PUTTING THE 'FUN' INTO FUNDRAISING

What a great way to start off our fundraising events this year - it felt right to start with a pub quiz! Thank you to everyone who attended the hugely successful ‘pub quiz night’ on Tuesday. It was the first of our fundraising events for 2026, which aim to put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ and really showed the community spirit that is alive and well. The event was hosted by Stoke Golding Club and drew participants from Higham, Stoke Golding and the surrounding area. The evening was led by Ian Howard of The Bespoke Quiz Company who managed the 14 teams with humour and ease. There were almost 100 people attending the event.

It was so fantastic to see the place packed out with people who want to see The Oddfellows Arms in Higham on the Hill reopened as a community pub. Almost all of those attending the event were people who used the pub for meeting up, having meals and social events.

Everyone we spoke to on the night said how much they wanted to have The Oddies open again. As you know, the CBS management team are working with the Parish Council to secure the pub as a community owned business that will provide a community hub with space for events and activities as well overseeing the running of the pub which will have good food and good beer!

We are now into the 7^th year of negotiations with the current owners of the Oddfellows Arms – progress has been very slow which is typical of these situations, where the owners don't initially want to sell. However, we have kept focused on their goal, maintained ongoing negotiations over this period, and we are hoping to secure a purchase of The Oddies for the community very soon.

The reopening The Oddies will provide a community hub that is much needed in the village – a pub that also provides facilities for the local community.

Our next fundraising event is ‘An afternoon with Rosie Goodwin’ on the 2^nd May, also generously hosted by Stoke Golding Club. If you would like to meet Rosie and hear her talk about her books and life as an author can book tickets on Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/Rosie-G

Around the village... great to see the community library being used so regularly - come and choose a book or two to borrow. Plenty for the kids too!

Also, we're enjoying the latest additions by the craft group - what a talented bunch they are! The 'roadworks' were timed to perfection recently, and we love these 'faces' that are now keeping an eye on things on the village green!

Look out for more events and info on the project in the area, and on our socials over the coming months. Be sure to sign up for updates so you don't miss anything.