VILLAGERS campaigning to save a village café and turn it into a community hub are raising a cuppa to a succesful fundraising appeal, after securing £130,000 in just six weeks.

The ‘Save The George’ (STG) campaign in Newnham-on-Severn secured the sum through community shares, donations and fundraising events, and a formal offer has now been made to purchase the building. 

Newnham-on-Severn Community Benefit Society (NoSCBS), formerly known as ReNewnham, created the STG campaign after the closure of the former pub-turned-café in April 2018, as it meant the loss of a vital facility for residents.

They managed to get it declared a Community Asset by the Forest of Dean Council, which meant that they would be the buyer of first choice if it was put up for sale.

Group spokeswoman, Siobhan Smith, said: “We are thrilled with the amount of support we’ve received from the local community to make The George a community-owned and run facility, which is looking more and more realistic by the day.

“It’s essential we have a venue that will be able to offer so much for everyone, the local community as well as visitors to the village and local area.

“Without it – not only as a place for people to go and make use of, but also for people’s wellbeing and livelihoods– it would have a detr imental impact on the village.

“The input from the committee volunteers and the community is fantastic – there’s a real sense of camaraderie and it’s amazing what people can achieve if they work together.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their support as well as continuing to appeal for help that anyone can give – we’re almost there.” 

Fundraising started with the launch of a community share offer in early March, which allowed people to buy shares in units of £20, while donations and fundraising events, including a gig by local band The Sad Dads and a quiz night promoted the project and raised extra funds.

NoSCBS says it will use the share money with loans and grants to buy the property and negotiations are currently underway with the owners, Camphill Village Trust. 

If successfully obtained by the community, it is proposed that the property will feature an all-day café and bakery, gallery and venue for music and events, a business hub offering flexible hot-desking and short-term workspaces, office space for small

businesses, a permanent home for the village post office, a retail space, and meeting and function rooms.

‘Save The George’ has also been shortlisted to receive a £5,000 grant from Calor Gas and people can vote for this from May 2.

If it wins, the NoSCBS will use the money to help refit the kitchen in The George.

Those interested in supporting ‘Save The George’ with share purchases, donations or volunteering opportunities, should visit www.noscbs.org

For more information about the calor Gas awards, go to www.calor.co.uk/shop/communityfund