So far 2010 hasn't been overly endowed with good news stories, so it's nice to hear of the mystery purchase of a new van for the Uig community shop.

Raasay House on the Isle of Raasay was taken over by the local community in 2007, but was damaged by a major fire earlier this year.  Work is now beginning on stabilising what's left in preparation for a re-build project next year.

Is it a case of art imitating life, or the other way round?  Just as the residents of Ambridge (the village in the Archers, for those of you who get out more than I do!) start to take forward the idea of community ownership of their shop, so the community-owned shop in Hillswick, Shetland, opens for business.

New guidance on the implications of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 has been prepared for voluntary groups.