Caistor Village SOS


Caistor

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'The British countryside.

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'With green valleys, wild mountains, rolling farmlands and forests,

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'the landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful.

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'Many dream of escaping to the simple country life.

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'But for those who live in rural Britain, it's a different story.'

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Traditional industries are in decline

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and across the land, local shops, pubs and farms,

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the very cornerstone of country life, are closing at an alarming rate.

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It just seems that the heartbeat of our green and pleasant land is fast disappearing.

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This was a really vibrant shopping street

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and now we've got one pub left and that's it.

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You need to keep these places safe and secure for our children to come and enjoy.

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'The one thing the countryside has going for it is the people who call it home.'

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But what if locals were able to take matters into their own hands?

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What if groups of volunteers were given a load of money

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to turn their dreams into realities and put the spirit back into their communities?

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We're only going to succeed in this project if we involve as many people from the community as possible.

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Good service. We want good service.

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'With just 12 months to pull it off,

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'putting their villages back on the map is not going to be easy.'

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-I just know that we're going to have battles every step of the way!

-Hm.

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-I have no building experience whatsoever.

-What a shambles.

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But the results might just be spectacular.

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It's the biggest chance we've ever had to do something amazing.

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-CHEERING

-Well done!

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It's a big ask, but it could work.

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'Can a passionate bunch of volunteers in Caistor

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'use their local heritage to create a thriving business?'

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My dream is for it to become a cultural centre for Caistor.

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'Or will the conflict between the past and future stop the project in its tracks?'

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We've not had the discussion of what gives in this building. And nothing is giving yet.

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-If I don't understand it, fire me now!

-I have to keep telling her it's not London.

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I've been persistent and I've fought every step of the way to make this what it can be.

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'The rolling Lincolnshire Wolds make up some of the most breathtaking countryside in Britain.

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'One of England's most famous walking routes, the Viking Way, stretches across it

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'and the region attracts 17 million visitors a year.

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'20 miles from the county town of Lincoln lies the ancient Roman settlement of Caistor.'

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Caistor Square dates back to the Roman era.

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It was once a thriving market town, famous throughout Lincolnshire for its roaring trade.

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Caistor used to be buzzing.

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-These were all businesses at one time.

-It's just a spectacular area.

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'The last few years haven't been so kind to the town.

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'Over 20 shops and pubs have shut, leaving it close to dereliction.'

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People now tend to go out of the village to meet, to socialise.

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Money is not spent here anymore, it's spent elsewhere.

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People don't bother coming up town to shop anymore,

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therefore they don't see each other, so you lose community links.

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What it now needs is a business that encourages people

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to spend their money here at home, reviving the local economy.

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'Retired local councillor Roy Schofield was born in Caistor.

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-'Its memories are close to his heart.'

-I used to come here in the 50s, 60s, and get my fish and chips.

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Used to have a restaurant upstairs, but not any longer. This is a Grade II listed building.

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'Now his hope is to rescue Caistor's crumbling Methodist chapel.'

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My dream is for it to become a cultural centre for Caistor.

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'For the past five years, he's been in partnership with local historian Alan Dennis.

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'Together, they've campaigned to turn the chapel into a museum with a small cafe

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'to put life back into Caistor.'

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I was the driving force. I kept saying to Roy,

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"We need a museum. If we're going to have people coming here, we need a museum."

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'But big dreams cost, and until now, lack of money has held them back.

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'But that could be about to change.

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'They've applied for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund for £400,000,

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'designed to regenerate local communities.

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'Today they will find out if they've been successful.

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'Everything hinges on one phone call.

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'It's a big moment for Roy, Alan and a dedicated group of local volunteers,

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'including local barmaid Kate Gallaghan.'

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It's a shame that such a beautiful building isn't utilised. It'd be great to give it a new life.

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'If the bid is successful, Alan's vision of displaying his collection of local heritage will come true.'

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It's good for the community. I'm sure it is.

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'And Roy's dream of putting the life back into Caistor might just become a reality.'

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I'm excited, really. Hoping that we've been successful in our bid.

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'Although Roy moved away from Caistor,

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'he returned with his wife and fellow volunteer Carol nearly 18 years ago

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'and found his childhood home on its knees.'

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We moved back here about '93

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and he couldn't believe what the little village was like, so run down,

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and he just said to me, "I've got to start and put something back"

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and he's been working at it ever since.

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Great.

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'They all know that if the next phone call is positive,

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'it could change their lives and the future of Caistor forever.'

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"I'm ringing to tell you that it is good news."

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THEY CHEER

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Quite emotional.

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You know, I like to see people winning.

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And then tears start running down my face. I'm just that sort of person.

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'Roy and Carol live in the heart of Caistor.

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'They both know just how important it will be to get this project right.'

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Caistor is a place that has a very vibrant community spirit.

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And this project is going to emphasise that community spirit and make it even greater.

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I'll hit you round the head with my leek.

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'Roy's in charge of the project, but Carol will never be far from his side.'

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Roy is the sort of person you cannot argue with

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because he remains very, very calm, which makes you even more frustrated,

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and I've had to really learn to deal with that. Give us a kiss.

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-SHE LAUGHS

-Brilliant.

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'Roy hopes that his dream for a heritage centre will bring the community together.'

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Yes, that's an interesting photograph. We think that's the Golden Jubilee or something.

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It just gives an example of what can happen in a place like Caistor,

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where people get together on a regular basis and enjoy themselves.

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That's sort of disappeared over the years

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and certainly as the town deteriorated,

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that sort of community spirit deteriorated, as well, and disappeared.

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'Roy and Carol won't be alone.

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'One of the terms of the grant means they must employ a full-time business mentor

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'who will move to Caistor for one year to help get the project off the ground.

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'And that comes in the form of 28-year-old Charlotte Hastings,

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'a marketing manager for London Fashion Week.

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'But she's ready to put fashion behind her.'

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I found myself becoming a bit mean and a bit short.

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I needed something with real substance.

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# Suddenly I see

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# This is what I want to be

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'So she's trading in her London life and will be paid to work in Caistor for one year.'

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This project is definitely about putting Caistor on the map in a big way.

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It's a massive advantage to have someone who brings fresh eyes to it,

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who gets how things work nationally and globally

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and says, "I need a reason to go to Caistor."

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'With only a year to complete the project, Charlotte will be working on London time.'

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I know that my kind of whirlwind, blitz approach

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might rub a few people up the wrong way,

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but I see it as the only way that this is going to happen in the timeline.

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'Charlotte might well be in for a culture shock when she first arrives in the square.'

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It's actually got masses of potential. It's got a really pretty town centre.

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But there's nothing really that would make somebody want to be here

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and spend £200,000 on that really very pretty four-bedroom house,

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because there's not a heart, there's not a centre, there's not somewhere for everyone to go and meet

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and feel like they belong here.

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'Just off the square sits the building Caistor hopes will answer their prayers.

