In 1988 Suryakant Patel brought his family to Capel, purchasing the Capel Newsagents. For the last 25 years the Patels’ especially Mukesh have kept the shop open 365 days of the year, seven days a week from dawn to dusk. They make deliveries to the housebound in the village and surrounding area. They run a Christmas raffle, the proceeds of which go to the local primary school. And they are always ready to help with a gift for a charitable event in the village. They have been a backbone in maintaining one of the only two retail outlets now in the village.

It was not the villagers who threw the party to celebrate their 25th anniversary but the Patel family itself. They provided a magnificent curry lunch, an abundance of drinks and tea in the afternoon, all on a lovely sunny day under a marquee and gazebos on the car park adjacent to their shop. They entertained 500 people who over spilt into the adjacent Friend Meeting House garden.

We are most fortunate that Suryakant, born in Kenya, 75 years ago, has with his family become so much a part of Capel. We thank them for their friendliness, kindness and their generosity especially on the 11th August. We hope they will be part of us for many years to come. JRA

Mr Patel & Family – would like thank everyone who attended our 25 year Celebration Party and making it such a wonderful occasion. Without you all this would not have been possible. Once again thank you for your wonderful support for all these years.