Triple celebration for village pub!

THE White Hart in Atworth will have a three-fold celebration this month with a special anniversary, an awards nomination and a huge amount of money raised for local charity.

Owners Nathan and Kirsty Cortilla will mark 10 years behind the bar at the White Hart next week with a party to remember. Since taking over the pub, the couple have hosted a whole host of charity events, raising nearly £42,000 for  local village organisations, groups and local charities. They are also celebrating reaching the final of the Wiltshire Life Awards 2019 in the ‘Pub of the Year’ category.

Speaking to Melksham News, Kirsty said, “It doesn’t feel like 10 years that we have been here – it’s overwhelming. We were 24-years old when we got this pub – it has been a huge part  of our lives. Since taking over we have had two children, got married and bought a house – it’s seen us through a lot!

“Before we started, we sat down and asked ourselves what our goal was for the pub, and decided that it was make the White Hart a village community pub – a traditional pub that is quirky and individual. A pub serving good food, with a great atmosphere and a friendly welcome. Ten years on, I reckon we can say that we are getting there! There’s always ways that we can improve.”

Throughout the 10 years, Kirsty and Nathan have held a number of fundraising events helping them to raise over £42,000 for local charities – smashing the target they set themselves last year to reach a total of £40,000 raised by the end of 2018.

Events have included an annual music festival, village get-togethers, breakfast clubs, race nights, and quiz nights (118 quiz nights and a total of 4,720 questions asked!)

“It’s a fantastic amount,” said Kirsty. “It’s been a team effort – that includes the staff and the whole of the village. We have many more fundraising events planned for the rest of the year, we won’t stop now, we want to keep raising money for all the fantastic local organisations out there.”

About the pub being shortlisted as a finalist as ‘Pub of the Year’, Kirsty said, “It’s very surreal! We are thrilled to be finalists. It’s amazing to receive this recognition for all our hard work over the years – it’s made all the effort worthwhile. Just being shortlisted is an achievement in itself and we couldn’t be more thrilled. To everyone, customers, locals and staff (previous and current), we thank you, so so much. We couldn’t have got here without you.”

Kirsty and Nathan will host their 10th anniversary party on Friday 11th January from 9pm until 11pm with entertainment from local band The Aliki Edwards Band. In the summer the pub’s annual music festival will have a ‘Glitter & Glam’ theme to celebrate the anniversary.

For more details about events at the pub visit www.whitehartatatworth .co.uk or visit their Facebook page.

Above: White Hart owners Kirsty and Nathan Cortilla and their children Tegan and Freya.