CHURCHINFORD and District Community Shop has been shortlisted for a prestigious award by national charity the Plunkett Foundation.

The shop began life in a Portacabin staffed entirely by volunteers before moving to its permanent premises five years ago.

Since then it has developed with an attached coffee shop where villagers can use the community computer free of charge and swap or buy books and DVDs, as well as enjoying a snack and a drink. It also provides space to showcase local arts and crafts.

A book and DVD swap has raised £2,000, which has been used to buy benches for the village centre and local church, provide seating and a picnic table for the outside decking, a bike rack for cyclists and new plant tubs.

Donations have been provided to other community charities including the Blackdown Support Group and Open Door, and the community computer has benefited through the purchase of a Microsoft Office package.

The shop is also a mini rural information centre, it provides advertising space for local businesses and groups, and forthcoming events, and it is a ticket selling point for local events. It offers special item order purchasing for items not regularly stocked and for isolated customers to whom volunteers deliver.

The shop’s green credentials are boosted by providing a recycling point for items that Somerset does not currently recycle. A local group purchasing scheme allows groups to order goods at cost. Young people are welcome as volunteers and many take up the opportunity as part of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering or as work experience.

Games fans can join the Games Club which meets in the coffee shop every week. Other groups also hire the room for events.

The Plunkett Foundation has now recognised the community’s efforts by shortlisting it for the Diversifying to Make a Difference award in its national Rural Community Ownership Awards, designed to recognise the very best examples in the sector.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, December 5, at St Bride Foundation, London.