During the autumn of 2021, when Fairseat Village Hall had been able to take advantage of some government grants to improve village halls during the covid pandemic, Lyn Mannering thought the hall would be an ideal venue to bring the Community of Stansted and Fairseat together by serving a simple, inexpensive, but delicious lunch once a month. Lyn put together her team of willing volunteers, Melita Gandolfo, Nita Hills, Nina Sparks and Christine Stevens, and they set about putting together a menu and advertising the first event. Within a few months, the team were wearing their Fairseat Community Café aprons!

It is now November 2025, and after more than 4 years since the start, the Café is going from strength to strength, serving between 35 and 45 customers, both young and old, on the third Tuesday of each month. The noise level has risen as everyone chats together, and new friendships have been made. The lunch started at £5 per head, but with the rising cost of food, it has had to be increased to £6. Children have always been free. Everyone is welcome.

During the winter months, three homemade soups are served with crusty bread, followed by a selection of homemade cakes and tea or coffee. The summer menu changes to a savoury pastry and salad, with crusty bread, cakes, and tea or coffee. Each year, Lyn has applied to the Parish Council for the Brownes Bequest, which has helped to fund an Easter special lunch prioritising the regular customers.