Save Leadgate Engine Shed!

So, things have changed at the project I've been supporting for the last three  years: the owner of the building has indicated that she needs to sell it and will still sell it to the charity I have been trying to help set up anonymously - for MUCH less than she could get from a developer. Now, its chocs away and we're off! This is NOT the way I wanted it to happen, but needs must and we've decided to risk a (hopefully) quick crowd-funding campaign to buy the building: Save the Leadgate Engine Shed  It is very much at the "preview" stage: I accidentally made it "live" when I was trying to send the link to a potential "Lead Donor". So what you see there is work in progress, it will be completed when the drone footage a supporter shot today (in uncharacteristic glorious sunshine!) and the recorded comments from local people are edited and uploaded, I think the project will be irresistible.

The amount of support for the project is growing and growing, with more interest since the goslings have started hatching and 'we've' recently acquired a pygmy (?) goat; "Billy the Bastard" and a four month old Gypsy Cobb foal; Blue. Most of the animals belong to a 19 year old local lad who has been able to turn his hobby into the beginnings of a viable business. He's already winning prizes with his poultry and people across the county seek out his advice!

To call the caretaker (he prefers "Custodian"), charismatic would  be the ultimate understatement! The eclectic gaggle of people congregating at the building at various times ranges from 'Good ol' boys' who appreciate a venue to spin some yarns, show the young 'uns how things are done and give their partners a few hours of peace, to local groups and organisations popping in for this or that and to talk about what we could do together if the building was developed and all of them were attracted to the building by the Custodian.

What are we going to do? - The Custodian coined the term "The Leadgate Leg-up" which is all about sharing skills and resources for mutual benefit. People can use the shed to make and to store things in return for generally helping out. Sales of recycled or refurbished furniture are split between the maker and the project. If... WHEN we purchase the building, there is a sequence of community enterprise developments we've been planning and refining over the years that I intend to leave my current job to focus on achieving. To be in the position to go full time on this, I need to secure at least one grant for running costs and I happened to find one for which my community interest company is eligible to apply so I am onto my second draft of the text and working on the budget.

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