David Leader was a finalist for Community Contribution Award & unfortunately did not win.
The award ceremony began at 4.30pm this afternoon from St Martin in the Fields, London – You can watch the ceremony HERE.
Elaine Leader attended with Margery Hookings accompanying her. The whole community was with them in spirit. Lucy Turner from the New Inn Pub & Community Cafe in Somerset won the award.
David Leader remains our Community Champion!
Our much missed councillor and friend, the late David Leader, who spearheaded the campaign to save Broadwindsor’s only pub, has been posthumously nominated and short listed as a finalist for the Community Contribution Award in the Plunkett Foundation’s annual Rural Community Business Awards.
Public vote now open – Click HERE – Closes this Friday, 4th November.
The Rural Community Business Awards celebrate inspirational and outstanding examples of community-owned businesses and the kind-hearted individuals involved in them, who have gone above and beyond for their communities over the last year. They stepped up to support their communities more than ever and the Rural Community Business Awards gives recognition and thanks to their efforts.
Rick Dyke, who took over as chairman of Broadwindsor Community Pub Ltd, after David’s sudden death in March this year, said: ‘We’re delighted that his work has been recognised by The Plunkett Foundation, a national charity which plays such a big role in supporting rural communities across the UK.’
David, whose kindness and commitment to the local community, touched everyone… When The White Lion, Broadwindsor’s only pub closed in the summer of 2021, David Leader rallied the troops and got the local community on board to spearhead a campaign to re-open it as a community-owned pub. Rick continues, “David was always a very supportive, inclusive, energetic and enthusiastic champion for Broadwindsor. He made good things happen. Leading a committee and taking the local public with him, he headed a campaign to raise the funds needed to take on the pub tenancy as a community. Under David’s leadership a Crowdfunder campaign was launched and, astonishingly, smashed the target within a week. His enthusiasm, kindness and commitment inspired everyone to get on board.”
David had already been the driving force of so many amazing things in the village – the multi-use games area (MUGA), youth’s football & the community sports field at Hursey and the Community Land Trust as well as acting as the village hall chairman and lunchtime supervisor at the village primary school. All this and a pro-active vice chairman of our parish council. More so, he was a much loved husband and father.
The White Lion Management Committee had just taken on a pub manager, ready for opening in the spring of 2022 when David died suddenly on 13th March, 2022 at the age of just 64.
Rick Dyke said: ‘The village was shattered – we’d lost our driving force and the man behind so many good things. But we were determined to make this project happen, as a tribute to David’s memory, as a force for all that is good in the community.
‘The White Lion opened its doors as a community pub on 29 April 2022. And thanks to David Leader, the pub is once again the beating heart of our vibrant village.’
This month will also see the official opening on Saturday 12th November of the newly-revamped village green at Bernards’ Place, Broadwindsor, part of a major project in which David was instrumental and includes the installation of solar panels and an air source heat pump at the village hall.
The project was supported by a Crowdfunding campaign and grants from The National Lottery Community Fund, Dorset Council’s Capital Leverage Fund, Sport England’s Places and Spaces Fund and the local FMR Trust.
The winner of the Community Contribution Award and winners of the other award categories in the Plunkett and North Barnes Farm, in partnership with Welbeck Lane and Eton College Rural Community Business Awards, will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday, 17th November at St Martin in the Fields, London, where Margery Hookings will be accompanying Elaine Leader. You can view the award ceremony live online, please tick the box when you vote. Further information about how to access the live-streaming will be sent out closer to the event date.
Public vote now open – Click HERE – Closes this Friday, 4th November.
The village says Farewell to David Leader – Click HERE.
The Save The White Lion crowdfunder has successfully achieved the target of £30,00 and stands at £33,490. The Crowdfunder campaign continues ’til Wednesday 9th February.
Chairman of the White Lion Management committee, David Leader has delivered the follwing statement:
“The fundraising has been simply incredible, to raise such a fantastic sum in such a short period of time clearly demonstrates that our community wants the White Lion back in the heart of our village. We are all acutely aware of the responsibility we have to make this work for everyone. We are all working tirelessly to create a welcoming pub for everyone.
