The Dog Inn (Belthorn) Ltd is a Community Benefit Society (FCA registration number 7095), which is a type of cooperative. Six founder members set up the Society in 2015, with the assistance of a larger steering group, comprising around 20 members of the village.
The current Board members are:
Dave Hollings (Chair): Human Resources, Grants. I live in Waterside, and am a founder member and Director of Co-operative and Mutual Solutions Limited, a consultancy business providing advice and support to co-operatives and social enterprises. Besides holding management positions in several co-operatives and credit unions I have twenty seven years experience in providing advice and developmental support to co-operative and mutual enterprises. I am nationally recognised as an expert on legal structures for social enterprises and community share issues.
Chris Banks (Vice-Chair) Finance:
I have been a villager for over 23 years and I have a young family and relatives that all live in
Belthorn. I have been a shareholder since the beginning and member of The Dog Inn board
for approximately 5 years, I have now taken on the Vice Chair role earlier this year. I sit on
three of the sub committees including: Events Team, Finance and The General Purpose team.
I was brought up in the licensing trade, living in pubs during my childhood while my parents
ran various establishments from public houses to working mens clubs. I have over 25+ years
experience as an engineer in the aerospace industry, and 10 years owning & running a
successful aerospace composites business in Burnley. I have also sat on Belthorn Academy
School as a Community Governor, overseeing & contributing to the business & finance
aspect of the school.
Tim Eccles (Treasurer):
Many of you will already be familiar with my background, as I have lived in Belthorn for the
last 25 years and have been a “regular” in The Dog for all of that time. What will surprise
many is that my links to the Dog go back even further. As a manager for a well known outdoor equipment manufacturer, in 1982 when we were looking for somewhere to hold an evening event for our International Distributors, The Dog was the perfect choice. Excellent food and wine and the best view in Lancashire. It was memorable in another way, as I plucked up the courage to ask a young lady, [who had recently started working in our marketing dept] for a date. She accepted and 40 years later Barbara and I are still together. We always said that we would move to Belthorn one day. We achieved that goal in 1998. Over the years we have made many friends through the Pub and had countless “sessions”. Sadly, we have also seen too many friends leave us, one way or another. We have seen both the “good “ and the
“bad” times for The Dog. After I retired, I realised that I may have some skills which might be useful for The Dog. When I was asked in early 2021 whether I would be interested in being nominated for a seat
on the Board, I was flattered and after some serious thought accepted. I see our role on the Board as Custodians of The Dog for the next generation. When I’m standing in the corner of the bar, I might see a young couple nervously entering the Pub, obviously unfamiliar with the surroundings. I think back 50 years to my introduction to The Dog and hope that in 50 years’ time that same young man will be standing at the bar observing the next generation after having enjoyed his personal “Dog’s Life” as much as I have.
Yvonne Brown (Secretary): Human Resources, ICT (Website), Marketing, Events, Field. I have lived in the village since late 2000, and am also on the village committee. I am heavily involved in the village school, having been chair of the PTFA for 5 years, and until recently I was also Chair of Governors. I run a Holiday Cottage next to our small farm down Bank Fold Lane: guests staying in our Holiday Cottage often visit the Dog Inn for drinks and food.
Craig Steele: – Designated Premises Superviser (DPS), Events. I am 57 years of age and have lived in Belthorn for 24 years , I currently live in Holden Street where I have lived for six years. I have been involved in the refurbishment of the Dog Inn to the current condition and am very proud to have been involved with the opening of the Dog Inn. I am a current personal licence holder and have been DPS and manager of the Dog Inn for 3 years. In recent years I have run Belthorn United children’s football teams, and been involved with Belthorn United’s adults teams. I would like to take this opportunity to help, support and work with the other members of the board to take this fantastic community venture forward for the residents of Belthorn and the public to use and enjoy.
Clive Carroll (Events, Field):I have lived in Belthorn Village for forty-five years. But I have been a customer at the Dog Inn for longer having held my engagement party to my late wife before marrying and moving to the village. We also held our silver Wedding party in the Dog. I currently sit on the events committee and field committee. I am also responsible for the floral displays you see around the Dog Inn. In my working life I was a Police officer and Coroners officer and when I retired, I became a licensed pyrotechnic and have been responsible for numerous village firework shows.
Tony Booth (Finance): I am a 59-year-old successful business entrepreneur and have raised my family in this beautiful Lancashire village. I have lived in Belthorn for 18 years enjoying all the benefits of village life especially our local gem, The Dog Inn. I have 30 plus years experience in small and large international business ventures at management and board level. I joined the Dog Inn board in June 2022 to assist in the pub’s financial and forward planning matters to ensure its long-term success. It is my pleasure to assist The Dog Inn become more successful, maintain a healthy profit and continue its great service to the local villagers and visitors to Belthorn.
Tina Walker:
Tim Rowson: I live opposite The Dog Inn, I have lived in Belthorn for just over 2 years now and am originally from Yorkshire. I have worked in large international IT organisations for most of my working life and been lucky enough to work in a number of different countries, such as Egypt, Netherlands and France. I also run a dog training business and have 2 dogs of my own, both absolutely bonkers! In what little spare time I have, I work on my ongoing house project. I grew up in a small village in Yorkshire, where my parents still live, but I love the little Lancashire village of Belthorn, that I now call home. The Dog Inn is such an integral part of our village community and something none of us should take for granted.
Andrew Turner: I am 63 years of age, married with two grown up kids and work full-time with no intention of retiring for many years yet. I am not a resident of Belthorn. I am Darwen born and bred and have lived on Arkwright Fold in Blackburn for the past 35 years. However, I have many links to the village.
Along with my family I have attended the pub quiz each Thursday (as the Flying Elvises we’re reasonably successful!) for the past seven years. We also regularly eat in the restaurant, attend various music nights, Becki’s Bingo, Carols around the Christmas Tree etc. I am a qualified accountant by profession although I do not practice it very much these days as I am Managing Director of three manufacturing businesses that I own. I am a Trustee of a £10million charity based in the City of London that focuses on education and in particular the furtherance of international trade. I also have the Freedom of The City of London.
I like pubs and I like beer! I have visited many, many brewpubs and bars around the world and have bars & pubs that I like to frequent but The Dog remains my favourite haunt for many reasons.
Frazer Douglas:I have lived in Belthorn for 25 years and I’m currently enjoying bringing my two very young children up in the village. I’m now retired after over 28 years’ service as a police officer.
I’m fully committed to village life having just completed another house move within Belthorn. I visit the pub & restaurant regularly and understand how important it is that we maintain its role in the village. I
Our Staff Team:
We have an excellent manager in Nic Machell, and a wonderful team of bar staff, and are often looking to expand our team of bar staff – please contact the pub for further information.
Our Volunteers:
As well as our bar staff, we are also extremely lucky to have a large band of dedicated volunteers who help in many aspects of this Community pub, including running the coffee shop, doing the refurbishments, and organising the community gardens on the land at the back of the pub. We are very grateful to all who volunteer in any way to help with this venture. However, we are always on the look out for further volunteers, especially in the coffee shop – please contact us if you are interested in joining the team.