Invitation to Jane Renney’s Photography Exhibition
Invitation to Jane Renney’s Photography Exhibition • Cocking Village Hall • Saturday November 16 2019 • 11am to 3pm
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Blue Bell Community Hub Project - Cocking, West Sussex
The heart of a Community at the heart of the South Downs National Park
Our Next Event Is
Our Latest News
Cocking’s Fireworks raises £476 towards the Blue Bell Refurbishment Fund
Cocking’s Fireworks raises £476 towards the Blue Bell Refurbishment fund
Our Video – Breathing life into our community
THE BLUE BELL COMMUNITY HUB INVESTORS NOW OWN THE BLUE BELL PUB BUT WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP
On 30th April 2019 the sale of The Blue Bell was completed with the financial support of so many Cocking residents, friends and supporters, some loans and partner grants. The Blue Bell Community Hub can now move forward, and tenders are currently out for the works required to complete the project and get the building open and serving the local community
This is a tremendous achievement and has, within the 6 months since we set out, managed to save a key asset for our community, providing a foundation that will support the area for years to come.
The Management Committee have now launched The Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund and are applying for grants that may become available now that the building has been secured, to date, we have £115,000 in the fund.
Of the £660,000 (increased by £10,000 due to extra works needed for the toilets and front door disabled access) we needed to raise, £500,000 was for the purchase of the property, this has now been achieved with over 150 shareholders and donors to date.
The Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund
The total refurbishment cost is £160,000 (increased by £10,000 due to extra works needed for the toilets and front door disabled access) and the balance of this will be achieved through further Community Share sales, donations, grants, other investors and community fundraising events.
There’s a lot of hard work ahead with many villagers offering their support and assistance in the clearance, garden preparation and decoration. The main bulk of the work will be carried out by contractors and this will commence once we have the funds and the tenders in.
Refurbishment Plans - External
Refurbishment Plans - Internal
Issue 11 - December 2019 - Countdown Newsletter
Issue 11 - December 2019 - Countdown Newsletter
In this issue
CAFÉ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
OPENING TIMES
MEET THE BLUE BELL TEAM
and much more!
Latest News
Cocking Village Boules Tournament – Cocking, West Sussex
The Friends of The Blue Bell are hoping to organise a Summer Boules event during 2020 – Can you help organise the event?
Celebrating the life of Paul Henshaw
The funeral service for Paul will be streamed live from Macclesfield Crematorium via a video link to the Blue Bell.
Play Bonus Ball Lottery – The Blue Bell Community Hub
To help raise much needed funds to maintain hanging baskets, planters etc outside the Blue Bell we are introducing a syndicate giving members the opportunity to win a weekly sum of money utilising Saturdays UK National Lotto draw bonus ball.
Cocking Flyer January 2020 – The Blue Bell at Cocking
If you missed the flyer that was delivered to Cocking residents then read it here
Mobile Post Office Service – The Blue Bell at Cocking, West Sussex
Mobile Post Office Service – The Blue Bell at Cocking, West Sussex – From Monday January 20 a Mobile Post Office Service will be available in the Blue Bell car park from 11am to 12.30pm.
Cocking Parish Council
Just letting all Cocking residents know that Cocking Parish Council have a new Facebook page, click here to view the page and please follow to keep up to date with all CPC matters. Alternately you can follow Cocking Parish Council here on Twitter.
Paul and Linda Announcement – Cocking Store & Post Office
It is with great sadness that we heard today that Paul and Linda will be, due to Paul’s ill-health, closing the shop and post office permanently as of today, Saturday December 28.
