SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER - Time out for Shopping

Back in 2002-2004 I had the privilege of being Chairman of the Committee that worked to create a new community shop in the village of Brockweir in the Wye Valley, where we were living at the time. Since moving to Somerset my wife and I have been lending moral support to the gallant committee seeking to do the same thing in the South Somerset villages of Seavington St Mary and Seavington St Michael.

Today the Seavington Community Shop and Café was delighted to welcome actor Carole Boyd, who plays Linda Snell in the BBC’s “The Archers”, to perform the formal opening of this great new facility.


Playing a character who resides in the fictional village of Ambridge, Carole Boyd is well acquainted with the plight of a community who, faced with losing a vital service, pull together to save their shop as a collective. The Seavington community first identified the need to take ownership of their shop in 2005, and after more than four years of stalwart fundraising and planning, the new building finally opened for business in July this year.

The villagers raised nearly £40,000 through bonds, shares and fundraising events, proving to be a fine example of David Cameron’s vision for the Big Society, taking local action to address a very real need. The remaining funds were raised from South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, as part of a comprehensive package of support from the Plunkett Foundation.


This purpose-built, environmentally friendly shop is conveniently located next to the village hall midway between Seavington St Michael and Seavington St Mary. It boasts a range of locally produced food and drink, including Burrow Hill Cider, sausages and bacon from the award winning Bringing Home the Bacon in Donyatt, honey from Whitelackington and organic milk produced in Seavington itself. The café serves specialist coffees, home made cakes and an excellent bacon buttie!

Committee Chairman David Froome commented: “At a time when local services are under threat, it is a great achievement for our two small villages to come together to build and open this shop. The support of the villagers has been overwhelming and we’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make this dream a reality.”

Over the last year Ambridge, the fictional village in The Archers, has campaigned, fundraised and opened its own community shop, also with the help of the Plunkett Foundation, which advised scriptwriters on the storyline.

The Seavington community shop and café is open from 8.30am – 6pm Monday – Friday and 9am – 3pm Saturdays. Do pop in if you are passing. The volunteer staff would love to see you.

Location:The Seavingtons, South Somerset