Brenin came into existence, how Roy and Daphne became involved, how the place has been used by the King of Kings to touch individual lives and the entire area in extraordinary ways, and how you might expect to see similar things happen where you live too.

It doesn't require skill or knowledge, great wealth or influential friends. All it takes is a willingness to be used by Jesus, an open and humble heart, and the courage to surrender what you thought you wanted from life in exchange for what Jesus wants for you.

Basically, it's about obedience. That means listening carefully to Jesus, hearing what he says, seeing what he does, and following him wherever he leads. These are the same things we have been learning over the past few years, and we too have seen extraordinary things happen as a result. It's not what we do that counts, it's what Jesus will do in us and through us.

I heartily recommend this little book, 185 pages containing a great story told well. Like all good, true stories this one is full of illumination. I guarantee that it will delight, challenge, encourage, and excite.

Greek Salad

2010-08-23T17:33:00.007+01:00

<<Menu
Here's our Greek Salad containing feta cheese, lettuce, red onion, cucumber and tomato with a light dressing of fine olive oil and topped with four pieces of warm, garlic bread from a hot oven.

We think you'll agree it's delicious, one of the best Greek Salads you'll find this side of Athens. At any rate, we like to think it's the best you can find in St Neots!

Grab one mid-morning or in the afternoon as a snack, or have one as a light lunch at just £3.00.
<<Menu

Coronation Chicken Sandwich

2010-08-20T19:40:00.002+01:00

<< Menu
I thought it would be fun to introduce Cornerstone's readers to some of the items on our menu. For the first dish we'll take a look at Coronation Chicken.

We offer a range of sandwiches, in each case the triangles are generously filled and accompanied by a small salad and some of our favourite crisps.

Our Coronation Chicken is rich and creamy, available like all Cornerstone's sandwiches on white or granary bread. The salad contains lettuce, tomato, cucumber and red onion. And the crisps are locally sourced, carefully made in nearby Biggleswade and we think the best crisps money can buy. (We also sell them in packets so you can take some home.)

We think our Coronation Chicken sandwiches are truly excellent, we hope you will too!

A real bargain at just £2.50.
<< Menu

We're in the news!

2010-08-19T11:19:00.001+01:00

It's been most encouraging to see reports about Cornerstone appearing on local and specialist news websites.

The UK Christian Bookshops Blog was first off the mark, noting that we are the newest presence on the high streets of Britain.
Then About My Area provided a good report with lots of photos.

Who will be next?

If you live locally or know someone who plans to visit the area, please spread the word about Cornerstone. One way to do that is to give them the link - http://cornersn.com/. Or print off something from the site and give it to them on paper. Or put a printed item on a noticeboard at work (with permission of course).

Get Cornerstone News by email

2010-08-18T18:54:00.004+01:00

Now you can easily have the latest Cornerstone news by email or by news reader, the choice is yours.

All you need do is click the subscribe 'reader' or 'email' link near the top of the right hand column and then follow the instructions. Selecting the 'email' option will allow you to enter your email address, you'll get a message in your inbox each time a news update goes out (though multiple updates in a single day will be collected into a single email message). The message will contain the the news article(s) complete with full text and images.

If you prefer an RSS or Atom news feed click 'reader' and simply pick one of the options.

Review of opening day

2010-08-16T11:51:00.004+01:00

It was a great day and we all feel pleased with the way it went.

What a relief to finally open our doors and welcome the folk of St Neots into Cornerstone. There has been so much preparation and hard work and now we are moving into the new phase of operating day by day.

The cafe customer numbers built up gradually during the morning, peaking between 12:00 and 14:00 with a gradual decline in the afternoon. As expected, we had a lot of interest from local church members, but also plenty of trade from people passing by on their way into town or walking back home.

There was good conversation and we saw a lot of smiling faces. Here are a couple of photos of the day's events (you can click the photos for larger views).

We even had a write-up on the Christian Bookshops website. We're very glad of this as it will certainly spread the word further afield. Thanks guys!

