VILLAGERS have raised a glass to their 200-year-old pub after winning a battle in their bid to keep it open.

The Support Our Yew Tree (SOYT) campaign in Cliffords Mesne near Newent obtained community asset status for the premises from the Forest of Dean Council last Thursday (June 15).

And that means villagers now have the chance to raise the cash to purchase it themselves if a buyer fails to materialise.

SOYT secretary Tim Fewell said: “Village pubs are closing all over the country, but we don’t want to see it go.

“It’s been part of village life for centuries and it’s important to many residents that we help keep it open.

“The pub is currently still trading, but the owners are looking to move away. It’s very welcoming to families, is a great place for walkers rambling on May Hill and hosts various village groups.”

Residents launched their campaign after licensees Peter and Christine Clarke announced their intention to move away.

SOYT formed a steering group last month to look at ways of funding a potential purchase after 86 per cent of villagers who responded to a survey backed moves to keep the country pub open.

It applied for “asset of community value” status, telling the Forest of Dean Council: “The Yew Tree has been a popular and well regarded social hub for the village for over 200 years.”

There was “strong community determination” to keep it open and “considerable support” for exploring a possible community purchase and running it as a community enterprise, it added.

As well as a traditional public house, it hosted music and entertainment events, parties and gatherings by groups like the local golf society, beekeeping associations and May Hill Morris Dancers.

SOYT is also looking at using part of the building as a shop, a parcel drop-off depot and expanding the current micro-brewery in the premises.

Mr Fewell added: “If a buyer comes along who wants to run it as a pub, we’ll support them all the way, but now we can explore whether it’s feasible to run it as a community enterprise, rather than potentially see it undergo a change of use.

“We had nearly 30 people at the public meeting where the steering group was founded and are in touch with a charity which helps groups like ours with advice and funding to look at the possi­bility of a community enterprise.

Last week’s ruling by the Forest council’s cabinet means that if the pub goes on the market, SOYT will have six weeks to say whether it wants to try and buy it, followed by six months to raise the funding.