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PROGRESS AND TIMELINE

Seasons Greetings


December 2025
Christmas is galloping towards us  - and I’m pleased to say that the Haven Community Inn has great cause for celebration.


Recent updates have covered the progress that has been made over the late summer and autumn – but I’ve also been honest in lamenting the fact that we were a bit stuck.  In my last update, I noted that the main funding source that we would need to draw on to allow real progress with taking the Haven into Community ownership had entered what seemed to be a dormant stage.  The prospective funders had announced that no major grants would be made until after the Scottish elections in May of 2026.  A bit of a long time.


However (and it’s great to have a ‘however’ sometimes) – we were given the opportunity to bid for Stage 1 ‘preparatory’ funding. If we could put together a persuasive bid, funding could be available to allow a major business planning and viability assessment to be carried out.


And, hey, it’s Christmas – our bid  was indeed persuasive and has been successful.  Hooray.

​

The hard work done preparing and submitting the bid has paid off.  In the first Quarter of 2026, we’ll be working with the community and with a team of consultants to look at the opportunities that the Community Inn will open up. In this, we’ll be building on the body of work done to date including (and critically) our community consultation activity. We will we need support from you – your comments, feedback, suggestions and advice.  There is lots to be done and lots to be gained.  


More on this in early January.

​

Moving on – here’s a  Christmas Request wrapped up with a ‘pretty please’


If you haven't already, will you please sign up to be a FRIEND OF THE HAVEN? 

 

You can find out more what this means and sign up at this link: 

https://www.havencommunityinn.co.uk/friends-of-the-haven


And PLEASE forward the link to others to encourage them to sign up too.  Help us widen the Friends of the Haven Group at this critical time.

​The Quiz goes from strength to strength


The Christmas Quiz held this week attracted an impressive turnout of 38 quizzers who entered battle in twelve teams. Surprise guest Quizmaster was a Mr S Claus.  Santa did the rounds with sweeties and good cheer alternating with regular Quizmaster Davie Telfer – Interestingly, Santa and Davie were never in the room at the same time – and they sounded very similar  ………  
Proud winners were the Frosty Fridge Magnets.  Well done to them and to everyone taking part.  

 

NEXT QUIZ IS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14th.   Check our events page regularly.   https://www.havencommunityinn.co.uk/events



And finally


It’s always great to see the community getting together at the quizzes, at music nights and just causally in the Haven.  I’m sure there are lots of great nights to come over the Festive period – there’s music on the evening of Saturday the 20th December and at other times, including to bring in the bells on Hogmanay.  The Haven is open throughout the Festive Season apart from 2nd January.  It’s worth noting a couple of days when opening times at shorter – Boxing Day and New Year’s Day opening will be from 12.30 to 6.00pm.


A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. The new year promises to be a busy and interesting year.  ðŸ˜Š

 

Best wishes on behalf of the Haven Community Inn Management Committee


Craig


Dr Craig Thomson
Depute Chair

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

December
 

  • Bid won for Stage 1 'Preparatory' Funding to be carried out in Q1 2026

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