Many thanks to those of you who attended the meeting at the Cross Inn with Alun Cairns last Friday 18th March, to discuss what we would need to do to save the Cross Inn for the community. The meeting was attended by about 20 people from Llanblethian, Cowbridge and Clare Garden Village.

It was a useful meeting. Alun Cairns and other attendees shared their thoughts and expertise. The upshot is that to go forward we urgently need to do two things:

1) Get together a group of people who are able and willing to give up some of their time to drive forward the work which we need to do. This would include

a) setting up an Incorporated Organisation,

b) putting together a detailed Business Case and

c) applying for support from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund

2) This organisation would need to have experience in the following areas:

a) Law

b) Planning procedures

c) Accountancy

d) Commercial issues around Running / Managing a pub

In the meantime, I am now trying to

1) contact everyone who initially expressed an interest in saving the Cross Inn last November

2) identify new people who may be interested.

3) Find out how many are willing to commit money to the cause,

4) and how much they may be prepared to invest.

This will let us know if we are anywhere near to achieving the £250,000 necessary to buy and refurbish the pub. This is assuming that we can raise the other 50% from the Community Ownership Fund referred to above.

If we cannot get a working group of “experts” together, plus a commitment for at least £250,000, then we will be unable to save the Cross Inn. Please could you therefore let us know:

1) If you have any expertise in the areas required (or do you know anyone who does) and if you would be willing to volunteer your time and,

2) If you are able to commit some money and if so how much.

Please would you also spread the word among your local friends and neighbours. Please contact us if you require more information.

Please note that if we succeed in buying the pub it will be an asset owned by you the “shareholders”, and any rental paid will represent a return on your investment and may eventually turn a profit. We already have an expression of interest from the Vale of Glamorgan Brewery in leasing and running the pub.

Many thanks

Neil & Lynne Hammond