A BROMSGROVE landlord who was helped by the Basement Project when he was unemployed has teamed up with the charity to open his pub on Christmas Day for the homeless and those who will be alone.
Ben Williams took over at Ye Olde Black Cross, Worcester Road, four weeks ago.
But six years ago he was out of work, struggling financially and with a baby on the way.
The charity helped provided food parcels both when he was unemployed and when he found work as he was in a low income job.
Now he is back on his feet and in a position to help others who find themselves on hard times.
He said: “As well as relying on the Basement Project in the past for food parcels, I have also been alone at Christmas in the past and I know what it is like.
“We wanted to give something back to the community and thought this would be the perfect way to do it.”
Jackie Hooper, CEO of the Basement Project, said: “He approached us about the Christmas Day event and we thought it was a really lovely thing to do.”
The event is part of a ’12 Days of Christmas’ programme for the pub which also includes several fund-raisers for the Primrose Hospice.
Donation buckets will be at some events, while others will have an entry fee and there will be a huge ‘Primrose Party’ with raffle prizes.
Tonight there will be Christmas Karaoke at 8pm, tomorrow from 11am to 4pm there will be a Christmas Fayre and live band from 9pm.
On Sunday there will be a Christmas Quiz, on Monday a Sausage and Cider Night, featuring 12 ciders and a selection of sausages and on Tuesday there will be a pool tournament with a cash prize for the winner. Entry is £5.
A FIFA tournament will be held on Wednesday to find Bromsgrove’s FIFA champion.
Running for the Primrose – festive trail, beer and food – will take place on Thursday, Front Room Grooves with East&Beats will be next Friday, before a Children’s Christmas Party takes place next Saturday.
There will be an LGBT Christmas Party on December 23, a Party For The Primrose on Christmas Eve, featuring a disco and karaoke, and Christmas and Our Community in partnership with the Basement Project on December 25 from 10am.
For more on all the Christmas events at Ye Olde Black Cross visit facebook.com/yeoldeblackcross-bromsgrove or call the pub on 01527 877981.
For more on the Christmas Day community lunch and tickets, call the Basement Project on 01527 832993.
