With summer coming to a close it is time to reflect on the progress to date. It has been a busy period, with various meetings taking place to plan not only the acquisition of the chuch for a community shop but to also look at the conversion required. Also it was necessary to create a plan and management structure for the future business.

As you may be aware the land on which the church stands was gifted to the Dioeces by the Packenham family for the purpose of building a church, and a restrictive covenant on the land exists to that effect. In early summer representatives of the Steering Group met with the Packenham family to present the proposal of using the church for the purposes of a community shop, post office and community area. The family fully supported the proposal and we have been informed that they are prepared to modify the covenant to allow the property to be used by the village for a community shop etc.

Some rough plans have been put together on how the structure of the building can be amended so that a shop, post office and community area could be incorporated. The outline plans utilise the existing structure and features of the building which it was felt were extremely imporatant to retain.

Fund raising has been going very well and we have also had success with the grants that have been applied for. The Plunkett foundation which promotes self-help in rural communities has awarded the Community Shop project a substantial grant towards conversion of the church into a shop. There is also an option of a loan, providing it is matched by fund raising to the same amount. A link to the Plunkett foundation can be found on the 'Community Shop' page on the main web site.

It is hoped that in the near future a meeting between the Packenham family, the Diocese and the Action Group can be arranged to open negotiations on acquiring the church.

The last few months have been fairly busy for all involved, but unfortunately there has not been much to write about.

The fund raising group has been a hive of activity organising the very sucessful country dance, fun car rally and the pig roast. Considerable work has also been undertaken to obtain the agreements to hold a village market in and around the Village Hall. With several very successful fund raising events behind us there are now various grants that we can also apply for.

Following the "Heart Award" the Courier have expressed interest in following the progress of the project which is most welcome and were at the hog roast on Sunday taking pictures and testing the hog.

The steering group have also been meeting frequently to establish the groundwork for taking the project forward as soon as there is progress on acquiring the church.

There are two main aspects the steering group are looking at. The first is trying to acquire the church as a site for the shop.The second is the actual setting up of a community shop.

The first major task is preparing a detailed business plan that will be needed in future to apply for grants. We are also looking at the legal status under which to operate as there are numerous options from a standard company, registered charity, co-operative to and industrial and provident society.

While we do not yet have a shop building, shelving has been donated along with a fridge and a Post Office counter!

The general feeling is that the project is gaining momentum and it is hoped that there will be some indication as to the way forward sooner rather than later.

A meeting was held on the 25th at 'Teknique' to discuss in more detail various fund raising events which may occur over the next few months. We also heard that the Bishop had received the letter detailing our aims and he will be meeting with the Trustees on the 2nd of April to put our case forward. We have now also received, from their finance department, details of the solicitors acting for the diocese.

A farmers market will be held on every 2nd Saturday of the month and a number of suppliers have already agreed to attend. If you know of anyone who would like to have a stall please let Leslie at 'Teknique' know.

A barn dance is being organised for probably a Friday night in May with a ploughmans lunch included in the ticket price. The date has to be finalised with the Catfield Stompers and will be published as soon as we have it.

A car treasure hunt around the area is also being arranged for a date in June. This will be followed by a hog roast, at the playground, to which everyone is invited to attend.

The final event that has any real shape at the moment is a village fete which is likely to take place on the 18th July but we will publish the date as soon as it is confirmed.

Other ideas discussed were a summer BBQ, the 'Hurst Green Proms' art and craft events and even an auction.

If you have any ideas, views or can assist in any way please post a comment to this message.

Just watch this space or the main web site for the dates of the events and further news.

The third meeting was held at the village hall on the 21st. A steering group has now been formed to start organising the action needed to get a village shop. Each member of the group is responsible for one particular area, such as fundraising, finance, stock, suppliers etc.

General fund raising was discussed with some events already in preparation such as a barn dance, monthly farmer's market and a car treasure hunt. A village fete was also proposed for warmer times!

Little could be reported about the progress of acquiring the old catholic church as the site for the shop, as discussions are still taking place and replies awaited. The Bishop has been contacted and seemed receptive to the idea of using the church as a community shop and post office.

To allow the working groups some time to get together and get things moving the next meeting is scheduled for the 9th May at 10:00 in the village hall.

This blog will contain the most recent information about the Community Shop. Visit regularly to stay informed.

Remember the next meeting is at 10am on the 21st March at the Village Hall.