Pub’s log-chopping contest raises £2,000 for charity

A PUB near Checkendon raised £2,000 for charity by staging a log- chopping competition.

More than 150 people attended the event at the Black Horse in which 16 teams of three competed.

The competitors had to split three rings of wood and post the split pieces through a small hole, all against the clock. The winners were a team led by Barry Eighteen while the runners-up were pub regulars Jack and George Stow and Harvey Packham and in third place were Ben Burton, Laurie Taylor and Jake Jackson.

Clare Wilkinson, who took over the pub with her husband, Stuart, from her parents in 2020, said: “It’s the second time we’ve done it. We had seen it several years ago at another pub and thought it might be fun to try. There were some who had never really chopped wood before so it was good fun. It was brilliant and really busy with people watching.”

The proceeds will go to Sue Ryder. Mrs Wilkinson said: “They have helped out a lot of our family and friends in one way or another.

“We raised a lot of money from the food and donations, which was good. We will do it again next year. We’re very lucky that peoplesupport us, especially after covid. It’s difficult times but we really appreciate that people still visit.”