They’ve run the village pub for 30 years.

And this weekend, most of Laddingford near Maidstone will be descending on The Chequers to help Charles and Tracey Leaver celebrate three decades at the 15th century inn.

Reflecting on their time, Tracey said: “We never thought we were going to be here this long. We thought maybe three years and then we’d move on, but we just liked the village so much, and the people, that we stayed.”

Throughout their tenure, the couple have made it their mission to put the pub at the centre of the village and have come up with no end of ideas for community events that have now become a village tradition in themselves.

There’s the annual Bangers and Beer day, the Train and Transport show (which is on again next month), visits from the Hartley Morris, and Tracey’s favourite - the annual fun veg and flower show.

She said: “That’s always a great day, with lots of prizes for the children and adults.”

The pub also has its own cycling team - The Chequers Racers, founded 14 years ago, who kicked off with a bike ride to Paris and have hardly stopped since.

Then there are the Chequers Otters - a coldwater swimming group, and the pub is fully involved in supporting the annual Paddock Wood half-marathon.

During the Covid lockdown, when the pub couldn’t open, it ran a regular meals service, delivering dinners to the elderly and vulnerable in the village.

Tracey said: “Of course there have been a lot of changes over 30 years - the no-smoking ban was perhaps the biggest, and also changes in people’s habits.

“What hasn’t changed is the people, who are lovely. We’ve watched children in the village grow up, become shy teenagers, then adults.

“Our staff have always been amazing.”

Tracey said the couple had no plans to retire.

“We enjoy it too much, she said. “But being in a 15th-century building, you do realise that you are only the custodians.

“The Chequers saw plenty of history before we arrived and hopefully will see a lot more after we do go.”

The village celebrated with a party at the pub on Friday night, with music from Fox Force 5.

On Sunday afternoon, there will be a second, slightly more sedate celebration, with music from Matt Brindle and free jam, cream and scones.

Villager Katie Newman said: “Thirty years ago, the pub had been run down almost to nothing, and no-one was interested.

“Then Charles and Tracey came along and saved the day and the village by injecting the pub with life again!

“The Chequers now is a pub full of character, a smashing community and everything else possible you can imagine!

“We are forever grateful for all that Charles and Tracey do!”