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'Today I'm meeting Roy and one of his early recruits, Kate.

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'They're going to show me around the chapel.'

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-Hello!

-Hello there.

-Hi. Sarah.

-Hi there.

-Nice to meet you.

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-And this is the amazing building.

-It is. Fantastic, isn't it?

-It's in great condition

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-from the outside.

-It is. I'm amazed how well it's survived over the years.

-Yeah.

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Goodness, look at this!

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-It's big, isn't it?

-Massive.

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'Build in 1867, the chapel stopped being used as a place of worship in the 60s.

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'Kate remembers it when it was a youth club a few years ago.'

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It used to be... In there was a kitchen and we have a counter and it was more like a reception area.

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It is going to be a multi-use space in here which can be transformed depending on what event we have.

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-So people might be able to rent it or they could hold clubs in here.

-Definitely.

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And then this huge room next door. This is wonderful!

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This was the main auditorium for the Methodists when they were coming to chapel.

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And it's a big space, much bigger than I realised.

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It seems rather a terrible shame that a building like this has been left empty for two years.

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'A new government initiative is making it possible for the chapel,

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'that's owned by the council, to be leased by the community.

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'One condition of that lease is that they re-house the local library.'

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As you can see, we've had it stripped out.

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-Right.

-All we found was a bit of woodworm, I think, in one or two places,

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and that's already been treated. We've done that already.

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It looks really sound, the building, which is great. It's just the interior.

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Considering how old it is, it's survived very well.

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'The plan is to completely change the interior.

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'With libraries all over the country under threat of closure,

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'this is a timely project.

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'As well as being a home to Caistor's 2,000 books,

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'the centre will also fulfil Alan's dream of showcasing 10,000 years of local history.

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'Beyond the library, at the front of the building, the floor will be dug out

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'and a modern cafe will be the hub of the chapel.

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'The cafe's profits will fund the project,

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'so it needs to be a successful business

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'and become a major meeting spot for the locals of Caistor and for visitors.

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'Getting the balance right between arts, heritage and profit is essential.

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'It's an ambitious plan and much of its success lies on Charlotte's shoulders.

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'Today Charlotte is leaving London to live and work in the countryside for one year.

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It's a really happy community I'm going to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to it.

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# Little village, baby

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# Ain't large enough to be a town

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Oh, gosh.

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# From a little village, baby

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# Ain't large enough to be a town

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'Charlotte's new home is a flat above the local infant school.'

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# Got to get away from the city

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Oh, my gosh!

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Oh, I'm going to cry!

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"Welcome to our school."

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'On arrival, Charlotte's greeted by Kate and six burly Caistor men.'

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-Oh, my gosh!

-'It's a far cry from London, where she doesn't even know her neighbours.'

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There's, like, strapping, handsome young men

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who form a chain and everything's up here within, like, ten minutes.

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I really feel welcomed.

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There are lots of chairs.

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Well, that's cos I'm expecting lots of people.

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It's always a big deal when we've got a new younger person here.

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I've no doubt that Charlotte's going to fit in amazingly.

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I think she'll bring a bit of city life to Caistor,

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but Caistor will bring a lot of country life to Charlotte, as well.

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'Charlotte's new back yard is part of the Viking Way,

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'one of England's most famous walking routes.

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'For someone who's used to working in London's busy fashion scene, Charlotte is a long way from home.'

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And this is the Viking Walkway, isn't it, up here?

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-Yep, this is known as the Viking Walkway, which goes all the way to the coast.

-Goodness.

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-Incredibly beautiful, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's stunning.

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It's a big move considering... Most people would make this kind of move when they got married and had kids,

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but to move here as a single girl is quite a brave thing to do.

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What is it that lit the flame and made you think, "Yeah, I'll do that"?

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I spent six years working in fashion and luxury

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and I was just fed up of money being the thing that mattered

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and wanted to have something where I felt like I'd be proud to tell people I was doing it

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and that I could look in the mirror and be pleased with how I'm spending my time.

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-What is your vision of the project?

-It's converting this chapel into a space that will be the library,

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a cafe and workshop space, a place that will offer something for everyone in the community.

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At the moment, in town, we've got a fish and chips place,

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a pizza shop, but there's a huge demographic here of mums and children and families

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and I'm sure that the audience is there for really good, healthy food

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and amazing coffee, if I have my way.

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If not, I might pack my case and head back to London. SHE LAUGHS

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'It's day one of Charlotte's new job.

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'Instead of a busy London commute, it's just a stroll to work.

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'But Caistor centre is not quite the village paradise she had in mind.'

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It's a great square. It should be thriving with loads going on

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and lots of people around and lots of fun things.

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It's a place that people just go through.

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It just feels like a car park. And as soon as I go to my house

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or out into the hills, then I start to really fall in love with this place.

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But, actually, when I come here, it gets me down.

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Charlotte has just one year to help the people of Caistor

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turn Roy's vision of an arts and heritage centre into a profitable business.

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Despite having no experience of village life or voluntary projects,

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she's going to have to find a way of marrying her vision for profitable success

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with the wants and needs of the residents.

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'Her first job is to take over the business plan.

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'It secured the Big Lottery funding

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'and until now has been in the hands of Roy and local business advisor Angela.'

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They've got to see this as a landmark

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that gives people a reason to come here when they would never have thought of it,

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or when they've been before and would never come back, give them a reason to come back.

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'But Charlotte has her own ideas for making the centre a success

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'and using the county library colour scheme isn't one of them.

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'No matter what it says in the plan.'

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Do we know what constraints we have got with the library?

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From early conversations, they were implying that they had to have these colour things on the carpet.

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I don't want our centre to just feel like a library. I wouldn't want their decor for the whole centre.

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I just thought they looked fab and I was really encouraged that there'll be bringing something in

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-that does look modern and fresh.

-It feels like any council office you go into, just off the peg.

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Yeah. To me, the way the library looks is so modern and fresh.

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At the end of the day, we want something that works and look appropriate.

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I hope it comes quite naturally and is what we want, a really superb centre.

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Everyone sees this centre differently.

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I just know that we're going to have battles every step of the way! SHE LAUGHS

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-Hm.

-This is why I need to know who can make the decisions,

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and I'd quite like it to be me. SHE LAUGHS

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We need someone like Charlotte that's got definite views

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and good ideas.

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She's full of enthusiasm, which is what we were really looking for.

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I don't know what we'd be doing without her if we didn't have her.

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Charlotte, bless her, is full of ideas and I think she'll bring a lot to the table,

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but I think she'll learn a lot, as well, probably not least the fact that when you deal with community,

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you do have to listen and take other people's ideas on board.

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'Today Roy, Charlotte and the first recruits are organising a big volunteer drive,

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'an open day to showcase what they hope will be on offer in the new arts and heritage centre.

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'They want to keep the locals updated on plans and get some feedback.

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'Charlotte's main focus is proving that Caistor has a thirst for cappuccinos.

