Heart of the community: Mid Glamorgan pub supports local people with community and charity events.
The White Cross Inn in Groeswen, near Caerphilly, is a small pub with a big heart.
The pub, which dates back to 1750, is situated in the tiny village of Groeswen on a hill with sweeping views over the town of Caerphilly.
Publican Mair Arthur, who has run the freehold since 2011, has worked hard to make the pub the beating heart of the local community.
She says it is a ‘pub for people’ and is proud that it is a hub where people may ‘enter as strangers but they leave as friends.’
Mair ensures the pub supports its local community by running a variety of events to help bring people together, raise money for charity and tackle social isolation.
Meeting place
The White Cross Inn is also the meeting place for many local groups that help support people to socialise including Knit and Natter, local beer group the Beer Bellies Club, the Wacky Wanderers walking group as well as sports teams including darts and cricket.
It is also a regular stop off for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
The pub is also well-known for its charity fundraising. It has fundraised through events including Wig and Wine nights, Pretty in Pink nights, vintage tea parties, golf events and charity race nights to coincide with Ascot.
The pub also has a charity book shelf which recycles peoples’ old books at 50p each. The hundreds of pounds raised from the books sale has been donated to various charities.
Social calendar and fundraising
The purchase of a new PA and music system, with the support of Pub is the Hub, has helped to support the pub’s busy calendar of social and fundraising events.
The pub’s team is using the new system to support existing events and also host new ones, including open mic nights for young musicians and local groups, such as for local farmers, for talks and meetings.
The PA system is also being used to support its fundraising events. In June 2024 over £3,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support by running a charity quiz and fun day which included a barrel push, tug of war, dog show and BBQ.
“This pub is a place for people to meet and form friendships. It is a very special place. This new PA and music system will enable us to run more events supporting the local community and raising more money for charity.
“It is so important that people can come here to have that conversation and social interaction that is so important for tackling feelings of loneliness.”
Publican Mair Arthur
“Publican Mair and the services and activities that The White Cross Inn provides have always had a real social impact on people in the local area and the new PA system helps to continue this and has already been put to good use which is wonderful to see.
“These events and charity fundraising really show this pub is at the hub of its local community. The warm welcome at the pub along with these events is crucial in helping many locals to overcome social isolation especially in such a rural area.”
Pub is The Hub regional advisor Roger Belle