The legendary Rev Canon Sally Fogden has been made President of the Rural Coffee Caravan which she founded over 20 years ago.
A packed Sapiston Village Hall gathered on Wednesday this week (March 20) to celebrate Sally and mark her decision to step down as chair with the announcement that she would now be the Rural Coffee Caravan’s President.
The charity’s CEO Ann Osborn presented Sally with a beautiful quilt made up of a square submitted by every village the Rural Coffee Caravan visits. She also gave a moving speech about Sally.
“You founded something very, very special that has become beloved by rural Suffolk, Suffolk in general, in fact,” she said. “The Rural Coffee Caravan has strengthened communities, helped individuals, sparked other community activities and provided a route for other agencies to reach rural residents. It is has done and is doing what it says on the tin...making a difference.”
On a more personal note, Ann added: “Working for you is a joy, you are the best boss imaginable and we love you very much. We are so glad that handing over the reins of chairmanship does not mean you are leaving us. We know we can still look forward to your supportive messages and phone calls and villages will still see you arriving in your green top.”
Two of Sally’s fellow founders, Jean Turnbull and George Frost attended the event, along with caravan volunteers, friends and supporters.
The Rural Caravan travels all over Suffolk, offering tea, coffee and friendship to rural communities and also helping rural residents access the support that exists in Suffolk to help us live happy, healthy and independent lives.
Ann said: “It’s easy to feel forgotten in rural communities but because of your idea and your leadership and guidance, rural residents feel less lonely, less isolated, they feel seen and valued.”
When the Rural Coffee Caravan started, they had just one caravan, made 87 visits and saw 961 people. Last year, it made 430 visits, with a much more modern caravan and three campervans, eight members of staff, a raft of volunteers and 7800 visitors.
In 2023, it was presented with a European Social Services Award for person-centred delivery.
Sally was typically modest as she accepted her quilt, thanking staff and telling them, “really, it’s your Rural Coffee Caravan.” She called her 20 years of chairmanship ‘a huge privilege.”
Already thinking about what else she could do to help battle loneliness, Sally asked those present to send a postcard to anyone in their village currently in a care home.
“It really cheers people up to get a card,” she said. “A bit of gossip or news can make all the difference.”
Ann then told her that a photo of the quilt was going to be made into postcards for just that purpose which won a broad smile.
The new chair of the Rural Coffee Carvan will be Richard Browne.
Richard said: “I want to do what Sally has done half as well as Sally has done it. If I manage that, I will count myself a success.”
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