Invader from outer space will be among the attractions at Rowde village shop’s third anniversary celebrations this Sunday.

Shoppers at the little community store in Marsh Lane were amazed on Saturday to be joined in the queue by a mummy and baby Dalek. The Dr Who characters were the work of Neil Bawden, the husband of shop committee chairman Jackie Bawden.

Mr Bawden said: “I made them for our grandchildren but then Jackie suggested we bring them along to the food and craft event.”

The Dalek is made from a compost bin with a laundry basket on top, mounted on casters, painted red and black and armed with guns, flashing lights and a sink plunger as eyes.

The food and craft event takes place in the Cross Keys pub, in whose former garage the shop is located, on Sunday,  from noon to 3pm.
Mrs Bawden said: “Entry is free and our aim is to celebrate the range of local food suppliers both in Rowde and further afield.

“Although the focus is on our anniversary, we will take the opportunity of launching our Rowde village shop Christmas hampers, made up from local produce, and our Christmas raffle.

“This year we have been building up our links with Caen Hill Marina and we now take a mobile shop down to the marina six days a week. A number of boaters are bringing their crafts to the event.”

The event will be followed by a get-together, from 3pm to 5pm, for volunteers and anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering in the shop. Tickets for this are available from the shop.

Rowde became the latest village to open its own volunteer-manned shop after their convenience store and bakery in the High Street closed a number of years ago.

Mrs Bawden said: “We are suffering in the  financial climate, but we are weathering the storm and business is building.”