Latest news with #SamFitch
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cornwall village comes together to raise thousands to save local pub
The village of Ponsanooth came together at the weekend in a show of support for the Save The Stag community pub campaign. The Pop-Up Pub In The Park event on Sunday featured a host of activities throughout the day and centred around The Hundred Mile Challenge. It raised over £4,000 towards the fight to reopen the Stag Inn. The race is on in the 100 mile challenge (Image: Toby Weller) The challenge saw the whole community pull together in an attempt to walk, run, cycle, scoot and skate a combined distance of 100 miles. Not only did the village reach the ambitious target, but in the space of 5 hours, together they travelled over 170 miles! Designed to represent the village's aim of raising the funds required to bring the pub into community ownership, everyone got involved and did what they could to build the combined total. Volunteers in Ponsanooth have formed a Community Benefit Society to take on the challenge of raising around half a million pounds to buy The Stag and reopen it (Image: Toby Weller) 'This was the ultimate show of the power of a village community - whether you walked one lap or ran 20 laps of the park, every contribution helped. If we are to succeed in buying the pub for the village we will need everyone to come together and contribute in whatever way they can.' Said Sam Fitch, chair of Save The Stag. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) The line-up for the day included pig racing, live music, line dancing, circus skills workshops, face painting, a mobile escape room, a cocktail bar and so much more - all made possible by the willingness of volunteers and local businesses to offer their time and support. 'We've been blown away by the support we have received - not just the villagers who are behind us, but the wealth of local businesses who donated raffle prizes, the local breweries who donated beer, the performers and businesses who attended on the day and the volunteers who have put in so much work. It goes to show just how important we all know a village pub to be.' Said Ally McGee Harrison of Save The Stag. Getting into the groove! (Image: Toby Weller) Volunteers in Ponsanooth have formed a Community Benefit Society to take on the challenge of raising around half a million pounds to buy The Stag and reopen it as one of a growing number of community pubs around the country. READ NEXT: Consultation to change Falmouth roads - including new crossings and speed limit Boost for coastal National Trust sites in Cornwall as The Salt Path hits cinemas If they succeed the group intends to recruit a manager to oversee the day to day running of the pub, and will reinvest every penny of profit into village causes, to make Ponsanooth an even better village and community to be a part of. 'Imagine a true community pub that is run for purpose and not just for profit. That builds its business around the needs of the community, and that reinvests every penny into improving the quality of life for residents of the village, the parish and the wider community. This is our vision for The Stag', said Sam Fitch. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) As well as fundraising events and donations, the Community Benefit Society are applying for grants towards the purchase and will soon be launching a Community Shares Offer - allowing anyone around the world to own a part of the pub, have a democratic say over the way the project develops, and to earn a return on their investment. The event was to raise money to buy the Stag Inn pub (Image: Toby Weller) Organisers say they are delighted with the success of their first fundraising event, having raised nearly £4,000 from the day, and that they have a lot more ideas up their sleeves for fun and exciting ways to get everyone involved with making the Community Pub Project a success. Keep up to date on their progress through the group's social media channels and website - Or donate at -
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
People walk, skate and run 170 miles to save pub
Villagers have skated, ran and cycled 170 miles (273 km) in a bid to save a Cornish pub. The Save the Stag campaign aims to raise about £500,000 to save The Stag Hunt Inn in Ponsanooth and hosted its first event on Sunday. Members of the group said they wanted to turn the building, which was up for sale, into a community-run pub so it can be kept in the village and managed by locals. The fundraiser - which had a target or 100 miles (161 km) - raised £3,600. Chair Sam Fitch said if they achieved their plans they would need "everyone behind us". "Some people will be able to put in a little, some will be able to put in a lot. "But just like the 100-mile challenge, we hope we'll be able to reach our target and purchase the pub." The fundraiser also included pig racing, live music and a line dancing workshop. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall The group also applied for grant funding - offering people the chance to buy shares. Allison Mcgee-Harrison from the group said: "By buying it [the pub] as a community and sharing it with the community enables us to have different projects for young people and right the way through to knitting circles and things like that, so it is really important." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Plans to turn pub into flats submitted Fears over expansion plan for village pub Pub in Cornwall named best in England Save the Stag
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Villagers run, skate and cycle 170 miles to save Cornwall pub
Villagers have skated, ran and cycled 170 miles (273 km) in a bid to save a Cornish Save the Stag campaign aims to raise about £500,000 to save The Stag Hunt Inn in Ponsanooth and hosted its first event on of the group said they wanted to turn the building, which was up for sale, into a community-run pub so it can be kept in the village and managed by fundraiser - which had a target or 100 miles (161 km) - raised £3,600. Chair Sam Fitch said if they achieved their plans they would need "everyone behind us"."Some people will be able to put in a little, some will be able to put in a lot."But just like the 100-mile challenge, we hope we'll be able to reach our target and purchase the pub."The fundraiser also included pig racing, live music and a line dancing workshop. The group also applied for grant funding - offering people the chance to buy Mcgee-Harrison from the group said: "By buying it [the pub] as a community and sharing it with the community enables us to have different projects for young people and right the way through to knitting circles and things like that, so it is really important."
