• home
• about
• awards
• events
• resources

1 nomination from readers

• This project empowers all parts of the community we offer adults with Learning difficulties the chance to volunteer in the cafe or gardens we offer our local homeless charity an outlet for their homegrown vegetbles and plants and the whole of our community ownership of the whole project.whether that be working as a volunteer or just enjoying their faclities.

  Nominated by Graham tyler, 09 July 2009

54 comments from readers

• I wholeheartedly support this nomination, the entire project from the start has always been 100% focused on the village community, making sure everyone is involved. It definately deserves to win!

  Submitted by Emma Neno, 05 August 2009

• A fantastic Community Project, fully supporting a variety of different groups and charities.

  Submitted by Lucy Collins, 05 August 2009

• A project that involves the entire Community!

  Submitted by Paul Collins, 05 August 2009

• This project has encompassed the entire community of the Village of Rustington, providing a much need Museum to preserve the heritage of Rustington, a Cafe to not only help to sustain the Museum, but to provide mouth-watering refreshments for those visiting the Museum, and also a meeting place to socialise for members of the local community. The Community Garden provides a tranquil oasis in the middle of a very busy and vibrant Village, and has brought back to life a near derelict, Grade II Listed Building.

  Submitted by Carole Ward, 06 August 2009

• The Museum and Cafe have provided an excellent community project for Rustington. Volunteers are welcome to make a contribution either in the Cafe, the Museum or the gardens which give it a great community spirit. The Cafe provides an excellent place for the villagers and its visitors to meet and enjoy the great food on offer.

  Submitted by Lorraine Wensley, 06 August 2009

• The Garden Cafe and museum provide a focal point for Rustington village's community. Every day the tables are full in the cafe, customers come back and again and again and go out of their way to say how much they enjoy the Garden Cafe and the beautiful gardens. It is so good to see volunteers helping in the cafe and museum - this makes everyone feel so involved. There is a real buzz here every day as the museum and cafe fill up with visitors again and again.

  Submitted by Jessica Petit, 06 August 2009

• I cannot speak highly enough of the Rustington Museum and Garden Cafe. It is a wonderful focal point for the village community. Myself, staff and customers frequent the Garden Cafe and we are all very impressed by it's high standards and friendly service. It is definitely an enhancement to the village and something to be very proud of.

  Submitted by Mrs Fran Mills-Guild Care Shop Manager, 06 August 2009

• I cannot speak highly enough of the Rustington Museum and Garden Cafe. It is a wonderful focal point for the village community. Myself, staff and customers frequent the Garden Cafe and we are all very impressed by it's high standards and friendly service. It is definitely an enhancement to the village and something to be very proud of.

  Submitted by Mrs Fran Mills-Guild Care Shop Manager, 06 August 2009

• Beautiful garden, nice surrounding. Delicious cakes! The Garden Cafe is a nice place to visit. The Rustington Museum is very interesting too.

  Submitted by Penumpai Iles, 06 August 2009

• I have enjoyed delicious lunches, and often hear others praising the cafe, with friendly staff, alongside such an attractive garden. It is good to know it is truly a community project.

  Submitted by wendy sutton, 06 August 2009

• I cannot say enough about how wonderful the Rustington Museum and the Garden Cafe are. They provide such an excellent facility for the community. It is a very exciting project.

  Submitted by Mrs P Iles, 06 August 2009

• The Garden Cafe has lovely garden and good food. Very nice, friendly staff both in the Museum and the Cafe. It is a real gem for Rustington!

  Submitted by Richard Laurance Iles, 06 August 2009

• The Garden Cafe is a super place to visit, it has a wonderful atmosphere, the staff are always friendly and helpful. It is great to be able to take the grandchildren and know they are welcome and safe. The homemade cakes are wonderful and I am always spoilt for choice.

  Submitted by Jean Chown, 07 August 2009

• Visited the pretty garden and super cafe attached to the museum, and found it to be a peaceful haven among the bustle of Rustington shops.

  Will definitely come again.

  Submitted by H.Hawker, 07 August 2009

• The Museum provides a superb insight to the history of the beautiful village of Rustington. The Garden Cafe extends a welcome to all visitors and locals alike, enabling them to enjoy the great atmosphere of our village pride, life-style of the past, achievements and commitment of the village residents of Rustington.

  Submitted by H Betts, 07 August 2009

• This beautifully designed project has made a big contribution to Rustington Village and is a wonderful focal point where villagers can meet and enjoy the relaxing atmoshphere. A real triumph.

  Submitted by Rita English, 09 August 2009

• The whole project has been extremely well run from day one. The staff and food are excellent. The cleaniness and efficiency is really good. The whole project has added a great contribution to our lovely Rustington village.

  Submitted by rae hunt, 09 August 2009

• We regularly visit the Rustington Museum and Garden Café and always enjoy the whole experience, be it chatting to the friendly volunteers or partaking of the delicious food and drink served in beautiful surroundings.

