Civic life goes on in Taunton
If they can build a new hospital from scratch with the aid of the army that’s pretty impressive. But in a suburb of Taunton they’ve put together a community shop in barely two weeks without outside help at all.
Wilton and Sherford now have a Community Interest Company and a community shop in place at the Churchill Meeting Hall, Middleway.
CIC Director, Natalie Dyson, explains the scale of the task “It really is utterly unbelievable to think what our little team has achieved in under two weeks. We set up a not for profit Community Interest Company, obtained start-up funding, recruited volunteers, opened a business bank account, appointed accountants, built relationships with stockists, begged and borrowed from all over Taunton and were met with incredible kindness by the people who donated things…”
The shop is being run by volunteers to help local residents with access to basic provisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Established with a grant of £1,500 from the Charter Trustees for Taunton Unparished Area Grant Fund, the stock was bought with a further £1,000 from the Somerset Community Foundation.
In an area of Taunton with a high number of older members of the population, this is a much needed local shop.
The Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Fran Smith, made her first virtual appearance at the opening of the shop. She noted “It’s wonderful to see people rally round to support each other and those in need during the current crisis, and I was delighted to be able to take part in the official opening while still observing advice on social distancing.”