Latest News
Save Rum's Eg Appeal & Closure of Bell Street - posted 19 September 2017We did reach our target of £15,000 - thanks to hundreds of contributors, who included our supporters, customers, craft-makers and artists, we are still here! We now have a wider team (including Directors, employees and volunteers) working on plans for long-term sustainability to build resilience and reserves for the future. Trade picked up a great deal in July and August but we are not out of the woods yet as the closure of Bell Street (4 Sept to 24 Nov) to traffic for street enhancements for 3 of our 4 peak trading months (and again from January until the Spring) is the latest challenge to overcome!! Pedestrians can still walk down from each end, so don't forget about us for all your Christmas presents - we have beautiful new stock arriving from new and regular craft-makers every day - and Rum's Cafe has a new Autumn/Winter menu.
An open letter to our supporters
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New Volunteer Roles to Support Rum’s Eg - posted 2nd August 2017 We are looking to expand our team to help make this exciting and ground-breaking Arts enterprise more resilient and sustainable for the long term. A recent appeal for funds to help keep it going showed just how popular and important this Community and Arts asset is for so many people from all walks of life.
Rebecca Maddox the manager said ‘we are currently recruiting volunteers across a range of areas to help us continue to develop our offering here at Rum’s Eg. There are roles to suit all types of skill and interest, with commitment levels ranging from weekly to monthly, to project based support. Volunteers are crucial to our future development and sustainability. Click here for more information.... Securing a Sustainable Future - an update on progress - posted 22nd July 2017Several meetings have been held between the directors and management of Hampshire Art & Craft CIC and consultants/advisors including representatives from Test Valley Borough Council, Test Valley Arts Foundation, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust. Some of the key outcomes of these meetings are outlined below:
Hampshire Art & Craft CIC is actively responding to this consultancy and review period and taking measures to ensure a sustainable future. |
Help Us to Save Rum's Eg! Posted 30 June 2017
Due to particularly difficult trading conditions Rum's Eg finds itself in financial trouble and in imminent danger of closing unless our supporters can help to pull us through by donating as much as you feel able to. This community project has been a huge challenge but we have survived for nearly 5 years against all the odds. We must grow stronger and more resilient if we are to survive for the long term.
Rum's Eg is now widely recognised as a huge asset to Romsey, the Test Valley and Hampshire - beloved by many and adding something very special to the town, the community, increasing visitor numbers and supporting hundreds of artists and craftsmen in their working practice by selling their work and teaching in our workshops. Many people of all ages have been involved in Community Arts Projects such as our 'Prescription Arts' project and the 'Microbial Worlds' arts and science project with schools, currently exhibited in the South Garth at Romsey Abbey.
This is why Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire Cultural Trust, Test Valley Arts Foundation and Romsey Town Council have all offered people with considerable expertise and clout to join a new Working Group to have a big re-think and look at new strategies, new grants, etc to make sure Rum's Eg develops more and better income streams, more resilience and survives. They can give us funding to take care of the urgent maintenance and capital costs to help us make Rum's Eg more sustainable but before this can happen we need to resolve the current cash flow issue.
We urgently need to raise £15,000, which could equate to 150 donations of £100, or any combination according to how much you feel able to give. Every donation of even £10 will help.
Rum's Eg is now widely recognised as a huge asset to Romsey, the Test Valley and Hampshire - beloved by many and adding something very special to the town, the community, increasing visitor numbers and supporting hundreds of artists and craftsmen in their working practice by selling their work and teaching in our workshops. Many people of all ages have been involved in Community Arts Projects such as our 'Prescription Arts' project and the 'Microbial Worlds' arts and science project with schools, currently exhibited in the South Garth at Romsey Abbey.
This is why Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire Cultural Trust, Test Valley Arts Foundation and Romsey Town Council have all offered people with considerable expertise and clout to join a new Working Group to have a big re-think and look at new strategies, new grants, etc to make sure Rum's Eg develops more and better income streams, more resilience and survives. They can give us funding to take care of the urgent maintenance and capital costs to help us make Rum's Eg more sustainable but before this can happen we need to resolve the current cash flow issue.
We urgently need to raise £15,000, which could equate to 150 donations of £100, or any combination according to how much you feel able to give. Every donation of even £10 will help.
