February 2026
Scarecrow Festival 2026
The 2026 Festival will run from Saturday 24th April until the Fair Day on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th.
The theme for the 2026 Wray Scarecrow Festival is “GOAT” The Greatest of All Time. Lots of scope for picking your favourite personality and turning them into a fun scarecrow!!
- Saturday 25th April 10K run.
- Saturday 25th April to Sunday 3rd May. Scarecrows are about the village as well as refreshments within the Village Institute.
- Tuesday 28th April. Fell Race. Look for event notices. 7pm start
- Saturday 26th April to Sunday 4th May. Scarecrows are about the village as well as refreshments within the Village Institute.
- Saturday 2nd May. Scarecrow Parade – look out for updates
- Sunday 3rd May – Boot Sale
- Monday 4th May. The Big Day. Wray fair and all the village events. Fairground, Street Acts, Arena acts including Vikings and Dog Agility, Food and Drink stalls.
- Check out https://wrayscarecrows.wordpress.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/wrayscarecrows for up to date info.
- On Fair day a £12 fee gets your car occupants entry into the event. This includes all the events about the village and on the field. The only costs would be food and drink and the commercial fairground. What great family value! Support an event that raises funds for local charities and user groups. Now in its 34th Year!
January 2026
2026 at Wray Village Store
Welcome to 2026!
The Store goes from strength to strength! Quarterly profit and loss accounts show great stability and long term sustainability. Stock lines continue to grow and we are regularly praised on the variety of lines we hold in stock. Malcolm, our manger is behind the wizardry of stock control and new lines. Great job Malcolm.
We have new volunteers that have joined the team in January – welcome and THANK YOU. New volunteers are fully trained and can work shifts that suit them. You are fully supported via our buddy scheme until you are happy to volunteer on your own or as a team pair. Remember our Store is lead by volunteers! Pop into Store if you fancy joining our amazing Community project.
Our new line of Store branded jams and chutneys have gone done very well over Christmas with stock flying out of the door.
Would you believe that in March 2026 we will be into our third year of operation as a Community Store! Doesn’t time fly! Here’s to a great 2026 for our community enterprise!
1st December 2025
Christmas at Wray Store
Christmas 2025 is Here—and So is That Cheeky Elf!
The chill is in the air, the fairy lights are going up, and here at Wray Village Store, we’re absolutely bursting with Christmas cheer! We’re dedicated to making your Christmas holidays the very best of times by stocking all your festive favourites, supporting local suppliers, and bringing back some much-loved traditions!
The Return of the Mischief Maker!
Prepare yourselves, parents and kids—that cheeky elf is back again this year! Our favourite North Pole visitor has settled back into the store, ready to hide in a new, ingenious spot every morning. He’s a tricky boy, but the rewards are sweet!
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The Challenge: Every day, the elf will be hiding somewhere new.
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The Prize: The first child to spot him each day will win a well-deserved sweet treat from the store!
Come on down and start your Christmas shopping with a fun, festive scavenger hunt!
Feast Your Eyes on Festive Favourites!
We have everything you need to make your Christmas feast unforgettable. This year, we are thrilled to partner again with Cornvale Fine Foods to bring you the highest quality Christmas meats.
Order Your Cornvale Christmas Meats
Don’t forget to place your orders with us! Your perfectly prepared turkey, goose, or joint of meat will be delivered right to the store, ready for you to collect just in time for Christmas Day.
From local cheeses and chutneys to all the ingredients for a spectacular Christmas pudding, we have every single one of your festive favourites covered.
Wray Village Store Branded Jams and Chutneys!
It wouldn’t be Christmas without our annual raffle, and this year, the prize haul is looking amazing! Drop into Store to grab your tickets. Only £1 each.
Current Prizes Include:
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A fantastic £50 Store Voucher
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A delicious Meat Hamper
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A warming bottle of Whisky
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A beautiful Harris Tweed cushion
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An aromatic Bowland Candle
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A stunning Festive Planter from Greenfoot Garden Centre
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…and more delightful prizes being added daily!
Fun and Games for Our Littlest Shoppers
While the adults are busy with the raffle, the kids have their own guessing game!
Guess the Sweets in the Jar! For a small entry fee, your child can take a guess at how many sweets are nestled inside our big glass jar. The closest guess will win the entire jar!
