When Communities Work Together.

When life intervenes

I borrowed this image from the totally locally website (theres a link below) because I think it says it all when it comes to our communities and how we work together.

It has been over a week since my last post because life has been extremely packed. The lady from who I got the bees is a powerhouse of activity in the local area. She runs the shared garden, she runs the skills exchange and she is the energy behind the Totally Locally. If you click on the Totally Locally link you can see something about what's going on and about Karina Wells.

Karina is an amazing person but you do find that every time you have an encounter with her you suddenly have something extra to do. It is always something enjoyable and fulfilling but when your life is already pretty full it can be quite a challenge fitting things in. The latest project which she is apparently NOT organising (yeah right) is the Totally Locally pop up shop. 

In the local centre there are a few empty businesses. West Bridgford has become a very busy centre and as a result big national and international multiples want space and the prices they are prepared to pay is pushing local businesses and independents out of the m arket. There are, consequently, many empty units which is very sad in a blooming local environment. Karina spotted one particular space and approached the landlord. They agreed to let local businesses use it for free. She then negotiated a waiver on the business rates and now, for a very small fee, local businesses that cant usually afford a shop front can have a space in a lovely pop up shop that will be open from today till 21st December.

Wonderful people from the skills exchange have worked night and day making the insides usable and attractive and over the last couple of days we, the businesses have been filling the shelves with our artisan products. Everyone who has a space lives or works in walking distance from the shop. We are all donating 6 hours of our time and we will see what happens. The deal is you get a space at an astonishing price but if you make any money or need any supplies you spend it in other local businesses. 

I spent roughly 24 hours, with the help of my husband, bottling syrups, ordering packaging, and designing a brand identity. I'm pretty pleased with it mind you! Then yesterday Bob and I went down to the shop and put our our wares. I realised I needed some display items and nipped down the road to a local stationers who had the most perfect light weight wooden drums to stand things on. While I was there another Pop Up Shop person was buying pricing stickers so the trickle down effect begins.

Today at 12 the shop will be opened by the mayor of rushcliffe. I will let you know how that goes!

Meanwhile the weather is terrible, the kitten is growing, the chickens look sleek and the bees are taking any moment of sunshine to get out and about a bit. I don't suppose any of that is going to change very much in the next three months. However Snow is forecast. I wonder what will happen.

Lots of Love

Katherine