So, so Proud!
From top MPs visiting their locals to pub staff setting sail in a raft made by customers, Proud of Pubs Week provided the perfect platform to showcase all that's great about the trade.
Licensees and customers alike all got into the spirit to support The Publican's second annual Proud of Pubs Week.
Around 100 MPs stopped by at their local for a drink and a chance to hear first hand about both the great things pubs do for their communities and also the difficulties facing the trade.
Meanwhile, a range of events were held at pubs throughout the week to celebrate the British pub and highlight exactly why it is such a vital institution.
The Old Comical in Sandown on the Isle of Wight welcomed MP Andrew Turner to a carnival which it hosted. The pub held a Miss Regatta competition and put on a range of stalls, games and activities.
Licensee Helen Blake said: "We had a really busy day and everyone loved it. I spoke to a few other licensees from the area and we decided that next year we'll get together and do something on the same day."
Making a splash
In Bedford, customers and staff from the White Horse entered the Bedford River Festival on a homemade raft. Sadly, it was the first in the competition to sink but that in no way dampened anyone's spirits as the team raised £350 for a local children's hospice.
Licensee Sue Anstead said: "It was all really about telling people about being Proud of Pubs and showing them how proud we are of our staff. We will definitely be showing our support again next year."
Other events in the week included the Star Inn in Talybont-on-Usk, Wales, putting on its very own Proud of Your People awards ceremony and the George and Dragon in Whitley, North Yorkshire, hosting a day of competitions, including a tug-of-war.
Following on from the launch of Proud of Pubs Week at a reception at the House of Commons, around 100 MPs visited a pub in their constituency during the week.
Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe popped in for a pint at the Six Acres pub in his Bradford South constituency. He told The Publican: "As I've said before, pubs are an integral part of our society and it's really important that we all appreciate them and show them our support."
Former Tory party leader Michael Howard went to the the British Lion in Folkestone. Licensee Nick Grant said: "We had a good chat about the smoking ban, deep discounting in supermarkets and how the trade has changed. He then spent plenty of time talking to customers and having his photo taken. It was a really positive event, which is the purpose of Proud of Pubs Week."
Other MPs who visited their local included Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who visited the Spread Eagle in Blackburn and Publican columnist MP Greg Mulholland who held a surgery at the White Swan in Yeadon, West Yorkshire.
John Heppell, MP for Nottingham East, visited the city's Lincolnshire Poacher. He said: "I know how important local pubs are and I wanted to show my backing for good pubs, good publicans and their hard-working staff."
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert, who visited the New Moon in Storrington, said: "Like other businesses, pub are beginning to feel the pinch from the downturn, and it was useful to get an update on the challenges they are facing."
Licensee Richard Messenger added: "It was great to see Nick and for him to share a pint with us." n
• For more photos from the week and a full list of the MPs who visited pubs go to www.thepublican.com/ proudofpubs
