Tag: #CommunityPub

White Lion Community Pub Update – May 22

A message from Chairman, Rick Dyke:

The White Lion reopened its doors nearly 3 weeks ago and it is difficult to imagine how it could have been more successful without offering food. We have already expressed our appreciation of the contributions from many that enabled us to get to this point but it is also important to acknowledge the support from the community since we reopened.
Not all pubs in the area are able to open 6 days a week and receive enough custom for that to be viable. Our aim is to keep it that way and with this in mind will be arranging regular events in the future which we hope will not only maintain current levels of support but hopefully attract new custom too. Watch this space.

However, it has not all been plain sailing and with the benefit of hindsight, some things would have been done differently. Without wishing to make any excuses and for reasons which need no further explanation, responsibilities on the Management Committee changed dramatically in March and with those changes came some necessary decisions as to where our priorities lay.
Consequently, some aspects were given a lower priority, for example membership certificates. We received over 200 requests for membership which is a testament to the support there is within the community. However, it is also a significant undertaking in both preparing and issuing the certificates. You should have received an update sooner but we can advise that the production of those certificates will be completed within the next few days and then the process of issuing the 200+ individual emails with the certificate as an attachment will start. We expect all certificates to have been issued before the end of the month and will provide an update to that effect.

Another aspect that could have been handled better was the offer of skilled help from various tradespeople within the community. Ultimately, there were more offers of assistance than were needed but this should have been communicated. If you offered your support but did not hear further, hopefully you can accept our sincere apologies.

To finish on a positive note, work is progressing well in getting our kitchen ready. We are not ready to give precise details as there are still some aspects that are out of our control but we hope that we will be ready to add to the Fun Group‘s food offering over the Jubilee weekend. An announcement will follow once details have been finalised. You may also be pleased to know that in addition to our food service, coffee will be available too!

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#ManagementCommittee,#WatchThisSpace,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Local Employment: P/T Bar Work – The White Lion

The White Lion community pub needs help during busy times and are looking to employ a part-time person to support the Staff team.
Help will be needed during the busiest times, which are expected to be Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday lunchtime and occasionally other times such as Bank Holidays and special events.
The role will include table and bar service, working under the direction of the manager, Kate.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Salary will be in line with the national minimum wage.
If you’d like to be considered for an interview, please contact Kate, in person at the pub or by phone or text on 07513 326388.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#LocalEmployment,#PartTime,#,#jobs,#MinimumWage,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The White Lion, Broadwindsor Is Open!

With great anticipation, The White Lion opened its doors at 6pm last night with members of the Management committee lined up to welcome everyone….

 

Chairman Rick Dyke invited Elaine Leader, with Ryan & Rosie to ceremoniously cut the ribbon….

 


First customers were Adam Slater who bought a pint of Palmers Tally Ho! and Mike Eltherington, who enjoyed a pint of Palmers Copper.

Rick introduced the pub’s management…

 

Our resident poet, Peter Roe performed his poem, written specifically for the event, ‘Heart Of A Lion‘…


Rick thanked those involved…


How much will it cost you for your pint or glass of wine?


The pub will be open from:

  • Tuesday to Friday, from 6pm -11pm,
  • Saturdays, 11am- 11pm
  • Sundays, 12 noon – 10.30pm.

On Tuesday nights, the pub will not be serving food but customers are welcome to take in their fish and chips from Nat’s van that comes to the village every week.

Congratulations & Well Done All!

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#RadioSolent,#PeterRoe,#OpeningNight,#OpenForBusiness,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#WeDidIt,#DrinkResponsibly,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The White Lion On Radio Solent

Our Community Pub, The White Lion opens tomorrow (Friday,29th) at 6pm 🙂

If you are up early enough in the morning, please tune in to Radio Solent at 7.05am – Click HERE for the link – and you will hear Chairman Rick Dyke being interviewed. If you missed it – listen below.

Later at 8.05am,  village resident, Izzy Masey will be giving views from the community’s perspective and our resident poet, Peter Roe will recite his poem, written specifically for this occasion ‘Heart of a Lion‘ which is added below…

We have learned
from ages past
That hope and heart
and courage lasts
This beating heart
of wood and stone
A redoubt of place
for our village soul
A bastion of community
A centre for connection
participation, commiseration
and joyous celebration
Shelter from the storm
Take time to think
By our hearth
take food and drink
Reflect on the journey
Those that led and fell
Those valiant hearts
whose tales we’ll tell
On this small spot
of England’s ground
As long as people
gather round
About the Lionheart…
that lives in England still
This beating pulse
of a communities will
This White Lion…
This lions heart…
This Broadwindsor!

Peter Roe – April 2022

The pub will be open from:

  • Tuesday to Friday, from 6pm -11pm,
  • Saturdays, 11am- 11pm
  • Sundays, 12 noon – 10.30pm.

