Lodsworth villagers open community store
Lodsworth villagers who are opening the country's first eco-friendly community store on Saturday in the car park of the Hollist Arms have offered the BBC's Archers' characters a helping hand in their fight to save their community shop.
"When we heard that Ambridge was in danger of losing its shop and was looking at ways of providing a community store, we contacted the programme's editor," said vice-chairman of the Lodsworth Larder committee, Martin Lester.
"We suggested Ambridge characters could visit Lodsworth and hear all about our unique community project."
The Lodsworth shop has been built by local people, will employ local people and sell local produce.
It has the highest green credentials, including generating its own electricity using photo-voltaic panels. Water is recycled within the shop and it will not only provide the local community with everyday essentials but also promote local produce and suppliers.
Any profits will be used to benefit other community projects within the village.
The shop will be opened by three of the oldest residents of Lodsworth together with two of the youngest.
And to celebrate the success of the project the street will be closed and 27 stalls will be set up selling locally-produced food.
The stalls, which will also be supplying the Lodsworth Larder, include The Chocolate Alchemist, Langhams Brewery, Lurgashall Winery and Pips of Petworth selling fruit and vegetables.
Building began in early June and was completed in less than five months. The Lodsworth Larder was designed by Valerie Hinde, a local architect, and built by The Roundwood Timber Framing Company Limited.
The latter is a specialist eco-friendly building firm based in Lodsworth and run by Ben Law, well-known for building his 'woodland house' on the Channel 4 programme Grand Designs. He was helped by village apprentices and volunteers.
In addition to the 150,000 raised by the village, a number of grants were awarded. Lodsworth Larder has also raised money through a shareholder scheme.
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Weather for Midhurst
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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