HRH Highness The Prince of Wales delighted crowds at Ladock in Cornwall yesterday when he popped into the Falmouth Arms to pull a pint and borrow a library book!
He was there to celebrate the opening of the pub’s new micro-library, installed with the help of Pub is The Hub and Cornwall Council’s Library Services team and spent some time talking to regular customers of the pub and library and meeting representatives from other community groups in the village.
Also present were representatives from Pub is The Hub’s South West Hub as well as the licensees from four other pub diversification projects in the area; The Star Inn at Porkellis, The Miner’s Arms at Mithian, The Crown Inn at Goldsithney and the Halfway House at Polbathic. His Royal Highness took the time to meet everyone and congratulate them on their hard work in reviving essential services in rural areas.
The hosts for the visit, pub owners David and Emmeline Smith, decided to add this new community service to the usual pub offer by converting an old, unused pool room. One side of the room was fitted out with shelving and a computer terminal to access online library services and the library services team visits each week to replenish the stock of books and bring titles ordered online.
David Smith was pleased that everyone had enjoyed the day and said: “What an honour to show His Royal Highness around the Falmouth Arms and introduce him to everyone that is involved in the village and our community life.”
The Chief Executive for Pub is The Hub, John Longden, was there and said: “His Royal Highness was clearly delighted with the progress we have made in Cornwall. We have opened 14 diversification projects now and this library at the Falmouth Arms is our eleventh one. We are indebted to the vision of Pat Terry and the team from Cornwall Council’s Library Services and their hard work in partnering our projects. We also have to thank our many supporters in the county, from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, Cornwall Rural Community Charity to St Austell Brewery, the Post Office and many more.
“However, the biggest thanks of all must go to our heroic licensees whose hard-work and enthusiasm pays off in support from their communities.”
As part of National Countryside Week run by the Prince’s Countryside Fund, Claire Saunders, the Chief Executive was also present at the visit. She commented: “We are really pleased that the financial support from The Prince’s Countryside Fund has allowed so many people to enjoy a new lease of life for their village pub. In common with Pub is The Hub we understand that pubs are a real focus for activity and can play an important part in sustaining rural communities.”
The Photograph shows two of the Falmouth Arms library members, Tina Clements and Suzanne Warring talking to HRH The Prince of Wales with John Longden, Chief Executive seated to his right and Reg Clarke the advisor for the south west behind.