Going with the flow

Over the last 15 years, regulars at The Taps have poured more than half a

million pounds into good causes. Tony Halstead joins locals in raising a glass to this charity-giving jewel of the Fylde

There's bucket loads of goodwill brimming out of the Taps in Lytham, Lancashire, where the phrase "community spirit" is alive and well. In 15 years running the popular town centre managed house, licensees Ian and June Rigg have made their pub a hub for local life.

Each year the Riggs, along with a fantastic bunch of regulars, raise more than £25,000 for charity.

Several organisations, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and Cancer Research, have particular reason to thank the Taps for its support. But if any other deserving charity or local group needs help, the pub won't be far down the queue of money-raisers. Few community groups in the Lancashire seaside town have not had cause to be grateful to the Taps for its support.

Going the extra mile

The Taps is the latest winner of the Morning Advertiser's Heart Of the Community Award. Run in conjunction with S&NUK, the award recognises pubs that go that extra mile when cementing links with their local community.

The Riggs have received a £1,000 cheque to distribute to charities or local groups to recognise the key role they have played in their community. The Riggs nominated two charities: the Breast Cancer Campaign's "Wear It Pink" and Roy Castle Lung Cancer Campaign.

"It was a difficult choice as there are so many deserving charities and community groups with links to the pub," says Ian. "We have been fund-raising since we arrived 15 years ago and have struck many special relationships. Since we took over the pub we've had a variety of different owners, but our role in the community has actually stood the test of time," he adds.

The Riggs estimate that about £500,000 has been raised since they took over the pub in 1991. But it's not just about the size of the cheques handed out or the number of worthy causes that have benefited. The Riggs say it's the fact that they love putting on fundraising events that helps make the Taps the hub of Lytham town centre.

The biggest event in the pub's fundraising calendar comes each July when more than 100 people take part in the the Taps' 30 Mile Bike Ride. Showbiz personalities and local dignitaries including local MP Michael Jacks take part in the ride, which takes cyclists around the local Fylde boundary and back to the pub for a major celebration.

This year's ride raised £5,750 for Cancer Research, and the principle aim of everyone who takes part is to have a lot of fun but increase the size of the cheque each year.

Another cause that's important to the Taps and the town of Lytham is the local lifeboat station and its crew. The town lies on the Fylde coast and, like other coastal locations, it's no stranger to the dangers of the sea.

"The lifeboat lads are regulars and friends, and we have struck up a special relationship with them," says Ian. "It's a two-way friendship. The lads spend money at the bar, so we are always pleased to organise events to raise money for them. It's a recognition of the vital role they play on the coastline."

Lavish annual ball

Once a year, a lavish Taps Ball is held at the nearby Clifton Arms Hotel where guests don ball gowns and black ties to let their hair down in style and raise yet more money for charity.

But it isn't just fund-raising and charity cheques that occupy the minds of the Riggs and their regulars.

Countless local clubs and societies patronise the pub, including the local Fylde Rugby Club and Lytham Hockey Club. The Taps also runs its own cricket team and golf society. In Ian's words: "If you can't find something to

interest you here then there's something wrong with you!"

When the Riggs arrived at the Taps in 1991, the pub was owned by Whitbread. It was then taken over by Laurel, before being bought recently by Greene King, which has been only too pleased to let the Riggs carry on running the pub in their own inimitable style.

Business is cask ale-oriented, and the pub remains true to its original philosophy when back in the 1990s it was used as a prototype for Whitbread's ale house Hogshead concept. The pub is now a £1m-plus turnover business, the vast majority of this being wet trade - and is an intrinsic part of life in Lytham.

This year the Taps was included in the Morning Advertiser's coveted Top 20 UK Pubs listings.

"We are known for our cask beer all over the Fylde and beyond," says Ian. "But so many people in the area just pop in for a beer because they have become our friends."

how you can win £1,000 for your favourite charity

The Morning Advertiser's Heart of the Community campaign is about reminding the media, politicians and police of the pivotal roles pubs play in their communities.

The MA has teamed up with S&NUK to recognise the contribution pubs make to the community. In 2006, we'll be giving away £25,000 to reward pubs for the work they do supporting good causes.

Every month, one pub is awarded £1,000 to donate to a registered charity of their choice. Winners will also win a VIP trip for two to one of the John Smith's racing days.

At year-end, the nine winners during that period will be entered into a grand final to win a further £15,000 for a favourite charity.

Judges will look for pubs with a genuine commitment to fundraising - on a local or national level - in the twelve months

preceding their competition entry.

Winners won't necessarily be chosen on the basis of how much money they have raised - demonstrating an innovative approach to fundraising, a sense of community and hard work will also be considered.

Send your name, address and phone number, with an explanation of 500 words or less, explaining your efforts to:

Rosie Davenport

Features Editor

The Morning Advertiser

William Reed Publishing

Broadfield Park

Crawley

West Sussex

RH11 9RT

or email rosie.davenport@william-reed.co.uk