We had our first meeting of the committee and working groups together on 9 January. The turn-out was fantastic and came up with creative ideas on every aspect of developing a community shop.
The stock and retail group had lots of fun stocking our virtual shelves and there were some good ideas about doing some background research on who our customers might be too. As well as residents, there is passing trade and people staying here on holiday to consider. Selling ready meals for holidaymakers was an idea we hadn’t thought of before. We also liked the notion of ‘themed days’ – cheese day, mushroom day, pizza day – and maybe some local musical talent to create a bit of atmosphere. All lovely ideas to bring people together as well as increase our sales. As we have said before, the community aspect of the shop is very important to us, which is why it is great to have so many enthusiastic friends in the working groups.
First of all, a big thank you to the 293 residents of Grindleford Parish who have already bought membership of the community shop. This has helped us raise almost £3500 already. We are aware we missed some of you when we did our door to door campaign last autumn but don’t worry, you will have your chance to join and support the shop in this and many other ways over the coming weeks and months. We are very sorry that we haven’t got all the membership certificates out to you yet – time is very pressing for us all and this is a time-consuming element of the job but we are keeping them safe and it is a priority to get them out to you soon.
We have also received a grant from DEFRA for the community shop feasibility study which will report by March following an extended study. We are planning a public discussion of the report on 17th April at the Pavilion. If you care about having a shop in the village again do come along.
The shop committee feel we have been without a village shop for too long already and we should explore temporary shop facilities whilst more permanent premises are being sought. In the short term we think we need about £20,000 even to fit out / stock a temporary shop and as many of you know from your own efforts fundraising needs a long lead time to produce the cash when it’s needed.
So we appointed a fund raising committee comprising Diane Wilson, Becky Harby, Lionel Stout, Penny Reynolds and Alan Fairbrother. They have met a couple of times and begun to generate some ideas about how to meet our initial goal. We want the fundraising to take advantage of our beautiful location, be inclusive for all residents, present social opportunities and be fun both for organisers and participants (as well as raising lots of funds).
All grant opportunities from local, regional and national organisations (eg Parish Council, Peak Park, National Lottery) These have the potential to produce chunks of cash but miss some of the other objectives above.
Donations from individuals and local village groups / associations (some individuals have already been very generous) All donations are welcome and go a long way to demonstrating the “matched funding” which many of the grant awarding bodies require.
Investment Shares for those who want to further show their commitment financially to this venture and earn interest on their investment.
Locally organised activities with a proven fund raising potential. A few of these are listed below and we would welcome involvement from all residents in their preparation and delivery so they meet all our objectives.
A 100 kilometre (60 miles) cycle ride around the Peak Park. This will be a “sportif” style event suitable for all levels of keen cyclists. Given our location we think it will attract enthusiasts from local and regional areas. It will draw on experienced cycling and outdoor event organisers and we would expect a large turnout but are limiting numbers to 200 for our first attempt. We hope the event will become an annual fixture in much the same way that the Grindleford Gallop has become a firm feature on every runner’s calendar.
We will need Marshalls on the day as well as event supporters and organisers so everyone can get involved in this spectacle. The planned date is 14th September to coincide with the first Peak District Cycling Festival so make a note in your diaries. If you want to participate or help in any way with our “Tour de Grindleford”, please ring Alan Fairbrother on 630160.
Another chance to do your bit comes with an Auction of Promises on Saturday 29th June in the Sir William at 8pm. We are hoping to achieve around 200 promises and whilst a week in a holiday house in Nice would be nice; we would also appreciate a wide range of promises – suggestions so far include a pillion motor bike ride around Derbyshire, a batch of chocolate brownies, car washing to a basket of ironing. If you can make a ‘promise’ for us please email grindlefordauction2013@gmail.com providing details and your name and contact details. Those without e-mail can ring Diane Wilson on 631517. We are hoping to have a programme ready for distribution at the carnival and there will be chance to put in sealed bids and possibly even telephone bidding on the night. If you have any queries please contact as above and we will get back to you asap. Most of all we’d like to see you there on the night with cash in hand – entry will be free!
The Life in Grindleford Weekend Exhibition in St Helens Church on 19th-21st April will be a great opportunity for you to meet members of the shop committee who will be exhibiting plans for your forthcoming village shop as well as selling local produce to raise funds. We expect to have information on the Investment Share Issue by then too. Anyone who we missed in our door to door visits last year to invite membership in the community shop can join then too. If you have local produce you’d be prepared to donate or help in any other way please contact Lionel stout on 630446.
Don’t miss our Plant Sale at the Pavilion Car Park on 11th May from 9.30am to 12.30 and afterwards for a few weeks outside the dental surgery. Tim and Penny Reynolds are organising this successful annual event again and have agreed that all the proceeds will go to the Village Shop this year. If you have any plants to donate please contact Penny on 630023. Otherwise please look out for posters setting the actual date and come along to choose your plants and donate generously.
Other activities we are looking at include a Party in the Park and an Open Day at a prestigious local house. If you have a bright idea for fundraising do contact one of the fundraising group listed above to discuss how it could be implemented.