Kington St Michael Village Shop & Post Point
Village Hall, Kington St Michael, Chippenham,
Wiltshire, SN14 6HX. Tel. 01249 750181
e-mail: ksmshop@yahoo.co.uk
(Industrial & Provident Society Registration Number 30226R)
"If every household in the village spent just £5 a week in our village shop this would ensure its success."
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PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWS UPDATES
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The Committee
Avril Balmforth, Karin Davis, Linda Durno, John Hall, Malcolm Jago, Simon Jones (Treasurer), Kath Mackie, Jane Reeve-Rawlings (Secretary), Gay Sealy, Roger Sealy (Vice-Chairman), Pat Squires & Rick Squires (Chairman).
Non-committee roles
Matt Bridger (Rota Secretary)
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If you have any suggestions or comments about the village shop, please contact or leave a message at the shop for Avril Balmforth, or 'phone her on 01249 750181.
John Hall, manning the shop
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 1pm
Sunday: CLOSED
(Opening hours - click to print).
Services
Click here for the order form.* POST POINT Post your national and international mail, using standard, recorded or special delivery options. The
collection times are at 4.55pm on Monday to Friday and 12.30pm on Saturday.
* Debit/Credit card facility.
* Cake and quiche orders taken (including photo celebration cakes) - all made locally.
* Orders taken for fresh bread.
* Fruit and vegetables to order (small selection in stock) -
* Dry cleaning service including speciality cleaning of suede & leather.
* Shoe repairs.
* Fresh milk & dairy produce (special orders also taken).
* Quality local meat and meat pies to order, delivered on the first Friday of each month (click to view selection
available & prices)
* An amazing selection of meat, poultry, game and cheese is available to order, supplied by Bartlett & Sons,
family butchers of Bath. As well as beef, steaks, pork, lamb and bacon, they supply a wide range including
quail, boar, ostrich and kangaroo (subject to availability)! For the full list please click here.
* Firewood and kindling from a local supplier.
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Kington St Michael Community Shop News
FREE RANGE CHICKEN BREASTS, LEGS AND DRUM STICKS
MONUMENT FARM HOME MADE:
STEAK & KIDNEY PIES
STEAK AND ONION PIES
HOMEMADE SAUSAGES AND BEEFBURGERS
TOPSIDE ROASTING JOINTS
MINCE AND BRAISING STEAK
July 2010: Congratulations to Mrs Betty Tanner on winning a £10 M&S voucher in the draw for those who completed the Local Food Questionnaire.
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Grow A Row
Once again, the shop is asking parishioners and customers to Grow A Row for the shop. When planting this year's vegetables, etc, please consider growing a row (or planting a pot) and donating the produce to the shop. More details to follow.
~*~*~*~EASTER EGG RAFFLE
The winner of the Thornton's Easter egg was ticket no. 128, belonging to one of the young ladies working at Kington House.
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What Our Customers Said About Our Christmas Supplies
"Dear Avril
I thought a mention about the trees and turkey was deserved. The trees were fabulous and remained looking as good as when I picked them up – truly no needle drop.
And the turkey was delicious.
Great suppliers, hope they continue to be viable.
Wishing the shop a good turnover in 2010.
Regards
Anne"
"Hi AvrilI just wanted to say (before I forget!) how delighted we were with our turkey, which you kindly delivered on the 23rd. It was delicious and nearly half the price of the free range turkey we bought last year from ********* [a local garden centre].
We know where to come next year and will spread the word!
Thanks again
Sally Jones
11 The Close"
KINGTON ST MICHAEL VILLAGE SHOP PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
Kington St Michael village shop is holding a Christmas card photographic competition to use on the shop's very popular Christmas cards next Christmas. The prize for the winning photograph will be a £10 voucher to spend in the shop and a free pack of six 2010 Christmas cards. All the entries will become the property of Kington St. Michael Village Shop Ltd and the photographer of every photograph used will be acknowledged. The closing date for all entries is 31st March 2010. Your photographs must be in colour, 6 x 4 inches in size, be scenes which are recognisably of Kington St Michael and have a Christmas theme. If there is snow with sunshine, please include it!!
