Manager of historic Maidenhead pub reflects on community work since opening

A beloved 19th century Maidenhead pub has been putting events and charity fundraising at the heart of its ethos since coming into community ownership.

The Craufurd Arms in Gringer Hill dates back to the 1890s and was put up for sale by its then owner the Wellington Pub Company after leaseholder John Hewitt announced in 2015 that he would not be renewing his lease.

But a group of residents soon banded together in a bid to bring the pub into community ownership and set up The Craufurd Arms Society Limited (CASL), amassing hundreds of thousands of pounds and earning the support of Lord and Lady Craufurd.

The group was later successful in its bid to purchase the pub and it opened under community ownership in 2017.

The watering hole has more than 230 shareholders and has been going from ‘strength to strength’, with a host of events and charity fundraisers taking place with thousands raised.

Pub manager Neil Piddington told the Advertiser how the entire ethos of the pub is local and encouraged people to reach out if they need support.

He said: “We just want to get it out there and be a voice or a vessel for the community, that if they want some support or they want help or there’s a project that needs supporting, we will help them.”

The pub has run several community fundraisers over recent years with annual events including a race night in aid of Alzheimers and Dementia and fun days for Guide Dogs and Berkshire Vision.

Community litter picks are also held twice a month.

The Craufurd Arms also runs initiatives for the elderly which include a monthly Maidenhead Memories event where people can enjoy a free lunch and socialise.

The team also prepares meals for the elderly in care homes and has supported more than 100 people.

Supporting sports teams across the town remains a key priority of The Craufurd Arms with sponsorships in place for a number of teams including Maidenhead Town Football Club, Pinkneys Green Football Club and Maidenhead Eagles Netball Club.

A week at the pub will normally feature a jam-packed calendar with a cribbage league running on Mondays, women’s and men’s darts on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and live music at weekends.

Neil added: “We’ve got a big mosaic drawn and it says, ‘Your Community Pub’

because from our point of view, everyone should feel that it’s theirs, it’s here for not just shareholders but locals and everybody.

“We just want to say a big thank you to so many people locally who have been supporting us and keeping us going where others have been going by the wayside.

“We’ve been very lucky and privileged that so many locals support the pub,” he said.

The Gringer Hill drinking spot recently received another accolade with confirmation it will feature in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Beer Guide for 2024.

If any groups or organisations are looking to host events or require support for planned charity fundraisers then they can contactinfo@craufurdarms.com

The pub also caters for companies, events and parties and is happy to host anyone over the festive season and beyond.

Contact 01628 675410 for details or visitwww.craufurdarms.comfor further information.