Villagers pose for Jilly Cooper-inspired calendar

3 days ago

Georgia EadieGloucestershire, Brockweir, Forest of Dean

News image — Villagers posed for a calendar to raise funds to do up community owned pub inspired by Jilly Cooper's novels

Brockweir Inn Friends & Fundraisers A group of people are posing for a photo with a gathering of parked land rovers in a field. A man and women at the front of the image are sat on the bonets of two of the land rovers. The rest are sat and stood around a pile a hay bales. — Villagers posed for a calendar to raise funds to do up community owned pub inspired by Jilly Cooper's novels

A small community is attempting to raise thousands to rennovate the only pub left in their village by posing for a calendar based on Jilly Cooper's novels.

The listed building at Brockweir in the Wye Valley closed five years ago and locals have managed to raise enough to buy the site by selling shares in the business.

It is hoped the new calendar, which has already been sold worldwide with copies reaching Alaska, Maui and New Zealand, can bring in the cash needed to refurbish it.

Volunteer fundraiser, Carol Knight said its brought the community together and has been "tremendous fun".

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Brockweir Inn Friends & Fundraisers A man is sat down on the floor with women's legs surrounding him. He is wearing a white shirt and tie and some of the women are wearing riding boots and white trousers. — The calendar was inspired by Jilly Cooper's Rivals

The calendar was organised by the Brockweir Inn Friends and Fundraisers, a group of volunteers who are passionate about the pub's survival.

They have already raised £25,000 towards the final target by hosting music events and an auction in the village.

Fundraiser Knight has lived in the village all her life, she said: "People have risen to the challenge....and now greet one another with a hug rather than just a good morning."

A group of people are stood outside of a pub. Some of them have dogs on leads. They are smiling at the camera. — The community raised £400,000 to buy The Brockwier Inn in 2024, with 395 people buying shares in it

Liz Keast has been involved in the fundraising for the pub, she said: "We nearly gave up" but then "we all got back together, brought the shares and we're doing all the fundraising and we are all now really excited".

The pub needs a complete refurbishment and it is hoped the work can be done in phases as the money is raised.

Henry Morland, chair of Brockweir Inn community benefit society, said they got a "lovely Christmas present" by being granted planning permission to do the renovations to the listed building.

He said people have already started to donate materials and furniture.

"That's the reason why people put money in, because they want to be part of the community," said Morland.