PEOPLE in Chudleigh will be going back in time, thanks to a £500 donation from the Co-op's Community Fund. The Chudleigh History Group is commemorating the great fire which almost destroyed the town in 1807 with a grand commemorative event in May, and the Co-op grant will be used to create an educational book to tell residents all about what happened on that fateful day. Local schoolchildren will also be involved and encouraged to carry out their own research on the subject. 'We are grateful to the Co-op for its assistance with this important project. We will be touring the local primary schools over the coming months and the project will culminate in a ceremonial "burning" of Fore Street,' said the group's vice-chairman Philip Underwood. The Co-op's Community Fund is part of the Co-operative Group's membership share of profits scheme* which allows Co-op members to donate all or part of their twice-yearly payouts to worthy causes. The fund offers grants of between £100 and £5,000 with local Co-op members' committees allocating awards based on a set of vales and principles such as social responsibility and caring for others. About £100,000 is available annually to support charities and community groups in the region. 'The Community Fund can make a real and lasting contribution to local communities and we are delighted to be of help to the Chudleigh History Group. Many community groups share our co-operative values and could benefit from an award, and we would certainly like to hear from them,' said Co-operative Group regional secretary Andrew North. *Unlike many large organisations, the Co-operative Group is owned by its consumer members and seeks to return a share of its profits to the people who trade with it.
