A spirited group of pensioners from the Forest of Dean has combined creativity and community spirit to raise funds for the renovation of Brockweir Inn, the village’s last remaining pub. Their unique fundraising effort—a 2026 calendar inspired by the works of beloved author Jilly Cooper—has been a huge success, raising more than £4,000 and selling worldwide.
The Brockweir Inn, a 16th-century listed building nestled in Gloucestershire’s Wye Valley, closed five years ago after centuries of serving local patrons. Renovation began in 2019 but halted when the previous owner left the project unfinished, leaving the historic pub gutted and shuttered.
Driven by determination, the Brockweir community banded together in 2024 to save the pub by collectively raising enough funds to purchase the property, with 395 individuals buying shares. However, reopening remains a challenge as an estimated £250,000 is still needed to complete the refurbishment and restore the pub’s former charm.
READ MORE: Zoe Nutritionist Reveals How Snacking Timing Affects Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
READ MORE: Live Updates: M5 Slip Road Closed Following Crash
Enter a passionate group of older residents who decided to take a bold and playful approach to fundraising. Inspired by Jilly Cooper, whose iconic Rutshire Chronicles have captivated readers for decades, the pensioners crafted a risqué and humorous calendar featuring local volunteers re-enacting Cooper’s famous characters and scenes, as well as cheeky homages like the Village People’s 1979 “Live and Sleazy” album cover.
Carol Knight, a lifelong Brockweir resident and one of the calendar’s creators, described the process as “seven months of enormous fun” and a rewarding challenge that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. Along with three friends, all vibrant in spirit, Carol helped bring this quirky idea to life – a project that has captivated attention far beyond their village, reaching buyers in Alaska, New Zealand, and Maui.
The calendar sells for £12.50, with 350 copies sold to date, generating £4,375. In a touching gesture, a former Brockweir resident now living in Maui made a generous £3,000 donation to aid the cause.
Carol emphasizes that the pub’s restoration is vital for the community’s identity and cohesion. “It’s a beautiful medieval pub with deep roots in history. Too many pubs are closing these days—we’re determined not to let ours go,” she says. The project has united all generations, fostering a spirit of togetherness and resilience.
The Brockweir Inn Friends and Fundraisers group has raised over £25,000 overall through various initiatives, including auctions and events. Yet, practical help is urgently needed. Carol appeals to builders or construction professionals willing to volunteer or support the project, highlighting the wider importance of community-driven preservation.
“Our vision is to revive community life here,” Carol added. “If you don’t fight for something now, it’s gone. We won’t let Brockweir Inn disappear.”
With ongoing fundraising efforts and plans to begin phased reopening as early as this summer, the village’s cherished pub has bright prospects ahead—thanks to the creativity, dedication, and passion of its residents.