Publican brings festive cheer

THE owner of three Henley pubs is offering a free lunch for some who will be alone on Christmas day.

Ted Docherty, who owns the Little Angel in Henley, the Crown in Playhatch and White Hart in Nettlebed, has asked for suggestions from the community of people who would otherwise be spending the holiday alone.

Mr Docherty said he started the initiative at the Crown about four years ago and has now implemented it at his other venues.

The venues will draw single people to share a table for lunch and enjoy “Christmas cheer” and Mr Docherty said the venues will accommodate as many as they can.

He said it is “not right” that anyone should spend Christmas Day alone and started the scheme as a means to combat that.

Mr Docherty said: “If you feel lonely on a normal day, then on a day like Christmas day you’re going to feel a lot more lonely. There are a million reasons why someone is lonely on Christmas and it’s just not right.”

He said the winners would not be announced publicly, but would be contacted directly to enjoy lunch with another single.

Mr Docherty said he has also tried to encourage other pubs in the area to offer the same.

He said: “In an ideal world they will share something in common. I often have daydreams of people making friends for years because it’s just romantic to me. I think if we all did it then there would be no one alone anymore on Christmas Day.”

Entries are open until December 10. To enter, email hello@thelittleangel.co.uk, rachel@thewh.co.uk and crown@thecrown
.co.uk