Working together to save our local pub and develop a community hub

The community of Hayscastle has lost its shop, post office, petrol station and school over the last 50 years. We can’t let the pub close too!

The Cross Inn is a pub located in the centre of the village of Hayscastle Cross which is strategically located between the County town of Haverfordwest, the city of St David’s and the coastal town of Fishguard.


Our Vision

  • To ensure the Cross Inn remains at the heart of our vibrant community.
  • To provide a place for people of all ages to socialise both in the traditional bar and the newly renovated ‘Cwtsh’, which will provide a welcoming and family-friendly environment to compliment the more traditional bar.
  • To provide a comfortable and welcoming space for use by local people and organisations.
  • To hold Welsh events and social evenings.
  • To support local businesses and form partnerships with local companies and organisations.
  • To offer drinks and meals, using local produce.
  • To secure employment and training opportunities for local people, young and old, and support them to fulfil their potential.

What have we done?

  • Survey undertaken to obtain public feedback.
  • Feasibility study undertaken to assess the viability of the community purchase.
  • Y Cross Cas-lai is a registered Community Benefits Society – approved by the Financial Conduct Authority.
  • Y Cross Cas-lai CBS bank account has been secured with the Cooperative Bank.
  • A Business Plan encompassing every aspect of the Y Cross Cas-lai vision including financial forecasts has been developed.
  • Y Cross Cas-lai Share Offer document is finalised and ready for distribution.
  • Minimum Share Offer Target reached. Just over £210k from share sales.
  • £244k grant funding secured.
  • Building and equipment purchased.
  • Essential renovation of the building.
  • Community Pub opened 18th November 2023


What next?

  • Refurbish the Kitchen.
  • Develop the “Cwtsh” which will be family friendly space for good food, social activities, and events.
  • Have a welcoming and nature-friendly family usable garden space.
  • Our Community Benefit Society business model has an asset lock, meaning all profits have to be re invested in the business. Any surplus can be used to support other organisations in the community.
  • We will work together in harmony with Hayscastle Community Centre to ensure a joined up collaborative community approach.

We have come a long way, let’s finish the job!

If not for us, then for future generations!

Please help us on our journey

Latest Update

The latest news from the Pub

It has been a hectic few weeks at Y Cross!

Building Works – There has been lots to do in terms of staffing, stocking, and trying to get the Pub up to date with the required building work. All work must be completed by June, in order to prevent money being returned to the Community Ownership Fund. Any unspent money will have to go back. The new kitchen is well underway. The cladding and canopy have been fitted. We await the new range, grills and extraction system; these will go in shortly. We are hopeful that new windows, doors, and fire-doors can be fitted soon. A new bunded oil tank is due to be fitted, outside fences replaced with walls – to become legally compliant. Finally, completion of the electrical rewire of the entire building, to become legally compliant. Fingers crossed that there will be no issues to prevent this progress. It would be a blow indeed if the community lost this money – having strived so hard to achieve it.

Staffing – We will soon be advertising for a permanent pub manager. The advert is currently with legal advisers. This is to ensure that arrangements are made for a suitable probationary period for any future manager, and all potential employment issues are identified and carefully considered.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 29th May – Quiz Night with Lucie 7:30pm

Thursday 30th May – Bingo – run by the Hayscastle Community Forum, proceeds towards the upkeep of our Community Centre. Bingo caller is John Evans. Eyes down at 8pm

Saturday June 8th am Hayscastle Community Litter Pick. Meet at Y Cross at 10am. Let’s help keep our community clean and tidy. Refreshments for all volunteers provided by Y Cross after the litter pick ends at noon.

Saturday June 8th pm Live Music with GreenJam 7:30pm

Wednesday 12 June Quiz Night with Lucie 7:30pm

Wednesday 26 June Quiz Night with Lucie 7:30pm

The latest news from the Hub

The development of the Hub is progressing well, thanks to the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) grant successfully achieved by the former Board and in particular Jessie Fry 😊 We have taken up this mantle and are attending various meetings and Network events, across the county. We meet with the SPF team regularly. They are very happy with our enthusiasm for the project and with our progress in such a short time.

The Walk and Talk Well-Being Group – The group meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm outside The Cross and enjoys a 1 hour walk around our local community countryside. They always return to the Pub around 3pm to enjoy coffee, cake and a chat. Many members of the community call in at 3pm to also enjoy a sociable afternoon.

Welsh Lessons – We will be offering Welsh Lessons for learners, starting in September. We have been able to build a valuable partnership with ‘Menter Iaith’ and we look forward to all of their input over coming months in readiness for our September classes. Registration details will be announced closer to the date 😊

Funding Officer – We are about to employ a Strategy and Funding Officer (on the advice of the SPF team). We are very excited about this as her expertise relating to funding is second to none. This will be hugely beneficial for our wonderful community as she helps us to complete our 5 year funding and development strategy for Y Cross.

Y Cwis Mawr Sir Benfro 11 Gorffennaf 2024 7 o’r gloch gyda Menter Iaith Sir Benfro – This is a National event for Welsh speakers and Welsh learners. Multiple teams within every Welsh County compete in knockout Rounds. The winning teams from each County will then represent their County in further knockout rounds. The ultimate winners, will get tickets to attend the National Eisteddfod 😊 We are delighted to announce that Y Cross will be the venue for the Pembrokeshire Round 😊

We have just been able to appoint a Welsh Language translation service, to comply with several requests for communication to be undertaken in Welsh 😊 There are a range of community activities planned for the Summer months, that are still in the planning stage – we will update in the next newsletter, hopefully we will also be able to advise you on the opening of the kitchen 😊 Very best wishes from your Board of Directors

Shirley Bevan – Treasurer

Brian Griffiths – Secretary

Ellie Morgans – Communications/Pub/Hub/ Operations

Sharon Williams – Chair/Pub/Hub/ Operations

Steve Worgan – Facilities and Estates

The Team has a collaborative approach and there is much overlap between the roles.

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