New lease of life for 'heart of village'

From the archive, first published Friday 8th Oct 2004.

NEARLY 200 villagers crowded around Good-worth Clatford's village shop to watch it being officially reop-ened at the weekend.

The shop had been closed for a week while its new management, The Clatfords' Shop Association gave it a facelift.

Former shopkeeper Jane Storer spoke of her mixed feelings at the handover.

Delight because it had always been her and her late husband, Tony's dream to see the shop eventually handed over to the village.

Sadness because Tony hadn't lived to see the dream become a reality.

"We felt very strongly that a village without a shop loses its heart," she said.

She will now continue to run the post office.

Shop association chairman Jo Winchcombe was lavish in her praise of those who had carried out the shop refit before Cllr Pat West, performing the official opening, told the watching crowd: "You're a wonderful village" and echoed Jane Storer's words with: "This (the shop) is the heart of your community."

Also present was Andover MP Sir George Young, and deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, Michael Woodhall. Hampshire County Council has granted £3,000 to the association.

Up to 300 shop association shares have been sold to villagers and others to boost the shop association's finances.

Afterwards spokesperson, David Drew said: "We hope the changes we've introduced will give residents more choices and a better quality of products."

Three managers will run the shop. They are Sarah Dowding, Lara Madge and Amanda Roberts-Davies.