Help keep THE LANGFORD STORE open while Sukhita recovers from operation

Hello beautiful friends - I do hope this message finds you happy and well. Here we are in March already! Goodness the year is whizzing along. We've had a busy summer with lots of happy hoilday makers. We've had help from dear Sandy and others. Even our darling Amber has been behind the counter greeting customers this year. Such a natural, must be in the blood! I've been in and out of the store as 2024 began with scan appointments coming thick and fast. Much medical poking about was done. Now we're in early autumn and i'm glad to say that all scans came back clear. So for the first time in a long time, i'm not driving over the hill and beyond to see doctors. We can all breath a sigh of relief. I give huge thanks to all the medical folk that helped to find and clear the cancer early.  I must say, it was a strange feeling. To get the all clear results. A great relief, quite emotional, and also a wave of exhaustion came over me. I guess it's the "keeping it together" you carry whilst working through whatever needs to be done, being strong and solid for the kids and family. Now I can relax a little. Now I can re-focus. Or re-centre myself. Take stock of what has been happening and where to go from here. 

I'm hoping we can find a way to keep The Langford Store going strong. But also to give us more time to be together as a family. This labour of love is a vital piece of New Zealand history. And goodness! The store turns 100 in 2028! I'm hoping to find a way to involve more community in the running of the store. Looking at ideas of becoming a Charitable Trust or finding a Patron or creating a group of Partners or Sponsors. Some way that we can create a financial stream for the store and all involved to thrive. (Got a bit of building maintence to look at this winter!)  I welcome any ideas from you, our wider community, our lovers of The Langford Store.  For community and people are what brings our lives joy.

Connection, wellness, kindness and compassion. 

I wish this and more for you all today and always

xox Sukhita Langford xox

Here we are, on Christmas Eve. And i contemplate the journey of many months i've been on. Thank you my team of friends and lovers of The Langford Store for being with me. Listening to my story. It has made all the difference knowing there is so much love and caring in the world. I've had surgery and radiotheraphy and scans coming out my wazoo! Last week was my 3 month after surgery one, to check all is tickadeeboo. I promised myself when coming  back over the Takaka Hill that i'd stay in Golden Bay for many months now. Done, done and done! 

I'm hankering to spend time, reconnecting with myself, my family, my home and the happiness of summer hoilday makers through The Langford Store.  So that is the plan... back behind the counter and coffee machine at the shop on Boxing Day. And although my Doctor is keen for more investigative scans early next year... (a random something near my spine?) We agreed that it was time to be in a lighter place with the sunshine and joy of family and friends.

I wish for you all to see me in full and vibrant health.  For that is how i feel at present. My body is celebrating the wellness of removing the cancer from my left breast, and i am going with that goodness and choosing to not give it much more thought. 

There is so much beauty and magnificence to celebrate. And i am a strong believer in the power of positive thought. Attitude is everything!

So with that... I wish you much joy and love during this festive time. May we continue to be fully grateful for all the magic that this beautiful journey of life gives us. 

Love, Light, Peace and Goodwill to All. 

Sukhita, Will, Jacob & Amber xox

I'm back from Wellington and feeling pretty good. To be honest i had to ask if the machine was working? I am super grateful for NOT feeling any reactions or symptoms from the treatment. Must be all those spirulina smoothies and beetroot salads. 

So the "Big Shout Outs" begin! Here's to Matt Palmer, one of the many legends who helped us to reach our Pledge Me goal. Check it out on our Facebook Page. I'll try to update these daily https://www.facebook.com/thelangfordstore 

Love you all and keep being awesome

xox Sukhita & Will xox

Hi fabulous folk - I'm having a swift week in Wellington to get some of that cancer blasting radiotherapy! Knowing the store is in superb and caring hands with the sensational Sandy, and magnificent Will keeping the children vaguely under control and baking up a storm.

For those that haven't got back to me about your hat or t-shirt size... Yes that's you i'm talking to... Alastair, Phil, Priscilla, Christie, Karen, Heppie, Lesti, Helen, Rosie and Annemaree. 

Otherwise i'm really hoping everyone has and are enjoying their rewards. Promise i'll get onto the Great News Shout Outs & Langford Store Friends Board once radiation treatment has done it's dash. 

