Fundraising campaign launched to help Banbury area pub hit with damages from wind storm

Ellie Webb-Morris, who serves as the manager of the George and Dragon pub, launched an online fundraising campaign through a GoFundMe web page to help the pub where she works in the village of Chacombe near Banbury

She launched the fundraising campaign to help pay for repairs to a marquee outside the pub, which was severely damaged in this week's wind storm. The pub believes extremely strong winds on the night of Wednesday March 10 left the marque severely damaged even though it had been weighted down and secured.

Ellie said: "My bosses bought the marquee to try and accommodate the (Covid-19) safety rules. The marquee was secured, and it just basically ripped itself apart.

"We only just bought it last October or November and we've had bad weather since then and it survived it.

"Thankfully with locals help, some of the marquee has been salvaged, but it is completely unusable. Which isn't what the pub needed for when it opens on the 12th April for outside seating only."

They have already passed their £200 target and raised £735 so far during the campaign.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fundraising campaign can use the following GoFundMe web link: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/help-with-repairs-to-the-gd-marqueeThe money raised will help pay for repairs to the marquee such as some sewing of the roof on two sections, several new poles and connectors.

Even though they have passed their target they would like to raise as much as possible to help pay for other damages caused to the fence and lighting outside of the pub

Ellie said: "Any extra funds will make the outside area even better. It will just help improve the outside for our opening in April."

The pub is making preparations to re-open on April 12 as part of stage two under the government's roadmap to lifting restrictions.

Pubs will be serving customers outdoors only, customers will not need to order a substantial meal with alcohol and there will be no curfew. However, customers must order, eat and drink whilst seated.

The George and Dragon in Chacombe, run by Gemma and Iain Povey, is currently offering a takeaway service to customers during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.

For more information about the pub see their website here: http://www.georgeanddragonchacombe.co.uk/ and for the latest on their takeaway service see their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/georgeanddragonchacombe/posts/3125830080853491 Ellie added: "After an extremely difficult year for pubs with the pandemic. It is time to give back to the couple who have kept going in support of their community, customers and staff. Even the smallest contribution would be welcomed and be so kind."