This town is coming like a ghost town
As the rest of Lush Places toddled off to a party to which we were not invited (how could that possibly be?), our thoughts turned to the village shop.
It's the centrepiece of The Enchanted Village, along with our pub, church, phone box, village hall, school and parish pump. We're lucky to have them. But, like the parish pump, the shop might not be in full working order for much longer.
For some time now, the shop has been for sale. Our shopkeeper has had enough, the stock has been running down and his final hope was an auction last Friday.
Despite Mr Grigg's best efforts (see my blog post for the Real West Dorset website), the bids failed to reach the reserve.
And with the publican throwing in the towel, we will soon be looking out on to a soulless, empty square. I can hear the clock strike thirteen, the shop sign creaking and a ginger wig blowing like tumbleweed up the path.
Watch this space.
That's about it.
Love Maddie x
It's the centrepiece of The Enchanted Village, along with our pub, church, phone box, village hall, school and parish pump. We're lucky to have them. But, like the parish pump, the shop might not be in full working order for much longer.
For some time now, the shop has been for sale. Our shopkeeper has had enough, the stock has been running down and his final hope was an auction last Friday.
Despite Mr Grigg's best efforts (see my blog post for the Real West Dorset website), the bids failed to reach the reserve.
And with the publican throwing in the towel, we will soon be looking out on to a soulless, empty square. I can hear the clock strike thirteen, the shop sign creaking and a ginger wig blowing like tumbleweed up the path.
Watch this space.
That's about it.
Love Maddie x
This saddens me.....so sorry!
ReplyDeleteLOsing the village store is tough - but I understand why the owners are closing up. People are too prepared to drive to tescos - or even better, have them deliver.
ReplyDeleteBut losing the pub means you will be losing the heart of the community. The pub is, after all, where all socialising begins in English village life. I hope it doesn't happen in your Enchanted Village.
More importantly, I hope you don't jump on the bandwagon and stop writing your Blog.
I've known a few villages where local residents have kept the shop open, not just to sell stuff but consciously as a community space. They take a rota volunteering and some of them also get together and bulk buy stuff like heating oil and other things you can get at a discount.
ReplyDelete