SOME frequent visitors to York make for a city centre location where they know a good refreshment spot. Good because it is run by voluntary organisations seeking to augment their charity funds.

It is refreshing to discover that a similar operation has recently opened on the city outskirts as part of the hospice. Although only open at the moment on Thursdays and Fridays, the food is home made and freshly prepared.

There is a car park and easy access on a level path. There are two settees with a low table, and comfortable modern chairs and tables are spread round the room.

There is a display cabinet with gift items on sale. The menu is simple. Tea and coffee cost £1 with juice 50p. Soup and a roll is priced at £2, sandwiches £1.50, scone and cakes (£1).

It seemed there was no end to the range of available soups and sandwich fillings. Ann chose chicken soup together with a cheese and tomato sandwich. The soup was very hot and the sandwich came in fresh brown bread, pleasantly garnished with a few crisps, a cherry tomato and leaves.

Passing over chicken, minestrone, carrot and coriander, I opted for mushroom soup.

This too arrived steaming hot with a fresh, warm roll. For the second week running, I find myself saying this was the best mushroom soup I had tasted in years!

Inspecting the cakes, I could not resist a slice of the chocolate that was decorated with chocolate shavings. Enough said! For £6.50, we were delighted with our refreshment.

Although there were only five other snackers during our visit, we were assured that The Stables had been steadily busy during the course of the morning.

The venue is only a step from the local supermarket. Why not combine a shopping trip with support for this worthy charity?