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PROGRESS AND TIMELINE

Hi all

The last few weeks have been busy ones at the Haven and the work of the 'Haven Community Inn' team has carried on with support, for example, for quizzes and music nights.  The August Quiz attracted an amazing 60 + people - from several different countries.  In September, there was a smaller, more normal turnout with over 30 folks in attendance.  October's Quiz is planned for Wednesday the 15th at 8.00pm - come along if you can.

While the primary focus of 'The Haven Community Inn' is on securing the future of the Haven - making sure that it is not lost to the community - it is also very much about the present.  It is all about community - helping to create events and activities that bring people together.  Supporting the Quiz and Music events is part of this.  Over the summer, we have also had the very successful barbeque and an occasional gardening group that has enjoyed the beautiful beer garden and done so much to help keep it beautiful.  

 

If you have ideas for other activities or events for the winter months, please step forward.  It's a great venue for getting together and sharing interests.

​​Contact with potential funders has continued over the summer - the next Friends update will include a section on that.  For now, a lot of technical (slightly mundane) hoops are being jumped through - such fun.  

 

And, as we move down this road, the project is attracting attention and support.  Our local MP, Wendy Chamberlain, will be visiting the Haven on Monday 6th October to learn more about the project and how it is working to bring the Haven community - both in Cellardyke and beyond - together.  More on that also in the next Friends update.

 

That's it for now.  I'm off to see what beers Trevor has on just now - it's important research (honest)!

 

Thanks for your continued interest in and support for the 'Haven Community Inn Ltd'.

 

​Please email us with any thoughts and opinions at havenfutures@gmail.com

 

Best wishes

Craig, Vice Chair

The Haven Community Inn

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December
 

  • Pre-initial public meeting. Craig Thomson of Cellardyke met with Trevor Gow, owner of The Haven, to discuss a possible community buy out.  
     

  • Craig brings together a small group to consider what might be achieved.  It is agreed that a public meeting should be held in The Haven early in 2024.

2023

2024

March
  

  • 1st March: Further public meeting in The Haven (attended by 53) to update the community on research so far.
     

  • Questionnaire issued at meeting.
     

  • Facebook page launched ‘The Haven in Cellardyke Community Buy Inn’.
     

  • End March: Letter drop to 2500 homes in Cellardyke and Kilrenny. 
     

  • Application to Plunkett UK, a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run businesses in community ownership.
     

  • Plunkett UK Seed funding approved £2,000. 

February
 

  • 1Feb: Public meeting in The Haven to outline the thinking, approx. 62 attendees. 
     

  • 18 Volunteers selected for a Working Group.
     

  • Project started as ‘The Haven in Cellardyke Community BuyInn’.
     

  • Temporary website established as a short-term way of communication.
     

  • 15 Feb: Meeting of the volunteers for the working group to discuss initial objectives, possible funding and support, experience from other community buy-out programmes, initial community consultation and legal status required.
     

  • Initial subgroups established from this meeting to follow up on these areas.

 April
 

  • 17 April: Steering Group established from members of the initial working group.
     

  • Draft Constitution issued and made available on the website.
     

  • Detailed meeting with Plunkett UK to discuss route forward to establish business plan and funding options. 
     

  • Contact established with Democratic Scotland and Scottish Land Fund.
     

  • 24 April: Public Meeting in Cellardyke Town Hall (80 attendees, 60 of these new faces).
     

  • Survey Monkey launched at the meeting with positive feedback from 155.
     

  • Feedback and summary of public engagement so far.

July
 

  • 30 July: Steering Group Meeting agrees to adopt the legal approach of a Community Benefit Society and also approves the Constitution document.

October/November
 

  • Events run by The Haven in Partnership with/supported by the Community Buy Inn team get underway with well attended monthly Quiz nights and sell-out St Andrews Night event.
     

  • Video meeting with Democratic Finance Scotland, a programme that supports community and social enterprises to secure their long-term financial sustainability.

2025

September 
 

  • 5 September: Steering Group Meeting.
     

  • Community consultation report received by Steering Group highlighting views of key groups and pointing to areas of consultation still required.
     

  • 25 September: Formally joined Plunkett UK
     

  • Agreed to adhere to Plunkett UK's Model Rules for the funding application.
     

  • Funding application to be submitted by end of 2024.
     

  • Steering Group to provide support to social events at The Haven during winter – music nights, quiz nights, St Andrews night etc.
     

  • Walk around video launched The Haven Buy Inn Community Facebook page outlining the possibilities for The Haven (12,000+ views and growing).

May
 

  • Registration achieved with FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) - WE ARE NOW A COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY​
     

  • This means we can move forward with funding bids
     

  • We are now called THE HAVEN COMMUNITY INN LIMITED

March
 

  • Draft application of the Community Benefit Society being reviewed with Plunkett UK.​
     

  • This new website went live on 26 March 2025
     

  • Social and music evening held on 26 March to update people and gather thoughts and ideas. 

August
 

  • Launch of the ‘Friends of The Haven’ initiative

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