ABOUT US​

 

Our opening statement 2022 of which we stand by still......

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BRING UP A PUB!

 

The RED LION Mawdesley has been at the heart of the village for as long as anyone can remember, generation upon generation have cut their teeth at the LION.

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Two World Wars couldn’t stop the LION from roaring. But Covid nearly succeeded.

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Determined to save our pub, the folks of Mawdesley put out the call. “One of us must step up for the LION!”

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Facebook pages were aflow with the call, “how can we save the LION?”

Villagers queuing to go in the Poole’s family Spar and Post Office would float the question “What is happening to the LION?”

Mawdesleyers seeking refuge in the Eagle and Child and the Farmers Arms of the neighbouring village of Bispham would shake their heads “Someone needs to save the LION”.

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Quietly, in the Hewitt household, three generations of villagers hatched a plan. To get the beer right, to clean up the place, to dedicate the time and love needed to breathing the roar back into the LION.

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And roar she did.

 

On Friday 17th December 2022, the doors opened and the villagers marched in to the sound of the village brass band, the Red Admiral Music Academy. And boy oh boy, did that heart begin to pound and swell with pride to see us all together once more.

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Folks remarked of the glory days of Stella and Edward, could it be that those days were back again?

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Bill and Bob got their table back. Forrie finally got a decent pint in the tap room. Carlos could enjoy listening to good music whilst savouring his White Witch (in a straight glass of course).

Bob and Andrew Maudesley were “Alreet Lar”. Melvin hasn’t stopped smiling. Tommy Train is back on track. Mawdesley’s Cricket Club and Cycling Club have a watering hole.

Across the Moss, the Lion could be heard roaring “LANDLORD, MORE ALE!”

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And even Santa called by to the delight of the kids and parents.

 

Mawdesley is home to new and old residents alike. The LION is the place where new friends are made, and old ones remembered. Like Geoff, whose picture will always sit on the back bar.

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​It took the village to save The Red Lion of Mawdesley. It’s a countrywide issue to be honest, we all need to fight for our pubs. They are an important part of our identity and unique to our culture.

They are where we mix and listen to other opinions different to our own and develop tolerance. It’s where young and old see each other as individuals. It’s where we learn our manners and etiquette, it’s where we look up from our phone screens, catch a wink, and belly laugh. It’s where we pat each other on the back an ask….”Are you alreet mucker?”

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It’ll take the country to save our pubs….fortunately you fought for yours and won, hats off to you Mawdesley!

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Ian & Sarah Hewitt