I'm really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things during the summer at The Langford Store. Still a bit to organise, gotta find some more willing helpers, finish the back fence and sort out our water supply. And hopefully my strength will have fully returned in time for the Christmas hoilday visitors. Here's to a glorious summertime for all. 

Thank you for your continued support

xox Sukhita & Will

So i got a few emails from you fabulous folk. Who weren't expecting a teatowel, but a Crown Lynn Mug. Here they are! Sitting on the counter at Takaka Take Note, awaiting their lick of appoval before winging there way to you. 

Thank you for your patience. Our dining room table is almost clear of rewards.

I will be getting on to the "BIG Shout Out" on our Great News Board soon. And the Names on The Friends of The Langford Store Board. But first a couple of medical appointments. 

Loving you all for all your support.

Keep being awesome

xox Sukhita & Will

What a busy few weeks it's been! It wasn't meant to be that way, but Labour Weekend was looming and we felt it was time to get the shop up and running. So busy, we got! With a bit of help from our friends, we cleaned and polished and now it's shiny & perfect for punters.

Amonst the shop cleaning & prepping the tea towels arrived. So in-between baking Will has joyfully folded them all.  And now that we've had a moment to catch our breath, i've packed them up to post to you tomorrow. Whew! 

Our first 4 days back has been great. To be honest, a bit emotional for me.  The legendary Sandy and super Celeste are sensational. They keep everything running smoothly all weekend with many happy folk enjoying tea and scones. And much happy collectable & vintage clothing purchases too. - It's a relief to get to this point.

Now i will pause a moment before heading to Wellington to talk with the radiotherapy oncologist. Knowing that all is good and The Langford Store is in great and caring hands.

Much love and thanks to you all 

xox Sukhita & Will

Here's the first batch of rewards packed and ready to go. Artwork, collectables, magnets, cushion covers and Journals. Thanks for your patience. We did want to get a little extra something sorted before sending them out. 

Hats and T-shirts next. But if you haven't already, could you please email me your size and colour/pattern preferences at [email protected]

Teatowels will take a little longer as the printers are super busy

And just incase you were wondering, we plan to re-open the shop from Labour Weekend. With the super awesome Sandy at the helm. Are hours will be Thursday to Sundays 9am to 4pm. 

Love & Hugs to all you delicious folk.

xox Sukhita & Will

Hello Sensational Team. Excuse my absence. What a week it's been. Getting my head into the task of reward deliveries. AND trying to make clear decisions on further treatment! It's been five weeks since surgery. And i'm feeling better everyday. Although just when i think i'm good to go, the body tells me to take a break. What'd they say "Cancer is a dreadful gift" Trying hard to embrace the changes it has brought to my life with diet change and refocusing on what matters most. - The shop means so much to me, and to so many more i now realise - So we're working our best at getting it re-opened for Labour Weekend.  All the jobs i'm used to doing are now being delagated to others. Acknowledging my limitations. The gallery floor is re-painted, the kitchen cleaned. The big task of spring cleaning the shop itself is yet to be done. 

But i can get busy with the pen and write my thank you's to you all. Lick a stamp here and there and get these gorgeous rewards off to you fine folk. Thank you again for your support & well wishes.

Big hugs xo Sukhita

OMG! We've got to our minimum target of $35,000 with 3 days left! Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.  Blowing you a whole lotta kisses. What an absoltely legendary team you are. I am feeling the love from you all.  Actually feeling quite emotional. It's extremely humbling. To see and feel the support from so many people, near and far. What a magnificent community. A true expression of community. This will take a huge load off our shoulders as we navigate the next part of the journery. And will give us the ability to employ Sandy and others to run the store whilst i look at ongoing treatments. The Langford Store is an important slice of NZ history, and your support has shown me just how special it is to so many. Thank You, Thank You. I hope we can do you all proud with our continuing custodianship. Lets all raise a fine bone china cup of tea in Celebration!

WOW! We've reached the 90% mark! Seriously feeling the love folks. Thanks you all so much for your incredible support of our campaign. I want to give you all a big bunch of flowers! With less than $5000 to raise over the next five days, I just know we'll get there with your support. Please pledge if you're able and if you already have, please keep sharing. Because all of your sharing is making a huge difference. LOVE YOU!

