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Operated by East Boldre Community Stores Limited, a voluntary organisation.
Owned by it members, predominantly local people.
Community Benefit Society, number 8481
EBCS Management Committee
Public Meetings
Public meetings were held 8th (Zoom) and 11th July (Village Hall).
If you missed them you can view slideset here
Davina Downes
Davina and her husband, Gerard, moved to Beaulieu in 2016. She has worked as a legal secretary for the majority of her career.
Davina realised during the Covid pandemic how vital East Boldre village shop was for the well being of the community and is very keen to see the new Chapel Stores continue to thrive.”
Jack Gabzdyl
Jack is a business development and marketing manager with a PhD in laser materials processing. He and his wife Rebecca, both keen sailors, moved to the village in 2008.
He has been actively involved in the shop project since 2020 and played an active role in keeping Ian's shop stocked during the COVID pandemic.
He was elected to the management committee in 2024 and has picked up responsibility for EBCS's marketing and communications.. "The shop is a vital local asset and it is important that the goods and services it offers reflect the needs of the whole community."
Mike Hawker - Chair
Mike joined the shop project in October 2020 and has lived in East Boldre for 35 years. A Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience as a chief executive in major retail organisations. Currently a non-executive and trustee in the health, education and charity sectors.
"The shop is a vital asset providing a point of focus in a linear village. A post office selling newspapers, sweets and tobacco has evolved into a ‘village store’ picking up the slack left by the closure of the nearby general store about 30 years ago. A convenience for some and a lifeline for others".
Annette Hayward (co-opted)
Before coming to live in East Boldre six years ago, Annette helped develop volunteer opportunities for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. She knows first hand how important volunteer effort is in supporting staff to increase the effectiveness of an enterprise. Volunteering forms links between neighbours, so important in our spread-out village. lt brings satisfaction from knowing that what you do matters to your community and helps make our vital shop and Post Office a continuing success
Kevin House
I’ve lived in the village for my whole life (63 years) and know many local residents. Through my cleaning work in the store I feel I have a unique view on the store and its customers and have lots of ideas to propose to the committee.
I’ve managed the local football team, and refereed football matches and umpired cricket matches - I hope to bring my sense of fair play to the committee.
Alison Moore-Gwyn - Secretary
Alison qualified as a solicitor and specialised in property law before spending most of her working life in the voluntary and charitable sectors.
She retired in 2012 after serving as CEO of The National Playing Fields Association which campaigns to safeguard outdoor recreational spaces. Alison has lived in East Boldre since 2013 and joined our team in 2022.
Simon Ricketts
Simon has worked in data analytics and e-commerce for over two decades, starting his career locally with B&Q (building their first transactional website) then spending 15 years in London working with a number of global retail and media brands. He has lived in East Boldre for nearly four years and is super excited to be part of this project. He is looking forward to seeing Chapel Stores become an essential part of community life here in the village. He was elected to our team in November 2023.
Anna Rostand
I feel very passionately about the shop and the importance of existence and benefit to our community. I have invested time and money to promote and publicise the shop which I think is a huge success.
I have owned and run my own food store in lymington back in the 80's. Together with my husband we started a successful frozen food company in the 70's supplying major supermarkets with products from around the world.
I have been a district and town councillor. Also mayor of lymington for two years. I have been trustee and chairman of the Lymington Community Centre when I lived there.
Malvena Stuart Taylor
Malvena was a Consultant anaesthetist at Southampton, retiring from clinical practice in 2019. She completed a Masters in Coaching & Mentoring at Oxford Brookes in 2015. Malvena moved from Awbridge, Romsey to East Boldre in early 2021 and was immediately impressed by the support and community buzz. She felt she would like to give back to the community skills and energy in the development of Chapel Stores and was elected to the team in November 2023.
Sarah Thompson
I have been a part of the shops journey and have supported all its development. Now I have retired, I would like to join the committee to provide a voice for the community.
In my nursing career, I have listened to patients, organisations and communities to be their advocates and feel as part of the committee I can listen and take forward the voice of our community as appropriate.
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