…with Ilmington Community Shop singled out as the “true star” of the village! We were thrilled to get the accolade in yesterday’s Sunday Times, even if you had to subscribe online to read the full review. The annual round-up of towns and villages across the UK considers a wide range of factors, but particularly “locations busting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.” (Kenilworth Weekly News) Ilmington is described by the Sunday Times as a bucolic idyll with rolling hills and orchards, two fantastic pubs, two village greens and an annual show. Then: “The community-owned village shop on the wonderfully named Grump Street is the true star. Opened in 2015 after three years of fundraising, it’s now a proper hub… The shop has risen to the challenge of the pandemic in inspiring style, offering deliveries to vulnerable customers, including vegetable boxes and homemade cakes, and employing a local seamstress to make face coverings.” Manager Michele Hall is quoted too: “The pandemic has changed our way of life and I think everyone in the village really appreciates having a shop on their doorstep,” she says. The market town of Stroud in Gloucestershire was crowned overall winner, while Stamford in Lincolnshire took the title of Best Place to Live in the Midlands. As for Ilmington, “You’ll love living here,” says the paper, “if you want picture-perfect village life, with a local shop run by local people.” We’ve printed up the full article for you to read the next time you’re in store
