Prince Charles supports allotment at Corwen pub

A pub is to open a community allotment where children can grow their own food.

The vegetable patch has been dug at the rear of the Eagles in Corwen, Denbighshire, with funding from the Pub is the Hub scheme.

The project is backed by the Prince of Wales, who is said to be watching the pub's plan "very closely".

The pub has also received a grant to turn an outbuilding into a community cafe.

Landlady Lesley Hughes was inspired to do something for the community after watching TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's "Landshare" project.

She has since secured more than £25,000 funding from the Pub is the Hub scheme and Denbighshire council.

She said: "The raised beds, which will be a help to disabled people, are ready, the polytunnel is ready, the concreted areas are done and the digger is preparing the ground and we even have runner beans in.

"We will run a children's gardening club on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The children will keep graphs and charts to monitor the growth of the things they plant.

"They'll grow pumpkins so they can make lanterns for Halloween and use the flesh for soups and casseroles.

"The children will be able to see and taste the food they grow."

In addition, an old stable has been converted into a community cafe.

Pub is the Hub was initiated by the Prince of Wales in 2001, and is affiliated to his Rural Action Programme.

The prince believes providing post offices or shops from pubs helps keep essential services in villages.

Helen Roberts, of Cadwyn Clwyd, which launched the Pub is the Hub scheme in Wales, said: "We want the village pub to be at the heart of the community.

"Many pubs are under threat and we want to get the community involved as well as the landlords in thinking about what they can do to save the local pub.

"This is the first time it has been done in Wales and I know the Prince of Wales is watching it very closely."