80s singing legend backs pub which needs funding tipping point

The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham, near Thame, is closed and a community campaign has been launched to raise the necessary funds to buy it.

So far, more than £84,000 has been raised – about 10 per cent of the target – and campaign leaders including local councillor Greg Smith are calling for an increase in donations so that a “tipping point” is reached.

READ MORE: 80s singing legend backs village pub bid

The Rose & Thistle Reborn group hosted a meeting at Haddenham Village Hall on Tuesday and about 70 people attended.

The Rose & Thistle Reborn meeting in Haddenham Village Hall (Image: The Rose & Thistle Reborn)

The group posted: “Amazing turnout at our meeting tonight. By 7pm it was standing room only with around 70 people in attendance.

“Thanks to Greg Smith, Alex Foreman-Peck, Dan Freeman and Keith Handshaw for the presentation about where we are now and what we need to do to get to the tipping point so the rest of the village comes with us.”

The group added: “Join the team. We’re a small team and don’t always have capacity to take up all the fundraising opportunities on offer.

“If you have experience of running events or fundraising from trusts, foundations or high net worth individuals: brilliant! If you‘re enthusiastic and like to get stuff done: perfect! Just get in touch!

“Invite us to your event. If you’re a local organisation, invite us to come and speak about the project. Or if you’re running an event and need a bar, hire our pop-up-pub!”

The garden at The Rose & Thistle (Image: The Rose & Thistle Reborn)

Former Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who now has a successful solo career and is performing at the New Theatre in Oxford in November, is a keen supporter of local pubs, and has backed The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign.

He said earlier: “I am wholeheartedly, absolutely supporting the community of Haddenham in trying to get The Rose & Thistle back open again.

“It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past. We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”

Tony Hadley (Image: Contributed)

The singer has urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign.

He has spoken of his love for local pubs and in 2024 he backed a successful campaign to raise more than £500,000 to save The Hundred of Ashendon.

The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign said earlier: “Tragically, The Rose & Thistle closed in 2019 and, while the current owners had hoped to reopen, it is now for sale and at risk of being sold to developers and converted to a residential property. And once a pub is turned into a house, it’s almost impossible to bring it back.

“We’re not here to be alarmist – but we are being honest: this is a time-limited opportunity. If we do nothing, we may lose the pub for good. We need your help to stop it from being last orders at The Rose & Thistle.”