FRENSHAM threw a big party for the 20th anniversary of their village shop and to mark this now-profitable venture the shop distributed almost £3,400 to four ‘good causes’.

The shop and post office, which is owned and run by Frensham and Dockenfield residents, has been trading profitably from purpose-built premises in the heart of the village for the past five years.

The management committee wished to repay villagers for their support and hard work by donating the current trading profit to other community causes – St Mary’s School library, St Mary’s Church’s bell tower repair fund, Frensham Sailing Club’s Sailability, and the British Legion collection for a new kitchen.

For the past two months the shop’s customers have been voting for their preferred cause, and the £3,372 was split between the four in proportion to the votes cast.

Shop chairman Roger Holmes, thanked all those past and present involved with the shop, including the full-time manager, three part-time post office staff, the 60 volunteers who assist them, the management committee and the many local suppliers.

The cheque equalling £654 for the Sailing Club was presented to Susanna Gray by Charles Maxwell, the shop’s long-time vice-chairman, while Rev Jane Walker accepted the donation of £738 for the church from the shop’s newest volunteer, Bryan Silletti.

One of the youngest helpers, Will Barber presented the school’s cheque of £962 to governor, Jenny Carter and James Stevens was pleased to receive the legion’s cheque of £1,024 from Roger Holmes.

Celebrations went on till late in the evening and party food, provided by Frensham Village Shop and prepared by Kerry Weeks and a band of helpers was washed down with the shop’s wine and soft drinks.