Arts Council Funding Sought for Rum's Eg Further Development Project 2017-19
posted January 2017 and updated March 2017
The Board of Directors submitted two grant bids in 2016 to The Arts Council 'Grants for the Arts' (with some match-funding from Test Valley Borough Council 'Community Asset Fund' and others) for a two-year 'Rum's Eg Further Development Project 2017-19' to develop our Artistic quality and offering, audience engagement in the creative arts, accessibility and improve infrastructure, income streams, productivity and sustainability - to safeguard Rum’s Eg for the long term. Please keep all your fingers crossed for us - we should hear the decision by the beginning of March! The investment and the outcomes achieved by this Further Development Project will benefit our numerous stakeholders, many of whom are residents of Romsey, the Test Valley and Hampshire, plus visitors to Rum's Eg and the destination of Romsey and Test Valley.
Update March 2017 - Sadly although rated as two strong all-round bids by the appraisals (with the second bid being reduced greatly by us and with more matchfunding) and recommended to the ACE panel to grant, the bids were not successful. Hence we find ourselves in very difficult times. There just isn't enough funding for Arts and Culture, which are so important in our hectic, computerised, modern life, and although we aim to be as self-supporting as possible and have survived for nearly 5 years that way - it is very tough out there!
The scope of the project was to develop the following:
Phase 3 - the building of a lift extension for accessibility for all to all the facilities and floors with improvements to windows and rear elevation and improvements to ventilation, heating and cooling - will be a later project for which some funding has already been pledged by HCC and TVBC. Further applications for grants need to be prepared and submitted once we are sure we are sustainable long term.
Update March 2017 - Sadly although rated as two strong all-round bids by the appraisals (with the second bid being reduced greatly by us and with more matchfunding) and recommended to the ACE panel to grant, the bids were not successful. Hence we find ourselves in very difficult times. There just isn't enough funding for Arts and Culture, which are so important in our hectic, computerised, modern life, and although we aim to be as self-supporting as possible and have survived for nearly 5 years that way - it is very tough out there!
The scope of the project was to develop the following:
- Office, IT, sales and administration systems and equipment to cope with our expanding workload and provide better visitor, customer and client service and better marketing and promotion systems.
- Café development to increase income to support the enterprise, improve customer service and staff working conditions - including kitchen alterations and new equipment.
- Essential building work to upgrade the front elevation of Rum's Eg to smarten appearance and avoid ongoing and increasing maintenance costs - including sash window refurbishment (for safety, draft reduction and energy savings) and removal of a step and installation of a ramp for wheelchair accessiblity.
- Public Arts engagement, development of our marketing strategy for increased audience and footfall.
- Artistic quality, Artist & maker CPD, gallery and curation development
- Community outreach infrastructure and project development - in particular with schools/youth Arts projects and Prescription Arts which are both important parts of our 'Arts for Wellbeing' community Arts initiative.
- Funding strategies, building partnerships and volunteer teams for long-term financial sustainability during and after the 2 year project ends.
Phase 3 - the building of a lift extension for accessibility for all to all the facilities and floors with improvements to windows and rear elevation and improvements to ventilation, heating and cooling - will be a later project for which some funding has already been pledged by HCC and TVBC. Further applications for grants need to be prepared and submitted once we are sure we are sustainable long term.
General Manager Appointment
April 2016
Sadly we said goodbye to Andrea Hancock at the end of March due to a change in her circumstances - we all enjoyed working with her and wish her well in her new job. The Directors, our staff and volunteer team were delighted to welcome Rebecca Maddox as our new General Manager. Rebecca is an Arts graduate with considerable experience in all our 'departments' - cafes, galleries, workshops and community work - so perfect for Rum's Eg! She has been appointed by the Board of Directors to head up and work with the existing team to enable further strategic and creative development of Rum's Eg and help us to secure its continued success and long term future.
Lift Funding Pledged by Test Valley Borough Council & Hampshire County Council
February 2016
We are delighted to announce that TVBC have pledged a £25,000 grant from their Community Asset Fund towards Phase Three of our building project to provide accessibility to all. We are also most grateful to Hampshire County Council who have pledged £15,000 of match-funding. Planning permission has already been granted for an extension at the rear of the premises and we need to raise a total of £160,000 for the building works which include improvements to the back elevation and fenestration, lift installation, a Mechanical Heat Recovery & Ventilation (MHRV) system, professional fees for Architect's specifications, building regs, project management and Structural Engineer's report, plus contingency. Further Grants are being sought.