  Congratulations to everyone connected with this wonderful asset to our village

  Submitted by Shirley & Geoff Weston, 10 August 2009

• The Garden Cafe in its attractive setting is always a delight to visit, either on a regular basis or as a convenient meeting place.

  The food is delicious and the staff are welcoming and helpfull. Importantly for us there is plenty of room for a wheelchair.

  Already the Cafe has become an important part of our lives. Long may it continue!

  Submitted by Maureen & Bill Mills, 10 August 2009

• We are delighted with both the Museum and cafe. Both are supported by volunteers from all walks of life and have already achieved a very high standard. The beautiful garden and the Garden Cafe are a veritable oasis in todays busy World. Every day adults with learning difficulties help in the busy cafe, and it is a delight to see them working together in such a happy atmosphere as there is here.

  Submitted by Bev & Mary Taylor, 11 August 2009

• The garden cafe along with the museum provides an excellent focal point for the village. It enables volunteers from the community to to give something back with enthusiam to help being the only requirement.

  It is refreshing to have an attractive garden enviroment where tasty vegitarian food is served by friendly helpful staff.

  Submitted by Ray & Carol Sharman, 11 August 2009

• This recent redevelopment of the museum with the addition of its excellent Garden cafe has further enhanced the lovely village of Rustington. The design and layout is a credit to the planners and the beautiful flower arrangements in the courtyard and its quiet environment make it a delight to visit even if it is only for a coffee and a chat. There is always a warm welcome from the staff who I understand are volunteers and to be commended for their contribution to this great village addition.

  Submitted by Gordon James, 13 August 2009

• The museum cafe is a wonderful meeting place for the whole community, with a warm welcome in a beautiful setting and with great tasting food.

  Submitted by Sue and Richard Banister, 13 August 2009

• The museum cafe serves excellent food in attractive surroundings. It is good to see disadvantaged adults working alongside the volunteers. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. This is an asset to Rustington village.

  Submitted by Margaret Cocker, 15 August 2009

• A great project; the museum is fascinating and the cafe a real winner. There is a keen sense of community enterprise which makes for a very enjoyable visit. It's accessible to everyone, and everyone is guaranteed a warm welcome. I am now a regular visitor.

  Submitted by Stuart Baldwin, 17 August 2009

• This project has connected with the community in so many ways. Everyone involved has done a fantastic job and it thoroughly deserves the

  recognition of winning this award.

  Submitted by Darren Merrett, 18 August 2009

• Both the cafe and the museum have contributed so much to the Rustington community. The Garden cafe has been designed to perfection and never fails to offer immaculate service and food on every visit.

  Well done to all involved and keep up the good work!

  Submitted by Katie Tyler, 18 August 2009

• Both the cafe and the museum have contributed so much to the Rustington community. The Garden cafe has been designed to perfection and never fails to offer immaculate service and food on every visit.

  Well done to all involved and keep up the good work!

  Submitted by Katie Tyler, 18 August 2009

• Both the cafe and the museum have contributed so much to the Rustington community. The Garden cafe has been designed to perfection and never fails to offer immaculate service and food on every visit.

  Well done to all involved and keep up the good work!

  Submitted by Katie Tyler, 18 August 2009

• A fantastic Cafe and Gardens, with very friendly volunteers. The food is always fresh and very enjoyable.

  Submitted by Jean Heard, 19 August 2009

• A wonderful meeting place for all local residents and the opportunity to look into the history of Rustington at the adjoining museum.

  Offers a wide range of volunteer / skill learning opportunities & a particular mention for the vegetable stall selling locally grown produce supporting the local self help homeless project.

  Submitted by Robin & Brenda Hargraves, 20 August 2009

• What a wonderful success the Museum and The Garden Cafe has been. A quiet beautiful courtyard away from the hustle and bustle of the street where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or a cup of tea with delicious homemade cakes,scones and fresh vegetarian dishes cooked to perfection with a varied lunch menu. A fantastic asset for Rustington! The staff and volunteers alike are really friendly too.

  Submitted by Jeannie Crabb, 21 August 2009

• The new Museum and Garden Cafe have proved to be a wonderful asset to the village. From the beautiful refurbishment of a listed pair of cottages, the excellent displays of the history of Rustington, the attractive design of the cafe, the lovely garden, the friendliness of the staff, not to mention the quality of the food, this whole project has been an incredible success. The strong focus on community involvement means this facility really feels like it belongs to the village. Every one involved is to be congratulated. Keep up the good work!

  Submitted by Sheila Marsden, 22 August 2009

• The Museum and the Garden Cafe are a superb asset to the village community of Rustington. One has only to see the number of visitors and to hear their positive comments to understand the impact on the community. Visitors share their pride in the village, as well as their memories of its heritage. The project also involves many volunteers who are happy to give up their time for the benefit of all - surely a key indicator of a successful community project.

  Submitted by Graham Lewis, 22 August 2009

• An excellent Museum, showing the changing face of Rustington over the years, staffed by friendly & helpful people. A great cafe with tasty & reasonably-priced food & yet more friendly & helpful staff. A busy & happy atmosphere completed by superb garden displays.

