Daniel Craig Donates £50,000 to Support Brimscombe Mill Community Hub

Actor Daniel Craig, known for his role as James Bond, contributed £50,000 to a community hub that had faced the threat of eviction, enabling it to remain in its existing location. This donation was directed to Brimscombe Mill, situated in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The payment followed the disclosure that the building had been sold, a development that jeopardized employment. The facility houses various initiatives, including The Long Table, The Bike Drop, Kids Stuff, and The Home Remedy. Tom Herbert, who serves as director at Brimscombe Mill and co-founder of The Long Table, stated that the actor’s contribution demonstrated “incredible support” with the potential to “deepen our impact”. In March, the organizations operating at the mill were granted a six-month period to secure alternative premises, leading several of them to establish operations at a new site in Cirencester. The Long Table, one of these organizations, has provided over 38,000 meals to individuals using its pay-as-you-can system since 2021. Mr. Herbert recounted that the situation “disappeared from underneath us” when the eviction notice was delivered “out of the blue.” He further stated, “The community rose up and gave a loud ‘no this can’t happen’ on our behalf. We had no plan and we didn’t have any cash reserves. The thing that happened to us threatened our whole existence.” He attributed the “extraordinary” reaction to local residents, who convened to exchange concepts and initiated a campaign aimed at preserving the hub. While Mr. Herbert remains uncertain about how Craig became aware of the project, he speculates that the news “rippled” from local media to national publications. Mr. Herbert commented, “It obviously landed with him and made an impression. We’re super grateful that he heard the cry and answered.” He continued, “This incredible support from both the community and Daniel Craig speaks to the vitality of what we’re building here at Brimscombe Mill.” He concluded by adding, “This space has become a lifeline for many, offering not only meals and activities but also a sense of belonging and shared purpose.” For updates, follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.