How a small Christian bookshop and café in Bishopston has become a "little community within this community"

For more than three decades, The Lamplighter has sat at the heart of Bishopston, linked to St Teilo's Church in the village. What began, in Louise Rigdon's telling, as "just a table in the middle of the room with some books on it" has grown into something far bigger.

Louise, manager of The Lamplighter, describes it simply. "I would say it's a hub of the community that is here to support, here to encourage," she said. "We do sell local products. We're here for tourists, we're here to support locals who might need varying things. Sometimes we've got people coming in and saying, 'Haven't got a number for a doctor,' or 'Haven't got a number for an electrician.' So we're just a hub of the community, really, supporting anyone who needs it."

Alongside cards, Christian books and church resources, the shelves carry local Gower honey, sea glass jewellery and Gower coffee. "It's not just solely for the church," Louise said. "It works both ways now."

A light on a lampstand

The Lamplighter was the brainchild of Chris Lee, then vicar of St Teilo's, and his wife Tessa. Its name is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus calls his followers to be a light that is set on a stand, not hidden, "so that it will be seen."

"This was meant to be a light to shine Jesus' mission and gospel to the community," Louise said. "But it's become so much more than that."

A typical week

Louise's work behind the scenes rarely looks the same two days running. In the same week as this interview, she had placed the shop's Christmas card order with Teal Press, restocked café supplies from the local shop, and liaised with the local bakers who supply cakes for sale in store. Displays needed rearranging too, with congratulations cards for exam results and university places currently in focus.

"It's making sure that the customers, regulars and new customers, are comfortable, happy," Louise said. Volunteers keep the shop running day to day. "We rely very heavily on our volunteers, who are incredible," Louise said. "We simply couldn't run without their support."

Asked what she enjoys most about the job, Louise said: "It's the people. Whether they're volunteers or customers, regular or new. We always have lovely people coming in here, and we can always be of help in some way, shape, or form."

A welcoming space

Around 50 to 70 people come through the doors each week, mostly from the area's retired community.

Asked to describe the atmosphere, Louise said: "I think it's very welcoming, very nurturing. It's a safe place for people."

That welcome was echoed by the craft group meeting at The Lamplighter on the morning Louise spoke to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon — four members that day, though numbers usually run closer to 10. Asked what keeps them coming back, one member said: "It's a lovely place to come to chat and meet friends." Another added: "And coffee."

None of the group knew each other before finding their way to The Lamplighter, Louise said. Now they meet for coffee outside the shop as well as in it. "It's local, it's five minutes from home," Louise said. "You can walk here and don't have to worry about parking."

Shining the gospel through deed

"I would say it's to shine God's gospel through deed rather than preaching," Louise said. "That's our main aim: to shine God's gospel through deed so people then can feel wanted, supported, loved."

Walkers on the Gower Pilgrimage Way, which passes close by, call in for a pilgrim stamp. Ministry teams use the space as a resource library. "We have tourists coming here who are on holiday in the area," Louise said. "People say what a lovely feeling we have."

Community within a community

Regulars have built their own routines around The Lamplighter. Three separate groups of friends meet there on Wednesdays — one after a yoga class, one after a walk around the village, and a third Louise calls "the Cappuccino Girls". "They just come in for a coffee, put the world to rights, and they see each other the following week here, in a place that they know that they are welcome and that they can talk quite freely and openly," Louise said.

A Celtic Communion service is held every Thursday morning, led on a rota by three local vicars, or by Louise herself when none is available. "If there's no vicars around, I'll lead a Morning Prayer service, as I'm now a Worship Leader," she said. A prayer group meets on Tuesdays, and the Gower Wellbeing Project has also begun using the space for craft sessions.

The Tuesday and Friday craft group has grown into something more than a gathering. Members, working under the name Bish Babies, knit blankets, hats and matinee jackets to sell in the shop, with all profits going to The Lamplighter.

The same group has quietly raised more than £500 over the past year, a pound at a time. "Some of them just pay a pound a week," Louise said. "Every time they get to £100, they donate it to a different charity." Surfability, a Gower charity supporting surfers with additional needs, has received £100, along with a local cancer charity and hospice.

The group has also knitted almost 100 hats for the Mission to Seafarers. This Christmas, more will decorate a tree at Swansea Minster. "The decoration on the tree is going to be the hats," Louise said. "If a homeless person comes in, they can just take a hat, no questions asked, and we know that they will be warm and supported."

Looking ahead

Asked about the future, Louise said: "Our plan is to keep on serving the community, to keep on welcoming people, keep on hopefully drawing people closer to God. We're not someone that's going to make squillions of pounds — that's not our aim. Our aim is just to bring people closer to the gospel through the work that we do here."

The Lamplighter is open 10am to 3.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 10am to noon on Saturdays.

"We're just a lovely, lovely place to come," Louise said. "If you haven't come in to visit us, come in, have a coffee, have a browse, and see what we can do here."