Ideally entries should be sent by e-mail to ksmshop@yahoo.co.uk but printed copies will be accepted. Please ensure that each entry bears the photographer’s name, address and telephone number and a description of the scene if it is not obvious. The entries will be judged during April 2010 and the judges’ decision will be final. The winner will be notified before 30thApril 2010.
Shop Christmas Hamper Raffle
Avril presents a gift to the Mayor. Mrs Gibson 'phones the lucky winner.
Mr Bull, winner of the Christmas hamper, with his prize.
The Mayor of Chippenham, Mrs Sylvia Gibson, kindly made the draw for Kington St Michael community-run shop’s Christmas hamper raffle on December 18. The lucky winner was Mr Bull of Chippenham, who uses the shop, and the Mayor herself rang him to give him the good news; he receives a wicker hamper of delicacies from the shop and a brace of pheasants.
The Mayor was interested to find out how the shop is run on a voluntary basis, what is stocked and how the Post Point system works, which has gone some way in replacing the post office services that were lost. As thanks, Avril Balmforth, shop manager, presented Mrs Gibson with a small selection of items from the shop.
Shop Festive Fair
The shop’s festive open day in the village hall on November 7th had a steady flow of visitors, who were able to learn about the Post Point, view stock and taste samples of cake, ham, pates and more. Orders were taken for turkeys, hams, pates, Christmas trees and other goodies.
The winner of the Christmas cake raffle was Pat Woodward and tickets can still be bought for the Christmas hamper raffle, which will be drawn on December 18th.
LET THEM EAT CAKE!
ALSO AVAILABLE ARE HOME-MADE CAKES AND FUDGE BY LIZ McCARRON.
LIZ ALSO TAKES ORDERS FOR BIRTHDAY/ SPECIAL OCCASION CAKES
- CLICK ON THE CAKE 
FOR DETAILS OF ALL CAKES.
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Recycling
If you have any spare carrier bags, egg boxes or empty, clean, jam and honey jars, please take them down to the shop, where they will be re-used.
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We have had requests for fresh bread on a Saturday
but unfortunately the delivery days are
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
We do our best to ensure that there is wrapped bread in store
on a Saturday but sometimes the demand is higher than anticipated
on a Friday resulting in little or no bread on a Saturday.
To ensure we have what you want you can place an order for bread
and we will reserve it for you for collection on Saturday.
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THINKING OF HAVING A PARTY OR HOLDING A FUNCTION,
WHETHER IT'S FOR PLEASURE OR FUND RAISING?
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN BUY A SELECTION OF WINE -
SPECIAL PRICES FOR CASES OF 6 OR MORE BOTTLES
2 WEEKS NOTICE REQUIRED.
TO ORDER:
Email: ksmshop@yahoo.co.uk or telephone: 01249 750181
or call in and place your order with a member of staff
FREE RANGE EGGS STILL CHEAPER THAN THE LOCAL SUPERMARKETS:
LARGE EGGS £2.10 DOZEN, MEDIUM £2 DOZEN
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POSTAGE STAMPS
DON’T FORGET WE STOCK STAMPS FOR FIRST & SECOND CLASS MAIL,
WE CAN SUPPLY SHEETS OF STAMPS FOR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS; 24 HOURS NOTICE REQUIRED. TO ORDER CONTACT JOHN HALL 01249 750550.
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CHEDDAR & TOMATO
CHEDDAR & ONION
CREAM OF MUSHROOM
HAM & MUSHROOM
CREAM OF WHITE ONION
QUICHE LORRAINE
MEDIUM (6/8 SLICES) DELUXE QUICHE £6.50
TOMATO, BASIL, MOZZARELLA 48 HOURS NOTICE REQUIRED
TO PLACE YOUR ORDER:
GIVE IT TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SHOP
CHICKEN & ASPARGUS
CREAM OF WILD MUSHROOM
STILTON & CRUSHED WALNUTS
SALMON &WATERCRESS
ROASTED SUMMER VEGETABLES
OR TELEPHONE THE SHOP ON 01249 750181
Crops for the Shop
Want to be involved with the Village Shop but haven’t the time to spare? Then fear not – here is your chance!! If you have a garden or allotment you can do your “bit” to support the village shop by donating your surplus produce. Click here for full details.
