LATEST FROM THE TRUST
Local support that helped build the Hub
Thank you to Batts Combe quarry and Arnold Webber for helping create the Hub’s car park.
Read the storyNEWS FROM THE TRUST
Our community.
Our continuing story.
News from the Hub, milestones for the Trust and the people who make it all possible. Explore our own stories and see how others have shared them.
FROM OUR ARCHIVE
More Trust stories
Explore our earlier news and the original website archive. Older announcements may describe arrangements that have since changed.
2026
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Read storyA new chapter for our community
Celebrating the opening of the Dame June Whitfield Centre.
2025
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Read storyMay bank holidays, 2025
The café’s announcement for the May bank holidays in 2025.
2024
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Read storyFrankie’s Dramatic return to Cross
The 100th performance of Howerd’s End brought Frankie and Dennis’s story back to Cross.
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Read story“Howerd’s End” to come to Cross
The original announcement for the sold-out performance in Cross on 6 July 2024.
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Café notice, February 2024
A temporary change to food service during Kieran’s absence in early 2024.
2023
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Read storyDefibrillator success!
Community fundraising reached its target for a defibrillator at the Hub.
- Read story
Winter opening times
The café’s winter timetable and temporary November closure, as announced in 2023.
- Read story
RURAL FRIENDS.
The launch of a weekly service to bring older neighbours together at the Hub.
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Read storyOur new community minibus
The Trust celebrated its new minibus with supporters and grant providers in London.
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Read storyWe’ve hit the jackpot!
National Grid and National Lottery funding helped the Trust buy a community minibus.
2022
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Read story5 stars for the Frankie Howerd Community Cafe
A food hygiene milestone for Kieran and the café in November 2022.
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Read storyHub opens to locals
Local residents were welcomed inside the new Hub in May 2022.
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Read storyLocal MP visits the Community Hub
John Penrose met trustees during a visit to the developing Hub in April 2022.
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Read storyThirty years ago today …
Remembering Frankie on the thirtieth anniversary of his death.
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Read storyNew bench for our community Hub
A donation from Woodspring Masons’ Lodge provided a new bench at the Hub.
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Read storyTrust Chairman meets Griff Rhys Jones
Phil Davies shared news of the Hub with patron Griff Rhys Jones in Bath.
2021
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Read storyAn absolutely fabulous person!
Remembering former President Dame June Whitfield and her Somerset friendships.
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Read storyThe Frankie Howerd Community Hub
The early plans, partnerships and funding behind the community Hub.
REPORTED ELSEWHERE
In the news
Coverage from local publications, funders and project partners. These short summaries link to the original articles and reports on their publishers’ websites.
Collection last reviewed 9 October 2026. Some sources do not state a publication date.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
A community bridge in memory of Bob Shaw
Local coverage of the bridge donated by Highbridge engineering firm FLI, part of the Haley Group, and opened by Dame Joanna Lumley in tribute to Trust supporter Bob Shaw.
Read articleMendip Times
Celebrating the opening of the Dame June Whitfield Centre
May 2026, page 83
The magazine reports on the Centre’s opening, with Dame Joanna Lumley and June Whitfield’s daughter, Suzy Aitchison, joining the celebrations in Loxton.
Read report (PDF)Bristol Airport Diamond Fund
Diamond Fund support for community minibus journeys
The fund’s committee minutes record a £1,000 award towards the Trust’s minibus running costs, supporting social outings for local people.
Read report (PDF)CONTACT, Crook Peak parish magazine
Local update on funding for the new Centre
August and September 2024
Philip Davies shares progress on the Centre’s funding and plans in the magazine’s Loxton and Christon community update.
Read report (PDF)Entrust, on LinkedIn
How the community helped bring the Hub to life
Entrust looks at the transformation of Loxton’s former blacksmith’s shop into a community café, including support through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Read articleNational Grid
National Grid funding supports community transport
National Grid describes its £40,000 contribution towards a community minibus and Hub refurbishment, helping people at risk of isolation stay connected.
Read articleThe National Lottery Community Fund
National Lottery grant celebrated with Dame Joanna Lumley
The fund reports on its £10,000 grant towards the minibus, helping the Trust reach people in North Somerset who are at risk of loneliness.
Read articleEnovert Community Trust
The Hub featured in Enovert’s annual report
Annual report 2022/23, page 13
The funder’s project report describes its support for converting the former blacksmith’s shop into a welcoming café and meeting place for the surrounding villages.
Read report (PDF)FLI Structures
Building the Bob Shaw Bridge
Publication date not stated
The engineering team shares the story behind the donated bridge, which connects the car park with the Hub and supports access to the community facilities.
Read articleHeidelberg Materials UK
Batts Combe quarry helps create the new car park
Publication date not stated
Heidelberg Materials reports on its donation of 20 tonnes of aggregate, delivered by Arnold Webber, and the team’s visit to the Centre’s opening celebrations.
Read articleNorth Somerset Council
Why the community café needed room to grow
Case study, publication date not stated
A Rural England Prosperity Fund case study explains the need for more seating and improved accessibility as the Hub’s community work grew.
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