WEE CHATTY CAFE and garden - OKFP. 1 Erskine Ferry Road, Old Kilpatrick.
ACCESS : Walk or ride right up to it. There is usually easy parking in the street, with more within the Saltings. Cycles and wheelchairs are welcome.
https://w3w.co/simmer.passively.entrust
This website focuses on places and people with a good proportion of environment and natural history. It does not cover commercial premises, at least not unless there is some historical relevance. Why then is the WEE CHATTY CAFE included? This place is unique. everything is free!.
It is an initiative of the Old Kilpatrcik Food Parcels charity (OKFP), which is based in the Napier Hall in Dumbarton Road, Old Kilpatrick. This offshoot project,The Wee Chatty Café, provides a warm space for people across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to enjoy a meal and visit OKFP’s food pantry. It is located just off the cycle root along the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath and is very close to the Saltings wetland walk below the Erskine Bridge. This makes it an ideal place to take a break from a cycle or wander. Or you can simple come around for a blether.
It is a pay as you feel basis. In fact no money is ever asked for. Simply enjoy what is on offer and, if you can, put some cash in the "hungry bucket" at the servery. The café provides a warm space for people across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to enjoy a meal and visit OKFP’s food pantry. You may meet cyclists or walkers popping in for something wet and warm. Or a passing workman seeking a much needed coffee or snack.
As with the OKFP itself, they have as their mission :
The primary purpose of Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels is the prevention and provision of relief from food poverty in the local area of Old Kilpatrick and its environs.
In so doing we seek to advance health in the local area; advance citizenship and the development of the community and helping in the relief of those in need by reason of their age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or any other disadvantage. We respond to the needs of the community, working towards the relief of financial hardship and social isolation. Providing a no questions asked means to support and provide a safe, confidential haven for those in need.
And their vision is:
Although our main focus has always been providing a relief from food poverty, our community hub is now a focal point for the community to work together, providing a safe and welcoming space, for young and old alike.
Relieving social isolation, with numerous activities on a daily basis, signposting to professional organisations who can help with specific needs. Valuing all people without judgement. We will encourage increased access to resources and opportunities that people or communities need to reach their full potential.
When you arrive you will see a very colourful converted container. Get something to eat or drink and go around the back. There you will find a garden with seating, some of which is in a sheltered gazebo.
Bikes, dogs, wheelchairs, children are all welcome.
When you approach the cafe, you will either have come along the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath or across the swing bridge onto Erskine Ferry Road from Dumbarton Road. More about the Canal can be found here : index.asp?pageid=715958 and the Saltings here : index.asp?pageid=715957. The Erskine Bridge is described here : index.asp?pageid=716808 with the Erskine Ferry here : index.asp?pageid=718426
While the Wee Chatty Cafe is more orientated to walkers and cyclists, the larger Chatty Cafe provides a sheltered environment for refreshment and a blether in a relaxed warm and sheltered environment. This is located within the Napier Hall in Dumbarton Road and is also the base for the Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels ie the OKFP. Again no money is asked for. You can find what you need at no charge. But if you can, please make a donation. More on that can be found here : index.asp?pageid=737536
The canal house at the bridge is intact as is the building used by the scouts on the other side. The gap, where you now see the Wee Chatty Cafe was an empty site for many years. It is said that an earlier building there had been flattened during the Blitz.
A hot cup of coffee awaits you whether you arrive on your bike or on foot.
There is ample seating for your family or walking group in the garden at the back.
Head around to the gazebo if it looks like rain.
A view back from the gazebo.
OLD KILPATRICK FOOD PARCELS : https://okfp.org.uk/
WEE CHATTY CAFE Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/people/The-wee-Chatty-Cafe/100089896449034/
