We have few updates to share, on the following topics: 1) Financials, Grants and the new Total, 2) Pledges 3) News coverage.

1. Unfortunately the grants we had hoped to be eligeable for have not come through, and the Plunket Foundation is no longer offering £50k+£50k support to community businesses. Our local Authority is also not extending the lower level of support we have hoped for (£45k) so at the present time, so it looks unlikely that there will be any substantial support in buying the pub from external parties. We have therefore raised the Shareholder target to £300k, and the total we hope to borrow from either the Parish Council’s borrowing, or a commercial mortgage from £150k to £200k. This is a serious setback, and is unfortunately the cicumstances we find outselves in.

2. Pledges have had support from another 14 potential shareholders, bringing the total number of people supporting to 126, pleding a total of £121,100. If anyone was of a mind to increase their pledge, this would make a real difference - please message us directly on WhatsApp or by email to team@littleburypub.co.uk .

3. News coverage over the last few weeks has been terrific, and the combination of our campaign and the Ickleton Lion together has made some great front pages:

The Walden Local

“Littlebury and Ickleton villagers fight to save pubs” Villagers in Littlebury and Ickleton are raising money to save their community pubs from closure.

The Queen’s Head in Littlebury is one of three freeholds in the area listed for sale by Greene King, along with the Lion in Ickleton and the Saffron Hotel.

Chris Shucksmith, chair of the Littlebury Community Pub campaign, said: “After the loss of so many rural pubs, it is great that both Ickleton and Littlebury villages are actively campaigning to own and operate their pubs.

“What makes our Queen’s Head in Littlebury special is the great garden - one of the best in the area, and the central spot. We miss it!”

So far, around 120 supporters have pledged to buy approximately 2,400 shares in the pub in the first three months, which is around half of what the campaigners are hoping to raise from members of the community.

The Saffron Reporter

Essex CPRE - The Countryside charity Essex