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'Kate is learning the ropes on the coffee machine as a trainee barista.

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'Parents will be asked to vote for instant coffee or cappuccinos using their empty cups.'

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-Hello!

-Hi!

-How's it going?

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I think five cappuccinos, please.

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How far do you have to go at the moment to get a decent coffee?

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Market Rasen would be the nearest place, and that's nine miles away.

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-So this is going to be revolutionising Caistor.

-Absolutely.

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And I think it's really important that we do distinguish ourselves

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and we do get good at this and we do make great coffee.

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'Nine miles is a long way to drive for a decent coffee.

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'Seems to me like there's a ready-made market.'

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We go to Grimsby, Lincoln, Brigg, so we travel quite a way

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for a girls' get-together when we don't have the children with us, which is lovely.

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-Are you going to be active users of the centre?

-Yes. I think so.

-We would be active users.

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-Active coffee drinkers!

-Yeah, ladies what lunch, definitely!

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'It looks like, for today at least, the cappuccinos have it.'

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-The point was, you had to vote with your cup.

-It's empty.

-Exactly!

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-No-one wants instant coffee.

-OK.

-That was the objective.

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Let the coffee go through for about 25, 26 seconds.

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'The centre will rely on volunteers to run it.

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'Today Carol's persuaded ten people to sign up.'

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I've spoken to another three or four people who I didn't even know.

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No, it's been really good talking to loads of people that haven't known anything about it.

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It's been really intensive, telling people what we're doing.

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If people have bite-size, fun ways to get involved and get stuck in,

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look at Kate on the coffee machine, she's loved it, she's learned something new and it's fun!

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If we can make volunteering like that, fantastic.

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What you need for that to happen is plenty of people coming through the door, plenty of things to do

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and to be giving people opportunities to grow and learn and we should be doing that.

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'But for Alan Dennis, there's a bigger priority. Once head teacher of this school,

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'he hopes the centre will be a museum where he can teach Caistor's Roman heritage.'

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-Hello!

-Hello, I'm Sarah! Nice to meet you!

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So, you know, showing the children that. Do you know what it is?

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-Erm...

-It's a pilgrim's little vase for collecting holy water.

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-Oh, my goodness!

-Yeah. So did he come to a spring here,

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or she come to a spring here, to collect the water and lose that?

0:21:390:21:42

-So how old is this?

-About 700 years old.

0:21:420:21:45

That's 700 years old and, what, is in someone's shed?

0:21:450:21:48

-We found it in the grammar school, in the grounds.

-Just in the floor?

-Yeah.

0:21:480:21:52

Wouldn't it be fantastic to put all of this together so that people know what it is

0:21:520:21:58

-and feel...

-Just to be able to be aware.

-Yeah.

0:21:580:22:04

'There's no doubt Alan's emphasis on history is important.

0:22:080:22:12

'Although Caistor has some remains of a Roman wall,

0:22:120:22:15

'many of its valuable object have been shut away in garden sheds and garages.

0:22:150:22:19

'Not for long. It's Tuesday morning in Caistor

0:22:260:22:29

'and Alan's giving a history lecture to a group of locals.'

0:22:290:22:33

They say it was the house for Caistor people.

0:22:330:22:37

-'And he never passes up the chance to find more artefacts.'

-APPLAUSE

0:22:370:22:42

If you do hear of people who've got things, anything,

0:22:450:22:48

even if we can just photograph it and be aware of it, then we'd be grateful.

0:22:480:22:52

Well, my dream's always been to have a heritage centre,

0:22:540:22:58

and this project has given us that opportunity,

0:22:580:23:01

so when Big gave us the money, I couldn't believe it. I was speechless.

0:23:010:23:05

My wife said it's the first time I've ever cried.

0:23:050:23:07

So, you know, that shows what it means to me.

0:23:070:23:10

'Today, ex-head teacher Alan has invited the committee to hear his ideas for the centre.

0:23:120:23:18

'It doesn't come without a history lesson.'

0:23:200:23:22

I believe in the Anglo-Saxon time, they probably lived in the fort area.

0:23:220:23:26

'He spent months taking photographs of the many objects he has unearthed for display.'

0:23:280:23:33

For schools, it's living conditions, the law, the agriculture, the religion of the time.

0:23:340:23:39

I'll share what I've been doing on that later on.

0:23:390:23:42

There was a mint. There was a siege here.

0:23:440:23:46

'But after an hour-long, detailed slideshow,

0:23:460:23:50

'it's clear not everyone shares his passion for local history.'

0:23:500:23:54

The centre will have to be enterprising

0:23:540:23:56

and has to sustain itself into the future,

0:23:560:23:59

so all of this needs to come from a point of, "What's going to draw people in

0:23:590:24:03

"and what's going to be commercially viable about this part of the centre?"

0:24:030:24:07

What's really good is, round that table, we had the people who are passionate about history,

0:24:080:24:13

they will be the people that dig deep, but they're also the ones who put together the displays

0:24:130:24:18

and the books and the leaflets that I go... SHE BLOWS RASPBERRY

0:24:180:24:21

..and put them in the bin and am not at all interested in.

0:24:210:24:24

And the benefit of having me is that there's no way I'm going to let stuff like that into the centre.

0:24:240:24:29

'Charlotte's feelings haven't gone unnoticed.'

0:24:300:24:33

Because it's heritage and arts, those two really have got to stand out.

0:24:330:24:38

Cos when people walk in, that's what they'll expect.

0:24:380:24:41

They'll think the cafe's nice and we hope that's going to be the fundraiser.

0:24:410:24:45

A lot of people will make use of the library.

0:24:450:24:47

But a lot know that it's the heritage they want to see.

0:24:470:24:50

Now, I may be proved totally wrong,

0:24:500:24:53

but it's a great concern for me, that with the amount of work and the effort that's gone in,

0:24:530:24:57

that we could actually be watering down what it's supposed to be.

0:24:570:25:01

'Everything hinges on how the space is divided.

0:25:030:25:06

-Morning.

-Good morning!

0:25:070:25:10

'They have nine months to renovate and plan to open next April,

0:25:130:25:16

'so today they're meeting with their architect to find out exactly how much space

0:25:160:25:21

'the library, cafe and heritage sections will have.'

0:25:210:25:24

Put these on the counter here.

0:25:260:25:27

'But as the meeting progresses, Alan's concerned that the cafe is taking up valuable heritage space.'

0:25:270:25:34

My understanding was that the heritage would be in lots of parts of the whole centre.

0:25:340:25:38

I've listened to this discussion about this.

0:25:380:25:41

And to me, that's a fortune, where it could be simpler

0:25:410:25:45

to still provide refreshments

0:25:450:25:48

and put some of that money into heritage, et cetera.

0:25:480:25:50

And we've not had the discussion of what gives in this building. And nothing is giving yet.

