Residents rally to save 300-year-old pub

Local residents are rallying to save a historic pub in East Woodlands, which has been at the centre of village life for generations.

The Horse and Groom closed in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.

The newly formed Friends of the Horse and Groom group is seeking Asset of Community Value (ACV) status through Somerset Council, which would give the community an opportunity to explore buying the pub.

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.

Rick’s daughter and campaign member Gemma Squire said, “That place has seen so many families through and helped so many more. So many memories, laughter, long nights, parties and more. The Queen’s Jubilee, Morris Men, birthday parties and weddings – you name it, we probably did it. The atmosphere and character within those walls were something else.”

Residents are keen to save the pub as a village amenity and fear that without community intervention the historic pub could ultimately be lost to an alternative use.

One resident said, “I feel that the village lost its heart and its hub when the pub closed. There is a strong community at East Woodlands with the village hall and church, but without somewhere regularly open to facilitate social interactions, both formal and informal, the heart and soul went from the village.”

Campaigners have also contacted Frome MP Anna Sabine and Selwood councillors Richard Hammons and Helen Kay, with meetings planned to discuss the next steps should the nomination be successful.

The campaign has also received backing from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).  CAMRA member and Frome resident Jonathan Benger said, “The loss of the Horse and Groom to an alternative use would permanently remove the opportunity for the village to regain its only pub and would result in the loss of an irreplaceable community asset.

“Retaining the possibility of reopening is itself of considerable community value.”

Anyone wishing to support the campaign can get involved by emailing  contactus@savethejockey.co.uk