Newsletter - January 2012

Happy New Year to everyone! …. And now for our latest news.

1. Review of 2011
2. Reminder of some items that we sell
3. 150 Club and Raffle winners
4. The mailing list
5. Well there goes 2011

Perhaps the most significant thing about the shop last year is that we made 11% more sales than the excellent year we had in 2010, in spite of the recession. The rise seems to be continuing although we had expected it to level off this year – the recent increase could be because new customers from Fowlmere all seem to like our little shop!

We had a great Daffodil Weekend with takings 28% up on 2010, we did very well in December (27% up due to a wine club round and jewellery sales together with the improved offering we had for Christmas items and the late shopping night). Our other fundraisers seem to be going well, with the 150 Club into its 3rd year, the Christmas Raffle being another success and the Open Garden evening at Annie Eccles house was lovely.

The effect of these increased sales figures is that we can run at slightly lower gross margins, meaning that when costs go up to us, we don’t have to put all the increase onto the price you pay.

We welcomed Keith Trigg as a new member of staff and we helped two village teenagers with their Duke of Edinburgh schemes. And we recruited Brian and Hannah as new Sunday volunteers. Sue Pinner joined the committee as well. We would like to record our heartfelt thanks to the staff and the volunteers – without whom the shop would simply not be open.

Now if anyone would like to become a Sunday volunteer, please let us know – we can take couples or singles, teenage kids can even help a parent, all you need to do after we’ve trained you is to do one Sunday (8am-1pm) in a 6 week rota. It’s easy, and, just ask Brian and Hannah – it’s fun!

We have changed some of our suppliers this year – the dry cleaning is a new supplier after several “mistakes” by our old cleaner, we lost Russells, our meat supplier although we still have Leech’s (see below) and we started with Warburtons bread instead of Kingsmill – this change has been very popular.

We had an excellent response on “Crop for the Shop” this year (where we sell donated fresh produce from local gardens) and this will definitely be repeated next year. Please sow a few extra seeds this spring so that you can bring in your surplus fruit and veg – our customers love it!

Perhaps the only bad thing was the freezer problem in mid-year where we ended up with a good deal but it took a while – it was a contractor problem.

2. Some Items that We Sell

Just to remind everyone that we sell kindling, wood, coke and coal and we can deliver all of these to your house.

We make a weekly order for meat to Leech’s butchers in Melbourn, they deliver Thursdays so you don’t have to go to Melbourn or wait in their queues. We can also make special orders for fruit and veg from Fieldgate – let us know what you want and you’ll have it next day. If you want to reserve a newspaper, you can.

We do mobile phone top-ups, stamps, plants, toys, stationery, wine, dry cleaning and shoe repairs. We have an advertising board. We get twice weekly deliveries of prescriptions from Harston Surgery. And don’t forget we sell lovely coffee and fresh baked bread and pastries!

Finally, when things go out of date, we put them in a basket upfront at half price. Watch out for really good bargains there!

3. 150 Club and Raffle Winners

The December 150 Club winner was George Dellar – timely since he donated a Turkey for the Christmas Raffle! Well done George and the other three winners.

Elizabeth Donaghue won the first prize of the Christmas Raffle, scooping up the turkey and a hamper of items, which we understand Bill is enjoying! Seven other lucky winners will remain anonymous!

The next 150 Club draw will be on Tuesday 17th January in the Green Man at about 8.30pm. Join us if you can!

4. The New Mailing List

We are sorry to put you through the hassle of having to subscribe to the list again but the fact that you got this newsletter means that it is working - thanks for sticking with us. And if you are reading this outside the shop because you haven’t subscribed, just nip back inside and give your email address to the member of staff on duty and we’ll get you on the list.

TVSA