We have reworked tonight’s Carol Singing in Cocking
We have reworked tonight’s Carol Singing in Cocking
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 11 – December 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s December 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Stone Pillow at Cocking Village Hall
Stone Pillow at Cocking Village Hall – Saturday December 7 – Between 10:30 and 12:30
We Need YOU! – Blue Bell Community Hub
Volunteer Cleaners – Blue Bell Community Hub – Saturday December 7 – 9.30am and Sunday December 8 – 9.30am
Wanted – Donations of Board Games for the Blue Bell
We are looking for donations of unwanted Board Games for the Blue Bell • Crib • Backgammon • Domino’s • Nine Men’s Morris • Shut The Box • Draughts pieces • Chess pieces • Shove Ha’penny • Bar Skittles
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 10 – November 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s November 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
We Need You – Weekend Work Party – Blue Bell Community Hub
We Need You – Weekend Work Party – Blue Bell Community Hub – November 23/24 2019
We’re Hiring – The Blue Bell Community Hub – Cocking, West Sussex
We’re Hiring – We’re looking for Head Cook, Assistant Cook, Assistant Manager, Casual Front of House and Casual Kitchen Porter
The Blue Bell at Cocking, West Sussex – Reopening
The Blue Bell at Cocking, West Sussex – Reopening
Volunteer Cleaners – Blue Bell Community Hub
Volunteer Cleaners – Blue Bell Community Hub – Saturday November 16 2019 – 9.30am
Cocking’s Fireworks raises £476 towards the Blue Bell Refurbishment Fund
Cocking’s Fireworks raises £476 towards the Blue Bell Refurbishment fund
Invitation to Jane Renney’s Photography Exhibition
Invitation to Jane Renney’s Photography Exhibition • Cocking Village Hall • Saturday November 16 2019 • 11am to 3pm
New Years Eve 2020 – The Blue Bell
New Years Eve 2020 • Tuesday December 31 • The Blue Bell, Cocking, West Sussex
Urgent Appeal – Blue Bell Community Hub
Urgent Appeal – We are now, thanks to all our supporters, very close to reopening the doors of the Blue Bell in November 2019.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 9 – October 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s October 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Update & Pop Up Pub – Blue Bell Community Hub
Cocking Village Hall • Friday 18th October • 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Pub Landlord Wanted – The Blue Bell Community Hub – Cocking, West Sussex
Pub Landlord Wanted – The Blue Bell Community Hub – Cocking, West Sussex
Sign The Petition To Cut Beer Tax
In the last three years, more than 3,000 pubs have closed – that’s 3 pubs closing their doors for good every day!
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 8 – September 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s September 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Blue Bell Community Hub’s BBQ raises £2,236 for the refurbishment fund
Blue Bell Community Hub’s BBQ raises £2,236 for the refurbishment fund
Cherry Soup – A One Person Show
Cherry Soup – A One Person Show • Friday September 6 • 6pm – 10.30pm • Cocking Village Hall
Blue Bell Community Hub – Work In Progress – August 1 2019
South Oak Development of Midhurst started work on the refurbishment of the Blue Bell Community Hub on Monday August 29 2019.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 7 – August 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s August 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Quiz Night – Fundraising Evening and Update
Wednesday September 25 2019 • 7.30pm • Cocking Village Hall
BBQ with the Blue Bell Pop Up Bar
Saturday August 10 • 6pm – 10.30pm • Cocking Village Hall
Intervillage Rounders Tournament With The Blue Bell Pop Up Bar
Saturday July 20 – 2pm Onwards – Cocking Village Hall
Quiz Night raises another £900
A quick update on the Quiz Night held at Cocking Village Hall on Wednesday July 3 2019 to raise funds for the Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund.
Cocking goes Barking Mad!
On Sunday 30th June, 2019 the dogs of Cocking converged on the Chicken Shed café – aptly renamed for the day as the “Dog and Scone”.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 6 – July 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s July 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Wanted – Looking for Donations of Unwanted Gifts
Donations will be used for raffle prizes, tombolo prizes etc, quality items maybe placed in another silent auction
Pop Up Pub event raises another £1,100 with more to come
Friday June 21st, 2019 saw the Blue Bell open its doors for the second Pop Up Pub event…
Pet Fun Day – Blue Bell Community Hub
Sunday June 30 – 10am to 4pm – The Chicken Shed Cafe at Moonlight Cottage, Cocking
A steady first day of bidding in the Blue Bell Community Hub Silent Auction
In total 11 bids have been pledged…
Cocking’s Hidden Gardens raises a whopping £2,500
Cocking’s hidden gardens were opened to the public to help raise funds for the Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund.
Westlife Ticket Auction – Blue Bell Community Hub
We are auctioning two corporate tickets to see Westlife at the O2
Stripper Wanted – Blue Bell Community Hub
We are in the process of doing some preparation for internal decoration of the bedrooms in the Blue Bell and we need someone with a wallpaper streamer…
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 5 – June 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s June 2019 Countdown Newsletter.
Pop Up Pub June 2019 – The Blue Bell, Cocking, West Sussex
Friday 21st June 2019 – 6.00pm to 10.00pm – The Blue Bell
Open Garden & Charity Fair – Blue Bell Community Hub
Now With Images Taken On The Day – A great sunny day was had by everyone with visitors from around the village and friends and supporters.