Village Shop Comes 2nd in Awards
Our village shop has come second in Wiltshire Life's 2009 award for "Best Village Shop of the Year". The award ceremony was held at Wilton house on March 27th. The winner was Urchfont shop, with Steeple Ashton shop coming third (both are community run shops like ours).
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The shop is now the sole retail outlet for locally made Baraka frozen ready meals:
Lasagne: Fresh, minced beef, peppers & mushrooms cooked in a rich tomato sauce layered with pasta & a mature cheddar sauce
Shepherds’ Pie with a Mature Cheddar & Chive Crust: Fresh minced lamb, carrots & mushrooms bound together in a tomato & rosemary sauce topped with a creamy mash potato, chive & cheddar
Boeuf Bourguignon: Tender chunks of beef cooked in a rich red wine stock with shallots, baby mushrooms, smoked Bacon & fresh thyme & rosemary
Pork & Leek Sausages in West Country Cider: Pork & Leek sausages cooked in Cider with shallots, rosemary & cox’s apples
Chicken, Smoked Bacon & Leek Casserole topped with an Almond Crumble: Chicken breast cooked with smoked bacon & leeks in a white wine & thyme sauce topped with a toasted almond crumble
Chicken, Roasted Pepper & Fresh Basil Lasagne: Chicken mince cooked with roasted peppers, tomatoes & fresh basil layered with pasta & topped with parmesan & toasted pine nuts
Smoked Haddock & Wholegrain Mustard Crumble: Smoked haddock on a bed of spinach in a mustard & béchamel sauce topped with a chive & cheddar crumble
Mushroom, Spinach & Sun dried Tomato Lasagne: A selection of mushrooms cooked in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes layered with baby spinach & lasagne
Moroccan Carrot Lasagne: Sautéed Carrot with Moroccan Spices layered between pasta & topped with Crumbled Feta & a fresh coriander sauce
SEASONAL MEALS - WINTER (OCT-MARCH)
Chilli Beef: Chunks of beef cooked with fresh chilli & tomatoes topped with sour cream & chives
Winter Venison Casserole: Venison cooked in red wine with fresh rosemary, chestnuts & cranberries
Game Pie: A selection of local game cooked in red wine with shallots & apricots topped with puff pastry
Medieval Spiced Pork: Tender pieces of pork cooked with spices, red wine & fresh orange
Winter Vegetable Lasagne: Carrots, celeriac, celery & spinach in a béchamel sauce layered between lasgne & topped with a mature cheddar
Order Your Fruit & Vegetables Over The Internet & Collect From KSM Shop
Need to post a package or parcel, but don’t want to go all the way into town? Then try using………
POST POINT
Kington St Michael Village Shop has its own Post Point
where you can send letters, packages and parcels nationally & internationally.
Standard, Special and Recorded delivery options are all available.
Why not do your shopping at the same time?
We stock a wide range of products.
(Disabled access, car park adjacent)
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The volunteers, who man the village’s community shop, met at Home Farm House, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Rick Squires, where they learned about the shop’s new postal services. The Post Point will be available during the shop’s opening hours and will mean that letters, packages and parcels can be sent nationally and internationally via a range of standard and special deliveries; and there will be daily collections. During the evening the volunteers enjoyed a slice of birthday cake and a glass of donated wine to celebrate the first year of trading. Eighteen out of the 28 volunteers were able to make the evening. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help in the shop should contact Avril Balmforth (01249) 750671.
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2008
Village Shop AGM
Kington St Michael Village Shop Ltd held its first Annual General Meeting, on Thursday 29th May in the Village Hall. Twenty six of the 100 shareholders attended, with apologies for absence received from 23 others. As a community owned shop it was agreed that the first eight months trading had been a deep learning curve for all involved and it was thanks to the hard work and dedication of committee and volunteers alike, that the shop is such a success.
The shop has received a grant from North Wiltshire District Council which will enable a Post Point service to be installed, whereby it will be possible to send letters, packages and parcels, by normal, recorded or special deliveries, and to have a daily collection. It is hoped to purchase the necessary equipment shortly to enable this service to be up and running as soon as practicable.