0:25:500:25:56

We are looking, and the library has given a considerable amount,

0:25:560:26:00

so we're going from having all this shelving to looking at this

0:26:000:26:04

and what we need to do is look at how the heritage slots in.

0:26:040:26:07

'Alan's worst fears have been realised.

0:26:090:26:12

'It's clear the centre will have little room for heritage.'

0:26:120:26:16

CHURCH BELL CHIMES

0:26:170:26:18

'With designs agreed, the builders can move onto site.

0:26:230:26:26

'But Alan's still not happy about the decision-making process.'

0:26:260:26:30

I think we should've been encouraged

0:26:320:26:35

to look at our organisation, our management,

0:26:350:26:39

before we actually had the money.

0:26:390:26:42

We have. I've had my hand-over with Angela, where I look at the management structure.

0:26:420:26:46

We've looked at it and we're doing it. We couldn't do it faster or sooner, Alan.

0:26:460:26:50

-I think some of the basics we could've done.

-Maybe.

0:26:500:26:54

There's just that worry

0:26:540:26:56

that did you understand, you know, erm...

0:26:560:27:00

And do you not have any trust or faith in me, Alan? If I don't understand this, fire me now,

0:27:000:27:05

because I don't want to be here if my director's thinking, "Does she understand?"

0:27:050:27:09

And I am a bit like a bull in a china shop and I'm really impatient...

0:27:090:27:13

-I hadn't noticed!

-HE LAUGHS

0:27:130:27:15

But it's the flip side and I think it's really difficult

0:27:150:27:19

when it comes across as a criticism that I'm pushy and forthright,

0:27:190:27:22

but equally, that's why it's an advantage because it's how it's going to happen.

0:27:220:27:27

'Alan's finding it too difficult to work with Charlotte

0:27:290:27:32

'and has decided to leave the project for good.'

0:27:320:27:35

I find Charlotte very forceful at times and very blunt about some of the things.

0:27:370:27:42

I think, erm, sometimes maybe inexperienced

0:27:420:27:49

in how we put things over.

0:27:490:27:52

So I just decided to step back.

0:27:520:27:56

'But Charlotte's left questioning her business-like approach

0:27:580:28:02

'and if it's working for the people of Caistor.'

0:28:020:28:05

I'm really struggling with the Alan issue.

0:28:050:28:08

I suppose what's really upset me is

0:28:080:28:10

feeling like there's this perception he has of me

0:28:100:28:14

as this really pushy...obnoxious,

0:28:140:28:19

forceful person, and it's not how I am.

0:28:190:28:24

Maybe it is how I am. Anyway, I think I just need to take a bit of time

0:28:240:28:28

and think about how I can change my behaviour

0:28:280:28:33

and just be a bit less of a bull in a china shop.

0:28:330:28:37

'With the heaviest snowfall in years,

0:28:400:28:42

'Caistor is cut off from the rest of the country.'

0:28:420:28:45

"As the snow continues to fall across Lincolnshire, the 57 between Caistor high street..."

0:28:470:28:53

"..largely inaccessible after several feet of snow made it impossible for traffic to get in and around."

0:28:530:28:58

'Despite the bad weather, building work has progressed.

0:29:030:29:06

'The existing height of the interior has doubled at the front

0:29:100:29:14

'and the original street-level entrance is now open.

0:29:140:29:17

'Today is the first time Roy will see the doors open in 40 years.'

0:29:190:29:24

-Hiya!

-Hiya!

-You been inside yet?

0:29:240:29:27

-No, not yet.

-Oh, good to see you.

-And you.

0:29:270:29:31

-Oh, my gosh, Roy, this is amazing!

-Great! Look at the height!

0:29:310:29:35

Oh! It's going to be expensive to heat.

0:29:360:29:39

I just can't believe they've ripped out the entire floor,

0:29:410:29:44

we've got a door.

0:29:440:29:46

It's going to be a really awesome space.

0:29:460:29:49

I love it.

0:29:490:29:51

'Working in fashion, Charlotte's used to tight deadlines and Caistor is no exception.'

0:29:520:29:57

-Where are the cupboards going to be?

-'She's checking up on the builders daily

0:29:570:30:01

-'to ensure the renovation runs on time.'

-OK.

0:30:010:30:04

'In the square, the community is gathering to see the Christmas lights switched on.'

0:30:060:30:11

-Can you all ring the bells?

-THEY RING BELLS

0:30:110:30:14

ALL: Five! Four! Three!

0:30:150:30:18

ALL: Two! One!

0:30:180:30:20

CHEERING

0:30:210:30:24

'Whilst everyone else enjoys the festivities, Charlotte wants to recruit volunteers for the centre

0:30:240:30:30

'which will only stay open if people step forward and offer their free time.'

0:30:300:30:34

-We need to hand out some leaflets, but they're in the pub.

-That's a good place!

0:30:340:30:39

I think that might be the best place. We should join the leaflets.

0:30:390:30:42

-Can I butt in a sec?

-Yeah.

-I'm working on the project down the hill

0:30:430:30:47

and I'm using today as an opportunity to tell people about it.

0:30:470:30:51

'She hopes to spread the message that the centre is for everyone

0:30:510:30:54

'and by volunteering, they can make it their own.'

0:30:540:30:57

I feel really proud of Caistor, but I think it could be better.

0:30:570:31:02

We've lived in Caistor a long time and now it's completely reinvigorated.

0:31:020:31:06

We've got this wonderful centre and it's going to be the life and soul of Caistor, I think.

0:31:060:31:11

Can I give you one of my lovely leaflets?

0:31:110:31:14

It'll be nice to have a central point

0:31:140:31:17

where we can go and say, "This is our meeting tonight"

0:31:170:31:20

and it'll bring a lot of communities together.

0:31:200:31:23

I love these days when you actually get out into the community

0:31:240:31:27

and start talking to people and you realise that it is so needed.

0:31:270:31:30

'The hope is that now the people will keep their promise of volunteering in the new year.

0:31:300:31:37

'The building is progressing at break-neck speed and it's now just four months until launch day.

0:31:430:31:48

'Once open, Charlotte will be leaving her job

0:31:480:31:50

'and the community will run the business themselves.

0:31:500:31:53

'Recruiting volunteers has never been more important.

0:31:530:31:56

'Roy's wife Carol has recently retired and is now keen to dedicate her time to volunteering.'

0:31:580:32:04

Oh, my gosh! It's amazing! We've got heating!

0:32:060:32:09

-Doesn't it look different?

-My gosh, this is going to be our library.

0:32:090:32:14

-It's bigger than I thought it would be.

-Yes, it is.

0:32:140:32:17

We are saving the Great British library. We're creating this amazing space that everyone will use

0:32:170:32:24

and that they'll love. It's just brilliant.

0:32:240:32:26

Yeah, there's plenty of space, Roy.

0:32:260:32:29

'With the centre opening in just four months, Charlotte's keen for Carol to focus on the cafe.'

