The Half Moon, a 16th-century Grade II listed pub in Kirdford, West Sussex, has temporarily closed its doors after staff reported facing verbal and physical abuse from customers. Owned by former model and television personality Jodie Kidd, the establishment announced a three-day closure from Monday through Wednesday, with plans to reopen on Thursday, September 25. The decision comes amid what the pub described as a recent spate of incidents where team members were subjected to unacceptable behavior.

In a statement posted on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook, The Half Moon emphasized its commitment to creating a welcoming environment. "We've worked hard to create more than just a pub—we've built a home. A place for people to come together, enjoy good times, and make memories," the statement read. It expressed sadness over the abuse faced by staff in recent weeks, reminding patrons that behind the operation is a human team dedicated to their work.

The closure provides staff with what the pub called a "well-deserved short break" to "relax and recharge." Management highlighted the relentless nature of running an independent business, noting that the team works seven days a week driven by "passion, love, and integrity." They appealed for respect from customers, urging any complaints to be communicated in a "calm, constructive, and polite way" to maintain a positive community atmosphere.

The Half Moon has garnered praise in recent days, having been named one of the best celebrity-run pubs in the UK by food writer Tom Parker Bowles. In a Daily Mail article, he described it as "a proper pub—the sort you'd want to spend a few hours in," citing its historic features like stone floors, wooden beams, and a cozy fire. Kidd, who purchased the pub in 2017, has run it for eight years, earning accolades for maintaining its traditional charm while fostering a community-focused space.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.