SAVE THE CHEQUERS
The Chequers Inn has been the country pub at the heart of Roxwell for over 250 years. We want it remain here – now and for generations to come.
The Roxwell Chequers Community Benefit Society has been formed to save The Chequers and secure its long term future. The photos above show supporters outside the pub on 9th August (left) when we launched our pledge campaign and then on 13th April (right) when we put up the sold sign.
The RCCBS Management Committee, who are a small group of unpaid volunteers, remain busy despite the pub purchase completing – there is a lot to do to get our lovely Chequers ready to open.
LATEST NEWS
We have announced a further share offer!
*NEW* Gin tasting and tour SECOND CHANCE! on 18th July – see below for ticket info
We raised funds to purchase the pub in April 2024
Building works are now underway with contractors and volunteer assistance.
Would you like to buy shares? We are opening our share offer once more until 31st July 2024!
We are excited to announce we are launching a further time limited share offer to help fund the installation of a disabled toilet and baby change facility in The Chequers.
You may think – goodness me – more money needed already? Well, the circumstance for this one is slightly unique and directly due to feedback from building control officers as the project has progressed.
We want the pub to be accessible for all – to which end, we are well underway with plans for a disabled entrance. However, we scheduled the disabled toilet further down the project timeline due to limited funds. We have since been advised that we may be open to a legal challenge under equality legislation if we open without the disabled toilet in place. Providing this facility is, of course, the right thing to do anyway if we can possibly afford it.
So what to do? We immediately applied for a grant and contribution was awarded, but a further £10,000 is required to fund all of the work. So, we are asking the community and existing shareholders to help with the balance to bring this work forward prior to our opening. The opportunity was put to Shareholders at the recent AGM and approved by all in attendance.
How can I help?
If you are an existing Shareholder:
- We would like you to help by spreading the word amongst friends, talking to the person who asked you about shares earlier in the year but left it a bit late, or simply just sharing our website link https://savethechequersroxwell.co.uk/shares/ on your Facebook page or to your local What’s App groups.
- Alternatively, you may wonder if you can help directly by increasing your existing investment? Well, yes we would love it if you could do that – and it’s only a case of submitting another application form in the same way as you did last time (minimum investment is £50).
I don’t hold shares at all:
- Now you have an opportunity to invest and be part of the Save The Chequers campaign – including getting your name on the Founders Board! As before the minimum investment will be £250 (this is something we have to adhere to in our Model Rules).
If you can help us with this important addition to the pub, to make sure it is a place that is welcoming and accessible to all, we would be extremely grateful.
What next – go to “Buy Shares” in the menu bar or Click Here
Fundraising Event : Essex Spirits Company
Distillery Tour and Gin Tasting – Thursday 18th July 7.30pm
Anyone for gin? Or rum? Or locally produced vodka…? Thanks to our wonderful friends at the Essex Spirits Co (and to Jill Vicary) – we are going again to provide another opportunity to join the fun on 18th July!
Our friends at the Essex Spirits Co, which we believe to be the only distillery in Chelmsford, are hosting another tour and tasting evening in support of The Chequers on Thursday 18th July, 7.30pm.
It’s a hugely sociable evening and a great way to get together with friends whilst learning about a fascinating local startup, as anyone that attended the first event will know.
Following a welcome drink, you’ll enjoy a tour of the distillery before a tasting session begins, sampling a range of products which major on the use of quality local ingredients. Arranging a lift home is essential!
Nibbles will be provided alongside, kindly provided by Jill Vicary.
A minimum donation of £20 per person is suggested for those attending, which will support the refurbishment of The Chequers. The Essex Spirit Co are waiving their usual entry fee to allow this.
If you would like to take part, please contact Jill Vicary by email at vicstock@hotmail.com or by calling 07900 551868.
We hope lots of people will enjoy this event whilst helping to bring our pub back to life. Please sign up now!
In June, we held the first event which was well attended and judging by the photos – hugely enjoyed and informative.
Management Committee elected at the 1st AGM
Until now the volunteers who run the activities to “Save the Chequers” have been known as the “RCCBS Steering Group”. Our model rules require all to stand down and hold an election for the new “RCCBS Management Committee”. Note, these roles continue in it’s new guise to be unpaid. We have now completed this activity at our 1st AGM held on 13th June 2024 where shareholders voted for the election of 8 seats.
