Popular venue hopes to open again soon thanks to DIY team in Tiddington
“WE are filled with incredible gratitude for the overwhelming kindness and support people have shown us.”
The words of Hannah Connolly speaking on behalf of her mum, Jo, and father, Tony, and herself as she exclusively told the Herald this week about the amazing acts of human generosity which have helped her family through one of the most harrowing experiences of their lives after the family-run business - Connolly’s Tapas Bar in Main Street, Tiddington – was severely damaged when a fire broke out in the building on Saturday on 4th November.
Thankfully nobody was injured in the fire and the building remains standing and safe.
There was quite a lot of smoke damage but with the help of an amazing community of friends, the family is confident the popular Tapas Bar will re-open soon after major clean-up and refurbishment has taken place and significant progress has already taken place.
At the time the family issued their grateful thanks for the actions taken by the emergency services. A comment issued to the Herald read:
“We would like to thank the magnificent fire service for their quick and hugely professional response. Their calm and informative attitude was so impressive and has to be applauded, especially in such a high pressure and dangerous situation.”
But worse was to come when Jo suffered a heart on Thursday 9th November. It’s known as a MINOCA heart attack (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) and Hannah believes this was caused by the stress of everything that happened.
“It was the cherry on top but the nurses at both Warwick and Walsgrave Hospitals were absolutely brilliant. Since that horrific moment when our family business and home were wrecked by fire we want to express our never-ending gratitude to family, friends and the community for their continued support.
It’s been absolutely incredibly difficult but we’ve been blessed to have everyone who have brought their crafts and skills to help us. We’ve had electricians and plumbers and residents help all the time and that means we really are getting back on track.” Hannah said.
When the fire happened neighbours were incredibly supportive from the very start.
The Stratford Limes Hotel brought trays of tea and whisky.
Staff at SPAR, Tiddington, brought a large flask of hot water which the family still tops up to make we are still use to make tea and coffee for the workforce.
Friends and neighbours made sandwiches and soups.
Baraset Barn gave rooms to the Connollys to stay in and friends have opened their homes to the family.
Extensive smoke damage was caused to the Tapas Bar but very quickly the community rallied and a DIY team in Tiddington went straight into action.
“We had a pump in the cellar because of all the excess water. There are generators and floodlights in the building. People have come forward to volunteer as our budget manage and bank manager. Seven or eight business have got involved including Stratford Golf Club who’ve made sandwiches and who have looked after us. We’ve had friends of friends – people who we’ve never met before -helping to clean up. We’ve literally had to strip down everything and start again but we will be open very soon,” said Hannah.
The Herald asked her what she would like to say to those people who have shown such incredible kind ness to the family.
Hannah replied: “Thank you. It feels like words are never going to be enough to say. This has been horrible to our family but we now feel the luckiest to be surrounded by so much love and support. All three of us will never take anything for granted ever again.”