Cornerstone is open!

2010-08-14T08:33:00.000+01:00

Today is the day. We are open for business from nine this morning.

We're looking forward to welcoming our first customers and plan to provide excellent coffee and light snacks.

We also stock specialist books about Jesus, his teachings, and his people, gifts, and greeting cards, all in a bright, cheerful, welcoming atmosphere.

We want to be a useful and valued presence here on Cambridge Street in St Neots.

No doubt there'll be some problems along the way (aren't there always?) but we'll deal with these as we go along.

2010-08-13T00:55:00.000+01:00

One (1) day to go...

Cornerstone opens tomorrow!

Twelfth history fact - There's just time for one more interesting tale from the history of the site. After Julia Croft's death in 1895 'The Cross' was bought by Mr A C Claxton who ran it as 'The Spa Temperance Hotel'. During this time it was the headquarters of the St Neots pigeon racing club.

One of the famous figures of the day was Lord Roberts, a hero of the Boer War who relieved the besieged city of Kimberley. As Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards he was the reason the regiment gained the popular nickname 'Our Bob's'. Passing through St Neots one day in 1905 he stopped at 'The Spa' and was intrigued to notice a newspaper cutting on the wall which included a photo of him.

He asked the landlady, 'Who is that in the photo?'. She didn't realise who he was and told him, 'That's our dear old Bobs'. He was so pleased by this that he later sent her a framed portrait of himself.

Eight years after this incident the hotel closed its doors for the last time, the property was bought by Mr Freeman, and a new grocery shop built on the corner.

2010-08-12T08:55:00.000+01:00

Two (2) days to go...

Eleventh history fact - The sad tale of Joseph Barringer's plate.

Joseph was a baker who lived and worked in the corner house and shop where Cornerstone now stands. Julia Crofts bought the property from the Barringers in 1877.

Joseph Barringer was extremely proud of a grapevine that he had grown in his hothouse (he even made wine from the fruit). When Queen Victoria passed through St Neots station on her way to Peterborough he travelled there with a bunch of his grapes to present to her. He managed to persuade the officials to let him approach the royal carriage and she graciously accepted the grapes presented on his best silver dish.

As poor Joseph waited patiently on the platform the train moved off with the Queen, the grapes, and the plate. He never recovered his precious dish! I wonder how he explained the loss to his wife when he arrived home?

Unlike Joseph we won't be baking on the premises, but we will be using locally sourced, freshly baked bread and other items and making some very tasty food for you to enjoy. But please don't take our plates away when you leave!

2010-08-11T08:02:00.001+01:00

Three (3) days to go...

Tenth history fact - The Cornerstone site has a long history, going back at least as far as Saxon times. The map clearly shows Freeman's grocery on the south-east corner.

In 1964 with Freeman's grocery shop demolished, the developers of the present building agreed to allow time for archaeological excavations. A defensive ditch was uncovered, probably late-Saxon and filled during the 12th or early 13th century. In the 13th century the site was used for smelting iron and copper.

Soon afterwards houses were built on the Cambridge Street side. The first was erected in the 13th century and then pulled down and replaced in the 16th or 17th century. The replacement was timber-framed like its predecessor and is thought to have remained until Mr Freeman, the grocer, replaced it with a brick-built house and shop in 1913.

So it seems that Julia Crofts lived in the 16th or 17th century timber-framed house, probably from 1877 until her death in 1895.

2010-08-10T08:53:00.000+01:00

Four (4) days to go...

Ninth history fact - The famous American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, gave perhaps his last public speech in the British Isles while staying with the Crofts at The Cross in 1886. He spoke on 'Recollections of the anti-slavery conflict in America' on 12th October at the Corn Exchange in St Neots.

The Cross and Corn Exchange no longer exist, but Cornerstone was built where The Cross once stood.

Today's picture shows an American postage stamp commemorating Frederick Douglass. The stamp was issued in 1965, just a year after The Cross was demolished.

2010-08-09T08:30:00.000+01:00

Five (5) days to go...

