A Year of Building Together: Looking Back at 2025 and Forward to 2026

What a year it's been for the Community Association of Poundbury!

Nine months after our transition from the Poundbury Residents Association, we're thrilled to share what's been achieved—and where we're headed next.

2025: Foundation Created

Nearly 700 members, 1,400 newsletter subscribers, 30,000+ website visits, 4.2K social media followers, and 200 posts weekly across our 8 noticeboards. Your engagement proves that Poundbury cares about community.

The Virtual Community Hub is now the go-to resource for everything Poundbury. Our weekly Love Poundbury Newsletter has delivered 170+ unique stories to date, and our socials amplify stories beyond Poundbury. These platforms connect our community and they're here to stay.

Poundbury Good Things is thriving—our beautiful locally-designed merchandise celebrates our community and local makers, while raising funds for local causes. We've already made our first donation to Pavilion in the Park!

Poundbury Good Things merchandise!

Solid foundations in place: CIC registration, elected leadership, governance framework, financial sustainability, 10 member benefits with local businesses, inaugural General Meeting held, successful stakeholder Q&A process, plus the pilot doggy bag dispensers initiative, AND 17 volunteers who make it all happen!

2026: Building on Success—WE NEED YOU!

Our strategic plan (to be shared before our General Meeting on January 27th) aims to consolidate our foundation—but we need more volunteers to help, especially:

TWO DIRECTORS (25 hours/month) – To shape CAofP's direction, represent the community to stakeholders, guide key initiatives. Skills needed: strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, or community development.

NOTICEBOARD MANAGEMENT (2 people, 12 hours/month total) – To manage our 8 noticeboards, keeping our community informed through physical postings. Requires ability to reach high boards and work outdoors.

We are also looking for a CIC Secretary, and more volunteers to support the LovePoundbury Newsletter, the new Photography Competition, and the Stakeholder Engagement process.

Contact: volunteering@lovepoundbury.org

2026 Plans

Strengthening Our Core: our Virtual Hub and Newsletter will continue to evolve and we will seek sponsorship for enhanced functionality. Poundbury Good Things will continue with new designs—all benefiting community causes.

New Initiatives: We will launch the new online photography competition, and aim to celebrate winners in a Love Poundbury calendar! We want to support programmes for vulnerable populations, organise a sustainability workshop, and enhance our emerging Good Neighbours programme. We also want to deepen partnerships and make further connections.

Financial Sustainability: We will solidify our diverse income streams, creating a model that serves our community long-term.

2026 is Different

We're building on proven success. We know what works—now we need your help to do more. Our plan balances core activities (delivered with current resources) plus enhanced initiatives (launched as volunteers join), so that we can grow sustainably. Please Get Involved

Join us at the General Meeting on January 27th to learn about the 2026 plan, share ideas, and discover how you can contribute.

Together, we're fostering the Poundbury community we all want to be part of.

Thank You to Our 2025 Team

Leadership: Zoe Bell (Chair), Tim Wilmot (Communications), Graham Chapman (Operations), Adele Brothwell (Treasurer), Laura Hirst (Volunteering Coordinator)

Communications Team: Tim Wilmot (Lead), Elliott Wareham, Jerry and Sue Cooke, Moira Young, Trudy Ritsema, Vivienne Westwood

Poundbury Good Things: Emma Taylor (Lead), Mary O'Flaherty, Claire Lunnen-Kay, Sue Cooke, Antonia Wilmot

Community Initiatives: Paul Coggins, Norman Reid, Eiri Jones

...and all our volunteers who step in when needed to deliver materials or man our stall!

Please check next week's newsletter for January 27th General Meeting registration details.

Your voice matters, your contributions make a difference. Let's make 2026 extraordinary!