| County | Devon, South West |
|---|---|
| Postcode | EX39 6HH |
| Opened | 2006 |
| Post Office | Yes |
| Management | Managed plus volunteers |
| Legal | ViRSA IPS model rules |
| Premises | Conversion |
View a map of where to find us
9am - 1pm Monday to Saturday
9am - 11am Monday, Wednesday and Friday
http://www.welcombe.org.uk/shop.htm
Welcome Community Shop opened for business on 1st July 2006.
There is a piece with pictures, about the opening day on the village website www.welcombe.org.uk/shopopening.htm.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has given a grant to cover the cost of a paid manager to work 12 hours a week for two years.
A loud explosion interrupted the speeches at the official launch of the Welcombe Community Shop on Saturday, 1st July.
It was a hot, still afternoon and the assembled villagers, district and county councillors were celebrating the opening of the Community Shop staffed by volunteers and funded by the Lottery and Devon Renaissance. Suddenly there was a bang and a puff of smoke from the barns at Hollocombe Farm and two very shady characters, appeared from behind the shop building, dressed in black and wearing masks and carrying a large sack marked SWAG. To everyone’s relief, Cruel Coppinger and his sidekick, the Black Surfer, said they hadn’t come to rob us but to hand back the proceeds of earlier dirty doings to help the new shop and Post Office succeed!
Cruel Coppinger then pointed his sawn off shotgun at the audience – he had sawn off the wrong half and was left with just the barrels – and told them to use the shop or loose it. The dodgy duo disappeared as abruptly as they had appeared, allegedly in the direction of the Old Smithy Inn.
Meanwhile the launch continued with a special thank you to Frank Price and Marion Buchan who had provided the shop with premises and put in a lot of hard work fixing shelving and helping display the stock in the last two weeks.
John Moat, Welcombe’s resident poet, read one of his poems which entertained us all and had a sting in the tail, reflecting on the need for small local businesses rather than more giant supermarkets.
Becky Price had won the competition to design a logo for the shop and was presented with a prize by David Westcott, the Welcombe Potter. Then Sheila Wade, our Churchwarden, said a blessing on the new enterprise. Finally, with a triumphant fanfare from the three piece band of Debbie and Tim Body and Angela Horswill, the ribbon in front of the shop was cut and the shop declared officially open.
Everyone then enjoyed a glass of wine and sampled some of the goodies the shop has on offer and there was an opportunity to meet our District Councillors, Trevor Sillifant and Bill Pillman and our County Councillor, Humphrey Temperley, who had said a few words of support. Geoffrey Cox, our MP had also sent a congratulatory message and plans to visit next month.
The shop, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., is selling some delicious local produce including Welcombe Country Fayre salads and herbs, Raisin’ Dough breads, Cottage Cakes, and meat and sausages from Bob the butcher in Bradworthy. We plan to extend this range in the future.
Now its open do visit us and tell us what you want to buy in the shop. As Cruel Coppinger said: “Use it or loose it!”.
LOCAL PRODUCE
Sally’s “Welcombe Country Fayre” salads and herbs
Lisa’s “Cottage Cakes”
Julie’s “Raisin’ Dough” breads
Welcombe Valley Charcoal
Little Hollacombe eggs
Bob the (Bradworthy) Butcher’s sausages and frozen meat
including mince, chicken breasts, Chinese ribs
And coming shortly, Hennaford Farm Ice Cream
COMPETITIVE PRICES
Definitely Devon milk – 32p a pint and 1.25p for 4 pints
Douwe Egbert’s Coffee - £2.49 for 100g
Yeo Valley Natural Live Yoghourt – £1.11 for 500g
LUNCH BREAK
Delicious Devon pies
Mouthwatering cheeses
Cold meats and hams
Tomatoes and fruit
Cold drinks
And, coming shortly, hot pies from the microwave
01288 331763
Glenda Heather
Ruth Funnell
Val Jenner