To prepare the pub for the New Year, volunteers and shareholders came together over six days to carry out a wide range of improvement work. This included repainting chairs and tables, refreshing ceilings and walls, and tidying storage areas and the beer garden.
The temporary closure allowed the work to be completed efficiently, ensuring the pub could reopen in a better position to continue serving as the heart of the village. Like many hospitality venues, The Blue Bell has faced significant challenges during the current economic climate, making the collective effort all the more important.
The work highlighted the strong sense of ownership and pride felt by those involved with the pub. Volunteers and shareholders committed their time and skills to ensure the space remains welcoming and fit for the wide range of activities it hosts throughout the year.
As a hub for village life, The Blue Bell supports a broad programme of community events, including over-60s lunches, craft groups, a men’s shed, local business networking, a crib club, a village market stall for excess produce, children’s Easter hunts and charity quiz nights. These run alongside regular entertainment such as open mic nights, karaoke, live bands, themed evenings, workshops and pop-up shops.
The pub has also played a role in fundraising, raising over £600 for Macmillan Cancer Support and more than £3,000 for Movember over the past year.
Despite ongoing financial pressures, The Blue Bell continues to demonstrate resilience through community determination and volunteer support. By working together, those involved are helping to secure the future of a much-loved village pub and ensuring it remains a space where people can connect, support one another and take part in local life — values strongly championed by PubAid.
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Prize details:
Two Premier League tickets with hospitality fulfilled by Sky Business - to a game of your choice from a select list. Eligible for 2026 Premier League home games in the 2025/26 season
Two sets of two tickets from Diageo