15 hours ago
Fresh start for community pub - with talent show, whisky club, carvery and jazz
A community pub has been given a new lease of life - with the introduction of Totton's Got Talent, a whisky club and Mellow Sundays.
Laura and Rich Bradshaw have been at the helm of The Saxon Inn in Calmore for just six weeks and are already making waves.
The couple, lifelong publicans who last had a pub in Essex, have already hosted several events for their chosen local charity, and introduced live music and a variety of special nights and offers.
(Image: The Saxon Inn)READ MORE:Transformation of one of the New Forest's most well known pubs
Laura told the Daily Echo: "We wanted a change of scenery and like this area, so we decided to come down and give it a go, see what happens.
"We came in hoping to cause a ripple, but it's been more like a tidal wave! We know the pub has had its ups and downs over the years and we want to make this era a big up. We are already seeing people who haven't been in for ages coming back.
"We want to be very community orientated, if anyone needs any help, come to the pub and we'll see what we can do, we might be able to help or put you in touch with someone.
"I grew up where the pub was the centre of the village, the heart of the community, that's what we want to achieve.
"There's something for everyone and everyone is welcome."
(Image: The Saxon Inn) Totton's Got Talent, with a cash prize of £1,000, will run from July 11 to 13, one of a number of fundraising efforts following the pub's promise to raise £5,000 each year for local heart screenings by Cardiac Risk in the Young, in memory of Calmore lad Ryan Carter, who died suddenly in 2019, aged 25.
There's also been a special evening with former professional boxer Joe Egan and a family fun day, with lots more events to come inspired by a meeting with Ryan's mum Sue, including a Bullseye style darts contest in August.
Mellow Sundays - with a carvery and live jazz band - have been a revelation, there's a resident DJ on Friday nights and local covers bands performing every Saturday.
There's pizza and a pint for £10 on Mondays, the pool team are in on Tuesdays, it's Wednesday for quiz night and steaks are served up on Thursdays.
(Image: The Saxon Inn) Foodie favourites include Wagyu steak and lobster tail while Cruzcampo, drinks from the cocktail pump and a great selection of whiskies for connoisseurs are also proving popular.
The pub offers a food and drink delivery service within an eight mile radius.
The outside space is being revamped to include a garden of remembrance and there are plans for an internal refurbishment next year.
