The Horse & Groom serves up support for Sage House

The Horse & Groom in East Ashling is putting community spirit at the heart of its fundraising, supporting local dementia charity Sage House throughout 2026/27.

The popular country pub, situated in the picturesque village of East Ashling near Chichester, has chosen Sage House in Tangmere as its charity partner, raising funds through customer donations and a programme of community events.

As part of the initiative, customers are invited to add a voluntary £1 donation to their bill, with every donation generously matched by John and Annoushka Ayton, owners of The Horse & Groom.

Now halfway through the partnership, the pub has already raised a fantastic £5,200 for Sage House, comprising £2,600 in customer donations and a further £2,600 in match funding from the owners.

With a history spanning more than 200 years, The Horse & Groom has long been part of village life. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, seasonal menus showcasing locally sourced produce and charming accommodation, the pub continues to be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

New General Manager Ben and his team are keen to build on this community spirit, with plenty of fundraising activities planned over the coming months.

These include regular quiz nights, a complimentary Christmas lunch for local residents aged over 75 in partnership with Good Neighbours, and an exciting early summer festival planned for the May Bank Holiday weekend, bringing the fundraising partnership to a celebratory finale.

John Ayton, said: “At The Horse & Groom, being part of the local community is incredibly important to us, and we're proud to be supporting Sage House and the fantastic work they do for people living with dementia and their families. The generosity of our guests has been wonderful to see, and it's a real testament to the community spirit that makes this area so special. We're excited to build on what we've achieved so far, bringing people together through our upcoming events and hopefully raising even more for such a worthwhile cause.”

The money raised will support the work of Sage House, a local charity providing specialist advice, practical help, emotional support and services for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Based in Tangmere, Sage House brings a range of services together under one roof, while its Mobile Wayfinding Advice Bus takes information and support directly into surrounding communities.

With more events on the horizon, The Horse & Groom is encouraging local residents to get involved, whether by joining a quiz night, attending the summer festival or simply popping in for a meal or drink and supporting the fundraising.

To find out what's coming up at The Horse & Groom, visit www.thehorseandgroom.pub or follow the pub on social media.

For anyone affected by dementia or wishing to learn more about the support available at Sage House, visit www.dementiasupport.org.uk.