Frequently Asked Questions about our Share Offer

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the benefits of being a shareholder?  

You will become part of an enterprise that is supporting new and small businesses, promoting ethical values and providing local support and facilities.  You will receive a regular newsletter, be invited to an annual open day for shareholders, and have a sense of helping support this excellent facility for the local and wider community.

In addition, interest can be paid once the renovations have been completed and when Queen Camel Community Land Trust (QCCLT) has sufficient surplus.  The shares may be passed on to an heir or beneficiary and in certain circumstances may be redeemed, again, when funds permit.

  • What happens if something goes wrong? 

As with any share purchase, you must only invest what you can afford, because in the unlikely event that the project doesn’t work, you may lose some or all of your investment.

  • Can I lose more than my initial investment? 

No, you will not be asked to pay more than your initial investment under any circumstances.

  • In what state of repair are the buildings on site?

Prior to purchasing the site, Queen Camel Community Land Trust (QCCLT) commissioned a full building survey, which was sufficient to allow Power To Change (Big Lottery) award us the funds to purchase.  They would not have done this if there were unresolvable issues with any of the buildings.  The survey has also allowed us to understand and prioritise the refurbishment work needed.

  • Am I liable for anything that goes wrong with the buildings? 

No.  Your investment is in our project at the Old School.  The building is owned by the Queen Camel Community Land Trust (QCCLT) and by purchasing shares, you do not own part of the building.

  • Am I liable in any way if there is a legal issue with one of the employees / trustees / tenants?

No.

  • What is the situation with flood mitigation

The building is known to be in a flood risk area.  We work with the Queen Camel Flood Committee and are also taking specific advice on protection of the site, from sand bags to larger flood mitigation works.

  • Can I have my newsletter in print rather than online? 

Our plan is to email the newsletter and add it to our website, but we can print a copy for those who don’t have email.  There may be some content that can’t be printed, such as interviews and video blogs.

Some news…

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November 6th saw our second open evening.  People came from the local area and wider Somerset to meet our tenants and the Board of the Queen Camel Community Land Trust (QCCLT).  Over wine and nibbles we met potential new tenants who were excited by our ethos and sense of community and others who wanted to become part of the Old School’s future by becoming shareholders.  For just £25 you can be part of our future and help make the vision come to fruition. Read more about our share offer here.

We are also excited to share the news that a talented local artist, Alannah Barker, is offering art classes on a Monday evening during term time. If you are interested drop Alannah a line at alannah.artwork@gmail.com and check out her beautiful work on her website www.alannahbarker.com.

We expect to have two more exciting pieces of news to share shortly about new members joining our thriving community Watch this space!. In the meantime, feel free to drop us a line at admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk or pop in to see us. We would love to see you!

Share Offer Open Days – additional dates added

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Lots of people have said that they couldn’t make the first open days, so we thought we’d add a few more.

Whether you are interested in the share offer, renting some space, meeting the tenants or are just curious you can come along to meet the Old School Community 5.00-7.00pm on Wednesday 6th November over a glass of wine and nibbles or 11.00-1.00pm on Saturdays 9th and 16th  November over coffee and biscuits.

We really would love to see you there.  Email admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk with any questions or feedback.

Open for Business & Community Share Launch

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OLD SCHOOL, QUEEN CAMEL, SOMERSET, OPENS FOR BUSINESS AND LAUNCHES A COMMUNITY SHARE OFFER

When the Countess Gytha Primary School, Queen Camel moved to new premises the Queen Camel Community Land Trust Ltd. (QCCLT) came up with a plan to breathe new life into the site. The original Victorian schoolhouse, now Grade II listed, was built in 1872 and was gifted to the parish by the Mildmay family. The school was transferred to and extended by Somerset County Council and has been educating children from the local and wider community almost continually ever since.

The Board of QCCLT shared a vision of developing the site into a self-sustaining, vibrant enterprise which would support new and small businesses and provide services and facilities that would help the local community and those in need.  With the help of a grant from Power to Change, QCCLT purchased the site from Somerset County Council in May this year and is now bringing the dream to fruition.

Thanks to a band of willing volunteers, the outdoor wilderness has been tamed and may eventually contain a children’s play area and sensory garden. The 1920s building now has its first tenants who have gamely decorated their own rooms and provide practical help and support to the Directors of QCCLT.

Of course, the road to sustainability is costly.  Bridging Bonds need to be repaid and there are a number of urgent works that need attending to. QCCLT is, therefore, asking both the local and wider community to help by buying shares. The share offer was launched on 27th and 28th September when the Old School threw open its doors inviting everyone to see the work in progress and to be part of the Old School’s future by becoming shareholders. Many came to reminisce about their own or their children’s time at the school, met QCCLT Board members and the wonderful and talented tenants to date:

  • Jo Noall of ReactiveK9 – a dog behaviourist and trainer,
  • Marcus and Glenda Colquhoun of Affinity Arts – glass artists specialising in kiln-formed glass,
  • HomeFirst Plus, a not for profit organisation helping elderly and vulnerable people live independently,
  • Amie Hancock of Helping Hands, offering a holistic approach to working with families, children, young people, adults and parents, and
  • Marilyn Upton, a qualified practitioner of hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helping people cope with anxiety and stress.

Whether you are interested in the share offer, renting some space, meeting the tenants or are just curious you can go along to meet the Old School Community 5.00-7.00pm on Wednesday 6th November over a glass of wine and nibbles or 11.00-1.00pm on Saturdays 9th and 16th  November over coffee and biscuits.

You can communicate with the Old School, find out about the share offer and find contact details for the tenants on the Old School website www.OldSchoolQueenCamel.org.uk . You can email them at admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk. You can find them at The Old School, High Street, Queen Camel, Somerset, BA22 7NH. They would love to hear from you!

Share Offer Open Days

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The directors of Queen Camel Community Land  Trust (CLT) are holding an Open Event at the Old School to launch their community share offer on Friday 27th September and Saturday 28th September 10.00 am – 6.00pm.  They are also hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Old School on the Friday morning, which is claimed to be the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for cancer support. All welcome to the Open Event and the Macmillan Coffee Morning.

Our Community – New Tenants

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Our first tenants have moved in and we are proud to have a 60% occupancy rate already! One of our new tenants is HomeFirst Plus, which is a not-for-profit organisation  helping elderly and vulnerable people live independently,  formerly known as Somerset Care & Repair Ltd.   Their services include:

  • A stairlift engineer, who installs and repairs stairlifts at competitive prices.
  • Bathroom adaptations, to include a level access shower, high rise toilet and safety flooring
  • Sale of mobility aids, from mobility scooters, rise and recliner chairs, rollators, and various smaller mobility aids at  competitive prices.
  • A TotalHome 100 service, whereby HomeFirst Plus undertake home repairs, using reliable and trustworthy tradesmen;
  • Furniture Reuse, (Furnicare) based in Yeovil.  This is planned to restart in September and HomeFirst Plus are looking for volunteers and donations/house clearance items.
  • Work with local councils, bringing back properties to a lettable standard which may have stood empty for a number of years.  HomeFirst Plus access council funding and lease the property from the owner.

Progress on the premises – a big thank you!

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We have given our working parties a rest during August although a number of volunteers have continued painting and gardening. We value and thank all the volunteers who are helping us steadily transform what had become an unkempt, tired and unloved property into one that is increasingly buzzing with life and vitality. There is a long way to go but we are making good progress.