Eighth history fact - Today we have a little more about Julia Crofts. She was born Julia Griffiths, married Reverend Crofts, and was sometimes known as Julia Griffiths Crofts. Her obituary in the Hunts County News on 1st June 1895 tells us 'few names are better known amongst the ladies of St Neots than that of Mrs Crofts, widow of Dr Crofts and principal of the Ladies School, The Cross, St Neots'.

It adds that 'Mrs Crofts had conducted her establishment with great energy and ability, and had gathered around her a wide circle of friends of all denominations, by her broad sympathies and large-heartedness'.

Today, Cornerstone will try to emulate some of these qualities. Especially the wide circle of friends of all denominations as well as broad sympathies and large-heartedness. We are keen to use this place in ways that help local people and bring a bright and engaging presence to the town centre.

Cornerstone on video!

2010-08-08T22:27:00.000+01:00

Here's a great video introduction to Cornerstone. Thanks to David Blose for taking and editing the video. Cameraman, Director, Producer, Editor - David, you did a brilliant job! Thanks.

Remember - Cornerstone opens on Saturday 14th August.

2010-08-08T10:39:00.000+01:00

Six (6) days to go...

Seventh history fact - While we were redeveloping the property we noticed several unexpected features.

The floor was uneven in certain places. For the most part it is flat, but in some places the level changes slightly over a short distance.
The zigzag windows are a nice feature, but we noticed heavy concrete doorsteps at the base of some of them, and in one case a door (which we have boarded up).
There were several back doors opening to the rear access.

We have concluded that the property was built as a row of three or four small shop units and at some later time converted into one large shop. The photo shows the current doors at the right and two more windows at the same angle, these are where we found the old doorsteps.

None of us working at Cornerstone can remember back before JM Autospares. Can any of our readers remember any of the earlier history of the shop? We would love to know! What did the original shops sell? When was the property converted to a single, larger shop?

Please email chris.jefferies@cornersn.com if you have historical knowledge to share. Or just pop in and tell us. We'll be open for business on Saturday 14th August, but we're open to chat already.

2010-08-07T09:04:00.002+01:00

Seven (7) days to go...

Yes, there's just one week left before we open the doors and begin trading!

Sixth history fact - Today we'll take a look at what the current building was used for before it became Cornerstone.

Most local residents will remember 'St Neots Sports and Leisure', the picture shows some information about them from a trade directory website. At the time of writing this webpage is still active but will presumably disappear soon.

But who can remember the shop prior to the sports outfitters? We believe they were called 'JM Autospares' and they sold batteries, towbars, and all kinds of car spares and accessories.

We think they were trading in 1999 and perhaps for some time before that. Here's a picture of one of their window displays, uncovered as we refurbished the shop.

Before that? We just don't know, although we can say that the shop was once quite different internally. More on that tomorrow.

2010-08-06T00:00:00.001+01:00

Eight (8) days to go...

Fifth history fact - If you read yesterday's 'history fact' you'll know who Julia is. But what did she do? Why was she famous?

This 19th century woman who lived where Cornerstone now stands played a key role in the struggle to abolish slavery in the USA. Slavery became illegal in British colonies in 1833 but continued in America until 1865 at the end of the civil war.

Julia Griffiths' main role was to support and help an American ex-slave who lived in New York state. His name was Frederick Douglass, he started and edited an abolitionist newspaper and Julia and her sister spent several years in America tirelessly fundraising for the cause, attending meetings, and helping with the newspaper.

2010-08-05T16:11:00.000+01:00

Nine (9) days to go...

Fourth history fact - There's a strong link with a lady called Julia Griffiths Crofts who lived in the house called 'The Cross' that used to stand on the Cornerstone site. She was born in 1811, died in 1895, is buried in St Neots Cemetery, and is rarely mentioned or remembered today.

But in her own lifetime she was quite well known both in Britain and in the USA. It would even be true to say she was famous, lauded by some but despised by others. Certainly she was often in the news, did some extraordinary things and met many influential people.

