downsmail.co.uk
Award-winning pub at centre of its community
HELPING to keep the village school open and providing a refuge for flood victims is all part of the service at The Chequers in Laddingford. This community spirit has now
won the landlords the title of the South East’s community heroes in a competition run by Enterprise Inns. Charles (70) and Tracey Leaver
(50) took on the pub 22 years ago, building a reputation not only for its beer, but also the role it plays in the neighbourhood as a catalyst for friendships and community groups. The pub now boasts a friendship
group, The Chequers Racers cycling club, The Chequers Chasers and The Chequers Otters, who swim in openwater, to name but a few. The pub has also become the venue for events for the 250-strong popula- tion, such as the village flower and veg show, the Christmas fair, carol concert and the switching on of the festive lights. A petition started over a pint
saved the village school from clo- sure and will be one of many causes the couple will be looking to help with their £3,000 prize money.
Community heroes Charles and Tracey Leaver behind the bar at The Chequers in Laddingford
Tracey said: “This is a very small village, with only the pub and the school, and while there have been many changes, it still has a very real sense of community.” When the village was cut off by
floods on Christmas Day in 2013, the pub became a vital contact point for families and is now actively in- volved in representing the village and working with the parish council to secure funding for flood defences. EnterpriseCEOSimon Townsend
said: “This year’s Enterprise Com- munity Heroes Awards saw a record 535 entries from across Eng-
land andWales. “Judging these awards is never
easy. The stories we hear from our talented publicans are truly heart- warming and reaffirm the vital role pubs play in communities across the UK. We’re incredibly proud of all the winners.” Tracey said: “We are extremely
proud to have been named SE re- gional winner.We love it here and hope to have many more happy years behind the bar.We would like to offer a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in the com- munity for the last 22 years.”
News Downs Mail
even bigger WELCOME to the November edi- tion of the Downs Mail, Maidstone and Malling’s number one news- paper. We have expanded the number of
our publications serving the county town and surrounding areas from four to five. With the expansion of Maidstone
and an increase in its housing stock, we want to reach out to new read- ers.
Of course,wewant to provide an
even better service to our advertis- ers by adding thousands of copies being delivered door to door. Mail Publications Chairman
Claire Procter said: “At a time when some newspapers have declined,we have decided to expand our offering both to our family of loyal readers and our commercial partners. “The Downs Mail is soon to cele-
brate its 20th anniversary and what better way to do so than to an- nounce these exciting expansion plans.”
Downs Mail now publishes five editions across the Maidstone and Malling areas with more than 85,000 copies delivered direct to people’s homes and available for pick-up every month. All of our current and archived editions are also free to read on our website at
www.downsmail.co.uk
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Maidstone Weald November 2016 3
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