This was certainly the case when heavy rainfall hit many areas across the nation including the Isle of Wight earlier this year (February).
One village pub shared on social media how it rescued residents whose homes were impacted by flash flooding.
Ruby Monteath from the White Horse Inn, Whitwell, who’s mum was the pub’s licensee, was pictured kayaking in the road.
At the time, it was reported she helped rescue a number of residents by truck. She told the BBC that many locals had lost electricity with some homes having water rising through the floorboards.
She outlined how residents, some of which were elderly, were taken to the pub for free food and drink.
Moving inland, one pub in the capital has become well-known for offering free meals on Christmas Day – something that has been in place for more than a decade with Mick and Sarah Dore implementing it in 2015.
Support for those isolated
The Alexandra in Wimbledon started the now tradition with free pints for anyone spending the day alone but now, it has become a complimentary Christmas dinner, served between 12pm and 3pm.
Last year, the duo told Londonist how the tradition started began after a conversation with a retired sailor who declined the offer of a Christmas dinner but got the them thinking about the pub customers who would be alone.
At last count, there were almost 200 dinner guests including au-pairs, retail workers, NHS workers alongside many single pensioners with many of those cooking and serving volunteers.
From tackling isolation during the festive period to rural communities, one Monmouthshire pub has started offering new, creative, social and wellbeing opportunities for local people.
The Halfway is located in the farming community of Tal-y-Coed and licensees Rhiannon Metters and Jason James have made it their mission to tackle rural isolation, providing support for residents who often live and work alone.
With help from not-for-profit organisation Pub is The Hub, the venue already had a community marquee and village store with the former now fully transformed into an all-year round space for all, thanks to a grant from the Government’s Hospitality Support Fund.
Community ecosystem
Events in the space include dementia-friendly sessions, crafting workshops such as animal felt-making, ceramics and glassmaking, all of which have been designed to improve social connection, reduce rural isolation and promote wellbeing.
Rhianon said: “It’s a community ecosystem – powered by good food, good people and a big=hearted vision for the future.
“Profits, space and energy are reinvested into people – supporting skills, creativity, connection and sustainability in a rural area where such opportunities are often limited.
“The Halfway is rooted in community, championing local producers, hosting live music and events and offering a relaxed, inclusive space where people genuinely feel they belong.”
Furthermore, many operators have turned to reimagining parts of their pubs. The Plough in Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire recently launched a new community café in a room adjacent to the bar after the venue received guidance and grant access from Pub is The Hub.
Operating from Wednesday to Saturday, the community café serves homemade cakes, tea, coffee and a range of soft drinks
It’s clear to see pubs remain the place to go when the proverbial hits the fan – whether that be because of weather or life circumstances, pubs have always been and continue to be somewhere that will welcome you with open arms.
- Do you go above and beyond for your community? We want to hear from you. Let The Morning Advertiser deputy editor Nikkie Thatcher know at nikkie.thatcher@wrbm.com or on 01293 610388.