0:32:290:32:34

So the kitchen's going to be here to about there, OK?

0:32:340:32:38

-That's fantastic.

-What do you think? You like the space?

-Yeah.

0:32:380:32:41

-It's actually going to be quite cosy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:32:410:32:45

So, Carol, how do you feel about the idea of working a couple more days a week on this project?

0:32:450:32:50

I'm used to organising.

0:32:500:32:53

I feel like the cafe's something you feel really strongly about, how everything can be done

0:32:530:32:57

and that you'd like to put your stamp on it. It would be great if you're willing to take that on.

0:32:570:33:02

-Yeah.

-So that's a yes, then?

-That's a yes, then. Yeah, that's a yes.

0:33:020:33:06

-SHE LAUGHS

-Good.

-Do you think I'll be here serving?

0:33:060:33:10

-Come on, give us your money.

-SHE LAUGHS Face your public!

0:33:100:33:14

I've never run a cafe before at all.

0:33:140:33:16

Erm, experience is what I want to get from a cafe myself.

0:33:160:33:22

I want it to be somewhere for local people to come and meet their friends and have a coffee

0:33:220:33:27

or even sit down and read your book,

0:33:270:33:30

have a really nice coffee and a piece of cake. How great would that be?

0:33:300:33:34

'For Charlotte, letting go of the cafe

0:33:340:33:37

'and handing over to the locals is a double-edged sword.'

0:33:370:33:41

It's been my baby for a long time and now I've got to start handing it over

0:33:410:33:44

and letting other people take the helm in certain areas.

0:33:440:33:47

I'm really struggling to do that with the cafe.

0:33:470:33:50

Charlotte brings much passion to this project and it's fantastic

0:33:500:33:55

but I have to keep telling her it's not London.

0:33:550:33:58

'A fantastic-looking cafe will be nothing without a menu to match.

0:34:020:34:06

'Luckily, Lincolnshire is a jewel in the crown of the United Kingdom's food industry.

0:34:060:34:11

'It makes more home-grown produce than any other county in England

0:34:110:34:16

'and is famous worldwide for its Lincolnshire sausages.

0:34:160:34:20

'At the turn of the century,

0:34:200:34:22

'Caistor was the centre of food trade for miles around.

0:34:220:34:26

'Its markets were the leaders in all basic food goods.

0:34:260:34:30

'But nowadays, locals have to go a bit further afield.

0:34:310:34:35

'So today, Carol, Charlotte, Kate and a new recruit, local artist Cherry,

0:34:360:34:41

'are on a mission to search for food.'

0:34:410:34:44

We've been talking a lot about the vision of the cafe

0:34:460:34:49

and that we know we want it to be local and great quality,

0:34:490:34:52

and now is our opportunity to start exploring what supplies we should work with

0:34:520:34:57

and seeing the reality start to come together.

0:34:570:35:00

'It's a chance for the girls to indulge their taste buds in the name of business.

0:35:040:35:08

'From locally-sourced coffee

0:35:100:35:12

'to pricey chocolates.'

0:35:120:35:14

-Smooth.

-This is mine.

-THEY LAUGH

0:35:160:35:19

'The team have also found locally-produced cheese

0:35:190:35:23

'which they hope to use in their ploughman's.'

0:35:230:35:25

There are two ages of cheese here.

0:35:250:35:28

-This one is a more mature cheese.

-That's lovely.

0:35:280:35:31

-Is it a premium-priced product?

-It is.

0:35:310:35:34

Wholesale price, we're looking at £10.50 a kilo.

0:35:340:35:38

'With everything handmade and locally sourced,

0:35:380:35:41

'Carol's concerned only tourists will be able to afford it.'

0:35:410:35:45

If we can give the local people a reasonably-priced, excellent coffee,

0:35:450:35:50

then we can use those wonderful products that we've just seen

0:35:500:35:56

in a more premium price for a visitor.

0:35:560:35:59

-Yeah.

-You know, when we have visitors coming to us from all over, really.

0:35:590:36:04

You get excited about going for lunch, and you're not a visitor, you're a local.

0:36:040:36:08

You have got a thriving local business that's saying it costs that because of the quality of the product

0:36:080:36:14

and that people will pay it and people do want it and that is the market we need to be in.

0:36:140:36:20

# It's not about the money, money, money

0:36:200:36:22

'It's three weeks away from build completion

0:36:220:36:25

'and today there's a lot happening on site,

0:36:250:36:28

'including fitting all the window frames, glass skylight and staircase.'

0:36:280:36:32

# Ch-ching, ch-ching, ain't about the...

0:36:320:36:36

I'm interested to see how all the different services will work in the space that they've got,

0:36:360:36:41

but more importantly, how their business model will fit

0:36:410:36:45

with the people of Caistor and their pockets.

0:36:450:36:48

This is all looking absolutely fantastic!

0:36:490:36:51

-Oh, my gosh!

-Beautiful stairs!

0:36:510:36:55

'At the top of the stairs, the middle of the building has been reserved for the new library.'

0:36:560:37:01

You can just see! You can feel how everyone's going to move through the building.

0:37:010:37:05

It's a really good space for a library.

0:37:050:37:08

This is a really interesting way to evolve a library

0:37:080:37:12

because libraries are on the decline and this is a fantastic way

0:37:120:37:16

to have a modern interpretation of a library.

0:37:160:37:19

We hope it might be a bit of a unique selling point for the centre.

0:37:190:37:22

'Despite Roy originally wanting a museum,

0:37:220:37:26

'due to the cafe expansion, the history will just be focused onto one display wall.

0:37:260:37:31

'There's no doubt that most focus is on the cafe,

0:37:320:37:36

'which must make enough profit to fund the centre.'

0:37:360:37:39

Roy, it was your baby, this vision, really.

0:37:390:37:43

Are you nervous about this coming to a head, all of it? Is that scary?

0:37:430:37:48

It is scary, in a way. At one time, I was waking up in the middle of the night and making lists,

0:37:480:37:54

but you bear in mind the footfall that the library brings and the various visitors to the town...

0:37:540:38:00

But it's getting them on board and, quite frankly, if they don't use it, we will have a problem.

0:38:000:38:05

'With opening day five weeks away, Charlotte's keen to see Carol's first draft of the menu.

0:38:070:38:12

'She's been busy planning it with local caterer Becky Miller,

0:38:120:38:15

'who will take on the paid role of cafe manager when the centre opens.'

0:38:150:38:20

-This is really the only place to eat at the moment in Caistor, isn't it, the pub?

-Yeah.

0:38:200:38:25

-Have you all eaten in here?

-Yes.

-Regularly!

0:38:250:38:29

-This, and then there's a Chinese and a chippy.

-The pub are providing restaurant-type meals

0:38:290:38:34

and ours is not that, it's a snack.

0:38:340:38:38

-We want it to be affordable.

-So more cafe food.

-Yeah.

0:38:380:38:41

I mean, this is the first page, so we've got things like pancakes, omelettes.

