Somerset pub declares independence from Great Britain

The Cross Keys Inn, at Lydford-on-Fosse has written to the PM, Theresa May, to let her know that they intend to launch a revolution at the beginning of September by declaring the pub an INNdependent RePUBlic from Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 9.

But it is all in a good cause, marking the pub owners' fifth anniversary at the venue and to raise money for Taunton-based St Margaret's Hospice. 

Pub owner David Grindley said: “We wanted to do something special for our fifth anniversary, it’s all very tongue in cheek and lighthearted.

"We’ll declare ourselves an INNdependent RePUBlic State on Friday evening, we’ll be choosing a cabinet, president and first lady on the night and we have a national anthem written by one of our locals.

"Then we’ll party on through the weekend with music, theatre, fun and games, until we surrender to the mother country on Sunday afternoon.

"MP David Warburton has kindly agreed to visit the pub on the Sunday to accept our surrender back into the UK.

"Visitors will be issued with a souvenir passport at border control."

EMBLEM: The Cross Keys flag

And Mr Grindley said he hoped visitors would enjoy the new republic - while it lasted.

"We want people to come and enjoy a real family party atmosphere over the whole weekend," he said.

"We have bands playing on all three days and lots of great activities and entertainment, hopefully something to suit everyone.

"It’s going to be a lot of fun and we’ll be raising as much money as we can for St Margaret’s Hospice, who do a marvellous job caring for patients in Somerset."

Pub locals, who are very much involved in organising the event, have announced they will be building a wall with a passport control point, as well designing a passport, charity national T-shirts and national bunting.

for a full run down of what is happening over the weekend, visit crosskeysinn.info, or facebook.com/crosskeysinnlydford.

DOCUMENTS: Visitors will be issued a Cross Keys passport