0:00:03 > 0:00:05'The British countryside.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10'With green valleys, wild mountains, rolling farmlands and forests,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14'the landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19'Many dream of escaping to the simple country life.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24'But for those who live in rural Britain, it's a different story.'
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Traditional industries are in decline
0:00:27 > 0:00:31and across the land, local shops, pubs and farms,
0:00:31 > 0:00:36the very cornerstone of country life, are closing at an alarming rate.
0:00:36 > 0:00:43It just seems that the heartbeat of our green and pleasant land is fast disappearing.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48This was a really vibrant shopping street
0:00:48 > 0:00:51and now we've got one pub left and that's it.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56You need to keep these places safe and secure for our children to come and enjoy.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01'The one thing the countryside has going for it is the people who call it home.'
0:01:01 > 0:01:06But what if locals were able to take matters into their own hands?
0:01:06 > 0:01:10What if groups of volunteers were given a load of money
0:01:10 > 0:01:15to turn their dreams into realities and put the spirit back into their communities?
0:01:15 > 0:01:21We're only going to succeed in this project if we involve as many people from the community as possible.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Good service. We want good service.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27'With just 12 months to pull it off,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'putting their villages back on the map is not going to be easy.'
0:01:31 > 0:01:36- I just know that we're going to have battles every step of the way!- Hm.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- I have no building experience whatsoever.- What a shambles.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44But the results might just be spectacular.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48It's the biggest chance we've ever had to do something amazing.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- CHEERING - Well done!
0:01:52 > 0:01:55It's a big ask, but it could work.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21'Can a passionate bunch of volunteers in Caistor
0:02:21 > 0:02:24'use their local heritage to create a thriving business?'
0:02:24 > 0:02:27My dream is for it to become a cultural centre for Caistor.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32'Or will the conflict between the past and future stop the project in its tracks?'
0:02:32 > 0:02:38We've not had the discussion of what gives in this building. And nothing is giving yet.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- If I don't understand it, fire me now!- I have to keep telling her it's not London.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47I've been persistent and I've fought every step of the way to make this what it can be.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54'The rolling Lincolnshire Wolds make up some of the most breathtaking countryside in Britain.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59'One of England's most famous walking routes, the Viking Way, stretches across it
0:02:59 > 0:03:03'and the region attracts 17 million visitors a year.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09'20 miles from the county town of Lincoln lies the ancient Roman settlement of Caistor.'
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Caistor Square dates back to the Roman era.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17It was once a thriving market town, famous throughout Lincolnshire for its roaring trade.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Caistor used to be buzzing.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- These were all businesses at one time.- It's just a spectacular area.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29'The last few years haven't been so kind to the town.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33'Over 20 shops and pubs have shut, leaving it close to dereliction.'
0:03:35 > 0:03:39People now tend to go out of the village to meet, to socialise.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Money is not spent here anymore, it's spent elsewhere.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46People don't bother coming up town to shop anymore,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49therefore they don't see each other, so you lose community links.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52What it now needs is a business that encourages people
0:03:52 > 0:03:56to spend their money here at home, reviving the local economy.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06'Retired local councillor Roy Schofield was born in Caistor.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12- 'Its memories are close to his heart.'- I used to come here in the 50s, 60s, and get my fish and chips.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Used to have a restaurant upstairs, but not any longer. This is a Grade II listed building.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20'Now his hope is to rescue Caistor's crumbling Methodist chapel.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:24My dream is for it to become a cultural centre for Caistor.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29'For the past five years, he's been in partnership with local historian Alan Dennis.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34'Together, they've campaigned to turn the chapel into a museum with a small cafe
0:04:34 > 0:04:36'to put life back into Caistor.'
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I was the driving force. I kept saying to Roy,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45"We need a museum. If we're going to have people coming here, we need a museum."
0:04:45 > 0:04:49'But big dreams cost, and until now, lack of money has held them back.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52'But that could be about to change.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57'They've applied for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund for £400,000,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00'designed to regenerate local communities.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04'Today they will find out if they've been successful.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06'Everything hinges on one phone call.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11'It's a big moment for Roy, Alan and a dedicated group of local volunteers,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'including local barmaid Kate Gallaghan.'
0:05:14 > 0:05:19It's a shame that such a beautiful building isn't utilised. It'd be great to give it a new life.
0:05:19 > 0:05:26'If the bid is successful, Alan's vision of displaying his collection of local heritage will come true.'
0:05:26 > 0:05:29It's good for the community. I'm sure it is.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35'And Roy's dream of putting the life back into Caistor might just become a reality.'
0:05:36 > 0:05:41I'm excited, really. Hoping that we've been successful in our bid.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44'Although Roy moved away from Caistor,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48'he returned with his wife and fellow volunteer Carol nearly 18 years ago
0:05:48 > 0:05:52'and found his childhood home on its knees.'
0:05:53 > 0:05:56We moved back here about '93
0:05:56 > 0:06:01and he couldn't believe what the little village was like, so run down,
0:06:01 > 0:06:06and he just said to me, "I've got to start and put something back"
0:06:06 > 0:06:08and he's been working at it ever since.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Great.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16'They all know that if the next phone call is positive,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20'it could change their lives and the future of Caistor forever.'
0:06:20 > 0:06:23"I'm ringing to tell you that it is good news."
0:06:23 > 0:06:27THEY CHEER
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Quite emotional.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40You know, I like to see people winning.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45And then tears start running down my face. I'm just that sort of person.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48'Roy and Carol live in the heart of Caistor.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53'They both know just how important it will be to get this project right.'
0:06:54 > 0:07:00Caistor is a place that has a very vibrant community spirit.
0:07:00 > 0:07:07And this project is going to emphasise that community spirit and make it even greater.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I'll hit you round the head with my leek.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14'Roy's in charge of the project, but Carol will never be far from his side.'
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Roy is the sort of person you cannot argue with
0:07:17 > 0:07:22because he remains very, very calm, which makes you even more frustrated,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26and I've had to really learn to deal with that. Give us a kiss.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- SHE LAUGHS - Brilliant.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34'Roy hopes that his dream for a heritage centre will bring the community together.'
0:07:35 > 0:07:41Yes, that's an interesting photograph. We think that's the Golden Jubilee or something.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46It just gives an example of what can happen in a place like Caistor,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50where people get together on a regular basis and enjoy themselves.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53That's sort of disappeared over the years
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and certainly as the town deteriorated,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00that sort of community spirit deteriorated, as well, and disappeared.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02'Roy and Carol won't be alone.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07'One of the terms of the grant means they must employ a full-time business mentor
0:08:07 > 0:08:11'who will move to Caistor for one year to help get the project off the ground.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'And that comes in the form of 28-year-old Charlotte Hastings,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22'a marketing manager for London Fashion Week.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25'But she's ready to put fashion behind her.'
