AFTER losing their only shop in December 2016 the residents of  Cheriton Fitzpaine have been working hard to make a community shop for the village become a reality.

Since January the Steering Group set up to investigate how to make this happen has been very busy.

A successful community-run newspaper distribution service has been set up, ready meals in a bag have been sold at the Saturday Market, and a shop website has been built using the winning logo designed by a pupil at Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School.

Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop has also become a full member of the Plunkett Foundation which has helped almost 300 communities throughout Britain with similar enterprises.

Pledges and donations have begun to come in and the village is now ready to take the next big step – to set up and run its own Community Shop.

The newly-named “shop management committee” is holding its next public meeting at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 8 in the Parish Hall. Current plans will be unveiled, the website will be launched and there will be a nostalgic film show of the village in the 1960s and 70s. The theme of the evening will be “Our Village Past and Future”.

A licensed bar and nibbles will be available and entry is free to all. All who pledge to purchase shares and make a donation on the night will be entered into a Grand Draw with winners announced at an event in the Autumn.

Dave Plumridge, Chair of the Shop Managment Committee, said: “Since the old shop closed in December many villagers have commented upon how much quieter the village had become with so many fewer people walking about and stopping for a good old chat.

“This event will be a real opportunity for everyone in the village to come together and share in the plans for a replacement community shop.

“The shop we plan to create will be run by the village for the village and will not just ’replace’ the old shop, but will become a real community hub too. It is an exciting time and we hope that as many people as possible join us on July 8 to find out more.”

Alan Quick