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Villager Clare to run The Pavilion

We are delighted to let everyone know that The Pavilion will open as a Café and bar run by Clare Vachell, who many of you will already know as not only a villager but also the owner of the successful Lodge Farm Café.

Due to delays with some furniture and equipment deliveries The Pavilion will open a little later than was hoped but Clare is keen to be up and running in March with a café service during the day and a bar and restaurant service in the evenings and weekends.

There is a lot of work to do getting ready to open and Clare will

let us know nearer the time on an exact opening date. The formal opening, originally scheduled for 22nd February, will also be put back until we are confident everything is ready.

This is a very exciting development for the village and we all wish Clare every success as we get ready to support her in opening the café, restaurant and long awaited bar.

Lawrence Chapman, Chair, Castlethorpe Community Space
Philip Ayles, Chair, Castlethorpe Parish Council

Our village has been without a pub since the Carrington Arms closed in 2008 and has never had a café or a casual spot for people to gather, even though surveys showed this is the top request from residents.

In 2022, the owner of the Carrington Arms informed the Parish Council that he no longer planned to redevelop the site and would instead sell it. This prompted the Parish Council to explore building a new Café and Bar. They planned to use a mix of "planning gain" funds, council reserves, a generous grant from the MK Community Foundation, and a low-cost Government loan.

In 2023, a Parish Advisory Poll showed strong support for the project, with 337 votes in favour and only 56 against.

The only suitable location was at the Sports Ground. Plans were created to remodel the cricket pavilion, adding larger changing rooms, new toilets, and an extension for a kitchen, serving area and customer seating.

Construction began at the end of 2023 and was finished by mid-2024. The Parish Council then leased the building to Castlethorpe Community Space, a newly formed Community Interest Company which is owned by its members. Any resident over 18, or non-residents with strong ties to the village, can apply to become a member.

Castlethorpe Community Space raised additional funds to equip the pavilion with a kitchen, serving area, and customer furnishings. This included more "planning gain" funds, a significant grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and generous donations from local residents.

The Pavilion Café and Bar is set to open in March. It will be a warm, welcoming space for everyone, especially older residents who can meet friends and enjoy much-needed company. It will also cater to remote workers looking for a change of scenery and visitors to the outdoor gym and other sports facilities at the Sports Ground.

Donations

If you would like to donate to improve this wonderful facility, the best way is to make a donation by bank transfer to:
Castlethorpe Community Space
Sort code: 30-99-50 Account No: 24030663
Please confirm your donation by emailing
castlethorpecommunityspace@gmail.com

You can also donate with a credit or debit card at
crowdfunder.co.uk/p/castlethorpe-pavilion
Please note that Crowdfunder automatically
adds a "tip to help fund its operation but you can
alter the amount from 0% to 100% by clicking
on "Enter custom amount".

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