News
- Next step towards saving Somerset Arms, Semington
Monday 27 April 2026
The Semington Community Benefit Society (CBS) are trying to save The Somerset Arms and are now seeking to establish the level of community backing to buy and re-open the pub. The CBS is seeking pledges from potential share buyers – at this stage these pledges are non-binding but will give the CBS an indication of likely financial support. A separate share offer will be launched in the summer, minimum investment is expected to be £250.
. Full details on their website
.Running alongside this a Crowdfunder campaign seeking donations mainly to help with start up costs such as marketing, IT, admin, events, professional fees etc, but any excess will go towards the actual purchase of the pub. Details on the same website.
SAVE THE SOMERSET ARMS !
- Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke named Branch Pub of the Year 2026
Thursday 2 April 2026
Just fourteen months after re-opening as a community owned pub The Hop Pole in Limpley Stoke has been chosen as Bath & Borders Pub of the Year 2026.
.Many congratulations to the Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society and pub management team of Charlie Rawlings & Hannah Randall.
The certificate will be presented to the pub on the evening of Tuesday 21st April and the pub will go forward to the Regional judging round
The 2026 runner-up is The Raven, Bath (the 2023 winner) and their certificate will be presented to the pub on the evening of Thursday 21st May.
Photo of 1st birthday party courtesy of Jon Tonks
- Spring edition of Pints West out now
Friday 20 March 2026
Multi-award winning Pints West out now - look out for it at at pub near you
Further details here Pints West.
- Hop Pole is one !
Monday 26 January 2026
Residents of Limpley Stoke just south of Bath celebrated the first anniversary of the resurrection of the Hop Pole with bubbles, beer, balloons and cake on 26 Jan 2026.
.Congratulations to all involved. You can get a flavour of the celebrations here ITV covers Hop Pole.
. - Help Save the Brit
Saturday 17 January 2026
Good News, the planning application to convert the Britannia Inn into housing has been rejected by Somerset County Council and the East Wells Community Benefit Society are hopeful that they will be able to move forward with the project to buy the pub in the coming weeks and subsequently re-open it. If so and to hit the ground running the committee are seeking additional community support. Any support is welcome but they are particularly interested in the following skills
• Accountant; Architect; Solicitor; Surveyor
• Builder; Carpenter; Electrician; Plumber
• Decorator; Landscaper Plasterer; Roofer
• Administrative; Bookkeeping; Secretarial
• Project Manager; Team Leaders; General Labourer
Background here What's Brewing Brit article. If you are interested and want to know more then please contact gro.sbcsllewtsae@nimda . Check their facebook page. for latest info
Save the Brit !
. - Pints West out now !
Monday 22 December 2025
Winter edition of multi award winning Pints West is out now and will be appearing in a pub near you soon
.More details here Pints West.
- Change of venue 2nd Dec social
Monday 1 December 2025
due to overnight closure of the Winsley Hill road, and the Christmas Lights Switch On at the Hop Pole, it will be difficult to get there by bus, very little or no parking, and the pub will be very busy. So we have changed venue to Cross Keys