It’s going to be a wonderfully busy and joyous December here at Wray Village Store. We can’t wait to share the magic of Christmas with all of you!
Arts and Crafts are fully stocked with Christmas Gifts
A Treasure Trove of Talent: Local Arts & Crafts at the Store! Looking for a Christmas gift that’s truly unique, beautifully made, and supports a local talent? Look no further than the dedicated Arts and Crafts section right here at Wray Village Store!
We pride ourselves on being a showcase for the incredible creativity thriving in and around the Lune Valley and Forest of Bowland. Our shelves are a treasure trove of lovingly handcrafted items from local sellers, meaning every purchase keeps funds right here in our community.
This Christmas, skip the mass-produced goods and delight your loved ones.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN STORE!
15th August 2025
Wray Village Store Annual Members Meeting 2025
ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING SEPTEMBER 25th 19.30 WRAY VILLAGE INSTITUTE.
All Members of Wray Village Store (the Society) are invited to the Annual Members meeting to be held in the Institute at 19.30 on September 25th. The Management Committee will present the annual accounts, will summarise the years successes, and will outline our plans for the year ahead. We will also be happy to hear your views and questions.
We have vacancies on the Management Committee so if you are a Member and feel you have skills and enthusiasm to offer, please contact us. Our email address is store@wrayvillagestore.co.uk
Note that if you are not a Member you can still join the Society by purchasing shares. Contact us using the email address above.
Current Members will receive AMM information, and additional documentation via email or post.
25th June 2025
Wray Village Volunteers BBQ Saturday 5th July
TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL WEDNESDAY 2ND JULY.
If you have volunteered in Store or helped out over the 2025 Scarecrow Festival, come along and celebrate in the garden at the George and Dragon. This is a joint event offered by Wray Village Store and the Scarecrow Festival committee as a way of saying “thanks” to our amazing village and its volunteers.
We have limited tickets available for volunteers and their children at home. Tickets are available at the Store. We ask that should you find you cannot make the day, please return the tickets so that those on the waiting list get the opportunity to attend.
The BBQ starts at 4pm with food at 4.30pm prompt.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Management Team and the Scarecrow Committee
22nd April 2025
Wray Village Scarecrow Festival 2025
Join us as a key community group working with the Wray Village Scarecrow Festival 2025. This years theme is “CIRCUS” so expect lots of wonderfully creative, themed scarecrows.
The Store acts as the Scarecrow Festival Hub so if you have any questions, lost property, lost children, or require a meeting point – head for the store.
The Store will be offering a meal deal, hot and cold drinks, snacks and gifts.
The festival runs from Saturday 26th April until 5th May.
Saturday 26th April 10K run.
Saturday 26th April to Sunday 4th May. Scarecrows are about the village as well as refreshments within the Village Institute.
Sunday 27th April. Car Boot Sale (8am start). Fantastical Quests -enjoy a themed quests around the village (https://fantasticalquests.co.uk/the-magician)
Tuesday 29th April. Fell Race (7pm start)
Saturday 3rd May. Giant Scarecrow Parade with Batala drumming band starting at Wray Tearooms 5pm.
Saturday 3rd May/ Sunday 4th May – Local History Walks (11am and 2pm)
Monday 5th May. Wray Fair Day. The grand finale. An entry fee of £10 per car includes all the acts and activities about the village.
Information about the Scarecrow Festival can be found at https://www.facebook.com/wrayscarecrows
18th December 2024
Volunteer Christmas Drinks & Nibbles 2024
On Sunday 22nd December at 14.00 the Management Team welcome all volunteers to the Store to celebrate Christmas with a few drinks and nibbles. Please come along if you can! As always we are absolutely indebted to our volunteers and wish to thank them for a very successful 2024!
18th December 2024
Christmas Wines
Well Christmas 2024 preparations are well underway! Each year the Store volunteers source some unique wines for you to enjoy over the Festive Period. Perhaps with your Christmas Dinner or even as a quiet tipple on Boxing Day. Either way we are sure you will enjoy these little beauties.
29th October 2024
Become a volunteer!
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our store. Why not join the team?
Volunteering is fun and rewarding and you can expect a wonderful experience.
We accept all offers of volunteering to help in the store.
All training will be provided.
You don’t have to work alone.
You don’t have to open or close the store.
