A FINE, sunny Saturday morning, May 4, saw quite a crowd gather in Marhamchurch village square for the official opening of the new community shop, which was resplendent in bunting made by pupils from the local primary school.

The new shop is the culminations of nine years’ work by a dedicated committee and band of volunteers, with the help of many individuals and organisations. Guests at the ceremony included the local county councillor Nicky Chopak, members old and new of the parish council and the current clerk, the founder member of Marhamchurch Village Shop Linda Mason, representatives of the numerous organisations that have been instrumental in supporting the project, and many of the volunteers who work in the shop and behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Chairman Peter Hillenbrand paid tribute to all who have been involved in the project, from the very early days when the dream began, to the present day. Particular mention was made of the trustees of the Bray Institute, for facilitating the opening of a temporary shop which has operated for the past four years in a small room at the rear of the building.

The opening ceremony was performed by Bobbie Heathcote, who had been clerk to the parish council for the duration of the project. Peter described Bobbie as a local celebrity who had played a vital role for so many years in supporting this essential community enterprise, and that she had gone the extra mile again and again. Two members of the school council of Marhamchurch C of E Primary School, Taryn Cartmell and Charlie Laurene, held the ribbon which Bobbie then cut to declare the shop well and truly open.

A spokesperson said: “Enormous thanks must go to our funders Atlantic and Moor Local Action Group (AMLAG) for the LEADER Grant (DEFRA and EU), the Big Lottery, the Plunkett Foundation, Cornwall councillor Nicky Chopak’s Cornwall Community Chest Fund, the Blanchminster Trust, the Balsdon Trust in Holsworthy, the Revel and individual donors and fundraisers.

“Finally, we want to thank our architect, Benjamin Richards, and the contractor Robin Day, Alan and Mitch of Marlin Builders, for this lovely new shop.”

To complete the celebrations, a delicious buffet lunch was provided for volunteers and guests at the Bullers Arms following the ceremony.