It's high time this important village, which plays a significant role in Alnwick district, is given the community facilities it deserves.
The residents have already worked extremely hard to develop their own locally-owned co-operative shop – the f
irst of its kind in the region – as well as turning part of the workingmen's club into a valuable skills centre.
They want positive change for the whole of their community.
They now have to persuade the Big Lottery to contribute £400,000 to replace the Miners' Welfare Hall, which is in a deplorable state.
They've done a great job in developing a robust bid, which has made it to Stage 2 of the application process.
You only have to ask a footballer or cricketer in the village and they will agree that the changing accommodation is medieval.
But it's far more than that – the proposed new centre will provide one of Alnwick district's biggest villages with a social heart of which to be proud.
Shilbottle has had a tough time over the last 20 years, following the closure of its nationally-renowned colliery, but things are on the up.
We often hear criticism that the Lottery fails to support truly worthy local causes, and sometimes opts to pour cash into questionable – perhaps overly politically-correct – schemes.
So come on Lottery, do the right thing and show us that you care about the communities which support all your good causes.
Because, after all, this is one of them.
