Latest

^{By Ted Sullivan - Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Northampton.}

Hundreds of people turned out to see the re-establishment of the village shop after more than 10 years. And to open it they asked, who else, but TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh.  

What began as the celebration of community spirit in one small village in north east Northamptonshire may turn out to be a model that will help regenerate rural life throughout the county.

"I had this letter saying: 'Dear Alan, how would you like to come and open your shop'. It was irresistible... how could I say no?" he told the waiting crowd gathering around the new shop awaiting his arrival on Friday, 21st September.

What a turnout!

And what a turnout it was! People seemed to arrive out of nowhere, coming from far and wide. Titchmarsh's narrow streets and lanes were suddenly littered with parked cars and trucks. The children at the village school were let off lessons to attend. There was also a sizeable media scrum of TV crews, reporters and photographers, even a TV satellite truck!

I began to wonder what the numbers might have been like had this been the Mick Jagger or the Madonna Village Shop.

Alan himself, dressed casually in a checked jacket and blue jeans, seemed overwhelmed with this pop star reception. But he proved very quickly that he's a natural at working a crowd.

"It's really lovely to be here. It's nice to come somewhere where everybody knows how to pronounce your name. Nobody calls you Tit-marsh!" he declared to roaring laughter.

And although the media circus seemed a bit over the top for a little Northants village, it must be acknowledged that this is no ordinary retail outlet. This shop has been planned, built, and will be run by the people of Titchmarsh themselves, as a community enterprise.

This was an accomplishment not lost on their visitor.

This was echoed by local MP Phil Hope who was also on hand for the occasion. "Shops can be the lifeblood of a village like this. This is a brilliant example of a social enterprise owned by the community, for the community and serving the community," he said.

Supporting the village shop!

Grants to support to shop project have come from many local sources including  Northamptonshire County Council and the Social Enterprise Council

Chair of the Titchmarsh village shop committee local resident Jane Teague, also spoke at the opening, encouraging everyone to ensure its long term survival: "This has brought together many people who did not know each other very well 18 months ago... and is only the beginning for Titchmarsh Village shop... please support us."

The shop has been given a rent free lease by the parish council. And there are a host of suppliers sourcing freshly baked bread and organic fruit and vegetables. There's also a deli counter featuring quality cheeses and cold meats as well as a café garden. All of this has been the result of contributions and expertise from people in the village.

Another encouraging feature of this project has been the involvement of the Youth Committee with local 12-18 year olds who helped decorate the shop and at fundraising events.

So, a big day for a little village of just 600 people, and an example of social enterprise that may well find followers elsewhere in the county.