New shop update expected shortly
May Newsletter 2011
At long last, the planning application has been submitted. It contains a substantial and thoroughly researched batch of documents that we believe makes a very convincing case. The application has the support of 25 parish organisations, including the Church, the Parish Council, the Heritage Society and all the other key village groups. Over 56 per cent of the Blockley ward have signed a petition in favour of the plan and 800 people have signed petitions in the shop and online.
Putting together the application has been a long and tedious task, with many hurdles to overcome. We were on the point of submitting at the end of March when the County Archaeologist asked us to dig a trial pit on the site.
The test pit was dug on May 25 and apparently nothing of interest was found. The report will be added to all the other documents required including, detailed surveys on topography, trees, bats, ecology, archaeology, transport, flooding and sewers.
The other major documents accompanying the planning application are a 61-page Heritage and Townscape Assessment and a 16-page Retail Assessment prepared by a national planning consultancy, a 15-page Landscape Impact Statement with numerous photographs, and a Design and Access Statement produced by the architects. To demonstrate public support for the plan we have also written a Communications Strategy Report.
During this unexpectedly long pre-planning period we have been really grateful for the wholehearted backing of our co-op members and for the expressions of support from public figures including Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Colwyn, and our ward member, Barry Dare. Thanks are also due for the generous input from a bevy of shop-friendly professionals including our lawyers, planning consultants, designers and architects. The funding contribution from the Summerfield Trust and Community Builders is also gratefully acknowledged.
Once the planning application has been registered we will be inviting individuals to write to the CDC Planning Officer. We will let everyone know the planning reference and the details at the appropriate time.
The May Day street party
May Day 2011 was a great success, with splendid dancing and music and a popular dog show which attracted 60 entries. Skit’s best friend (whippet/lurcher Gracie) won the ‘best bitch’ category. The weather was lovely and an estimated 500+ came to browse the stalls and enjoy Dorn Farm hot dogs and local beer. The May King and Queen (Kan Ikeda and Anna Lincoln) were judged in St George’s Hall and processed to the shop where they were crowned by Margaret Bryan.
The May King and Queen on their way to their Coronation
We need new people on the Events Committee to plan and run future activities. Please contact Jenny Bruce jenny@jennybruce.co.uk or 01386 701072
The AGM
The AGM of the Blockley Cooperative Association will take place in the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.45pm. The Notice and a copy of the 2010 Accounts have been displayed on all the parish notice boards and in the shop. Copies may be obtained from the Treasurer, Oliver Lincoln (Granary House, Greenway Road, Blockley, Gloucestershire GL56 9BQ 01386 700200 or oliver@nicolalincoln.com) The agenda will include the election of the management committee and an update on the plans for the future of the shop and café.
Treasurer’s report
Trading conditions have been challenging so far this year and we are currently slightly behind budget. However, with the introduction of the coffee machine and larger chiller display unit, we are hoping that revenues will catch up with budget as we go into the summer. Inflationary pressure on costs has continued and we are reviewing our suppliers to ensure we are receiving good value and the lowest possible prices. As in 2010, we anticipate a very small trading surplus this year.
The Lottery
We are sorry to report that sales have not been high enough to keep the Lottery and it is being taken away on June 6th. This is very disappointing. We have protested strongly about this on behalf of the regular Lottery users, and every effort has been made to reverse Camelot’s decision.
News from the shelves
We have a big new chilled display unit provided with a £2400 grant from the Gloucestershire Community Foundation so we have been able to extend our range of chilled foods, including Ginsters pasties, which are popular with our tradesmen customers. We have doubled the range of cheese we can hold and are now offering chilled alcohol, quiches and smoked salmon.
New lines for summer include veg & rocket and carrot & fennel soups. We are pleased to see that Francis Green, our local supplier of frozen ready meals is in finals of Cotswold life chef of the year competition.
Special deals and good value prices:
A bag of Haribo sweets £1, Imperial Leather body wash £1; John Smith bitter £6 for six cans; 80 Tetley tea bags £2.29
New products
Rocket coffee is now on sale with a choice of whole beans, espresso ground or a coarse ground for cafetières.
Luxury soaps from the locally based Little Soap Company with a range of fragrances including lavender with tea tree and rose geranium are on display in the café. Selling well at £10 for two bars they are 10 per cent cheaper than in Budgens and make great presents.
Staff news
Our new member of staff is Sophie Godman, and Krystal is back after her maternity leave.
Emails and BCA membership list
We like to keep in touch with you by email if possible as it saves time and money. It also allows us to communicate about urgent things between newsletter issues. If you have an email address and are receiving this as a paper copy it means we do not have your email address on file. To remedy this or let us know of any change of address, email address or other relevant details drop a note or email to David Brown at Oates End, High Street, Blockley (davebrown2@aol.com)
BCA Management Committee Members
Chair: Margaret Bryan 01386 700500 mbryan@btinternet.com
Secretary: James Hunt 01386 701472 james.hunt@everymanlegal.com
Treasurer: Oliver Lincoln 01386 700200 oliver@nicolalincoln.com
Communications: Pam Merritt 01386 700199 pam.merritt@dial.appleinter.net
Post Office Liaison: Chris Walters 01386 700455 cdwalters1945@yahoo.co.uk
Rob Willott 01386 700677 rgwillott@hotmail.com
Dave Brown 01386 700043
Jenny Bruce: 01386 701072 jenny@jennybruce.co.uk
Rob Greenstock: 01386 700410 dovedale.rg@virgin.net
Alan Thornton 01386 700387 post@alanthornton.co.uk
Tim Boddington 01386 701666 timboddington@aol.com
Sharon Miles 01386 701374 sharonmls@aol.co.uk
Mary Graham 01386 700320
Manager: Chris Grimes manager@blockleyshop.com
Retail Group: Alan Thornton, Tim Boddington, Sharon Miles, Mary Graham
THE BLOCKLEY COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED
(An Industrial and Provident Society with registered number 30225R)
Registered office: The Old Coach House, Post Office Square, Blockley, Gloucestershire GL56 9BB
Telephone: 01386 701411