The Society's Chief Executive, Bob Jackson, cuts the cake during the celebrations.

On the 19th December, Society staff celebrated the success of their Bar Hill branch one year after it opened in The Mall. The branch received the Society's 'Top Branch Award' for business levels achieved and its contribution to the local community.

The branch has enjoyed an extremely successful first year, exceeding the Society's business expectations. As well as providing an excellent local service for the many longstanding customers who live in the area, the staff have opened over 700 new savings accounts and attracted many new borrowers to the Society. Customer feedback has been very positive and the decision to extend the branch's opening hours on weekday evenings has been popular.

The Branch Supervisor Linda Iggulden and her team have made quite an impact in the local community too. They have supported a range of local school fetes, taken part in the Bar Hill Pre-School sponsored walk and held raffles for various funds including Children in Need. On Sunday 17th December, they opened the branch especially to house Santa's Grotto and raised £100 for Over Day Centre at the same time.