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Volunteers Wanted
Your community shop is looking for volunteers to either serve at the counter or help with re-stocking. If you can spare and hour or so a week, please contact Avril Balmforth (01249) 750671. Don’t worry – training will be given!
~ There is a debit/credit card facility in the village shop. If you don't have enough cash on you, don't worry - you will now be able to pay with your card. Please note that for purchases under £10 there will be a small additional charge of 25p and that there is no cashback facility. The shop also offers a new “Carry Home” service, whereby you may come down and purchase your groceries and they will be delivered to your home as soon as possible, which is especially useful for heavy items.
~ The shop introduced a "parcel delivery point". This means that people who are out during the day can arrange for small, liftable parcels to be delivered to the shop for collection at their convenience.There is now a haberdashery stand in the shop - do take a look for those useful little items you may need! New displays will be arriving soon.
Volunteers to man the shop are always welcome, especially for the holiday months. If you are able to help, either regularly or occasionally, please contact Avril Balmforth (01249) 750671.
2007
~ The community shop’s open evening on Friday 14th September was a great success. Parishioners turned out for an evening of produce tasting and wine sampling and many took the opportunity to do some shopping at the same time. The shop committee gathered information in person and via questionnaires and have taken note of questions asked. For example; it was asked if the shop stocks light bulbs including energy saving ones, and the answer is yes it does. Another query was for Diabetic jam, which can be stocked if there is sufficient demand. (Now stocked).
Several local businesses ran their own produce stalls – Ceri’s Cheeses and Nicola Foxwell cakes proving very popular, as did Wiltshire Tracklements. Following positive feedback it is hoped to stock a selection of their products in the shop soon. Nicola Foxwell also offers a birthday cake service requiring two weeks notice. The cake can be pre-ordered through the shop.
The Open Evening
August '07
Many thanks to the Book & Video Recycling Scheme for its donation of £50 to the shop's funds.
This will be put to good use.
July '07
At a recently held committee meeting of Kington St Michael Village Shop Limited, it was reported that sales were slowly but steadily rising. The introduction of new products had proved successful and the milk sales were up. Whilst the current level of volunteers is encouraging, more are needed to help cover the holiday period.
At the recent Church Fête Pat Squires and Karin Davies ran a stall which displayed some of the goods now found in the shop. This attracted a lot of interest and the 'free tasting’ of a variety of foods was greatly enjoyed.
The old sign has been re-furbished, and is now more obvious to passing traffic and pedestrians alike. Outside the shop the rails have been painted and a new ramp has been installed. In time, when funds allow, a blackboard advertising goods for sale will be fixed on the end rail. Share sales are progressing well though more need to be sold. (Click here for an application form ). If anyone is interested in giving two hours of their time to help occasionally in the shop, please call Avril Balmforth (01249) 750671.
~*~*~*~*~Kington St Michael Village Shop Ltd
The village shop in Kington St Michael has become a community shop, owned by the community and staffed, initially, by volunteers from the village and beyond. The handover took place on Saturday 28th April 2007 and the shop was spring cleaned and completely rearranged, with new stock. The new shop adopted a new legal entity from 1st May, as an Industrial and Provident Society Community Co-operative. This means that the shop is owned by the community for the benefit of the community. Anyone living or working in the local area can become a member as a shareholder, each share being £5. This will raise valuable funds for the shop, and will give you the opportunity to have a say on how the shop is run in the future. Please note, the liability of shareholders will be limited to the amount of shares purchased, i.e. £5. Residents are encouraged to purchase additional shares, but this does not incur greater voting rights, as the co-operative means that 1 member can have only 1 vote. This is a very democratic way of running a business and we believe will ensure that the shop remains in perpetuity for the benefit of Kington St Michael.Currently the shop offers a good range of food, confectionery and household goods at reasonable prices, a number of which are lower than those in Morrison's and Sainsbury's for identical goods. Running the shop in this manner should ensure its continued prosperity and expansion. We need a bank of volunteers to help staff the shop. If you have a couple of hours a week to spare please contact Avril Balmforth on 750671 or fill in the form.
Volunteers will also be most welcome to help with other aspects in running the shop. We were advised to change the layout of the shop to give it a central gondola to make it easier to access goods. If you have retail skills and/or experience your comments and advice would also be welcome.