Support our local pub family - Pay for a brick

For as long as I have known Will and Chantal (which is a few years now) they have tried to make the Hare and Hounds, Leavenheath a centre for the local community. Everyone is made welcome, and they make sure to support local teams and other businesses, never asking for much for themselves. They survived lockdown after just taking on the business themselves, which must have been scary. Now they have a family they are outgrowing the accommodation the pub offers, so they got planning permission to build a house and a much needed village shop right next to the pub itself. They want to be part of our community long-term.

But, to our dismay, we found out that the company they had commissioned to build their house, and our shop, has gone bust – right after taking all their mortgage money. So they now have little chance of getting that back, and face the prospect of paying back that loan with nothing to show for it.

But we can help. If we all pay for a brick. One breeze block costs about £2.50. That’s less than a pint. Less than a decent gin. So pay for a round's worth. Or even a session's worth. Whatever you can afford to help with will be much appreciated.

Now I am doing this for admittedly selfish reasons. I want the pub to stay open, and I want my friends to keep running it. And I would like to have a local shop to pop to when I run out of essentials - especially if I can call in for a swift one while I stock up. Will and Chantal haven’t asked for this to happen to them, and they certainly haven’t asked for me to do this. I might even get in trouble for doing it. But I want to help, and I’m sure you will too.

So please pay for a brick. Right now. And call in for a pint next time you’re passing. Kevin and I will probably be there to say thank you.

Shani