Meet Our Winners!

The BII Heart of the Community Award is uniquely not about competing with another company or individual to see who is the best. It is about the BII recognising ALL of the people who have gone above and beyond for their communities; coming together and looking out for each other, no matter what they needed themselves.

Robert & Amie McKay - Soar Bridge Inn

They introduced a free community dinner award where each week the locals can nominate someone or family for a complimentary dinner, whether they are lonely, vulnerable, been through a tough time or just doing a fab job themselves in the local community.

Mary Gianoli - The Old Cross Tavern

During the lockdown(s) we have organised online quizzes via youtube. Our staff members have been doing various endeavours

Paul & Tina Stevens - The Greyhound Inn

After all their plans for Christmas changed, they quickly adapted and ensured their community didn’t miss out on their belly busting boxing day breakfast or delicious Christmas Day lunch.

Sharon Connelly - The Balcarres Arms

Sharon and the team have worked hard creating a collection of children's toys to donate to the local hospitalities and those in need. The response has been incredible.

Debbie Howe - Oxleather

The Oxleather set up a food bank and a clothes bank to help those in need and sheilding.

Lisa Hamlet - Eight Farmers

During lockdown the Eight Farmers did several collections including an easter egg and advent calendar collection for the Leightons Hospital Children's Ward.

Chris Stevenson - The White Lion Inn

During these lockdown periods Yolanda and Chris have been busy supplying takeaway meals for villages and personally delivering to those in the community that are shielding and continuing to do so.

Chris and Susie - The Flying Dutchman

Chris and Susie turned their pub into a food bank, collecting food for those in need. They also started a free emergency food delivery service.

Sam Hagger - The Forge Inn

During this difficult year Sam helped his community in many ways by delivering free meals, setting up a produce market, shopping for those in need and shielding and much more.

Phil Hoyle - The London Tavern

Having always been the heart of the community Phil made sure during lockdown the team helped in all ways possible, including free meals for NHS workers, opening a shop for the locals and provided hot meals for children during half term.

Victoria Hunt - The Lodge

The Lodge become the busy spot during lockdown after setting up a small shop which over night became a life safer to the local community and has since grown to supply many essentials including main meals.

Damion Nickerson - The Bond Street Distillery

During lockdown the distillery turned to making hand sanitiser for the local key workers and those in the village.

The team at Stamford Arms have been supporting their locals throughout both lockdowns with christmas turkey meals for the church group, raising over £800 for the bus shelter and more.

Huw-Morgan Evans - The Angel

Spending their own money, The Angel supplied the village with over £300 of toilet roll during the mass panic. They have also been running virtual music lessons to help those with a new hobby and to fight boredom.

Justin Bowles - The Queens Head

Justin and the team worked with others to form a volunteer group to complete daily tasks for those shielding and vulnerable. They are also planning a social distancing Christmas meal who those who would be alone.

Matt & Mille - The Holly Bush

During Lockdown 2.0 Matt & Millie took over the pub, and turned it around super quickly from the state it was in back to the heart of the community, for the locals to drink and feel safe!

Tom Kerridge - Meals from Marlow

Delivering over 75,000 free meals so far, the soon to be permanent charity supplies free meals to NHS staff, key workers and people in need.

Lisa & Paul Kingham - Sun Inn

The team at the Sun Inn made sure all the community were looked after during both lockdowns with free hot meals for the elderly, hosting free raffles online, afternoon teas of the WI and free Easter gifts for all the local children.

Scott Jackson - The Turbinia Bar

Scott and his team supported the village by supplying meals for those vulnerable, shielding and financially unstable. They also set up a food bank collection donations to deliver to those in need.

Charlie Kilburn - The Ship Inn

Charlie set up a weekly soup & sandwich kitchen for those in need. For every afternoon tea ordered on VE Day they treated the veterans with a free afternoon tea.

Russell Whitehead - The Black Horse

As there is no village shop local to them, Russell and the team turned their pub into a local shop supplied by local businesses to support the community.

Mark Powell - Rolle Quay Inn

Delivering food to the locals not only kept them feed and looked after their wellbeing but on a few occasions Mark and the team found themselves helping those on their own who had fallen or hurt themselves.

