Friday, October 28, 2022
CHEERS! VILLAGE TO GET PUB BACK Auction purchase marks end of six-year fundraising campaign by local residents
KAREN COMPTON
bers have worked on the project since then. In 2017 they presented a petition of 300 names to the Welsh Government urging them to adopt the measures under the English Localism Act 2012 which allows communities to declare Assets of Community Value and gain some protection. They paid for a valuation, with the permission of the owner in 2018, and made an offer – but that was subsequently turned down.
karen.compton@mnamedia.co.uk
Radnorshire residents are celebrating after securing their village pub, which had previously remained closed for six years.
New Radnor – a community of about 500 people – will now have its pub back after an action group bought the Radnorshire Arms for £115,000 at an auction at the Harp, Old Radnor, last week. Refurbishment fundraising will get under way shortly and the committee, which includes local tradespeople, will start work. They hope to have a small bar open in time for Christmas. Their community share issue will be outlined to investors who have pledged and other interested parties, and they expect to secure more than £120,000. A crowdfunding scheme will also start and the group is planning to apply to the National Lottery Community Fund, the Community Ownership Fund and others. Ben Asson, of the Radnor Arms
Venue
New Radnor residents are celebrating are purchasing the Radnor Arms pub Action Group (RAAG), said: “It was important to mark this occasion because we have achieved something really significant here. “There is a lot of work to do but that will happen in time. “We were informed the pub would be auctioned in October, so we finished our business plan, called a vil-
lage meeting and launched a pledge appeal for funds. “We have set up a Community Benefit Society called The Radnor Arms Ltd which will own and manage the business.” The action group was formed in 2016, about three months before the pub actually closed. Group mem-
The same year they also took over the vacant Old School Building in the village and turned it into a village hub, run on a voluntary basis, opening on Friday nights offering food and a bar and a venue for events. It will continue after the pub opens and the two will complement each other. The auction eventually took place after a court order forced a sale to pay various debtors. For more information or to support the effort visit http://www.rad nor-arms.org or email helloraag@ gmail.com
Chance to build mental resilience at festival events next week
A festival celebrating life, tackling difficulties and building resilience will be held in Presteigne from Sunday. The Wings of Change Festival will continue until November 6 and will include talks, workshops, a film mission and a ‘grief café’. It has arisen from discussions
within a Presteigne-based group called Liminal Space which was founded by two ex-nurses Grace Loveday and Dorothy McGuire in 2020. This informal group offers a monthly opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of death, dying, grief and bereavement.
Over the last two years a constant theme has been the number and variety of losses that individuals and the community experiences. These include issues arising from Covid, such as deaths of loved ones, loss of certainty, and hopes for the future as well as anxiety about financial security, climate change
and war. The festival offers a variety of events, from creative expression through poetry and art, to learning tools for greater resilience, designed to address the challenges we face, but also to celebrate life and find greater happiness. All events are free of charge, but some need to be pre-booked.
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Spooky new show to mark Halloween A youth theatre group will celebrate the results of a collaboration with top professionals by staging a scary new show – just as Halloween approaches. Mid Powys Youth Theatre will showcase the fruits of its extensive collaboration with top-notch theatre artists in a new piece called Little Timmy Fell Down a Big Hole. Performed at Centre Celf in Llandrindod Wells from November 3-5, the show is supported by the Ashley Family Foundation and Margaret Davies Charity. “We have been working with some brilliant people,” said artistic director Ralph Bolland. “From scenic art to lighting design; a really imaginative soundscape and wonderfully crazy set and props ideas, we’ve been lucky to bring together some dedicated professionals to work with and mentor our young people.” The show aims to mark the spooky season of Halloween, so may not suit those of a delicate disposition. The run begins with a special ‘Freakshow’ on Thursday, November 3 at 8pm where admission is free, but only for guests dressed up in suitable costumes. Seating is limited and booking is a must, via mpyt@mail.com or by calling 07810 350 994.
Hotel closes down flagship restaurant
A Builth Wells hotel that featured on the Hotel Inspector television series is to close its flagship restaurant due to the current economic situation. Caer Beris Manor Hotel launched its Teulu restaurant earlier this year. But the owners have now announced the restaurant will close because of spiralling operating costs and the hotel will continue to run as a bed and breakfast only for the foreseeable future. Owners the Southwick family have already survived the pandemic and flooding issues and remain confident they will see out the economic crisis. Weddings, group and Christmas bookings will continue.