On Tuesday nights, the pub will not be serving food but customers are welcome to take in their fish and chips from Nat’s van that comes to the village every week.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#RadioSolent,#PeterRoe,#OpeningNight,#Committees,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#ComradesArms,#DrinkResponsibly,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The White Lion Broadwindsor Roars Back To Life

The White Lion at Broadwindsor will be reopening as a Community pub on Friday, 29th April at 6pm.

It follows months of negotiations with owners Palmers Brewery, a hugely successful public fundraising campaign and weeks of hard work by volunteers to refurbish the West Dorset village’s only public house.

The campaign had been spearheaded by parish council vice-chairman David Leader, who died suddenly last month at the age of 64.

Rick Dyke, Chairman of the White Lion Management Committee, said: ‘Without David’s energy, enthusiasm and diplomacy, we would not be about to reopen the pub. We hope that The White Lion will become the community hub that David envisaged.’

He paid tribute to the local community which has so generously supported the committee’s fundraising efforts.

He added: ‘I’d also like to thank the many volunteers who have so freely given their time to help with the refurbishment, some of whom have been almost living in the pub in recent months. They know who they are!
‘I am sure everyone who visits The White Lion will agree that the transformation has been remarkable. I’d also like to thank all the committee members who have given so much of their time, knowledge and experience in delivering this project.’

Around £50,000 was raised for refurbishment and working capital through public donations, grants, funding from the Parish Council, a contribution from Palmers Brewery and events, including a band night and two themed food evenings. A pop-up bar in the village hall (The Comrades Arms) has been running since October and raised nearly £10,000.

The tenancy agreement for The White Lion was signed by committee members on 14th February. Work has been going on behind the scenes ever since to get the pub ready to open.

Manager Kate Staff, whose parents live locally, will be running the pub with her daughters, Chloe and Louise. They met the community at an open evening in the pub in February when visitors had the opportunity to find out more about the refurbishment and future plans.

Since then, Kate has been leading the volunteer decorating team in transforming the interior into a lighter and brighter space.

‘It’s lovely to be a part of this amazing project,’ she said. ‘We’re really looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming customers back into the pub.
We want The White Lion to be the kind of place where people can meet up with family and friends or feel comfortable to come in on their own. The White Lion has played a central role in village life over the years so long may that continue.’

Initially, the pub will be open only for drinks until new equipment is installed in the kitchen. But it’s hoped that it won’t be long before the pub is serving food again.

The White Lion aims to be modestly profitable but not for private profit, offering food and drink with an emphasis on local produce.  The atmosphere is intended to be warm and friendly and a hub for the community.


The pub will be open from:

  • Tuesday to Friday, from 6pm -11pm,
  • Saturdays, 11am- 11pm
  • Sundays, 12 noon – 10.30pm.

On Tuesday nights, the pub will not be serving food but customers are welcome to take in their fish and chips from Nat’s van that comes to the village every week.

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#OpeningNight,#Committees,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#ComradesArms,#DrinkResponsibly,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Last Orders At The Comrades Arms – Tuesday, 19th April

A message from Andrew Hookings:

After six months since we re-opened The Comrades Arms, it is now time to call last orders. So, next Tuesday, 19th April will be our last night.
During that time a number of people from our community have volunteered to help behind the bar, and I thank them for all their time and help.
You, our customers have supported the bar and enabled us to raise almost £10,000 towards the refurbishment of The White Lion – so a BIG THANK YOU to all of you too.
I hope you will all give the newly furbished community pub – The White Lion at Broadwindsor, together with Kate, our manager along with her team of Chloe and Louise, all your support and I trust you will enjoy many happy times there.

– Andrew.

Andrew leaves the village next weekend to spend the next few months in France with Margery. Margery will be providing an update on The White Lion next week, which is expected to include their opening date! Exciting times 🙂

We wish Andrew and Margery (& Edgar) safe travel and to them both…

A Great Big Thank You!

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#ComradesArms,#ThankYou,#Bekind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Celebration Gig – A Successful Evening

There wasn’t much room for dancing as the Comrades Hall was at full capacity on Saturday night.  All band members were from within a 25-mile radius and all performed well but the stars of the evening had to be Phil and Lauren Rosenberg who, following there enclore continued to be applauded as they left the main hall 🙂

McIntyre: Tina, Pete & Warren had travelled from Yeovil and performed with Dave and Ann Shaw and Mick Massey.

Local band HiDDen: Hazel, Dave and Rick.

Last to perform – No photos as yet – Cell Division were Ian, Des, Andrew, Paul and Simon from Puncknowle, Cattistock &  Grimstone.

Organisers Dave and Ann Shaw released the following news:

We think we can safely say that a good time was had by all at the Save The White Lion fundraising gig on Saturday night!
We raised a whopping ⭐£1,350⭐ (updated) on the night, which will be used to help fund the pub’s sound system/PPL-PRS licence.
Massive thanks to everyone involved for all your hard work and efforts over the past few months, and to all the lovely people who supported the event.
Here’s to much music-making at The White Lion!