New Board of Directors Appointed to Govern HA&C CIC and Rum's Eg
May 2015
Voluntary work by Founding Director Siriol Sherlock and 4 committed volunteers - Dorothy Baverstock, Ros Rogers, Liz Bailey and Linda Cohen (who together made up a small management committee), working alongside our dedicated paid staff, has been a vital ingredient to set Rum's Eg off on an exciting and ambitious journey. Through their efforts, Rum's Eg has reached a stage where we must consolidate our achievements by:
Three new Directors were appointed on 6 May 2015 and others may be sought to fill any gaps in expertise. Councillor Dorothy Baverstock, who has been a great supporter and was co-Director for the last two years retired on 6th May 2015 to concentrate on her Mayoral, Council and Charity duties. The full board will have experience of the following: Retail Enterprises, Cafes/restaurants, Arts Organisations, CICs or Charities, Business Finance, Marketing/Promotion, Employment Law, Education and School Governance; wise individuals with great expertise and a positive, entrepreneurial spirit. They will support Siriol Sherlock by sharing responsibility for governance of HA&C CIC and Rum's Eg by making well-considered decisions and ensuring action is taken to implement them.
Since the Board were appointed in May, they have had numerous meetings and a new Business Development Plan was drawn up along with budgets and cash flow projections. Their intention is to strengthen the management structure at Rum's Eg, to raise our profile and to ensure growth of income and profitability. They will also identify, assess and address any known risks (financial or other) and ensure a secure, well-planned and healthy future with long-term stability and financial viability. Another important responsibility is to ensure HA&C CIC are fulfilling commitments to its stakeholders as a Community Interest Company.
Members of the Board of Directors:-
Siriol Sherlock - Founding Director and project manager for Rum's Eg, volunteer Acting Curator since formation of the company in May 2012. Artist, event/exhibition organiser, teacher, textile designer, author.
Simon Crowther - Extensive business and financial experience in retail and commerce as a Chief Executive Officer and Company Director. Business mentor.
Mark Edgerley - Romsey Town Centre Manager, former Charity CEO, Mountbatten School governor, passionate supporter of the retail centre of Romsey, its development and promotion.
Colin Phillips - Experienced proprietor of a craft-based business (designer blacksmith), one of our earliest supporters, a Founding Patron, school governor, with a specific interest in the development of Rum's Cafe.
We are looking for one or two more non-executive Directors with specific experience to help us with:
- Establishing a Board of Directors to take over governance of HA&C CIC and Rum's Eg with the priority being to consolidate for the future by expanding the business enterprise and increasing income.
- Disbanding the Management Committee – we are extremely grateful to these individuals for all their support and hard work - we hope they will continue to support our endeavours by involvement in new or existing volunteer teams.
- Appointment of a paid General Manager, to take over from Acting General Manager Siriol Sherlock, who will report directly to the Board of Directors - to take over the strategic development of Rum's Eg and expand upon the vision of the Founding Director.
- The General Manager will head a structured team of staff and volunteers, tasked with expanding growth and development of Rum's Eg to increase income to pay increasing costs and improve profitability.
- Increased income and profitability will enable further expansion of our Community Arts projects, in particular to enable our artists and craftsmen/women to work with many community, children and youth groups in the region for the benefit of all involved.
Three new Directors were appointed on 6 May 2015 and others may be sought to fill any gaps in expertise. Councillor Dorothy Baverstock, who has been a great supporter and was co-Director for the last two years retired on 6th May 2015 to concentrate on her Mayoral, Council and Charity duties. The full board will have experience of the following: Retail Enterprises, Cafes/restaurants, Arts Organisations, CICs or Charities, Business Finance, Marketing/Promotion, Employment Law, Education and School Governance; wise individuals with great expertise and a positive, entrepreneurial spirit. They will support Siriol Sherlock by sharing responsibility for governance of HA&C CIC and Rum's Eg by making well-considered decisions and ensuring action is taken to implement them.
Since the Board were appointed in May, they have had numerous meetings and a new Business Development Plan was drawn up along with budgets and cash flow projections. Their intention is to strengthen the management structure at Rum's Eg, to raise our profile and to ensure growth of income and profitability. They will also identify, assess and address any known risks (financial or other) and ensure a secure, well-planned and healthy future with long-term stability and financial viability. Another important responsibility is to ensure HA&C CIC are fulfilling commitments to its stakeholders as a Community Interest Company.
Members of the Board of Directors:-
Siriol Sherlock - Founding Director and project manager for Rum's Eg, volunteer Acting Curator since formation of the company in May 2012. Artist, event/exhibition organiser, teacher, textile designer, author.
Simon Crowther - Extensive business and financial experience in retail and commerce as a Chief Executive Officer and Company Director. Business mentor.
Mark Edgerley - Romsey Town Centre Manager, former Charity CEO, Mountbatten School governor, passionate supporter of the retail centre of Romsey, its development and promotion.
Colin Phillips - Experienced proprietor of a craft-based business (designer blacksmith), one of our earliest supporters, a Founding Patron, school governor, with a specific interest in the development of Rum's Cafe.
