Radnor Arms welcomes new committee to lead next chapter: Meet the team

AFTER recent committee elections at the Radnor Arms, it saw new members of the public welcomed into the committee, now formed and up-and-running, an introduction seems appropriate.

The committee elections, which took place on September 17 2025, and introduced new members for 2025–26.

Those members included Paul Norton (3 years, re-elected), Carlee Evans (2 years, re-elected), David Leitch (2 years,  re-elected), James Griffiths (2 years, new committee member voted in), Phil Ram (1 year,  re-elected), and Andy Cox (1 year, committee member voted in).

With James Griffiths (Marketing and Media Coordinator), and Andy Cox (Marketing) being welcomed additions to the committee, joining returning members Sue Norton (Chair), and Martin Lewis (Co-Chair), David Pugh (Building team), and Tanya Strange MBE (Secretary). Whilst Penny Southwood (non-committee member), continues her post as Project Manager, seeing the project through into Phase 4. The first meeting of the new committee was held on October 6 2025.

The committee bade a kind farewell to Mary Cobbett who decided not to stand for a second term, and thanked her for her commitment to our community pub through its journey to date.

During the Radnor Arms Hotel Limited Community Benefit Society Second Annual Members’ Meeting on 17 September 2025, Chair, Sue Norton opened the meeting by thanking shareholders, volunteers, and supporters who helped bring the Radnor Arms back to life.

This second annual members meeting allowed the public to celebrate another milestone in the revival of the community-owned pub as it steams forward about to enter its second year of operating.

Since reopening in April, the pub has hosted a range of community events, including a Eurovision viewing party in May 2025, as well as Pride Month (June), where we dressed the outside of the pub in pride flags, and VE Day (May) celebrations. During this period, it has served more than 330 meals and saved nearly £9,000 through volunteer hours.

Guest speaker Nick Comley of Plunkett UK praised the Radnor Arms as a model of community ownership, highlighting the strength of local initiatives nationwide.

Treasurer Paul Norton confirmed the year’s accounts were approved and independently examined, showing strong financial transparency and progress.

Looking ahead, plans include new wellbeing initiatives, community events, and Phase 4 of the restoration project, which will extend and restore the pub’s original footprint.

The evening closed with a charity vote, where by the Air Ambulance was chosen as the pub’s supported charity for the coming year.

With a growing sense of pride and purpose, the Radnor Arms continues to prove what a community can achieve together.

Meet and get to know your committee:

Sue Norton, Chair

Profession: Retired Occupational Therapist & Operations Manager

Sue has worked in the NHS and charity sector, working jointly with colleagues and management to ensure good governance with evidence-based practice.

She has experience in staff recruitment and retention, marketing, project management, hospitality, securing funding for projects and project management and working with volunteers.

Sue is concerned for the younger generations who are being denied the opportunity to visit ‘their’ local.

Martin Lewis, Vice-Chair

Profession: Landscape Gardener

Martin is a self-employed landscape gardener who moved from ‘Up North’ to the Radnor Valley 36 years ago and found he couldn’t leave!

He has an honours degree in Ecological Science and worked for a council planning department, gaining a diploma in planning.

Martin has successfully completed a course in small business management and was a member of the Evenjobb village hall Lottery Fund bid team.

Tanya Strange MBE, Secretary

Porfession: Senior Nurse, RN, MSc (Nursing), MBE 

Tanya moved to New Radnor in February 2023 and has immersed herself in village life.

Working in partnership with statutory, voluntary, and independent sectors, Tanya established the award winning Ffrind i Mi/Friend of Mine initiative in Gwent, a multi-agency partnership approach to combatting loneliness and social isolation across communities.

Tanya has been successful in securing several bids and grants to support the wellbeing of people.

James Griffiths, Marketing and Media Coordinator

Profession: Camera Operator and Drone Pilot 

James moved to New Radnor in April 2023 and works in the television industry as a freelance news cameraman, and within Access Services for the BBC, Channel 4 and RTE. With a background in print journalism, research and post-production television.

