PRESS RELEASE : Farmers Arms Hotel licensees officially open Millstead Primary School playground

Anne and Kenny Houghton, general managers of the Farmers Arms Hotel on Larkhill Lane, Liverpool, had the honour of officially opening the new adventure playground at Millstead school in Everton this week.

The pub in Clubmoor, alongside 613 other pubs and late night bars owned and operated by Stonegate Pub Company, raised £315,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity, through its ‘Britain’s Biggest Pub Tour’ challenge last Autumn.

Part of the funds raised, were donated to Millstead School on Iliad Street to build a brand new adventure playground for its 105 pupils. This week pupils were able to enjoy the facilities for the first time which include a climbing wall, a mini amphitheatre, a castle walkway, climbing ropes and two sunken trampolines.

The school, which relocated to new premises this school year, caters for children with a statement of Special Educational Needs. Many of the pupils have either severe or profound learning difficulties along with a wide range of additional needs including Autistic Spectrum difficulties, severe sensory impairments, physical impairments including cerebral palsy and profound health needs.

Michelle Beard, Head teacher of Millstead School said, “We could never thank Stonegate Pub Company enough for their generosity and support. The enhancements to our playground facilities mean so much to our children. The children can develop a range of physical, social, communication and creative skills whilst having fun with their friends. Stonegate Pub Company has made a lot of very special children very happy.”

“It was an absolute delight to visit Millstead School and to watch the children enjoying their wonderful new adventure playground”, said Anne Houghton, general manager, Farmers Arms Hotel. “Britain’s Biggest Pub Tour was a huge challenge and something that as a company we are very proud of”, she added, “and to see the joy on the children’s faces makes it all worthwhile.”

To Download Photos from the opening of the adventure playground at Millstead School visit: http://www.dropbox.com/sh/wo4i8e7oe08v346/AACu6Lc_8Hrr-YvG0wATTrK1a?dl=0

Pictured on adventure playground castle wall (left to right) are Tim Edwards, Area Manager Stonegate Pub Company; Jasmine, Millstead School; Michelle Beard, Headmistress, Millstead School; Lily, Millstead School; Vanessa Newins, Learning and Support Co-ordinator, Stonegate Pub Company; Adonai, Millstead School; Kenny and Anne Houghton, Managers of Farmers Arms Hotel.

20 January 2015

Editors Notes:

Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK, with revenues in excess of half a billion pounds, employing over 12,000 people. The company has 614 pubs, split into the following segments; Classic Inns, Local Pubs, Great Traditional Pubs, Slug and Lettuce, Scream, Yates, Bars and Venues, Missoula, Living Room, Smith and Jones and Varsity.

Stonegate is the winner of national awards, including:

• Best Pub Employer (51+ sites) – Publican Awards 2013
• Distinction in Innovative Use of Technology Award – HR Distinction Awards 2014
• Menu Masters Award for Best New Concept category for Missoula, Montana Bar and Grill at the Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2014
• Menu Masters Award for City and Bar Dining category for Slug and Lettuce at the Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2013
• Winner of the Town and City category for Yates’s in the Menu Innovation and Development Award (MIDAS) in 2012
• MA 250 Best Training Programme award in 2012 – Publican’s Morning Advertiser

For more information about Stonegate Pub Company: www.stonegatepubs.com