Derek & Maureen Woodbridge

also click Hickmans Stores for the history of Hickmans Stores

Peter Trotter takes a look at The Village Shop in 1988

The Village Shop provides the community with an invaluable service not always recognised by the casual visitor. It's a communication centre - a meeting place for people keen to keep in contact and exchange gossip; let alone buy the day to day necessities of life.

Its services are not always appreciated. Our shop is not ideally situated - built in 1924 when the pace of life was slower than now – on a bend of a busy road, with parking difficulties. It is, at least, in the centre of the village and it seems to be experiencing a new lease of life. Cynics who say they can obtain more elsewhere, cheaper, forget the old and the young, those who do not possess a motor car, what would they do without it?! Offset the cost of the bus fare, petrol and parking costs, then see if the large supermarkets with their long checkout queues are better. Of course they can stock a wider range of goods, but where can you enquire about your lost cat, or the address of someone in the village, or leave a message to be passed on. A service that's open from 7.30 am until 8 pm every day, seven days a week.

A new innovation, in addition to video hire, is a splendid selection of wines, spirits and daily newspapers.

A clinic for physical therapy has been added. This service is provided by Christine Langley - H.T.E.C., who is a trained physiotherapist with five years experience gained in various clinics and practices. "It's a slow start up to now. I've had 12 patients in my first few weeks. I feel it's quite good considering the word is ‘not around yet'" says Christine. "in the meantime I'm keeping my options open because I'm also in my fourth year of osteopathic training. I hope to qualify soon and provide this service within the village.

Christine is the sister of Maureen Woodbridge, the new owners, who after 13 years in the Health Service with husband Derek who gave up running a welding shop, fulfilled a long ambition to run their own business. After searching all over the country they found what they were looking for right under their noses in Lacey Green after a chance remark to the previous owners. The Woodbridges have lived in the village for 4 years and now manage the shop with the support of the entire family who assist with serving in the shop. They are totally involved in providing a service with Derek at time helping customers with "Do it yourself" problems.

The business is slowly improving, wines and newspapers providing the extra turnover to finance the many new ideas and plans they have for the shops future. We are indeed very fortunate to have such dedicated people in our midst - long may they continue.

If you accept the principle "use it or lose it'' the hard work and enterprise of the new owners deserves all the support we can give them. Where would we be without the village shop? Poorer as a community. Don't let it become a neglected asset - USE IT!