As a small local business we recognise that we have a responsibility to try to put something back in to the community whenever we can. In many cases this has been sponsorship of the local school fete during the summer or at Christmas, in other cases our contribution has been more significant.  Hawthornes School in Woosehill has built itself a reputation for educational excellence in the area but like all Schools struggles with funding for some of its peripheral projects. Earlier this year Michael Hardy paid £3,000 towards the new music cabin being built in the school grounds. This is in addition to some £3,250 paid in previous years via Michael Hardy’s “pay back” scheme, every house we sold where a child attended Hawthornes the school received a cheque for £250. These contributions may be modest against a school’s budget but we like to think that the money helps the school and its staff in their efforts to educate the community’s children.