Pledge scheme launched to save village pub

Residents in East Woodlands have launched a community pledge scheme in the next move to save a historic pub in the village.

The Friends of the Horse and Groom have been campaigning to save the 300-year-old pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which Somerset Council recently granted.

The listing was confirmed in late August, before the owner requested a review of the decision.

However, this request has now been withdrawn, with the owner indicating its intention to proceed with the sale of the pub. The group now has six weeks to notify Somerset Council in writing if it wishes to become a potential bidder.

They are calling for people from across the UK to place non-binding pledges of interest to establish whether a future community share offer could raise the capital needed to purchase and reopen the pub. Pledges are expressions of interest, not payments or commitments to invest.

A spokesperson for the Friends said, “The ambition is to create a commercially viable business with a genuine community purpose – welcoming residents, walkers, cyclists and visitors while giving people fresh reasons to discover East Woodlands.

“The vision combines traditional pub life with an unusual selling point: a restaurant

inspired by nineteenth-century literature, bringing classic storytelling and period

atmosphere into a contemporary dining experience.”

Alongside this, the group plans to host live music, traditional Morris dancing, seasonal food, and community gatherings to help restore the pub’s role as a vibrant social hub.

“The immediate priority is to establish whether enough people would consider investing

to make community ownership a realistic proposition. No investment is being sought at this stage.”

The campaign has received support from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for its ACV

nomination, which highlighted the pub’s importance as a focal point for village life.

Jonathan Bengor of CAMRA’s Frome Branch, said, “As the only public house in East Woodlands, the Horse and Groom fulfilled an important role extending well beyond the sale of food and drink. It acted as a focal point for village life, providing a venue for informal gatherings, celebrations and community interaction.”

The pub was run for around 20 years by Rick Squire, known as Rickie, and his partner Kathy Barrett. In March 2020, Rick suffered multiple strokes after becoming seriously ill during an evening service and died two weeks later. Following his death and the pressures created by the pandemic, Kathy made the decision to close the pub.

To register a non-binding pledge of interest or find out more, visit the Save the

Horse and Groom Facebook group, complete the online pledge form at

https://forms.gle/QyjEYxpGUGPAicFNA or email contactus@savethejockey.co.uk.

 

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