Cross Guns Inn
Cross Guns Inn Asset of Community Value
Shropshire Council has approved the listing of the only pub in Pant, the Cross Guns Inn, as an asset of community value (ACV).
The Cross Guns had been originally listed as an asset for the community in 2015 but under the Localism Act legislation that is used for the listing process, the listing period is limited to five years, meaning a new application had to be submitted in 2020.
Following an application to have the Cross Guns Inn listed as being a valuable asset to the village and community of Pant, Shropshire Council has confirmed its decision to list the pub.
Like all pubs in the country, the Cross Guns is currently waiting to hear when it can reopen following the Covid 19 lockdown and it is hoped that when it reopens, villagers will support it to help make up for the period of enforced closure.
Readers will know that the pub was recently sold by Marston’s to Admiral Taverns and new managers took over not long before the lockdown.
The pub is currently offering a take-away service and Admiral Taverns have given the managers a rent-free period while the coronavirus regulations are in force.
The application was submitted to Shropshire Council by an informal group of regulars at the Cross Guns and other residents of Pant.
Listing as an asset of community value gives locals in the area advance warning of any planned developments to a pub, especially change of use, which could result in the pub no longer being a public house.
According to research by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, 84% of people believe that a pub is as essential to community life as a shop or post office. Luckily, Pant has all of these assets.
The listing comes at a difficult time for pubs with both the White Lion in Llynclys and the Lime Kiln in Porth-y-waen on the market.
It’s now up to residents of Pant to help keep the Cross Guns busy and a central point to the village’s social life.
All change at the Cross Guns
As regulars will probably be aware, the Cross Guns recently changed hands after being sold by Marston’s to Admiral Taverns.
Now, Melissa and Steve who have managed the pub for most of 2019, have announced that they will be moving on from next year to take over a new pub in Shifnal.
Their last trading day at The Cross Guns will be New Year’s Eve, when they will be having a party to see in the New Year, which will also serve as a leaving party. They will officially leave on the 2nd January 2020.
This announcement brings to an end uncertainty about whether Mel and Steve would be managing the pub.
Asked about plans for the Cross Guns, a spokesperson for Admiral Taverns said: “Admiral Taverns plans to ensure the Cross Guns Inn remains a vibrant and vital community pub. We will be recruiting for a licensee who buys into our commitment to run great pubs and will help us run a sustainable and authentic local pub which remains at the heart of its community.”
The Cross Guns is now listed on the Admiral Taverns’ website here – https://www.admiraltaverns.co.uk/pubs/crossguns.
Since the announcement of the purchase by Admiral Taverns, locals of the Cross Guns Inn in Pant formed a ‘Friends of the Cross Guns’ group to bring locals together and to support the pub in the future.
As an Asset of Community Value, the Cross Guns is listed with Shropshire Council and as such, if the owners wanted to sell the building or change its use from being a pub in the future, the community would be given the opportunity to buy it.
When the new ‘Friends’ group was set up, Boyd Breen, a local at the Cross Guns said: “We are looking to keep locals involved with their local pub. Over the past few years, the Cross Guns has had a number of managers with varying levels of success. As the Cross Guns is the last pub in the village, we want to see more local people, as well as tourists, using the pub and we look forward to Admiral Taverns investing in the pub to serve the local community.”
You can find the new group can be found on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/832694723829297. The group is an independent initiative and is not an official group of either the Cross Guns or Admiral Taverns.
Friends of the Cross Guns group launched
Locals of the Cross Guns Inn in Pant have formed a ‘Friends of the Cross Guns’ group to bring locals together.
The Cross Guns is listed by Shropshire Council as an Asset of Community Value and was recently part of a group of 137 Marston’s pubs sold to Chester-based Admiral Taverns in a deal worth £44.9 million.
The Cross Guns now joins the White Lion in Llynclys, the Horseshoe Inn in Ardleen and approximately 800 other pubs as part of the Admiral Taverns group.
The new group can be found on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/832694723829297 – and as well as existing online, it will aim to encourage people in Pant, and further afield, to support the pub by visiting it.
Initially, thoughts are that there might be a monthly informal ‘Friends’ evening, where people can meet and socialise.
