My Pub

Our village pub is almost ready to open for business. It's been a huge undertaking involving volunteers and trades people.

In it's heyday it had been a lovely old pub. But over the years as patron numbers dwindled and old became it's downfall the owners decided to retire. Before our community owned it a local business person bought it with a view to selling it on as two seperate dwellings but as a 17th century listed building that would have been very difficult.

Last May volunteers started clearing out rubbish and stripping wallpaper.

        The wiring was very old

Some walls had multiple layers of paper and blown plaster

Me stripping wallpaper. I can't take credit for all of this, my friend J did some too, along with lots of other volunteers.

   

This was found under some of the wallpaper. It reads "Decorated by Peter" I thought it was Valentine but I think the first letter of the surname might be an O. I can't make out the date but the year is 1989. Then it says "I know it's bad ??? strip - Ha Ha" and the drawing.

We also did lots of other areas. Then I started working in the cafe and some of the work became a bit more difficult so I didn't do any more. 

And when contractors arrived volunteers weren't allowed in because of health and safety and insurance issues.

The focus of the work then turned to the garden

    

where the volunteers worked very hard

Tea break delivered by one of our cafe ladies

Everyone did a stellar job

The tarmac guys did a great job

A lot of contractors kindly offered generous discounts or freebies

It was a good idea to refurbish some of the original furniture to save money

Cleaning the floor in preparation for the carpet fitting

Just before Christmas the volunteers were invited to a pop up pub evening.

This was the tree that we entered into the Christmas tree festival. It was a tribute to everyone who has stripped, scraped, scrubbed, filled, painted, swept, cleaned, dug, planted, built and upcycled to bring our pub back to life.

                        Before

                        Before

                        Before

                        Before                          That seat on the right could be as old as the pub.                                                                            Everyone agreed to leave it there as homage to all the old                                                             boys who have sat on it over the years, drinking their beer                                                             and putting the world to rights🍺

We were blown away with how lovely our pub looks.

Last Saturday was a pop up pub night for everyone. It was a huge success. It's taking a while to get a tenant in but the committee don't want to rush into it, it's vital to get the right one. Until then there will be regular pop ups.

Phew what a long post, if you're still here thank you for your staying power!

I hope you have enjoyed it.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x