THE Frensham Village Shop and Post Office, which is owned by Frensham and Dockenfield residents, has had another successful year.

Just as last year, the shop has decided to repay villagers for their devoted support and hard work by donating surplus profits to a number of important community causes. Customers spending more than £5 voted on how to divide the sum available.

A donation of £1,396 has been made to help purchase audio visual equipment for the Marindin Hall in Frensham, to provide a professional system to enhance the enjoyability of the regular presentations, talks and events which are held at the hall throughout the year.

The sound system will be particularly welcomed by those who are hard of hearing.

Dockenfield Parish Council was also delighted to be supported by a donation of £1,326 from the shop.

The funds were used to address the problem of the muddy bank outside the Church of the Good Shepherd which had been caused by cars parking there in the absence of a car park.

Resident Katy Poulsom generously donated kerb stones and arranged for the work to be carried out. It has already made a huge difference to the appearance and safety of the bank outside the church.

Finally, £1,177 was donated to the Kingsley Organisation, which for 29 years has been working with disabled people to help them achieve their personal goals.

Based in Kingsley School, the organisation operates a community Post Office, a cafe, WiFi access and a convenience store - it also plays host to coffee mornings, lunches and talks.

The organisation’s core service, Chainreaction, provides a day service for people with disabilities, who are working towards independent living and meaningful employment.

The Frensham Village Shop’s donation has been applied to this project and volunteers and staff alike were grateful and inspired by the shop’s operation.

Everyone at the Frensham Village Shop is looking forward to another “fantastic” year in 2017 and being able to help more local causes.

It cannot do so however without the continued support and loyalty of its customers. The shop is run by a full-time manager with support from almost 60 local volunteers.