|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
17th June 2011
STOCKLAND: Community fights to save 'heart of the village'By Paul Crompton A GROUNDSWELL of community feeling is building in Stockland after the “heart” of the village was closed. Villagers came out in force to mourn the closure of the King’s Arms Inn after the owners called time on the 400-year-old pub on May 20th. The historic building is now boarded up and signs welcoming all enquiries from prospective buyers placed outside the pub, which is up for sale at £880,000. But during a meeting attended by more then 50 people, villagers decided to form a steering group to begin the process they hope will save the pub’s long-term future. Stockland resident Wendy Urquhart said they were really sad about the closure of the building she describes as the heart of the village. She said: “Passions are running very high, people feel strongly that we need a pub and that the pub should be in village, it’s a waterhole and a gathering place. “Everybody has spoken about it, there is a huge groundswell of opinion to find ways to keep the pub open as the heart of the village. “We have a hugely successful school but no post office and no village shop so the pub really was the heart of the village. “It’s very, very sad that a pub, yet another rural pub is closing.” “The steering group will come back to rest of village with recommendations later on once we have got a clear mandate about what we want to do. She added: “I don’t know for sure why the pub was closed. Living in a small community there were rumours abound but I’m not going to speculate.” The Freehouse to the pub dates back in places to around 1600 (Grade II listed). The property is described as offering all aspects of the licensed trade including food, beverage and letting areas with trade gardens, barn and car park on property agents Westcountry Commercial Business Agent website. PICTURE: Stockland villagers are hoping the village's pub will re-open once again following its closure CommentsThere are no comments yet. Be the first to add one below. Add new commentThe code you entered was incorrect, please try again Return to news headlines | |||||||||||||||
 
|
|||||||||||||||