Jonathon Childs - The Garden House

The Garden House spent lockdown raising money and working with many local charities including OAPA to provide flasks, gloves, food pouches and cutlery to other charities and homeless.

Annie Kane - Victoria Bar

Annie and the team have raised over £2000 for local charities throughout the year!

Emma & Terry, The Royal Oak

Running the pub along side her parents Emma and her partner Terry raised huge amounts for Midland Freewheelers whom help transport anything medical related to hospitals, residents and pharmacies.

Ivan Sheldrake - The Walnut

Ivan ran many events during lockdown including a socially safe meet up Thursday for those alone looking for some company and a chat in the community.

Gael & Cathryn - The Pear and Olive

Gael & Cathryn opened up a new purpose built farm shop for the locals, they teamed up with local businesses and produce suppliers to make 75% of their items as local as possible.

Anita & Stu - The Stags Head

The team made sure all their locals were looked after by setting up a delivery and takeaway service, going that step further they hand delivered meals straight to the door of the vulnerable and shielding.

Malika & Steph, The Cross Keys

The great team at The Cross Keys provided takeaways at a very low cost for locals. On VE Day they provided afternoon teas and gave the profits to the SSAFA charity.

Philip Waters - Old Ham Inn

This family run pub is the heart of the village with constant work to adapt to the needs of the locals and environment. Philip and his team provided an excellent delivery service during lockdown and continues too.

Colum & Anne Marie McCarthy - The Greyhound

The Greyhound have supported The Royal Marsden's charity this year by raising over £25,000 for the charity but also putting up patients for free in their rooms so they can continue their treatment whilst keeping safe.

Philip & Elizabeth - Molescroft Inn

Going above and beyond for the community by feeding school children and young children for free during half term. They have also created a festive collection to provide gifts for the younger locals this Christmas.

Ricky & Darren, The Rose and Crown

Ricky and Darren hand delivered meals to those in need in their village. They even surprised a customer with a homemade afternoon tea after finding out it was his 92nd birthday, this made his day!

Lance - The Lamb Inn

The Lamb worked hard this year to raise a huge amount of over £5000 for Cancer Research UK

Charlie Turnbull - The Hampshire Arms

Charlie and the team have been cooking up delicious meals once a week for the elderly and vulnerable free of charge.

Helen Dunn - The Gate Inn

Helen and the team have worked really hard this lockdown to support the homeless with food banks and collections.

Focusing on all the local causes The Black Lion are always finding ways to raise money. They also respected the war veterans in the area with free drinks during remembrance week.

David Rowe - The Three Horseshoes

David and the staff worked their socks off during lockdown making and delivering over 4000 meals to the elderly and those self isolating.

Mark & Sarah - The Golden Lion Inn

The Golden Lion made sure the NHS were well looked after with free meals and drinks throughout lockdown.

Tracey Fleming - Whod have thought it

Tracey and the team have been looking after the community by setting up collections including a food bank.

Mick and Sarah - The Alexandra

The team at the Alexandra are always looking after the community, during the last few years they have held Christmas dinners for those who would normally be alone on Christmas, this year they have focused on raising money for charities.

George Mills - The Harvester

After her GCSE exams were cancelled, George focused on the pizza kitchen at her family pub and took it upon herself to run the staff rotas and also plan staff treat nights weekly as a thank you for all their hard work.

The Eagle and Child

The team at the Eagle and Child providing meals to vulnerable local to them with deliveries and takeaways.

Miranda Richardson - Live and Let Live

Miranda and the team did so much during lockdown with mothers day deliveries, birthday drive-bys and even helping Chester Zoo by sponsoring animals for the children in the village.

Daniel Lowbridge - Lincolnshire Safer Communities

Although not a pub, the work Daniel and the team do at the Lincolnshire Safer Communities is all about helping the community. Giving young adults the chase to gain qualifications and grow.

Andrew Mowat - The Seaview Hotel

Since lockdown Andrew has become the centre of the community setting up a support system for local businesses with collection and delivery services to those who are unable to get places.

Lucy Bonner - The Brewery Tap

Lucy and her team including her mum worked harder than ever during lockdown setting up shops, providing space for a playground in the village and becoming the heart and soul of their community.

Sandra Davies - The Swan

Sandra and the team at The Swan raised huge amounts of money over lockdown for several local charities. They also made a collection of clothing and items to sort and give to the homeless.

