We all know it’s necessary but self-isolating can easily get old especially if one is an extrovert and used to just going out and meeting people.

During times of stress, a trip to the pub is usually enough to set things right but that’s the one thing people can’t do while the coronavirus pandemic is raging.

But a Bexley man managed to raise the spirits of his fiancée, literally and figuratively, by bringing the pub to her.

Steve Heming, who works as a freight forwarder, saw that his partner, Madeleine Markey, was getting a bit of cabin fever from being forced to stay at home.

Since they were both big beer fans, Steve thought that “going” to the pub would be just the thing to cheer up Madeleine.

Steve said: “My fiancée has been feeling a bit down with everything going on, and as I could not cheer her up by taking her to the pub, I thought I would bring the pub to her.

“So I made the sign and we ordered the beers.”

As CAMRA members, the couple has been helping with the Reading Beer and Cider Festival. All mass gatherings have been banned until the end of June. In the meantime, Madeleine had been purchasing drinks from cideries and breweries around Reading as part of them “supporting local business during this difficult time.”

Using all the beers they bought, the couple, who are due to be married in June, found themselves having their own pub, one that Steve even “opened” to the online world with online events through Instagram (@stevehldn). His profile even reads: “Bartender at the Isolate Inn.”

Madeleine, a publishing editor, said: “He also wanted to cheer me up as we’re due to get married in June and the wedding date’s in jeopardy at the moment due to all the uncertainty with coronavirus.”

Of the various drinks they’ve been buying, she explained: “Reading breweries we’re supporting include Tutts Clump, Loddon, Sirencraft, West Berks, Double Barrelled, Elusive and Wild Weather.”

She added that Tom Canning from Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival has compiled an extensive list of breweries and their offerings (including free home delivery).

The couple says that it’s important to remain optimistic and try to find creative ways to socialize despite the physical isolation.

“Just to keep smiling, keep your spirits up!” Steve said.

“We will get through this and keep in contact with everyone whether it’s on Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook – anything! Just stop buying toilet rolls!”

 

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