Sherston Old School Community Investment Company (SOSCIC)
Brief history
The Sherston Old School was built in 1845. It remained in use as the village school for over 150 years before closing in 2005 when the new Sherston Primary School was opened. It is an historically significant building on the High Street and is accordingly Grade II Listed.
Following a referendum in 2008 the decision was made by the Parish Council to purchase the Old School premises with a view to them being converted to a commercial use that could benefit the village over the long term.
The Sherston Old School Community Interest Company (SOSCIC) was formed in 2010 for the purpose of renovating and converting the Old School so as to provide increased employment opportunities and additional services for the community and help preserve the character of the High Street”.
The Parish Council completed the purchase of the Old School on 1st April 2011 at which time a long lease was granted to SOSCIC. Funding was found through a loan from the Public Works Loan Board and a generous series of large and small grants and donations, plus much help from a brilliant range of village events.
The main donors were . .
The Eleanor Barton Trust
Wiltshire Council
Sherston Parish Council .
The Sam Thompson Fund
Malmesbury Carnival Committee
N Wiles
EAP Sells
The Prince”s Countryside Fund
Sherston Boules and Carnival Committee
Christian Landolt
J Seymour Williams
We thank them all for their contributions, small and large.
Work started on the building in July 2011, the first phase allowing the village Post Office and Stores to relocate. The second phase was completed in May 2012. It was formally opened by Prince Charles in November 2013.
