Kentish Express Ashford & District
Building work set to begin on £230k village post office
Much-awaited store could open in December
Construction work is about to start on a much-awaited village post office.
The old Smarden Post Office in The Street closed at the end of June, leaving villagers relying on a temporary service.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the £230,000 building, which is being constructed in the overflow car park at the front of Smarden Charter Hall, is expected to take place next week.
A total of 311 residents chipped in to raise £89,525 for the new building through a community share offer, which was matched funded by the Power to Change share booster programme to the sum of £175,000.
The volunteer-run project has seen Simon Hoyle of Inspired Space Architects design the building, while Nigel Crannis, of Crannis Design and Build, will be behind its construction - both businesses are based in the village.
Once completed, the store will be largely run by unpaid staff, although a part-time postmaster will be employed.
Joel Arnstein has led the bid for the new store now his wife Laura Hawken is playing her part to raise funds.
The trained nurse and native New Zealander, who has spent much of her career working in developing countries for the World Health Organisation (WHO), suffered a devastating stroke 10 years ago.
She battled her way out of a wheelchair but was left with movement difficulties down the left hand side of her body.
Despite this, the 66-year-old completed the Go Ape course at Bedgebury Pinetum in May and the Leeds Castle course on Monday.
She plans to tackle a total of five Go Ape courses and will split any cash she raises between the Smarden community store and the Stroke Association.
Laura said: “Everyone misses the village store and there are no public bus services to Smarden at the weekend so it means if you run out of something you have to drive to Tenterden. It’s even more difficult for people with disabilities to shop.”
Smarden has had a post office for more than 100 years and a temporary post office is being hosted at the village hall twice a week, but this arrangement will only continue until December, when it is hoped the new building will be open.
■ To sponsor Laura, visit bit. ly/33tIY3i