Simon & Rachel - The Mowden

Simon and Rachel feed over 10,000 vulnerable and elderly locals during lockdown with their delivery service.

Molly Thomas - The Swan

Molly and her team formed a support group called BraybrookeTogether for the community so they could provide daily services for those shielding or unable to get out.

James Bambury - The Bull

James and the team raised over £7000 for a funeral for the local homeless man, also they set up a fruit and veg stall in the car park for local businesses to use.

James & Kelly - The Eagle Tavern

James and Kelly are always supporting the community coming up with different ideas, currently they have been fundraising to install a Defibulator in the village.

Michael Cosgrove - The Blue Bell Inn & Lodge

Through out lockdown The Blue Bell made sure the vulnerable were looked after with deliveries and also provided virtual entertainment evenings to keep the spirits high.

Emma Piper - Erpingham House

Erpingham House provided meditation classes to keep spirits up and help those struggling.

Martin Durrad - The Garibaldi

Martin and the team completed many fundraising events to raise huge amount for their local Hospice.

Heather Brandwood - The Bellflower

Heather and the team kept the community going with lots of different things including deliveries and setting up a food bank.

Adam Noble - Jolly Brewer

Adam got involved in the £12,000 give back to give his customers a scratch card reward scheme to show his appreciation for their support

Mark Marriott, The Cannon Pub

Mark and the staff at The Cannon Pub take pride and care in their community and have been supporting them with lockdown specials including take away beer, street bingo, quiz nights and more

Hannah-Jane & David - The Duke of Wellington

The team at the Duke offered a great take-away and delivery service of their tasty goods and continue to do this during lockdown.2.

Shelbie Rolfe - Rockpoint Community

Teaming up with Rockpoint Records Shelbie and the team supplied packed lunches to children during half term to those in need.

Daniel Pilley - Nine Jars

Daniel and the team looked after their locals with surprise deliveries as having essentials available.

Cheryl Brew, The Spanker

Cheryl and partner Paul had a busy lockdown as they took over The Spanker and set out to turn it into a community pub, whilst renovating they also keep the locals happy with an essentials shop set up.

Gavin Wolstenholme - The Ivy Leaf

The team at The Ivy Leaf have been using lockdown to help raise money to put a AED in the village, they have also been running an excellent takeaway service

Shiv Lewis - Garibaldi Community Pub

Shiv has worked extra hard during lockdown to keep supporting the community through an online click and collect grocery service

Anita George, The Logan Rock

Anita and her fabulous team didn't stop this year, with quizzes, fundraising, sports sponsorships, daily newspaper deliveries to the vulnerable, takeaway service and much more!

Tara Elliot - The Kings Highway

After a local school was burnt down Tara and the Team opened their doors to the children, giving them a place to study and feel safe

Natalie Dyson, The Red Lion

The family run pub decided to set up an online food ordering service and also ran a meals on wheels service to those vulnerable and shielding.

George Gillett, The Plough

George and team were super busy in the kitchen during lockdown providing over 800 free fish and chips to those over 70 in the village

The Norway Inn, Truro

Creating Pub grub Delivery to supply delicious meals from all three of their pubs, Mark Holden and his team supported the vulnerable and those unable to get out with an excellent delivery service, continuing after lockdown due to the great response!

Zanna Patchett - The New Inn

As a community run pub, Zanna and the committee team at The New Inn really made sure the people in the village knew they were there to help and support them whatever the issue. They set up a takeaway & delivery service together with a shop selling basics.

The Victoria Inn, St Austell

Working alongside their sister pubs they teamed together to create Pub Grub Delivery, allowing their tasty meals to be ordered and delivered to all those in the area throughout lockdown and still continuing it now

Tom Aikens - Muse

Although not a pub Tom joined with Only A Pavement Away to create the social media challenge 'Meals in 5 Minutes'. You cook a meal in 5 minutes, donate £5 to charity and nominate 5 others. They have raised a huge amount so far.

The Victoria Inn, Truro

Mark Holden and his team worked together to create an excellent delivery service named Pub Grub Delivery. They have an excellent menu with a fleet of vehicles ready to delivery to those vulnerable and unable to get out.

