Just one year and five days have passed since plans for a community shop were originally unveiled here in East Garston. It was clearly established at the time that there was indeed, overwhelming support for a local shop and post office that would provide the essentials needed within a village community. In addition to the basic everyday items, it would also carry a range of organic and local products as well as local arts and crafts.

After an initial period of enquiry designed to gauge public support, Village residents, Maria Carver, Penny Locke and Julie Clayton, held the first meeting at which they outlined their idea of either buying the non-trading, existing village shop, or alternatively, should purchase prove not possible, build a new chalet type store in the village hall car park.

As we now know of course, subsequent events have guided us in the direction of a brand new shop, and so on the 4th April 2009 at 11.00am ~ following on from a very busy ‘preview week’ The finishing touches were set in place for the official opening.

Entertainment and refreshments were available from 10.00 until 12 noon, including coffee, cakes, face painting for the children and an Easter Bonnet competition. There was also, of course, the opportunity to peruse all the wonderful items and services that the shop has to offer.

Richard Brooks, (Shop Committee Chairman) started the proceedings by collectively thanking everyone involved within the project for providing the many hours of voluntary work that had made today possible. Maria Carver he said, had been the driving force  behind the project and deserved a special mention, at this point Vikki Brooks presented Maria with Champagne and flowers. Richard Brooks then handed over to Richard Benyon MP, who had kindly agreed to carry out the traditional English opening ceremony.

Right on cue Newbury MP Richard Benyon, cuts the ribbon, declaring East Garston Community shop now officially open.

The shop itself is 'Non-Profit Making' ~ meaning that any profit made will be ploughed back into the community in various ways. It will be staffed by a full time, salaried manager and a force of volunteers ~ and run as a Community Interest Company (CIC)

Ecstatic Anticipation	Exquisite Moment	Perfect Peace	Total Contentment

The shop aims to serve. the wider community, not just East Garston, but the surrounding area and villages. It will be actively promoted as a provider of local produce and services, which should draw people in from further afield. It will at once be a convenience store but with the feel of a farm shop.