The group is an independent initiative and is not an official group of either the Cross Guns or Admiral Taverns.
As an Asset of Community Value, the Cross Guns is listed with Shropshire Council and as such, if the owners wanted to sell the building or change its use from being a pub in the future, the community would be given the opportunity to buy it.
Commenting on the new group, Boyd Breen, a local at the Cross Guns said: “We are looking to keep locals involved with their local pub. Over the past few years, the Cross Guns has had a number of managers with varying levels of success. As the Cross Guns is the last pub in the village, we want to see more local people, as well as tourists, using the pub and we look forward to Admiral Taverns investing in the pub to serve the local community.”
If you want to stay in touch with the Friends of the Cross Guns but do not use Facebook, Pant.Today will include updates and add any events to our calendar.
Cross Guns Sold to Admiral Taverns
Marston’s PLC owners of the Cross Guns Inn has announced it has reached agreement for the disposal of 137 pubs for £44.9 million to Admiral Taverns, the group which owns the White Lion in Llynclys.
According to Steve and Melissa, who currently have the franchise for the Cross Guns, Admiral Taverns do not have the same type of contract that they currently have with Marston’s, so they are unsure what the future will hold.
When Pant.Today asked Admiral Taverns what will happen to people in a similar situation to Steve and Mel, a spokesperson said: “I am afraid we’re not commenting further beyond our initial release.”
On the pub’s Facebook page regulars and locals have been expressing their surprise at the news and have praised both Mel and Steve for their work at the pub.
According to Marston’s, the disposal is in line with their plans to reduce its debt in part through the disposal of certain non-core assets. The assets being disposed of are smaller wet-led leased, tenanted and franchised pubs. The deal is expected to complete before the end of November.
The Cross Guns is listed with Shropshire Council as an Asset of Community Value, which means that if the owners want to sell the building or change its use from being a pub, the community would be given the opportunity to buy it.
Commenting, Ralph Findlay, Chief Executive Officer of Marston’s said: “We are making good progress with our plans to reduce our net debt by £200 million by 2023 in part through the disposal of non-core assets. We are encouraged by the level of market interest that this portfolio of pubs has attracted. This further underpins our confidence in achieving the accelerated £70 million disposal proceeds target that we have set ourselves for the current year. We remain focused on our stated objective of reducing our net debt by £200 million by 2023 or earlier, and thereafter operating a high quality business generating consistent net cashflow, after dividends, of at least £50 million per annum.”
The White Lion is currently closed and has a board outside looking to recruit new people to run it.
Pant Autumn Bazaar a success
This year’s Pant Autumn Bazaar, which took place on Saturday 5th October in Pant Memorial Hall, has been deemed a great success as it raised a record amount for the upkeep of the village hall and at the same time brought together a number of local traders.
Pant Autumn Bazaar has always had the dual aim of bringing the community together at an annual event as well as raising funds for the upkeep of the hall.
This year, the bazaar was held between 2pm and 4pm and during that time locals and visitors came together to browse around the stalls and also to enjoy a cuppa and piece of cake along with a chat with friends and neighbours.
Stalls this year featured wood items turned from local wood, local honey, fresh produce and preserves as well as fundraising stalls for the hall.
Thanks to everyone’s hard work and donations the hall was able to raise over £600 which will be used by the hall to invest in the upkeep of the hall. The support of local businesses in Pant, Oswestry and Welshpool which donated items for the tombola, helped the committee raise such a magnificent amount.
Stallholders at Pant Autumn Bazaar offered a wide range of products.
Over the past few years, the committee that runs the hall has been keen to invest in improvements at the hall to ensure it can stay a vibrant and well used community asset.
According to Shaun, Treasurer at the hall, this year saw the highest amount raised at the bazaar. “We were delighted to raise over £600, which is a magnificent effort on the part of everyone who came along, donated items or had a stall. I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone on behalf of the committee.”
Visit www.pantmemorialhall.org.uk to find out more about the hall and if you use Facebook you can find the hall at @PantMemorialHall.