No previous experience is expected.
You can put in several shifts a week, a couple of hours a month, or somewhere in between. No minimum. No maximum.
Back from University or College? Help us out. Volunteering within the community is great for your C.V.
New to the area? Want to get involved with our wonderful community? There is NO quicker way to meet everyone!
You will be required to enjoy yourself!
If you are interested pop into Store for a chat, or drop an email to:- store@wrayvillagestore.co.uk
29th October 2024
Share Buy Back Offer
At the 2024 Annual Members Meeting we proposed a share buy back offer for current shareholders.
If you are a shareholder you will have received an email or letter communication regarding the offer reasoning, conditions, and how to apply.
Don’t forget that the deadline for applications is midnight on the 19th December 2024.
29th October 2024
Christmas 2024
Well Christmas came around in the blink of an eye!
This year we are planning:-
- A Christmas Raffle of seasonal goodies. More tickets will be available this year!
- A late night shopping evening highlighting our Arts and Crafts suppliers (
- Lots of Christmas staples and luxuries in store.
- Cornvale Christmas meat orders. What not place them at the Store? The store benefits and you don’t need to be around for the delivery. Get the same great prices as going direct.
27th October 2024
Winter Opening Hours 2024
As a small business we monitor our opening hours carefully and now we have over 12 months running under our belts, we can see the peaks and troughs in customer visits. As a largely volunteer run business, any time we can give back to our volunteers without affecting the business turnover is a positive.
From October 27th 2024 our SUNDAY hours will change to 09.00 to 14.00. All other opening periods will remain unchanged.
10th April 2024
Scarecrow Festival 2024
The annual Wray Scarecrow Festival will run between 27th April and 6th May 2024. Wray Village Store is proud to support this event, with the Store acting as Scarecrow HQ. This years theme is Sci-Fi!
The Scarecrow Festival is organised and run by Wray folk. It’s a lot of work to organise, but the event has run using this approach since 1992! All proceeds raised from the event go to Wray Village Institute with the funds being distributed directly to village causes. Wray Village Store was the recipient of a generous financial contribution when we opened as a Community Benefit Society in 2023.
We get the odd celebrity visiting us too.
You can visit on any day you fancy, but the Big Day, with all the events is the Bank Holiday Monday on 6th May.
Scarecrows from local villagers and local groups will be installed about the village from Saturday 27th April with the 10k run starting the 10 day event off at 13.15.
Sunday the 28th sees a Fantastical Quest run from the Store. This event is a mix of treasure hunt, orienteering and role play gaming which you can pre-enter or enter on the day (spaces permitting).
Watch the children of Wray Endowed School show off their Maypole Dancing thrills and spills at 14.30 Monday to Thursday!
Tuesday 30th April is the FRA sanctioned 11km Fell Race starting at 19.00 by the river bridge. See this link
Friday 3rd May is the Giant Scarecrow Parade starting at around 6pm at the Gars and ending at Wray Tearooms. Watch the Giant Scarecrows parade up Main Street behind St George and his pet dragon and Batala a Samba drumming band. The prize giving for the various Scarecrow categories is given after the parade. The funfair rides will be open.
Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th May is the build up to Fair Day. A highlight will be the local history walks which you can join at 11am and 2pm each day. The funfair rides will be open too.
The main event, Fair Day will be held on Monday the 6th May. For a parking fee of only £10 you get the occupants of your car inclusive entry to the events on the Fair Field and lots of the events about the village. Fair Day attractions include Croix Du Nord Vikings, Dog agility (including have a go with your dog), Traditional games, The Ball Race down the river, a silent disco, Samba Espirito band and other music around the village. The only additional costs are entry to the Ball Race, Funfair rides and food and drink. An unbeatable value day for all the family!
Wray Village Store will be open throughout the event as the Event HQ, with food and drink, our incredible Traditional Sweet Shop and day to day groceries for sale. We look forward to welcoming you to Wray and the Scarecrow Festival.
15th November 2023
Christmas Meat Orders
Our local meat and fine food suppliers, Cornvale, can supply your Christmas meat orders. You can order in Store or by telephone on 01524 231107.
We are making Christmas local!
September 9th 2023
Annual Members Meeting
The Annual Members Meeting for Store shareholders will be held in Wray Village Institute on September 21st at 19.30.
