THE CROSS KEYS INN
it’s all about good food and drink in great company
Successful Fundraising Weekend marks the 10th Anniversary of The pub!
Benefitting The Alzheimer’s Society and Somerset Mind
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We recently celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a Fundraising Weekend from Friday, September 8th, to Sunday, September 10th, in support of The Alzheimer’s Society and Somerset Mind.
Pub owner David Grindley reflected on the event, saying, "We wanted to do something special for our 10th Anniversary, with a light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek approach. In 2018, we declared ourselves an INNdependent RePUBlic State for a weekend to raise funds for St. Margaret’s Hospice. Given that it was our 10th Anniversary, we revisited this theme, incorporating elements from past anniversary events. The weekend was a lively celebration featuring music, a beer festival, with bands performing and a wide array of activities and entertainment to cater to everyone's tastes. It was a lot of fun, and we successfully raised funds for The Alzheimer’s Society and Somerset Mind, both do exceptional work for those affected by Alzheimer’s or mental health issues."
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The local community played a pivotal role in organizing the event, constructing a passport control point, volunteering behind the bar, and managing the beer ticket desk. Commemorative t-shirts featuring the RePUBlic of Cross Keys design are still available for sale, with all proceeds directed toward the Alzheimer’s Society.
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The Cross Keys Inn extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and contributed to the success of this meaningful event. The fundraising weekend not only marked a decade of the Cross Key's presence but also exemplified the power of community spirit and support for important causes.
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Total funds raised to date were £3600 for Somerset Mind and £6000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Tee shirt sales in the pub will continue throughout the next year to help raise more for the charities involved.
Since opening the pub in 2013 this brings the total funds raised for Charity including the 10th Anniversary (bearing in Mind it was effected for two years over Covid) to £29000.
Christmas
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We've won a bronze for PUB OF THE YEAR!
The best of the South West were celebrating last night
(7 February 2019) at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards held under the last Concorde to ever fly at Aerospace Bristol.
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We had an evening to remember! dining under the wings of Concorde our team enjoyed a great meal and wine before receiving their award from the South West Tourism Excellence awards. With Concorde celebrating its 50th anniversary since the maiden flights in 1969, this year’s Tourism Awards were held under the plane wings, with a fitting introduction from Captain Les Brodie, who piloted the last ever flight to Filton in 2003.
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With 390 people guests booked, it was the biggest annual regional gathering of South West tourism businesses, with 107 different awards presented following a rigorous judging process in which a record 651 entries were considered.
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Entries into the Awards broke all records, aided by new excellence workshops helping businesses take their businesses to new heights. Winners were spread across the whole region from Wiltshire and Dorset in the East, to Cornwall in the West, and from Devon in the south to Somerset, Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire in the north.
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All entrants in the South West underwent a rigorous short-listing process with 472 being visited by a team of 51 mystery shoppers.
Richard Stanbrook, director of headline sponsors South West Water Business, said: “As long-term supporters of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards we’d like to congratulate all of the winners and finalists. We’re committed to supporting the tourism industry - helping businesses to save money and improve their green credentials – and it is inspirational to hear about the innovation and excellence that the sector in the South West has to offer visitors to the region.”
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Opening the event Robin Barker of Services for Tourism stated: “I’d like to commend you – the South West’s leading tourism businesses for your vision, investment, hard work and excellence. You have had the courage to put yourselves forward to be judged, have been through what is recognised as England’s toughest judging process, and will all be winners tonight.”
TOURISM PUB OF THE YEAR
THE CROSS KEYS IS A GOLD AWARD WINNER.
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We are celebrating in style after winning a Gold award for Tourism Pub of the Year 2018/2019. Pub owner David Grindley said ‘I’m honoured to receive this award on behalf of our hardworking staff and customers who make the pub such a great place to visit. Pubs are at the heart of our community it’s a difficult business to make work. We hope visitors and locals will continue to give us their support which is very much appreciated.’
There were a record number of winners announced at Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards Ceremony at the Apex Hotel in Bath last night. Nearly 300 guests from the best tourism businesses across the Bristol, Bath and Somerset attended a black tie dinner and awards ceremony at the Apex Hotel in Bath. Laura Rawlings, from BBC Radio Bristol, hosted the evening alongside Phil de Glanville, former Bath Rugby player, with sponsors presenting 86 hand crafted awards made by Shakspeare Glass.
