BENARTY Community Forum started the Community Shop project in June 2017 and set it’s sights on the shop washing it’s face within the first year.

But the shop, in Benarty Square, quickly became a hub of the community and two substantial cheques were presented to highly significant local projects worth £10,000

The Community Shop's initial targets have been surpassed and now they magnificent volunteer team is well on the way to a second significant year.

On behalf of the Community Forum Michael O'Hare said this week: "If the second year is as successful as our first everyone will be delighted.

"Right from the start it was decide that any profit that was made would be put into local projects within the area.

"The Group is delighted to announce that we are donating £10,000 to two local projects as after discussion it was decided that there would be two projects that would benefit.

"We wanted to give financial assistance to groups that were focused on youth. One is Formula24 Fife, based at BRAG, in Crosshill, which assists youngsters to build electric cars and be able to travel abroad and compete in the UK, with other groups.

"The other recipient was the Drivedeck project at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

"The Drivedeck, with line following track is a motivational and fun tool that encourages users to proactively explore their environment in safety whatever their disability.

"Inclusive and flexible the Drivedeck is accessible to all users regardless of existing seating provision. As we write this the total for this project was £10k and this has been raised.

"The Community shop have given the two projects £5,000 each and we wish them all the best for the future".

Over a year ago Benarty Community Forum thought about setting up a Communtiy Shop.

It was an idea of Community Education Worker, Mike Payne, during the writing up of the Benarty five year action plan.

In June 2017 the shop opened and It was assisted with a set-up grant from The Big Lottery Fund.

Leading up to the opening of the shop there was thousands of man hours put in to get the shop ready. This also could not have happened without the assistance of the hard work/time put in by the local community

The Communtiy Shop, is situated in Benarty Square, Ballingry. It is run by volunteers from the local community, the volunteers have taken ownership of the project.

Shop Managers Lorna Bett and Sharon Kinnaird deal with the running of the shop and the finance side of things. Sharon is more on hands within the shop and keeps everything ticking along.

Like almost every small business there is always problems along the way and these have been overcome every time something has arisen.

The Community Shop is a real hub of Benarty and when Ballingry charity cyclist, Magali Christie, held her charity cycle in the spring from the township to John O' Groats she set off from the Shop and was welcomed back there some days later.

It is very busy and is well supported by the people of the community who donate a lot high quality items for sale.