Royston campaigners recognised by CAMRA for saving their local pub

Royston campaigners recognised by CAMRA for saving their local pub

For more information, contact press on 01727 337 863 or email press@camra.org.uk

Campaigners who saved a historic 17th-century pub in Guilden Morden, Cambs have been named runner-up in CAMRA’s national Pub Saving Award.

Following the closure of the popular Three Tuns pub in Guilden Morden, a local community group was set up to save the local from a property developer. After they listed the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) the action group fought tooth and nail to purchase the pub as a community, thanks to the Plunkett Foundation and the fundraising efforts of the local residents.

An enormous amount of work was required to make the pub suitable to lease but with the help of a number of volunteers, they were able to refurbish the pub, the tenant’s flat and the half-acre garden. During the refurbishment, they ran a series of successful pop-up café and pub openings to raise awareness in the village, and in August 2019 the official pub launch was attended by 500 people. It is now being re-established as a social hub with community activities starting to take root, including Tuns Talks, Walk & Talk and the Bar Games night.

Chairman of the Guilden Morden Community Pub Limited, John Harrison, said: “Thank you to CAMRA for recognising our fight to save The Three Tuns, we are very proud to receive this award. It took a determined campaign committee, the dedication of many volunteers and the financial support of over 270 shareholders to achieve this.

“To see the pub thriving and busy and being used by all the community is fantastic. The quality of the food and drink and the warm welcome that our tenants, Megan and Peter, offer has really placed our community-owned village pub on the map. Not only has this Asset of Community Value been restored to the heart of the village of Guilden Morden for the first time in 6 years, but its future is now secure.”

The national winner this year went to the Friends of Ye Olde Cross in the Tyne Valley, who also re-opened their closed local as a community pub this year. More than 300 locals invested in community shares to raise £150,000 which was used to purchase the pub and completely transform its interior. Today, the pub runs a number of community events including a quiz and open mic night, yoga lessons, food pop-ups, business networking, a yarn group and book club.

Colin Cheesman from the Friends of Ye Olde Cross said: “Friends of Ye Olde Cross are honoured and proud to be chosen for this prestigious award. It is testimony to the commitment and effort of the community who all pulled together to raise funds to buy the pub.

“The renovation continues – as does the successful day to day running of the pub – by our appointed tenants, who have really embraced the concept of developing a successful community pub.”

The Pub Saving Award has been announced in conjunction with CAMRA’s latest campaign to highlight the important role that pubs play in combatting loneliness and social isolation. As part of the campaign, pubs are invited to share their community events for CAMRA to help cross-promote and use to encourage pub-going during the winter months.

Co-ordinator of the Pub Saving Award Paul Ainsworth said: “Congratulations to the Friends of Ye Olde Cross and the Three Tuns Action Group. We’ve had more nominations for this award than ever before, which shows how much momentum is behind these type of community-driven campaigns. The more examples out there of people taking action to save their beloved local, the more others will be empowered to make a difference in their local communities. It is a real privilege to be able to highlight these efforts.

“Pubs can be a real lifeline to many people, providing support and a social network in times of need. That’s why we’ve also launched a campaign to highlight the role that pubs play in tackling loneliness. I encourage anyone who is looking to make new friends to visit their local today.”

The pubs will be presented with the award at a forthcoming event organised by the local CAMRA branch. To find out more, visit www.camra.org.uk/loneliness/

Three Tuns, Guilden Morden, Royston

Best contact: Lesley Harrison on lesleyharrison38@gmail.com or 07980 200005

Photos available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/27nlph7u6l7ui41/AAA7hnrAtTJC8oWiPJ204iBXa?dl=0

Ye Olde Cross 

Best contact: Colin Chessman on friendsofyeoldecross@gmail.com

Photos available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xdagbozq9ct4kc1/AACAnADVGR_gMPaozIBaBeMca?dl=0