Village virtue

OUR rural villages may have lost many of their facilities over the years but one thing that has clearly not been eroded is their sense of community spirit.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jul 2010, 21:13 BST
Updated 23rd Jul 2010, 21:13 BST

Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in Draughton, near Skipton, where residents have turned two problems into one solution.

The community lost its village store more than two years ago when its owners retired. But villagers are able to pick up their groceries, newspapers and household items from a disused telephone box which is now being put to a novel use as a shop.

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What is particularly heartening about this idea, which has restored a vital service to villagers, is the honesty of the residents who make it work.

Customers order goods from nearby Skipton which are left for them on the shelves of the phonebox. And villagers can even leave their payments in an honesty box for the shopkeeper. Since it was launched no money or items have gone missing and everyone is able to collect what they ordered.

It is perhaps a sad reflection on modern society that this should seem so remarkable but it demonstrates the strength and values which still exist in rural society.

It is also a fine example of how innovative thinking can help to keep the region's smaller villages viable and vibrant in the future.