Save the Vulcan @ CDFBlogs

Last night saw some of the Save the Vulcan team attend the second Cardiff Blogger event where Rachel had been asked by Ed Walker from Wales Online's YourCardiff to give a guest talk on the Save the Vulcan blog.

She did a fantastic job - see for yourself thanks to YourCardiff:



It was a great event: really good to put faces to names and hopefully demonstrate that blogging (and social networking in general) can and does make a difference.

You can read the write up on YourCardiff here.

And on the Guardian Cardiff Blog here.

A big thanks needs to go to Ed from YourCardiff and Hannah from the Guardian Cardiff Blog for inviting us along and to Rachel for doing such a great job! Also a big thanks to everyone who came over to say hello and all of your new followers on Twitter!

New Faces at the Vulcan!

Great news! Brains has now confirmed that the tenancy of the Vulcan will be taken over Gwyn and Sandra Lewis from June 2. The couple currently run the Railway Tavern in Tredegar.

Today's article at WalesOnline has more details.

This is fantastic news for all Vulcaneers, not least because Gwyn says he fully intends to keep the Vulcan going even after its current lease runs out!

SAVE THE VULCAN DEMONSTRATION CALLED OFF

The Save the Vulcan campaign has called off the demonstration planned for 15 May 2010

Brains have announced that they’re “absolutely confident that the pub will remain open when Liz Smart, who has done a fantastic job, moves on”.

Save the Vulcan campaigners had planned the demonstration amid fears the Victorian watering hole would close following the departure of landlady Liz Smart at the end of May 2010.

Save the Vulcan campaigner Rachel Thomas said, “I’m delighted Brains have given us firm reassurance that the Vulcan will remain open. We’re looking forward to working with Brains in the coming months to secure the long term future of the Vulcan”.

Save the Vulcan campaigner Willy Downie added, “I’m glad Brains have come out with this statement. It’s a big relief! We’re all going to miss Liz, she’s been a legendary landlady!”

A positive response from Brains

We have now received contact from Brains who have reassured us that they are doing everything they can to keep the pub open and running. Expect to hear more soon but in the mean time here is today's article from Ed Walker published on the Western Mail's Your Cardiff website:

Brains offers reassurance ahead of Vulcan protest

Save The Vulcan pub campaigners may call off a planned demonstration on The Hayes after Brains brewery offered assurances that a new landlord would be found.

The campaign group had put out publicity stating its intention to march on the company’s headquarters on Saturday 15th May 2010.

A statement from Philip Marden, Brains area manager, said: “Please be assured that we’re doing everything we possibly can to keep the Vulcan open. We have been active in our search for replacement tenants and while we’re not yet able to confirm who will be taking over the tenancy, we can say that we are absolutely confident that the pub will remain open when Liz Smart, who has done a fantastic job, moves on. Commercial contracts are by their nature confidential but as soon as we’re able to release some detail we will.

“As everybody knows we opposed the Compulsory Purchase Order in the first place. As a pub operator and brewer it’s absolutely in our interest to keep this pub, and indeed all our other pubs, open and trading.”

David Wilton, speaking on behalf of the campaign group, said: “Since this afternoon we’ve had numerous emails and phone calls from Brains. They have given us reassurance that a new landlord will be found, but can’t tell us a date. We will meet tonight and decide if the protest is still going ahead.”

Read the full article here.

Save the Vulcan - DEMONSTRATION

It’s time for action now. The Vulcan’s legendary landlady Liz Smart is leaving the Vulcan at the end of May. Liz has been a fantastic landlady and will be very sorely missed.

Brains must now find a new landlady / landlord to take Liz’s place. We wrote to Brains twice in April (7th and 20th April) to try and find out what’s going on. We also chased our emails with phone calls. Brains have not responded.

BRAIN MUST ACT NOW TO SAVE THE VULCAN.

THE PUB COULD CLOSE ON 31 MAY 2010.

Join us to demonstrate and Save the Vulcan.
Saturday 15 May 2010.
12 noon – assembly in the Hayes (outside Cardiff Central library)
1pm – march to Brains brewery
3pm – drinks and speeches in The Vulcan

Why are we demonstrating?
The current Vulcan landlady is leaving the Vulcan at the end of May. Brains have done nothing to replace her, and have not responded to any of our letters / phone calls / emails.

What do we want?
A secure future for the Vulcan. A new landlord / landlady must be found immediately. Brains must act now.

Why should I demonstrate?
THE PUB COULD CLOSE ON 31 MAY 2010. We must put pressure on Brains now to find a new landlord / landlady.

What should I bring?
Bring placards, whistles, t-shirts, and people!

How do I get there?
Train to Cardiff Queen Street or Cardiff Central station. Bus numbers 1, 2, 8, 9, 9A, 11, 52, 52A, 55, 57, 57B, 58, 58B, 92, 93, 94, Baycar.

How can I find out more?
Join our Facebook group ‘The Vulcan Cardiff: we loves it’. Call or text Rachel on 07961704829 or David on 07841366144

Why should the Vulcan be saved?
Built in 1853 (long before Brains was founded in 1882!), the Vulcan is one of Cardiff’s oldest pubs. A true spit and sawdust experience, this Victorian gem is one of a kind in Cardiff. More than 5,000 people signed the petition to save it. The current landlady is leaving at the end of May 2010 and it’s up to Brains to act now, and find a replacement. ONLY BRAINS CAN STOP THE VULCAN CLOSING IN 2010.

Don’t let Brains call last orders in Cardiff’s best boozer.