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Community Pub Project


(Co-operative and Community Benefit Society Registration Number 9296)

Many of you are probably aware that The Jolly Huntsman has been for sale for quite some time and that the owners wish to move on after a long and successful tenure.

In order to keep the pub open as a vibrant part of our community, and in the current absence of any other buyers, the possibility of acquiring the pub as a Community Pub was explored, and at a well-attended meeting in the village hall on March 21st, a positive reception was received for exploring the possibility of acquiring The Jolly Huntsman pub and establishing it as a community pub.  A committee has since been formed and the group registered as a Community Benefit Society.

To learn more, please see below, or feel free to reach out to Alex Hall at alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com or Linda Durno at kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com or call (01249) 750514.    

Download a Share Registration of Interest Form here.

Committee
Alison Curran
Linda Durno (Chairman)
Rob Durno
Gerry Gamble
Alex Hall (Secretary)
Dominic Jones (Treasurer)
Cara Mead
Emily Mead
Neil White (Vice-chair)

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December Updates

We were invited by St Michael & All Angels to display our Christmas tree in the church from Sunday 15th December, along with other village organisations, in time for that evening's carol service. We decorated the tree with snowflakes showing quotes and suggestions from previous community engagement, pictures of the pub, our items for sale, and beer bottle caps and beer mats!

Thank you to everyone who came along to see us (Cara, Emily & Linda) at the village Christmas Fayre, despite the weather!
If you weren't able to get there, but would like one of our mugs, tankards (great Christmas gifts) or greetings cards, please email us kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.
Mugs are £10, tankards are £25 and the cards are £2.  We have SOLD OUT of our Christmas cards.

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November Update

Stuck for gift ideas for loved ones? Why not buy one of our stylish Jolly Huntsman tankards and help us to fundraise at the same time? We're selling them at a special price of £25 each to local folk, and don't forget that we have the lovely Kington St Michael landmark map mugs at only £10 each.

To get yours please contact Alex Hall on 01249 750602, alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com, or Linda Durno on 01249 750514, kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

Other great items are available from our online shop: ksmpub.co.uk and we can produce bespoke items too!

Promises Auction

We are planning on holding a promises auction as a fundraiser in spring 2025 and are collecting promises of services and items.  If you are able to help out by offering a service or an item, please email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com - all donations will be gratefully received.

Have you visited our online shop ? We have t-shirts, tankards, mugs and more for sale - great gifts for Christmas, birthdays and the like - take a look at ksmpub.co.uk. Or you can buy the tankards, mugs or greetings cards from Linda Durno on 01249-750514, kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

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September Update

We are hoping to hear if the Community Ownership Fund will resume after the Autumn Budget on 30th October (this was put on hold due to the General Election).  You may have seen an article about this on the local BBC News "Buying Community Pubs a Long Haul....".  As there is the potential for a large grant from this fund, we're keeping our fingers crossed and our application and business plan are ready and waiting for submission.
In the meantime we are looking at additional grants and to raise money through shares, donations, and by fundraising.  In the pipeline is a Promises Auction, hopefully in November - promises received so far include a "taxi" to and from Chippenham, a tapas meal, white goods, and a home-made pavlova.  If you would like to promise a service or donate an item, please contact Gerry Gamble on (01249) 750234 or email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

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Community Engagement at KSM Day on 31st August 2024

Thank you to everyone who came to our stall at the KSM Day on the QE2 Field.
We have some more shares promised, an idea for fundraising,  a promise of help and a cash donation.  

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Here's our Latest Share Update - 28.08.24


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Shares or Donations?

Our shares total is gradually creeping up, but perhaps some of you don't want to buy shares and would prefer to simply make a straightforward donation instead.  If you would like to add to our fundraising pot, please contact us and we'll let you know how to donate - any amount, large or small, would be a great help ☺️:
Alex Hall at alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com or Linda Durno at kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.  We are also looking at holding a fundraisng events and will update you as soon

It's Creeping Up, Again!

Update 05.08.24: We now have £37,300 share purchases promised - have you thought about yours?  Shares cost £1 each (minimum purchase of £50, minimum age 18), so you can buy them in any amount you like from £50 upwards (maximum individual holding £100,000).  To register your interest (if you haven't already done so), please complete this form and we'll get back in touch with you when we are ready to launch our share offer.
We'd also really love to find 40 lovely people to buy £2,000 worth of shares each - could you be one of them??  For more info email Alex Hall at alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com or Linda Durno at kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.

Community Shares Explained

If you are interested in our community shares and would like further information, please take a look at our Community Shares Explained document.  Further details of our sharelaunch will foolow in due course.  If you have any specific questions, please contact secretary@kington-st-michael.com.

Info Event

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent info evening in the pub, and also to those who registered their interest in over £8,000 worth of shares.  If you were unable to make it we will be at the KSM Day on Saturday 31st August on the QE2 Field (weather permitting - times to follow), when you can find out about our plans, shares, and more.

