REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November was certainly the case for one group of villagers.

Monday was the day for work to begin on a project to build a new community store and post office in Preston Candover.

Several years of planning, preparation, consultation and fundraising led to ground being broken this week.

Construction of the 95sqm timber-clad building is being undertaken by Alresford-based building company CPFM and is expected to take around four months.

After fitting out during March and April, the target opening date is set for May 2019.

Over half the money needed to build, fit out, stock and operate the new store has been raised through local donations and a share scheme that now has 245 shareholder members.

Additional funds from successful applications to a number of grant-giving bodies including the Hampshire County Council Rural Communities Fund and National Lottery Awards for All have allowed the £220,000 project to go ahead.

Candover Valley Community Store chairman Richard Walker said: “Today really is a very exciting day for our many supporters and for our committee members.

“We have been working very hard to make this happen as we all believe that a shop and post office are key to maintaining the vigour and life of the village communities in our area.”

The new store, which will be largely staffed by volunteers, will provide local services for residents in the Candover Valley and be a place for people to visit to shop for top-up groceries, to post their parcels or to sit for a while with friends for a chat over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

A bank of volunteers will provide the additional help needed by a paid manager to run the store and in the months leading up to the opening, the CVCS committee is seeking offers of assistance in a number of areas from marketing and branding to book-keeping, carpentry and decorating.

If you would like to be involved in any way, large or small, or have skills that would benefit the project, go to candovervalleycommunitystore.org.uk or call Mr Walker on 01256 389238.