THE SWAN THE HUB OF OUR COMMUNITY
The Swan and the Community
The Swan has overlooked the Village Green since 1523 and has been trading as an ale house since 1665, it has been the meeting and socialising centre of the community for hundreds of years.
The Swan has overlooked the Village Green since 1523 and has been trading as an ale house since 1665. The Swan is the hub of our community, a place where locals and those from the surrounding countryside, villages and towns can socialise and take part in quiz nights, music nights and other social events. It’s at the heart of our Village Fête, Produce Show, Bonfire night and many other Community events. As the only full-time provider of hospitality, food and drinks for several miles it brings money into the local economy, supporting local businesses and tourism. It’s also a major employer in the parish, providing five full-time jobs and the first work experience for many younger members of the Community.
Village Fête
Village Produce Show
Village Bonfire Night
The Swan Community Project
You may have noticed how many pubs are slowly and quietly disappearing from the local villages? We have, so when we heard we might be able to buy the Swan we decided to do something about it.
We set up The Swan Community Project Ltd, an exciting project that has seen our historic pub, The Swan on The Green, West Peckham, moved to Community ownership for future generations to enjoy.
A Community Benefit Society
A Community Benefit Society, The Swan Community Project Limited, owns The Swan and will be responsible for its future. It’s a ‘not for profit’ Society with a mission to operate the pub for the benefit of the Community and will re-invest the profits in the pub to achieve this. Community ownership has given us all a say in how the pub will be run.
Our vision is for a friendly local pub offering great food, great service and with a great atmosphere. We already have a great location!
We would like to extend the services the pub provides and also improve access for those who live nearby, but are unable to be active members of the Community. We will be setting up initiatives aimed at increasing participation of the disabled, infirm, elderly and young in Community events. Community is for all, not just the few.
To finance the project we applied for government grants, which were awarded to us in Feb and March 2025 we also launched the Community Share Offer in September 2024 which closed in January 2025 with a staggering amount of 623 shareholders from all over the world. The whole project is a huge task and thank you all for helping us achieve it.
Help on the Road to Success
Standing in the heart of Bethersden, The George has, for several decades, been the social centre of village life. Following the pubs closure in 2020, local residents came together to form ‘The George Community’ with the aim of saving it.
The Plunkett Foundation is a national charity, supporting people in rural areas to set up and run a wide range of businesses which are genuinely owned by local communities.
The Plough in Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe is community owned and family run. 120 Trottiscliffe villagers jointly invested the capital needed to rescue the country pub from property developers.