Fordingbridge Community shop celebrates first birthday

Avon Valley Community Matters charity shop in Fordingbridge has celebrated its first birthday.

It was filled with trustees, staff, volunteers, friends, customers and supporters including the new rector of Avon Valley Churches the Rev Luke Wickings. Also present were the Churches Together team and the Cottage Loaf, who made a cake for the occasion, Avon Valley Men’s Shed, staff from other shops and businesses as well as members of the Fordingbridge Surgery team.

A long-held dream of the late Rev Kate Wilson, in its opening year the shop offers a safe, warm and welcoming space for many local residents, as well as selling low-cost, pre-loved household items and clothing.

Charity Shop manager Laura Cowdery said: “It is heart warming to hear from so many how much our little shop is valued in the town.” 

In the past year, the charity shop team has established relationships with the local Foodbank and Salvation Army, Acts4Sharing and more recently the Lover Baby Bank.

For more information, to get involved or make a donation, please visit: www.avcmatters.org.