Our Westbourne Story

As I sit down to write this story, I am overwhelmed with a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. Westbourne, a quaint village that holds generations of memories for my family, is once again at the centre of my life since we took over The Westbourne Cafe. This journey spans over five decades, intertwining my family’s history with the roads of Westbourne.

It all began in July 1968 when my grandparents decided to move to Ellesmere Orchard in Westbourne, a move that would root our family in this village for years to come. My mother was just a child then, attending the local Westbourne School, where the foundations of her childhood were laid among friends and familiar locales.

Life, as it does, led her away in 1979, seeking new experiences and opportunities beyond the familiar village. However, one year after I was born, the pull of home brought her back in 1985 to the very house she grew up in. My sister was born one month later, and like our mother, we attended Westbourne School.

In 2002, I ventured away from Westbourne, seeking to carve out my own path. Yet, as history would have it, in 2011, I found myself drawn back to the same road where my mother and I grew up. This return was different; I was now a mother myself, with two daughters who followed in our footsteps by attending Westbourne School. It was a surreal feeling to see my girls walk the same hallways that were once a significant part of both my and my mothers childhood, making them the third generation in our family to attend Westbourne School.

During this time, life brought me together with Joe, who had two children of his own. Our blended family of six outgrew the house of our beloved road, leading us to settle in Horndean, where we found the space we needed.

In an unexpected twist of fate, an opportunity arose to take over the Westbourne Cafe. Embracing this chance, we were thrilled at the prospect of being part of something that held a communal space for locals and visitors alike. The cafe is not just a business to us; it is a continuation of our family’s story.

Since we took over the Westbourne Café on April 2nd, 2024, we’ve felt even more a part of the community. Everything seems to have come full circle, connecting our family’s history with Westbourne. We really enjoy running the café, offering a place for everyone to meet, celebrate, and make memories.

We are committed to supporting other local businesses, schools, and the church in Westbourne. By partnering with nearby suppliers and participating in local events, we aim to strengthen the community bonds and ensure that our village thrives. It’s important to us that the cafe serves not just as a place to eat, but as a hub that supports and reflects the values of our community. We look forward to building lasting relationships and contributing positively to the life of Westbourne.

Thank you, Westbourne, for being the backdrop to our family’s narrative, for nurturing us, and for bringing us back, always, to where we belong. Here’s to new beginnings at the Westbourne Cafe, and to the continued story of a family deeply rooted in this wonderful village.

Jen and Joe