Awards
2020 has been a year like no other, so instead of a traditional awards ceremony, Plunkett celebrated the resilience and adaptability of the community business sector at our Virtual Community Business Fete on 24 November. The day showcased the lockdown stories of five community businesses, panel discussions, the announcement of our Community Contribution award winner and the premiere of our flagship Rural Recovery film.
Lockdown story – Bretforton Community Shop
Over 300 people own Bretforton shop, and during lockdown the village’s engagement was highlighted by an influx of new volunteers. A new online system supported deliveries, and volunteers were able to co-ordinate extra services such as prescription distributions and ready meals cooked by local chefs. Christopher Buckham, Chair of the shop, says ‘it was a whole village effort, with the shop at the heart of it’. Bretforton Shop has proven that it has provided true value to the community, and they now have ambitions to expand the shop and introduce green initiatives.
Lockdown story – Cletwr Community Shop
Lockdown story – The New Inn
Lockdown story – Brent Knoll Community Shop
Lockdown story – Clapham Community Shop
Rural Recovery Film
Our flagship film brings to life Plunkett’s Vision for a Covid-19 Rural Recovery. Through the stories and experiences of real businesses, Plunkett’s new film points to five key opportunities for existing and new communities to contribute to a robust rural recovery. They are:
- Leading the way in the re-localisation of supply chains, including supply of local food
- Unleashing the potential to boost employment and training opportunities
- Enhancing business performance and customer retention through digital technologies
- Refreshing and diversifying the volunteer network
- Harnessing positive environmental impact through community business.
The rural vision film features the stories of:
- Fordhall Organic Farm, in Shropshire, England;
- The Black Bull community pub in Gartmore, Scotland;
- Cletwr Community-run shop, cafe and community hub in Tre’r-ddol, Ceredigion, Wales;
- Foundry Wood, Achieving Results in Communities, Community Interest Company (ARC CIC), Warwickshire, England;
- Grindleford Community Shop in Derbyshire, England.
Community Contribution Award Winner
The Community Contribution award recognises and celebrates individuals involved with a community-owned business, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the recent months of lockdown, in order to support their communities.
We are delighted to announce that Ted Euers was chosen by you as the winner! Ted has been working tirelessly for community pub Ye Olde Cross, leading on funding applications, a refurb project and acting as the glue holding everyone together.
Runners up were Lesley Shaikh from Lodsworth Larder, and Stella Hadley from Pepys Social Supermarket. Lesley recruited 30 new volunteers over lockdown, and worked hard to keep the shop thriving, tackling isolating along the way! With a kind and personal touch, Stella supported residents in Deptford through a membership based scheme aimed at reducing food poverty.