News from the Ickleton Lion
March 2025 |
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Grant Funding Secured!
We’re totally thrilled to announce that we have been awarded THREE grants, which will make a huge difference in moving our project forward:
We will receive a fantastic £26,464 from the Thalia WB Community Fund towards purchasing brand new kitchen equipment for the pub, including ovens, fridges, fryers and microwaves. Not only does this funding mean we will have a hygienic, modern, well-equipped kitchen, it also allows us to replace old and inefficient gas appliances with electric so we will be using more clean energy. Thalia WB Community Fund awards grants to support community, environmental and heritage projects run by non-profit organisations based in Cambridgeshire, within 10 miles of a landfill site. The fund is managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and is part of a voluntary environmental tax credit scheme called the Landfill Communities Fund.
South Cambs District Council have generously awarded us the sum of £22,458 as part of the Net Zero Villages Grant scheme to help us reduce energy consumption and running costs, increase sustainability and create a warmer, more comfortable, and more welcoming space that can be enjoyed all year round. Funding for the scheme was provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, with supplementary funds contributed by the District Council.The grant will fund the installation of secondary glazing, insulation, LED Lights, replacement radiators and programmable thermostats.
South Cambs District Council have also awarded us a £1,844.25 Community Chest Grant under the biodiversity section to bring the pub garden back to life. Together with hanging baskets on the pub walls, the plan is to have colour and interest in the garden all your round, with a wildlife area, small play area and cycle rack, all installed and maintained by local volunteers, making what today looks an ‘unloved’ garden into a place that will offer facilities to welcome locals, cyclists and other visitors alike. The Council very much approved of the project and the vast amount of community help that we have had to get the garden back in shape.
These grants are a game-changer, allowing us to fully realise the potential of the pub and garden and will enable us to create a sustainable business that can serve the community for years to come. With this funding, we can provide a comfortable, welcoming environment for both staff and customers, making the pub a thriving hub for socialising, dining, and community events.
This is a crucial step towards ensuring we can open fully equipped and fit for purpose – BUT TO GET THERE...
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...We still need your help! |
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While great progress has been made, a huge amount of work remains. The reality is simple: without more hands, we will not be able to open for the summer as planned. The improvements needed after years of neglect are significant, and while we’ve had great support so far, we still need more people to give us a few hours of time at weekends (or during the week), so we can continue making steady progress and get the pub open again!
Over the next couple of months we really need your help with: Painting & decorating DIY & repairs Furniture refurbishment Sewing soft furnishings Garden work Listing items on ebay General cleaning
We desperately want to be fully operational for the summer, but this will only happen if more people come forward and commit some time now. There are lots of jobs that don't need any special skills or experience - just lots of ethusiasm! |
Ways to get involved: Message us directly if you’d like to offer some time to help - suggest days and times that work for you and we will add you to the rota Join us for an Open Morning on March 22nd (10am -12pm) to have a peak at our progress so far, find out more about our plans and offer your support.
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Update from the Garden Team |
The garden team have been working hard to clear the garden and prepare it for planting. Thank you to the 32 volunteers who have helped us get this far - we couldn’t have done it without you!
Our SCDC Community Chest Grant will allow us to buy posts, rope, hanging baskets and a number of plants, but we are hoping that some additional plants will be donated. If you have any of the following that you are prepared to donate, please let us know!
Plants on our wish list - Pulmonaria , spring bulbs, Allium , Aquilegia, Candytuft, Foxgloves, Geranium Rozanne, Lavender, Hollyhocks, Verbena bonariensis, Sedums, Japanese Anemone, Grasses, dogwood, Jasmine Nudiflorum
Any plants that you donate that we cannot use will be given to Ickleton Open Gardens for their plant stall on 15th June.
Sponsor a hanging basket - If you don’t have any plants to donate, perhaps you would consider sponsoring a hanging basket? £20 would allow us to plant a basket to proudly enhance the appearance of our community pub - bringing cheer to passers by, and hopefully tempingt them in! Please email us if you wish to sponsor. The names of sponsors will be added to the Heroes Page on our website. |
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Get a taste of what’s to come at our Easter Saturday POP-UP EVENT!
For one special afternoon, on 19th April, we’re bringing the pub to life with a licensed bar and food truck in the garden. It will be a glimpse of what it will be like to have the pub open and welcoming again, right at the heart of the village. Imagine summer evenings in the garden with friends, a thriving community hub, and the joy of having the Lion open once more.
Please complete this google form to let us know if you plan to join us, (we wouldn't want to run out of beer!) Then just come along with your chair or picnic rug and keep your fingers crossed for some warm spring sunshine! If you can spare an hour to help on the bar, it would be much appreciated - you can pick a slot on the volunteer rota or send us an email.
We will be holding a raffle and silent auction of promises to raise some additional funds for the renovation and to buy new furniture for the pub. We already have some fantastic prizes, including the chance to pull the first pint on re-opening day, a bottle of House of Commons Whisky - kindly donated by Pippa Heylings, an original painting by Colin Hayes and a banner signed by Tottenham Hotspur players! If you have items, skills or experiences you are willing to donate to support the pub renovation, we would love to hear from you! |
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We’ve started the recruitment process for a pub manager! We’re looking for someone who shares our vision for the Lion – a welcoming, community-driven pub with great food, drink, and atmosphere. We've been delighted at the positive response so far and are currently shortlisting applicants. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please share these details.
Thanks to everyone who had their say about design options for the new pub sign - the result was very close! Watch this space for more developments. |
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