Hello everyone. We really are moving on now and some very important matters are beginning to unfold.

We decided as a Committee to pay for an architect planner to draw up plans for the site rather than submitting plans ourselves as he is known to SODC Planning Department and drew professional precise plans. SODC have given us a target decision day of 7 October, so fingers crossed. SODC have contacted about six households nearby for their views and so far one has replied, a retired doctor who is very supportive of us in providing a community asset.

Another great success was taking a table at Sonning Common Health Centre Open Day on 3 September. We have a banner now which as on display and there was great interest in Shedquarters and our donation box collected £31. Plus someone who attended called later with nearly £38. Application forms were given out, three have come back so far and one was from someone who can teach stained glass and from the joining forms three or four are interested in learning this.

Our main objective for the future is fundraising and we have been given £500 by David Bartholomew who is a District Councillor, Two of our Committee have donated £1500 each. Chiltern Edge Community Association £400. Yet to be submitted is £5000 from Peppard Building Supplies and £250 from Richard Martin’s wife from her plant sales. The choir Harmony who meet at Peppard War Memorial Hall are donating the proceeds from their Christmas Concert to Shedquarters and are hoping to make £2000 plus the proceeds from their raffle. Barbara Perez donated a gallon of Douro Valley Port bought by one of our Committee raising £100.

We are putting in for a Capital Grant from SODC and this is being prepared by our Fundraising Organiser, Richard. I have put in for a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund doing one for the Prince’s Countryside Fund.

I have joined easyfundraising.org.uk and in around ten days have made £7.45 for Shedquarters so separately will send you details of how you can join for any purchases on-line including your weekly shop.

Springwater Congregational Church, Blounts Court, Peppard contacted me as they had got to hear of us and offered their café to us to start up Shedquarters now but I explained could not take them up on the offer from a Health & Safety viewpoint plus we might damage their tables in the café. However they then came back and said we could hold our meetings there so the first one to see how goes is on Thursday 1st December at 10.30 at Springwater Church, Blounts Court Road, Peppard and you are duly invited. I will send out to you all later a reminder with an RSVP and also a map for those who need to have details. If successful and enough attend we will hold further meetings there until hopefully we get our own premises. So put the above date in your diaries.

Sheila Maughan,
Chair,
SHEDQUARTERS