Given the pressures that pubs are facing, let’s not forget the tremendous amount that, year in, year out, they and their customers do for charity. Below are some stories to illustrate this. Congratulations to all involved. I’m sure that there are many more examples but these are ones that have come to my attention recently. Let’s now, in return, do our bit to help pubs in general by using them as and when we can.
The Alexandra, a Young’s pub in Wimbledon (SW19 7NE), once again laid on Christmas dinner for anyone who would otherwise be alone on the day, with hospitality being extended to some 154 people. The pub is managed by Sarah and Mick Dore and Mick told the MyLondon website, “It used to be mostly for older people, the bereaved, sitting in their house alone, it’s a really depressing day. But these days we get people from around the world who can’t get home; Australians and South Africans and youngsters working in retail, working Boxing Day and Christmas Eve, they can’t get home and see their folks. A lot of people just get stuck.” Well done to them and all the locals who support them.
At the Builder’s Arms (Fuller’s) in Croydon (CR0 6TP), a raffle for three hampers raised £1,180. The hampers were put together by manager Simon Griffiths from donations from various suppliers and included brewery tours and trips to Sipsmiths Gin Distillery. The money was spent on nine trolley-loads of supplies – rice, pasta, tinned food, tea and coffee, cereal and Christmas treats – for the Esther Community Enterprise Food Bank. Simon said, “Christmas is a time for giving and my team and I wanted to make sure that as many people in Croydon as possible could eat well on this special day. When we arrived at the food bank, with two full cars and an Uber XL, the ladies there were stunned. I think they were expecting a couple of bags of shopping so it was a bit of a shock to see so much food. It was so rewarding to see the delight on their faces and to know that we have made so many people’s Christmases that little bit better. I can’t thank my customers enough for their generosity with the raffle tickets. The spirit of Christmas and the season of goodwill is certainly alive and kicking in Croydon.” With thanks to Fuller’s for the press release.
The Sultan in South Wimbledon (SW19 1BT) continues to raise funds for defibrillators, with the latest, the third, going to the nearby All Saints Community Centre that cares for adults with learning and physical disabilities. Manager Gary Robinson presented it to them, suitably wrapped, at their Christmas party.
Further afield, Adnams of Southwold (IP18 6JW) have, for the last ten years, asked customers to donate their small change at the point of purchase under their ‘Adnams Pennies’ scheme. Over £360,000 has been raised for the Adnams Community Trust and other charities nominated by their staff. The East Anglian Children’s Hospices, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund are just some of the local organisations they have helped. Let’s hope that the trend towards cashless transactions does not reduce the level of donations.
This is also an opportune moment to look ahead to ‘Pedalling 2 Pubs UK Edition 2023’. Over the period 9 to 11 June 2023, a group of cyclists from the hospitality industry will be taking a 240 kilometre sponsored ride across the Yorkshire Wolds to raise funds and awareness for two charities, the Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away, which supports people who work in the pub and hospitality industry. One of those participating will be CAMRA’s chief executive, Tom Stainer. Should you wish to contribute, go here. https://www.justgiving.com/tom-stainer-camra.
Finally, a beer to help hedgehogs. Since 2012, Hobsons Brewery from Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire have been brewing a golden ale called Old Prickly (4.2%), which they describe as ‘Snuffly Hedge Grog’. For each brew they donate £50 to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. So far, they have donated almost £40,000.