09/09/2026
A MESSAGE FROM ME AS TENANT & OPERATOR OF THE PIG & WHISTLE
I don’t normally put personal matters or disagreements on Facebook, but I feel I now need to make my position very clear regarding the upcoming Heywood Gala.
I am fully aware of concerns that have been raised regarding an individual involved with the event. Those matters have not been hidden from me. They were discussed openly and honestly with me, and some relate to events from several years ago.
I have also personally worked with this individual previously and had no problems whatsoever.
The relevant council, licensing and police authorities have been informed about our event, and the appropriate licensing process has been followed. We have nothing to hide and will cooperate fully with any authority that wishes to speak to us.
I have listened to the concerns people have raised. What I will not accept is being repeatedly pressured because I have considered those concerns and haven’t made the decision somebody else wants me to make.
And I want people to understand something very important:
If this Gala is forced to be cancelled, it isn’t just me or The Pig & Whistle that will suffer.
Traders have bought stock specifically for this weekend. They have booked these dates with us, meaning they may have turned down the opportunity to trade elsewhere.
Acts and entertainers have reserved these dates for our Gala when they could have accepted paid work elsewhere.
Charities and community organisations have made plans and put their own time and effort into being involved.
I have personally spent money preparing for the weekend, including purchasing stock and equipment and arranging outside bars and everything else required to put on this event.
There are real people and small businesses behind every booking who stand to lose money if this event is cancelled.
That is why I find it increasingly difficult to accept that contacting acts, traders and others involved with the Gala and trying to persuade them to withdraw is simply about protecting people from an alleged scam.
If the genuine concern is that somebody may lose money, how can deliberately trying to bring down the entire event — potentially causing numerous innocent traders, performers, charities and businesses to lose money — be the answer?
To me, when the focus moves from reporting genuine concerns to the appropriate authorities to trying to stop an entire community event and contacting the people involved in it, it begins to feel less like protecting the community and more like a targeted campaign against the event.
Anyone with genuine evidence of wrongdoing should take it to the police, council or appropriate authority. I absolutely support their right to do that. Let those authorities investigate and make the appropriate decisions.
But I will not be bullied or pressured through Facebook into cancelling an event that so many people have worked hard towards.
I am the tenant and operator of The Pig & Whistle. I have listened, I have done my due diligence, the relevant authorities are aware of the event, and I have made my decision.
I will continue doing everything I can to make the Heywood Gala a safe, successful and enjoyable community weekend.
I will not be naming individuals or getting dragged into Facebook arguments. If anybody has a genuine concern, please use the proper channels.
Finally, a massive thank you to the acts, traders, charities, volunteers, customers and everyone else who continues to stand behind us. You are the people this weekend is for. ❤️
Kelly
Tenant & Operator
The Pig & Whistle, Heywood
