It's amazing that we have just had our fourth Christmas at Barkers as a community owned shop. The time has flown by.

We've started 2019 with news that we are Yorkshire finalists in the Countyside Alliance r'ural oscars' again.  This is great news for all our volunteers  who give their time and skills to keeping the shop open and running successfully. We're gathering quite a collection of awards and accolades which just goes to show, we might be volunteers, but we are definitely not amateurs!

We were thrilled to win the Best Community Co-Operative award 2017 Yorkshire & The North East last December. Organised by the Plunkett Foundation, these awards recognise the achievements of community co-operatives across the UK. Two of our volunteers - Hilary from Huby and Hilary from Sutton - attended the awards ceremony in London. As well as another lovely award and certificate, we were awarded £250 and a party pack so that we can throw a celebration party for all our volunteers. 

The Plunkett Foundation has also produced a short video about Barkers which you can watch https://vimeo.com/250273546" target="_blank">here 

Here at Barkers we have benfitted from the support and advice from the Plunkett Foundation: the charity devoted to helping rural communities improve their community.

We are delighted to have made it through to the finals of the annual Community Ownership Awards as one of three finalists in the North of England. Lynne Wagstaff and Adrienne Micklethwaite will be attending the awards ceremony in Lonon on 28th November on behalf of all our shareholders, volunteers and customers. We'll let you know how they get on!

Watch this 7 minute video of the 2016 Hambleton District Council Awards, when Barkers of Huby won the award for Best Community Contribution. 

We have some great business in Hambleton, and our own-label preserves supplier The Fruity Kitchen, also won an award.

https://www.hambleton.gov.uk/businessawards/site/index.php" target="_blank">Video

Our first Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 15 September 2016 7.30pm in Huby Village Memorial Hall.

All shareholders are invited but please rsvp to the shop or by email.

Annual General Meeting Thursday 15 September 2016 Huby Village Memorial Hall

AGENDA 1) Welcome and apologies for absence

2) Chairmans Report

3) Financial Report

4) Election of Committee

5) Appointment of Accountants

6) Any other business

Wine will be served at the conclusion of the formal AGM and the Management Committee will be happy to receive your feedback or comments.

Chairman Denise Howard OBE

Company Secretary Lynn Wagstaff

Treasurer Sara Ellis

Vice-chairman Kate Stead

Directors Terry Wolf Jayne Ford Eddie Isherwood Elaine Corden John Micklethwaite 

Barkers of Huby was voted winner of the Community Contribution Award in the annual Hambleton Council Business Awards last night. It was a popular category with 9 entries from across Hambleton but having made it to the final 3, it was wonderful to hear we had won. Adrienne Micklethwaite and Sandra Howland - who volunteer extensivly in the shop - accompanied Denise to the awards in Northallerton last night.

A short video was shown of all the finalists, and Denise explained that she had nominated Barkers and the wider commnunity because of the way they had come together to save the shop and post office for years to come. 

We now have a lovely granite plaque on display in the shop.

Come along to Huby & Sutton Show in the grounds of Sutton Park on Saturday 25 June 2016. 

Do come and support the show - it is a huge organisational feat by volunteers which we are supporting by taking a trade stand. If you haven't got a Barkers 'bag' or 'apron' yet - you can buy one from us at the show as well as a range of local jams, marmalades, chutney, sweets and cakes.

You can see more information about the show here http://www.hubyandsuttonshow.org.uk/

The shone for our first birthday celebration on Sunday 15 May. The Management Committee decided to serve a BBQ Breakfast to customers as a thank you for their support and custom during the year - and a great way to sample the shop produce!

Over 130 bacon and sausage baps were served and numerous cups of tea and coffee. It was great to see so many people helping us celebrate our first year as a community owned shop, and there was a definite party atmosphere on the forecourt.

Thank you to Sara Ellis for baking and donating a lovely 1st Birthday Cake.

We were delighted that so many customers voted for us in the 2016 Countryside Alliance Awards in the category, Best Village Shop & Post Office. Denise Howard and Sara Ellis represented the shop at the awards ceremony in London at the House of Lords on 27 April. Although we didn't win, it was a terrific achievement to be recognised during our first year as a community shop. Well done to all our volunteers who made this happen and our customers who support us.