Investors will have received additional documentation via email or post.
Please join us as we present the financial results for the Store, indicate our plans for the future and ask you to volunteer or elect management team members.
25th June 2023
June Newsletter
We are in our third month of trading and thanks to the support of Wray Community and our wider customers, we are doing really well! Download our Newsletter here.
25th May 2023
Volunteer slots available
The first period of Store trading has been incredibly successful with the added bonus of the Scarecrow Festival adding to sales. All the current volunteers will tell you how rewarding and fun it is to spend time within the Store.
Due to the impressive level of support we are receiving, we want to recruit more volunteers. This will enable us to split volunteer slots further, will permit us to have a “bank” of volunteers and will provide the ability for us to maintain the current opening hours.
Volunteers will receive training and DO NOT have to have any experience. We can consider anyone as a volunteer. Are you a student home for summer? Are you looking for work experience? You do not have to live in the village. You do not have to work alone. You WILL be supported.
Get in touch. Send an email to mal@wrayvillagestore.co.uk
18th March 2023
The Grand Opening!
After a huge amount of work Wray Village Store had its Grand Opening on 18th March 2023. The Mayor of Lancaster cut the ribbon and the Store was officially open for business at 11am. The opening is a massive achievement for the village and we would like to thank all investors, volunteers and our customers for their support. Some picture of the day are shown below.
5th February 2023
Preliminary volunteer rota. Your chance to volunteer to serve in the store.
The pdf below is the preliminary store staffing rota that will rotate on a 2 week cycle when the store opens in March. We are really pleased with the initial take up! We will need additional volunteers to cover unfilled volunteer slots, illness and holidays. It would be fantastic to be in a position where the store has an excess of community volunteers! We want the store to be a fun, rewarding place to work and for duties to be manageable for all. There are no prerequisites to becoming a volunteer. All are welcome to be part of this journey!
Volunteers will be fully trained. We understand some degree of hesitancy and know that not all volunteers will be able to commit to a schedule. WE DO UNDERSTAND THIS. So please do consider becoming a volunteer. You do not have to be a shareholder.
6th January 2023
Visit the Store 10th to 12th January
Malcolm Evans your store manager will be in the store between 10am and 5pm Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th January.
Come in an see the store as it goes through planned refurbishment before re-opening in March 2023
15th December 2022
A Store Manager has been appointed
The Management Team are delighted to welcome Malcolm Evans as the Manager for Wray Village Store.
Malcolm lives locally and brings with him a great background in retail and customer service. Malcolm has experience in running small businesses and is very much focussed on customer service, financial planning and sustainability. We are confident that Malcolm will make a real difference to the future of the shop.
Malcolm will start his post in January 2023 as we begin the shop fit out and finalise stock. Malcolm will be running a couple of drop in sessions to gain your current views on stock and will build new ideas into the stock items that have been requested within past surveys.
If you see Malcolm, welcome him on board!
15th December 2022
16th October 2022
We are hiring!
Shop Manager Required.
Applications for the role of Shop Manager for Wray Village Store are now open.
Wray Village Store is an exciting venture for our village. The successful applicant will have a key role in creating the vibrant and successful store and community hub that we all desire. The Store Manager will be an ambassador for the shop and the key point of contact for customers, volunteers and suppliers.
Location: Wray Village Store, Main Street, Wray, Lancashire, LA2 8RG
Salary: To be agreed based upon experience. Will exceed the National Living Wage as defined by the National Living Wage Foundation.
Contract: Permanent/Part time.
Hours: To be agreed. May include some out of hours work and weekend work.
Holiday Entitlement: Pro rata, based upon 20 days per year.
Responsible to the Wray Village Store Management Committee.
For further information please download the Job Description and Person Specification below.
Applications via letter and CV should be made to shop@wrayvillagestore.co.uk or posted to Bob Halsey, Wennington Cottage, The Gars, Wray, LA2 8QJ.
Closing date 5th November or sooner if sufficient applications are received.
6th September 2022
Share Offer Documents
Click the links to display the pdf files in a new tab.
- Business Case
- WVS CBS Model Rules
- Share Offer Document
- Share Offer FAQ
- Post-launch FAQ's
- Meet the Team
- Share Application Form
- Share Nomination upon Death Form
- Shares for Minors Application Form
- WVS Privacy Policy
