ROWDE villagers are celebrating after their shop was judged the most innovative community-run project in a county awards scheme.

The shop, in Marsh Lane, won the title at the awards run by Community First.

Rowde was without a shop for seven years until a group of determined parish councillors and residents established the shop in November 2009.

Jackie Bawden, who is Rowde Parish Council chairman and was chairman of the shop’s management committee when it opened, nominated the shop for the award.

She said: “During the past three years the shop has established itself not only as an essential village shop but is now the hub of the village, operating as a box office for all local events as well as providing an outlet for local produce and crafts – ranging from locally made cakes, jams, frozen meals, jewellery and cards to locally grown fruit and vegetables.

“For some villagers the daily walk to the shop is their outing of the day and they can be assured of a smile and some local chatter.

“The shop provides free deliveries in the village to our elderly and vulnerable residents and visits to check they are well.”

She said the shop had managed to thrive with innovations including its links with Foxhangers narrowboat company and the new Caen Hill Marina. The shop delivers produce to guests at both sites. Over the past year the shop has provided a number of opportunities for young people to carry out work experience or deliver part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

Jan Barber, chairman of the village shop committee who was one of the original members, said: “The award is absolutely incredible and we must give our manager, Veronica Seedhouse, so much of the credit. It’s her forward thinking that has got us to this stage. We have really good volunteers and it’s been a real community effort.”