Publican couple hope to share daughter's story living with cerebral palsy with new platform as tenants at Maldon Grey pub in Great Cornard
A publican couple hope their new tenancy will help return a Suffolk pub to the heart of its community, and provide a new platform to share their daughter’s story.
Tony and Beckie Bayliss say they have been delighted by the early response to their tenure as landlords at the Maldon Grey in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, which began last month.
The pub in Cats Lane reopened on October 15 following significant renovations after the couple took the reins, building upon 20 years of experience in the hospitality trade.
Alongside their tenancy, the couple will also continue their event catering work around the UK, as well as their efforts to raise awareness for the TeiganSmile fund.
Tony and Beckie’s daughter, Teigan, developed cerebral palsy as a complication of meningitis, after she was kissed as a baby by somebody with a cold sore.
Over the years, her parents have organised numerous fundraisers, including a celebrity football match this summer to support her, while also using TeiganSmile to spread awareness of the health risks that led to her condition.
The Maldon Grey is also preparing to welcome film-makers to record a special documentary about Teigan’s life and her experience overcoming the challenges of her disability.
Tony told Suffolk News: “The more that we can raise awareness, the better.
“When we were in hospital with Teigan, there were another three babies being treated for the same issue and, unfortunately, they didn’t make it.
“The documentary is another way to raise awareness. It will cover Teigan’s journey, her struggles in life, and how she deals with it in her own way.
“She is an absolute star. Everyone who meets her, she has them wrapped around her little finger. Me and her mum stress more than she does.
“She just takes everything in her stride and always has a smile on her face. During dark times, it was her smile that got us through, and that’s why we named the fund TeiganSmile.”
Tony said they hoped to spread the word about her story further alongside the various live events and entertainment they are hosting at the Maldon Grey each week.
Having served as tenants at numerous Suffolk pubs over the years, the couple had devoted their focus to catering in recent years, supporting major events like the Grand National and the cricket at Edgbaston.
Tony explained they had been persuaded to take over the running of the Maldon Grey by the “great vibe” they had got when they visited the pub.
“The response has been absolutely fantastic,” he added. “The community has really brought into the idea of what we’re doing.
“The demand for bookings has grown a lot more than we thought it would at this stage. We want to take the pub from strength to strength and be the hub for the community that we believe it should be.”
To contact the pub, call 01787 379431 or click here.
To read about TeiganSmile, click here.
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