On Sunday the village of Ponsanooth came together in a show of support for the Save The Stag community pub project. The Pop-Up Pub In The Park event featured a host of activities throughout the day, and centred around The Hundred Mile Challenge.
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.
“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.” Sam Fitch, Chair, Save The Stag
The lineup 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.” Ally McGee Harrison, Save The Stag
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. 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” (Sam Fitch)
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.
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 –