Shop and Post Office handover set for September

Monday 29th September is confirmed as the date for the handover of the Post Office from Gavin and Sharon to the B&G team. Meanwhile, a meeting is being planned between Tristan Phillimore, Alex, Carl and the village, on a date to be confirmed, at the B&G. More details will be posted as soon as we have them, here and in the newsletter.

Some questions from villagers for the new shop/PO team have already been sent to Alex as follows:

·       How do you envisage the dates working? Will the PO be staffed by Alex and co actually on Sept 29th?

·       Is the shop likely to close during the handover? Or the PO?

·       How will the shop renovations be managed without disruption to its service, plus the PO?

·       When do Carl and Anna plan to take over the shop itself?

·       Would you/they like suggestions for the shop ie particular foods such as fresh meat, homemade cakes etc?

·       Might it be possible for people who grow veg and fruit at home or in allotments to give the shop any surplus?

·       How about a fresh coffee and cake facility?

·       Do Gavin and Sharon have a leaving date in mind – the village will want to say goodbye.

If you have further questions of your own, please feel free to contact Alex via this new dedicated email:

Shop@sika-inns.com

Alex has said he will be ‘more than happy to listen to all feedback from the villagers and other stakeholders and we will use it to shape the way we stock the shop and services we offer. l will monitor the email personally but also ask Carl to review the feedback.’

Parish council vacancy

Following the retirement of Sue Summerland after nearly 30 years as a Parish councillor, first with Shiplake and then with the newly formed Binfield Heath council, our PC now has a vacancy for someone to join us in her place. For details of how to apply please contact Mandy Sermon on clerk@binfieldheath.org.uk . A copy of the full advertisement from SODC can be found on the Parish Council page of this website.

FORGE UPDATE – calling all hall users!

Four local contractors have submitted tenders for the building work. The proposals are being examined by trustees and their consultants to determine the most cost-effective solution for a building fit for use in the 21st century, while retaining the look and feel of a period forge.

Once a contractor has been selected, trustees will update the village with details of plans and likely schedules.

Meanwhile, please let the trustees know what you would like to organise and how frequently, with estimates of attendance and how long each session might last. It will be some months before the building is ready, but the team hopes it will be used from day one.

Request for historical artefacts

In recognition of the building’s history, trustees hope to furnish the site with appropriate period artefacts. They have already been offered old cartwheels, an anvil and assorted blacksmith’s tools, as well as maps and photos of the village. Any items relevant to an old forge or the village history would be welcome, so please tell us if you have anything to donate or loan to the trust:  binfieldheathforge@gmail.com.

The Forge Team

Full story on the Forge page or to see the full application online double-click this link. https://data.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P24/S2597/FUL#exactline