0:08:25 > 0:08:29I found myself becoming a bit mean and a bit short.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33I needed something with real substance.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35# Suddenly I see
0:08:35 > 0:08:37# This is what I want to be
0:08:37 > 0:08:43'So she's trading in her London life and will be paid to work in Caistor for one year.'
0:08:43 > 0:08:47This project is definitely about putting Caistor on the map in a big way.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51It's a massive advantage to have someone who brings fresh eyes to it,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54who gets how things work nationally and globally
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and says, "I need a reason to go to Caistor."
0:08:58 > 0:09:03'With only a year to complete the project, Charlotte will be working on London time.'
0:09:03 > 0:09:07I know that my kind of whirlwind, blitz approach
0:09:07 > 0:09:09might rub a few people up the wrong way,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13but I see it as the only way that this is going to happen in the timeline.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25'Charlotte might well be in for a culture shock when she first arrives in the square.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:30It's actually got masses of potential. It's got a really pretty town centre.
0:09:30 > 0:09:37But there's nothing really that would make somebody want to be here
0:09:37 > 0:09:41and spend £200,000 on that really very pretty four-bedroom house,
0:09:41 > 0:09:46because there's not a heart, there's not a centre, there's not somewhere for everyone to go and meet
0:09:46 > 0:09:48and feel like they belong here.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54'Just off the square sits the building Caistor hopes will answer their prayers.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57'Today I'm meeting Roy and one of his early recruits, Kate.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59'They're going to show me around the chapel.'
0:09:59 > 0:10:05- Hello!- Hello there.- Hi. Sarah. - Hi there.- Nice to meet you.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- And this is the amazing building. - It is. Fantastic, isn't it? - It's in great condition
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- from the outside. - It is. I'm amazed how well it's survived over the years.- Yeah.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Goodness, look at this!
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- It's big, isn't it?- Massive.
0:10:32 > 0:10:38'Build in 1867, the chapel stopped being used as a place of worship in the 60s.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41'Kate remembers it when it was a youth club a few years ago.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:47It used to be... In there was a kitchen and we have a counter and it was more like a reception area.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53It is going to be a multi-use space in here which can be transformed depending on what event we have.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- So people might be able to rent it or they could hold clubs in here. - Definitely.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00And then this huge room next door. This is wonderful!
0:11:00 > 0:11:06This was the main auditorium for the Methodists when they were coming to chapel.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09And it's a big space, much bigger than I realised.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15It seems rather a terrible shame that a building like this has been left empty for two years.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18'A new government initiative is making it possible for the chapel,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22'that's owned by the council, to be leased by the community.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'One condition of that lease is that they re-house the local library.'
0:11:25 > 0:11:28As you can see, we've had it stripped out.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Right. - All we found was a bit of woodworm, I think, in one or two places,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35and that's already been treated. We've done that already.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40It looks really sound, the building, which is great. It's just the interior.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Considering how old it is, it's survived very well.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48'The plan is to completely change the interior.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52'With libraries all over the country under threat of closure,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54'this is a timely project.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58'As well as being a home to Caistor's 2,000 books,
0:11:58 > 0:12:04'the centre will also fulfil Alan's dream of showcasing 10,000 years of local history.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10'Beyond the library, at the front of the building, the floor will be dug out
0:12:10 > 0:12:13'and a modern cafe will be the hub of the chapel.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17'The cafe's profits will fund the project,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19'so it needs to be a successful business
0:12:19 > 0:12:24'and become a major meeting spot for the locals of Caistor and for visitors.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32'Getting the balance right between arts, heritage and profit is essential.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37'It's an ambitious plan and much of its success lies on Charlotte's shoulders.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45'Today Charlotte is leaving London to live and work in the countryside for one year.
0:12:46 > 0:12:53It's a really happy community I'm going to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to it.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55# Little village, baby
0:12:55 > 0:12:59# Ain't large enough to be a town
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Oh, gosh.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05# From a little village, baby
0:13:07 > 0:13:10# Ain't large enough to be a town
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'Charlotte's new home is a flat above the local infant school.'
0:13:13 > 0:13:15# Got to get away from the city
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Oh, my gosh!
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Oh, I'm going to cry!
0:13:24 > 0:13:27"Welcome to our school."
0:13:29 > 0:13:35'On arrival, Charlotte's greeted by Kate and six burly Caistor men.'
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- Oh, my gosh!- 'It's a far cry from London, where she doesn't even know her neighbours.'
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There's, like, strapping, handsome young men
0:13:45 > 0:13:50who form a chain and everything's up here within, like, ten minutes.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54I really feel welcomed.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00There are lots of chairs.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04Well, that's cos I'm expecting lots of people.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It's always a big deal when we've got a new younger person here.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11I've no doubt that Charlotte's going to fit in amazingly.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15I think she'll bring a bit of city life to Caistor,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19but Caistor will bring a lot of country life to Charlotte, as well.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24'Charlotte's new back yard is part of the Viking Way,
0:14:24 > 0:14:28'one of England's most famous walking routes.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34'For someone who's used to working in London's busy fashion scene, Charlotte is a long way from home.'
0:14:34 > 0:14:37And this is the Viking Walkway, isn't it, up here?
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Yep, this is known as the Viking Walkway, which goes all the way to the coast.- Goodness.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Incredibly beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah, it's stunning.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51It's a big move considering... Most people would make this kind of move when they got married and had kids,
0:14:51 > 0:14:56but to move here as a single girl is quite a brave thing to do.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00What is it that lit the flame and made you think, "Yeah, I'll do that"?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I spent six years working in fashion and luxury
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and I was just fed up of money being the thing that mattered
0:15:06 > 0:15:10and wanted to have something where I felt like I'd be proud to tell people I was doing it
0:15:10 > 0:15:14and that I could look in the mirror and be pleased with how I'm spending my time.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- What is your vision of the project? - It's converting this chapel into a space that will be the library,
0:15:19 > 0:15:24a cafe and workshop space, a place that will offer something for everyone in the community.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27At the moment, in town, we've got a fish and chips place,
0:15:27 > 0:15:33a pizza shop, but there's a huge demographic here of mums and children and families
0:15:33 > 0:15:36and I'm sure that the audience is there for really good, healthy food
0:15:36 > 0:15:39and amazing coffee, if I have my way.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44If not, I might pack my case and head back to London. SHE LAUGHS
0:15:51 > 0:15:53'It's day one of Charlotte's new job.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'Instead of a busy London commute, it's just a stroll to work.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02'But Caistor centre is not quite the village paradise she had in mind.'