0:38:410:38:47

It looks absolutely delicious.

0:38:470:38:49

It seems quite cheap, I have to say.

0:38:490:38:52

-I like the Plough Hill Ploughman's.

-Yes, the Plough Hill Ploughman's,

0:38:520:38:56

On Plough Hill, of course. So that's £6.45 for a ploughman's.

0:38:560:39:00

I'd imagine that being £8.95

0:39:000:39:03

and also, for me, if you look at visitors' centres,

0:39:030:39:06

you've got prices of £3, £3.50 for slices of cake,

0:39:060:39:10

you've got your mains at, kind of, £10, £12.

0:39:100:39:14

And this is where we absolutely need something for the local market,

0:39:140:39:17

but our loss-leaders are our library and our workshops.

0:39:170:39:20

I think there's also that you need to recognise, that whilst the building is lovely at the moment,

0:39:200:39:27

the reality of a business like this is it needs to squirrel some away

0:39:270:39:31

to stand a chance of being here in ten years.

0:39:310:39:34

I'm a bit concerned that Carol's pricing is too low.

0:39:340:39:37

You've got to give customers value for money,

0:39:370:39:40

but you've also got to cover your costs.

0:39:400:39:42

The standard mark-up for cafe food is 400 percent,

0:39:420:39:45

which allows you to cover staffing costs and to make a small profit.

0:39:450:39:49

-'Caistor's cafe will be mainly staffed by volunteers.'

-Hi there!

0:39:540:39:57

'It will need to take £300 a day to break even.

0:39:570:40:01

'Today the team are taking a look at the Pink Pig Farm,

0:40:010:40:05

'a rural shop and cafe in nearby Scunthorpe.'

0:40:050:40:09

-Hello, Becky. How do you do?

-Hi.

0:40:090:40:11

'They're hoping Manager Sally can shed some light on the reality of running a cafe.'

0:40:130:40:18

-So, cake dividers, fantastic. Bang it on the top and everyone knows where to cut.

-Right.

0:40:180:40:24

The difference between a cake portioned into 16

0:40:240:40:27

-and a cake portioned into 12 is your profit.

-Yes.

0:40:270:40:30

Pricing is a really big issue for us,

0:40:300:40:33

and this is where we'd love a local Lincolnshire business to advise us on margins and price points.

0:40:330:40:39

If you're going to provide good quality food, you cannot compete with a cafe down the road.

0:40:390:40:46

Your proper coffee and proper milk is not going to be the same as a cappuccino out of a machine

0:40:460:40:52

where they press a button and it produces a, sort of, frothy stuff.

0:40:520:40:55

'After hearing all they need to hear,

0:40:550:40:58

'Charlotte hopes Carol and Becky are now more comfortable with pricing their food a bit higher.'

0:40:580:41:04

We've got to be careful, we've said we think we're going to get support from the local people in Caistor

0:41:040:41:09

so we need to not cut them out of the market.

0:41:090:41:11

-You're looking at a multiple of four on your pricing.

-Yeah.

0:41:110:41:15

-You think?

-A 400 percent margin is what we're looking at to make this work.

0:41:150:41:19

But I hope that the people who get involved with the cafe understand,

0:41:190:41:23

when you talk about 400 percent that that's not 400 percent profit.

0:41:230:41:26

What do you say when someone says, "Gosh, that's a bit steep"?

0:41:260:41:30

You say, "When you're working out your prices, you have to bear in mind

0:41:300:41:33

"about a third is your overheads for staff, about 20 percent is VAT, and that's not..."

0:41:330:41:38

And then you've got a figure for your overheads of the building,

0:41:380:41:42

-all the running costs, electricity...

-Yes. That's business.

0:41:420:41:46

I'm hoping that Carol is completely happy now, that she could, if someone came into the cafe and said,

0:41:460:41:53

"That's a bit pricey," that she could say, "Well, this is why."

0:41:530:41:57

'As late spring arrives the building gets its finishing touches.'

0:41:590:42:04

Look at it!

0:42:070:42:09

Oh, well done, chaps!

0:42:090:42:11

It's all in.

0:42:110:42:13

Just look at those windows. Look at the street scene. I want to look in the kitchen!

0:42:130:42:20

Gosh, it looks nice.

0:42:210:42:25

Oh, that's a good storage cupboard.

0:42:260:42:28

'With opening day in just a week, supplies are arriving

0:42:280:42:32

'and everyone must pull together as they move into the building.

0:42:320:42:35

-'Everyone is making themselves at home.'

-Up here.

0:42:370:42:42

'Well, almost everyone.

0:42:420:42:44

'Today, Caistor's biggest history buff, Alan Dennis, is returning to the arts and heritage centre.

0:42:460:42:53

'Despite the project starting as his dream for a museum,

0:42:560:42:59

'his years of research have been displayed on one timeline,

0:42:590:43:05

'which takes visitors through Caistor's history from 8,000 BC to current day.

0:43:050:43:10

'This is the first time Alan will see the timeline and be reunited with Charlotte.'

0:43:110:43:16

-Hi, Alan.

-Hiya.

-What do you reckon?

0:43:160:43:19

-Brilliant! It's really great.

-Fantastic.

0:43:190:43:21

-Not complete yet, but...

-Oh, I thought it was.

-THEY LAUGH

0:43:210:43:25

-Even I find it interesting, Alan.

-You don't!

-THEY LAUGH

0:43:250:43:30

You must be ill.

0:43:300:43:33

Do you think it feels like a heritage centre?

0:43:330:43:35

-Do you think we've got enough for it to feel...

-It's starting.

0:43:350:43:38

It's going to need a lot of work to go to where I'd like it to be.

0:43:380:43:41

'So to ensure it's the heritage centre he had in mind, Alan is now ready to mark his territory.'

0:43:440:43:50

It seems like today, having not seen Alan for about four months,

0:43:500:43:54

he's happily moving into his new home for the heritage of Caistor.

0:43:540:43:58

And there are little bits and pieces turning up on the window ledges and by the computers.

0:44:000:44:06

I really don't know what they are.

0:44:060:44:09

Anyway, it's nice to see him happy and enjoying himself.

0:44:100:44:13

That sounds really bitchy.

0:44:130:44:16

It wasn't quite the vision I'd got,

0:44:160:44:20

but I've got to say that the timeline is just fantastic,

0:44:200:44:23

the map is startling as you go in. We've got to go from there, and that's what I'm doing today,

0:44:230:44:28

is to see if we can get some more artefacts around and start to make it a heritage centre.

0:44:280:44:34

'In just two days, Team Caistor are planning an opening party to show off the centre to the community.

0:44:370:44:43

'To ensure they're ready, today is the day when Caistor's volunteers will get some training.

0:44:430:44:48

'There's a lot to learn, including mastering the art of making a cappuccino.

