The Two Tubs in Bury up for Community Pub Hero Awards accolade

The oldest pub in Bury, The Two Tubs, is one of 15 pubs from across the country to reach the finals of the Community Pub Hero Awards.  

The Thwaites pub started its community support with Military Mondays, a weekly get-together for veterans and serving soldiers in support of the armed forces.  

Since then, the pub has started monthly coffee and conversation mornings and "£1 OnePots" to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis. 

Read more: Two Tubs in Bury serving £1 home comfort meals

The Two Tubs in Bury (Image: Public)

General manager Leah Towers said: “It is truly amazing to receive recognition for all the fantastic work my team and I do for our local community.  

 “A national award like this will help us reach a wider demographic and we hope that with this, more people who are struggling may find the support and comfort they may need.  

“Through Military Monday, we are able to assist veterans, serving soldiers and their families to gain access to counselling, employment, housing and of course a free hot meal each Monday evening.  

“Our £1 OnePots enable anyone who is struggling with the cost of living to access a warm space and hearty, nutritious meal every Wednesday-Sunday.  

“We had had people who cannot afford to turn on their ovens and heating come in for what was described as their first hot meal in weeks, and those who can no longer afford the social aspects of life.  

“There are no requirements to access these meals- they are open to all.

"It has also been lovely seeing customers paying meals forward!” 

Liam Howarth and Stewart Spensley (Image: Public)

Read more: Bury veterans begin walking group to help the community

The coffee and conversation event helps "shine the light" on smaller charities and the pub's latest venture, Walking Side-by-Side, which runs every Sunday from 2pm.  

She said: “We started four weeks ago with five walkers, and last week we had a whopping 44 turn up!  

“The group was designed to help people of varying fitness levels get back out of the house, meet new people and aid any mental struggles they are experiencing.  

“They have been walking an average of 5k each week, trying out different routes to keep it interesting and circling back around to The Two Tubs for a hot bowl of corned beef hash.” 

Organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, the award finalists will be invited to a presentation at the House of Commons. 

Read more: Football stars coming to Gigg Lane for Lee Rigby Memorial Cup 

The pub was nominated by Bury North MP James Daly, who said: “I’m delighted to see that The Two Tubs has reached the finals of this national competition.  

“Leah, Stewart and the team do such fantastic work and are a real hub of support for the community.” 

The competition first ran in 2018 and has been expanded this year to offer two categories for pubs: Community Support Hero or Charity Fundraising Hero, and a new Community Regular Hero. 

PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to The Two Tubs.

"Choosing the finalists from a very strong set of entries was a real challenge and those pubs who have reached the shortlist should be very proud of their achievement. 

“Judges were hugely impressed by the stories from so many pubs, who have raised astonishing sums for charities, or provided incredible support for local people.

"The awards demonstrate, once again, that pubs are a force for good in their communities.” 

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