Happy to report some real progress at last

Dear Readers,

Xmas and New Year seem to have come & gone in a Blizzard (literally).

Despite the conditions the Community Committee have been beavering away, and have made progress with the potential shop site adjoining the Fox & Hounds Pub.

Below is an article, written for the Fox & Hounds Newsletter, by Eileen Ware who handles CCSG's publicity:

"When we began the task of setting up a community shop over 12 months ago we never believed it would be so challenging! How would we find the finance, or suitable premises? The opportunity to build a shop in the grounds of the Parish hall had to be rejected as too expensive at present.

But what was that small building, hidden by a bush and leaning against the refurbished Fox and Hounds? It was an old washhouse, which thanks to those very nice people at the Fox and Hounds will become the community’s new “Village Shop”.

A path needs to be cut through the grass for access, and this involves Building Regulations approval (granted) and Planning Permission for a Ramp (expected mid March), after which the work can be completed.

It is a very compact premises (small !), and volunteers will be selling only basics (newspapers, bread, milk, some grocery items) for a couple of hours each morning and evening (morning only at weekends) - but it will be a start, and who knows what the future holds if our customers are queuing at the door?

Meanwhile, we will be inviting parishioners to buy a share in the new shop for £10 which will entitle them to have a say in how the shop is run. If you can help but have not already volunteered - please contact Sue Downie on 01630 661919. For general information about the shop, please contact Amanda Parish on 01630 661596 Amanda.parish@hotmail.co.uk

We send huge thanks to Woody, Steve Nuttall and all their colleagues at the Fox and Hounds for providing us with Cheswardine’s new “Village Shop”.

Cheswardine Community Shop Group "

Keep posted for more info.

Ed