WE recently launched a new campaign to highlight the pubs across the Tivy-Side area in a bid to help the recovery of the hospitality sector following a tough two years.
Our first pub of the week is a real community pub - owned by locals for the locals.
Julie Owen submitted The White Hart Community Inn which is located in St Dogmaels to be celebrated.
She said that the pub was bought by 550 shareholders last May and opened in October.
The pub initially closed on May 5, 2019, just days before the 250th anniversary of the opening of the pub as the first licence was granted to Thomas Mendws on May 17, 1769 to run the pub.
It was the last of the traditional pubs in the village. A campaign was launched shortly after to 'Save the Hart' with plans to turn the 252-year-old pub into a hub for the community.
A community benefit society was formed under the White Hart Community Inn Ltd name and a community share offer was launched with guidance of the Wales Co-operative Centre. Advice and experiences were gained from other community-owned pubs as they began to plan their way to save their local.
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After two years of fundraising and campaigning - which was impacted by the covid pandemic reducing the opportunities for events - the group raised enough to be able to purchase the pub through the shares, support from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, the Social Business Growth Fund of Social Investment Cymru at WCVA and a grant from Pembrokeshire County Council.
Shareholders are far and wide, with many from St Dogmaels and across Wales along with shareholders in England, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.
Ms Owen said about why the pub is so special: "We have kept the flavour of the old White Hart but added some extras.
"We have regular quiz, bingo, book clubs, Welsh conversation, euchre and games nights.
"We have a new chef making lovely food and the atmosphere is great. Local beers, local food, and local fun and chat."
The group also won the Pride in Pembrokeshire Award for September/October 2021.
The White Hart Inn is open seven days a week
If you want to feature your pub, visit www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/puboftheweek
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