A café linked to a community-owned pub in the village of Halse and its manager have won a prestigious national award for the way it serves its community.
Lucy Turner from the New Inn was presented with the Plunkett Foundation award at a ceremony which honours people who have gone above and beyond for their local communities.
The judges said that Lucy, who has been running the café as manager since it opened last March, was clearly a great influence on the café and in making it part of the hub of a community.
One judge said: “She is exactly the sort of hard working and inspirational person our awards should be honouring.”
The UK Rural Community Business Award are organised by the Plunkett Foundation, the national charity that supports rural communities and honours the work they do.
Two other national projects were shortlisted, one on Stoke, the other in Beaminster in Dorset.
Lucy's colleague and front of house manager at the New Inn, Serena Spiller said: "Lucy always goes above and beyond, nothing is ever too much trouble. I am so grateful I get to work alongside her everyday.
"She's a kind, gentle soul and it's great to see her hardwork has been recognised."
The award is the latest highlight in the project for the small Somerset village with a population of just 220 to buy and restore the 18th century New Inn pub.
The café was developed from part of the old skittle alley in the New Inn and has been a huge success for Halse and surrounding villages and a community hub for this rural area of Somerset.
There are currently 28 groups and clubs who regularly use the café for meetings and get togethers.
Said Lucy: “As a teacher what I enjoyed was that every day was different. Working in the café its very much the same with different customers, different ages and you never know quite who is coming in but I get to know them, help them and give them a nice experience so that hopefully they will want to come back”
The New Inn café is open four days a week from Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30pm to 3pm.
For more information, visit: www.newinnhalse.com
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