Proud of Pubs Week crosses the Atlantic

The list of pubs involved in the third Proud of Pubs Week 2009 now stretches to Canada following contact from a pub in Vancouver.

Alastair Knott, manager of the city's Black Bear pub said he was impressed with the spirit of the campaign. "Supporting pubs is a great cause anywhere, not just because I've 40 families being supported by the Bear," he said.

"While us Canucks don't have a history starting at the year dot, we know that a safe, friendly environment that offers quality food and a good brew are a cornerstone of any town, village or in our case, neighbourhood in North Vancouver."

Meanwhile a pub in Melksham, Wiltshire is collecting unwanted books from customers during the week to raise money for Dr Barnados. The Tavern is acting as a collection point for the charity for the duration of the week.

The Maypole in Thurloxton in Somerset meanwhile is hosting a series of events including a 'Proud of Pink' day for cancer charity CLIC and a 'Pie, Peas and a Pie Night' with Silly Bingo.

Pub companies are also getting behind the week, with Punch and Everards among those sending out material to all their licensees and offering up ideas for special events.

Erika Hardy, marketing manager for Everards, said: "Proud of Pubs Week is a tremendous initiative which is really starting to gather momentum within the industry as an effective way of celebrating the positive contributions pubs make to society."