I often wonder what would have been if there hadn’t been a Christmas miracle and we hadn’t opened the Bevy 10 years ago this month. All those friendships, celebrations, shoulders to cry on, opportunities, meals on wheels delivered during Covid….
‘As soon as I started to volunteer at the kids club, it brought me out of my shell. Everyone saw a change in me and my anxiety and it has really helped me with my mental health.’
Mind you, if it was hard enough to get the pub re-opened, then it’s not exactly been a piece of cake to keep it going. So we aren’t organising anything specific to celebrate the big day (12th December since you ask) but instead a whole host of festive fun with Christmas bells on.
We are only here thanks to so many people going that extra mile and supporting their local community. And what better example of that than the annual Higher Bevendean Advent Trail Big Lights Switch On. Then there’s children’s and adults Christmas parties, seniors Christmas lunch, Christmas dinner on Christmas Day so no one is on their own… Oh and a raffle where the proceeds help keeps all our regular activities like Family Thursdays – where children get free activities then the whole family gets fed for free – going.
‘When there’s not a lot of money, there’s not a lot of things to do. So actually having something that is free and providing a meal just takes a little bit of the stress off.’
There can’t be many pubs that run activities like Family Thursdays, disability discos, seniors clubs, grow fruit and veg – but then the Bevy was always set up to be more than just a pub. With so many pubs closing we don’t understand why more don’t run these type of activities.
‘I was told by my wife carers to come to Friday Friends but she wasn’t so keen because it was in Moulsecoomb. But as soon as we turned up strangers helped me with her wheelchair and everyone made us feel so welcome. Years later and I’m still here!’
We’ve got new plans for the New Year – with Sunday family days and the relaunch of our Dementia cafe. So get involved if you can, after all we are a community pub.
‘I think it’s massively important to the community. They put on lots of free activities. It’s just a really sociable place and it really brings people together. It’s really nice.’
Cheers. Here’s to another 10 years.
THANK YOU
As well as all the people that come through the doors, a massive thank you to everyone who supported our crowdfunder which helped give the place the spruce up it needed…with more to come. As well as the ChalkCliff Trust, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, Centre for Arts and Wellbeing, Access Reach Fund, Household Support Fund, Custom Pharma, Homity Trust, East Brighton Trust, Enjoolata and all the people who give us monthly Friends of the Bevy donations. It really is very much appreciated and helps us deliver a whole range of activities for everyone.