Julia was married to a Methodist leader, they moved to St Neots in 1877 and presumably bought 'The Cross' at that time.

More on Julia Griffiths Crofts tomorrow.

2010-08-04T07:37:00.000+01:00

Ten (10) days to go...

Third history fact - In the first history snippet I mentioned that there used to be a grocery business called 'The Cross'. I now have access to an article from the St Neots Local History Society and realise that the truth is a little more complex. The error has been corrected.

'The Cross' was the name of a brick building that once stood on the site. It was used as a school and was called 'The Cross' because there was at one time a mediaeval stone cross in the middle of the road at the junction of Cambridge Street, Church Street, High Street, and Huntingdon Street. Perhaps this accounts for the unusual road alignment still existing today.

The school closed in 1896 and the property became the 'Spa Temperance Hotel'. In 1930 it became 'Freeman's Grocery Store' and was demolished in 1964 to make way for the current building.

2010-08-03T08:27:00.008+01:00

Eleven (11) days to go...

Second history fact - William Booth may have met for prayer in an earlier building on the Cornerstone site, later he became famous as the founder of the Salvation Army. Previously a Methodist, he left because he needed more freedom for itinerant preaching. One of the Methodist leaders of his day, Rev Henry Crofts, lived on the site that is now Cornerstone.

Until I was told this yesterday I had no idea Cornerstone had a connection with someone so famous!

A member of St Neots Local History Society called at the shop and shared some of the background with us. She left some printed information too so we now have a much longer view of our own background.

Opening day is Saturday 14th August!

2010-08-02T13:34:00.001+01:00

We intend to stick to this date, there'll be a countdown in the shop window and also here on the web.

Twelve (12) days to go...

History of the shop - watch this space each day. We have been given some interesting details of the history of the site and we'll be releasing snippets each day.

First history fact - There used to be a grocer's shop called 'Freeman' on the current site of Cornerstone.

A changed place

2010-07-24T09:25:00.003+01:00

Before we took over the lease, the shop had been a sports and leisure goods outlet. We've been beavering away to convert it to its new use.

Here's how it looked when we moved in. Not only was the appearance rather tired, but like all empty shops it had the feel of failure about it.

It was a shop that needed care and attention from friends with vision and some flair - we intended to be those friends!

Paul and Michele are the people who got the ball rolling. Certain that Jesus wants them to open a bookshop in the town, as soon as they saw the old sports shop they felt sure it was the right place.

Since then, Paul, Michele, and a group of volunteers have been working on the project with the very valuable help of professionals where necessary. Keith in particular has done most of the skilled work for us and guided the volunteers as well. If you see anything really well done in Cornerstone, the chances are Keith had a hand in it!

We have added new partitions, laid flooring, turned changing rooms into a kitchen, assembled tables, and painted everything in sight. Here's what it looks like today.

We're not open yet, though we're now aiming to start trading during the first week of August.

Here's a sneak preview of the inside...

If you're passing the corner of Cambridge Street and Church Street in St Neots and the door's open, pop inside and say hello. Even though we're not open we'll be pleased to meet you and hear what you think. We may also have updates on when we'll be ready to start trading.

We're here to serve the people of St Neots in a friendly way. Both the cafe and the specialist bookshop have been put together with you very much in mind. Make the most of them!

Cornerstone Cafe and Bookshop

2010-07-12T08:06:00.003+01:00

Cornerstone Cafe and Bookshop is a new venture opening in St Neots at the end of July 2010. This is the first post to our new blog!

We plan to be different in many ways, offering the
finest Fair Trade coffee, really excellent light bites using locally sourced supplies, and home made cakes.

There will also be a selection of books, locally made crafts, greeting cards, gifts and more. There are other facilities including a meeting room and - most important - there will always be a warm welcome.

We want Cornerstone to be a place for good conversation and social interaction, amongst our customers and between customers and staff. We expect it to be a place where the sun will shine even on rainy days, a place that's colourful, relaxing, welcoming and fun.