We are looking for one or two more non-executive Directors with specific experience to help us with:
- Fundraising and grant applications
- Community Arts and Outreach work
- Cafes and catering
Art Meets Community
April 2015
Our mission to support the creative arts, arts education and participation in activities for the benefit and well-being of all involved.
Our Exhibition Programme
To date (31.03.15), since opening in December 2012, we have curated, displayed, promoted and administered 16 major exhibitions, showing the work of more than 150 different artists and crafts-people. All the artists work within a 70 mile radius of Romsey (predominantly Hampshire) and many of them are emerging artists whom we have encouraged and mentored. We sold artwork to the value of £308,508 in just over 2 years (Dec 2012 to March 2015). We are gaining an excellent reputation for high quality, affordable art and craftwork, and footfall to the gallery has increased year on year with income from commission on the artists’ sales being the largest source of income used to run the enterprise. We have developed a symbiotic relationship with all our Artists – we need them to enable us to run Rum's Eg for their benefit and they need us to showcase their work and help them make a living from their art and craft practice.
Our Arts Education Programme & Community Commitment
Since opening, we have offered a continual programme of art and craft workshops for all ages. All the workshops offer participants the opportunity to receive expert advice and inspiration to discover new (or rediscover dormant) talents. To date (31.03.15) we have held 55 workshops for Adults and 30 for Children.
As part of our commitment as a Community Interest Company, HA&C CIC has financially supported a programme of childrens' holiday workshops and 10 workshops for disadvantaged groups including three Young Carers groups, Headway (acquired brain injuries) and Oak Lodge School (high-functioning Asperger’s and autistic children). Grant funding will be sought to support this work in future to enable staff to administer a bigger programme and develop it much further.
One example took place during Romsey Festival 2014 in collaboration with local environmental artist, Trudi Lloyd Williams and a community group Transition Town Romsey: "Amplifying The Test" aimed to celebrate and understand what the River Test means for local people and involved a series of workshops at Rum's Eg for young people (including those with special needs) where microscopes were used to explore the life in water, after which participants translated what they had seen into artwork using recycled materials.The artwork was then woven into a large piece of environmental art and installed over the River Test in the local park.
Our Exhibition Programme
To date (31.03.15), since opening in December 2012, we have curated, displayed, promoted and administered 16 major exhibitions, showing the work of more than 150 different artists and crafts-people. All the artists work within a 70 mile radius of Romsey (predominantly Hampshire) and many of them are emerging artists whom we have encouraged and mentored. We sold artwork to the value of £308,508 in just over 2 years (Dec 2012 to March 2015). We are gaining an excellent reputation for high quality, affordable art and craftwork, and footfall to the gallery has increased year on year with income from commission on the artists’ sales being the largest source of income used to run the enterprise. We have developed a symbiotic relationship with all our Artists – we need them to enable us to run Rum's Eg for their benefit and they need us to showcase their work and help them make a living from their art and craft practice.
Our Arts Education Programme & Community Commitment
Since opening, we have offered a continual programme of art and craft workshops for all ages. All the workshops offer participants the opportunity to receive expert advice and inspiration to discover new (or rediscover dormant) talents. To date (31.03.15) we have held 55 workshops for Adults and 30 for Children.
As part of our commitment as a Community Interest Company, HA&C CIC has financially supported a programme of childrens' holiday workshops and 10 workshops for disadvantaged groups including three Young Carers groups, Headway (acquired brain injuries) and Oak Lodge School (high-functioning Asperger’s and autistic children). Grant funding will be sought to support this work in future to enable staff to administer a bigger programme and develop it much further.
One example took place during Romsey Festival 2014 in collaboration with local environmental artist, Trudi Lloyd Williams and a community group Transition Town Romsey: "Amplifying The Test" aimed to celebrate and understand what the River Test means for local people and involved a series of workshops at Rum's Eg for young people (including those with special needs) where microscopes were used to explore the life in water, after which participants translated what they had seen into artwork using recycled materials.The artwork was then woven into a large piece of environmental art and installed over the River Test in the local park.
Progress Report - Making Space for Art & Craft
March 2014
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We formed a CIC which was incorporated at Companies House on 17th May 2012 and Rum's Eg art and craft gallery opened to great acclaim on 5th December 2012. A CIC is a business enterprise with surplus profits used to support the community and charitable organisations - they do not go to shareholders, proprietors or directors. A Community Interest Company can proudly boast: 'when we profit, society profits'.
