PAT Hawkins is celebrating an anniversary on Saturday (July 15) but she doesn't want any presents.

The landlady of The Five Bells in Whitchurch Canonicorum is holding a party to mark her 20 years behind the bar at the west Dorset pub.

IT is two decades since she signed the lease with Palmers and one decade since her husband Laurence died and despite the challenges facing rural pubs Mrs Hawkins has made the Five Bells a community hub.

She said: "It has been a struggle although we have been doing much better recently.

"I have always had amazing support from the community.

"After my husband died I wondered what to do but I was encouraged to stay.

"My party will be an opportunity to say thank you to the village for being so wonderful to me and keeping the place going."

Village correspondent Mark Van de Weyer said it was typical of Pat that she'd asked for donations to Poole Cancer Unit in lieu of presents.

He said: "One of the biggest parties of the year in the village will take place at The Five Bells. It will be to celebrate Pat's 20th anniversary signing an agreement with Palmers.

"#since then she has not only run a lovely rural pub but also contributed hugely to the life of the community with the Five Bells often being the venue for raising money for local charitable causes.

"With so many other village pubs either closing down or having serious problems it is a tribute to Pat that the Five Bells has been so successful.

"The party will be an opportunity to toast Pat's first 20 years and wish her well for hopefully many more years in the future."

The party, which beings at 7.30pm, will include a disco, buffet and raffle.

Pat's daughter Stacey has been the joint tenant since her father died.

Titled trio up for hire

THREE new members of the Peerage were invested at Bridport yesterday - amid rumours of a cash for honours scandal!

The titles, The Lord Skilling, The Earl of Bucky Doo and The Duchess of Dreadnought were sold to Alf Baker, Louise Matthews and Pat Hawkins during an auction at the Bridport Radio Christmas party in the Electric Palace. Local business supported the project by offering them various feudal rights and money raised will go into a fund to help the community. Meanwhile the peers will be available for the usual civic duties of opening fetes, cutting ribbons and launching ships and can be contacted via the Bridport radio website www.bridportradio.co.uk

LEFT: Pat Hawkins the Duchess of Dreadnought and Louise Matthews, the Baroness of Bucky Doo Square