YOU VILLAGE NEEDS YOU! – Blue Bell Community Hub
We are creating a team/committee to plan, organise and run events within our village.The Events Team will be responsible for running a number of events…
Pop Up Pub Event Raises an Amazing £1,200
The Blue Bell at Cocking, recently purchased by the village community, opened for one night on Friday 17th May to allow residents and project supporters…
Celebrate Sussex Day with a tour of Cocking’s Hidden Gardens
Sunday 16th June 2019 – 11.00am to 5pm – Cocking, West Sussex
Cocking Celebrates at the Blue Bell Pop Up Pub event
The Blue Bell at Cocking opened for one night only on Friday 17th May to celebrate the purchase of the pub which is now owned by the community.
New Signage at the Blue Bell in Cocking, West Sussex
New signage was erected at the Blue Bell in Cocking, West Sussex ready for the Pop Up Pub event on the 17th May 2019.
BBC South Today – Blue Bell Community Hub
Please come and support our first community event at the Blue Bell in Cocking, West Sussex.
Help! – Blue Bell Community Hub
Help needed to set up and staff Pop Up at the Blue Bell Hub to be held Friday 17th May 6.00-10.00
Pop Up Pub – The Blue Bell, Cocking, West Sussex
To celebrate the purchase of the Blue Bell pub come and join us for a pop-up pub evening…
Volunteers Clean Up – Blue Bell Community Hub
Over 20 villagers came to give the Blue Bell a face lift today – ready for the pop-up pub event on May 17.
Community pub at heart of national park
Read the article about Cocking Village buying the Blue Bell published by Co-operative Community Finance.
If You Missed Frances Russell on BBC Radio Sussex
Frances Russell interviewed for BBC Sussex Radio on the 8th May 2019
Celebration Cake wins the first Great Cocking Bake Off
On Saturday 4th May 2019, the Village Hall hosted the first Great Cocking Bake Off. The competition attracted 27 magnificent and glorious bakes all of a very high standard.
Quiz Night – Fundraising Evening and Update
Wednesday 3rd July 2019 – 7.30pm – Cocking Village Hall
The Blue Bell gets support from Singleton Village
A big thank you to the residents of Singleton who have the Local Pubs Road Sign in their Garden.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 4 – May 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s May 2019 newsletter.
Volunteers needed to clean it up!
We need volunteers to help get it ready for the pop-up pub event.
Pop-up Pub at the Blue Bell
To celebrate the purchase of the Blue Bell pub come and join us for a pop-up pub evening…
Every Little Helps! – Blue Bell Community Hub
Our crowdfunding page hasn’t been as successful as we had hoped, we are quite a way from reaching our target of £20,000.
South Downs National Park confirms support for the Blue Bell Community Hub
Play your part in creating Community Hub and Visitor Gateway.
Battle of the Buskers – Blue Bell Community Hub
Wanted Cocking musicians/performers of all styles, and abilities.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 3 – April 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s April 2019 newsletter.
Open Garden & Charity Fair – Blue Bell Community Hub
Wednesday 22nd May 2019 – 10.00am to 3.30pm – Crypt Farm, Cocking, GU29 0HP
We’re Nearly There – Blue Bell Community Hub
Due to great support from across the village and all around us we are very nearly there with our fundraising to enable us to buy the Blue Bell Inn.
The Great Cocking Bake Off & Boot Sale
Enter your bake for a chance to win a goodie bag worth £50 from London’s premier bakery, Bread Ahead.
Quiz Night Update – Blue Bell Community Hub
A quick update on the Quiz Night held at Cocking Village Hall on the 13th March 2019 to raise fund for the Blue Bell Community Hub.
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 2 – March 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s second newsletter.
Blue Bell Community Hub – Crowdfunder Launched
Our crowdfunder is launched! Please share, share and share again!
Share in your Community Hub Banner Unveiled
To coincide with the launch of the Blue Bell Community Share Offer…
Countdown Newsletter – Issue 1 – February 2019
Welcome to the Blue Bell Community Hub’s first newsletter.
South Downs National Park Visitor Gateway to open in Cocking
Work is underway to incorporate a South Downs National Park Visitor Gateway in the planned Blue Bell Hub in Cocking.
Blue Bell Community Hub on BBC Radio Sussex
Listen to Frances Russell & Peter Gibbon being interviewed by BBC Radio Sussex.
Cocking’s Blue Bell Community Hub is launched
The first of its kind in the South Downs National Park.
