The Micheldever Village Store

It happened just as Paul had said and Sergius Paulus was amazed – and became a believer.

Paul and Barnabas then sailed from Paphos to the Turkish mainland and John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. They landed at Perga and from there they took the extremely dangerous road to another city named Antioch, this one in the province of Galatia. This city lies at over 1000 metres altitude and to get to there it was necessary to cross the Taurus mountain range – a hang out for bandits.

The adventure was about to enter a more difficult stage. Although the region of Galatia was part of the Roman Empire, it was on the outer fringe and not as well policed as other areas. The further Paul and Barnabas went, the further they moved from Roman protection. Out here they were constantly under the threat of mob violence. These were two very brave men.

Next month – Tough times

2021 is the Chinese Year of the Ox but in Micheldever it is the Year of the Village Store….we, the Micheldever Community Enterprise Society, are striving to ensure it may seem that notions of the store are merely my monthly Dever entry but, believe me, a great deal is going on behind the scenes. Richard Vellacott, Becs Tarry, Wendell Harris, James Alpe, Jon Coles and I are doing our level best to get as near a perfect outcome for an accessible, convenient store of which the village can be proud.

When all the strands come together, we will have to start getting the funds assembled. This will involve a share issue in your Community Enterprise Society (more later but, in essence, giving you ownership of the Society) as well as approaches to grant making bodies and donors. Meanwhile, as mentioned in January, a little bit of income would be enormously helpful. You can help without paying a penny! We are registered with EasyFundraising. All you have to do whenever you shop online, is enter Micheldever Community Enterprise Society on the EasyFundraising website the first time you use this platform and the supplier you wish to access (there are some 4,600 including Amazon!). You will then be linked directly to that supplier’s website. You shop as normal and MCES gets a small percentage of your purchase value as a donation from the supplier–and it costs you nothing! Please go to EasyFundraising.org.uk and start some revenue generation for us. If you are unsure of how to do this, contact Charles on charlesholden1@hotmail.co.uk. I have been doing it for a month now and can justify to Vicki my purchases as they contribute to the shop she so enthusiastically wants!

It would be incomplete not to say something about the pub. Despite the unprecedented challenges that Paula and Andy face, it was really special to see them open for takeaways in mid-January. Takeaways are their only source of income until restrictions are lifted sufficiently for them to run the vibrant Half Moon and Spread Eagle–which we know they can…. with all our continuing support.