out-of-town cafés are on the increase. When we hear of one we shall endeavour to visit.

The Annexe is in the centre of Copmanthorpe, close to the post office. The café can accommodate a couple of dozen people either on modern furniture or on one of two settees, each with a low table. Initially we chose the latter.

The café is well lit but sterile. A small plant might help.

There was a simple table menu supplemented by a specials board, which was legible from the other side of the room. “All sandwiches are made to order with fresh ingredients. We thank you for your patience while we prepare them”. This is the place for a leisurely break.

Two soups were available – broccoli with stilton or minestrone – priced £3 with a roll and butter. We decided to try both ordering them at the servery. At the same time we requested a toasted teacake (£1) and a slice of raspberry sponge (£1.40) for ‘afters’.

The menu also included baguettes, paninis and toasties ranging in price from £2.60 to £3.50. The mozzarella with chilli jam caught my eye as an unusual filling and I should have sampled it. Ham with Emmental cheese was another less common combination.

When the soup arrived, it was hot and flavoursome. The roll turned out to be half a brown baguette and there was more butter if we needed it.

Once it was obvious that we had finished the soup, the teacake was toasted. It arrived at the table with a dish of apricot and blackcurrant jam sachets.

Ann couldn’t be persuaded to sample my raspberry sponge (just as well) which we were told was homemade. Excellent!

For the snacker espresso (£1), cappuccino and latte (£1.80), hot chocolate (£1.60) and tea (£1.30) are readily available.

It was quiet when we visited, even though it was between midday and one o’clock. One final point, larger napkins might be appreciated.