Somerset based organiser Nell Barrington said “last night I was just so excited and proud to be celebrating with these amazing tourism businesses. The numbers of entries this year has increased by nearly a third so the competition was really tough and it was great to see so many turn out in force to celebrate their achievements. My congratulations goes out to them all.”
Nigel Scott, Business Development Director at Bristol Airport, said: “This year’s Awards were a fantastic showcase for Bristol, Bath and Somerset. From small independents to major attractions, the range and quality of experiences on offer to visitors is impessive.
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INNdependent RePUBlic of Cross Keys
The pub's 5th Anniversary Event 2018
DAVID WARBURTON MP NEGIOTIATES A SURRENDER AFTER REBEL PUB DECLARES INDEPENDENCE AND RAISES £6,000 FOR CHARITY
It was a whole new take on the Somerset Rebellion as we declared ourselves to be an independent state. From Friday 7th– Sunday 9th September and with echoes of the old Ealing film ‘Passport to Pimlico’ visitors passed through a checkpoint control to enter the Republic and take up Citizenship of the INNdependent RePUBlic of Cross Keys.
Friday evening saw the ‘Declaration of Independence’ with the inauguration of the President and first lady, Prime Minister and the electing of the Cabinet, followed by a party with entertainments and music.
Saturday the fun continued throughout the afternoon with, cider, beer and wine tastings, and the Cross Keys stocks, for wayward citizens. Visitors had fun on the very popular Human Fruit Machine and watched an enthusiastic ‘Brexit’ tug of war. The skittle alley was put to good use with a competitive game of Charity Killer Skittles. The evening programme concluded with a Charity Auction of Promises and raffle and a party until late.
There was a varied programme of free music, Rock, Jazz, accoustic guitar, piano sing song and folk. Music from, Ali Pople, Loose Rock, Cobalt Blue, Lewis Stone, Silver Level, The Outlaws, Old Grey Dogs, Village Folk Band and Stomping Dave Allen ensured citizens were well entertained throughout the weekend.
Sunday heralded the arrival of David Warburton MP who kindly agreed to negotiate the Cross Keys surrender back to Great Britain. After a brief and highly amusing consultation with the pub management, terms were agreed and the treaty signed by David Warburton and pub owner David Grindley. This was followed by a short stay in the stocks for both Davids and a charity collection bucket was handed around the assembled crowd as they were invited to throw wet sponges at their victims.
Let’s not forget the focus of this highly entertaining weekend which was to raise as much money as possible for St Margaret’s Hospice. The grand total raised was a massive £7175! We are so lucky to have a great group of local people who helped us organise the event. We’d like to thank the charity volunteers from St Margaret’s Hospice who helped with the Raffle and other entertainments over the whole weekend.
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CHARITY BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL 2018
A huge thank you to all who came along to our 5th Annual Beer Festival, you all helped to make it such a fantastic weekend. The weather was kind and there was a lot of sunshine with only a few minor thunderstorms. We had a lively programme of local music acts from D- State, The Lewis Craven Band, The Gin Bowlers and Blues Unplugged and more. We hope everyone enjoyed the huge choice of liquid refreshment available – 35 real ales and 9 Somerset farmhouse ciders. These were carefully sourced from the length and breadth of the UK, including favourites such as ‘AlKey’ and ‘Beyond the Pale’ our Keyzone in house beers as well as delicious ales from Bristol, Devon, Cornwall, Nottingham, Cambridge, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Merseyside Derbyshire and as far afield as Scotland and Jersey.
A big thank you also to the wonderful suppliers and local businesses who sponsored barrels for our charity fund raising efforts during the festival for The Alzheimers Society. We managed to raise £1000 for this worthy charity.
Thank you also to our lovely locals who took turns to man the Beer and Cider Bar we couldn’t have managed without you. Finally, well done to our team of staff who worked so hard to make the event happen.
TASTE OF THE WEST AWARD
We are delighted to hear that we’ve been awarded a Gold Taste of the West award which is a fabulous achievement for all the hard work of the Cross Keys Team. This award recognises our quality dining experience, excellent customer service and great use of local produce. The judging is based on an unannounced visit so well done to all.
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AA AWARD 4 STARS!
What a week! we've also been awarded a four star rating by the AA so again well done all.
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SOMERSET TOURISM AWARDS 2016
The Cross Keys Inn were thrilled to be finalists in the ‘Tourism Pub of the Year’ competition for The Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards 2016/2017. The competition celebrated the best of what Somerset has on offer.
