🤩🤩🤩Fontmell Magna Community Land Trust ANNOUNCEMENT🤩🤩🤩

Published: 03 July 2022

Fontmell Magna Community Land Trust important update 23 June 2022

We are pleased to advise you that having received the government funding we exchanged contracts today on the purchase of the freehold of Post Office House, Church Street – the home of our village shop. We will be completing the purchase by 29 July 2022.

It is a significant step on the journey that began in December 2018, when the intrepid Bedchester explorer, Pen Hadow, challenged the Fontmell community to find a way to preserve this important community asset. Not only was he the catalyst for community action, his skills in fundraising with his wallet-busting crowbar will forever be part of Fontmell folklore – thank you Pen.

There are many others that also deserve our thanks. From the formation of the Community Land Trust in May 2019, through the various working groups that considered the options that helped us determine a way forward; to the 157 members who became FMCLT shareholders, and the 61 who generously supported the project with pledges amounting to £200,000. A remarkable achievement from our remarkable community. Our thanks to you all.

Taking ownership of the building is just the beginning. There is still much work to do to secure the long-term future of our village shop. Over the coming months we will be carrying out the essential repairs and improvements to the property, and work alongside the existing and prospective tenants, to ensure there is a smooth transition in the running of the shop businesses.

Fortunately, we now have additional admin support with Jo Dent from Collyer’s Rise kindly volunteering her skills to help. Jo will be the main channel of communications for FMCLT membership matters. We also have other admin plans and will keep you advised.

If you would like any further information, please refer to our website fmclt.org or contact any of the FMCLT Directors listed below.

Thank you and regards,

The Directors, FMCLT Management Committee

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Dick Stainer:               01747 811153 - email: dickstainer@phonecoop.coop

Robin East:                 01747 812349 - email: robinm47@gmail.com

Mark Edwards:            01747 811313 - email: mark@markedwards.email

Robert McCurrach:     01747 812077 - email: robertmccurrach@aol.com

Roger Thomas:           01747 811440 - email: drthomas.mfh@gmail.com