0:16:02 > 0:16:06It's a great square. It should be thriving with loads going on
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and lots of people around and lots of fun things.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It's a place that people just go through.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15It just feels like a car park. And as soon as I go to my house
0:16:15 > 0:16:20or out into the hills, then I start to really fall in love with this place.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24But, actually, when I come here, it gets me down.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Charlotte has just one year to help the people of Caistor
0:16:29 > 0:16:33turn Roy's vision of an arts and heritage centre into a profitable business.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38Despite having no experience of village life or voluntary projects,
0:16:38 > 0:16:44she's going to have to find a way of marrying her vision for profitable success
0:16:44 > 0:16:47with the wants and needs of the residents.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52'Her first job is to take over the business plan.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55'It secured the Big Lottery funding
0:16:55 > 0:16:59'and until now has been in the hands of Roy and local business advisor Angela.'
0:16:59 > 0:17:01They've got to see this as a landmark
0:17:01 > 0:17:06that gives people a reason to come here when they would never have thought of it,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10or when they've been before and would never come back, give them a reason to come back.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14'But Charlotte has her own ideas for making the centre a success
0:17:14 > 0:17:17'and using the county library colour scheme isn't one of them.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19'No matter what it says in the plan.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Do we know what constraints we have got with the library?
0:17:22 > 0:17:28From early conversations, they were implying that they had to have these colour things on the carpet.
0:17:28 > 0:17:34I don't want our centre to just feel like a library. I wouldn't want their decor for the whole centre.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39I just thought they looked fab and I was really encouraged that there'll be bringing something in
0:17:39 > 0:17:45- that does look modern and fresh. - It feels like any council office you go into, just off the peg.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Yeah. To me, the way the library looks is so modern and fresh.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55At the end of the day, we want something that works and look appropriate.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00I hope it comes quite naturally and is what we want, a really superb centre.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Everyone sees this centre differently.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06I just know that we're going to have battles every step of the way! SHE LAUGHS
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Hm.- This is why I need to know who can make the decisions,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13and I'd quite like it to be me. SHE LAUGHS
0:18:13 > 0:18:18We need someone like Charlotte that's got definite views
0:18:18 > 0:18:20and good ideas.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25She's full of enthusiasm, which is what we were really looking for.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30I don't know what we'd be doing without her if we didn't have her.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Charlotte, bless her, is full of ideas and I think she'll bring a lot to the table,
0:18:34 > 0:18:39but I think she'll learn a lot, as well, probably not least the fact that when you deal with community,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43you do have to listen and take other people's ideas on board.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52'Today Roy, Charlotte and the first recruits are organising a big volunteer drive,
0:18:52 > 0:18:57'an open day to showcase what they hope will be on offer in the new arts and heritage centre.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'They want to keep the locals updated on plans and get some feedback.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11'Charlotte's main focus is proving that Caistor has a thirst for cappuccinos.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16'Kate is learning the ropes on the coffee machine as a trainee barista.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21'Parents will be asked to vote for instant coffee or cappuccinos using their empty cups.'
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- Hello!- Hi!- How's it going?
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I think five cappuccinos, please.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33How far do you have to go at the moment to get a decent coffee?
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Market Rasen would be the nearest place, and that's nine miles away.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- So this is going to be revolutionising Caistor.- Absolutely.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44And I think it's really important that we do distinguish ourselves
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and we do get good at this and we do make great coffee.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51'Nine miles is a long way to drive for a decent coffee.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53'Seems to me like there's a ready-made market.'
0:19:53 > 0:19:58We go to Grimsby, Lincoln, Brigg, so we travel quite a way
0:19:58 > 0:20:02for a girls' get-together when we don't have the children with us, which is lovely.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- Are you going to be active users of the centre?- Yes. I think so. - We would be active users.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- Active coffee drinkers! - Yeah, ladies what lunch, definitely!
0:20:13 > 0:20:18'It looks like, for today at least, the cappuccinos have it.'
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- The point was, you had to vote with your cup.- It's empty.- Exactly!
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- No-one wants instant coffee. - OK.- That was the objective.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30Let the coffee go through for about 25, 26 seconds.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32'The centre will rely on volunteers to run it.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36'Today Carol's persuaded ten people to sign up.'
0:20:38 > 0:20:42I've spoken to another three or four people who I didn't even know.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48No, it's been really good talking to loads of people that haven't known anything about it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It's been really intensive, telling people what we're doing.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54If people have bite-size, fun ways to get involved and get stuck in,
0:20:54 > 0:20:59look at Kate on the coffee machine, she's loved it, she's learned something new and it's fun!
0:20:59 > 0:21:02If we can make volunteering like that, fantastic.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07What you need for that to happen is plenty of people coming through the door, plenty of things to do
0:21:07 > 0:21:11and to be giving people opportunities to grow and learn and we should be doing that.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17'But for Alan Dennis, there's a bigger priority. Once head teacher of this school,
0:21:17 > 0:21:22'he hopes the centre will be a museum where he can teach Caistor's Roman heritage.'
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Hello! - Hello, I'm Sarah! Nice to meet you!
0:21:25 > 0:21:29So, you know, showing the children that. Do you know what it is?
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- Erm...- It's a pilgrim's little vase for collecting holy water.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- Oh, my goodness!- Yeah. So did he come to a spring here,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42or she come to a spring here, to collect the water and lose that?
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- So how old is this? - About 700 years old.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48That's 700 years old and, what, is in someone's shed?
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- We found it in the grammar school, in the grounds. - Just in the floor?- Yeah.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58Wouldn't it be fantastic to put all of this together so that people know what it is
0:21:58 > 0:22:04- and feel... - Just to be able to be aware.- Yeah.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12'There's no doubt Alan's emphasis on history is important.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15'Although Caistor has some remains of a Roman wall,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19'many of its valuable object have been shut away in garden sheds and garages.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29'Not for long. It's Tuesday morning in Caistor
0:22:29 > 0:22:33'and Alan's giving a history lecture to a group of locals.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:37They say it was the house for Caistor people.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- 'And he never passes up the chance to find more artefacts.' - APPLAUSE
0:22:45 > 0:22:48If you do hear of people who've got things, anything,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52even if we can just photograph it and be aware of it, then we'd be grateful.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Well, my dream's always been to have a heritage centre,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and this project has given us that opportunity,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05so when Big gave us the money, I couldn't believe it. I was speechless.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07My wife said it's the first time I've ever cried.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So, you know, that shows what it means to me.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18'Today, ex-head teacher Alan has invited the committee to hear his ideas for the centre.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22'It doesn't come without a history lesson.'
0:23:22 > 0:23:26I believe in the Anglo-Saxon time, they probably lived in the fort area.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33'He spent months taking photographs of the many objects he has unearthed for display.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:39For schools, it's living conditions, the law, the agriculture, the religion of the time.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42I'll share what I've been doing on that later on.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46There was a mint. There was a siege here.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50'But after an hour-long, detailed slideshow,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54'it's clear not everyone shares his passion for local history.'
