Staff at a Whitminster pub went above and beyond the call of duty on Christmas Day to ensure 120 diners were able to enjoy Christmas dinner, despite extensive flooding in the pub grounds.
When the River Frome burst its banks on Christmas Eve, the team at the Fromebridge Mill were fearful that Christmas could be ruined for customers booked in for Christmas dinner.
Manager Phil Hewitt said: "I woke up on Christmas morning, prepared and excited to serve Christmas dinner and was shocked by the floodwater that surrounded us."
Two feet of water surrounded the pub, flooding the car park, driveway and surrounding fields. Thankfully the inside of the pub remained dry and safe, but completely inaccessible for most cars.
Phil picked up the phone to Old English Inns area manager, Gary Robinson, who then drove more than 100 miles from his home in Wales to the pub, arriving by 10am in a hardy four-wheel drive vehicle.
Gary and Phil's son and assistant manager Dane, then proceeded to ferry everyone arriving for their Christmas Day lunch between their cars, parked safely on unaffected areas, and the pub.
Phil continues: "Our neighbours very kindly let us use a private road which provided back access to the pub through much less flooding – much safer although difficult to navigate on foot."
Gary said: "Safe to say my family weren't best pleased when I disappeared un-expectantly for the best part of Christmas Day. But they all waited for me, and I got to enjoy my own Christmas dinner when I returned to Wales later in the afternoon. I was pleased to be able to help out and make sure that all our customers enjoyed the Christmas they had planned at the Fromebridge Mill."
Everyone was then driven back to their cars when they were ready to leave.
The flood water has now receded.
When the River Frome burst its banks on Christmas Eve, the team at the Fromebridge Mill were fearful that Christmas could be ruined for customers booked in for Christmas dinner.
Manager Phil Hewitt said: "I woke up on Christmas morning, prepared and excited to serve Christmas dinner and was shocked by the floodwater that surrounded us."
Two feet of water surrounded the pub, flooding the car park, driveway and surrounding fields. Thankfully the inside of the pub remained dry and safe, but completely inaccessible for most cars.
Phil picked up the phone to Old English Inns area manager, Gary Robinson, who then drove more than 100 miles from his home in Wales to the pub, arriving by 10am in a hardy four-wheel drive vehicle.
Gary and Phil's son and assistant manager Dane, then proceeded to ferry everyone arriving for their Christmas Day lunch between their cars, parked safely on unaffected areas, and the pub.
Phil continues: "Our neighbours very kindly let us use a private road which provided back access to the pub through much less flooding – much safer although difficult to navigate on foot."
Gary said: "Safe to say my family weren't best pleased when I disappeared un-expectantly for the best part of Christmas Day. But they all waited for me, and I got to enjoy my own Christmas dinner when I returned to Wales later in the afternoon. I was pleased to be able to help out and make sure that all our customers enjoyed the Christmas they had planned at the Fromebridge Mill."
Everyone was then driven back to their cars when they were ready to leave.
The flood water has now receded.
