The licensees of a Kent village pub have been recognised for their community work during the pandemic after being secretly nominated for an award by local residents.
Karen Johnson (left) and Dave Thompson (right) accept their award from parish councillors Tony Kitchen (centre left) and Kevin Hobson
Karen Johnson and partner Dave Thompson, licensees at The White Lion in Selling, were presented with a Kent Association of Local Councils community award. This is jointly awarded by the High Sheriff of Kent, Kent County Council, and the Kent Association of Local Councils.
Attending the first face-to-face Selling Parish Council meeting after a year of being confined to Zoom, the pair were surprised by the announcement. They were presented with their award by council chair Andrew Bowles, who praised them for their dedicated efforts to support local residents.
Throughout both lockdowns, and in the face of lengthy periods of enforced pub closure, the couple have helped fellow villagers in a number of ways, including shopping and collecting prescriptions. They have also organised a number of popular online quizzes, and over the Christmas period were behind a village-wide secret Santa event.
They also offered a take-away meal service, which proved particularly valuable to the more lonely and vulnerable living locally. This ranged from fish and chips and pies to traditional Sunday roasts.
Karen, who was born and bred in nearby Faversham, said: “We’ve always felt strongly that while The White Lion needs to attract people from outside the area to be viable as a business, as a village pub it is really important to be at the centre of the community, a place that residents can feel is theirs. A place where they will find many forms of support.”
Karen and David have now been at the Shepherd Neame pub for four years, during which time they have grown to both love Selling and play an active role in village life.
“We love living here and feel that during lockdown we just did what friends and neighbours should for each other,” said Karen. “But we were delighted to receive this award. It is fantastic to know that what we have been doing at The White Lion is so appreciated.”