0:23:54 > 0:23:56The centre will have to be enterprising
0:23:56 > 0:23:59and has to sustain itself into the future,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03so all of this needs to come from a point of, "What's going to draw people in
0:24:03 > 0:24:07"and what's going to be commercially viable about this part of the centre?"
0:24:08 > 0:24:13What's really good is, round that table, we had the people who are passionate about history,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18they will be the people that dig deep, but they're also the ones who put together the displays
0:24:18 > 0:24:21and the books and the leaflets that I go... SHE BLOWS RASPBERRY
0:24:21 > 0:24:24..and put them in the bin and am not at all interested in.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29And the benefit of having me is that there's no way I'm going to let stuff like that into the centre.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'Charlotte's feelings haven't gone unnoticed.'
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Because it's heritage and arts, those two really have got to stand out.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Cos when people walk in, that's what they'll expect.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45They'll think the cafe's nice and we hope that's going to be the fundraiser.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47A lot of people will make use of the library.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50But a lot know that it's the heritage they want to see.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Now, I may be proved totally wrong,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57but it's a great concern for me, that with the amount of work and the effort that's gone in,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01that we could actually be watering down what it's supposed to be.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06'Everything hinges on how the space is divided.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Morning.- Good morning!
0:25:13 > 0:25:16'They have nine months to renovate and plan to open next April,
0:25:16 > 0:25:21'so today they're meeting with their architect to find out exactly how much space
0:25:21 > 0:25:24'the library, cafe and heritage sections will have.'
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Put these on the counter here.
0:25:27 > 0:25:34'But as the meeting progresses, Alan's concerned that the cafe is taking up valuable heritage space.'
0:25:34 > 0:25:38My understanding was that the heritage would be in lots of parts of the whole centre.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I've listened to this discussion about this.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45And to me, that's a fortune, where it could be simpler
0:25:45 > 0:25:48to still provide refreshments
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and put some of that money into heritage, et cetera.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56And we've not had the discussion of what gives in this building. And nothing is giving yet.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00We are looking, and the library has given a considerable amount,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04so we're going from having all this shelving to looking at this
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and what we need to do is look at how the heritage slots in.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12'Alan's worst fears have been realised.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16'It's clear the centre will have little room for heritage.'
0:26:17 > 0:26:18CHURCH BELL CHIMES
0:26:23 > 0:26:26'With designs agreed, the builders can move onto site.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30'But Alan's still not happy about the decision-making process.'
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I think we should've been encouraged
0:26:35 > 0:26:39to look at our organisation, our management,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42before we actually had the money.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46We have. I've had my hand-over with Angela, where I look at the management structure.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50We've looked at it and we're doing it. We couldn't do it faster or sooner, Alan.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54- I think some of the basics we could've done.- Maybe.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56There's just that worry
0:26:56 > 0:27:00that did you understand, you know, erm...
0:27:00 > 0:27:05And do you not have any trust or faith in me, Alan? If I don't understand this, fire me now,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09because I don't want to be here if my director's thinking, "Does she understand?"
0:27:09 > 0:27:13And I am a bit like a bull in a china shop and I'm really impatient...
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- I hadn't noticed! - HE LAUGHS
0:27:15 > 0:27:19But it's the flip side and I think it's really difficult
0:27:19 > 0:27:22when it comes across as a criticism that I'm pushy and forthright,
0:27:22 > 0:27:27but equally, that's why it's an advantage because it's how it's going to happen.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32'Alan's finding it too difficult to work with Charlotte
0:27:32 > 0:27:35'and has decided to leave the project for good.'
0:27:37 > 0:27:42I find Charlotte very forceful at times and very blunt about some of the things.
0:27:42 > 0:27:49I think, erm, sometimes maybe inexperienced
0:27:49 > 0:27:52in how we put things over.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56So I just decided to step back.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02'But Charlotte's left questioning her business-like approach
0:28:02 > 0:28:05'and if it's working for the people of Caistor.'
0:28:05 > 0:28:08I'm really struggling with the Alan issue.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I suppose what's really upset me is
0:28:10 > 0:28:14feeling like there's this perception he has of me
0:28:14 > 0:28:19as this really pushy...obnoxious,
0:28:19 > 0:28:24forceful person, and it's not how I am.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Maybe it is how I am. Anyway, I think I just need to take a bit of time
0:28:28 > 0:28:33and think about how I can change my behaviour
0:28:33 > 0:28:37and just be a bit less of a bull in a china shop.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42'With the heaviest snowfall in years,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45'Caistor is cut off from the rest of the country.'
0:28:47 > 0:28:53"As the snow continues to fall across Lincolnshire, the 57 between Caistor high street..."
0:28:53 > 0:28:58"..largely inaccessible after several feet of snow made it impossible for traffic to get in and around."
0:29:03 > 0:29:06'Despite the bad weather, building work has progressed.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14'The existing height of the interior has doubled at the front
0:29:14 > 0:29:17'and the original street-level entrance is now open.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24'Today is the first time Roy will see the doors open in 40 years.'
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- Hiya!- Hiya!- You been inside yet?
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- No, not yet. - Oh, good to see you.- And you.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- Oh, my gosh, Roy, this is amazing! - Great! Look at the height!
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Oh! It's going to be expensive to heat.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44I just can't believe they've ripped out the entire floor,
0:29:44 > 0:29:46we've got a door.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49It's going to be a really awesome space.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51I love it.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57'Working in fashion, Charlotte's used to tight deadlines and Caistor is no exception.'
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- Where are the cupboards going to be? - 'She's checking up on the builders daily
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- 'to ensure the renovation runs on time.'- OK.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11'In the square, the community is gathering to see the Christmas lights switched on.'
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- Can you all ring the bells? - THEY RING BELLS
0:30:15 > 0:30:18ALL: Five! Four! Three!
0:30:18 > 0:30:20ALL: Two! One!
0:30:21 > 0:30:24CHEERING
0:30:24 > 0:30:30'Whilst everyone else enjoys the festivities, Charlotte wants to recruit volunteers for the centre
0:30:30 > 0:30:34'which will only stay open if people step forward and offer their free time.'
0:30:34 > 0:30:39- We need to hand out some leaflets, but they're in the pub. - That's a good place!
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I think that might be the best place. We should join the leaflets.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- Can I butt in a sec?- Yeah.- I'm working on the project down the hill
0:30:47 > 0:30:51and I'm using today as an opportunity to tell people about it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54'She hopes to spread the message that the centre is for everyone
0:30:54 > 0:30:57'and by volunteering, they can make it their own.'
