A Beech Hill store celebrated its local producers and craftspeople at a special shopping evening, the first of two planned in the run-up to Christmas.
The Village Shop at Beech Hill is unique in many ways: it operates six days a week from the church of St Mary’s, is staffed by a team of volunteers and aims to help people to shop local wherever possible. It stocks fresh food from a range of producers including chocolatier Tilly’s Treats, Tilehurst Butchers, Loddon Brewery and Pangbourne’s Bon Apetit bakery. Local jams and preserves are also on sale.
A price comparsion on its website reveals that prices at the Village Shop at Beech Hill are on a par with Waitrose and Tesco, showing that it makes sense for villagers to shop local.
The Christmas craft evening held on Friday, November 28 celebrated these supplier and other local craftspeople with a mixture of stalls, present ideas and food samples. Live organ music gave people a sound of Christmas as carols filled the church.
The church was packed with visitors and many bargains, including festive gift baskets, were bought.
Sam Moore, who helps run the shop, was delighted with the turnout.
She said: “Tonight has been about bringing the commiunity together in a social environment and letting them know what’s out there in terms of local producers.
“There’s been lots of engagement with the shop – people really appreciate what we’re doing.”
The evening had been a success for Sam Slater, who supplies the village shop with her hand-made chocolates under the Tilly’s Treats brand.
“I make it all myself,” she explained. “I supply to the shop and it’s nice to meet the customers. It’s been a great evening and it’s great to see people support local businesses.”
Being a chocoltier is something that Sam says is “the best job in the world” and she is appreciative that Beech Hill’s Village Shop stocks her wares.
“To have the support of Beech Hill is amazing,” she added.
The next Christmas shopping event will be held on Thursday, December 4 from 4pm-6pm and is aimed at children. There will be a play area for parents to enjoy while their children can take part in special craft events and find perfect presents for their siblings and friends.
“Anyone can come alonng to the children’s event,” promised Sam.
The shop is now being supplied by, among others, Tilehurst Butchers, who stock Copas and Walters turkeys. The store can take orders for festive birds right up until Saturday, December 13.
“We’re really pleased to draw local producers together,” said Sam.
The store is open from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 8.30am to 1pm. It is then converted back into a church for Sunday’s services.
For more details on the Village Shop at Beech Hill visit its website.
