Anonymous donor helps Banburyshire pub reopen by paying for first 100 meals

After almost four months of having to shut their doors, Steve and Rebecca Yates, who run the pub, were able to open reopen on what became known as 'Super Saturday' July 4.

But to make sure the pub followed the new rules and regulations such as social distancing the couple have had to introduce a few changes. Everyone has to reserve a table in advance, and there is now more limited seating inside the pub building itself even though it's now open.

Pre-COVID-19 the pub could seat around 30 people inside, but with the new rules and regulations the numbers have been reduced down to just over 12 people.

Rebecca Yates said: "It went absolutely perfect. It's re-opening on different rules and regulations, but everything was perfect. We try and encourage people to drink outside."

During the lockdown the pub provided takeaway meals at reasonable prices, and even provided meals for firefighters who responded to a house fire in the village during the lockdown.

A village resident, who would like to remain anonymous, paid for the meals of 100 people on Saturday at the pub. And the pub provided complimentary meals to an additional 15 people during the day.

Rebecca added: "It gave us a glimmer of hope when they (the anonymous donor) approached us, that people will be coming back to the pub.

"In order to keep everyone outside (on Saturday) we had a 'smoker.' The chef cooked pulled pork and chicken with some lovely lovely flavour. We did that with smoked corn on the cob too, which could all be delivered more quickly.

"You couldn't have dreamt it to go more smoothly. The community really followed all the rules and guidance."

No one paid for their meal on Saturday. She referred to the reopening at the Dun Cow as a 'Welcome Back Party' for the village.

She added: "The community support here is just so overwhelming. It was kind of our thank you to the community. The support in Hornton is second to none. The people just rally round and help. It's just been amazing. I can't thank everyone enough."

It's unclear what the future holds for pubs, but many like the Dun Cow managed to re-open their doors last weekend.

She added: "We can only take one day at a time. We'll be here and open for everyone."

Lorna Abbott, a village resident who went to the pub on both Saturday and Sunday, said: "It felt like a liberation - that, at last, things were beginning to return to normal.

"I think the village has been relieved and delighted for Steve and Rebecca’s sake that the pub is open again and with an enlarged and improved beer garden. They have worked so hard and in just one year have transformed the pub so that it was sorely missed when it was closed."

Ian Harris, another village resident who went to the pub on Saturday, said: "There were about 100 people from the village in the pub garden enjoying smokehouse barbecue, and it was great to see and speak to friends some of whom we have not really had contact with for three months.

"As with many villages our pub is a central hub for meeting people and during the lock down this has been somewhat curtailed.

"We are very lucky to have Steve and Rebecca at the pub. They have delivered takeaway meals, and also groceries throughout the lock down and in the meantime have made major improvements to the pub and the gardens.

"Hopefully things will gradually return to ‘normal’ and people will again be able to enjoy the facilities offered by Steve and Rebecca, including the new menu which they have just circulated on their website."

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