Review of Cross Guns Village Lunch – June 2019
The Community Lunch in Pant, which takes place on the second Monday of each month at The Cross Guns Inn, is becoming a staple event of the village. Here, local resident Geoff Lowe shares his views about the latest lunch…
“The true meaning of neighbourliness was witnessed at the Pant and Llanymynech village monthly pub lunch that attracted a record attendance.
The smiles of recognition from the diners at the many tables around the dining room with family members and neighbours sitting and chatting together. The excitement of their get together was obvious by the conversation sound level increasing dramatically.
A time to remember with flashbacks that triggered memories, for some of us, back to the pre-1950’s as we remember sharing our early school days with the children from the big cities.
Thankful to our ancestors who gave so much leading up to the results of the day on June 6th 1944.
A fitting tribute is the newly-installed Armistice Plaque at Pant Memorial Hall. Let us remember that each generation’s actions form the destiny for the next generation to come, and let us hope for some good judgement calls…
The Lunch activity is a great opportunity for a re-union, bringing back memories of successful events of the past, such as the Pant & Lanymynech Carnival, The village Football Rivalry, the many local sports and social events, the various volunteer groups, ie. St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, Priory of Wales, – catching up with the life events of our neighbours and friends as we see the 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation of children arrive.
A truly successful event, noted by the fond Farewell Waves and the ‘See You Next Month’ comments as the diners departed. ……. GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD FOOD, what better way to enjoy life?
A special ‘thank you’ to the staff at the Cross Guns, Pant for the good food and friendly service.”
If you would like to contribute to Pant Today, maybe with a review of an event that might be of interest to local people and visitors, feel free to get in touch by following this link.
Llanymynech and Pant Annual Parish Meeting
All residents of Pant and Llanymynech are invited to the annual parish meeting on Wednesday 1st May.
The meeting, to be held at Llanymynech Village Hall is the opportunity for residents in the parish to find out about the work of the Parish Council over the past 12 months.
One of the items on the agenda for the meeting is the launch of a new Facebook page focusing on traffic issues in the parish, especially on the A483 and at Llynclys Crossroads.
In its Parish Report, the Parish Council highlights a number of other issues that they have considered.
There are now three defibrillators in the parish at sites in Pant (village shop and Cross Guns pub) and Llanymynech at the Village Hall. There is also a machine on the wall of the Dolphin Inn provided by Carreghofa Community Council. In 2018 training in the use of the machines took place in April in Pant and later in the year at Llanymynech. These machines are vital life savers and are all registered with both West Midlands and Dyfed Powys Ambulance service. If an incident occurs and the emergency services are called, the operator gives the caller the location of the machine and the code for the cabinet lock, so that the defibrillator can be used while the paramedics and ambulance are on their way.
Last year the Council decided to change all the street lights in the parish to LEDs which provide a much brighter light without any heat, thereby saving energy. This will be a costly change, but a necessary one, as most of the current lights will not be supported by spares after 2020. The lanterns will make the light shine down, so that will help keep the night sky dark. Another benefit of the changeover will be the reduction of costly repairs as well as lessening the frustration of residents when a light goes off. The cost of this change will be met by the funding the Council receives from building developments in the parish, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Shropshire Council’s Planning Review has progressed to consideration of some of the preferred sites. The site in Pant at the northern end of the village on the eastern side of the A483 for a possible 47 homes did not find favour with the Council or the residents and many objections were forwarded to the Planning Strategists at Shropshire Council. In Llanymynech the preferred sites were considered appropriate, as one was the site of the former coal yard.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm on 1st May and light refreshments will be available.
Minutes of previous meetings are available here – http://www.llanymynech.org.uk/html/agendas_and_minutess_2019.html
AGENDA
- APOLOGIES.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. To receive declarations of pecuniary interest.
- MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held on the
26.4.2018. - MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
- PANTLLAN REPORTER. To receive the Parish Council Annual Report.
- SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT. Report from Cllr. Matt Lee.
- LAUNCH OF PARISH COUNCIL FACEBOOK PAGE.
- SAFER ROADS PETITION. Discussion on a format for an online petition.
- SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL PLACE PLANS – To note/comment on the
Place Plan for the Parish. - SEVERN TRENT RESILIENCE PROJECT. To make any comments on
the work taking place to install the water main to Pant pumping station. - ANY OTHER ITEMS RAISED BY ELECTORS OF THE PARISH
- LIGHT REFRESHMENTS.
Pant Community Lunch returns
After a gap of several months, April saw the Community Lunch Club returning to the Cross Guns Inn in Pant.
Pant Lunch Club started back in 2017 to give local people an opportunity to meet, socialise and enjoy a communal meal each month.
The idea behind the concept was to give people in the village, and further afield, an informal way to meet up with other people, without having to join or become a member of a formal club. People will just be able to turn up at the Cross Guns in the village and meet other people.
Over the past few years, the Lunch Club had attracted more than 40 people each month under a number of different managers at the pub. But it was cancelled a year ago.
Now Stephen and Melissa who took over the pub in January have announced its return. The first one took place in April and the next one is in May.
Said Melissa: “When we took over at the Cross Guns at the start of the year, we asked locals what they wanted and the Lunch Club was one of the things people in the village mentioned.”
The next Pant Community Lunch is on Monday 13th May from 12 noon until 4pm. Booking not essential, but it might be advisable.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of age and it is hoped that it will be popular with parents who are at home during the day, the self-employed and retired people. Pant has a great community spirit, but for many people it is a bit daunting going out on their own, for whatever reason, and Pant Lunch Club is being launched to make it even easier to meet up with neighbours, friends and colleagues in a welcoming atmosphere.
Stephen and Melissa take over at the Cross Guns
There are new faces at the Cross Guns Inn in Pant as Stephen Davies and Melissa Collinson take over the reigns at the village pub.
Steve who is originally from Shrewsbury and Melissa from Oswestry took over the Cross Guns on Wednesday 13th February and food service resumes on Saturday 16th with a belated Valentine’s menu.
Talking ahead of taking over, Steve explained that he has been working for Marston’s for eight years, including at the Smithfield in Welshpool. “I have looked at the Cross Guns before and I think it is a great pub that has a lot of potential,” he says.
“Pant is a really nice area and it’s surprising how many houses there are in the village. It’s our aim to bring the community back into the pub,” says Steve.
According to Melissa, the focus is going to be on the locals and local families, as she wants the Cross Guns to be a central place for local people to get together and meet one another.
“My Mum lived in Pant for a while,” says Melissa, “and we have been to the pub quiz in the past. I am looking forward to this continuing and hopefully we will be able to start some other charity events.”
Both Steve and Melissa are keen to get to know the locals and have invited everyone to meet them on Monday 18th February at the pub from 10.30am, as part of a ‘meet & greet’.
“We are really keen to find out what local people want from their pub, whether it’s dominoes or another type of event or activity,” says Melissa.
“Even though our focus is going to be on the locals, we will also welcome travellers on the busy road through Pant too,” adds Melissa.
The pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value by Shropshire County Council in recognition of its value to the local community. This followed an application by an informal group of regulars at the pub and other residents of Pant.
Steve and Melissa say that food will be served from 12 noon to 9pm each day, with the usual closing time being 11pm.
Enjoy a walk from Pant to Llanymynech
In the first of what we hope will be a series of articles about walks in and around the village, we have put together a walk from Pant to Llanymynech, taking in Llanymynech Rocks and other local places of interest.
As all of us who live here know, this is a lovely part of the country with lots of great options for walking routes. The walk we have prepared takes in two countries, four pubs, Offa’s Dyke Way and the Montgomery Canal!
This walk is a superb way of exploring the Parish of Llanymynech and Pant whilst at the same time seeing some of the natural beauty of the area, its industrial heritage and local amenities. The walk starts at The Cross Guns Inn in Pant and is a distance of about three to five miles, depending on detours. As with all walks, please ensure you are fully equipped before you set off, as this is a guide only and some sections are off the footpath.
Click here to see the walk in full.
We hope to add more walks to the Pant Today website over the coming months and we would really welcome any suggestions. If you have an idea for a walk you would like us to try, or if you have put together your own route, please do contact us. We can’t guarantee that all walks will make it onto the website, but we will do our best to include as many as possible.
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