The village of Stoke Saint Gregory, in Somerset, is preparing to re-open its pub, The Royal Oak, now in community ownership.
The Royal Oak, Stoke Saint Gregory, in earlier days
It is planned to re-open the pub on Friday, 16th April, from 6pm to 9pm. Service will be outdoors only, at table, but it is anticipated that a full range of refreshments will be available, both on tap and bottled.
The re-opening of the pub is part of Stoke Saint Gregory’s ambitious Heart of the Village (HOTV) project. Stoke Saint Gregory was in danger of losing its heart. Its pub closed, and in the past year its only shop closed and moved into a temporary shipping container.
The community clubbed together and raised sufficient funds to buy the pub. It has been all hands to the pumps ever since.
Spokesperson Graham Gleed said: “Future plans include offering much more than a good pint, as the refurbished pub will also include a community café and garden. The village community has a very optimistic outlook in establishing a newly refurbished pub and hub for the village, owned by the community for the community.”
• Find out more about the Heart of the Village project here.
