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Rose and Crowned Pub of the Year

blackmorevaleJuly 14, 20210 Comment0

A pub that defied trends to open a shop during a pandemic has been rewarded with the accolade of West Dorset Pub of the Year.

The Rose and Crown in Longburton sold takeaway food and beer when lockdown hit in March, 2020, and many people asked for deliveries. The importance of a community pub at such a time quickly became evident, and landlords John and Becky Gibbons decided to take their support a step further. Not-for-profit foundation The Pub is the Hub gave a £3,000 grant for a wood-clad shipping container, power was installed and shelving made from apple crates.

The shop was in action within just six months, with suppliers including Stalbridge butcher Roger Else, Oxford’s Bakery, dairy from Crook & Churn in Blandford and eggs from Stoney Farm, Sherborne. The Larder was officially opened last October by Longburton’s oldest resident, 86-year-old Sheila Sharman.

“I’ve had to go to Sherborne to shop for the past 25 years. This is very handy,” she said.

The initiative did not go unnoticed by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which normally judges pubs on the quality of beer, the atmosphere and cleanliness. This year, Camra members were also asked to consider how a pub had stepped up a gear to help its local community during the pandemic. The Rose and Crown fitted that bill.

West Dorset Camra spokesman Rich Gabe described the pub as “a superb example” and added: “The Rose and Crown is a fantastic example of how important a village pub can be to the local community and the diverse roles it can play in modern times.

“Covid-19 changed the way we think and live and it is highly commendable that licensees like John and Becky Gibbons have assisted the local population in this way, amongst other publicans.”

And since lockdown began 16 months ago, John and Becky have also arranged for a mobile Post Office to visit weekly and have erected a marquee to host functions and charity events.

The couple have lived in Longburton for 17 years and moved to buy the ailing Rose and Crown in 2016 after seven owners/managers left within a year.

Becky said: “The pub has returned to being the hub of the community once more with the icing on the cake being given this award from Camra; we are thrilled and thank the members – it means so much.”