  Submitted by Wendy Hobden, 23 August 2009

• The Museum rekindles the preciousness of the past. Its highlight for me is the letter written by a soldier in World War 1 to his baby daughter.

  The cafe area is a haven; a place to rest amid the busyness of routine; a place of welcome given by smiling volunteers and generous portions of delicious fare.

  Submitted by Eunice Gadsden, 24 August 2009

• The Garden Cafe is a wonderful place to stop for great coffee and cakes,excellent vegetarian meals, and to enjoy the garden.

  As you make your way to the rear of the adjoining Museum, the noise of the traffic is replaced by happy chatter. A real comminity atmosphere where friends meet on a regular basis. Fantastic!

  Submitted by Angie Evans, 02 September 2009

• As a visitor to Rustington I was delighted to find this museum with the garden cafe. It gave a wonderful sense of community, helping young adults with learning difficulties and with the added advantage of helpful staff/volunteers and superb food and service. The fresh garden produce was a bonus.

  Submitted by Andrew Brewster, 02 September 2009

• We can't fault this place - the cafe serves a huge choice of fabulous veggie food, superbly prepared and presented. Such pleasant surroundings and a lovely garden for customers to enjoy when the sun is shining.A wonderful addition to our village. Well done to all involved!

  Submitted by Jane & Alex Blackman, 03 September 2009

• What a wonderful Museum. The exhibits brought back some wonderful childhood memories from when my family lived in Rustington and to be able to stay a little longer and enjoy some good food in the Museum Cafe was excellent.

  Submitted by Julie HOIBAK, 04 September 2009

• The new Rustington Museum is an inspired use for the old Elm Farm Cottage and the Garden Cafe built in the rear garden superbly compliments the old building. All sections of the Community of Rustington can now use these facilities which both provide great opportunities for volunteers and these are now comimg forward in ever greater numbers, bringing the local community ever closer together.

  Submitted by Don Rogers, 04 September 2009

• What a lovely few hours I and a few friends spent here - We can see that a lot of hard work and funds have gone into this project.

  Thank you to all involved.

  Submitted by Diane du Plessis, 05 September 2009

• A beautiful flowery oasis in a busy shopping area serving great home-made food and providing a welcome break for all ages. A community regeneration project to be proud of!

  Submitted by Brenda Pears, 05 September 2009

• I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Rustington Museum. Such a lot of thought and inspiration has gone into this project. a real asset to the lovely village of Rustington.

  10 September 2009

• The Garden Cafe is a lovely place to stop for great coffee, cakes and excellent vegetarian meals whilst enjoying the pretty garden. As you make your way to the rear of the adjoining Museum, the noise of the traffic is replaced by happy chatter. A real community atmosphere where friends meet on a regular basis

  Submitted by Angie Evans, 11 September 2009

• The Garden Cafe is a lovely place to stop for great coffee, cakes and excellent vegetarian meals whilst enjoying the pretty garden. As you make your way to the rear of the adjoining Museum, the noise of the traffic is replaced by happy chatter. A real community atmosphere where friends meet on a regular basis

  Submitted by Angie Evans, 11 September 2009

• A very important addition to Rustington.This Museum and delightful Cafe is the place to meet! Their is'nt any where else in the village that is as wellcoming and has such a friendly atmosphere as this little oasis.Well done to the local Council and to all the Volunteers.

  Submitted by Mrs S Fletcher, 11 September 2009

• A perfect place for meeting friends and enjoying the open air. Food and service cannot be faulted. A true community spirit prevails as help is given to the disabled.

  A really excellent asset to Rustington.

  Submitted by G.R.ANDREWS, 16 September 2009

• The excellent cafe and museum are a fantastic addition to the village. It has proved very popular with the local community and visitors alike. Excellent service and food quality. Well Done to all those involved.

  Submitted by Graeme & Sue Taylor, 17 September 2009

• A great addition for Rustington residents and visitors. Good food and excellent coffee. All involved, especially the volunteers, desrve ongoing support from all in the community

  Submitted by Colin & Rosemary Williams, 18 September 2009

• A welcome addition to our village.A secluded haven to enjoy a snack

  Submitted by C.Laidlaw, 26 September 2009

• A welcome addition to our village.A secluded haven to enjoy a snack

  Submitted by C.Laidlaw, 26 September 2009

• A welcome addition to our village.A secluded haven to enjoy a snack

  Submitted by C.Laidlaw, 26 September 2009

• The Garden Cafe & Museum are a real'find'. The food is of high quality and offers very good value for money. The staff are friendly and helpful representing a broad cross-section of the local community, including residents with special needs. The building which houses the Museum has been sympathetically restored, and is run by well-informed volunteers who are clearly very proud to welcome visitors. This is a true Community project and one which I hope will continue to flourish.

  Submitted by Mary Wilson, 01 October 2009