The legal process of securing a tenancy is a bit like buying a house we have exchanged contracts and we now have to complete. There is still a bit of legal toing and froing to get through and then we should be there and the keys are ours.
The selection process for the pub manager and chef is going apace, candidates have prepared a meal for us so we can judge their culinary skills. We hope to complete this process shortly.
Once we have completed the legal process and have the keys we will start on the refurbishment and stocking the kitchen with the right equipment.
Our aim is to be open for Easter, I know there is many a slip between cup and lip, but that’s the target.
As always we will keep you informed of developments, thank you very much for all your support – this will become truly a community pub run by the community.”
The Management committee comprises:
David Leader, Chairman of the newly formed Broadwindsor Community Pub Limited (BCP Ltd.) and of the Steering Group of the Save The White Lion campaign is inviting one and all to their Public Meeting on Tuesday evening.
The meeting will take place at 7pm in the Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor but anyone unable to attend may observe and/or participate as the meeting will also be shared LIVE using the Zoom platform.
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.
They will present their vision of the future, the plan they have drawn together and how you may help.
This is an important meeting to determine the future of our village pub!
Please! Attend in person or online. Thank you 🙂
Please click on the links below to read how the campaign has progressed:
Each link will open in a new tab.
#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2022,#DAONB,#DorsetLife,#PalmersBrewery,#TheWhiteLion,#BGPC,#CommunityPub,#ComradesHall,#Fundraising,#SaveTheWhiteLion,#PlunkettFoundation,#Zoom,#ComradesArms,#NFP,#Funding,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafeThe White Lion Steering Group met by video call on Monday 3rd January to discuss preparations for the public meeting at Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor, on Tuesday 11th January at 7pm.
This is the meeting at which members of the public will be asked to support the fundraising campaign to raise the £30,000 needed for the village to take over the White Lion as a tenant and operate it as a community pub.
The deal negotiated with Palmers Brewery represents the best chance the village has for the pub to be refurbished and reopened in spring 2022. The Steering Group believe that community management is the only way the pub can survive. A village pub at the heart of the community benefits everyone, not just pub goers. It helps to keep the community together, provides a social hub and impacts on property prices.
The Steering Group comprises:
The following is a summary of the meeting on 3rd January, excluding commercially sensitive or personal information:
From David Leader, White Lion Steering Group Chairman:
We are very pleased to say that the Broadwindsor Community Pub is now a legal business. The articles of the business make it clear that this is a community pub run for the benefit of the community and is a not-for-profit organisation.
No business can start without funds and we need to raise about £30,000 quickly to carry out essential refurbishment, buy equipment mainly for the kitchen, purchase stock and pay the wages of employees.
Opening the White Lion is going to be a challenge for us all but we believe that we can make it happen. Those wonderful evenings where the community comes together in convivial surroundings with conversation and laughter can happen again.
There will be a public meeting on Tuesday 11 January at 7pm where we can explain our plans, answer questions and listen to suggestions.
We hope to hold this meeting at the Comrades Hall but if this is not allowed because of the Covid situation we will try to hold it on Zoom. We hope that as many people as possible will attend. Please look out for updated information.
The Steering Group would like to thank all those who have shown such an enthusiastic interest in saving the White Lion.
– David Leader, White Lion Steering Group Chairman
A summary of the latest minutes from the Steering Group’s meeting on 30th November, provided by Margery Hookings:
Work is going on behind the scenes to re-open the White Lion in Broadwindsor as a community pub. The community needs to raise at least £30,000 to make it happen.
The Steering Group comprises:
The following is a summary of the latest meeting, excluding commercially sensitive or personal information.
Save the White Lion, summary of meeting 30/11/21
Company structure:
Work ongoing. A set of articles has been drafted for a new company limited by guarantee with Community Interest objects. If acceptable this entity will shortly be registered at Companies House.
Business plan and application for membership almost ready for publication for circulation to donors.
