Scottish pub crowned ‘Lockdown Hero’ at national awards

A Scottish pub has been named a “Lockdown Hero” at the Great British Pub Awards for its commitment to supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis.

The Fountain in Aberfeldy won the £10,000 prize at this week’s 21st annual Great British Pub Awards, for its commitment to uniting the community and supporting vulnerable people during lockdown.

In March, when it was announced that pubs must close, staff at the pub launched ‘Feldy-Roo’ - a free hot meals delivery service for local residents who were shielding from the virus.

By April, an army of volunteers helped the ‘Feldy-Roo’ team deliver meals and free newspapers to more than 200 homes, twice a day across a 25-mile radius.

More than £130,000 was raised to fund the project, and 40,000 free meals were delivered in total.

The Fountain told followers on social media: “As proud as we are to receive this award, we are of course accepting this on behalf of all the businesses and volunteers who were involved with Feldy-Roo.

“As such and as promised the £10,000 prize money will go towards something for the Community.

“The Feldy-Roo team is going to come up with 3 ideas and let the public vote.”

Explaining the decision to create the “Lockdown Hero” award category, Ed Bedington, of the Great British Pub Awards, said: “Early on in the pandemic we received calls from pub owners telling us of the community work going on in towns, villages and cities.

“But they knew, even though they faced adversity themselves, they had to continue to support people in their communities. That’s just what publicans do.”

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Feldy-Roo volunteers (left to right): Gordon MacDougall, Allyson MacDougall, Scott Logan, Jason Logan, Iain Mcbride, Scott Butters, Julie Roy, Michael Macdougall, Gary Butters and Gordon Leighton.

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