His credits include work for BBC, S4C, Sky Crime, and Channel 5, working on consumer affairs show BBC X-Ray, and working across documentaries such as Killer in My Village and the BBC’s Siân Phillips at 90.

He also wrote for the Wellington Weekly News and West Somerset Free Press, two local newspapers based out of Wellington, in Somerset, and the Mid Wales paper, The Brecon and Radnor Express.

He continues to film news content for The Brecon and Radnor Express, as well as working closely with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, producing patient story films for internal and public use.

James has been part of the Radnor Arms marketing team from the start (before the share offer went live in 2023), creating video content and social media campaigns. He is also responsible for designing, building and management of the CBS and Radnor Arms websites (theradnorarms.com).

David Leitch, Co-Treasurer

Profession: Retail E-Commerce Manager

David has commercial trading experience and is responsible for an online business across 800 shops, alongside 20 years retail experience in marketing, space planning, buying, and store management.

As a chartered manager with level 7 diploma in leadership, he's managed teams with project management experience. He also has experience of working with suppliers (buying food for resale, and technology).

David provides support to the finance team, bringing his experience in budgeting and forecasting as the trading of the pub begins.

Paul Norton, Co-Treasurer

Profession: Presteigne Retired Bank Clerk & Business Manager

Paul has experience working in the corporate, social and charity sectors, with transferable skills in finance, from banking to working with adults and children with learning disabilities.

Prior to retirement Paul worked as a business manager, running with Sue, his partner, a 100-bed group accommodation centre, turning his hand to everything from finance, maintenance, and hospitality.

Paul has lived with Sue, within five miles of the Radnor Arms for 45 years.

David Pugh, Onsite Building Lead

Profession: Semi Retired Builder

David is a lifelong resident, having lives in the village for 66 years, with over 30 years in the building trade.

He is passionate about the rebuilding and reopening of the pub and believes this is the first step to revitalising the village and enhancing our community spirit.

He looks forward to making a great start and getting the pub going.

Phil Ram, Gardening Team

​Profession: Freelance Gardener and Musician

PHIL is a freelance gardener and musician. He has presented BBC horticultural articles and featured on both radio and TV with his music.

Phil with his wife and mini-Dachshund live in the heart of the village.

He shares a keen interest in restoring the Radnor Arms to become the pub it used to be, once again opening its doors with a warm welcome to all.

Andy Cox, Marketing

Profession: Builder

Andy joined the committee in September 2025 and has lived in New Radnor with his family for 9 years.

He has had a varied career in hospitality, education, and more recently in building, both in the UK and abroad bring useful experience to the team.

He brings good interpersonal skills to the role, as well as experience of teamwork and collaboration to find creative, practical solutions.

He enjoys brainstorming ideas, helping to make decisions and ironing out issues for the business and community. He truly believes The Radnor Arms is wholly good for the village and will to help make it work in any way he can.

Penny Southwood, Project Manager

Penny joined us in December 2024 to support us with Phase 4 of our project.

Penny moved to Herefordshire in 2003. Originally trained in design, she has since completed a Masters in Business (MBA) and held leadership roles in commercial business, retail and charity sectors, working with stakeholders to develop and deliver projects and programmes that bring change and support wellbeing. 

Having seen the incredible progress since the pub’s closure, Penny is truly inspired by the community’s dedication to making this dream a reality.

She adds, "The village pub is about so much more than just a place to grab a pint. It’s a hub for connection, support, and togetherness, and I’m honoured to be helping bring this vision to life."

Don’t forget that the Radnor Arms host many events during each month of year, and you can find out about those events by visiting: www.theradnorarms.com or following us on instagram at @radnorarmscbs or Facebook The Radnor Arms (Community Benefit Society) via (https://www.facebook.com/share/1BtiRiYKtX/?mibextid=wwXIfr).

If you’re interesting in learning about the Community Benefit Society (CBS), and viewing our business documents, visit our other website: rahl-cbs.org.