Our customers at Ilmington Community Shop are very special to us. For one thing, our customer base is mostly the people in our village and local community, people we know well. It is our commitment and our pleasure to serve you as best we can. It seems that we are special to you too, as we’ve been receiving love letters, flowers and gifts in the run up to Christmas, telling us how much the shop has meant to you this year. Here’s a short video from 88-year-old Ilmington resident Derek Chapman. His carer Veka Kapinga delivered a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of Derek and his family, who wanted to express their gratitude. From the Shop committee, we’d also like to share the words of volunteer Wendy Larner, who worked in a team alongside manager Michele Hall preparing 60 Christmas delivery boxes on what turned out to be our best trading day ever. Wendy wrote to Michele: “Couldn’t leave today without saying how very impressive you are. Watching the events of today unfold, I am in awe of your calm organisation and ability to stay composed and in good humour throughout. I’m sure you have your moments, but to the outside world we see someone who can answer our questions, resolve issues when the till defeats us, spin plates (today in two venues!) and always seem to have the time of day for a chat and a giggle (or a tear 
). We see all of village life in the shop, it’s certainly opened my eyes and it’s been lovely to meet those whose paths I’d not crossed before… The Christmas ordering process today was extraordinary, a wonderful array of local produce, local suppliers and volunteers working together for our little community. Couldn’t sum up the aims of the shop more perfectly.” Thank you Wendy, thank you Derek, and thank you all for your custom and support this strange year. We need and appreciate you more than ever
