Ruscombe & Whiteshill Community Shop is a bustling little volunteer-run shop and cafe in my neighbouring village of Whiteshill, much loved and used by locals & visitors. It stocks pretty much everything from groceries and freezer meals supplied by local farm shops to local art and penny sweets (thereby cleverly ensuring regular visits by future customers!)
It also houses a small cafe where you can get a great cup of cafetiere coffee and slice of freshly baked cafe to enjoy while browsing the selection of second hand books - that's if you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous view across the Ruscombe valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
College Green has supplied the shop since the introduction of a crafters section a few years ago, although when I was first approached I was told that regretfully, a soap costing £5 just wouldn't sell so please don't expect to sell any.
Thankfully Whiteshill shoppers are a discerning lot, and I've sold many soaps, bath soaks and candles in the intervening years.
I now supply the shop with soaps, pillow sprays, bath soaks, candles, reed diffusers and gift boxes.
The shop keeps a percentage of every sale, which helps towards the running costs.
It's well worth a visit if you're in the area. The shop sits next to a brilliant enclosed children's play area and has a large, flat grassy field - which could explain why it's a popular walk for families from my neighbouring village of Randwick, which has such a sloping field it's actually called The Slope!
Ruscombe & Whiteshill Village Shop, The Playing Field, Lower Street, Whiteshill, Stroud, GL6 6AN
*The first photo definitely wasn't taken in the Ruscombe Valley! It's at Canary Wharf in London.