Today (not intentionally April Fool’s Day but perhaps ironically appropriate in the circumstances) is a turning point in the life of Stoke St Gregory: the point at which the Village Stores, nurtured and enhanced by Ian and Karen for nine years, becomes our community shop. 

The intention was to have it fully staffed by volunteers under a paid part-time manager, but Covid-19 has put paid to that for the next few months, during which the shop will be manned primarily by a team of three: Ian, Jo and Carolyn, with help from Karen as necessary. The volunteer training, organised by Ian and Marilyn Clarke, was a great success, and we hope to return to our excellent volunteer team as soon as we safely can. Today is nevertheless a cause of considerable celebration: a significant milestone in the Heart of the Village progress, and we thank and congratulate all of those who bought shares or helped in other ways.

But as well as looking forward, we look back with enormous gratitude to the dedication that has been shown, and continues to be shown, by Ian and Karen. Click here to read an open letter of thanks from HOTV.

Shop opening times continue as before:
Monday to Friday 7:30 to 5:30 (except early closing at 1:00 on Wednesday)
Saturday 8:00 to 2:30
Sunday (and Bank Holidays) 9:00 to 12:00