IT’S been 10 years since Yarpole was sold on a shop.

What the village bought into back then is pitched as the future for other communities facing the loss of key services. But for the present, Yarpole is planning a party to celebrate the shop’s 10th birthday.

A Ceilidh and a Bringand- Share Supper is being held for villagers on April 25 emphasising the community spirit that the shop evokes.

Over the build-up week, there will be special discount schemes and a raffle.

Yarpole community shop and post office opened on St George’s Day in 2005 and spent its first four years in a cabin behind The Bell pub.

In October 2009 the shop moved to its permanent home in the newly renovated St Leonard’s Church from where it is open seven days a week.

The Shop was established by issuing £10 non redeemable shares which were bought by more than 250 members of the community and with support and advice from the Plunkett Foundation.

Annual sales have increased and are now topping £100,000 a year.

Profits are ploughed back into the community and, for the last two years, £1,000 has been given each year to projects ranging from the youth club to a dog agility group.

Customers are served by volunteers, together with a part-time sub-postmaster and a part-time stock manager.

Much of the shop’s stock is locally sourced with around 40 per cent of goods found within 40 miles of the Yarpole area.