PEOPLE in Steeple Ashton are hoping strong support for a community shop will be the starting point for a turnaround in the village's future.

There are fears the community could be starting a downward spiral. A decision on whether the 100-year-old village school should remain closed will be made on Monday while parishioners have been without a vicar since October.

Campaigners are pinning their hopes for a settled future on the plans for a community shop, which could be open in time for Christmas 2004.

A meeting to gauge local feeling will be held on January 31 in the village hall, as campaigners present their business plans to residents.

It is hoped a combination of grants and community support will help finance the long-awaited project. Planning permission was granted last year after a two-year battle.

Steeple Ashton Shop committee (STASH) believes the shop will give villagers something to celebrate as they face up to losing the school.

Campaigner Ines Crucefix said the village was going through a period of disruption.

"We need the support of the village to get this project up and running and if we get it there could be a shop by Christmas," she said.

"It is a time of upheaval as by next week we will know if the village school is closing and our vicar retired in October."

Wiltshire County Council's cabinet will analyse the closure of St Mary's School at a meeting on Monday.

A joint decision to close the school was made by the county council and Diocese of Salisbury after a recommendation by governors.The 22-pupil Church of England school had been without a headteacher for more than a year and was battling to escape special measures.

Cllr William Snow has said the school should remain closed, although the portfolio holder for schools, education and libraries is recommending the council keeps the building for community and possibly future educational use.

The cost of transporting children to Bratton, Keevil and Semington schools will be evaluated, as councillors need to decide which one will serve Steeple Ashton. Parents have already made it clear to council officers they want to keep up links with Trowbridge schools.

Villagers have been outraged by the decision not to appoint a new vicar for the parish, with the deanery considering merging Steeple Ashton with parishes in Trowbridge.

cevry@newswilts.co.uk