This is exactly what has happened at Blunsdon, when, in April 2002, the villagers were left high and dry after their village shop closed the door for the final time.

Former shop keeper, Edna Miller with fellow Blunsdon resident Helen Pavely

But they seem to be a determined lot in Blunsdon!

At the end of January, a small but enthusiastic crowd greeted the arrival of their new shop - which, quite literally, came off the back of a lorry!

This important milestone for the village was the result of some determined effort - after residents realised that, once the old shop was gone, their nearest shops would be ASDA, Sainsbury's or in Highworth - not exactly convenient for non-car owners.

One villager, Helen Griffiths, felt strongly enough to lobby the Parish Council to hold a public meeting in order to see how much local support there would be for a new community shop.

Julie Allen

"The support at the meeting was amazing," said fellow Blunsdon resident Julie Allen, "once all the chairs were filled, it was standing-room only."

From that intial meeting a working party was set up which pushed the shop project forward, although the village has supported the idea throughout - including the business of raising the necessary funds.

On a grey January afternoon, Bevans of Purton, delivered Blunsdon's new shop to a site close to the former village school, now Blunsdon's community centre and just opposite from where the old shop had been.

Blunsdon Shop in place - to rapturous applause!

Once the building was in place, those villagers who gathered for the occasion got a chance to see inside - realising soon afterwards just how much work would be involved to transform the building into a new shop.

"Over the next few weeks, we shall be carrying out repairs and fitting out the shop," says Julie.

"We aim to open sometime in March. It has been nearly a year since villagers could leisurely stroll to a shop. Maybe our slogan should be 'pop to your shop'!"

The new shop in situ