Limpsfield Memorial Stores
DIY rescue job
At Limpsfield in Surrey, the villagers started their action group when the owner of the Memorial Stores announced that he wanted to sell the building. They raised enough money to buy the shop, some villagers giving interest-free loans to help establish a new community shop. The postmistress, Jane Radziejewski, holds the only paid job. Up to fifty village volunteers help run the rest of the business, each signing up for taking a two-hour slot on duty each week.
Volunteers say that it has brought the village closer together. “It’s a lovely congregating point,” believes Eric Scadeng. “People regularly stop and chat and it is a great place to exchange news. The village is very close knit and the Memorial Sores use local produce. This Christmas, we sold over 115 turkeys to local people and they were all reared locally. The shop has grown ever more popular and demand has allowed them to diversify their product lines.”
Article by Bill Taylor for the Countryman Magazine