Trio aim to restore Cock to the heart of Forden life

When local pubs close these days, there is always a fear that we may never see them open again.

Village pubs are closing across the country so when the once thriving Cock Forden closed its doors late last year, the same question was asked.

But three local lads have stepped up to ‘give it a go’ and are confident that it can be restored to the heart of community life.

We caught up with one of the trio, Rory Sheen (middle), who did a sterling job alongside his wife of running Welshpool Golf Club for six years.

He has teamed up with Alun Brooks (left) and Tommy Adams (right) to reopen the pub’s doors and he has told us why they have done it, and what they have planned.

What are the backgrounds of the three of you? 

I (Rory Sheen) was the Steward of Welshpool Golf Club from 2018 to 2024 along with my wife Hayley. Prior to that I spent five years working on cruise ships. Alun Brooks has been a plumbing and heating engineer since 2007. Tommy Adams has had a contracting business since 2008 and also has a tyre and logging business.

What made you decide to take it on? 

When the pub closed we decided between us that the pub needs to continue as it is the beating heart of the community.

How important is the pub to the community? 

Forden is a fantastic place to live however there is little space for the community to come together to celebrate, the pub is one of these places and a great place for the locals to be together.

What are your plans for the pub? Food? Entertainment? Ales?

Currently, we just want the pub to be a warm and friendly venue that locals and visitors can visit to socialise. Food is on the cards however we are looking to establish ourselves as a traditional local pub first and then broaden down the line with food, music, beer festivals and so on.

If it goes well in the short term – will you take it on long-term?

If all goes well, we will look to keep the pub open for the long run. We are giving it all we have for the first year and will decide from there.

What’s your message to the community?

Together we can make the Cock Forden the local pub that we all deserve!

Are there any events planned?

We will be doing charity events for the next few months. I am doing a 100-mile walk in March on my 40th birthday to raise money for Severn Hospice (Walking from Banbury to Welshpool Golf Club in four days), and we have already done a Charity Pool Knockout. Bingo on the last Friday of the month is next!