AN action group who made a lot of noise by buying their popular village pub has launched a silent auction that is taking place from now until mid-December

The Radnor Arms Action Group (RAAG) bought the Radnor Arms Hotel in New Radnor at auction for £115,000 last month. Now, they hope to raise £50,000 so they can once again raise a glass at their favourite watering hole, which closed six years ago.

One of the many fundraising ideas the group has come up with is the silent auction, which launches today (November 18) and runs until Tuesday, December 13, and includes countless wonderful lots from near and far.

“Lots include art works from celebrated local artists, short breaks in beautiful homes and cottages locally and further afield, furniture repair, guitar lessons, split cane rod fly-fishing lessons, wine tasting and food pairings,” said Ben Asson, of the RAAG.

“There is also a customised family tree, fine art work and ceramics, customised hand painted letters or initials, a brewing lesson for 2, freshly baked bread, quiche, meals out, a customised painting of your house, a customised photograph of the scene/landscape/building of your choice, an introduction to foraging lessons, beef brisket, a jointed half lamb, half turkey crown and pigs in blankets, hampers, photography, pottery lessons, salmon fishing, a plein air landscape painting day for up to 4, a folding bicycle, British Cassis, Hergest Croft tea and garden visit, port and sherry, an apple pressing session with 10 bottles of apple juice to be taken away for up to 2, quiche serving 10, a wildflower lesson and walk, a woodturning workshop, a wheelbarrow (in a colour of your choice) and a handmade bird table.”

County Times: The Radnor Arms has been bought by passionate locals The Radnor Arms has been bought by passionate locals

There are even first edition Radnor Arms mugs up for grabs, plus more.

Coming out just in time to get that perfect gift for Christmas, you can visit the entire catalogue of items online at www.32auctions.com/theradnorarmshotel or come and see the physical auction catalogue in the flesh at a number of venues across Radnorshire, including ESCO’s, the Hub or the community centre in New Radnor, the Fforest Inn, Harp Inn, Kington Building Supplies, the Grapevine, J&P Turner, Arrow Mills Garden Centre or the Burton Hotel in Kington, Deli Tinto in Presteigne, Lyonshall Garden Centre and at one of the H’Art Winter Weekends.

You can also view the catalogue, and many of the auction items, at a number of planned open days to be held at the Radnor Arms Hotel. These are taking place on Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27, and Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4.

You can also order Radnor Arms mugs and Christmas cards from the group’s online shop, just visit https://theradnorarmshotel.sumupstore.com/.

“We hope you will find something appealing in our auction, an experience to share with friends or family, an opportunity to meet new friends and/or an item or two for yourself or for others,” added Ben.

Following the deterioration of the pub under the former owner, it eventually closed in 2016 and has since fallen into a dilapidated state.

Passionate locals formed community enterprise ‘The Hub’ in 2018 and have since been opening a pop-up bar at the Old School Building in the village, as well as hosting various social events.

The group hopes to reopen the pub in time for Christmas and aim to turn it back into a vibrant and sociable place to be.

“The village is delighted to have the opportunity now to reinstate its pub,” Ruth Watson, a founding committee member who also runs the community hub, had said after the pub was purchased at auction.

“We have a strong 15+ committee including local tradesfolk and we intend to make a start on refurbing as soon as possible. We would like to have a bar open at the Radnor by Christmas, if not before.”

More information about the pub and the group’s ambitions is available on their website, at http://www.radnor-arms.org.

Anyone able to put a hand in their pocket can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/theradnorarms.