0:30:57 > 0:31:02I feel really proud of Caistor, but I think it could be better.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06We've lived in Caistor a long time and now it's completely reinvigorated.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11We've got this wonderful centre and it's going to be the life and soul of Caistor, I think.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Can I give you one of my lovely leaflets?
0:31:14 > 0:31:17It'll be nice to have a central point
0:31:17 > 0:31:20where we can go and say, "This is our meeting tonight"
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and it'll bring a lot of communities together.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I love these days when you actually get out into the community
0:31:27 > 0:31:30and start talking to people and you realise that it is so needed.
0:31:30 > 0:31:37'The hope is that now the people will keep their promise of volunteering in the new year.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48'The building is progressing at break-neck speed and it's now just four months until launch day.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50'Once open, Charlotte will be leaving her job
0:31:50 > 0:31:53'and the community will run the business themselves.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56'Recruiting volunteers has never been more important.
0:31:58 > 0:32:04'Roy's wife Carol has recently retired and is now keen to dedicate her time to volunteering.'
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Oh, my gosh! It's amazing! We've got heating!
0:32:09 > 0:32:14- Doesn't it look different?- My gosh, this is going to be our library.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- It's bigger than I thought it would be.- Yes, it is.
0:32:17 > 0:32:24We are saving the Great British library. We're creating this amazing space that everyone will use
0:32:24 > 0:32:26and that they'll love. It's just brilliant.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Yeah, there's plenty of space, Roy.
0:32:29 > 0:32:34'With the centre opening in just four months, Charlotte's keen for Carol to focus on the cafe.'
0:32:34 > 0:32:38So the kitchen's going to be here to about there, OK?
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- That's fantastic.- What do you think? You like the space?- Yeah.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45- It's actually going to be quite cosy, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:32:45 > 0:32:50So, Carol, how do you feel about the idea of working a couple more days a week on this project?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I'm used to organising.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57I feel like the cafe's something you feel really strongly about, how everything can be done
0:32:57 > 0:33:02and that you'd like to put your stamp on it. It would be great if you're willing to take that on.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- Yeah.- So that's a yes, then?- That's a yes, then. Yeah, that's a yes.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- SHE LAUGHS - Good.- Do you think I'll be here serving?
0:33:10 > 0:33:14- Come on, give us your money. - SHE LAUGHS Face your public!
0:33:14 > 0:33:16I've never run a cafe before at all.
0:33:16 > 0:33:22Erm, experience is what I want to get from a cafe myself.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27I want it to be somewhere for local people to come and meet their friends and have a coffee
0:33:27 > 0:33:30or even sit down and read your book,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34have a really nice coffee and a piece of cake. How great would that be?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37'For Charlotte, letting go of the cafe
0:33:37 > 0:33:41'and handing over to the locals is a double-edged sword.'
0:33:41 > 0:33:44It's been my baby for a long time and now I've got to start handing it over
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and letting other people take the helm in certain areas.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50I'm really struggling to do that with the cafe.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55Charlotte brings much passion to this project and it's fantastic
0:33:55 > 0:33:58but I have to keep telling her it's not London.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06'A fantastic-looking cafe will be nothing without a menu to match.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11'Luckily, Lincolnshire is a jewel in the crown of the United Kingdom's food industry.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16'It makes more home-grown produce than any other county in England
0:34:16 > 0:34:20'and is famous worldwide for its Lincolnshire sausages.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22'At the turn of the century,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26'Caistor was the centre of food trade for miles around.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30'Its markets were the leaders in all basic food goods.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35'But nowadays, locals have to go a bit further afield.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41'So today, Carol, Charlotte, Kate and a new recruit, local artist Cherry,
0:34:41 > 0:34:44'are on a mission to search for food.'
0:34:46 > 0:34:49We've been talking a lot about the vision of the cafe
0:34:49 > 0:34:52and that we know we want it to be local and great quality,
0:34:52 > 0:34:57and now is our opportunity to start exploring what supplies we should work with
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and seeing the reality start to come together.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08'It's a chance for the girls to indulge their taste buds in the name of business.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12'From locally-sourced coffee
0:35:12 > 0:35:14'to pricey chocolates.'
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- Smooth.- This is mine. - THEY LAUGH
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'The team have also found locally-produced cheese
0:35:23 > 0:35:25'which they hope to use in their ploughman's.'
0:35:25 > 0:35:28There are two ages of cheese here.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- This one is a more mature cheese. - That's lovely.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Is it a premium-priced product? - It is.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Wholesale price, we're looking at £10.50 a kilo.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41'With everything handmade and locally sourced,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45'Carol's concerned only tourists will be able to afford it.'
0:35:45 > 0:35:50If we can give the local people a reasonably-priced, excellent coffee,
0:35:50 > 0:35:56then we can use those wonderful products that we've just seen
0:35:56 > 0:35:59in a more premium price for a visitor.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04- Yeah.- You know, when we have visitors coming to us from all over, really.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08You get excited about going for lunch, and you're not a visitor, you're a local.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14You have got a thriving local business that's saying it costs that because of the quality of the product
0:36:14 > 0:36:20and that people will pay it and people do want it and that is the market we need to be in.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22# It's not about the money, money, money
0:36:22 > 0:36:25'It's three weeks away from build completion
0:36:25 > 0:36:28'and today there's a lot happening on site,
0:36:28 > 0:36:32'including fitting all the window frames, glass skylight and staircase.'
0:36:32 > 0:36:36# Ch-ching, ch-ching, ain't about the...
0:36:36 > 0:36:41I'm interested to see how all the different services will work in the space that they've got,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45but more importantly, how their business model will fit
0:36:45 > 0:36:48with the people of Caistor and their pockets.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51This is all looking absolutely fantastic!
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- Oh, my gosh!- Beautiful stairs!
0:36:56 > 0:37:01'At the top of the stairs, the middle of the building has been reserved for the new library.'
0:37:01 > 0:37:05You can just see! You can feel how everyone's going to move through the building.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08It's a really good space for a library.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12This is a really interesting way to evolve a library
0:37:12 > 0:37:16because libraries are on the decline and this is a fantastic way
0:37:16 > 0:37:19to have a modern interpretation of a library.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22We hope it might be a bit of a unique selling point for the centre.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26'Despite Roy originally wanting a museum,
0:37:26 > 0:37:31'due to the cafe expansion, the history will just be focused onto one display wall.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36'There's no doubt that most focus is on the cafe,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39'which must make enough profit to fund the centre.'
0:37:39 > 0:37:43Roy, it was your baby, this vision, really.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48Are you nervous about this coming to a head, all of it? Is that scary?
0:37:48 > 0:37:54It is scary, in a way. At one time, I was waking up in the middle of the night and making lists,
0:37:54 > 0:38:00but you bear in mind the footfall that the library brings and the various visitors to the town...
