Staffordshire pub is praised by Defence Secretary John Healey for its work supporting the armed forces
A Staffordshire pub has been praised by Defence Secretary John Healey for its work supporting the armed forces.
Terry and Dee Cope, who run The Bird in Hand in Stafford's Victoria Square, received a letter from Mr Healey in recognition of their long-standing commitment to service personnel, veterans, and their families.
In his letter, Mr Healey praised the couple for raising almost £1,000 for the 2025 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and for its support for both the legion and the Royal Engineers.
"It is people like you who do incredible work supporting and valuing our armed forces, " he wrote.
"I know from my many conversations with our current and former service personnel how incredibly important the support they get from communities and volunteers is to them. You are truly a credit to your community."
They were recommended for the honour by Stafford MP Leigh Ingham, who praised their support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
Miss Ingham said the couple not only raised money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal, but also hosted large-scale remembrance events and provided free meeting space forces' groups.
She said Mr and Mrs Cope, who took over the pub in 2017, have given a great deal of time and effort to supporting charities and the wider community. The pub’s busiest community event takes place on Remembrance Sunday, when it hosts a free buffet and refreshments for hundreds of people across Stafford, while raising funds for the poppy appeal
Miss Ingham said: “The Bird in Hand's a true community pub. Terry and Dee invest a huge amount of time and money to make sure our armed forces and veterans community feels welcome, valued, and supported.
"This recognition from the Defence Secretary is so well deserved."
Mr Cope said he and his wife were incredibly proud of what the Bird in Hand meant to the people of Stafford.
"The support we give to the armed forces community is something we care deeply about, and to have that recognised nationally really means a lot."
Earlier this year, Miss Ingham brought the veteran's minister Al Carns to the Bird in Hand, where he met with local veterans, serving personnel, and charities during a round-table discussion.
The pub was also a finalist for the Community Support Hero category of the 2025 National Pub Awards.
