New shop for Witchampton

By mbarber

MANY villages in Dorset have lost their shops and post offices in recent years but Witchampton has bucked the trend with its new village store. The shop, which opened last Saturday, is believed to be the first to do so in the county for over 40 years. Located inside the Witchampton and Crichel Club building, it has been transformed in an ambitious modernisation project, providing an attractive setting with shop lock-up premises and better access and facilities for people with disabilities.

The Vale of Allen Rural Association (VARA) has established the store with the help of donations, the following grants, and a loan:

● £30,000 from fundraising events organised by the local community

● £30,000 match funding the above, by Crichel Estates Ltd

● £10,000 donations from residents and businesses

● £10,000 East Dorset District Council

● £10,000 Plunkett Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

● £10,000 The Co-operative Loan Fund.

The new shop is being run by 28 volunteer residents and friends from local communities in two shifts a day, with two people per shift. It offers a wide selection of produce and newspapers. A coffee snack bar will follow once the shop has become established.

VARA is a non-profit mutual society whose objective is to enhance community wellbeing. Its chairman, Councillor Tim Palmer, explains: "This has been a fantastic effort over the last five years by local people determined not to be without a village shop. People have come together to set up and run this local shop, which will become the focus of life for members of communities over a wide area. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards making this possible."

Ian Rothwell of The Co-operative Loan Fund said: "To those outside of rural communities, it can be difficult to understand the importance of a local shop but they really are vital to small communities. Often, they provide much more than food and goods as they serve as a meeting hub for local residents and help create cohesion among communities, which is why we're so keen to support them."

David de Mattos, who brought together local volunteers to fundraise for the project, said he had been delighted with the support he had received from the village.

Manager of the shop, Karen Hill, who has lived in the village for 14 years said: "This is a great new venture."

The shop will be open on weekdays from 8am – 6pm, with a mid day break, and mornings only on Saturdays and Sundays.

More than 100 villagers turned out for the opening ceremony at which the tape was cut at by Mrs Vicky McDonaugh, in her first duty as the newly appointed High Sheriff of Dorset.

"The last time I cut a ribbon was when I opened the village hall at the age of seven," she said.

She added that she will become a volunteer at the end of her year of office.

Report and photos by Marilyn Barber

mbarber@bvmedia.co.uk