The election results were:
- Clive Adams
- Emma Drakeford *New Member Elected*
- Jon Lambert
- Sam Metson
- Josie Nixon
- Emma Swift
- Nick Swift
- Ian Wren
The sharp eyed amongst you will notice that the great Richard Woolley has decided to step down from the group – his leadership and cheer-leading will be sorely missed. Everyone must remember the passion with which Richard spoke at every village meeting about the value of having a pub in the community. His drive has been unsurpassed and the committee intend to make sure we complete what he started. Thank you Richard for all you have given to us over the past 2 years and the tremendous support to get to the stage we are at.
There is excellent news from the election that Emma Drakeford is joining the committee. Emma lives next door to the pub and has lived in the village for 17 years. She has fond memories of the pub and believes “we need it back open again as a place everyone can enjoy, it has been greatly missed”. She currently holds Vice-Chairman of the Roxwell Parish Council and brings a lot of business knowledge having worked for over 35 years in the Insurance and Reinsurance markets in the City. She will be a great asset and the committee look forward to working with her.
May 2024 update
Thank you to all the hard-working volunteers who have joined Ian and Clive in the many tasks we had ahead of contractors moving in to start the refurbishment. There were so many people willing to give time and it has been brilliant to see that community spirit alive and well in our lovely village.
So what have we been up to? Mainly removing and cleaning all the interior surfaces inside the pub to be ready for decorating, dismantling cabinets, removing very old glue and wallpaper, clearing the garden area – all the glamorous jobs!
Those walking past the pub will be observing that work has started on the exterior; the doorway improvements are underway, samples are being taken from the walls to check for issues and you can see the scaffolding is up for use in weeks to come.
We are still seeking volunteers to help as we have lots to do to prepare the site for future building works. If you are interested please contact Ian Wren on 07980 401311 asap.
There are exciting times ahead for Roxwell – we will be issuing share certificates, there is potential celebrations now the pub is in the hands of the community and our first shareholders members meeting (now scheduled for 13th June) – if you are a shareholder and haven’t had an email about this, do contact membership@savethechequersroxwell.co.uk and we can update you.
So do watch this space and join the Facebook Group “Save The Chequers (Roxwell)” or our mailing list – just hit the contact us button at the top of the page.
Fundraising Event : Essex Spirits Company
Distillery Tour and Gin Tasting on 6th June 7.30pm
Many of you will know that our friends at the Essex Spirits Company have been very supportive of the campaign to save our pub, labelling our very own ‘Save the Chequers’ gin and donating £10 for every bottle sold.
This fantastic local company is now proposing to help us further by hosting a very sociable tour and tasting evening at their local distillery off Waterhouse Lane in Chelmsford (2 Cromar Way, CM1 2QE) on Thursday 6th June at 7.30pm in aid of RCCBS.
Following a welcome drink, they will provide a tour of the distillery before a tasting session will begin to allow us to sample a range of their products, which major on the use of sustainable local ingredients. Arranging a lift home is essential! I am assured by a few people who have been on the tour that it’s a great evening even if you are not a big fan of gin. It will also be a good opportunity to catch up with friends and other supporters of the pub whilst it remains closed.
Nibbles will be provided alongside the tasting session, kindly provided by Jill Vicary.
For those wishing to attend, we are suggesting a minimum donation of £20 per person to RCCBS to help support the refurbishment of The Chequers. The Essex Spirit Co are waiving their usual entry fee to allow this.
If you would like to take part, please advise Jill Vicary, who is coordinating the event, by email at vicstock@hotmail.com or by calling 07900 551868.
We hope lots of people will enjoy this event whilst raising a little money to help bring our pub back to life. Numbers are limited to 30 so don’t delay. Please sign up now!
Many thanks to the Essex Spirits Co for their ongoing support, and to Jill Vicary for arranging the event. Save The Chequers branded gin is still available and their other products are, which include rum and vodka can be found via the website ad in previous news below.
Of course, if you missed the chance to become a shareholder, you can still donate to the cause at any time and gratefully received. Thank you.
If you have any questions – contact us via email at contactus@savethechequersroxwell.co.uk
PREVIOUS NEWS
‘Save The Chequers’ Gin On Sale
We are very lucky that The Essex Spirits Company have heard about our campaign and offered to donate to Save The Chequers. They have created a lovely citrus dry gin (which is branded with our Save The Chequers logo – see above) and it is priced at £36 of which £10 is donated to us with every bottle sold. So you can sip on a lovely glass of gin safe in the knowledge you are helping secure our future!
Thank you to Zane (owner of the Essex Spirits Company) for over £500 in donations to date – this is very much appreciated.
Meet the Management Committee
Meet the steering group and its hard working volunteers – and find out how to become one!
