A BOOK detailing a village's fight to save its shop and post office gives and insight into how the determination of a community eventually saw them reach their goal.

'Shop', published by Blockley Heritage Society, has been written by Pamela Readhead and Robert Willott, with photographs by Alan and Christina Thornton and Lara Platman.

It tells the blow-by-blow story of how the shop at Blockley was saved by and for the community and, having done so, how an even bolder project had to be initiated when the shop’s lease approached its expiry date.

Four hundred copies of the 120-page hardback have been printed and take the reader through each stage to secure the shop, beginning with news that Blockley Village Stores and Post Office was to close.

The ensuing shockwaves swept through the village in 2006. The Post Office, as it was universally known to villagers was the last remaining shop which sold basic necessities from toilet paper to bread, newspapers to tea and greetings cards.

Forty people without bank accounts still relied on the sub post office to pay their pensions and it was the only place in the area where emergency cash could be obtained.

Follow that with the announcement that Royal Mail was to close 2,500 post offices as part of a £1.7 billion restructuring package. Keeping the business afloat had been an uphill struggle and the threat of losing the Post Office was the final straw. The village, once boasting a lively commercial centre with scores of small shops and services, was faced with the prospect of another beautiful but sterile Cotswolds dormitory.

The fight began.

The book recounts the search for alternatives premises, the search for funds, negotiations with Post Office Ltd, the enthusiastic involvement of the community at every stage, the battle with the planning officers, bids to the Social Investment Bank and to the Big Lottery Fund, and the challenge to create a new building in a confined space above a water culvert.

"It is a story of vision and determination, of challenges and arguments, and - most of all - of sheer hard work and commitment by the people of the parish of Blockley. It is a story that may also be of help and encouragement to other communities that find themselves in a similar position.

“The most heartwarming part of this story is the dogged determination and generosity of the whole community. Hundreds of villagers contributed their skills, their cash and their precious time to save these essential amenities for the village," said resident and author Pamela Readhead.

Photographs track each step of the story detailing the blood, sweat and tears that the community shed before finally opening their community hub.

Shop is priced at £19.99. It is on sale in Blockley Village shop and from the Blockley Heritage Society website: www.blockley-heritage-soc.co.uk