Darren & Caroline - The Five Bells

Providing their building for local Covid-19 community meetings. Darren & Caroline also kept spirits high with live cooking programmes to entertain those vulnerable and elderly.

Emma & Mark Flynn - The Commercial Inn

Emma & Flynn made sure that the locals who used to attend meetings in the village were checked in with regularly, provided socially safe group walks, coffee and daily exercise. They also provided food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable.

Sarah Roberts & Justin Prior - The Three Mariners

Providing groceries and deliveries for the locals including large fruit, veg and essential produce boxes put together by the support of their great team.

Samantha & Simon Stonehouse - The Black Boy

The Black Boy looked after the vulnerable with food deliveries, even creating Smiles and Kindness where they gave free hampers to locals to cheer them up. Samantha & Simons children spent their pocket money on Easter eggs for the children in the village.

Richard Douglas - The Swan

Owned by the local community, Richard and the team made sure they kept up the spirits in their local area by hosting many events including bingo, quiz nights, zoom book clubs and stories for little ones.

Lisa & Neil Staples - The Crown

Lisa & Neil wanted to help the NHS staff in their local area so they offered their rooms out for free to those working in the area, this was so popular they created a site like booking.com so all the local businesses could offer the same support.

Marc Hornby - Virgins & Castle

Marc and his team provided free meals every friday to those in the local Covid-19 support group. On top of this they gave children in the area free school meals during half term.

Kate Hayden & Paul Warriner - The Snow Goose

Kate & Phil made sure the locals were looked after by suppling the local bakers produce. They also teamed up with Rushmoor Voluntary Services to support residents with food parcels.

Karen & Phil Wilkinson - The Star Inn

Karen & Phil reacted quickly during lockdown by helping local residents with food and groceries as well as helping other small businesses by sourcing supplies locally.

Joanne Farrell - The Windsor Castle

Joanne and the team made a collection for the NHS of food and drink to take to their local hospital. They also provided street food outside their pub for locals.

Jackie Fairburn - Hare and Hounds

Jackie and team made sure they kept the spirits of the community up by making delicious takeaway afternoon teas and many more meals. Including donating them to local care homes.

Amy Newland & Ian Durnall

Amy & Ian spent lockdown by extending their shop, providing deliveries and takeaways to their locals.

George Campbell & Daniel Dunne - Spread Eagle

George and Daniel kept their community going by swapping pints for produce as they turned the pub into a local shop

Gemma Love - Quart Pot

Gemma has supplied over 1500 set of scrubs, scrub bags and hats. The team have also supplied food to the homeless and children during halfterm

Becky & John Gibbons, Rose and Crown

The family team were able to deliver groceries and hot meals to those isolating. They also finished their shop allowing villagers to get their supplies as the closest shop is 3 miles away.

Amanda Holland - White Horse

Amanda went above and beyond by getting herself ordained to give a couple from her pub a special wedding after theirs was cancelled due to coronavirus. They also provided school lunches for children during half term

Cee-jay Williams - The Junction Tap

Cee-Jay spent lockdown and beyond using his 3D printer to make ear guards that would make wearing masks more comfortable for NHS Key Workers.

Adam Prestage, The Witton Chimes

Adam streamed his disco and live DJ sets to regulars via Facebook, and raised over £500 for local charity Tiny Steps.

Gavin Price, Fountain Bar

Gavin and his team dished out over 40,000 free meals to those in need throughout lockdown, a huge commitment to making sure local people were well cared for.

Alex and Tanya - The Polgooth Inn

Alex & Tanya ran a weekly virtual quiz reaching 120 families some weeks! They also started Polgooth in Bloom to bring some colour to the village and get lonely people out and volunteering.

Andy Pickles, The Bowgie Inn

Swapping pulling pints for working on a plough, Andy chose to support his community & local farmers by making sure vegetables were being harvested!

Sally Pickles, The Bowgie Inn

Delivering meals and creating live streams saw people connecting all over the world as well as locally (someone even tuned in from Dubai!

Kelly & Ashley McCarthy, Ye Old Sun Inn

Kelly and Ashley created a grocery shop to help regulars find the essentials they needed to locally.

Chris Herring, The Stirrup Cup

Hailed as a lifeline by those who appreciate Chris' hard work, The Stirrup Cup was a hub during lockdown, creating food parcels for the vulnerable during lockdown.