0:38:00 > 0:38:05But it's getting them on board and, quite frankly, if they don't use it, we will have a problem.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12'With opening day five weeks away, Charlotte's keen to see Carol's first draft of the menu.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'She's been busy planning it with local caterer Becky Miller,
0:38:15 > 0:38:20'who will take on the paid role of cafe manager when the centre opens.'
0:38:20 > 0:38:25- This is really the only place to eat at the moment in Caistor, isn't it, the pub?- Yeah.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- Have you all eaten in here? - Yes.- Regularly!
0:38:29 > 0:38:34- This, and then there's a Chinese and a chippy.- The pub are providing restaurant-type meals
0:38:34 > 0:38:38and ours is not that, it's a snack.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41- We want it to be affordable. - So more cafe food.- Yeah.
0:38:41 > 0:38:47I mean, this is the first page, so we've got things like pancakes, omelettes.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49It looks absolutely delicious.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52It seems quite cheap, I have to say.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56- I like the Plough Hill Ploughman's. - Yes, the Plough Hill Ploughman's,
0:38:56 > 0:39:00On Plough Hill, of course. So that's £6.45 for a ploughman's.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I'd imagine that being £8.95
0:39:03 > 0:39:06and also, for me, if you look at visitors' centres,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10you've got prices of £3, £3.50 for slices of cake,
0:39:10 > 0:39:14you've got your mains at, kind of, £10, £12.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17And this is where we absolutely need something for the local market,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20but our loss-leaders are our library and our workshops.
0:39:20 > 0:39:27I think there's also that you need to recognise, that whilst the building is lovely at the moment,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31the reality of a business like this is it needs to squirrel some away
0:39:31 > 0:39:34to stand a chance of being here in ten years.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37I'm a bit concerned that Carol's pricing is too low.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40You've got to give customers value for money,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42but you've also got to cover your costs.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45The standard mark-up for cafe food is 400 percent,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49which allows you to cover staffing costs and to make a small profit.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- 'Caistor's cafe will be mainly staffed by volunteers.'- Hi there!
0:39:57 > 0:40:01'It will need to take £300 a day to break even.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05'Today the team are taking a look at the Pink Pig Farm,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09'a rural shop and cafe in nearby Scunthorpe.'
0:40:09 > 0:40:11- Hello, Becky. How do you do?- Hi.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18'They're hoping Manager Sally can shed some light on the reality of running a cafe.'
0:40:18 > 0:40:24- So, cake dividers, fantastic. Bang it on the top and everyone knows where to cut.- Right.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27The difference between a cake portioned into 16
0:40:27 > 0:40:30- and a cake portioned into 12 is your profit.- Yes.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Pricing is a really big issue for us,
0:40:33 > 0:40:39and this is where we'd love a local Lincolnshire business to advise us on margins and price points.
0:40:39 > 0:40:46If you're going to provide good quality food, you cannot compete with a cafe down the road.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52Your proper coffee and proper milk is not going to be the same as a cappuccino out of a machine
0:40:52 > 0:40:55where they press a button and it produces a, sort of, frothy stuff.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58'After hearing all they need to hear,
0:40:58 > 0:41:04'Charlotte hopes Carol and Becky are now more comfortable with pricing their food a bit higher.'
0:41:04 > 0:41:09We've got to be careful, we've said we think we're going to get support from the local people in Caistor
0:41:09 > 0:41:11so we need to not cut them out of the market.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15- You're looking at a multiple of four on your pricing.- Yeah.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19- You think?- A 400 percent margin is what we're looking at to make this work.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23But I hope that the people who get involved with the cafe understand,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26when you talk about 400 percent that that's not 400 percent profit.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30What do you say when someone says, "Gosh, that's a bit steep"?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33You say, "When you're working out your prices, you have to bear in mind
0:41:33 > 0:41:38"about a third is your overheads for staff, about 20 percent is VAT, and that's not..."
0:41:38 > 0:41:42And then you've got a figure for your overheads of the building,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- all the running costs, electricity...- Yes. That's business.
0:41:46 > 0:41:53I'm hoping that Carol is completely happy now, that she could, if someone came into the cafe and said,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57"That's a bit pricey," that she could say, "Well, this is why."
0:41:59 > 0:42:04'As late spring arrives the building gets its finishing touches.'
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Look at it!
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Oh, well done, chaps!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13It's all in.
0:42:13 > 0:42:20Just look at those windows. Look at the street scene. I want to look in the kitchen!
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Gosh, it looks nice.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Oh, that's a good storage cupboard.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32'With opening day in just a week, supplies are arriving
0:42:32 > 0:42:35'and everyone must pull together as they move into the building.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42- 'Everyone is making themselves at home.'- Up here.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44'Well, almost everyone.
0:42:46 > 0:42:53'Today, Caistor's biggest history buff, Alan Dennis, is returning to the arts and heritage centre.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59'Despite the project starting as his dream for a museum,
0:42:59 > 0:43:05'his years of research have been displayed on one timeline,
0:43:05 > 0:43:10'which takes visitors through Caistor's history from 8,000 BC to current day.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16'This is the first time Alan will see the timeline and be reunited with Charlotte.'
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- Hi, Alan.- Hiya.- What do you reckon?
0:43:19 > 0:43:21- Brilliant! It's really great. - Fantastic.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25- Not complete yet, but... - Oh, I thought it was. - THEY LAUGH
0:43:25 > 0:43:30- Even I find it interesting, Alan. - You don't! - THEY LAUGH
0:43:30 > 0:43:33You must be ill.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Do you think it feels like a heritage centre?
0:43:35 > 0:43:38- Do you think we've got enough for it to feel...- It's starting.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41It's going to need a lot of work to go to where I'd like it to be.
0:43:44 > 0:43:50'So to ensure it's the heritage centre he had in mind, Alan is now ready to mark his territory.'
0:43:50 > 0:43:54It seems like today, having not seen Alan for about four months,
0:43:54 > 0:43:58he's happily moving into his new home for the heritage of Caistor.
0:44:00 > 0:44:06And there are little bits and pieces turning up on the window ledges and by the computers.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09I really don't know what they are.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13Anyway, it's nice to see him happy and enjoying himself.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16That sounds really bitchy.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20It wasn't quite the vision I'd got,
0:44:20 > 0:44:23but I've got to say that the timeline is just fantastic,
0:44:23 > 0:44:28the map is startling as you go in. We've got to go from there, and that's what I'm doing today,
0:44:28 > 0:44:34is to see if we can get some more artefacts around and start to make it a heritage centre.
0:44:37 > 0:44:43'In just two days, Team Caistor are planning an opening party to show off the centre to the community.
