As we celebrate our anniversary, take a look at these pubs that serve brilliant beer, great food and bring people together.
The team at The Hayfield have transformed a country pub into a thriving community space that goes far beyond serving pints and food.
It’s an inclusive place with something for everyone, from Tuesday knit and natter sessions which offer companionship and cakes to Ormskirk’s older ladies to family craft sessions and children’s activities like Easter Egg hunts and Breakfast with Santa.
There’s a flourishing community garden, a book club and community library and all sorts of charity fundraising activities as well as social groups like dementia awareness, parent and baby groups and a men’s pub club.
The Hayfield shows just how important pubs are at bringing people together. It really is the heart of the community in all senses of the word.
The Morning Star exemplifies Joseph Holt’s commitment to charity and community, getting behind all of our charity campaigns 100% including our defibrillator drive where we installed 33 defibrillators across the North West and our current fundraising campaign for Christie’s where we aim to raise half a million pounds.
Charity events at the Morning Star are about more than raising money. They are great social events too. From the monthly Pensioners Parties to the fortnightly quiz nights, the atmosphere is abuzz as everyone gets involved.
The events not only show community initiative and inspiration but also plenty of imagination too.
The Fairway is a big-hearted family pub that looks after its locals. From the school uniform campaign to get uniforms donated to struggling families to running events for older people and teaming up with care homes in the area to get their residents out and about for a drink, The Fairway puts community at the heart of everything it does.
It looks out for others too, collecting sleeping bags and clothes for the homeless and raising money for local charities. The Fairway family of staff and loyal customers are great supporters of our Joseph Holt Christie Hospital charity appeal with profits from a weekly bonus ball draw going to the fundraising drive.
The White Swan is such a good sport, it even has its own football team, Swan FC and coaches are arranged to take drinkers to see Swinton Lions RUFC every week. There’s also a football boot collection for local clubs so youngsters don’t face a financial barrier to being Swinton’s best centre forward.
Being a good sport isn’t just about watching sport and playing sport. It’s about making a difference to the people around you too and the White Swan is a real community champion.
There are so many initiatives that really have an impact, from a Menopause Sucks support group to a stroke group as well as really getting behind the Salford Survivor Project. There are Christmas appeals for Wood Street Mission, collections for refugees, weekly food deliveries for the homeless and compassionate community fundraising appeals.
All this, and there’s always a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome.
The Church Inn is exactly what a local pub should be, supporting local people and fundraising to improve the local community.
From supporting veterans and organising welcome home parties to providing homemade takeaways to single elderly residents, The Church Inn always steps up to improve the lives of those around it. Customers are always more than just a face at the bar - they are the driver behind The Church Inn’s charitable aims. When someone needs help, that’s exactly what they get.
Funds were raised to support a regular’s children after her death and when another valued customer passed away, a charity day was held to cover funeral costs whilst money was raised for specialist equipment when another customer was injured in a hit-and-run.
The Church Inn is a real community pub with mental health groups, walking groups and coffee mornings as well as fundraising events.
The Eagle and Child may be one of Joseph Holt’s oldest pubs but it’s definitely young at heart. As well as being an all-round excellent pub, it’s known for its music with bands and singers on Wednesdays and weekends – it’s a chance for local unsigned acts to find their audience.
They’re also known for their charity fundraising and the two come together in the Eagle and Child’s summer music festival, Eaglefest, which raises money for charity.
There are many other fundraising events from Christmas markets and raffles to firework displays which have seen the Eagle and Child raise over £15,000 for charity in the last five years making it Joseph Holt’s top-performing fundraiser. It’s a great place to visit and there’s always something going on - usually for a good cause.
And to celebrate 175 years Joseph Holt’s are aiming to raise half-a-million pounds on behalf of The Christie. It’s a cause that’s close to everyone at Joseph Holt. Not only does the Christie Hospital help so many of our customers and their families, but there’s a personal connection too. Sir Edward Holt isn’t just a part of the Joseph Holt story, he also founded the Holt Radium Institute which later became part of The Christie Hospital. We’d like to continue his legacy and raise a landmark amount of money for The Christie in this, our landmark year. Find out how you can get involved here.
