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The shop opened its doors for the
first time at a grand opening ceremony on Friday 21st September 2007,
with the opening ribbon being cut by Alan Titchmarsh the renowned gardener
and TV personality. Over 500 people turned out to celebrate the opening
of the shop and see Alan in action!
Speeches for the day included not only
Alan himself, but Jane Teague, the Shop’s Chair, Michael Alderman as leader
of the Parish Council and Phil Hope the local MP. Other dignitaries present
included Eloise Finch, Chair of East Northants District Council and representatives
from Welland, Northants County Council, ViRSA and many other fund providers
and supporters.
Alan arrived at the village at 11.15am,
and first visited the newly refurbished Pound garden where he planted
an Alan Titchmarsh rose to complete the plantings that had been made in
the last week as part of the village’s own “ground force”. He then moved
on to the shop front where at 11.30am he led the speeches and spoke warmly
of the community spirit in the village that had brought the shop to fruition.
After speech
time Alan cut the ribbon and became the first customer in the shop, followed
by many of the visitors. Alan then signed a number of his books kindly
provided by Waterstones and many villagers got his autograph and had words
with the great man!
As well as the shop and the opening ceremony
there were a number of other attractions including a tea tent serving
teas and scones and giving a display of the history of the shop from March
2006 through to the opening day, including a video diary by the Youth
Committee. A one man juggler and showman treated the children to tight
rope walking and basic juggling skills and provided a real dash of colour.
For those who were a bit peckish a tasty barbeque was available. And for
those who were still bored there was chance of a game of skittles or a
moment to hone the ladder skills.
After 3pm people started wandering home,
but the shop carried on being busy right through to closing time at 6.30pm.
The day’s activities received widespread
press and TV coverage and a number of video links are given below;
BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2007/09/24/titchmarsh_village_shop_feature.shtml
ITV
http://www.itvlocal.com/anglia/news/?player=ANG_Home_26&void=100496
Evening
Telegraph video diary.
http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Alan-proves-he39s-the-housewives39.3224205.jp
The event required some considerable coordination
and support from the villagers. The committee are particularly grateful
for the sterling services of Anita Dunn in pulling it altogether and the
members of the Youth Committee who worked all day and a large part of
the previous evening to get things set up. In all over 50 villagers contributed
time and effort to the launch and many of those will be continuing their
support as volunteers on the shop rota! As both Alan Titchmarsh and Phil
Hope observed, this is very much a joint venture by all members of the
village community and the success of the opening day was a firm reflection
of that.
For more information email villageshop@titchmarsh.info | 
