A COMMUNITY raising funds to reopen their beloved local boozer are hosting a walking treasure hunt this weekend.
The event, taking place in and around New Radnor on Sunday, July 16, is in aid of renovations at the Radnor Arms Hotel, the village’s local pub, which was bought at auction last year, with locals now trying to re-open it after being closed since 2016.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for locals over the last 7 years, trying to restore the watering hole to its former status as a community hub, but things have been progressing rapidly since the pub was bought from former owners at auction last October.
The Radnor Arms Action Group (RAAG) have since set about an ambitious plan of restoration, and even though an initial plan to reopen by Christmas proved too ambitious, it is hoped the hum of punters socialising and clinking of glasses in New Radnor isn’t too far away.
That dream took a big step closer to becoming a reality last month when Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones took the issue to Westminster – where she was able to secure locals almost a quarter of a million pounds in funding.
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The community fighting to restore the Radnor Arms Hotel is set to receive £240,000 from the UK Government after she lent her support to their application to the Community Ownership Fund run by the Department for Levelling Up.
Ms Jones formally signed off the bid and lobbied Ministers across Whitehall to support the pub’s application.
“I am absolutely delighted that the group behind the Radnor Arms has prevailed in their Community Ownership Fund bid,” said Ms Jones.
“Pubs are at the heart of rural communities and restoring the Radnor Arms Hotel will breathe life into an incredibly special part of Radnorshire.
“When I visited the pub in May, I was struck by the passion and determination of the (group) members.
“I am very glad that both the Secretary of State for Wales and Department for Levelling Up saw the potential of the plan.
“I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone involved in the bid and especially to the Interim Funder who stepped in to save the Radnor Arms for the town.
“This is such positive news and I cannot wait to see the work get underway, thanks to this funding.”
A spokesperson for the pub said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear that we’ve been awarded a substantial sum from the Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund to assist with the purchase and renovation of our village pub.
“A big thank you to Fay Jones and everyone involved in bringing life back into this magnificent pub.
“Watch this space for news of our share issue launch to enable us to achieve the match funding needed and we will as a community soon be on the road to reviving this once loved and well used community pub.”
The treasure hunt and barbecue is being held this Sunday, at 4.30pm, and is being organised by The Hub, in New Radnor, with the event being held in and around the village.
Meet for 4.30pm at The Hub; there is a cost of £5 for adults, £4 for children, which includes the barbie.
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