Owner David Grindley and Manager Tom Wilton were delighted to win a silver award which puts them in good company with the best pubs from across Somerset. The pub focuses on the very best of local and national Real Ales and Somerset Ciders complimented by an exciting seasonal menu. This achievement has come through hard work from all the Cross Keys team, who have a passion for great South West food and drink and a dedication to serving the local community.
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THE CROSS KEYS INN CHEESE & CIDER FESTIVAL
To mark the 3rd Anniversary, we held a Cider and Cheese Festival celebrating ‘The Best of Somerset’. Traditional Somerset was on the menu and the event was named ‘Tiz Ere’. The garden and pub were decorated with wooden barrows of orchard apples, cider barrels, bunting and straw bales with the centrepiece being a 5 metre high windmill with illuminated sails (see images). There were a range of activities for all the family, not just the cider drinkers! Visitors enjoyed getting up close and holding Cloud the Barn Owl and her smaller American Kestrel companion, before watching a Falconry display by Ben Long Falconry. Children got the opportunity to make their own apple juice by pressing local apples in a traditional iron apple press, loaned by The National Trust South West, Saturday lunch time visitors were treated to a lively clog dancing display by Somerset team, The Beetlecrushers.
But let’s not forget the focus of the weekend – Somerset Cider and Cheese. The Cross Key’s cider festival featured 26 different fabulous farmhouse ciders from across Somerset plus 1 Hereford guest. Some of these were tasted at the Friday night Cider judging led by Somerset Cider expert Bill Bradshaw with notable favourites being: Stone’s Dry Cider from Shepton Mallet, Janet’s Jungle Juice from Brent Knoll, Rich’s from Watchfield and Orchard Pig’s Maverick from West Bradley plus many more! Somerset cheeses were on offer with cheese boards offering a choice, and taste, of some of the best cheeses made within close proximity to the pub, such as Goulds various Cheddars, Barber’s 1833 Reserve, Wyke Farms Extra Mature Cheddar, Lubborn Brie, Godminster Cheddar and Westcombe Cheddar and Caerphilly. These were accompanied by Hembridge Organics tasty chutneys to make a real taste treat and a mini fine food fair.
As it was the Cross Keys, regulars knew that this event would be enjoyed with buzzing live music from Somerset bands. The lively Rockabilly Swamp Folkers headlined Friday night, rocking Livewired Saturday Night and an acoustic trio of The Leylines in the Sunday lunch time slot.
The rain on Saturday failed to dampen the spirits of the visitors and staff alike, with all who came having a thoroughly enjoyable Somerset Festival celebration. We’re already looking forward to anniversary number 4!
MENDIP AWARD!
Finalist - 2016 Mendip Business Awards for New Business of the Year and Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year... What a great year we’re having.
THE CROSS KEYS INN
CELEBRATES THE SOUTH WEST TOURISM AWARDS DINNER
The Cross Keys Inn enjoyed a night of celebration at Exeter Cathedral last night as part of the South West Tourism Awards 2016 dinner. Over 400 people gathered in the historic venue to celebrate a successful season for tourism in the South West. The dinner was the grand finale for the awards across the South West, as well as a great opportunity for the region's tourism businesses to meet up and celebrate. Somerset is the only South West county without its own tourism awards scheme and so businesses such as The Cross Keys Inn faced stiff competition to win their coveted Highly Commended Award in the ‘Pub of the Year’ competition.
The Cross Keys Inn, Lydford-on-Fosse, who entered the South West Tourism Awards ‘Tourism Pub of the Year’ back in July 2015, have become known for their focus on great local and regional food and drink as well as being a lively place to be. With a range of entertaining events held throughout the year, they certainly know how to enjoy themselves too. The pub see this award as a significant achievement in the 2 year history of running this thriving pub but they are not resting on their laurels as they look ahead to the future. Pub owner David Grindley said that this achievement came through hard work from all the Cross Keys team, having a passion for great South West food and drink and a dedication to serving the local community.
The 2016 award scheme was extremely successful in pulling in applications from across the region from Bristol to Penzance. Awards spokesman, Robin Barker said they received a record breaking 490 entries from across the region. With the lengthy judging process and celebrations for neighbouring counties who host their own award nights, successful Somerset businesses are pleased to have this opportunity to shout about their success.
The Cross Keys is looking forward to sharing their success with regulars and visitors alike and welcomes all to come and see for themselves what they have to offer.
CHARITY PRESENTATION EVENING
Charity presentation evening when we handed over £3000 to charities from our recent fundraising anniversary weekend -The Cross Keys by the Sea
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