Dozens of villagers gathered for a party to mark the "retirement" of Judy Leeper as a village shop volunteer.  Judy has been a stalwart and it is people like her on whom the community-run shop depends.

She started volunteering in 1992 when the shop was reopened and has given sterling service ever since, including organising the rota of helpers. Last Saturday (June 20th) friends and colleagues presented Judy with gifts and toasted her future health and happiness.  Philip Underwood, shop manager, thanked her on behalf of the village for her hard work and dedication. Judy promised that the shop had not seen the last of her as she will continue to be a regular customer and will make the occasional appearance on the Sunday rota. "It has been a lot of fun and very rewarding", she said.

Although the shop has several paid staff it relies heavily on its volunteers and It could not survive without them. Philip has appealed for more villagers to come forward. "We are in need of more help", he said. The offer of a few hours a week or a month to bolster the current rota would be greatly appreciated. Contact details for the shop can be found on this website.