NEWSLETTER
3rd February 2010
The Barge Inn Community Project
For those of you not familiar with the project here is a brief history of how it started.
In September 2008 a community working group was formed to consider the development of a range of social and community business enterprises centered around the opportunity of the purchase of the lease of The Barge Inn Honey Street Nr Pewsey Wiltshire SN9 5PS. This followed a well attended public meeting when it was agreed to progress the idea of forming a social enterprise that could own and manage the lease of the public house as well as develop other local initiatives on the adjoining land.
The group obtained a grant from Kennet District Council to progress with a feasibility study which is now complete. A specialist professional valuer was commissioned to undertake a full valuation of the property.
Research has been undertaken into the appropriate organisational structure to progress and manage the initiative. A draft business plan is complete.
An overview has been taken of how to finance the opportunity and the grant and finance organisations to engage.
An expression of interest has been passed to several grant giving organisations to gain an understanding of how they may help.
Our Progress
Since our last newsletter, Feb 09, there have been several exciting developments;
Mr. and Mrs. Potts, the current lessees, have verbally accepted an offer and have also agreed to allow us time to raise the money needed. This is fantastic news and we are now in a position to pursue the funding!
In the summer of 2009, we submitted an application form to Village SOS and in November succeeded in getting through to stage 2 of the scheme. Here is a brief idea of how it works:
- Village SOS is a joint initiative between the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the BBC to help six rural villages across the UK, regenerate their communities through brilliant new business ventures
· Villages shortlisted through Village SOS in November 2009 received a development grant of up to £10,000, and chose a ‘Village Champion’ to work with to advance their ideas. In May 2010 six projects will be awarded Lottery funding of up to £400,000 and their respective Village Champions will move into the villages for a year to help them turn their business idea into a reality
· BBC Wales will follow the stories of the six new rural enterprises from start up to trading for a major BBC One series.
· Villages have recruited their own Village Champions from a pool shortlisted by the BBC and Make Your Mark, part of the charity Enterprise Insight.
· The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
How can you help?
As a local resident your help and support is essential to back the project and help the evolution of the community dream! You can help in many ways, Firstly, attached is a survey which we would ask you to fill in as an indicator of your support and views.
Cash Prize Draw!
1st Prize - £50, 2nd prize - £30 3rd prize - £20.
Each completed and returned survey will be entered
Please return ASAP to: emma.byrne@bargeinncommunityproject.com
We are particularly looking to recruit volunteers from the younger generations, to add diversity and growth to our committee and to strengthen the network within the community. Such diversity is crucial to the longevity of the project and to realising the ideas and opportunities available.