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Tuesday morning at 4am, August 20th, we received the call that there was a fire consuming our little shops on the main street of Tyalgum. Orpheum Bookshop, Osiris Jewellery and Paddington of Tyalgum were all burnt to cinders as we stood and watched. It is a heartbreak for us and the village and many of our friends who travel from far and wide to visit. The buildings were not insured. It was a terrible shock that continues to rock us to our core.
Immediately, these three businesses were offered sanctuary in the marketta area in the back garden of Flutterbies Cafe, the local restaurant a few doors up the street. Spaces are being renovated and everything is being done to help them feel supported, as you would expect in such a community as ours. The jeweller was able to recover many of her tools, the bookshop has been given huge donations of books and Paddington has set up shop within the heritage bank building next door. The response has been heartfelt and there has been an extraordinary outpouring of well wishes and gifts.
I spent that next week in my shop, perched at the back of the wreckage, feeling pretty isolated by this event. The big thing now is the burnt asbestos that was in these lovely old heritage buildings is highly toxic to dispose of. Even though Somewhere in the Sunshine made a narrow escape from the flames, it has now been closed due to the proximity of the wreckage. There needs to be a special clean up team involved which is taking some time to organise. It may only be a couple of months before I'm back in the shop, but in the meantime....
As soon as they heard the news, my dear friends at Flutterbies Cafe invited me to move into their back garden to set up shop as well! I was given a gorgeous little spot and they have made me so very welcome. Light at the end of the tunnel! I have been transferring my paints and furniture on a daily basis this week.
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