Many thanks to everyone who bought our Christmas cards, tankards and mugs and to those who visited us at the village Christmas Fayre and bought from our stall – our Christmas cards quickly sold out. Our tankards (£25) and mugs (£10) continue to sell well and will make great gifts, with Mother’s Day and Easter soon upon us. Why not pop an Easter egg in one for the chocolate lover in your life?! To get yours please contact Alex Hall on 01249 750602, alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com, or Linda Durno on 01249 750514, kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.
Unfortunately, just before Christmas, we received the news that the Community Ownership Fund had closed and that there will be no further application windows on the COF programme. The current government “…took this difficult decision due to the challenging inheritance left by the previous government”. Whilst the Community Ownership Fund has closed, the government states that it “…remains committed to the communities’ sector and community empowerment. The government will deliver on its manifesto commitment to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership”.
We had hoped to have been successful with an application to COF, which would have provided a large grant, and so this is a blow to our fundraising. However we are fortunate to have your pledges of shares and are seeking further advice on future grants.