Bank account:
Once the new company is established, a bank account can be set up.
Timescale:
The earliest for us to be ready to go to the public would be the first week of January.
Looking at four weeks for refurb so maybe opening in March.
Call for action:
Public meeting, possibly mid-January, followed by door-to-door around the village, coupled with social media campaign. Unanimously agreed that company membership to cost £30. Like a supporter’s club, people can donate any amount to the appeal (less or more than membership costs). By buying membership, members can attend an annual meeting.
Grant funding streams in addition to public donation:
Ongoing research and submission at any time.
Staff:
Ongoing discussions with applicants.
John Heys:
John is standing down from the steering group because of other commitments. He was thanked for his hard work. He still wants to be involved in practical side of refurb.
Chris E will help with in overseeing quotes etc.
Next meeting:
Date to be confirmed.
The picture being used is adapted from an original painting by Hursey resident, John Iveson.
Cards are available in sets of 5 in compostable wraps at Broadwindsor Community Stores now, priced at £2.50.
All profits to the Save the White Lion fund.
Why not use Scout Post too? More HERE.
A summary of the latest minutes from the Steering Group’s meeting on 18th November, provided by Margery Hookings:
Work is going on behind the scenes to re-open the White Lion in Broadwindsor as a community pub. The community needs to raise at least £30,000 to make it happen.
The Steering Group comprises:
The following is a summary of the latest meeting, excluding commercially sensitive or personal information.
Save the White Lion, summary of meeting 18/11/21
Community Benefit Society application – because of changed criteria, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) turned down our application. It is not worth us appealing due to time, money and the FCA is unlikely to back down so we now need a new legal structure. This is likely to be a Community Interest Company. Investigations and communication continue. [This means the community pub is not likely to open until early 2022.]
Applicants – we are in contact with two sets of people who have applied to run the pub.
Business plan – This continues to be updated. Cash flow in the first year will depend on the starting date.
Grants and fundraising:
Refurbishment:
There has been a constructive meeting with Palmers. Builders have been working recently on behalf of the brewery at the back of the pub.
Banner – Chris E has made enquiries re a large banner which will be purchased and placed in a prominent position once we go back to the community at a public meeting.
Tree lights in the Square – Palmers have agreed to a Christmas tree above the pub door.
Next meeting – the next meeting will be held once we have an update on the new legal structure to take the project forward.
A summary of the latest minutes from the Steering Group’s meeting on 18th October, provided by Margery Hookings:
Work is going on behind the scenes to re-open the White Lion at Broadwindsor as a Community Pub. The community needs to raise at least £30,000 to make it happen.
The Steering Group comprises:
The following is a summary of the latest meeting, excluding commercially sensitive or personal information.
Save the White Lion, summary of meeting 18/10/21
Community Benefit Society application –
Slight delay while the Plunkett Foundation, which is advising us, talks to the Financial Conduct Authority about the legality of the set-up before we can go to the community with a share offer. We should know within three weeks.
Grants and fundraising –
Broadwindsor Group Parish Council has agreed a grant of £5,400 which represents three years’ grant all in one go. A great deal of work has been carried out to identify suitable grant-making bodies. It is difficult to pursue these while we await confirmation of the legal set-up of the organisation running the pub. Comrades Arms had made a profit of £700 in the first two weeks. People within the local community are working on fundraising events in the village.
Manager –
There have been several expressions of interest so far. Discussions and advertising ongoing.
Business plan –
An abridged version has been amended to include skill sets and this will be used in grant applications. A three-year cash flow will be put into the plan. Firm costings for the refurb will need to be included in the plan.
Refurbishment –
A great deal of time and research has been put into structural work and furnishing needed before the pub can reopen. This has to be costed to put into the business plan. Volunteers have offered help with structural work. The Steering Group was unanimous on the proposed physical layout of the pub and furnishings as per the plan drafted in conjunction with the brewery. More details will be unveiled when the community is approached to buy shares.
The next meeting is due to be held on 1 November.
