People all over the country will be waking up this Christmas
morning to find they are part-owners of an organic tearoom on a
pioneering Shropshire organic farm.
Fordhall Organic Farm is selling off shares at £50 a time
to help fund the conversion of former dairy buildings into new
organic tea rooms and an education centre to serve the thousands of
visitors who flock to the farm each year.
The eco-friendly redevelopment will include a grass-roofed
oak-framed canopy incorporating photo-voltaic cells, and a
ground-sourced heat pump.
"The shares are something different, are helping a great cause
and are intended to solve the age-old 'what do you give someone who
has everything' dilemma," said Charlotte Hollins, manager of
Fordhall Community Land Initiative, the not-for-profit community
trust that owns the farm near Market Drayton.
"It's the same principle as adopting an animal in Africa, only
you can come and visit," she added.
Charlotte and her older brother Ben hit the headlines in 2006
when they faced losing their tenanted farm to development if they
could not raise the £800,000 required to purchase it.
Their plight struck a chord with the public, and in a massive
show of support thousands of people from around the world responded
by acquiring £50 shares in the farm, which is now run as a
social enterprise, ploughing its surplus cash back into the venture
to benefit the community and increase awareness of food and organic
farming.
That scheme worked so well that it is to be re-launched in time
for Christmas, 27-year-old Charlotte confirmed.
The trust, which is one of five designated 'flagship'
enterprises supported by Social Enterprise West Midlands, needs to
raise at least a further £50,000 to see the completion of the
tea room project.
Charlotte's declared aim is to put the farm, and Market Drayton,
on the 'foodie' map by offering home-grown, home-cooked produce -
prepared to the highest standards.
Total cost of the ambitious project will be around
£550,000, which is largely being met by grants, donations,
loans and shares.
"Lots of people have said to me that they wished they had bought
shares at the time - and now they have a second chance," said
Charlotte.
"We also hope to reach people who had never heard of us before.
I am sure that most of us have dreamed of owning our own ethical
tearoom!"
She added: "It's an altruistic investment. You get a very
attractive share certificate, and an invitation to the AGM every
year. No dividends are paid but shareholders will legally part own
this beautiful farm and the excellent local food tearoom on
it."
The lack of earnings appears to be no deterrent to investors. In
fact many give their time and expertise for nothing, just for the
privilege of helping out. It is a trust community venture.
Charlotte explained: "Of our 8,300 shareholders across the world
around 450 are on our database of active volunteers."