Couple are 'bimbling home' through Eastwood as part of epic fundraising walk
Eastwood welcomes two special visitors this weekend as Dave Christian and Jacquelyn Cook arrive in town, marking a significant milestone in their cross-country trek.
The couple are currently walking from Cambridgeshire to West Yorkshire, an expedition they have dubbed ‘Bimbling Home’, all in the name of community mental health and wellbeing.
The walk is also to raise funds towards opening a non-profit micro-pub and community hub.
Born and bred in Eastwood, Dave moved to Yorkshire in 2011 after meeting Jac.
However the couple have regularly returned to visit family who live in the town and to support local events such as the DH Lawrence music festival.
And they will be staying around in Eastwood for a few days, leading up to a fund-raising event at The Pit in Newstead on June 5.
For the past three years Dave and Jacquelyn have lived a quiet, intentional life off-grid in the Cambridgeshire countryside, until a spark of inspiration last year set them on a new path.
Their goal is as ambitious as their walk – to raise the necessary funds to open a non-profit micro-pub and community hub back in Huddersfield.
Jacquelyn said: “This isn’t your average pub project.
"Drawing on out professional backgrounds in hospitality and the arts, we envision a space where the culture of craft beer, live music, and creative expression serves a higher purpose.
"Under the non-profit model, the proceeds from the commercial side of the hub will be directly funneled back into the community, supporting a range of vital services designed to bolster mental health and local connectivity.
Dave and Jacquelyn add that project represents a ‘blending’ of passions using the social atmosphere of a micro-pub as a sustainable engine for social good.
Jacquelyn added: "By integrating the arts and music into the venue, we hope to create a sanctuary where people can find, not just a drink, but a sense of belonging and support.
As they navigate their way through the midlands, Dave and Jacquelyn carry with them the hopes of a community yet to be built.
Eastwood marks the half-way point of the journey and they will be spending a few days in the town before continuing on to Newstead next week.
For more informatio about their project, visit positive-earth-community.com/bimbling-home/