Save the Six Bells Peterstone

14/06/2026

The Six Bells may not be open yet, but the impact has already begun.

This week, we spent some time reflecting on Plunkett UK’s latest Rural Community Business Impact Report and what it means for our own journey to bring the Six Bells into community ownership.

The report highlights the incredible impact community-owned businesses are having across rural Britain:

More than 2.2 million people now benefit from community-owned businesses.

There are now 869 community-owned businesses trading across the UK, with a further 1,004 projects in the pipeline.
Community businesses have an impressive 98% five-year survival rate.

Around 22,000 volunteers are helping to make these businesses thrive.

But what also stood out were the stories of communities creating welcoming spaces, tackling isolation, supporting wellbeing, creating opportunities and ensuring local people continue to have places where they can connect and belong.
That’s exactly why we started this journey.

For four years, we have been working to save the Six Bells, but our vision has always been about much more than reopening a pub. We want to create a vibrant community hub that brings people together, supports local wellbeing, celebrates our unique rural environment and helps strengthen community connections for generations to come.

We are incredibly grateful for the support, advice and encouragement we have received from Plunkett UK throughout our journey.
Their team has helped us think beyond the building itself and focus on the lasting social impact a community-owned business can have. Just as importantly, they have consistently believed in our project and our community.

While there is still much work to do, we are proud to be part of a growing movement of communities taking control of their future and creating places that deliver so much more than a commercial service.
The Six Bells may not be open yet, but the community it is bringing together already is.

Thirty-four new community-owned businesses opened in 2025, taking the sector to 869 trading businesses across the UK, according to Plunkett UK's latest Impact Report, launched at The Shard in London yesterday (10 June). Community ownership continues to gather momentum across the UK, with 34 new comm...

14/06/2026

We are really looking forward to welcoming the new Mayor of Newport to our next Coffee Morning.

Come along for a cuppa, a catch-up and one of our volunteers’ delicious home-baked cakes.

Bring along any small household items that need repairing, meet the team behind Save the Six Bells, and find out more about what we’ve been up to.

As always, everyone is welcome. Whether you want to chat, volunteer, get something fixed, or simply enjoy some good company, we would love to see you there.

When: Saturday 27th June 10.30-12.30
Where: Peterstone Village Hall

11/06/2026

📣News: our newly-launched report highlights rising demand for community ownership.

A key highlight shows that 34 new opened in 2025, bringing the sector total to 869 trading businesses across the UK. 📈

🗣️James Alcock, Chief Executive of Plunkett UK, said: “Plunkett plays a pivotal role in inspiring and guiding communities – supporting both the creation of new enterprises and the strengthening of those already in operation.

“We will continue to work closely with partners and funders to access new resources and build resilience across the sector, ensuring communities not only survive, but thrive.”

The report was launched yesterday at The Shard, where our Impact Officer George Ogier led a panel discussion with Rosie Plummer (Dryslwyn Community Shop), Amanda Reynolds (Save the Six Bells Peterstone), and Jessica Craig, Policy Manager at Power to Change. Together, they explored the impact of community business on local people and the vital role Plunkett plays in supporting them. 🤩

Thank you to Mova for generously sponsoring the launch event, with support from Ampa and Sky Wave Gin.

👉 Find out more about the event and read the report: https://plunkett.co.uk/new-report-highlights-demand-for-community-ownership/

06/06/2026

Happy Birthday Alberto Ubaldi 🎂🍾

Over the last couple of years, Alberto has become a much-valued part of the Six Bells family.
Many of you will know him from our Repair Café, where he regularly gives his time and skills to help others, but he is also a fantastic advocate and supporter of the Save the Six Bells campaign every step of the way.

Alberto brings positivity, enthusiasm and kindness wherever he goes. He has built great friendships across the community and is always willing to lend a hand, offer support or encourage others to get involved.

We are incredibly grateful for everything he does and are delighted to have him as part of our team.

Have a fantastic birthday Alberto, we hope you have a brilliant day 🎉🎉

06/06/2026

👑 Next Saturday – Fit for a Queen! 👑

Join us for a spectacular afternoon of music with West End star Anthony Stuart Lloyd, celebrating the songs of Howard Keel in the centennial year of Queen Elizabeth II.

🎟 Tickets £10
👧 Children FREE
🥪 Food
🍻 Licensed Bar
🍦 Ice Creams

Bring a chair, gather some friends, and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music, food, and community in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary's.

Tickets available now. See link in comments or pay on the door.

03/06/2026

It was an absolute joy to catch up with Phil Hiles (or “Wonky”) last week.

Phil got in touch to buy some Save the Six Bells merchandise, but what followed was a wonderful afternoon spent reminiscing about the Six Bells.

He shared stories about the characters, the laughs, the friendships and the many familiar faces who are sadly no longer with us but remain such an important part of the pub’s history.

It really brought home just how much the Six Bells means to so many people. Although the doors have been closed for years, the memories are still very much alive.

Phil also showed me the incredible bar he has built in his back garden, filled with memorabilia from his years in the police, his love of motorbikes and his life experiences. Despite having such a fantastic space of his own, he told me how much he misses the Six Bells and how excited he is to see it brought back into community use.

A huge thank you to Phil for his continued support and for donating some fantastic items for our next auction, including an amazing American Harley leather vest.

Visits like this are a lovely reminder of why we are doing what we are doing.

31/05/2026

We Need Your Help.

For more than four years, this campaign has been driven by the community. Every step forward has been shaped by the ideas, support and feedback the community has shared along the way.

Our vision for the Six Bells Community Hub includes:

A family friendly pub and café
A farm & craft shop selling essentials, local produce, crafts and gifts
A visitor centre celebrating the unique environment, history and heritage of the Wentlooge Levels
A community hub bringing people together through activities focused on education, wellbeing and inclusivity

Today we are seeking your feedback specifically on the proposed Farm & Craft Shop.

We want to understand what products the community would like to see, how often you might use it, and how we can create something that the community genuinely would value and support.

Your feedback will help shape our plans, inform our long-term business model, and provide important evidence for future funding applications.

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey:

https://forms.gle/MYEM315UjdedJDwa7

Thank you for your continued support.

Four years of campaigning to Save the Six Bells! We have achieved so much, but still have a long way to go. Our plans continue to be shaped by the community and the things you’ve told us you want. Now it’s time to take stock of the ideas and understand how you think you’d use this community fa...

31/05/2026

Our Six Bells Coffee Morning yesterday brought together familiar faces, new friends and supporters from local and wider communities with one even making the journey from Manchester.

There was coffee, cake, conversation, creativity and plenty of goat cuddles.

Our first Sip & Paint workshop was a huge success, with people of all ages and abilities creating their own artistic interpretations of the Six Bells.

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, bakers, artists, Repair Café team, Laura and the goats, and everyone who came along and made the morning so special.
What a journey this is proving to be.