0:44:490:44:54

'But numbers are low, and it seems the centre won't be relying on the young to volunteer,

0:44:540:44:59

'just the young at heart.'

0:44:590:45:01

In the Daily Mail today,

0:45:010:45:03

it said, that Duncan Smith said, "A lot of people don't want to retire at 65."

0:45:030:45:09

And I was one of those people, who was forced to retire by the county council.

0:45:090:45:14

And here I am with lots of time on my hands and wanting to do other things.

0:45:140:45:20

And I'm doing this as part of that.

0:45:200:45:24

It'd be nice to see some younger volunteers. They're the ones that haven't turned up today.

0:45:250:45:30

We were hoping for six and we've got three, which is disappointing,

0:45:300:45:33

because this is the main day Steve is here to train everyone on the baristas.

0:45:330:45:38

Then give it a tap, that's it.

0:45:380:45:40

I'm trying to figure out all the tea orders. We've got to order 120 pounds minimum

0:45:400:45:45

and I've got to figure out how many bags per pack and packs per... BLOWS RASPBERRY

0:45:450:45:50

'It's Saturday 9th April, and ten months after getting the Big Lottery grant,

0:45:520:45:56

'Roy is hosting a launch party for Caistor's arts and heritage sector.'

0:45:560:46:01

Be careful! Health and safety.

0:46:010:46:04

Today is just a celebration, really, of the project coming to fruition.

0:46:040:46:08

Next week will be our real trial run to see if people part with their cash.

0:46:080:46:11

But today is to acknowledge everyone's hard work.

0:46:110:46:14

'It will be the first time locals feast their eyes on the centre.'

0:46:140:46:19

-We don't want to let anybody in because they'll spoil it.

-THEY LAUGH

0:46:190:46:23

'What used to be a disused Methodist chapel

0:46:250:46:29

'is now a beautifully-designed multi-functional space,

0:46:290:46:32

'housing a combination of rural services.

0:46:320:46:35

'Last year, the chapel was a single-level hall, with a few dingily-lit rooms.

0:46:350:46:41

'But now the front section has been lowered to make a bright and airy cafe.

0:46:410:46:46

'The middle of the building has been transformed into a contemporary library.

0:46:490:46:54

'The back was little more than a few dark offices,

0:46:580:47:01

'but now has become a multi-use exhibition space.

0:47:010:47:05

'Large sections have been opened up to reveal a view right through the chapel,

0:47:080:47:12

'and visitors can see Caistor's history strategically-placed throughout.

0:47:120:47:16

'And as Caistor's people arrive, it's clear the building is as impressive as they were hoping for.

0:47:230:47:29

-Wonderful, isn't it, Mary?

-Absolutely super.

0:47:300:47:33

-It'll be a tremendous focus for Caistor people.

-Just, it's awesome.

0:47:330:47:36

I think lots of people will use the library that have never used the library before.

0:47:360:47:41

-And lots of people will use the cafe, cos it's desperately needed.

-It's brought life into the village.

0:47:410:47:46

'With the centre filling up, it's a moment that a proud and nervous Roy has dreamed of for years.'

0:47:460:47:53

Good morning everyone. It's my privilege and pleasure to give you a very warm welcome

0:47:560:48:02

-to the official opening of 28 Plough Hill.

-APPLAUSE

0:48:020:48:08

'Even the local councillor is keen to express his thanks to the community.'

0:48:080:48:12

I have to say, this is one of those projects where most of the thanks,

0:48:120:48:16

most of the applause, should go to you yourselves.

0:48:160:48:19

-'And to their business mentor, Charlotte.'

-I think this has been a great community effort.

0:48:190:48:23

-Charlotte is probably the most attractive bully I've ever met.

-LAUGHTER

0:48:230:48:27

Roy, I can't say the same about you. Well done, everybody.

0:48:270:48:30

APPLAUSE

0:48:300:48:33

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

0:48:370:48:39

'Outside, everyone is discussing the speeches, and not least Charlotte's new nickname.'

0:48:390:48:44

You are a bully. But you cracked the whip for everybody.

0:48:440:48:49

Absolutely. And that's what's going to happen.

0:48:490:48:52

There's been loads of disagreements and loads of things that...

0:48:520:48:56

And it actually upsets me being called a bully, cos I don't think that's close to what I've been.

0:48:560:49:01

I've been persistent and I've fought every step of the way.

0:49:010:49:05

You needed to bully people to get us to all move forward and get things done in the right time frame.

0:49:050:49:10

You have done your job.

0:49:100:49:13

I know I've done my job, I just don't like being called a bully, that's all.

0:49:130:49:17

I feel I've been really professional and gone the extra mile to make it happen.

0:49:170:49:21

-It wasn't said with malice.

-I would like to say thank you.

0:49:210:49:25

Thank you so much for all you've done for us. Really, thank you.

0:49:280:49:33

THEY LAUGH

0:49:350:49:38

THEY CHEER

0:49:380:49:40

'After the excitement of launch day, it's now down to business.

0:49:440:49:48

'The next few weeks for Roy, Carol and Caistor will be critical.

0:49:480:49:52

'If the centre is going to have a future, the cafe must take £300 a day.'

0:49:590:50:04

-TILL DINGS

-Thank you very much.

0:50:080:50:10

'With Charlotte's time coming to an end, the cafe's profit and loss are now Carol's responsibility.'

0:50:120:50:19

-So today we've done just over 250.

-Yeah.

-Which is good.

0:50:190:50:24

-About average.

-A bit disappointing because it felt busy at lunchtime.

0:50:240:50:28

-So, average sale £5.72.

-And two items.

0:50:280:50:31

I mean, I've certainly... Nobody has commented to me,

0:50:310:50:35

-"Ooh, that seems expensive?"

-Mm.

0:50:350:50:38

Which is good, cos I know we were both worried that we wanted to get the pricing right.

0:50:380:50:44

-There's one couple that, I think they've been in every day.

-Really?

-For rocky road.

0:50:440:50:48

They say, every day they come in for their cup of tea and their rocky road in the afternoon.

0:50:480:50:52

They've had lunches, breakfasts. It's nice that we're getting people coming back already.

0:50:520:50:57

-Fantastic.

-So...

-That's good.

-Yeah.

0:50:570:51:00

'It's a good start and the locals are clearly embracing their community cafe.'

0:51:000:51:05

There's no doubt that Charlotte has delivered a very impressive build.

0:51:050:51:09

But it needs almost 100 percent volunteers to keep it sustainable.

0:51:090:51:13

'So they need all the help they can get.'

0:51:150:51:17

-This is fantastic!

-It's all right, isn't it?

-So great.

0:51:200:51:26

The number of times I've heard people walk in for the first time and go, "Wow!"

0:51:260:51:30

-So it's all hands on deck?

-It's all hands on deck, it's absolutely fantastic.

0:51:350:51:40

-That's great!

-We've had, erm, good sales.

0:51:400:51:42

'Over a busy lunchtime, it's great to see the cafe seems to be a hit with the locals.'

