Angus pub boss blown away by support

A Carnoustie publican has t h a n ke d her generous customers after they donated more than £1,400 in a weekend to replace gazebos destroyed in stormy weather.

Stags Head manager Jackie Liddell, 57, said she was ready to quit the trade forever when she discovered rain and wind had torn down the shelters outside her pub on Saturday morning.

But her anguish turned to joy when postman David Morris set up a crowdfunding page leading to hundreds of pounds of d o n at i o n s for a more permanent set-up outside the popular hostelry.

Ja c k i e said she had been “crying all weekend” – first at the discovery of the damage and then “in joy” at the kindness of those who have supported her.

She said: “Yesterday morning when I came along to the pub I said to my husband, that’s it, I’ve had enough, I can’t do this any more.

“I was going to throw in the towel and say ‘that’s it, I can’t do it’ but when everyone started helping, and sending the messages of support, I thought I can’t give up.

Angus

“Those people are nice to give up on.”

She said volunteers had come into the pub yesterday morning to help erect a temporary replacement while she looks at putting up more too solid wooden outside.

Others had handed donations over the bar after hearing about what had happened.

“I am so thankful to everybody,” added Jackie.

“If they didn’t give me that suppor t the y did yesterday then I would have just given up.

“I have no words to describe the way I feel. I feel humbled by it all. The messages and the support and everything.”

David Morris, who Jackie said only pops into the pub every now and again, created the gofundme page set up to help the pub. structures

He said: “As many of you k n o w, the pubs and entertainment venues have been going through a crisis, if not hell, recently.

“Jackie and all the staff at the Stags Head have gone above and beyond to remain open throughout this pandemic, adjusting to the ever changing rules and guidance.

“During last n i g h t ’s storm their beer garden was wrecked and with pubs hanging on by a thread, I thought the good patrons and friends of the Stags Head could all whip together and get the garden back to functioning.”

I have no words to describe the way I feel