Dorstone's Front Room
At the heart of the Dorstone community
Welcome to DFR
Dorstone’s Front Room (DFR) began life in 2008 when the village of Dorstone was informed that we would lose our small rural post office. For Dorstonians, the loss of our post office was a blow. Like many rural communities, the post office was the daytime hub of the village. It served as meeting place, information centre, last minute gift resource, and social glue.
So, we set out to replace what we were losing. With the help of over twenty-five village volunteers and a number of terrific funding resources DFR has become a key part of our rural life and a unique place to share a taste of what it’s like to live in our beautiful rural community.
Today DFR‘s team of committed volunteers continues to keep us at the heart of our vibrant community.
Teas & Snacks
DFR offers a comfortable setting for tea, coffee and locally baked cakes. We are also famed for our Friday Bacon Butties.
Gallery & Crafts
Part of DFR's mission is to provide a cost-effective venue for the sale of crafts and artwork created locally.
Tourist Information
DFR is a registered Tourist Information location. We can provide local information and parking and route maps for walkers.
Community Services
DFR provides a host of services for the local community from a Book and DVD lending library to a Bulk Heating Oil Group and Office Services.
Cafe
Tea & Snacks
DFR offers a cozy setting for teas, coffees and local cakes every day that we are open. Please join us whenever you want a little break from your everyday hustle and bustle!
At the end of every week, we host our regionally famous Bacon Butty Fridays with the best bacon buttys for miles around served from 10:00 – 12:00.
Gallery & Crafts
Out Post Gallery @ DFR maintains a regular collection of high quality crafts by very local artists. We regularly have prints and local photos, cards and postcards, ceramics, wood-craft, glass art, jewelry and forestry products (willow, baskets, etc.).
Our Artist-of-the-Month exhibits in the main area of the Front Room.
Tourist Information
DFR is a registered Tourist Information site. We can provide:
- Local Walking Maps
- General Area Information
- Information on local Pubs and Accommodation
- Local Family History Links
and other useful support for visitors. Visitors are welcome to use our car park as a walking/cycling base and DFR is happy to open to accommodate post walk/cycle refreshment.
community Services
Lending Library
DFR offers a wide range of paperbacks and some videos for lending or purchase. If you borrow a book or video, the cost is £2.50 for DVDs and £1.00 for books (£0.50 of which will be returned to you when you return your book). We welcome periodic contributions of books – but only those that you found too good to put down!
Office Services
DFR offers a wide range of office services including internet access (with wi-fi), printing (B&W and colour), photocopying, faxing, laminating, and a small range of office products including stamps.
Bulk Heating Oil Group
DFR sponsors a bulk heating oil purchasing group. Orders are placed monthly on the first Friday of the month. We generally contact a number of local vendors before selecting the one with the current lowest price. In most cases we are offered a price that is 2p below the public price quoted on the day of placing the order. We contact you to inform you of delivery date. You will be invoiced by the supplier, and DFR charges a small administration fee of 0.0025p/litre.
Postal Services
A mobile postal van visits the DFR car park on Wednesday mornings. When the post van is not here we also have a limited number of postage stamps for sale.
Newspaper Delivery
If you are interested in having a daily newspaper delivered to Dorstone. If you are interested in having a daily newspaper delivered to DFR, please contact us to discuss arrangements.
Emergency Services
DFR serves as the Dorstone Village emergency centre during inclement weather or other times of emergency. For more information on helping to provide emergency support, or to add your name or a relative’s name to our emergency “check-in” list.
Defibrillator
An emergency Defibrillator is located on the outside wall to the left of the DFR main entrance. If you need access call the number on the outside of the box to obtain the access code. Then follow the instructions.
Newsletter (Dorstone Blast)
DFR also operates the 'Dorstone Blast,' a weekly electronic newsletter updating the community and surrounding area on what's on, police updates, and general news and information. To submit something for The Blast, or to get your name added to the mailing list, please contact: info@dorstonesfrontroom.org.uk
General Information
DFR maintains an up to date list of events in and around Dorstone and the Golden Valley, as well as information on local businesses, business services, suppliers, etc. Please feel free to stop in and talk with any of the volunteers about general information needs. If we can’t help you on the spot, we’ll get information to you as soon as possible.
Volunteering
DFR only operates thanks to the hard, dedicated work of our marvellous volunteers. This dedication was recognised by Her Majesty in 2006 when we were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.
Why not join the team?
Volunteering at DFR is fun – whether it’s a quiet day with one or two local residents lingering for a long chat and a go at our always-on puzzle, or one of DFR’s famous manic days with visitors, the crochet group and food deliveries. Volunteers generally serve one 4-hour session every two weeks. We welcome “regulars” as well as “irregulars” to fill in the gaps. Please contact Gill if you are interested in volunteering.
Contact Us
Dorstone’s Front Room is located in the village of Dorstone in the Golden Valley of western Herefordshire.
Address:
Dorstone’s Front Room
The Village Shop
Dorstone
Herefordshire, HR3 6AN
Telephone: 01981-550777
Opening Hours
We’re open 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. We are delighted to schedule additional openings for groups and regularly welcome walking groups, cycling groups and riding groups as well as clubs and private gatherings.
Our thanks to DFR's Funders
