Our Mission

 

At The Ostrich Inn, Newland, our mission is to create a welcoming third space at the heart of the community where people can gather, connect, rest, celebrate, and feel at home.

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As a historic village pub in the beautiful Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, we believe pubs play an important role beyond simply serving food and drink. They are places where communities are strengthened, local traditions are preserved, visitors are welcomed, and meaningful connections are made.

We are committed to running The Ostrich Inn in a way that supports our local economy, cares for the environment, and creates opportunities for people both now and for future generations.

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What Sustainability Means to Us

 

Sustainable development is often described as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

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For us, sustainability is about much more than reducing waste or lowering emissions, although these are important. At its heart, sustainability is about people, place, and long-term responsibility.

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We believe a sustainable business should:

• Create fair opportunities for workers and young people

• Contribute positively to the resilience of the local economy

• Support local communities and local livelihoods

• Protect and preserve the natural environment

• Celebrate local heritage and culture

 

As a small independent business, we recognise the important role we can play in creating positive social and environmental impact through the choices we make every day.

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Supporting Our Team

 

We are committed to creating opportunities for learning, development, and long-term careers within hospitality. We have developed apprenticeship opportunities within the business and are proud to currently support:

• Two apprentice chefs.

• One apprentice management trainee.

 

By investing in training and skills development, we hope to help young people build confidence, gain valuable experience, and establish careers within the hospitality industry. We believe in creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and encouraged to grow.

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Supporting the Local Economy

 

As an independent pub, we are passionate about supporting local producers, suppliers, and businesses wherever possible.

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Locally Sourced Food

The majority of the food used in our kitchen is sourced locally and prepared fresh on site by our chefs. By working closely with local farmers and suppliers we help support businesses within the region and contribute to a more resilient local economy. This is because purchasing locally ensures that a greater proportion of spending remains within the community, creating a positive economic ripple that supports employment and sustains local livelihoods. Additionally, using local produce helps reduce food miles and transportation emissions while allowing us to serve fresher, seasonal dishes.

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Local Ales & Ciders

We are proud to serve real ales and ciders from breweries and producers across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, and the surrounding region.

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Championing local breweries not only supports independent businesses but also celebrates the rich brewing and cider-making traditions of our area.

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Supporting Local Tourism

The Ostrich Inn has welcomed travellers, walkers, cyclists, and visitors for centuries. Today, we continue to support sustainable tourism within the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley by providing a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike.

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We have since renovated upstairs to become a characterful, dog-friendly apartment for visitors to stay in. The apartment holds two rooms, a bathroom, a living room, a fully equipped and functioning kitchen and dining space. To book to stay please search ‘Self Contained Apartment – The Ostrich Inn, Newland’ on Booking.com. We believe tourism can play a key role in sustaining rural communities and preserving historic village life.

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Community & Social Outreach

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Community is at the centre of everything we do. We are proud to support local initiatives, organisations, and groups wherever we can, including:

• Supporting veterans and the wider armed forces community

• Supporting the local church and village events

• Providing a welcoming and inclusive space for local residents and visitors

• Helping maintain the traditional role of the village pub as a community hub

 

As a family-run pub, we believe hospitality should be about kindness, inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Pubs have long provided somewhere for people to come together, share stories, celebrate milestones, and support one another through difficult times. We believe these connections help strengthen communities and contribute to the long-term resilience of rural villages.

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Caring for the Environment

 

We recognise that even small businesses can make meaningful environmental improvements through practical everyday actions.

Some of the steps we are taking include:

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Reducing Waste

• Recycling waste wherever possible

• Reducing single-use plastics

• Encouraging responsible sourcing and stock management to minimise food waste

Supporting Biodiversity

• Maintaining outdoor spaces that encourage wildlife and pollinators

• Developing wildflower planting areas to help support bees and other pollinating insects

Encouraging Sustainable Travel

• Welcoming walkers and cyclists visiting the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

• We promote local walking routes which can be found under the ‘Walks’ section of our website

 

Preserving Heritage

 

The Ostrich Inn is one of the oldest and best-preserved inns in the region, and we see ourselves as custodians of an important piece of local history.

We are committed to preserving the character, heritage, and atmosphere of this historic building while ensuring it remains a welcoming and sustainable space for future generations.

 

Since taking ownership, we have worked hard to restore this historic building so that it can continue to serve the local community. We have taken several steps to ensure this including restoring the roof, structural reinforcement and rendering and painting the outside of the pub.

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Looking Forwards

 

Sustainability is an ongoing journey, not a finished project.

 

We know there is always more we can learn and improve upon, and we are committed to continuing to develop responsible practices that benefit our staff, customers, community, and environment.

 

By supporting local producers, investing in people, caring for the environment, and preserving the character of this historic inn, we hope to ensure The Ostrich remains a thriving part of village life for many years to come.

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