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Annie Jeffery & Siriol Sherlock - founders of HA&C CIC - Nov 2012 prior to opening Rum's Eg
Opening night 5 Dec 2012
Opening day 6 Dec 2012
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Dorothy Baverstock & Siriol Sherlock with a Business Incentive grant cheque from TVBC
Rum's Eg entered a team for the Romsey Rotary Marathon May 2013
Winner of Test Valley Business in the Community Award - July 2013
Ist Anniversary Party 6 December 2013
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It has taken an unbelievable amount of hard work and perseverance by many people to get where we are today!
A total of £113,000 of capital funding was raised from a combination of Founding Patrons interest free loans, Sponsors Donations (including £10,000 from Waitrose Community Matters Fund) and grants of £12,500 from Hampshire County Council and £2500 from Test Valley Borough Council. This money was used to pay for Phases 1 and 2 of an extensive building and refurbishment programme and equipment for the gallery spaces, cafe, education spaces and offices.
Fundraising is now under way for Phase 3 of the building works, to develop and extend the scope of our educational and community work, by improving accessibility for all by building an extension and installing a lift to help disabled and wheelchair-bound customers up to the café and the education spaces.
Within a few months of opening we won the Test Valley 'Business in the Community' Award 2013, sponsored by Churchill Retirement Living, who were so impressed with our enterprise that they announced at the awards ceremony, on 2nd July 2013, that they wished to become a Sponsor and donate £1000 to HA&C to help put our plans into action.
The gallery and cafe are now supporting Rum's Eg by providing all the income to pay the costs for staff and overheads.
Phase One - opening Rum's Eg Art & Craft Gallery - we took the lease of 27 Bell Street in October 2012 after protracted negotiations to get the best deal possible and the Phase 1 works were miraculously completed by December 5th, ready for the opening of the ground floor gallery; the building needed extensive renovation so this was no mean feat! The gallery remained open for business throughout Phase 2 works and is doing really well. It is proving to be a popular, warm and welcoming attraction for visitors and locals alike and is a great addition to the exciting mix of shops and attractions in this charming market town.
Phase Two - opening Rum's Cafe on the first floor and the Education & Community Suite on the second floor - completed March 2014 with just £4,500 still needed (as at 1st March 2014) to enable us to fully complete the refurbishment works on the second floor and fully equip the workshop spaces so that we can provide multi-functional educational facilities where individuals and groups may come and benefit from the skills and experience of our artists and craftspeople and improve their own quality of life. We already have a programme of community and family events, activities and workshops for adults and we are still looking for donations or Patrons' loans.
Phase Three - the lift extension - we hope to raise enough funds to build on a lift tower to make all the facilities fully accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Siriol Sherlock - March 2014
A total of £113,000 of capital funding was raised from a combination of Founding Patrons interest free loans, Sponsors Donations (including £10,000 from Waitrose Community Matters Fund) and grants of £12,500 from Hampshire County Council and £2500 from Test Valley Borough Council. This money was used to pay for Phases 1 and 2 of an extensive building and refurbishment programme and equipment for the gallery spaces, cafe, education spaces and offices.
Fundraising is now under way for Phase 3 of the building works, to develop and extend the scope of our educational and community work, by improving accessibility for all by building an extension and installing a lift to help disabled and wheelchair-bound customers up to the café and the education spaces.
Within a few months of opening we won the Test Valley 'Business in the Community' Award 2013, sponsored by Churchill Retirement Living, who were so impressed with our enterprise that they announced at the awards ceremony, on 2nd July 2013, that they wished to become a Sponsor and donate £1000 to HA&C to help put our plans into action.
The gallery and cafe are now supporting Rum's Eg by providing all the income to pay the costs for staff and overheads.
Phase One - opening Rum's Eg Art & Craft Gallery - we took the lease of 27 Bell Street in October 2012 after protracted negotiations to get the best deal possible and the Phase 1 works were miraculously completed by December 5th, ready for the opening of the ground floor gallery; the building needed extensive renovation so this was no mean feat! The gallery remained open for business throughout Phase 2 works and is doing really well. It is proving to be a popular, warm and welcoming attraction for visitors and locals alike and is a great addition to the exciting mix of shops and attractions in this charming market town.
Phase Two - opening Rum's Cafe on the first floor and the Education & Community Suite on the second floor - completed March 2014 with just £4,500 still needed (as at 1st March 2014) to enable us to fully complete the refurbishment works on the second floor and fully equip the workshop spaces so that we can provide multi-functional educational facilities where individuals and groups may come and benefit from the skills and experience of our artists and craftspeople and improve their own quality of life. We already have a programme of community and family events, activities and workshops for adults and we are still looking for donations or Patrons' loans.
Phase Three - the lift extension - we hope to raise enough funds to build on a lift tower to make all the facilities fully accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Siriol Sherlock - March 2014