We are in the Mid Devon Advertiser this week!
Extract from the Mid Devon Advertiser 23 Sept 2022
Celebrating 10 years of supporting the community.
In 2012 there was a very special day in the village of Ilsington.
After nearly four years of planning, fundraising and organising, Ilsington Village Shop finally opened its doors to the public for the first time.
It was a very proud and emotional day for everyone and the opening speeches reflected that.
The late Tony Beard, BBC Radio Devon presenter and local celebrity, cut the ribbon ‘disguised’ as his alter ego, the Widecombe Wag.
The children from Ilsington Primary School sang a beautiful song and refreshments were served in the hall and there was food tasting in the shop.
Ten years on, many of the founding committee members, and even some of the original volunteers, are still involved and have shared details of the long road to that day in July 2012.
When the privately-owned village shop near the Ilsington Country Hotel closed, the community began a three-year search for premises and funding.
The Village Hall was adding a meeting room so it was agreed that this work would blend well with the addition of a community-run shop.
A grant of £180,000 from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) made the shop a viable prospect. Contributions from shareholders raised additional funds to reach the required £230,000 to build and open the shop; this included a fundraising initiative to buy tiles for the roof.
Founder member Alan Hobbs recalls how they had to be light on their feet to secure fixtures and fittings: ‘The Coop were very supportive and we were fortunate that they were refitting their Chelston store so I went over with my trailer to collect shelving.’
Former John Lewis employee Emma Schramm was the first manager and her knowledge and experience established its style, which remains today.
Emma is still involved in the shop as a committee member and has just taken over as chair from Su Wheaton who has also been involved in the shop from the beginning.
In 2015, the shop was a finalist in the Parliamentary Best Small Shops Competition and was declared to be one of 20 community treasures by The Daily Telegraph.
Current manager Katherine Bainbridge and assistant manager Fiona Coles steered the shop through the Covid lockdowns, keeping customers stocked up on loo rolls and other essentials when the big supermarkets ran out.
At this time, the shop really showed its value to the community with high sales and a busy delivery service.
Today, it continues to be a vibrant hub of the Ilsington community and its environs.
Its range of products is constantly evolving with a particular focus on using small local producers wherever possible.
The shop hosts the Post Office on Mondays and Fridays and takes orders each week for those who struggle to get there.
Protecting the environment is central to the shop’s ethos with refillable milk and a wide range of environmentally-friendly products.
The shop is staffed by a range of local volunteers who are always ready to give that extra bit of help to customers when needed.
A very special place indeed.
By Belinda Hayes
RIP Queen Elizabeth II
As a mark of respect, the shop will be closed on Monday 19 September for the funeral of our Her Majesty the Queen.
Happy 10th Birthday to Our Village Shop!
July 18th 2012 was a very special day in the history of the village of Ilsington. After four long years of planning, fundraising, organising and building, Ilsington Village Shop finally opened its doors to the public for the very first time. It was a very proud and emotional day for everyone and at the time, none of us even dared to imagine that ten years’ later it would still be going strong! This tremendous success story has only been possible due to the continued support and love from our volunteers, customers, staff and committee.
Please do pop in today to join us in our celebration and enjoy a slice of birthday cake. Be quick, though, before Kat eats it all!!
Ilsington Summer Show – Back with a Bang!
After several missed years due to Covid, it was wonderful to have the Ilsington Summer Show once again. The 16 July was perfect in every way, with glorious weather and a great turn out of people from all over the Parish (and beyond). The shop had a stall full of delicious treats and gifts and raised a total of £112. Our beautiful hamper created by Fiona was won by Bill McCluskey.
Ilsington Village Shop AGM 13 July 2022
We would like to invite you to the 12th Annual General Meeting of Ilsington Village Shop.
It will be held on Wednesday 13 July at 7pm in the Village Hall Meeting Room.
Refreshments will be available.
Please do come along and find out what has been happening in the last year at the shop. Everyone is welcome!
If you are a shareholder, you will also be able to vote on decisions. If you wish to become a shareholder, please print out and complete the form in the member section of this website. Cost is £5 per share. Forms will also be available on the night.
What a Wonderful Jubilee Street Party!
Although the day started out drizzly and cloudy, the whole Parish arrived at lunchtime and brought the sunshine, the salads and the delicious cakes with them. I think you will agree that it was a truly wonderful way to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! Here are a few highlights:
Ilsington Parish Platinum Jubilee Street Party 5 June 2022
On Sunday 5 June from 12 noon until 7pm, please join us to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Festivities will take place in the street between the Carpenter’s Arms and the Village Hall. The orchard will also be open for safe play and picnics, so remember a picnic rug!
There will be marquees in the street and the village hall will also be open in case of inclement weather.
There will be a bbq, live music, a Royal Toast, children’s games and fancy dress, free scones, teas and coffees.
The church will also be open until 4pm with an exhibition of local interest and beautiful flowers inside and out.
As the roads in the village will be closed, please park in the Ilsington Playing Fields and walk down the lane to the village. PLEASE PARK RESPONSIBLY!
If you want an afternoon of traditional fun and a chance to catch up with the community, then come and join us.
Please note that the bbq will be £2 per person and we are also asking that if you attend, please bring along a cake or a salad to share.
All donations of food can be dropped off at the village hall from 9am.
A Crown for our Royal Mail Box
Our wonderful secret knit bombers have been at it again!
Just look at how regal our post box looks and all the miles of bunting that now decorate our village in readiness for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Ilsington Village Shop Value to the Community Cup
This year the shop has donated a trophy cup to Ilsington Primary School to be awarded to any child who the teachers deem to have done something wonderful.
Congratulations to Matilda, the first winner of the cup, who received the award for being kind.
Well done, and very well deserved!
Shop Spring Clean!
It’s that time of year again when the committee and the staff spruce up the outside of the shop so that customers can enjoy the space in the warmer weather.
Come and enjoy a cup of tea in the sunshine!