Open
all OursBy Barnaby Usborne
What a fantastic turnout it was. Despite the clouds and drizzle around 100 people came on Sunday 16th November to witness the official opening of the Parish Shop in its new premises. It was an opportunity to thank the very large number of people who had supported the shop financially or by their labours. The move from the Portakabin to the purpose-built extension to the Parish Hall had been a true community enterprise with very many lending a hand over the weekend of 8th and 9th November.
Liz Stewart-Liberty had very kindly agreed to unveil the new shop sign, a sign donated to the shop by John and Eileen Fortgang. Before the unveiling Liz gave her own tribute in verse, which we print below:
Some talk of Alexander and some of HerculesThank you from me, my late husband, and my late father-in-law who originally provided the land – as shopkeepers they’d both approve, and so do I. May God bless this shop and all who shop in her.
Some speak of Lysander and such great men as these.
My heroes and heroines have shorter, simpler names
Be they hard working guys or good-looking dames.
Usborne, Fortgang, Knowles and Liberty
Add Baxter and Thomas to this fraternity
Campbell, Swindells, Harvey and Dink.
Who have I forgotten – my face is turning pink…
I’d like to thank them all and speak for our village.
It’s turned out better than any could envisage.
A tiny little acorn landed with a plop.
It was nurtured, watered and now became a shop.
So come all ye faithful and buy, buy, buy.
Could ours become a chain in the future by and by?
Liz Stewart-Liberty