0:51:480:51:52

Good service. We want good service.

0:51:520:51:55

-Is this your first day volunteering?

-Ooh, yes.

-So it's the blind leading the blind.

0:51:550:51:59

-Definitely.

-THEY LAUGH

0:51:590:52:02

-What would you like, a cappuccino?

-Please.

-OK.

0:52:020:52:04

It may be some time. OK.

0:52:040:52:07

Ooh!

0:52:070:52:09

-That's it, perfect. Whoa, whoa.

-There we are.

-Thank you very much.

0:52:100:52:14

Thank you very much indeed.

0:52:140:52:16

-Next? I'm loving it. Number 43?

-THEY LAUGH

0:52:180:52:23

One year on from the day Caistor got its £400,000 Lottery grant,

0:52:330:52:38

Caistor is saying goodbye to its business mentor.

0:52:380:52:41

'But is Charlotte happy with the cafe pricing, and the business model she is leaving behind?'

0:52:430:52:49

Let's talk about the business. Do you think it's going to cope?

0:52:490:52:53

For me, it's accepting it's not really necessarily going to be run as a business.

0:52:530:52:57

It is going to be run as a community project.

0:52:570:52:59

So you think it will still be here in a year's time?

0:52:590:53:02

Look at the numbers, see how many customers have been through the door and what they bought.

0:53:020:53:06

The coffee is selling. The ploughman's is selling. Yes, they'll have to play with that menu a bit.

0:53:060:53:12

I think it will definitely be here in a year's time.

0:53:120:53:14

It's whether it will be everything it could be in the next year or two.

0:53:140:53:19

Would you do this again? If you got the option to go to Shropshire tomorrow and start all over again?

0:53:190:53:24

To work in an environment where there's that balance, of it being a job,

0:53:240:53:28

but also something where you're surrounded by people who are all really committed to it

0:53:280:53:33

and making something happen because they're passionate about it, that has been such a privilege.

0:53:330:53:38

And once you've had that,

0:53:380:53:40

it will be really hard to go back to an office job, or...

0:53:400:53:45

Goodness knows where I go from here.

0:53:450:53:48

You were described as "an attractive bully",

0:53:480:53:51

do you think that's how you'll be remembered in Caistor?

0:53:510:53:54

Hopefully they'll remember more of the attractive and less of the bully. SHE LAUGHS

0:53:540:53:59

'The responsibility for the centre staying afloat

0:53:590:54:03

'now ultimately rests on the shoulders of its new manager, Roy.'

0:54:030:54:07

This whole project started when you and Alan had this dream for a heritage centre for Caistor.

0:54:070:54:14

-Yeah.

-And it's come on an incredibly long journey to get to this point.

0:54:140:54:18

We haven't got quite as much heritage inside the building yet.

0:54:180:54:21

But do you think that what you've ended up with is more diverse?

0:54:210:54:26

Cos if it was just a heritage centre, you'd only have historians,

0:54:260:54:30

but now, you've got people who just happen to like cappuccinos in,

0:54:300:54:33

-and they might find out about the history of Caistor.

-You're absolutely right.

0:54:330:54:37

And over the months, I've been converted from a true museum buff if you like,

0:54:370:54:44

into accepting what we've got and realising that this works.

0:54:440:54:48

-Has this grant and this community project put the heart back into Caistor?

-Yeah, I think it has.

0:54:480:54:54

Certainly, bringing this building back into use, and it was deteriorating and at some point

0:54:540:54:59

it would've fallen down, and people are coming, on a regular basis.

0:54:590:55:03

-So, in 50 years' time, people will know about the history of Caistor, because of you.

-Because of us, yeah.

0:55:030:55:09

Yep. That's great. Couldn't be better.

0:55:090:55:12

'With everything packed, it's time for Charlotte to finally leave behind her life in Caistor.'

0:55:130:55:18

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:55:180:55:21

'It's clear she's left her mark on this rural community.'

0:55:210:55:25

-This is you on the road.

-Oh, Cherry!

0:55:250:55:29

That's amazing! Thank you!

0:55:290:55:32

-I hope this is a really good memory for you to keep.

-Oh, my goodness!

0:55:320:55:37

-You can't buy that.

-You certainly can't.

-Worth a million.

-Mm.

0:55:370:55:42

I just wanted to say, "Dear Caistor, thank you for giving me the biggest challenge

0:55:420:55:47

"and the most fantastic opportunity of my life so far, and..." Actually I don't know if I can.

0:55:470:55:53

SHE WEEPS It's been incredible. And Roy, you've been the best boss.

0:55:530:55:59

"Thank you for giving me the biggest challenge and most fantastic opportunity of my life so far.

0:55:590:56:06

-"It's been a privilege. Thank you."

-It really has.

0:56:060:56:10

APPLAUSE

0:56:100:56:13

CORK POPS / THEY CHEER

0:56:130:56:16

-Bye, everyone.

-ALL: Bye!

-Are you staying, Sarah?

0:56:180:56:21

-I'm taking over now, I'm the new centre manager.

-Well done, Roy, you talked her into it!

0:56:210:56:26

-SARAH LAUGHS

-Bye!

0:56:260:56:29

Today this arts and heritage centre looks great, and Caistor certainly has got its beating heart.

0:56:340:56:40

'The passion of these villagers has driven turning this once-crumbling chapel

0:56:400:56:45

'into a thriving cafe, with a library that has gained more than 150 new members since opening.

0:56:450:56:52

'The space is drawing in the whole community to enjoy these wonderful new facilities.'

0:56:520:56:58

But the root of most of the dilemmas over the last 12 months

0:56:580:57:01

has been the balance between local desire and cold, hard business.

0:57:010:57:06

If this place is going to continue to grow to be the vibrant,

0:57:060:57:10

cultural hub of this market town, it has to make a profit.

0:57:100:57:15

The next year is going to be just as hard as the last.

0:57:150:57:18

But if they get it right,

0:57:180:57:20

the locals may never have to leave Caistor for a cappuccino again.

0:57:200:57:25

'If you've been inspired to create a community project in your area,

0:57:260:57:30

'and want to find out about the grants available,

0:57:300:57:33

'and how to apply, or if you want an update

0:57:330:57:35

'on the Caistor arts and heritage centre, go to:

0:57:350:57:41

'When the village of Myddfai has to demolish its past

0:57:450:57:48

'to secure its future...'

0:57:480:57:50

This is a village that needs to keep its traditions, isn't it?

0:57:500:57:54

It's over to you guys whether it's a success or not in the long term.

0:57:540:57:58

'..can a traditional community come to terms with change? Or will it pull them apart?'

0:57:580:58:03

Explain to people. Explain to people what's going on.

0:58:030:58:06

If I've been seen as the representative of change, so be it.

0:58:060:58:11

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:58:130:58:17

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0:58:170:58:21

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0:58:210:58:21

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