Fareham pub to honour '˜well-loved' regular customer with weekend of family fun

Denise and Tim Haimes,  at The Heathfield Arms in Fareham, are staging '˜Heathfest' this weekend to honour friend and frequent pub-goer Doreen Allen, who died from cancer in January this year, as well as raising £10,000 for The Rowans Hospice in Waterlooville.

Denise, who has been running the pub with her husband for 10 years, said: '˜As long-time friends of Doreen, Tim and myself at the Heathfield Arms feel honoured to be hosting this event in memory of Doreen.

'˜She was a well-loved regular and dear friend at our pub, and we wanted to do something special in celebration of her life and raise some money for the Rowans Hospice in the process.'

She said: '˜I knew what Doreen was going through and she ended up in The Rowans Hospice. We went to visit and it was lovely so we decided to raise money for them as they rely on donations.'

There will be a host of activities on offer for families all weekend at the pub which is leased by Admiral Taverns, including live music from five different bands across the two-day festival as well as face painting, tug of war and a Bucking Bronco for adults feeling brave.

A raffle to raise cash will give one lucky winner the chance to extend their home as local conservatory company Novaseal have donated the top prize of a conservatory worth £20,000. 

Denise said: '˜There is lots of things for children and families to do and we hope it will be a great success. If all goes well it is definitely something we would like to repeat every year, or every two, to raise money.' 

The event runs from 1pm until 5pm on Saturday, August 25, and Sunday, August 26.