Report on Eardisland Community Shop Meeting
A meeting was held in the Village Hall on 3 June with the objectives of sharing both the progress being made on establishing the viability of opening a shop and the results from the questionnaire circulated in March, setting up a formal association, enrolling members and electing a committee.
The first speaker, Barry Freeman, announced to the meeting that the Dovecote Trustees had offered the use of the ground floor of the Dovecote to the Steering Group for the Community Shop. The Dovecote Trustees believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Dovecote to provide a community function in addition to the visitor attraction housed on the upper floor. The current information boards/ display on the ground floor will be relocated elsewhere in the building. Questions were put to Barry regarding potential flooding. Barry informed the meeting that the only incidence of water ingress had been in the summer of 2007 when the drain to the millstream couldn’t cope with a flash thunderstorm and water seeped under the door. Questions were also raised regarding the lack of toilet facilities for shop staff. This has now been resolved as Barry has kindly offered the use of the facilities in the Tea Rooms to shop staff.
Pat Buchanan, the next speaker, is Community Enterprise and Finance Officer for Herefordshire Council, with a responsibility for regeneration in rural areas. The Steering Group has been working and liaising both with Pat and with the Plunkett Foundation. The Plunkett Foundation has assisted in setting up similar enterprises in Herefordshire and across the country. Pat gave a presentation showing pictures of community shops in Herefordshire and outlined the set-up processes that need to be followed and the legal structures and framework needed for community shops. Herefordshire Council would also help in the raising of grants and in obtaining assistance from other agencies.
Albert Sheffield then presented the results of the questionnaire detailing the very positive support for a shop, the type of products desired, the number of volunteers prepared to work in the shop and the numbers of respondents willing to offer financial support by way of buying shares, making a donation or making a loan. Plans for the alterations needed to the ground floor of the Dovecote had been drawn up and were available for perusal and comment.
A vote was then taken on whether to proceed with the project and to form an association. The result being positive, the Eardisland Community Shop Association was established with membership by way of a share costing £10 and limited to one (1) per person.
A share will entitle members to elect the committee and officers, to decide on the dispersal of any surpluses generated and to input into the general running of the enterprise.
Nominations for the committee and its officers were taken and seconded and the following was agreed for the first year: Chairman - Albert Sheffield; Deputy Chair - Ruth Brinton-Bivand; Secretary - Margaret Milchard; Treasurer - Joyce Sheffield. Shelley Connop and David Wallis were elected as committee members.
Since the meeting a planning application has been made to Herefordshire Council for the required alterations to the ground floor of the Dovecote and the process of setting up the legal framework has begun. As we begin to raise the necessary funds, committee members will shortly be in touch with villagers who were unable to attend the meeting but who have generously offered to buy shares or to make donations or loans.
The committee will keep you informed of progress made and wishes to express thanks to all who have supported the project to date. Should you have been unable to attend the meeting but would like to know more about the project and how you may be able to help, please contact any member of the committee.
Albert Sheffield