Doreen Capper, The Mount View Hotel

Doreen delivered low cost meals to those who were isolating and in need.

Nick Botting, The Angel and Crown

Nick recognised that the homeless weren't being supported during lockdown and so started cooking hot meals that could be collected at the pub.

Nick May, The Alma Inn Harwich

A triple whammy of great work, the Alma Inn team created a book exchange, stitched face masks and organised a pop up farm shop to make finding supplies that bit easier!

Paul Dexter, The Old Swan Northampton

Paul launched his Pub-in-a-Box to fund free stews for his local village's most isolated residents. Helping locals stay in touch with the pub and its sense of community too.

Trevor Brown, The Pickled Ploughman

Trevor raised over £2,600 for Katharine House Hospice, to help those suffering because of the pandemic get the support and dignity they needed, just a year after opening The Pickled Ploughman.

Richard Curtis, The Portsmouth Arms

Richard, often working with his son Oliver, raised over £50,000 for charity through his weekly pub quizzes that soon went viral!

Rob and Gill Berry, St John Inn

Rob and Gill created a shop within their pub to make food supplies more accessible to their local community.

Rob Scahill, The Orange Tree

After opening a community shop, Rob wanted to do something more to help during the pandemic. Creating online bingo evenings and themed supper clubs, Rob raised over £22,000 for charity in aid of local musicians.

Sharon Hookings, The Red Hart Inn

Sharon and her team rallied together to create a contactless delivery service that kept the pub community connected, and also raised funds for charity through virtual pub quizzes.

Steph Carr & Sam Liverton, The Old Ham Tree

Steph and Sam's delivery and takeaway service helped ensure that they could retain two staff members who live locally to the pub.

Steve Moorman, The Red Lion

The Red Lion team rallied together to create an outdoor seating area that could act as a community hub.

The team at Yummy Pub Co.

6,600 care packages were packed and given to local NHS key workers who could stop by and regain a sense of normality during the pandemic. 21,000 meals were also made and delivered to homeless in Haringey.

Billy Callaway & Ryan Stacey, The Pheasant

Making fresh food hampers for anyone that needs them throughout half term when many school children miss their free school meals deeply.

Francesca Keogh, Clifton Arms

Francesca worked hard to organise quizzes, raffles and food parcels for NHS staff. Making sure those most vulnerable and key workers were supported and made to feel appreciated.

Liz Gibson - Fox Inn

The team at the fox created a pop up shop to make sure their locals weren't short of essentials.

Krysia Sage - Wroughton Club

As the club is owned and run by the community it was important for them to make sure they stayed at the heart of the village by keeping in touch with everyone to make sure they were okay and providing meals for the vulnerable.

Julia Ward - The Yew Tree Inn

Julia and the team served over 600 free carveries to the elderly and lonely. They did this every week for several months. It really helped the locals and kept Julia going!

David Hage - The Railway

David and his fantastic team started the year off helping supply the village with warmth, food and care after a terrible flooding. They continue to support the village with a tasty delivery service.

Matthew & Jannine - The Holly Bush

The Holly Bush kept their locals happy and fed supplying over 200 home cooked hot meals a week!

Sarah Bennett - The Lamb

The pub have been supporting locals throughout this year, but recently have been visiting the local children on behalf of Santa for social-distance gift drop off to spread some Christmas cheer.

Ariane Valentine - The Bell and Bottle

The pub donated lots to the local food banks. Ariane and her sister are also running a marathon to raise money for a local charity!

Jason Black - Pityme Inn

Jason ran several virtual events including beer festivals and quizzes to keep the community spirits up, he even supplied bbq kits so people could enjoy the virtual beer fest in their own gardens with yummy foods.

David House - The Chequers Inn

David and his staff would prepare and deliver to every old or vulnerable resident in the local community a home-cooked Sunday roast completely free of charge. They committed to feeding every single vulnerable and elderly member.

Supported by Sky, pubs can be nominated by anyone for the award – including themselves! We want to hear their stories, preferably with pictures, video or social media posts relating to what they did in lockdown to look after and engage with their communities.

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If you have downloaded the form and nothing has downloaded, please email Your BII Team at community@bii.org and we will be delighted to email you a replacement!