CAMPAIGNERS who formed a community group more than four years ago to try and save the George Cafe in Newnham are celebrating a major milestone after finally buying the building for the village.

Over the next few months the group will be hard at work converting The George into a thriving village hub, with a café, bakery and business centre and rooms for hire by local groups.

Volunteers are already lined up to help with renovation, and paid jobs will be advertised in due course.

Plans are also being made for a whole range of cultural events to be held in the beautiful upstairs gallery and performance space.

Announcing the news, acting chair Carolyn Black said: ‘We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who kept faith with the project, despite the many obstacles and setbacks along the way.

‘‘The support we’ve had from our 200-plus shareholders and from the people of Newnham has been amazing. We can’t wait to welcome everybody back again!”

“Right now, the focus is on getting the building spruced up and ready for use, and a full programme of repair and refurbishment will be starting soon.”

To raise money for a first-floor lift, the group are launching a special ‘Give Us a Lift!’ fundraising appeal which gets underway with a concert by former royal harpist Jemima Phillips and flute and piano duo Animo at St Peter’s Church.

There will also be open days at The George, so people can finally take a look inside the much-loved building that has been empty and unused for so long.

“We’re looking to involve the whole community,” said volunteer co-ordinator and former chair Siobhan Smith. “Volunteering is an important part of what The George is about. It’s not only good fun, it’s a great way to make friends and feel part of local life.”

“We want to create a place where everyone feels relaxed and at home. Newnham is growing fast at the moment, with many new homes planned over the next few years and some great new businesses starting up alongside the ones already thriving here.

“We want to make sure that new residents are drawn into the life of the village and don’t just head off in their cars to places further afield.

“This is a beautiful village and a great community.

It’s wonderful that The George can open its doors and be a focal point of the village again.”