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Shepherd Neame Village Pub Crowned UK Community Hero



Shepherd Neame licensees Julia and Michael Foxwell, who run The Old House at Home in Dormansland, are adding another award to their shelf after being crowned UK Community Sustainability Hero in the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026.


The couple, who have run the village pub in Surrey since 2024, were invited to a prestigious awards ceremony at the House of Commons on Tuesday, September 8 after being nominated by East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho. They were one of 13 category winners from across the UK.


The pub was recognised for its efforts to make the hospitality industry greener, with initiatives such as securing funding from the Surrey County Council Active Travel Programme to purchase a staff e-bike, install an e-bike charging point and operate a free public bike repair station.


The couple also reuse coffee grounds as fertiliser, collect pet fur for birds to use as nesting material, turn spent beer into a natural slug deterrent, and the pub’s outdoor furniture is made using reclaimed scaffold boards and poles.


The Old House at Home has already received numerous accolades, including the Sustainability Award at the BII National Innovation in Training Awards 2025 and Sustainable Pub of the Year at the Shepherd Neame Pub Awards 2026.


The 2026 PubAid awards received a record number of nominations from MPs, highlighting growing recognition in Parliament of the role pubs play within their constituencies.


East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho said:


“The Old House at Home is a brilliant example of how a rural pub can combine community spirit with fresh thinking on sustainability."


"From encouraging cycling and creating wildlife-friendly spaces to reducing waste, reusing materials and supporting local suppliers, Julia and the team have shown that practical changes can have a real impact.”


PubAid Co-Founder Des O’Flanagan added:

“The Old House at Home is a brilliant example of just how important pubs are to the communities they serve."

"What they have achieved in Surrey, from making sustainability part of everyday pub life through active travel, waste reduction and practical environmental initiatives, shows that a great pub is about so much more than food and drink; it is a place that brings people together, supports those who need it and makes a real difference locally.”


The Old House at Home Licensee Michael Foxwell said:

“It was an absolute privilege to even get to the final, and to win was an absolute shock as the other pubs nominated also had great sustainability initiatives. We are proud to make a difference in the community and are celebrating the fact that small changes can make a big difference."

“To be recognised on a national level was a truly memorable moment. The award belongs to not just The Old House at Home, but the whole community of Dormansland.”


Shepherd Neame Director of Tenanted Pub Operations Greg Wallis said: “

"We are incredibly proud of Michael and Julia, and the whole team at The Old House at Home, for being recognised at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards."

"Their efforts to put green initiatives at the heart of their business shows that it is possible to create more sustainable spaces in the hospitality industry, and their award for UK Community Sustainability Hero is a credit to the pub.”


The PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026 are sponsored by Diageo and supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG).


For more information about the awards, visit here. 



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Leading furniture retailer Sterling Home is lighting up the festive season with a generous donation of Christmas decorations and furniture to children’s hospices and hospitals across Scotland, helping to bring a touch of magic and sparkle where it’s needed most.


The family-owned business, known for its passion for homes and communities, is giving back ahead of the festive period with a donation of beautifully chosen items including cushions, throws, garlands, table runners and other seasonal pieces to CHAS, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.


These thoughtful touches will be used to decorate and refresh rooms in children’s hospitals and hospices, creating uplifting, comforting environments for families to enjoy precious moments together.


CHAS provides unwavering care to children who may die young and their families, walking beside them every step of the way. Founded in 1992, the charity supports young people across Scotland from pre-birth up to the age of 21, providing comfort, love, and joy in hospices, children’s homes, and hospitals.


Euan Graham, Buying & Marketing Director and third-generation family owner at Sterling Home said:

“At this time of year, we’re reminded more than ever of the importance of community and the joy that comes from giving back. We’re honoured to support CHAS in creating warm, welcoming spaces where children and their families can experience the magic of Christmas together. Our hope is that these small touches of comfort and festive cheer help bring smiles and special moments to those who need them most this year.”

Lyndsay Stobie, Community Fundraising Manager at CHAS, said:

“We are so grateful to Sterling Home for their generous donation and continued support of CHAS. Their kindness will help bring comfort and festive cheer to the children and families we care for across Scotland this Christmas. Gestures like this make such a difference, reminding families that they’re not alone and helping to create special moments of joy during what can be a very difficult time.”

Sterling Home has worked with CHAS for 18 years. It also proudly hosts a CHAS library in its Mill Café at the Tillicoultry store and in other cafes across the estate, where hundreds of much-loved books, from children’s stories to cookery favourites, have been generously donated by both customers and staff. Through heartwarming initiatives like this, Sterling Home has helped raise over £115,800 for CHAS to date.


The donation aligns with the retailer’s ‘Get Ready for Christmas’ event, which launched at the weekend across all eight stores across Scotland including Sterling Home’s flagship destination in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.


The event marked the unveiling of Sterling Home’s Christmas ranges, with shoppers treated to goody bag giveaways and exclusive offers.


Shoppers were the first to explore this year’s furniture and décor ranges. From Scandi simplicity to bold, playful, glittery and luxurious décor, Sterling Home’s Christmas ranges feature home accessories, soft furnishings, wall art and styling pieces to make spaces of all shapes and sizes warm and festive. Pre-Christmas delivery is also available on furniture items until 8 December, and homewares right up to the final week before Christmas.


With more than 50 years of experience in furnishing homes across Scotland, Sterling Home is committed to offering premium-quality products that help customers create spaces they’re truly proud of. Featuring trusted, high-end brands such as G Plan, Stressless, and Nicoletti, every piece reflects Sterling Home’s dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and lasting quality.

With more than 200 staff members across the company, Sterling Home’s expert team takes pride in helping families create spaces they love and is available in-store and over the phone to help and provide advice.


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