Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Hormead in Hertfordshire, The Three Tuns is a quintessential English pub with a rich history dating back several centuries. The name “Three Tuns” is traditionally associated with breweries, as “tun” refers to a large cask used for storing and aging beer. This historic pub has been a cornerstone of village life, serving as a gathering place for locals and travelers alike.
Today, the future of the pub is under threat. It is closed, and there does not appear to be any interest in its re-opening any time soon. In fact, the building is visibly deteriorating and will no doubt require extensive work before its doors can once again be opened.
The history of The Three Tuns can be traced back to the early 17th century. The building itself is a fine example of traditional English architecture, with its timber-framed structure and thatched roof, a characteristic feature of rural Hertfordshire. The pub has retained much of its original charm, with exposed wooden beams, a cozy fireplace, and rustic interiors that evoke a sense of stepping back in time.
Throughout its long history, The Three Tuns has been more than just a place to enjoy a pint of ale; it has been a hub of social and cultural activity in Great Hormead. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common for pubs like The Three Tuns to serve as venues for local meetings, celebrations, and even court sessions. The pub has witnessed the ebb and flow of village life, from the bustling market days to the quiet moments of reflection by the fire.
In the 20th century, The Three Tuns continued to be a beloved institution in Great Hormead. The pub saw the rise of motor travel, bringing in visitors from farther afield who came to enjoy the serene beauty of the Hertfordshire countryside. Despite the changes brought by modern times, The Three Tuns has remained true to its roots, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all who enter.
There is some concern among residents about what is happening to the Three Tuns. A working party has been assembled to see if there is anything that can be done to save the Three Tuns as an important community asset. All options will be considered as the most important outcome is that the village continues to be served by a thriving pub. It could be as simple as engaging with the current landlords to see if there is any help required to get the doors open again, through to exploring new ownership in some manner.
TAG are meeting regularly to try and formulate the next steps to be taken. An early consideration is how progress can be communicated. This website has been created initially as a rallying call to determine interest in what we are doing. If there is strong village support to take action, the website will evolve to provide much more information. This could include details of fund raising activity, and if the path takes it that way, investment information.
As a first step, we would ask anyone with a view to use the contact form below. We want to know if residents support the TAG in its objectives. We would also like to identify any relevant skills that exist within the village and which may useful for the campaign. Skills could be professional such as legal, finance, planning etc, or trade such as builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians etc. If you think you have any sort of skill that may one day be useful, please let’s compile it into a register so we can quickly follow up when the need arises.
Please be aware that this is not necessarily a call for services to be provided free (although initially as we get off the ground this may help). One of the benefits of the skills register will be that any jobs identified could be fulfilled locally, keeping any money being spent as far as possible, within the village.
Aiming to save our village pub
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