Sheet pub steps in to continue legendary MacMillan fundraiser

The siblings behind an historic East Hampshire pub have raised a glass to a neighbouring landlord for continuing their landmark charity event.

The Harrow Inn has raised tens of thousands of pounds for MacMillan Cancer Research over the years through its much-loved coffee morning.

So when the landlord of the Queens Head in Sheet heard that Claire, Nisa and friends were thinking of giving it a miss this year, he was quick to offer a helping hand.

“I’ve known Claire (McCutcheon) forever as I’ve always lived around here,” said Jonathan Berry last Friday with the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ in full swing.

“I said it would be a shame for them not to carry on because it’s such a great event – and here we are.

“I’m happy with the turnout as it’s the first time we’ve done it and it’s been quite nice as all the locals immediately got involved, as Sheet so often does.”

Anyone who has visited a MacMillan coffee morning at The Harrow would have instantly recognised the scene. Flowers, apples, cards and books were on sale while raffle prizes included a bottle of champagne and a Queens Head pizza dinner for four.

Louise Baird also had a good morning as she sold a dozen bags of manure, produced by local “celebrity” horse Grainger, for £5 a pop.

She said: “Grainger the horse is famous in Sheet as he used to come in every Christmas Day for a drink. Everyone in Sheet knows Grainger.”

It’s too early to say whether the event will return to The Harrow next year but Jonathan is keen to hold something similar next spring for another much-loved charity.

He said: “If today works out well then next year we might do a spring event for the Rosemary Foundation.”