How do you like the sound of becoming a member of Our Heath Barn by investing funds into the building as part of a Community Benefit Society model? 

 

We have currently received pledges from 78 people amounting to £27,600.
 

Community ownership is the ultimate display of confidence and commitment when people (both near or far) choose to invest shares into a heritage building (minimum investment £200) A community investment model not only evidences this really well, it demonstrates to the council that local people are committed to seeing it succeed for the long term. It also creates a fantastic story when reaching out to potential big funders or match funding organisations meaning it opens up opportunities that may not otherwise be available. My feeling is that Heath Barn has always been the birth place of great stories and should continue to be for a long time into the future.

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We feel this could act as a potential solution when the building goes to open market- by having significant funds to offer in cash, could lever things in our favour.

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Want to submit your commitment to pledging? (No money will be taken at this stage) then Click here: https://forms.gle/K1WETA6qVZB6Lh4G9 

 

By owning shares in the building, you would become a member and have the opportunity to vote. Regardless of how much you invest, you will have one vote and therefore a say in the future of the barn and the activities that run from there. There is also a hope that members may be interested in volunteering from time to time.

 

Ickleton Lion pub in rural Cambridgeshire www.ickletonlionpub.co.uk  is a great example of this done well! Over a period of a few weeks, they raised £440,000 with pledges both nationally and internationally which allowed them to enter negotiations with owners, Greene King. Their website is really helpful and I'd love to mirror this documentation in due course, if/ when the Community Benefit Society idea takes off and if Herts County Council can see it's part of  a robust plan (more on that another time.)

 

I should add, I know £200 is a lot of money to a lot of people. Smaller donations are always welcomed and will really help towards ongoing consultancy fees (I'm keen to hire Plunkett Foundation who have been advising me and specialise in community businesses) and marketing costs in addition to other advice and creating other fundraising opportunities. 
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Please keep sharing, engaging and telling your friends that you are helping to Save Heath Barn- the second oldest building in Boxmoor!! I really think we can make this happen but we need the commitment of lots of people who are passionate about seeing Heath Barn turned into something that the community can enjoy and be proud of.

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Donations are very welcome

Donations for less than £200 are very much appreciated and will help us continue to create awareness around our campaign in the community. Our recent Heath Barn Unlocked events and Boxmoor historical walks helped raised over £1400 in funding which has contributed towards renewing our business as a CIC, having flyers printed by Collie Print (Tring) and the hiring of a local heritage expert. Our Heath Barn are very fortunate that Hugo Hardy has been assisting with architectural work up to this point pro bono. We also had the generosity of a local surveyor, Battram Associates, to carry out initial analysis free of charge. We are also keen to look into consultancy advice from Co-operatives UK- an organisation that excel in promoting community businesses and helping them thrive!

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To arrange a BACS transfer donation, our Company account details are as follows:

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Our Heath Barn CIC 

Sort code:  08-92-99

Account number: 67362354

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If we are unsuccessful with our campaign, any remaining funds will be given to a nominated local charity or not for profit business. Please note, I am reluctant at this stage to launch our Crowdfunder due to the fees they take on donations. 

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