As of 31st March 2020 (our financial year-end) we succeeded in reaching the target of £21,735 that was needed to enable the Booster Programme (an arm of Power to Change) to match fund with another £21,735.

Thanks to everyone who has bought community shares, showing your support for our exciting project.  Of course, we aren’t able to celebrate with you all yet, but that time will come!

The wonderful news means that we will be able to repay £11,000 of our loans, which will be hugely helpful when we are able to make future grant applications – to be able to say that we repaid £11,000 within our first year and in this dreadful climate is truly something to celebrate.  The whole of the share offer, including the matched funding from the Booster Programme, is held in a separate bank account and must be spent in accordance with the share offer documentation, i.e. it cannot be spent on running costs – just in case that question arose in anyone’s mind.

We’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter and we look forward to meeting you at the Old School as soon as life can get back to normal.

 

Classes are continuing & are going really well – why not join in?

We’ve been left this lovely review following one of our events…

“Excellent venue for the launch of the Enhance Somerset Social Enterprise Network launch. Absolutely amazing catering, really friendly staff, fantastic and committed Chair who gave up her time to support our event. Members feedback was that they were really interested to hear how the Old School has developed – the processes, grant applications, business planning they had to go through to secure and convert the historic building into a social enterprise offering flexible space for tenant businesses, start ups, hot desking, community space and their future plans for a cafe and other facilities.”

To find out more about Enhance Social Enterprise in Devon and Somerset, click here

Our Community share offer expires 31st March 2020.  For just a minimum of £25 (which can be shared among up to 3 people), you can be a part of what’s happening at the Old School, Queen Camel.

Every amount invested will be doubled by the Power to Change Booster fund, meaning that we can make even more improvements to the building and site.

Have a look at our update below or visit our website to find out more about our amazing tenants and practitioners.  The form is also included below or can be found on our home page.

Share launch update leaflet

Share Application Form

Have you seen our Community web page lately?  What a great set of tenants and practitioners we have here at the Old School.

We also host a number of regular meetings and classes, and have plenty of space for more.

Why not get in touch if you would like to become part of our community?  Whether you are interested in renting some space, ad-hoc meetings and hot-desking, or are just curious to meet us and our tenants, feel free to email us at admin@oldschoolqueencamel.org.uk or call in to see us every weekday morning.

We would love to see you!

 

I have been in touch with my brother in Queensland, where, unlike South Australia, they are crying out for ‘Joey Pouches’ to look after all the orphaned marsupials they are rescuing from the bush fires. Any of you sewing or knitting crafters  who may be interested in spending an hour or two to help out can find the details I have downloaded on how to make up from scrap materials the various sizes need. These materials must be natural fibres and the cotton linings must not be fixed, but removable and have rounded corners.
I am happy to collect any items as well as line those without linings and arrange to get them to Queensland.
My brother is involved with the animal welfare services and making wooden nest boxes for bats and birds but I don’t think I can manage to arrange transport for those!!!!
Any offers very gratefully received …..Frieda Garrett
01935 851266
graygbee@hotmail.co.uk

Making pouches for orphaned joeys
When young wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, bandicoots, gliders or possums come into care they need to be kept warm and quiet.

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.

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!