Popular Clitheroe pub keeps community spirit alive despite closure

Despite taking the decision to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Clitheroe's best-loved pub staff are determined to keep community spirit alive.
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Laura Smithies, landlady of the town's Brown Cow, along with her husband, Phil, is lending a helping hand to needy and vulnerable residents in and around the town who have been affected by the virus.

Mrs Smithies is providing a selection of main meals, daily, for free, for people self-isolating or those financially affected by the coronavirus.

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She explained: "We run a real community pub with lovely locals. I naturally feed people and have always given meals to our customers who live alone. In this crisis, we have to support each other and there are lots of elderly and vulnerable people out there who are housebound or having to self-isolate. I have been contacted by their relatives, friends and neighbours who are concerned. There are people who are homeless and we've been contacted by the Salvation Army, elsewhere there are customers who are having to self-isolate and are trapped indoors."

Happy to serve local people in need, Phil and Laura SmithiesHappy to serve local people in need, Phil and Laura Smithies
Happy to serve local people in need, Phil and Laura Smithies

She added: "I am preparing batches of hot food every day and the support I have received from local businesses and members of the public has been overwhelming. Sainsbury's Clitheroe donated corn beef, Castle chippy a sack of potatoes and Clitheroe Residents Action Group donated some money. As I am preparing fresh meals each and every day, I am not allowed to bulk buy from supermarkets anymore. Getting food is becoming increasingly difficult. Therefore, if people would like to help, they should get in touch and I can let them know the ingredients I need or they can help with deliveries."

Mrs Smithies said where possible, the meals, which will change daily and have so far have included cottage pie, chicken broth, corned beef hash, pea and ham soup and butter pies, will be delivered. She added a maximum of three dishes per house per week will be given out for free.

Anyone wishing to help or residents wanting to place orders can do so by messaging Mrs Smithies on Facebook messenger.

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