0:44:43 > 0:44:48'To ensure they're ready, today is the day when Caistor's volunteers will get some training.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54'There's a lot to learn, including mastering the art of making a cappuccino.
0:44:54 > 0:44:59'But numbers are low, and it seems the centre won't be relying on the young to volunteer,
0:44:59 > 0:45:01'just the young at heart.'
0:45:01 > 0:45:03In the Daily Mail today,
0:45:03 > 0:45:09it said, that Duncan Smith said, "A lot of people don't want to retire at 65."
0:45:09 > 0:45:14And I was one of those people, who was forced to retire by the county council.
0:45:14 > 0:45:20And here I am with lots of time on my hands and wanting to do other things.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24And I'm doing this as part of that.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30It'd be nice to see some younger volunteers. They're the ones that haven't turned up today.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33We were hoping for six and we've got three, which is disappointing,
0:45:33 > 0:45:38because this is the main day Steve is here to train everyone on the baristas.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Then give it a tap, that's it.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45I'm trying to figure out all the tea orders. We've got to order 120 pounds minimum
0:45:45 > 0:45:50and I've got to figure out how many bags per pack and packs per... BLOWS RASPBERRY
0:45:52 > 0:45:56'It's Saturday 9th April, and ten months after getting the Big Lottery grant,
0:45:56 > 0:46:01'Roy is hosting a launch party for Caistor's arts and heritage sector.'
0:46:01 > 0:46:04Be careful! Health and safety.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08Today is just a celebration, really, of the project coming to fruition.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11Next week will be our real trial run to see if people part with their cash.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14But today is to acknowledge everyone's hard work.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19'It will be the first time locals feast their eyes on the centre.'
0:46:19 > 0:46:23- We don't want to let anybody in because they'll spoil it. - THEY LAUGH
0:46:25 > 0:46:29'What used to be a disused Methodist chapel
0:46:29 > 0:46:32'is now a beautifully-designed multi-functional space,
0:46:32 > 0:46:35'housing a combination of rural services.
0:46:35 > 0:46:41'Last year, the chapel was a single-level hall, with a few dingily-lit rooms.
0:46:41 > 0:46:46'But now the front section has been lowered to make a bright and airy cafe.
0:46:49 > 0:46:54'The middle of the building has been transformed into a contemporary library.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01'The back was little more than a few dark offices,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05'but now has become a multi-use exhibition space.
0:47:08 > 0:47:12'Large sections have been opened up to reveal a view right through the chapel,
0:47:12 > 0:47:16'and visitors can see Caistor's history strategically-placed throughout.
0:47:23 > 0:47:29'And as Caistor's people arrive, it's clear the building is as impressive as they were hoping for.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33- Wonderful, isn't it, Mary? - Absolutely super.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- It'll be a tremendous focus for Caistor people.- Just, it's awesome.
0:47:36 > 0:47:41I think lots of people will use the library that have never used the library before.
0:47:41 > 0:47:46- And lots of people will use the cafe, cos it's desperately needed. - It's brought life into the village.
0:47:46 > 0:47:53'With the centre filling up, it's a moment that a proud and nervous Roy has dreamed of for years.'
0:47:56 > 0:48:02Good morning everyone. It's my privilege and pleasure to give you a very warm welcome
0:48:02 > 0:48:08- to the official opening of 28 Plough Hill. - APPLAUSE
0:48:08 > 0:48:12'Even the local councillor is keen to express his thanks to the community.'
0:48:12 > 0:48:16I have to say, this is one of those projects where most of the thanks,
0:48:16 > 0:48:19most of the applause, should go to you yourselves.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23- 'And to their business mentor, Charlotte.'- I think this has been a great community effort.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27- Charlotte is probably the most attractive bully I've ever met. - LAUGHTER
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Roy, I can't say the same about you. Well done, everybody.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33APPLAUSE
0:48:37 > 0:48:39CHATTER AND LAUGHTER
0:48:39 > 0:48:44'Outside, everyone is discussing the speeches, and not least Charlotte's new nickname.'
0:48:44 > 0:48:49You are a bully. But you cracked the whip for everybody.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Absolutely. And that's what's going to happen.
0:48:52 > 0:48:56There's been loads of disagreements and loads of things that...
0:48:56 > 0:49:01And it actually upsets me being called a bully, cos I don't think that's close to what I've been.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05I've been persistent and I've fought every step of the way.
0:49:05 > 0:49:10You needed to bully people to get us to all move forward and get things done in the right time frame.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13You have done your job.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17I know I've done my job, I just don't like being called a bully, that's all.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21I feel I've been really professional and gone the extra mile to make it happen.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25- It wasn't said with malice. - I would like to say thank you.
0:49:28 > 0:49:33Thank you so much for all you've done for us. Really, thank you.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38THEY LAUGH
0:49:38 > 0:49:40THEY CHEER
0:49:44 > 0:49:48'After the excitement of launch day, it's now down to business.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52'The next few weeks for Roy, Carol and Caistor will be critical.
0:49:59 > 0:50:04'If the centre is going to have a future, the cafe must take £300 a day.'
0:50:08 > 0:50:10- TILL DINGS - Thank you very much.
0:50:12 > 0:50:19'With Charlotte's time coming to an end, the cafe's profit and loss are now Carol's responsibility.'
0:50:19 > 0:50:24- So today we've done just over 250. - Yeah.- Which is good.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28- About average.- A bit disappointing because it felt busy at lunchtime.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31- So, average sale £5.72. - And two items.
0:50:31 > 0:50:35I mean, I've certainly... Nobody has commented to me,
0:50:35 > 0:50:38- "Ooh, that seems expensive?"- Mm.
0:50:38 > 0:50:44Which is good, cos I know we were both worried that we wanted to get the pricing right.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48- There's one couple that, I think they've been in every day. - Really?- For rocky road.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52They say, every day they come in for their cup of tea and their rocky road in the afternoon.
0:50:52 > 0:50:57They've had lunches, breakfasts. It's nice that we're getting people coming back already.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00- Fantastic.- So...- That's good.- Yeah.
0:51:00 > 0:51:05'It's a good start and the locals are clearly embracing their community cafe.'
0:51:05 > 0:51:09There's no doubt that Charlotte has delivered a very impressive build.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13But it needs almost 100 percent volunteers to keep it sustainable.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17'So they need all the help they can get.'
0:51:20 > 0:51:26- This is fantastic!- It's all right, isn't it?- So great.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30The number of times I've heard people walk in for the first time and go, "Wow!"
0:51:35 > 0:51:40- So it's all hands on deck? - It's all hands on deck, it's absolutely fantastic.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42- That's great! - We've had, erm, good sales.
0:51:48 > 0:51:52'Over a busy lunchtime, it's great to see the cafe seems to be a hit with the locals.'
