Local behind The Plough Community Pub in National Pub Awards Final
The finalists in the influential pub industry awards, PubAid’s Community Pub Hero Awards, have been announced and Gerry McMahon who was behind the saving of The Plough at Fadmoor, North Yorkshire, by turning it into an Asset of Community Value has been shortlisted.
I was proud to nominate Gerry McMahon for the UK Community Regular Hero award. His unwavering dedication and vision were instrumental in saving The Plough and transforming it into a thriving community asset. Gerry’s leadership and commitment to preserving this vital social hub for Fadmoor have brought people together and created a lasting legacy. It’s wonderful to see his efforts recognised in Parliament and I’m thrilled that the team at The Plough have been shortlisted for this well-deserved award.
The Community Regular Hero Award recognises an individual or group of customers who help a pub to support its community. This includes those who help the pub’s fundraising efforts or community initiatives.
Gerry McMahon was shortlisted for his passion and determination to save a beloved village asset. He was one of the original members of the group that set up Fadmoor Community Pub Ltd and his vision and leadership ensured that The Plough was safeguarded. Recognising the pub’s significance as a social and cultural hub for Fadmoor, he played a pivotal role in securing its protection.
“I am truly honoured to have received this nomination,” said Gerry McMahon, “it is recognition of a real team effort to save The Plough. We are committed to creating a thriving community pub in Fadmoor for the local and wider community now and for future generations. As the pub is situated in such a scenic area on a main route into the North Yorkshire Moors National Park we hope to welcome the walkers, cyclists and tourists when we open the doors.”
The winners will be announced at an award ceremony, sponsored by Matthew Clark, at the Houses of Parliament on 4 March and all shortlisted pubs are invited to attend along with industry leaders and MPs.
Des O’Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, added: “We launched these awards to celebrate the great work that pubs and people do for their community. The awards are in their fifth year and the volume of entries this year was staggering. What clearly came across from reading all the entries is that there are so many people that are doing amazing work nationwide. It was very hard to get to a shortlist so getting to the finals is an amazing accolade for Gerry and the team at the Plough Inn.”
PubAid, which organises the awards in association with Matthew Clark and the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has refreshed the awards and created more categories to congratulate more community pubs throughout the UK. There are 33 finalists in total across five categories.