– Dave & Ann (Shaw) x 🦁 🎶 🎸

Photo credits: Ann Shaw

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#Community,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#Fundraising,#TheRosenbergs,#PhilRosenburg,#HiDDen,#McIntyre,#CellDivision,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The White Lion Sub-Group Now A ‘Community Sub-Committee’

In response to the many questions being asked on several occasions, it would appear that the sub-group have become a Community Sub-Committee and are creating another questionnaire…

The White Lion Community Sub-committee:

 

The community sub-committee comprises Sara Dyke, Izzy Masey, Annie Bowman and Dorothy Rowe and has met 3 times to date. Their first meeting involved “brainstorming” every possible community use of the space within the pub both out of and within licensing hours.

From this meeting a draft consultation questionnaire was devised ready for distribution once the pub is open. The farming community was contacted and likewise Rev Jo for feedback and ideas for pub use.

It should be stressed that the intention is to complement the use of Comrades Hall rather than to compete with it. 

The refurbishment of the pub will create a versatile area which can be used as a community space as well as a traditional pub, although the business’s long-term viability depends on it being a successful pub first and foremost and this remains our priority.

The sub-committee have also visited the Axminster Waffle House which runs as a community not for profit cafe and runs community groups and outreach work for community benefit which could be duplicated here in Broadwindsor.

The hope is to release the questionnaire once the pub has opened and have a community notice board within the pub for residents to also have their say. Collaboration with Kate regarding her time and ability to host/facilitate new ventures is also crucial. 

The sub-committee is mindful of getting a community space absolutely right and will be thinking carefully about what can realistically be delivered, to start slowly and then gain momentum. The pub will be a truly community pub to be used by all as we have all worked so hard and donated so generously for this vision.

 

Rick Dyke
Chairman, The White Lion Management Committee

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#Fundraising,#Committees,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#ComradesArms,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

The White Lion – Update #13

The White Lion Management Committee met yesterday and the following was discussed:

Refurbishment:

  • The refurb is going very well, with work going on this week on painting the bar.
  • Installing the floor in the bar.
  • Creating an upholstered bench seat.

We are in desperate need of people to prep, sand and paint the rear corridor and toilets as soon as possible.
Please call into the pub if you can help.

Kitchen equipment update:

  • All in hand, with a view to using Palmers purchasing power.

Drinks product range:

  • Detailed discussions underway on range and pricing, taking into account price rises from 1st April.

Music system:

Further fundraising:

  • Although the pub’s future is secured, further fundraising will be necessary along the way for other items. For example, Phase 2 will include refurbishment of the courtyard garden.

Furniture:

  • Palmers are swapping some of the furniture to replace it with better quality items.
  • Need volunteers to put felt pads on the legs of furniture.

Celebration Gig, Saturday 2 April, 7-11pm:

  • Committee members helping to set up tables and chairs at 2pm and helping on door and bar.

Community use of pub:

  • Sub-group* recognises we need to get pub open first before organising community group use.
  • Excellent feedback on farmers’ breakfast with offer of organising help from a local farmer.

Membership:

  • 201 requests for membership.
  • Certificates to be issued.

Opening:

It is looking like the pub will be open for drinks by the end of April, with the food offer available at a later date once the kitchen is fully up and running.

The 12 strong Management Committee comprises of:

  • Rick Dyke (Chair)
  • Margery Hookings (Vice-Chair & Minutes Secretary)
  • Charles Ouin (Company Secretary)
  • Elaine Leader
  • Graham Small
  • Teri Small
  • Sandra Burrows
  • Luke Pickering
  • Andrew Hookings
  • Fraser Hughes
  • Chris Edgerley
  • John Heys

*Sub-group – details to follow.

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#Fundraising,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#ComradesArms,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

The White Lion – Update #12

The White Lion Management Committee met last night and the following was discussed:

Refurbishment:

  • Good progress made and painting coming on well.
  • Need volunteers to help prep rear toilet and rear corridor areas.
  • Electrics: Leo’s team have made good progress and are booked in for whole week.
  • Malcolm progressing well with back bar, new chiller is in. Furniture and soft furnishings progression.

Kitchen equipment:

Discussions ongoing. Agreed to earmark some Comrades Arms money for the coffee machine.

New till:

The new till will have a direct link to the kitchen. Card machine in hand.
Telephone engineers coming on 1st April and will create Guest WIFI.

Tree felling:

Going on this week behind the pub. (Photo credits: Peter Roe).

Fire Risk Assessment:

Will take place in next few weeks.

The Management Committee comprises of:

  • Rick Dyke (Chair)
  • Margery Hookings (Vice-Chair & Minutes Secretary)
  • Charles Ouin (Company Secretary)
  • Elaine Leader
  • Graham Small
  • Teri Small
  • Sandra Burrows
  • Luke Pickering
  • Andrew Hookings
  • Fraser Hughes
  • Chris Edgerley
  • Rick Dyke
  • John Heys

Please support this fundraiser on Saturday, 2nd April –

SaveTheWhiteLion.Org

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#Fundraising,#SeeYouThere,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#ComradesArms,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe