Funds boost for Headley community shop/Post Office

Ashford Hill with Headley community shop and Post Office has gone from strength to strength after re-opening in August, following a move to new premises in a vacant Baptist church in Thornford Road, and from former premises in Ashford Hill Road.
Now, Hampshire County Council has granted the Ashford Hill with Headley Community Shop Association a total £1,450, to fund a drinks chiller and upgrade the shop/post office’s website.
Richard Bayly, a trustee for the association, said the new drinks chiller was already in place, stocking a range of soft drinks: “We had an old one which we were ‘bequeathed’ and it gave up the ghost,” said Mr Bayly.
The association was also in the process, he continued, of obtaining and deciding on several quotes obtained for the website upgrade.
Following a £10,000 National Lottery grant, earlier this year, a room alongside the shop/post office was converted for use by the local community, while retaining original features of the 1924 building, including a pitched oak ceiling and stained glass windows.
The owner, Greenham Common Trust, has backed the community project by charging a commercial rent, but providing the association with a grant to cover this cost.
The shop, which stocks local produce and Post Office are open 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed Wednesday afternoon) and Saturday 9am to 12pm. Parking is available in a large layby opposite.