The Higham Community Benefit Society has been granted £156,000 from the Community Ownership Fund to refurbish the Oddfellow Arms in Higham on the Hill.
This funding from the Government will help the Oddfellows Arms project work towards providing a community hub and pub, something that residents, councillors and the local MP Dr Luke Evans, have been campaigning for.
A campaign called ‘Save the Oddies Pub’ formed following the closure of the 250-year-old Oddfellows Arms, the last pub in Higham on the Hill, in August 2018.
Shortly after the closure, plans were submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to demolish the Oddfellows Arms and build 20 homes, prompting residents to start the Higham Community Benefit Society with the aim of saving the pub.
The Higham Community Benefit Society have since chaired meetings with residents, lobbied the MP and councillors, used the nearby Canterbury House for a picnic to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III in which they fundraised for the pub.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “I’m thrilled that the Higham Community Benefit Society, residents and councillors have all been successful – after years of campaigning – in securing vital funding for the Oddfellows Arms.
“Village pubs are so much more than a place to grab a quick drink. Pubs like the Oddfellows are a place for families, friends and neighbours to come together, for people to feel like part of their community and can be a warm and welcoming space in times of hardship.
“I’ve been so impressed by the dedication of the Higham Community Benefit Society and residents; it’s been my pleasure to raise this with the Minister on their behalf.”
Kate Philips, Secretary of Higham Community Benefit Society, said “The Save the Oddies Pub group has been working on behalf of the community since early 2019 to purchase the pub from the current owners who wanted to develop the whole site. To see all of our work finally coming together to provide the village with a much needed community hub is really exciting.
“Our vision has always been to keep the Oddfellows at the heart of the village, with a shop, cafe and other services alongside the pub. Hopefully it will not be too long before we can throw open the doors of the Oddies again and welcome the community in!”
Jonathan Collett, former Councillor for Ambien Ward, said “This is fantastic news and will really help villagers in Higham who have been so dedicated with their Save the Oddies campaign.
“The Oddfellows Arms is an historic building and a key amenity for villagers in Higham on the Hill. It is so important it is saved.
“Higham on the Hill is a pretty village and was the birthplace of Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury who crowned Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“I’m thrilled to see the Government supporting the Higham Community Benefit Society.”
Miriam Surtees, Councillor for Ambien Ward, said “Higham on the Hill is a superb village which has been without a public facility for too long, so to hear that £156,000 of funding means the Oddfellows can reopen is really welcome news.
“Congratulations to the Save the Oddies campaign group who have worked so hard to secure this asset for the community.”
Dehenna Davison, Minister for Levelling Up, said “Today I am really pleased to see the local community stepping forward to take this community asset on and secure its long term future.
“I know Dr Luke Evans has raised this with me and I’m very pleased the project will now go ahead.”