Fundraising, Fundraising, Fundraising!

We're looking for some fundraising ideas and some happy fundraisers
- can you help with either?  What would you like to take part in or
help with - a quiz, food and drink, a quiz with food and drink?! 
We have a few ideas but welcome more!
Let us know: Alex Hall at alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com or
Linda Durno at kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com.  Thank you lovelies.

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August Info Event
Come along to our Community Pub Info stall, at the KSM Day event on the
QE2 Field on Saturday 31st August (weather permitting - times to follow). 
Find out about the group's plans, shares and more

Shares! Shares! Shares!

Update #2 12.06.24

• We now have a bank account!
• In order to move things along properly, both a building survey and a business valuation have been carried out and we're reading through the results of those.  
• The election is slightly getting in our way, as Government grants are put on "pause" during the election process and until the new government is sitting.
• We continue to take advise from the Plunkett Foundation.
• And last, but not least, a big "Welcome" to Cara Mead and Emily Mead. who have joined the committee.

Help!

We had a response from an accountant but sadly no contact details so please do get in touch.  Please contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514, email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com, or Alex Hall on (01249) 750602, email alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com.

22.05.24
We have received confirmation from the Financial Conduct Authority
that we are now a fully registered Community Benefit Society.

Update #1 11.05.24

Thank you to everyone who has returned our questionnaire or completed it online – anyone in your household aged 18+ can fill in their own copy.  If you require another paper questionnaire, please let us know, or complete yours online via https://kington-st-michael.com/pub. We would love to have all responses in by Tuesday 14th May, please, as we now have some deadlines to meet!!

Here’s our update so far:

• Following April’s well-attended meeting held by the parish council, and listening to all those who attended, the overwhelming result was to look in to the possibility of acquiring the pub to be run as a community pub.
• However, if another appropriate buyer for the pub is identified, then we would step aside and return all funds raised. 
• The Community Pub Project group is registering as a Community Benefit Society (CBS).
• We are setting up a bank account.
• We are now members of the Plunkett Foundation (https://plunkett.co.uk), and they are providing us with professional assistance.
• We are in the process of applying for grants.  This requires a lot of due diligence and we are progressing through the requirements.
• If this project reaches fruition, we fully intend on appointing a tenant landlord.
• The pub is a unique proposition and has always complemented other village businesses.  We fully believe a vibrant pub, open to all, is the heart of a village and want to maintain that tradition.

We still have three spaces on our committee and would welcome anyone who would like to help; contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514, email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com, or Alex Hall on (01249) 750602, email alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the latest news and information.

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Community Pub Survey

For most villages a pub is a vital service; it is a meeting place, communication centre and an important lynchpin of village life.  Much of the appeal of our village rests on its sense of community.  It is the reason many people have moved here and remain here. The Jolly Huntsman has been here for hundreds of years and is on the market for the first time in 20 years.  A community owned pub would, we feel, greatly enhance community spirit.

This questionnaire is the first step.  We need to know your views on what might be provided and what would receive your support.  Please be as honest and realistic as possible in your answers!  Your response will be treated in confidence.  You don’t have to provide your name or contact details, but if you do it will help us keep you informed about the results and progress of the project.  Please note that each adult member of your household is welcome to complete the survey (if you require more paper versions, please just ask).

The questionnaire can be completed here: https://kington-st-michael.com/pub
or by a hard copy which will soon be coming through your letterbox, and can be dropped off at the village shop or collected on request.  Please only use one method and not both. The results will be presented to a public meeting and will be available online.  The survey is for anyone interested.

We would also like to hear from you if you feel you could help in any way with managing the project.  There will be a wide range of tasks to be done, from the initial setting up of the project, to managing the enterprise and potentially being involved in the day to day practical operation.

This kind of venture has been successfully achieved in other communities all over the UK.  There are currently 52 co-operative pubs in the UK and most of these have been set up with the support of the charity Plunkett Foundation (www.plunkett.co.uk).  Will our community be the next one?  We are supported by the Plunkett Foundation.

If you wish to speak directly to someone about this project please contact one of the following:

Alex Hall: alex.hall@kington-st-michael.com
Tel. 01249-750602
Linda Durno: kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com
Tel. 01249-750514

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NEWS

April:
Growing public interest in Community-Owned Pubs
KSMCP is now a member of the Plunkett Foundation

Can You Help?
We're looking for a some help with the Community Pub project:

• Do you have any experience in completing grant applications and would be willing to help with completing the forms, or do you know of someone who can help?
• Are you a building surveyor who would volunteer your services pro bono?
• Do you have any other talents that you could bring to our group?
• Do you have any bookkeeping experience (regarding our grant/fundraising money, not for the pub itself)?
  
  
  If so, please contact Linda Durno on (01249) 750514 or email kingtonstmichael@btinternet.com. 
  

Annual Parish Meeting briefing notes 11.04.24
Parish Meeting Notes 21.03.24

Please find a briefing note here and a copy of the pub's 2023 accounts here.