Eardisland Community Website

The Annual General Meeting for the year ended 31 December 2010 was held on 30 June in the Village Hall and was attended by more than 30 shareholders joined by some of our Volunteers.

This , our second AGM, was the first in which we had been trading from the shop.
The Chairman was able to report that the shop had achieved the aims and objectives we set ourselves for the first trading year.

From a business perspective, sales were ahead of our business plan, we had a trading surplus before costs and we have sufficient cash reserves to sustain the business. We are confident we have a viable venture going forward.

Our second objective, equally important, was to provide a service and ‘social’ centre for the community. From the feedback we get from volunteers and shoppers, we have created that and the shop has joined the Parish Magazine and website as a key part of the communications network in the Parish.

Thirdly we wanted to support local businesses and producers. All building alterations and improvements were carried out by local tradesmen, we have purchased products from more than 40 local producers and 76% of sales are from local products.

There have been many highlights during the year, opening on 31 March 2010, the ‘official’ opening on 1st May when Paul (Postman) cut the tape for us, the food tasting event in the Village Hall in August to name but three.

Our key achievement though has been we opened, as planned, for over 2200 hours during the 38 weeks to year end. All volunteer hours and a fantastic achievement by our Community.

All resolutions were passed unanimously by the shareholders in attendance at the AGM, including the re-election of all members of the existing Committee.

Your Committee do an awful lot of hours away from the shop to keep the enterprise going
and keep the shop stocked. In the year nobody has received any payment or claimed any expenses.

Finally you may have seen in the Herefordshire Times that in the Herefordshire Volunteer Awards 2011 your Committee were given a commendation in the Team Awards, from over 60 entries only three were given awards. The Committee recognise that without the support of all our volunteers this would not have been achieved. Key to the success of this venture is and will remain the support of volunteers.

Thank you for your contribution to the success of the shop and for your continued support.



Albert Sheffield

Eardisland Community Shop Association

Phone : 01544 388984