WOW! Today we've hit 80% with 6 days left. You guys & girls are absolutely amazing. What a team. Lets go all the way. Check out the recently added rewards and keep sharing. You'd be surprised how many of your friends and family might just need a wee reminder. Every pledge counts. Is there somewhere you thought about sharing and haven't yet? Now would be the time. Being an all-or-nothing campaign, it means we only receive the funds you've lovingly pledged if we reach our goal. And Thank You, thank you. You rock our world. Are you feeling the excitement too? 

Our blazing, flowery dress-wearing, red-headed Langford Store superstar Sukhita Langford has discovered several lumps in her breast and has to have them removed very soon, but she wants to keep the beloved Langford Store store humming this spring while she recovers. 

You can help this iconic (100-year-old in 2028) store stay open, and score some delicious rewards, by buying or pre-buying food, drinks, hats, aprons, and charming old stuff from the store!

Sukhita has found the amazing Sandy to run the shop for three months through spring while she recovers from her breast cancer operation (Sukhita will be a mere 500 metres away at home). Sandy makes an awesome coffee and with Wills's damn fine scones, they're rearing to go.

However after a lean winter, within an economy still recovering from Covid, the shop needs funds to ensure Sandy can be paid a fair wage for her time. Usually, Sukhita would dig in and work through this time of the year, but that's not possible for her this time around.

You know Sukhita, she's always creating something, and she has accumulated heaps of gorgeous stock, including some very cool bucket hats, teeshirts and aprons. She also has a rather impressive collection of fine bone china tea sets and some funky Crown Lynn. Throw in some pre-sales of 'high teas at the Langford Store', plus some generous donations from local artists and the total value of these comes to $35,000. Those funds would enable Sukhita, her whānau and the store to thrive through spring and make it to another busy summer in Golden Bay. 

What fantastic rewards do have we got for you?

- Langford Store Retro Postcard Set 

- Personal Thank you on our Good News Board and Facebook

- Iconic NZ Crown Lynn Mugs

- Fine Bone China Tea Trios

- Langford Store Magnet, T-shirt, A3 Print

- Sukhita's Handmade Creations,  Kiwiana Hats, Aprons and Journals

- Some Gorgeous Teasets

- Tea and Scones for four at The Langford Store

- Original Artworks by Sensational Golden Bay Artists

- Craig Potton original framed Photograph

Note: Christmas is just around the corner, and these rewards could get you sorted!

About Sukhita and the Langford Store

After discovering the love of her life Will, in Wellington back in 2008 , Sukhita and Will left the capital and took over the Langford Store from Sukhita's 2nd cousin Lorna who had run it for 60 years! The original creator of this special place in 1928 was Sukhita's Great Grandfather EB Langford. With its adjoining Post Office still running, the Langford Store is a jewel in the crown of Golden Bay and an iconic piece of New Zealand history. 

 

The lovely Lorna May Langford 

 

 

 

Lorna with her mother Florence and co-worker and a visiting family 

EB Langford with Agnes Miller

Lorna in the Post Office in 1995

Sukhita in the Post Office in 2011

Who's gagging for a good coffee at The Langford Store? 42% today. Slowly, slowly wins the race. In case you didn't realise... We need to get to our goal of $35,000 or we won't get any of the funds pledged so far. So please keep sharing our campaign far and wide so we can reach our goal. I look forward to seeing you in the summertime to give you a big thank you hug. Lets make this happen.

Wow! What a wonderful bunch of sweetie folk you are. 144 generous people have got us to 40% today. Thank you so much; feeling the love. To help us get to our next milestone - the halfway mark - Please share our Pledge Me link within your community, family and friends. Together we can make this happen. 

What a gorgeous 1st day of Spring it is here in Bainham. And I long for this view from the veranda at The Langford Store. WOW!  Over 30%. Getting closer to our minimum target. Feeling super grateful for the pledges so far. And please don't forget to spread the word far and wide, so we can all enjoy this view with fine tea and scones soon.  Thank you, thank you and Love to All. xox

Here we are a week into our Pledge Me Campaign and i'm feeling extremely humbled by the generosity of so many. This time last week i was in the middle of surgery. So nice to be home.  Thank you, thank you for your kind pledges. It truly helps with the healing. Much Love to All.