0:51:52 > 0:51:55Good service. We want good service.
0:51:55 > 0:51:59- Is this your first day volunteering? - Ooh, yes. - So it's the blind leading the blind.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02- Definitely. - THEY LAUGH
0:52:02 > 0:52:04- What would you like, a cappuccino? - Please.- OK.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07It may be some time. OK.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Ooh!
0:52:10 > 0:52:14- That's it, perfect. Whoa, whoa. - There we are.- Thank you very much.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Thank you very much indeed.
0:52:18 > 0:52:23- Next? I'm loving it. Number 43? - THEY LAUGH
0:52:33 > 0:52:38One year on from the day Caistor got its £400,000 Lottery grant,
0:52:38 > 0:52:41Caistor is saying goodbye to its business mentor.
0:52:43 > 0:52:49'But is Charlotte happy with the cafe pricing, and the business model she is leaving behind?'
0:52:49 > 0:52:53Let's talk about the business. Do you think it's going to cope?
0:52:53 > 0:52:57For me, it's accepting it's not really necessarily going to be run as a business.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59It is going to be run as a community project.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02So you think it will still be here in a year's time?
0:53:02 > 0:53:06Look at the numbers, see how many customers have been through the door and what they bought.
0:53:06 > 0:53:12The coffee is selling. The ploughman's is selling. Yes, they'll have to play with that menu a bit.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14I think it will definitely be here in a year's time.
0:53:14 > 0:53:19It's whether it will be everything it could be in the next year or two.
0:53:19 > 0:53:24Would you do this again? If you got the option to go to Shropshire tomorrow and start all over again?
0:53:24 > 0:53:28To work in an environment where there's that balance, of it being a job,
0:53:28 > 0:53:33but also something where you're surrounded by people who are all really committed to it
0:53:33 > 0:53:38and making something happen because they're passionate about it, that has been such a privilege.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40And once you've had that,
0:53:40 > 0:53:45it will be really hard to go back to an office job, or...
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Goodness knows where I go from here.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51You were described as "an attractive bully",
0:53:51 > 0:53:54do you think that's how you'll be remembered in Caistor?
0:53:54 > 0:53:59Hopefully they'll remember more of the attractive and less of the bully. SHE LAUGHS
0:53:59 > 0:54:03'The responsibility for the centre staying afloat
0:54:03 > 0:54:07'now ultimately rests on the shoulders of its new manager, Roy.'
0:54:07 > 0:54:14This whole project started when you and Alan had this dream for a heritage centre for Caistor.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18- Yeah.- And it's come on an incredibly long journey to get to this point.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21We haven't got quite as much heritage inside the building yet.
0:54:21 > 0:54:26But do you think that what you've ended up with is more diverse?
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Cos if it was just a heritage centre, you'd only have historians,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33but now, you've got people who just happen to like cappuccinos in,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37- and they might find out about the history of Caistor. - You're absolutely right.
0:54:37 > 0:54:44And over the months, I've been converted from a true museum buff if you like,
0:54:44 > 0:54:48into accepting what we've got and realising that this works.
0:54:48 > 0:54:54- Has this grant and this community project put the heart back into Caistor?- Yeah, I think it has.
0:54:54 > 0:54:59Certainly, bringing this building back into use, and it was deteriorating and at some point
0:54:59 > 0:55:03it would've fallen down, and people are coming, on a regular basis.
0:55:03 > 0:55:09- So, in 50 years' time, people will know about the history of Caistor, because of you.- Because of us, yeah.
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Yep. That's great. Couldn't be better.
0:55:13 > 0:55:18'With everything packed, it's time for Charlotte to finally leave behind her life in Caistor.'
0:55:18 > 0:55:21CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:55:21 > 0:55:25'It's clear she's left her mark on this rural community.'
0:55:25 > 0:55:29- This is you on the road.- Oh, Cherry!
0:55:29 > 0:55:32That's amazing! Thank you!
0:55:32 > 0:55:37- I hope this is a really good memory for you to keep.- Oh, my goodness!
0:55:37 > 0:55:42- You can't buy that.- You certainly can't.- Worth a million.- Mm.
0:55:42 > 0:55:47I just wanted to say, "Dear Caistor, thank you for giving me the biggest challenge
0:55:47 > 0:55:53"and the most fantastic opportunity of my life so far, and..." Actually I don't know if I can.
0:55:53 > 0:55:59SHE WEEPS It's been incredible. And Roy, you've been the best boss.
0:55:59 > 0:56:06"Thank you for giving me the biggest challenge and most fantastic opportunity of my life so far.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10- "It's been a privilege. Thank you." - It really has.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13APPLAUSE
0:56:13 > 0:56:16CORK POPS / THEY CHEER
0:56:18 > 0:56:21- Bye, everyone.- ALL: Bye! - Are you staying, Sarah?
0:56:21 > 0:56:26- I'm taking over now, I'm the new centre manager.- Well done, Roy, you talked her into it!
0:56:26 > 0:56:29- SARAH LAUGHS - Bye!
0:56:34 > 0:56:40Today this arts and heritage centre looks great, and Caistor certainly has got its beating heart.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45'The passion of these villagers has driven turning this once-crumbling chapel
0:56:45 > 0:56:52'into a thriving cafe, with a library that has gained more than 150 new members since opening.
0:56:52 > 0:56:58'The space is drawing in the whole community to enjoy these wonderful new facilities.'
0:56:58 > 0:57:01But the root of most of the dilemmas over the last 12 months
0:57:01 > 0:57:06has been the balance between local desire and cold, hard business.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10If this place is going to continue to grow to be the vibrant,
0:57:10 > 0:57:15cultural hub of this market town, it has to make a profit.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18The next year is going to be just as hard as the last.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20But if they get it right,
0:57:20 > 0:57:25the locals may never have to leave Caistor for a cappuccino again.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30'If you've been inspired to create a community project in your area,
0:57:30 > 0:57:33'and want to find out about the grants available,
0:57:33 > 0:57:35'and how to apply, or if you want an update
0:57:35 > 0:57:41'on the Caistor arts and heritage centre, go to:
0:57:45 > 0:57:48'When the village of Myddfai has to demolish its past
0:57:48 > 0:57:50'to secure its future...'
0:57:50 > 0:57:54This is a village that needs to keep its traditions, isn't it?
0:57:54 > 0:57:58It's over to you guys whether it's a success or not in the long term.
0:57:58 > 0:58:03'..can a traditional community come to terms with change? Or will it pull them apart?'
0:58:03 > 0:58:06Explain to people. Explain to people what's going on.
0:58:06 > 0:58:11If I've been seen as the representative of change, so be it.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:17 > 0:58:21E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk
0:58:21 > 0:58:21.