Her celebrity customers have included politicians, actors, TV presenters and even one of the stars of reality show Love Island – or so she’s been told!
But the real star of the Old Sawmill Tea Room at Mirehouse is manager Claire Easton, who is stepping down from her post after 22 years.
Claire, 50, has decided to call it a day having first worked at the popular lakeside café when she was a schoolgirl. Since then she has welcomed thousands of visitors, including one who became her husband.
“When I first came here it was just after it had been converted from a sawmill, and was being run by Jean Hotton,” Claire explained.
“Then my sister Lisa took on the lease for a couple of years, and when she moved on in 1999 I took over as manager.
“I’d previously worked in hospitality at a couple of places, including the Glenridding Hotel, but I really love baking and knew that this was what I really wanted to do.
“It’s been such a happy place to work, with a great atmosphere and a lovely setting.”
Claire says business really began to take off when the nearby Osprey view point was set up in 2001.
“Suddenly, from having just a few people coming in we were getting thousands. It was really fantastic, coming as it did after we’d been forced to close down due to foot and mouth,” she said.
One of the team behind the venture was forest ranger Matt Easton, who popped in for a scone one day and became Claire’s husband four years later.
But although Matt remains her most memorable customer, Claire has also served her fair share of celebrities.
“Off the top of my head we’ve had Jake Wood, who played Max Branning in EastEnders, Mike Dilger from The One Show, Iolo Williams from Springwatch, and I’m told by one of the younger girls here that we also had a visit from someone from Love Island – not that I recognised them.
“John Prescott, Labour’s deputy prime minister, also came in. I remember he didn’t have any money on him, and one of his assistants had to pay.”
Claire says it will be a wrench to leave the Old Sawmill at the end of the year, but she’s looking forward to the next chapter in her life.
She added: “I’m planning to put my feet up for a couple of weeks, then maybe get another baking job. I’m also looking forward to being able to have a proper summer holiday – we haven’t been on one since 1998!”
