The purpose of 'Pints in the Parishes' is to foster a genuine, direct dialogue with residents in the informal surroundings of their local pub. As Mayor I want to be as accessible as possible to local residents, and 'Pints in the Parishes' helps in that aim by enabling direct, ongoing contact with the Borough's rural residents in an informal setting. The pubs themselves are nominated by local parish councils, the pubs are kind enough to host me and for me to let people know I will simply be in their pub at a certain time and date, and the rest is up to residents - if they want to come along and talk to me about any issue of concern, interest or anything else I am available throughout the evening, from around 7.30pm. The British pub has long been a traditional place for discussing the issues of the day and pubs are still at the heart of many communities. The sessions tend to take place on the last Tuesday of the month, and the forthcoming schedule of events is as follows:
25th October 2011: The Chequers, Wootton
22nd November 2011: Prince of Wales, Bromham
24th January 2012: Oakley Arms, Harrold
21st February 2012: Bedford Arms, Oakley
27th March 2012: Five Bells, Cople
24th April 2012: Bedford Golf Club, Great Denham
29th May 2012: Royal Oak, Roxton
13th June 2012: Three Compasses, Upper Dean
The Pints in the Parishes events which have taken place to date:
25th May 2010: The Swan, Elstow
29th June 2010: Fox & Hounds, Riseley
27th July 2010: The Crown, Little Staughton
31st August 2010: The Bell, Cotton End
28th September 2010: The Plough, Bolnhurst
26th October 2010: The Bell, Odell
30th November 2010 The Swan, Bromham
16th December 2010 The Polhill Arms, Renhold
25th January 2011 Corner 5, Box End Park, Kempston Rural
22nd February 2011 The Jackal, Thurleigh
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